JP2004046781A - Data providing method, code issuing device, electronic equipment, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a general user and an information distribution company to easily provide data to electronic equipment through the use of an iconographically represented code, and improve usability of the data provided through the use of the iconographically represented code. <P>SOLUTION: A barcode issuing server 30 converts content data received from a content provider's development machine 10A into a two-dimensional barcode optically readable with a portable telephone 50, and sends back the two-dimensional barcode image data to the development machine 10A. The barcode issuing server 30 also calculates a valid reading period for the content data converted into the two-dimensional barcode and a charge for issuance of the two-dimensional barcode according to a data quantity of the content data converted into the two-dimensional barcode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for providing data to an electronic device using a code represented by an optically readable icon, such as a bar code.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A portable electronic device represented by a mobile phone or a PDA has a difficulty in inputting data because the number of operation keys is small or the size of a keyboard is small because the size of the device is small.
[0003]
For example, a mobile phone has a total of twelve operation keys “0” to “9”, “*”, and “#” for performing a call operation and the like, power ON / OFF, operation mode switching, cursor There are only a total of about 20 operation keys, including several operation keys for instructing movement of the camera. A plurality of hiragana and romaji characters are assigned to specific operation keys such as numeric keys, and the selected character can be switched according to the number of times the operation keys are pressed. For this reason, for example, when registering a friend's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and the like in a mobile phone, data input work becomes extremely complicated.
[0004]
In order to solve such a difficulty of data input, there is a mobile phone equipped with a barcode reading device that can input data such as a name and a telephone number using a barcode (for example, see Patent Reference 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-126480
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in order to provide data using a barcode to an electronic device having a barcode reading function, data provided to the electronic device must be converted into a barcode. Naturally, this requires barcode conversion software and equipment. For this reason, the number of persons who can provide data to the electronic device using the barcode is extremely limited. From the above, at present, ordinary users and information distributors rarely convert desired data into barcodes and provide them to electronic devices.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and enables a general user or an information distribution company to easily provide data to an electronic device using a code represented by an icon, and It is intended to improve the convenience of data provided using a code represented by an icon.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a communication device that transmits data usable in an electronic device to a code issuing device that issues a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device. A first step, a second step in which the code issuing device receives the data transmitted in the first step, and converting the data into the code; and A third step of transmitting the image data of the code converted in the step to the communication device, and the electronic device optically reads the code attached to the article or displayed by the display device, and reads the code from the code. And a fourth step of decoding data usable in the electronic device.
[0009]
According to the present invention, data that a general user or an information distributor wants to provide to an electronic device is converted into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device by a code issuing device.
[0010]
In addition, the present invention provides a communication device that sets data usable in an electronic device and a valid reading period of the code when the data is converted into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device. A validity period information, and a first process of transmitting the validity period information to the code issuing device that issues the code, and the code issuing device receives the data and the validity period information transmitted in the first process, A second step of converting the data and validity period information into the code, and a third step of transmitting the image data of the code converted in the second step to the communication device by the code issuing device. The electronic device optically reads the code attached to an article or displayed by a display device, and from the code, data usable in the electronic device and the A fourth step of decoding period information, and when the electronic device obtains a current time and determines that the current time is within a valid period based on the valid period information decoded in the fourth step. And a fifth step of permitting use of the data.
[0011]
According to the present invention, data that a general user or an information distributor wants to provide to an electronic device is converted into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device by a code issuing device. In addition, a valid reading period is set in the code.
[0012]
In addition, the present invention is directed to a communication terminal for transmitting data usable in an electronic device including the communication terminal to a code issuing device that issues a code represented by an optically readable icon. Step 1, the code issuing apparatus receives the data transmitted in the first step, and converts the data into the code. The code issuing apparatus includes: A third step of transmitting the image data of the code converted in the step to the communication terminal; and the communication terminal receives the image data transmitted in the third step, and displays the code on a display screen. A fourth step of displaying, and a fifth step of optically reading the code displayed in the fourth step by another electronic device and decoding data usable in the electronic device from the code. Have To provide a data providing method.
[0013]
According to the present invention, data that a general user or an information distributor wants to provide to an electronic device is converted into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device by a code issuing device. In addition, data can be exchanged between electronic devices using codes.
[0014]
The present invention also provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in a network of a content associated with the code from the code, A second step in which the communication terminal transmits, to the relay device, the communication address decoded in the first step, and identification information indicating that the communication address is a communication address read from the code; The relay device receives the communication address and the identification information transmitted in the second process, and provides the communication device specified by the communication address, the content being stored in association with the communication address. A third step of relaying communication between the communication device and the communication terminal, and the third step includes the step of: A fourth step of counting the number of times of relaying communication based on the taken communication address for each communication address, and a management device for managing a charge for using the code, wherein the communication address is stored in the fourth step. Calculating a usage fee of the code to be charged to a person who has provided the content using the communication device, based on the number of relays counted for each communication.
[0015]
Also, the present invention provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon image and decodes code identification information for identifying the code from the code; A second step of transmitting the code identification information decoded in step 2 to the relay apparatus; and the communication apparatus in which the relay apparatus is associated with the code identification information transmitted in the second step. A communication device that provides content stored in association with the code identification information, a third step of relaying communication with the communication terminal, and the relay apparatus performs communication in the third step. A fourth step of counting the number of relays for each of the code identification information, and a management device for managing the charge for use of the code based on the number of relays counted for each of the code identification information in the fourth step. Before Providing data providing method and a fifth step of calculating the use fee of the code according to the person who provided the content using a communication device.
[0016]
Further, according to the present invention, a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon and decodes a communication address and code identification information for identifying the code from the code, A second step of transmitting the communication address and the code identification information decoded in the first step to the relay device, and the relay device transmitting the communication address and the code identification information transmitted in the second step. A communication device specified by the communication address and providing a content associated with the code identification information; a third step of relaying communication with the communication terminal; A fourth step in which the apparatus counts the number of times that communication is relayed in the third step for each code identification information; and a management apparatus that manages a charge for using the code, Calculating a usage fee of the code to be charged to a person who has provided the content using the communication device, based on the number of relay times counted for each of the code identification information in the process of 5). Provide a method.
[0017]
According to the present invention, the management device bills the person who provided the content using the communication device based on the number of relays of the communication using the communication address and the code identification information included in the code represented by the icon. Calculate the usage fee of the code to be used.
[0018]
The present invention also provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon and decodes data usable in the communication terminal and code identification information for identifying the code from the code. A second step in which the communication terminal transmits the code identification information decoded in the first step to a management device that manages the code; and A third step of receiving the transmitted code identification information, determining whether the code can be used based on the information stored in association with the code identification information, and notifying the communication terminal of the determination result; A fourth step of, when the communication terminal is permitted to use the code according to the determination result notified in the third step, outputting data decoded in the first step; Providing data providing method having.
[0019]
According to the present invention, availability of data decoded by the communication terminal from the code represented by the icon is determined by the management device that manages the code.
[0020]
Also, the present invention provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon image and decodes code identification information for identifying the code from the code; A second step of transmitting the code identification information decoded in the step to the management apparatus that manages the code, and the management apparatus receives the code identification information transmitted in the second step, A third step of determining whether or not the current time is within a validity period based on validity period information stored in association with the code identification information; and A fourth step of transmitting, to the communication terminal, a communication address indicating the location of the content in the network stored in association with the code identification information when it is determined that the content is within the validity period; Providing data providing method having.
[0021]
According to the present invention, the management device that manages the code sets the communication address indicating the location of the content in the network, stored in association with the code read by the communication terminal, within the effective use period of the code. Only when provided to the communication terminal.
[0022]
The present invention also provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in a network of a content associated with the code from the code, A communication device, wherein the communication terminal is a communication device specified by a communication address decoded in the first step, and validity information indicating a content and a validity period in which the content can be used in association with the communication address. A second step of communicating with a communication device that stores the following, and a validity period in which the communication device obtains a current time and the current time is associated with a communication address specified by the communication terminal. A third step of determining whether or not the validity period is based on the information; and determining that the communication device is within the validity period in the third step. A fourth step of reading the content corresponding to the communication address and transmitting the content to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal receiving the content transmitted in the fourth step, and And a fifth step of outputting the data.
[0023]
According to the present invention, the communication device provides the content stored in association with the code read by the communication terminal to the communication terminal only when the valid use period of the code is within.
[0024]
The present invention also provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in a network of a content associated with the code from the code, A second step in which the communication terminal obtains information indicating the usage status of the communication terminal or information for identifying the communication terminal, and the communication terminal obtains the information obtained in the second step, A third device for transmitting to a communication device specified by the communication address, the communication device storing a plurality of contents and information indicating a condition for permitting use of each of the contents in association with the communication address; And the communication device receives the information transmitted in the third process, reads out the information and the content corresponding to the communication address, and A fourth step of transmitting to the communication terminal, the communication terminal receives the contents sent by said fourth step, to provide a data providing method and a fifth step of outputting the content.
[0025]
Further, according to the present invention, a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon and decodes a communication address and code identification information for identifying the code from the code, A second step of obtaining information indicating the usage status of the communication terminal or information for identifying the communication terminal; and the communication terminal further comprising: code identification information decoded in the first step; The information obtained in the process of step 2 is a communication device specified by the communication address, the information indicating a plurality of contents and a condition for permitting use of each of the contents in association with the code identification information. A third step of transmitting to the communication device that stores the code identification information and the information acquired in the second step transmitted in the third step. And a fourth step of reading the content corresponding to the code identification information and the information obtained in the second step and transmitting the content to the communication terminal; and And a fifth step of receiving the transmitted content and outputting the content.
[0026]
The present invention also provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in a network of a content associated with the code from the code, A second step in which the communication terminal transmits the communication address decoded in the first step to the relay device; and the relay device for identifying information indicating the use state of the communication terminal or the communication terminal. A third step in which the relay apparatus transmits the information obtained in the third step to a communication apparatus specified by the communication address; and A fifth step of receiving the information transmitted in the fourth step, and transmitting the information and the content corresponding to the communication address to the communication terminal; But receiving said content transmitted in a fifth step, to provide a data providing method and a sixth step of outputting the content.
[0027]
The present invention also provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in a network of a content associated with the code from the code, A communication device, wherein the communication terminal is a communication device specified by the communication address decoded in the first step, and a plurality of contents in association with the communication address and information indicating a condition for permitting use of each of the contents. A second step of performing communication with a communication device that stores the information, and a third step of acquiring the information indicating the usage status of the communication terminal or the information for identifying the communication terminal, A fourth step in which the communication device reads out information corresponding to the information acquired in the third step and the content corresponding to the communication address and transmits the content to the communication terminal; And degree, the communication terminal receives the contents sent by said fourth step, to provide a data providing method and a fifth step of outputting the content.
[0028]
According to the present invention, the communication device responds to the information indicating the usage status of the communication terminal or the information for identifying the communication terminal among the plurality of contents stored in association with the code read by the communication terminal. Provide the content to the communication terminal.
[0029]
The present invention also provides a first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in a network of a content associated with the code from the code, A communication device, wherein the communication terminal is a communication device specified by a communication address decoded in the first process, and a usage condition indicating a condition for permitting use of the plurality of contents and each of the contents in association with the communication address. A second step of communicating with a communication device storing information and the communication device reads out a plurality of contents and usage condition information associated with the communication address and transmits the read out content to the communication terminal A third step, wherein the communication terminal receives the plurality of contents and the use condition information transmitted in the third step A fourth step, wherein the communication terminal obtains information indicating a use state of the communication terminal or information for identifying the communication terminal, and a fifth step in which the communication terminal And a sixth step of permitting the use of the content corresponding to the information obtained in the fifth step among the plurality of received contents.
[0030]
According to the present invention, the communication terminal receives a plurality of contents associated with the read code and use condition information thereof from the communication device, and indicates a use state of the communication terminal among the plurality of received contents. Only the content corresponding to the information or the information for identifying the communication terminal is permitted.
[0031]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving unit that receives data usable in an electronic device, and a conversion unit that converts the data received by the receiving unit into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device. Means, transmission means for transmitting image data of the code converted by the conversion means, and calculation means for calculating the code issue fee charged to a person who has requested the code issuance of the code to the code issuing device. And a code issuing device having:
[0032]
According to the present invention, data that a general user or an information distributor wants to provide to an electronic device is converted into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device by a code issuing device. Further, the code issuing device calculates a code issuing fee to be charged to a person who has requested the code issuance.
[0033]
Also, the present invention provides a receiving unit for receiving, from a communication terminal, data usable in an electronic device including the communication terminal and terminal identification information for identifying the communication terminal, and data received by the receiving unit. A conversion unit for converting the electronic device into a code represented by an optically readable iconic image, a first transmission unit for transmitting image data of the code converted by the conversion unit to the communication terminal, Calculating means for calculating the code issuance charge charged to a person who has requested the issuance of the code using a communication terminal; and charging the code issuance charge calculated by the calculation means to the usage charge of the communication terminal. Therefore, transmitting the issuance fee and the terminal identification information received by the receiving means to a charging device that performs a charging process for a usage fee of the communication terminal. Providing code issuing unit and a transmission unit.
[0034]
According to the present invention, data that a general user or an information distributor wants to provide to an electronic device is converted into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device by a code issuing device. In addition, the code issuing device calculates an issuance fee of the code to be charged to a person who has requested the issuance of the code, and transmits the issuance fee to an accounting device that performs an accounting process for a usage fee of the communication terminal.
[0035]
Also, the present invention provides a reading means for optically reading a code represented by an iconic image and decoding data usable in the electronic device and usability determination information used to determine the usability of the data from the code. Determining means for determining whether the data can be used by using the use permission information decoded by the reading means; and outputting means for outputting the data when the use of the data is permitted by the determining means An electronic device having:
[0036]
In addition, the present invention provides an electronic device that optically reads a code represented by an iconic image, and uses data that can be used in the electronic device and availability determination information that is used to determine whether the data can be used from the code. Reading means for decoding, judging means for judging whether or not the data can be used by using the judging information decoded by the reading means, and outputting the data when the use of the data is permitted by the judging means And a program for causing the program to function as output means.
[0037]
According to the present invention, the electronic device determines the usability of data decoded from the code represented by the icon, using the usability determination information included in the code.
[0038]
Further, the present invention optically reads a code represented by an icon, from the code, a plurality of data that can be used in the electronic device, and usage condition information indicating a condition for permitting use of each data, Reading means for decoding the information, obtaining means for obtaining information indicating the use status of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device, information obtained by the obtaining means, and decoded by the reading means. An electronic device comprising: a determination unit that determines data to be permitted to be used from a plurality of data decoded by the reading unit based on usage condition information; and an output unit that outputs the data determined by the determination unit. Provide equipment.
[0039]
In addition, the present invention provides an electronic device that optically reads a code represented by an iconic image and uses the code to indicate a plurality of data usable in the electronic device and a condition for permitting use of each data. Reading means for decoding condition information, obtaining means for obtaining information indicating the use status of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device, information obtained by the obtaining means, and decoding by the reading means Determining means for determining, from the plurality of data decoded by the reading means, data permitted to be used, based on the usage condition information, and output means for outputting the data determined by the determining means Provide a program to make
[0040]
According to the present invention, the electronic device determines data to be permitted to be used from among a plurality of data decoded from the code represented by the icon based on the use status of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device. I do.
[0041]
In addition, the present invention optically reads a code represented by an iconic image, and outputs, from the code, data usable in the electronic device and an output format of the data for each type of the electronic device. Reading means for decoding the output format conversion data for converting to the format, obtaining means for obtaining information indicating the type of the electronic device, information obtained by the obtaining means, and decoded by the reading means. Conversion means for converting the output format of the data decoded by the reading means to an output format suitable for the type of the electronic device, based on the output format conversion data, and the output format converted by the conversion means. An electronic device having output means for outputting data.
[0042]
The present invention also provides an electronic device that optically reads a code represented by an iconic image, and reads, from the code, data usable in the electronic device and an output format of the data for each type of the electronic device. Reading means for decoding the output format conversion data for converting to an output format suitable for, acquiring means for acquiring information indicating the type of the electronic device, information acquired by the acquiring means, and Conversion means for converting the output format of the data decoded by the reading means to an output format suitable for the type of the electronic device based on the decoded output format conversion data, and the output format converted by the conversion means And a program for functioning as output means for outputting the data.
[0043]
According to the present invention, the electronic device converts the output format of data decoded from the code represented by the iconic image into an output format suitable for the type of the electronic device and outputs the output format.
[0044]
Further, according to the present invention, a reading means for optically reading a code represented by an icon image and decoding a communication address indicating a location of a content associated with the code in the network from the code, and the reading means decodes the communication address. The communication device communicates with the communication device specified by the communication address, and receives a plurality of contents stored in the communication device in association with the communication address and usage condition information indicating a condition for permitting use of each of the contents. A receiving unit, an obtaining unit that obtains information indicating a use state of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device, information obtained by the obtaining unit, and use condition information received by the receiving unit Permission to use from among the plurality of contents received by the receiving unit based on Providing determining means for determining the content, the electronic device and an output means for outputting the contents determined by the determining means.
[0045]
Further, the present invention provides an electronic apparatus comprising: a reading unit that optically reads a code represented by an iconic image and decodes a communication address indicating a location of a content associated with the code in a network from the code; Communication with the communication device specified by the decoded communication address, a plurality of contents stored in the communication device in association with the communication address, and usage condition information indicating conditions for permitting use of each of the contents. Receiving means for receiving the electronic device, information indicating the use status of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device, information obtained by the obtaining device, and usage conditions received by the receiving device. Based on the information, permit use from among the plurality of contents received by the receiving means. Provides a program for causing the functions as an output means for outputting the determined content by determination means, and said determining means determines the content to be.
[0046]
According to the present invention, the electronic device receives a plurality of contents associated with the read code and its use condition information from the communication device, and indicates a use state of the electronic device among the plurality of received contents. The use of the content according to the information or the information for identifying the electronic device is permitted, and the content is output.
[0047]
Also, the present invention provides a computer, a conversion unit for converting data usable in an electronic device into a code represented by an icon readable by the electronic device, an image of the code converted by the conversion unit An output unit for outputting data, and a program for calculating an issue fee of the code output by the output unit and causing the computer to function as a charging unit for charging a user of the computer are provided.
[0048]
According to the present invention, the program converts data to be provided to the electronic device into a code represented by an icon readable by the electronic device, and charges a charge for issuing the code to a user of the computer.
[0049]
Further, the present invention provides a computer for converting data usable in an electronic device into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device, issuing the code converted by the conversion device. A determination means for determining whether or not the code is permitted, and a program for functioning as an output means for outputting image data of the code when the issuance of the code is permitted by the determination means.
[0050]
According to the present invention, the program converts data to be provided to the electronic device into a code represented by an icon readable by the electronic device, and manages issuance of the code.
[0051]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are given to common parts in each drawing.
[A. First Embodiment]
[A-1. Configuration of Embodiment]
<1. Configuration of Communication System>
[0052]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a development machine 10A, a printer 10B, the Internet 20, a barcode issuing server 30, a mobile packet communication network 40, and a mobile phone 50. Although the communication system 1 can originally accommodate a large number of mobile phones 50, FIG. 1 shows only one mobile phone 50 in order to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated. For the same reason, FIG. 1 shows only one development machine 10A, one printer 10B, one gateway server 41, and one base station 42.
[0053]
The development machine 10A is a computer that creates various types of content data to be provided to the mobile phone 50, such as product information, image data for the mobile phone 50, and ring melody data. The development machine 10A has a function of communicating with the barcode issuing server 30 via the Internet 20. Further, the development machine 10A can print various data including a two-dimensional barcode from the printer 10B.
[0054]
The barcode issuing center has a barcode issuing server 30 and provides a barcode issuing service to a content provider. The barcode issuing service means that the barcode issuing server 30 converts content data received from the development machine 10A of the content provider into a two-dimensional barcode optically readable by the mobile phone 50, and Is a service for returning the image data to the development machine 10A. Further, the barcode issuing server 30 has a function of calculating an issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode, a function of creating a bill relating to the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode, and the like.
[0055]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the barcode issuing center operates the mobile packet communication network 40 and is operated by a communication company that provides a packet communication service to the mobile phone 50. However, the barcode issuing center may be operated by a carrier other than the communication carrier. In this specification, data provided by a content provider to a user as a two-dimensional barcode is also referred to as content data.
[0056]
The mobile packet communication network 40 is a communication network that provides a packet communication service to a mobile phone 50 accommodated in the mobile packet communication network 40, and has a gateway server 41 and a base station 42. The gateway server 41 performs a mutual conversion between a communication protocol for the mobile packet communication network 40 and, for example, TCP / IP or HTTP used in the Internet 20, and transmits data between the mobile packet communication network 40 and the Internet 20. Relay the transfer of A large number of base stations 42 are installed in the communication service area of the mobile packet communication network 40, and perform wireless communication with a mobile phone 50 located in a wireless cell covered by the own station 42. The communication system 1 has a mobile telephone network (not shown) in addition to the mobile packet communication network 40. This mobile telephone network provides a general mobile telephone call service to the mobile telephone 50.
[0057]
The mobile phone 50 is a mobile device that performs wireless communication with the base station 42 that covers a wireless cell in which the mobile device 50 is located, and receives a packet communication service and a call service. The mobile phone 50 has, for example, a function of optically reading a two-dimensional barcode printed on a book or the like, decoding content data from the two-dimensional barcode, and a function of measuring the current time. .
[0058]
<2. Configuration of Barcode Issue Server>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the barcode issuing server 30. As shown in the figure, the barcode issuing server 30 includes a communication interface 301, an operation input unit 302, a display unit 303, a barcode conversion device 304, a printer driver 305, a CPU 306, a ROM 307, a RAM 308, HD (Hard Disk) 309, and these components are connected by a bus 310.
[0059]
The communication interface 301 controls communication performed between the barcode issuing server 30 and another communication device (for example, the development machine 10A) via the Internet 20. The operation input unit 302 has a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to these operations to the CPU 306. The display unit 303 displays, for example, bill data related to the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode.
[0060]
Under control of the CPU 306, the barcode conversion device 304 generates a two-dimensional barcode having content data and management information on the content data as recording information. The management information includes, for example, a provider ID for identifying a content provider, valid period information indicating a period during which the mobile phone 50 can read the content data, and the like.
[0061]
The printer 60 is connected to the printer driver 305. The barcode issuing server 30 controls the printer 60 via the printer driver 305, and can print, for example, a bill related to a two-dimensional barcode issuing fee. .
[0062]
The CPU 306 controls each unit of the device connected via the bus 310 by executing a program stored in the ROM 307, the HD 309, or the like. The ROM 307 stores a program that performs basic control of each unit of the device of the barcode issuing server 30. The RAM 308 is used as a work area of the CPU 306, and temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 306 and various data.
[0063]
The HD 309 stores a barcode issuance management DB (Data Base) 309a and a charge table 309b. Here, the barcode issuance management DB 309a stores, for each piece of content data requested to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode by the content provider, content data and validity period information (for example, the content data A reading start time limit for enabling reading and a reading end time limit for disabling reading, and information on the content provider (eg, company name, person in charge, address, telephone number, mail address) are stored. Note that the validity period information may include, for example, only a reading end time limit that disables reading of content data.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 3, the charge table 309b is provided with a total of five stages of content data reading valid periods from “1 month” to “unlimited”, and a two-dimensional bar code is provided for each valid period. A reference fee for calculating the issuance fee of the company is set. This reference fee is set to be higher as the validity period shifts from “one month” to “indefinitely” in order. The barcode issuing server 30 calculates the two-dimensional barcode issuing fee with reference to the fee table 309b.
[0065]
<3. Configuration of Mobile Phone>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the mobile phone 50. As shown in the figure, the mobile phone 50 includes a wireless communication unit 501, an operation input unit 502, a call processing unit 503, a CCD camera 504, a CPU 505, a liquid crystal display unit 506, and a storage unit 507. These units are connected by a bus 511. Although not shown, the mobile phone 50 has an internal clock that measures the current time (year, month, day, hour, minute, second).
[0066]
The wireless communication unit 501 includes an antenna 501a and controls wireless communication performed with the base station 42. Under the control of the CPU 505, the wireless communication unit 501 generates a transmission signal by superimposing, for example, data related to transmission voice and data for packet communication on a carrier wave, and transmits this signal to the base station 42 via the antenna 501a. Send to The wireless communication unit 501 receives a wireless signal transmitted from the base station 42 via the antenna 501a, and demodulates the signal to transmit data related to the received voice addressed to the own device 50 or data for packet communication. obtain.
[0067]
The operation input unit 502 has a plurality of keys for inputting numbers, characters, operation instructions, and the like, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of these keys to the CPU 505. The call processing unit 503 includes, for example, a microphone, a speaker, and a voice processing unit, and performs call processing including connection / disconnection of a call under the control of the CPU 505. The CCD camera captures an image of a two-dimensional barcode printed on, for example, a book.
[0068]
The CPU 505 controls various units connected to the apparatus via the bus 511 by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 507. In addition, the liquid crystal display unit 506 includes a liquid crystal display panel and a drive circuit that controls display of the liquid crystal display panel.
[0069]
The storage unit 507 includes a ROM 508, a RAM 509, and a non-volatile memory 510 such as an SRAM (Static-RAM) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable-ROM). The ROM 508 stores, for example, an operating system for the mobile phone 50 and software such as a Web browser. The RAM 509 is used as a work area of the CPU 505, and temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 505 and various data.
[0070]
The non-volatile memory 510 stores decoding software 510a for identifying a two-dimensional barcode from an image captured by the CCD camera 504 and decoding content data and management information thereof from the two-dimensional barcode image. I have. The nonvolatile memory 510 stores content data decoded from a two-dimensional barcode and management information thereof.
The above is the configuration of the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.
[0071]
[A-2. Operation of First Embodiment]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
In the operation of the present embodiment described below, the content data in the text data format indicating the recipe of the dish shown in FIG. 5 and how to make it is converted into the two-dimensional barcode shown in FIG. Will be described.
[0072]
<1. Barcode issuing process 1>
First, the operation of the barcode issuing process 1 executed by the CPU 306 in the barcode issuing server 30 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that it is assumed that the barcode issuing process 1 is performed on the assumption that the content provider is performing the process described below using the development machine 10A.
[0073]
That is, the content provider creates the text data shown in FIG. 5 in the development machine 10A as the content data to be provided to the mobile phone 50. Also, the content provider is notified in advance of the bar code issuing service of the information relating to the fee table 309b shown in FIG. 3 from the bar code issuing center, and the content provider reads the content data in accordance with this information. Determine the period.
[0074]
Then, the content provider sends the created content data, validity period information related to the content data, and information related to the content provider (for example, company name, person in charge, address, telephone number, mail address) from the development machine 10A. The data is transmitted to the barcode issuing server 30.
[0075]
The barcode issuing process 1 shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the CPU 306 when the barcode issuing server 30 receives the content data, the validity period information, and the information on the content provider from the development machine 10A. When the barcode issuing process 1 is started, first, the CPU 306 stores the content data, the validity period information, and the information on the content provider received from the development machine 10A in the barcode issuing management DB 309a (step S101). Further, the CPU 306 sets management information of content data such as provider ID and validity period information based on the information received from the development machine 10A (step S102).
[0076]
Next, the CPU 306 generates a two-dimensional barcode having the content data received from the development machine 10A and the management information set in step S102 as recording information using the barcode conversion device 304 (step S103). Then, the CPU 306 transfers the generated two-dimensional barcode image data to the communication interface 301, and returns the two-dimensional barcode image data to the development machine 10A (step S104).
[0077]
After that, the CPU 306 reads a reference fee corresponding to the read validity period of the content data set as the management information in the above step S102 from the fee table 309b (see FIG. 3), and generates a two-dimensional barcode based on the reference fee. The issuance fee is calculated (step S105). Here, the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode may be the reference fee itself corresponding to the validity period, or the content provider may declare the number of used two-dimensional barcodes from the validity period. And the amount of money according to the number of usages. Further, the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode may be a uniform amount regardless of the validity period or the number of uses.
[0078]
Next, the CPU 306 reads, from the barcode issuance management DB 309a, information necessary for issuing an invoice, such as a company name, a person in charge, and an address of the content provider from which the two-dimensional barcode issuance request is issued. Invoice data is created based on the two-dimensional barcode issuance fee calculated in step S105 (step S106). Then, the CPU 306 sends the created bill data to the printer 60, prints a bill relating to the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode (step S107), and ends the barcode issuing process 1.
[0079]
The barcode issuing center sends the printed invoice to the content provider and collects a two-dimensional barcode issuing fee from the content provider. Of course, the bill may be transmitted from the barcode issuing server 30 to the development machine 10A of the content provider by e-mail or the like. As described above, the barcode issuing center can collect, from the content provider, an issuance fee for the two-dimensional barcode issued in response to the request from the content provider, in accordance with the validity period of the barcode.
[0080]
In the barcode issuing process 1 described above, the image data of the two-dimensional barcode is transmitted to the development machine 10A when the content provider has not paid the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode. After confirming that the content provider has paid the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode, the image data of the two-dimensional barcode may be transmitted to the development machine 10A. Further, the barcode issuing server 30 may print the bills for the two-dimensional barcodes issued during the period from 25th of the previous month to 24th of this month at 25th of every month.
[0081]
<2. How to provide 2D barcode>
When the development machine 10A receives the two-dimensional barcode image data transmitted from the barcode issuance server 30 in the above-described barcode issuance processing 1, the content provider operates the development machine 10A to display the two-dimensional barcode image. Printing is performed from the printer 10B. For example, the two-dimensional barcode shown in FIG. 6 includes, as recording information, text data relating to the recipe and how to make the dish shown in FIG. The content provider provides the user of the mobile phone 50 with the two-dimensional barcode by posting the two-dimensional barcode on a book such as a cookbook or a flyer.
[0082]
<3. Barcode reading processing 1>
Next, the operation of the barcode reading process 1 executed by the CPU 505 in the mobile phone 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The barcode reading process 1 is executed by the CPU 505 when the barcode reading mode is selected by an operation input on the mobile phone 50.
[0083]
First, the CPU 505 displays a message prompting the user to capture a two-dimensional barcode image on the liquid crystal screen. In response to this message, when the user takes an image of a two-dimensional barcode printed on a book or a flyer using the imaging function provided in the mobile phone 50, that is, the CCD camera 504, first, the CPU 505 Generated image data is generated (step S201), and the image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 510 (step S202).
[0084]
Next, the CPU 505 activates the decoding software 510a stored in the nonvolatile memory 510 (Step S203), and identifies a two-dimensional barcode image from the captured image (Step S204). Then, the CPU 505 decodes the content data and the management information of the content data from the identified two-dimensional barcode image (step S205). For example, by reading and decoding the two-dimensional barcode shown in FIG. 6, the mobile phone 50 obtains the text data shown in FIG. 5 and its management information.
[0085]
Note that the mobile phone 50 cannot identify the two-dimensional barcode image from the captured image or barely identifies the two-dimensional barcode image, but does not have a sufficient image resolution. When the content data cannot be decoded from the image of the two-dimensional bar code, a message prompting the user to re-capture the image including the two-dimensional bar code is displayed on the liquid crystal screen, and the bar code reading process 1 is retried. Have.
[0086]
Next, the CPU 505 obtains the current time (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) measured by the internal clock, and sets the current time and the reading validity period of the content data included in the management information. Are compared with each other to determine whether or not the content data is within the valid reading period (step S206). As a result, if it is determined that it is not within the validity period, the CPU 505 displays a message indicating that it is outside the validity period on the liquid crystal screen (step S207), discards the decoded content data and its management information, and displays The code reading process 1 ends.
[0087]
On the other hand, if the CPU 505 determines in step S206 that it is within the validity period, the CPU 505 displays the decoded content data on the liquid crystal screen (step S208). As a result, the liquid crystal display screen of the mobile phone 50 displays, for example, content data relating to the recipe of the dish shown in FIG. Next, the CPU 505 displays on the liquid crystal screen a message asking whether or not the data is to be stored in the non-volatile memory 510, and when the command to store the data in the non-volatile memory 510 is given by an operation input (step S209: Yes), the decoded data is decoded. The content data and its management information are stored in the non-volatile memory 510 (step S210), and the barcode reading process 1 ends.
[0088]
Note that the validity period information included in the content data management information merely indicates the validity period of reading the content data, and the content data once decoded and stored in the non-volatile memory 510 is the validity period. It can be used regardless of the period.
[0089]
If the content data is provided to the mobile phone 50 using the two-dimensional barcode as described above, the burden on the user required for data input can be greatly reduced. For example, the mobile phone 50 can take in content data relating to the recipes and recipes of the dishes shown in FIG. 5 from the two-dimensional barcodes shown in FIG. In this case, the convenience of the mobile phone 50 as a portable information tool can be improved, for example, the user can use the mobile phone 50 instead of writing a memo of the material when going to buy the dinner material. .
[0090]
In this embodiment, the case where the person who requests the barcode issuing center to issue the two-dimensional barcode is the content provider has been described. The person who performs the operation may be a general individual user.
[0091]
In this case, the individual user requests the barcode issuing server 30 to issue a two-dimensional barcode from the personal computer owned by the user via the Internet 20. Further, the image data of the two-dimensional barcode transmitted from the barcode issuing server 30 is printed from a printer connected to the personal computer and used.
[0092]
For example, in the case of an individual user, his / her business card information (company name, title, name, company address, telephone number, etc.) is transmitted from the personal computer to the barcode issuing server 30 as data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode. The image of the two-dimensional barcode received from the barcode issuing server 30 can be printed on a sticker sheet by a printer, and pasted to a business card of the user to be used.
[0093]
Of course, the individual user transmits the data to be converted into the two-dimensional barcode from the mobile phone 50 owned by the individual user to the barcode issuing server 30, and the image of the two-dimensional barcode converted in the barcode issuing server 30. Is received by the own mobile phone 50 and displayed on the liquid crystal screen, and the displayed image of the two-dimensional barcode is read by another mobile phone 50 having a function of reading the two-dimensional barcode.
[0094]
Further, the barcode issuing server 30 stores a total of two types of fee tables 309b for the general individual user and for the content provider (information distribution company) in the HD 309, and the requester of the two-dimensional barcode issues the individual user. Or an information distributor, and the two-dimensional barcode issuance fee may be made different between the individual user and the information distributor.
[0095]
[B. Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Note that, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to the first embodiment. The description of the parts common to the first embodiment is omitted.
[0096]
[B-1. Configuration of Embodiment]
<1. Configuration of Communication System>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the communication system 2 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the communication system 2 includes a communication charge management server 70 in addition to the Internet 20, the barcode issuing server 30, the mobile packet communication network 40, and the mobile phone 50 described in the first embodiment. have.
[0097]
The communication fee management server 70 calculates a communication fee for each mobile phone 50 accommodated in the mobile packet communication network 40 in accordance with the amount of telephone calls and packet communication on a monthly basis. Issue a bill to collect from subscribers (users). In the present embodiment, the communication charge center having the communication charge management server 70 and the barcode issuing center are both operated by a communication company that provides a packet communication service to the mobile phone 50. .
[0098]
In the present embodiment, a fee table 309c shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the HD 309 of the barcode issuing server 30 instead of the fee table 309b (see FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the charge table 309c is provided with a total of three sections from "less than 200" to "700 or more" according to the number of bytes of data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode. Each time, a reference fee for calculating a fee for issuing a two-dimensional barcode is set.
[0099]
In the charge table 309c, when the number of bytes of data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode is "less than 200", the reference charge is "0". This indicates that if the data to be converted to a two-dimensional barcode is less than 200 bytes, the fee for issuing the two-dimensional barcode is free.
[0100]
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the mobile phone 50 requests the barcode issuing server 30 to issue a two-dimensional barcode, and the two-dimensional barcode issuance fee is two-dimensional. It is calculated in accordance with the number of bytes of data to be converted into a barcode, and a charge for issuing a two-dimensional barcode is collected from the user as a communication charge for the mobile phone 50. Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.
[0101]
[B-2. Operation of Second Embodiment]
<1. Barcode issuing process 2>
The operation of the barcode issuing process 2 executed by the CPU 306 in the barcode issuing server 30 will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the mobile phone 50 that requests the barcode issuing server 30 to issue a two-dimensional barcode performs the following process as a prerequisite for executing the barcode issuing process 2.
[0102]
That is, in the mobile phone 50, first, a Web browser is started by a user, and a connection request is transmitted to the barcode issuing server 30 via the mobile packet communication network 40 and the Internet 20. The barcode issuing server 30 has a homepage for a barcode issuing service, and a service menu relating to the barcode issuing service is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone 50 accessing the homepage.
[0103]
When the user selects an input menu of data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode by operation input in response to the menu display and, for example, inputs text data as shown in FIG. Transmits the input text data and the mobile device ID (for example, telephone number) of the mobile phone 50 to the barcode issuing server 30. The barcode issuing process 2 shown in FIG. 11 is executed by the CPU 306 when the barcode issuing server 30 receives the content data and the mobile device ID from the mobile phone 50.
[0104]
When the barcode issuing process 2 is started, first, the CPU 306 stores the text data and the mobile device ID received from the mobile phone 50 in the barcode issuing management DB 309a (step S301).
[0105]
Next, the CPU 306 counts the number of bytes (the number of characters) of the text data received from the mobile phone 50, and measures the amount of data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode (step S302). Thereafter, the CPU 306 converts the text data received from the mobile phone 50 into a two-dimensional barcode using the barcode conversion device 304 (step S303), and converts the image data of the two-dimensional barcode into the mobile phone of the issuing request source. 50 is returned (step S304).
[0106]
Then, the CPU 306 reads the reference fee corresponding to the number of bytes measured in step S302 from the fee table 309c (see FIG. 10), and calculates the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode based on the reference fee (step S305). ). If the amount of data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode is less than 200 bytes, the fee for issuing the two-dimensional barcode is free.
[0107]
Thereafter, the CPU 306 determines whether or not the calculated issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode is charged (step S306), and terminates the barcode issuing process 2 if it is free. On the other hand, if the CPU 306 determines that the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode is charged (step S306: Yes), the CPU 306 determines the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode calculated in step S305 and the mobile phone 50 of the issuance request source. Is transmitted to the communication charge management server 70 (step S307), and the barcode issuing process 2 ends.
[0108]
<2. Operation of Communication Charge Management Server>
Upon receiving the two-dimensional barcode issuance fee and the mobile device ID from the barcode issuing server 30, the communication fee management server 70 first specifies the received two-dimensional barcode issuance fee by the mobile device ID received at the same time. Is stored in the charge management DB as charge information to be added to the communication charge of the mobile phone 50.
[0109]
Then, at a predetermined date and time, for example, on the 25th of every month, the communication fee management server 70 calculates a communication fee for one month for each mobile phone 50 with reference to the accounting management DB. At this time, if a charge for issuing a two-dimensional barcode is stored as charge information in the charge management DB, the charge for issuing the two-dimensional barcode is added to the communication charge. Further, the communication charge management server 70 prints a bill related to the communication charge for each mobile phone 50.
[0110]
Then, the communication fee center sends the printed bill to the user, and collects a communication fee including a two-dimensional barcode issuance fee from the user. As described above, the charge for issuing the two-dimensional barcode may be collected from the user as the communication charge for the mobile phone 50. If the operator of the barcode issuing center is different from the telecommunications carrier, the telecommunications fee center (telecommunications carrier) collects the telecommunications fee including the two-dimensional barcode issuance fee from the user, Remit the amount of the code issuance fee to the operator of the barcode issuance center.
[0111]
<3. Operation of mobile phone>
The mobile phone 50 can receive the image data of the two-dimensional barcode transmitted from the barcode issuing server 30 and store the image data in the nonvolatile memory 510. Further, when receiving an instruction to display the image data of the two-dimensional barcode stored in the nonvolatile memory 510 on the screen by an operation input or the like, the CPU 505 of the mobile phone 50 receives the two-dimensional barcode as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the LCD screen. The two-dimensional barcode displayed on the liquid crystal screen has, for example, the user's name, address, telephone number, and mail address shown in FIG. 12 as recording information. Another mobile phone 50 having a barcode reading function can read the barcode.
[0112]
Note that the process of reading a two-dimensional barcode in the mobile phone 50 is substantially the same as the barcode reading process 1 (see FIG. 8) described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, the mobile phone 50 includes, for example, a user's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address decoded from a two-dimensional barcode, such as a telephone directory, an address book, and an e-mail address book. An application program to be registered in association with the address book of the user is stored, and the name, address, telephone number, mail address and the like of the user decoded from the two-dimensional barcode are automatically stored in the various address books described above. Registered in.
[0113]
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the mobile phone 51 has a communication interface 512 for controlling wired communication performed with a personal computer 80 connected via a communication cable, the mobile phone 51 The image data of the two-dimensional barcode received from the barcode issuing center 30 can be transferred to the personal computer 80 via the communication interface 512. In this case, the user can operate the personal computer 80 to print the two-dimensional barcode image transferred from the mobile phone 51 from the printer 60 and use it. The communication interface 512 may control short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), HomeRF, and infrared communication.
[0114]
[C. Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments described above, a case has been described in which data requested by a content provider or an individual user is converted into a two-dimensional barcode at a barcode issuing center. However, an institution that manages issuance of two-dimensional barcodes may provide software for two-dimensional barcode conversion to a content provider or an individual user.
[0115]
However, in this case, for example, when a contract is made between the content provider and the organization that manages the issuance of the two-dimensional barcode, the contract for the provision of the two-dimensional barcode conversion software is required. The code issuance fee is paid in advance from the content provider to the organization that manages the issuance of 2D barcodes, and the 2D barcode conversion software provided to the content provider has a credit value corresponding to the paid amount Are associated.
[0116]
Hereinafter, the content provider installs the two-dimensional barcode conversion software provided by the organization that manages the issuance of the two-dimensional barcode on the development machine 10A, starts the two-dimensional barcode conversion software, and The operation when issuing a two-dimensional barcode will be described with reference to FIG. When the two-dimensional barcode conversion software is installed on the development machine 10A, the credit value associated with the two-dimensional barcode conversion software and the charge described in the first embodiment are used. The table 309b (see FIG. 3) is stored in the memory of the development machine 10A.
[0117]
When software for two-dimensional barcode conversion (barcode issuing process 3) is started in the development machine 10A, first, in the development machine 10A, content data to be provided to the mobile phone 50 is created by a content provider (step). S401). When information regarding the validity period of reading the content data is input by the content provider, the development machine 10A sets management information of the content data (step S402).
[0118]
Next, the development machine 10A reads, from the fee table 309b stored in the memory, a reference fee corresponding to the content data read validity period included in the set management information, and reads 2 based on the reference fee. The issuance fee of the dimensional barcode is calculated (step S403). Note that the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode may be calculated according to the amount of data converted into the two-dimensional barcode, as described in the second embodiment. In this case, the fee table 309c (see FIG. 10) described in the second embodiment is associated with the two-dimensional barcode conversion software.
[0119]
Next, the development machine 10A reads the balance of the credit value stored in the memory (step S404), and reads the balance of the credit value and the credit value for the two-dimensional barcode issuance fee calculated in step S403. It is determined whether or not the balance of the credit value remains for the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode (step S405).
[0120]
As a result, when the development machine 10A determines that the credit value balance is less than the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode (step S405: No), the development machine 10A displays a message urging the update of the credit value on the screen (step S405). S406), the barcode issuing process 3 ends. In response to this message display, the content provider accesses the management server of the institution that manages the issuance of the two-dimensional barcode from the development machine 10A, and electronically allocates a certain amount of money as a two-dimensional barcode issuance fee. When payment is made by settlement, the balance of the credit value stored in the memory of the development machine 10A is rewritten to a value obtained by adding the credit value corresponding to the payment amount to the balance. The development machine 10A may display on the screen a message prompting the user to update the credit value when the credit value balance becomes smaller than a predetermined value.
[0121]
On the other hand, if the development machine 10A determines that the credit value balance is sufficiently left (step S405: Yes), the development machine 10A stores the content data created in step S401 and the management information set in step S402. Is generated as the recording information (step S407). Further, the development machine 10A rewrites the balance of the credit value stored in the memory to a value obtained by subtracting the credit value corresponding to the issuance fee of the two-dimensional barcode from the balance (step S408).
[0122]
Thereafter, the development machine 10A displays the generated two-dimensional barcode image on the screen, outputs the two-dimensional barcode image data to a printer connected to the development machine 10A, or outputs the two-dimensional barcode image. The output of the generated two-dimensional barcode image data, such as transmitting the image data to the outside of the development machine 10A, is permitted (step S409), and the barcode issuing process 3 ends.
[0123]
As described above, the organization that manages the issuance of two-dimensional barcodes may provide software for two-dimensional barcode conversion to content providers or individual users. The software for two-dimensional barcode conversion may be provided to the development machine 10A via a network, or may be an arbitrary recording medium such as an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. May be provided to the development machine 10A.
[0124]
In this embodiment, the case where the credit value according to the amount is used has been described. Instead of the credit value, the allowable number of issuance of the two-dimensional barcode that can be issued for the amount paid by the content provider is described. Numerical values shown may be used. In this case, the development machine 10A decrements (−1) the numerical value of the allowable number of issuances stored in the memory every time the two-dimensional barcode conversion software is activated and a two-dimensional barcode is issued.
[0125]
In this embodiment, the credit value is stored in the memory of the development machine 10A in association with the two-dimensional barcode conversion software. However, in such a case, a malicious user or a content provider may falsify the credit value stored in the development machine 10A.
[0126]
Therefore, the credit value may be stored in a management server owned by an organization that manages the issuance of two-dimensional barcodes. In this case, when the two-dimensional barcode conversion software is activated on the development machine 10A to issue the two-dimensional barcode, the ID information assigned to the content provider or the two-dimensional barcode conversion software is used. The management server is used to read and write its own credit value stored in the management server. Of course, the above-mentioned numerical value of the allowable number of times of issuance may be similarly managed.
[0127]
Also, instead of using a credit value according to the amount of money, the software for two-dimensional barcode conversion, such as the amount of data converted into a two-dimensional barcode, the validity period, the number of issuance, etc. , The issue fee may be calculated in accordance with, and the settlement process (charging process) of deducting the issue fee from the bank account registered in advance by the content provider may be performed.
[0128]
[D. Fourth embodiment]
Next, FIG. 16 is a sequence chart illustrating the operation of each unit of the communication system according to the fourth embodiment. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to the above-described first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0129]
First, in this embodiment, the content data converted into the two-dimensional barcode includes the URL of a site that provides more detailed information on the content, as shown in FIG. Content data including such a URL is transmitted from the development machine 10A to the barcode issuing server 30 by the content provider.
[0130]
Then, the barcode issuing server 30 generates a two-dimensional barcode having as recording information the content data received from the development machine 10A and the barcode ID assigned to the newly issued two-dimensional barcode this time (step S501). ), And returns the image data of the two-dimensional barcode to the development machine 10A. Further, the barcode issuing server 30 transmits the barcode ID of the issued two-dimensional barcode to the gateway server 41 in the mobile packet communication network 40 (Step S502).
[0131]
The gateway server 41 is a relay device that relays Internet access from each mobile phone 50 accommodated in the mobile packet communication network 40, and stores a relay management table 410a shown in FIG. 18 in a memory. Upon receiving the barcode ID from the barcode issuing server 30, the gateway server 41 adds the barcode ID to the relay management table 410a.
[0132]
On the other hand, the mobile phone 50 reads, for example, a two-dimensional barcode attached to an article or the like by a content provider, and decodes content data and a barcode ID from the two-dimensional barcode. Then, the mobile phone 50 displays the decoded content data (see FIG. 17) on the liquid crystal screen. In response to this display, the URL displayed on the screen is designated by an operation input, and when an access to the site designated by the URL is instructed, the mobile phone 50 decodes the URL together with the content data. A connection request including the obtained barcode ID is transmitted to the base station 42. This connection request is transmitted from the base station 42 to the gateway server 41 via the exchange (step S503).
[0133]
Upon receiving the connection request from the mobile phone 50, the gateway server 41 transmits the connection request to the content server specified by the URL included in the connection request (step S504), and the communication between the mobile phone 50 and the content server is performed. Is relayed (step S505). By the communication in step S505, more detailed information (content) on the content stored in the content server in association with the barcode ID decoded from the two-dimensional barcode by the mobile phone 50 is downloaded to the mobile phone 50. Is done. Further, based on the barcode ID included in the connection request received from mobile phone 50, gateway server 41 increments (+1) the value of the corresponding number of relays in relay management table 410a shown in FIG. (Step S506).
[0134]
Then, at a predetermined date and time, for example, on the 25th of every month, the gateway server 41 calculates the number of relays for each barcode ID in the period from the 25th of the previous month to the 24th of this month. The one-month relay count data calculated for each month is transmitted to the barcode issuing server 30 (step S507).
[0135]
The HD 309 of the barcode issuing server 30 stores a fee table 309d shown in FIG. 19 instead of the fee table 309b (see FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment. When the barcode issuing server 30 receives the one-month relay count data calculated for each barcode ID from the gateway server 41, the barcode issuing server 30 calculates the relay count data based on the relay count data and the fee table 309d (see FIG. 19). The usage fee of the two-dimensional barcode is calculated for each two-dimensional barcode in accordance with the number of relays (step S508). Then, the barcode issuing server 30 creates bill data relating to the usage fee for each two-dimensional barcode, outputs the bill data to the printer 60, and prints the bill (step S509).
[0136]
As described above, in the barcode issuing center, each mobile phone 50 communicates the usage fee of the two-dimensional barcode issued in response to the request from the content provider using the URL included in the two-dimensional barcode. Based on the number of times that the two-dimensional barcode is calculated, the usage fee of the two-dimensional barcode can be collected from the content provider.
[0137]
In the present embodiment, the gateway server 41 detects the number of times each mobile phone 50 has performed communication using the URL included in the two-dimensional barcode. The detection may be performed by a server on the Internet 20, such as the barcode issuing server 30.
[0138]
Further, in the present embodiment, the calculation of the usage fee accompanying the issuance of the two-dimensional barcode (step S508) and the printing of the bill (step S509) are performed in the barcode issuing server 30. In the server different from the barcode issuing server 30 and the gateway server 41 provided in the issuing center, the communication charge management server 70 in the charge management center described in the second embodiment, etc. A bill may be printed.
[0139]
In the present embodiment, the URL indicating the location of the content on the network and the barcode ID of the two-dimensional barcode are included in the two-dimensional barcode as recording information. However, the URL alone is sufficient. If the content can be specified, it is not necessary to include the barcode ID in the two-dimensional barcode as recording information. In this case, in the relay device such as the gateway server 41, information for determining whether the connection request from the mobile phone 50 is based on the data decoded from the two-dimensional barcode is included in the connection request. It may be. When the mobile phone 50 performs communication in response to reading of a two-dimensional barcode, if the mobile phone 50 is set in advance to communicate with a specific content server whose communication address is registered in the memory, the barcode is used. Only the ID needs to be included in the two-dimensional barcode as recording information, and the URL does not need to be included in the two-dimensional barcode as recording information.
[0140]
[E. Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to the first embodiment. The description of the parts common to the first embodiment is omitted.
[0141]
<1. Configuration of Mobile Phone>
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the mobile phone 55 according to the present embodiment. The mobile phone 55 shown in the figure differs from the mobile phone 50 in the first embodiment in that the nonvolatile memory 520 has a model information storage area 520a and a base station ID storage area 520b. Although not shown, the mobile phone 55 has an internal clock that measures the current time (year, month, day, hour, minute, second), similarly to the mobile phone 50 in the first embodiment. are doing.
[0142]
The model information storage area 520a stores model information indicating the model of the mobile phone 55 and the like. The base station ID storage area 520b stores the base station ID of the base station 42 that covers the wireless cell in which the mobile phone 55 is currently located. When the mobile phone 55 is out of the communication service area of the mobile packet communication network 40 or in a place where radio waves do not reach, data indicating that the mobile phone 55 is out of the service area is stored in the base station ID storage area 520b.
[0143]
<2. Data configuration of content data included as recording information in two-dimensional barcode>
Next, a data configuration of content data included as recording information in a two-dimensional barcode in the present embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 21, since different content data is displayed according to the time zone in which the mobile phone 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode, “00:00 to 09:59” and “10:00” are displayed. 13:59 ”and“ 14:00 to 23:59 ”each include different content data. Of course, the period may be determined by using, for example, a month and a day other than the time zone. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 22, when the two-dimensional barcode is read, different content data is displayed according to the location where the mobile phone 55 is located. For example, different content data is included for each region. Of course, the size of the area can be set arbitrarily.
[0144]
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 23, when reading a two-dimensional barcode, different content data is displayed according to the user using the mobile phone 55, so that “A0000 to A9999” and “B0000” are displayed. B9999 "includes different content data for each user ID group. In the case of the example shown in the figure, a questionnaire is conducted for users who want to join a rental shop member, and users who are interested in a movie are given a user ID within the range of "A0000 to A9999" according to the answer. Are added to the users who are interested in music in the range of “B0000 to B9999”.
[0145]
Further, the size of the liquid crystal screen, the colors that can be displayed, the format of data that can be handled, and the like of the mobile phone 55 are different for each model. In the example shown in FIG. 24, for each model of the mobile phone 55 such as "P503" or "N211", the content data created for the model is displayed so that the content data can be displayed in a format most suitable for the model. It is included.
[0146]
As described above, the two-dimensional barcode according to the present embodiment includes separate content data as recording information for each time zone, each region, each user ID, or each model.
[0147]
<3. Barcode reading process 2>
Next, the operation of the barcode reading process 2 executed by the CPU 505 in the mobile phone 55 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same steps as those in the barcode reading process 1 (see FIG. 8) described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers, and the operation description is simplified.
[0148]
The barcode reading process 2 is executed by the CPU 505 when the barcode reading mode is selected by an operation input on the mobile phone 55. When the barcode reading process 2 is started, first, the CPU 505 displays a message prompting the user to capture an image of a two-dimensional barcode on the liquid crystal screen. In response to this message, when the user captures a two-dimensional barcode image using the CCD camera 504 provided in the mobile phone 55, the CPU 505 generates captured image data (step S201), and stores the image data in a nonvolatile manner. Is stored in the memory 520 (step S202).
[0149]
Next, the CPU 505 activates the decoding software 510a stored in the non-volatile memory 520 (Step S203), and identifies a two-dimensional barcode image from the captured image (Step S204). Thereafter, the CPU 505 decodes the content data from the identified two-dimensional barcode image (step S205). As shown in FIGS. 21 to 24, when the two-dimensional barcode includes different content data for each time zone, each region, each user ID, or each model, the CPU 505 is configured as follows. From the image of the dimensional barcode, in addition to each piece of content data, use condition information (one or more of time zone information, area information, user ID, and model information) indicating a condition for permitting use of the content data is decoded. I do.
[0150]
Next, the CPU 505 determines whether use condition information is included in the two-dimensional barcode (step S521). As a result, if the CPU 505 determines that the use condition information is not included, the CPU 505 displays the decoded content data on the liquid crystal screen (step S522), and proceeds to step S526.
[0151]
On the other hand, when determining that the use condition information is included in the two-dimensional barcode (step S521: Yes), the CPU 505 first determines the type of the use condition information. Next, if the usage condition information is, for example, time zone information, the CPU 505 acquires the current time measured by the internal clock according to the type of the usage condition information determined (step S523). Next, based on the acquired current time and the time zone information included in the two-dimensional barcode, the CPU 505 determines content data to be permitted to be used from the decoded content data (step S524). Then, only this content data is displayed on the liquid crystal screen (step S525).
[0152]
For example, when the content data and the time zone information shown in FIG. 21 are decoded from the two-dimensional barcode and the current time is 11:35, the CPU 505 corresponds to “10:00 to 13:59”. Only the content data is displayed on the LCD screen. The mobile phone 55 may use more accurate current time information provided from the mobile packet communication network 40 instead of the current time measured by the internal clock.
[0153]
When the use condition information is the area information, the CPU 505 first acquires the base station ID from the base station ID storage area 520b (step S523). Next, the CPU 505 transmits the acquired base station ID to a location information service server (not shown). The location information service server is provided, for example, in the mobile packet communication network 40 or on the Internet 20 and has a function of converting a base station ID into latitude / longitude information or an address in response to an inquiry from the mobile phone 55 and returning it. have.
[0154]
When the CPU 505 of the mobile phone 55 receives the location information such as the latitude and longitude information and the address from the location information service server, the CPU 505 selects the mobile phone 55 from the regional information included in the two-dimensional barcode based on the location information. Find out where your current location is. Then, the CPU 505 specifies, from the decoded content data, content data associated with the determined area as content data permitted to be used (step S524), and displays only this content data on the liquid crystal screen. (Step S525). For example, when the content data and the area information shown in FIG. 22 are decoded from the two-dimensional barcode, and the current position of the mobile phone 55 is in Tokyo, the CPU 505 stores only the content data corresponding to “Kanto area”. Display on the LCD screen.
[0155]
Note that a positioning center that measures the position of the mobile phone 55 may be used instead of the above-described position information service server. In this case, the mobile phone 55 requests the positioning center to measure the current position of the mobile phone 55. If the mobile phone 55 has a function of converting the base station ID into latitude / longitude information or an address, it is not necessary to use the above-described position information service server or positioning center. In addition, when the mobile phone 55 has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, the position information (latitude / longitude, altitude) of the mobile phone 55 measured using the GPS function is used instead of the base station ID. be able to. Of course, instead of having a built-in GPS function, a form in which a GPS receiver is connected to the mobile phone 55 may be used.
[0156]
When the usage condition information is the user ID, the CPU 505 first displays a message prompting the user to input the user ID on the liquid crystal screen, and acquires the input user ID according to the display (step S523). Next, based on the acquired ID and the user ID information included in the two-dimensional barcode, the CPU 505 determines content data to be permitted to be used from among the decoded content data (step S524), Only this content data is displayed on the liquid crystal screen (step S525).
[0157]
For example, when the content data and the user ID information shown in FIG. 23 are decoded from the two-dimensional barcode and the input user ID is “A0039”, the CPU 505 outputs the content data corresponding to “A0000 to A9999”. Only display on the LCD screen. Note that the same user ID may be assigned to a plurality of users. Instead of the user ID, authentication information such as a password used for personal authentication may be used. Further, the provision target of the content data using the two-dimensional barcode may be only one person instead of a plurality of users. When the mobile phone 55 has a function of acquiring and analyzing biometric information (for example, a fingerprint, a voiceprint, and a retina) of the user using the mobile phone 55, the function is used. The biometrics information acquired in this way can be used instead of the user ID.
[0158]
When the use condition information is model information, the CPU 505 first acquires model information of the mobile phone 55 from the model information storage area 520a (step S523). Next, based on the obtained model information and the model information included in the two-dimensional barcode, the CPU 505 determines content data to be permitted to be used from the decoded content data (step S524). Only this content data is displayed on the liquid crystal screen (step S525).
[0159]
For example, when the content data and model information shown in FIG. 24 are decoded from the two-dimensional barcode and the model of the mobile phone 55 is “P503”, the CPU 505 displays only the content data corresponding to “P503” on the liquid crystal display. Display on the screen. The model information is not limited to the model of the mobile phone 55, and may be information indicating the type of an electronic device such as a mobile computer or a PDA having a function of reading a two-dimensional barcode.
[0160]
Thereafter, the CPU 505 displays a message on the liquid crystal screen asking whether to store the content data decoded from the two-dimensional barcode in the nonvolatile memory 520. Then, when the storage in the nonvolatile memory 520 is instructed by the operation input (step S526: Yes), the CPU 505 stores the content data in the nonvolatile memory 520 (step S527), and ends the barcode reading process 2. I do.
[0161]
When the content data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 520, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 24, the two-dimensional barcode includes different content data for each time zone, each region, each user ID, or each model. If included, the CPU 505 stores each piece of content data and its usage condition information in the nonvolatile memory 520. When reading and using the content data stored in the non-volatile memory 520 in this manner, the CPU 505 determines the current time when the reading is instructed, the position of the own device 55, the input user ID, or the model. Only the content data corresponding to the information is displayed on the liquid crystal screen.
[0162]
If the use condition information is used when content data is provided using the two-dimensional barcode, the time when the two-dimensional barcode is read, the position of the mobile phone 55, the mobile phone 55 The content data to be displayed can be changed as appropriate depending on the user who uses, the model of the mobile phone 55, and the like. Of course, as described above, the same effect can be obtained when the content data decoded from the two-dimensional barcode and stored in the nonvolatile memory 520 is used.
[0163]
Note that the content data provided using the two-dimensional barcode may be image data, musical sound data, or the like in addition to text data. If the content data is tone data, a tone based on the tone data is output from a speaker (not shown) provided in the mobile phone 55.
[0164]
When content data is displayed in a display format most suitable for each model, instead of preparing content data for each model as shown in FIG. 24, one content data and a display format of this content data are displayed. May be included in the two-dimensional barcode as recording information, and the display format conversion data for each model for converting into a display format according to the model of the mobile phone 55. In this case, the mobile phone 55 converts the display format of the content data decoded from the two-dimensional bar code using the display format conversion data corresponding to the model of the mobile phone 55 and displays the converted format on the liquid crystal screen.
[0165]
Further, conditions permitting use of a time zone, a region, a user ID, a model, and the like may be used in an appropriate combination. Further, in place of the user ID, unique identification information such as a telephone number and a serial number for each mobile phone 55 may be used.
[0166]
[F. Sixth embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the mobile phone used in the present embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the mobile phone 55 described in the fifth embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0167]
In the sixth embodiment, the content provider prints a two-dimensional barcode on, for example, a book or a poster attached to a store, and the two-dimensional barcode includes more detailed information on information posted on the book or the poster. The URL of the site (content server) that provides information and the barcode ID of this two-dimensional barcode are recorded. The content provider uses the content server specified by the URL to provide more detailed information (content data) on information published in books and posters.
[0168]
Next, content data stored in the content server will be described. For example, the content server provides different content data according to the time zone during which the mobile phone 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode, even when the mobile phone 55 accesses the same two-dimensional barcode based on the same barcode. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, different content data is stored for each time zone for the same barcode ID. Similarly, the content server provides different content data even with the same two-dimensional barcode according to the location where the mobile phone 55 is located when reading the two-dimensional barcode, for example. As shown in FIG. 27, different content data is stored for each region for the same barcode ID.
[0169]
In addition, the content server also stores separate content data for each user ID or each model of the mobile phone 55 for the user ID and the model of the mobile phone 55 in addition to the time zone and the area described above. Even when there is an access based on reading the same two-dimensional barcode from 55, different content data is provided depending on the user using the mobile phone 55 and the model of the mobile phone 55.
[0170]
Next, FIG. 28 is a sequence chart illustrating operations of the mobile phone 55 and the content server according to the present embodiment. First, the mobile phone 55 reads a two-dimensional barcode in response to a user operation, and decodes the URL of the content server and the barcode ID of the two-dimensional barcode (step S541). Note that the two-dimensional barcode includes designation information for designating the type of additional information required when the mobile phone 55 accesses the content server.
[0171]
Here, the additional information includes, for example, the time when the mobile phone 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode, the position of the mobile phone 55 when the two-dimensional barcode is read, and the use of the mobile phone 55. This is information indicating the user ID of the user performing the operation, the model of the mobile phone 55, and the like, and is information transmitted to the content server together with the barcode ID. Note that the time when the mobile phone 55 accesses the content server may be used instead of the time when the mobile phone 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode. Further, the position of the mobile phone 55 may be the position at which the mobile phone 55 accesses the content server instead of the position at the time of reading the two-dimensional barcode.
[0172]
Next, the CPU 505 acquires additional information specified by the specified information decoded from the two-dimensional barcode (step S542). For example, when the specification information specifies the time at which the two-dimensional barcode was read, the CPU 505 acquires the current time measured by the internal clock. Of course, more accurate current time information provided from the mobile packet communication network 40 may be used as the additional information.
[0173]
When the designation information designates the position of the mobile phone 55 when the two-dimensional barcode is read, the CPU 505 uses the base station ID read from the base station ID storage area 520b as additional information. Of course, when the mobile phone 55 has the GPS function, the position information of the mobile phone 55 measured using the GPS function may be used as the additional information. Further, the CPU 505 can also use the position information (latitude / longitude information or address) obtained by using the position information service server or the positioning center described in the fifth embodiment as additional information.
[0174]
When the designation information designates the user ID of the user using the mobile phone 55, the CPU 505 displays a message prompting the user to enter the user ID on the liquid crystal screen, and the message is input according to the display. The user ID is used as additional information. When the specification information specifies the model of the mobile phone 55, the CPU 505 uses the model information of the mobile phone 55 read from the model information storage area 520a as additional information.
[0175]
Thereafter, the CPU 505 transmits a content acquisition request to the content server using the URL decoded from the two-dimensional barcode (step S543). This content acquisition request includes the barcode ID of the read two-dimensional barcode and the additional information (at least one of time information, position information, user ID, and model information) acquired in step S542. ing. This content acquisition request is transmitted to the content server via the mobile packet communication network 40 and the Internet 20.
[0176]
Upon receiving the content acquisition request, the content server reads the content data corresponding to the barcode ID and the additional information included in the content acquisition request from the memory (step S544), and transmits the content data to mobile phone 55. (Step S545). Then, the mobile phone 55 displays the content data received from the content server on the liquid crystal screen (step S546).
[0177]
For example, each content data is stored in the memory of the content server in the configuration shown in FIG. 26, and a bar code ID “BC00001231” and time information “11:35” Is included, the content server transmits the content data corresponding to “10:00 to 13:59” to the mobile phone 55, and the content data is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone 55.
[0178]
Each content data is stored in the memory of the content server in the configuration shown in FIG. 27, and the content acquisition request received from the mobile phone 55 includes the barcode ID “BC00005497” and the base installed in Tokyo. When the content server includes the base station ID of the station, the content server transmits the received base station ID to the location information service server to obtain the latitude / longitude information and the address. The location is determined, and the content data corresponding to “Kanto area” is transmitted to the mobile phone 55. Then, the content data is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone 55. When the content server has a function of converting the base station ID into latitude / longitude information or an address, it is not necessary to use the location information service server.
[0179]
As described above, even when the content server accesses from the mobile phone 55 based on the reading of the same two-dimensional barcode, the time when the mobile phone 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode, the time when the two-dimensional barcode is read, Depending on the position of the mobile phone 55 at the time of reading, the user using the mobile phone 55, the model of the mobile phone 55, and the like, the content to be provided can be appropriately changed. In addition, since the content corresponding to the two-dimensional barcode read by the mobile phone 55 is provided from the server, the content is included in the two-dimensional barcode as recording information and provided to the user as compared with the fifth embodiment. Since the data amount of content to be provided to the user can be dramatically increased, for example, moving image data and programs can be easily provided.
[0180]
Furthermore, if the content server performs the tallying / analyzing process of the barcode ID and the additional information included in the content acquisition request from each mobile phone 55, the content server can send the content to the content server based on the two-dimensional barcode reading. With respect to the accessing user, useful information for performing the content business, such as the time zone and area where the two-dimensional barcode is read and the model of the mobile phone 55, can be obtained.
[0181]
In the sixth embodiment described above, the designation for designating the type of additional information (time, position, user ID, model) required when the mobile phone 55 accesses the content server in the two-dimensional barcode. The case where the information is included has been described. However, the mobile phone 55 may voluntarily transmit additional information such as time, position, model, and user ID to the content server without including the above-described designation information in the two-dimensional barcode.
[0182]
Further, the additional information may be acquired not by the mobile phone 55 but by the content server. However, in this case, the time information is the time when the content server receives the content acquisition request from the mobile phone 55. As for the location information of the mobile phone 55, the content server inquires of the location information service server, the positioning center, or the home register or the exchange in the mobile packet communication network 40 about the current location of the mobile phone 55. As for the model information and the user ID of the mobile phone 55, if the communication is performed using a Web browser, it is possible to use the one transmitted from the mobile phone 55 as UserAgent, or to use the mobile packet communication network 40. Can also be obtained from the management server.
[0183]
Further, as shown in FIG. 29, additional information may be acquired by the gateway server 41 and added to the content acquisition request. In the case of the processing shown in the figure, first, the mobile phone 55 decodes the URL of the content server and the barcode ID from the two-dimensional barcode (step S561), and sends a content acquisition request to the content server using the decoded URL. The data is transmitted (step S562). The content acquisition request includes a barcode ID of the read two-dimensional barcode and designation information for designating the type of additional information.
[0184]
Upon receiving the content acquisition request, the gateway server 41 acquires additional information specified by the designation information included in the content acquisition request for the mobile phone 55 that is the transmission source of the content acquisition request (step S563). For example, when the designation information designates a time, the gateway server 41 acquires the current time measured by the internal clock of the gateway server 41. When the designation information designates the position of the mobile phone 55, the gateway server 41 sends the current position of the mobile phone 55 to the home register or exchange in the location information service server, the positioning center, or the mobile packet communication network 40. Inquire the position and obtain the position information.
[0185]
When the specification information specifies the user ID of the user using the mobile phone 55, the gateway server 41 checks the user ID registered in advance by the user with respect to the gateway server 41, or Acquire the subscriber ID of the packet communication service. When the specification information specifies the model of the mobile phone 55, the gateway server 41 uses, for example, information transmitted from the mobile phone 55 as UserAgent.
[0186]
Thereafter, the gateway server 41 adds the additional information acquired in step S563 to the content acquisition request received from the mobile phone 55 and transmits the request to the content server (step S564). Upon receiving the content acquisition request, the content server reads the content data corresponding to the barcode ID and the additional information included in the content acquisition request from the memory (step S565), and transmits the content data to the mobile phone 55. (Step S566). Then, the mobile phone 55 displays the content data received from the content server on the liquid crystal screen (step S567).
[0187]
As described above, when the additional information is acquired by the gateway server 41 and added to the content acquisition request, it is not necessary to provide the mobile phone 55 with a function for acquiring the additional information. Further, since the traffic from the mobile phone 55 to the gateway server 41 can be reduced by the amount of the additional information, the traffic in the mobile packet communication network 40 can be reduced.
[0188]
Note that the telecommunications carrier acquires various information about the user, such as age and gender, when making a subscription contract for the packet communication service with the user of the mobile phone 55. Therefore, when the additional information is obtained by the gateway server 41, information such as the age and gender of the user may be used as the additional information. In this way, in the gateway server 41, a service provided by adding information useful for performing a content business to the content acquisition request and providing the content provider with the content provider is implemented as an information additional service. A service usage fee may be collected from the connected content provider.
[0189]
Further, the acquisition of the additional information may be performed not by the gateway server 41 but by the base station 42, for example. In particular, when the additional information is acquired by the base station 42, the base station ID of the own station 42 may be acquired when the acquired additional information is the position information of the mobile phone 55. No need to access.
[0190]
In the sixth embodiment, the following control may be performed. That is, first, the URL indicating the location of the content on the network and the barcode ID of the two-dimensional barcode are recorded in the two-dimensional barcode. When the content can be sufficiently specified only by the URL, it is not necessary to include the barcode ID as the recording information in the two-dimensional barcode. If the communication address of the content server is previously registered in the nonvolatile memory 520 of the mobile phone 55, only the barcode ID may be included in the two-dimensional barcode as recording information, and the URL may be the two-dimensional barcode. Need not be included as record information in the
[0191]
The mobile phone 55 transmits a content acquisition request including the barcode ID to the content server specified by the URL decoded from the two-dimensional barcode. Then, the content server transmits the plurality of contents stored in association with the barcode ID included in the received content acquisition request and usage condition information indicating conditions for permitting use of each of the contents. Send to telephone 55. For example, if content data is stored in the content server in the state shown in FIG. 26, and the content acquisition request received from the mobile phone 55 includes the barcode ID “BC00001231”, the content server performs the process shown in FIG. Are transmitted to the mobile phone 55 with the total of three pieces of content data and the time zone information associated with each piece of content data.
[0192]
The mobile phone 55 stores the content data and the usage condition information received from the content server in the nonvolatile memory 520. When reading and using the content data stored in the non-volatile memory 520 in this manner, the mobile phone 55 sets the current time when the reading is instructed, the position of the own device 55, the input user ID, and the like. Alternatively, it acquires the model information, reads out only the content data corresponding to the acquired information from the content data stored in the nonvolatile memory 520, and displays the content data on the liquid crystal screen.
[0193]
[G. Seventh embodiment]
Next, in a seventh embodiment, a case will be described in which content data provided is encrypted using a two-dimensional barcode. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to the first embodiment. The description of the parts common to the first embodiment is omitted.
[0194]
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a data providing service using a two-dimensional barcode including encrypted content data as recording information (hereinafter, referred to as an encrypted two-dimensional barcode). A content provider who wishes to provide data using an encrypted two-dimensional barcode first signs a service contract with a carrier of the mobile packet communication network 40 for use of the encrypted two-dimensional barcode. By signing this service contract, the content provider can encrypt the packet 2 to the owner of a mobile phone having a function of reading a two-dimensional bar code, which is a subscriber of the packet communication service provided by the communication carrier. It becomes possible to provide content data using a dimensional barcode.
[0195]
Further, the communication carrier issues an encryption key A unique to each content provider to the content provider who has made a service contract (step S581). This encryption key A is used to encrypt content data to be included as recording information in the encrypted two-dimensional barcode. In some cases, the encryption key A is used in a mobile phone to decode the encryption applied to the content data decoded from the encrypted two-dimensional barcode.
[0196]
As shown in FIG. 31, the content provider encrypts the content data using the encryption key A issued by the communication carrier and the encryption key B managed by the content provider itself. In this manner, the encryption key B is used for encrypting the content data and decoding the encryption applied to the content data, and restricts the users who can use the content data to one or more specific users only. Restrict. As the encryption key B, for example, a user ID issued by the content provider to the user, a personal authentication password registered by the user in advance with the content provider, and the like are used.
[0197]
The use of the encryption key B is optional. When encrypting the content data, the content provider can arbitrarily select whether to use only the encryption key A or to use both the encryption key A and the encryption key B.
[0198]
Then, in this way, an encrypted two-dimensional barcode is generated based on the content data encrypted using only the encryption key A or the encryption key A and the encryption key B.
[0199]
In addition, the content provider creates encryption decoding software for decoding the encryption of the content data included in the encrypted two-dimensional barcode as recording information in the mobile phone. This encryption / decoding software is created, for example, as an application program for a mobile phone described in the Java (registered trademark) programming language. Note that the telecommunications carrier may provide not only the encryption key A but also encryption decoding software to a content provider with a service contract. Further, the encryption / decoding software may include a function of decoding the encrypted content data from the two-dimensional barcode and a function of decoding the encryption applied to the content data.
[0200]
Referring back to FIG. 30, the content provider provides the user with the created encryption decoding software, for example, so that the mobile phone can download the created encryption decoding software from his home page (step S582). The user downloads and installs the encryption / decoding software from the homepage of the content provider to his / her mobile phone.
[0201]
The content provider prints an encrypted two-dimensional barcode on a card such as a membership card (step S583). When the user reads the encrypted two-dimensional barcode printed on the card such as the membership card by the mobile phone, the mobile phone first decodes the encrypted content data from the encrypted two-dimensional barcode (step). S584). Next, the mobile phone decodes the encryption applied to the content data according to the encryption decoding software (step S585), and displays the decoded content data on, for example, a liquid crystal screen (step S586).
[0202]
Further, the content provider pays, for example, a monthly fee for using the encryption key A to the telecommunications carrier while providing the user with the data providing service using the encrypted two-dimensional barcode (step S587). . Of course, the usage fee for the encryption key A may be such that a fixed amount is paid when a service contract is concluded.
[0203]
FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining a process from when the mobile phone 56 according to the present embodiment reads an encrypted two-dimensional barcode to when it outputs content data. As shown in the figure, the nonvolatile memory 510 of the mobile phone 56 has encryption decoding software 510b provided by a content provider and a bar code for decoding content data encrypted from a two-dimensional bar code. The decoding software 510a is stored.
[0204]
Of course, decoding software 510c having both functions of the encryption decoding software 510b and the barcode decoding software 510a may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 510. In addition, instead of the encryption decoding software 510b and the barcode decoding software 510a, hardware having the same function as these software may be provided in the mobile phone 56.
[0205]
In the mobile phone 56, when activation of the encryption decoding software 510b is instructed by an operation input or the like, first, the CPU 505 activates the encryption decoding software 510b and the barcode decoding software 510a. Next, the CPU 505 transmits an instruction to start reading the encrypted two-dimensional barcode to the CCD camera 504 according to the activated encryption decoding software 510b and barcode decoding software 510a (steps S591 to S593).
[0206]
Upon receiving the reading start instruction, the CCD camera 504 captures an image including the encrypted two-dimensional barcode (step S594), generates image data of the captured image, and stores the image data in the RAM 509. Thereafter, the CCD camera 504 transmits an imaging end instruction to the CPU 505 (step S595). In response to this, the CPU 505 starts processing based on the barcode decoding software 510a, first analyzes the image data stored in the RAM 509, and identifies a two-dimensional barcode image from this image. Next, the CPU 505 decodes the encrypted content data from the image of the encrypted two-dimensional barcode according to the barcode decoding software 510a, and stores the decoded content data in the RAM 509. Thereafter, the CPU 505 ends the processing by the barcode decoding software 510a (step S596).
[0207]
Next, the CPU 505 starts processing based on the encryption decoding software 510b, and decodes the encrypted content data stored in the RAM 509. When the content provider uses the encryption key B in addition to the encryption key A when encrypting the content, the CPU 505 inputs the user ID and the password on the liquid crystal screen when decoding the encryption. A message prompting the user is displayed, and the encrypted content data is decoded using the information input in response to the display. Further, instead of the user ID and the password, identification information unique to the mobile phone 55 such as a telephone number and a serial number may be used. Then, after that, the CPU 505 displays the decoded content data on the liquid crystal screen (step S597).
[0208]
It should be noted that the mobile phone 56 cannot obtain an image of the encrypted two-dimensional barcode from the captured image or barely identifies the image of the encrypted two-dimensional barcode. If the content data could not be decoded from the encrypted two-dimensional barcode image because it was not, a message prompting the user to re-capture the image containing the encrypted two-dimensional barcode was displayed on the LCD screen, and the encryption was performed. It has a function to retry the reading process for the two-dimensional barcode.
[0209]
Further, information specifying the encryption decoding software 510b is added to the encrypted two-dimensional barcode as non-encrypted data, and the encryption decoding software 510b corresponding to the information is automatically activated in the mobile phone 56. You may make it so. In this case, in the mobile phone 56, when the barcode reading mode is selected by an operation input or the like, first, the barcode decoding software 510a is activated, and the encrypted content data is decoded according to the barcode decoding software 510a. Is decoded from the encrypted two-dimensional barcode. Thereafter, the encryption / decoding software 510b specified by the information specifying the encryption / decoding software 510b included in the encrypted two-dimensional barcode is activated, and the content data is read according to the encryption / decoding software 510b. Is decrypted.
[0210]
As described above, if the content data to be included as recording information in the two-dimensional barcode is encrypted, only the mobile phone 56 on which the encryption decoding software 510b is installed is encrypted from the two-dimensional barcode. The content data can be decoded and the content data can be used. In addition, if the encryption key B is used, the content data can be further provided only to one or more specific users. Therefore, security can be ensured when providing data using a two-dimensional barcode. For example, when transmitting personal information such as a telephone number, an address, and an e-mail address, an encrypted two-dimensional barcode is used. It is effective to use.
[0211]
[H. Modification]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the main features. Each of the embodiments described above is merely an example of one aspect of the present invention, and the following modifications may be considered, for example.
[0212]
<Modification 1>
In each of the above-described embodiments, a case has been described in which the mobile phones 50 and 51 have a function of reading a two-dimensional barcode constituted by the CCD camera 504 and the decoding software 510a. However, as shown in FIG. 33, the two-dimensional barcode reading function of the mobile phone 52 is constituted by a barcode reader 552 and a barcode reader driver 551 for controlling the barcode reader 552. May be. In this case, the barcode reader 552 may be detachable from the mobile phone 52 as a matter of course.
[0213]
<Modification 2>
In the above-described fourth embodiment, information indicating the validity period of the access based on the URL included in the two-dimensional barcode is further added as the recording information of the two-dimensional barcode. It may be configured to determine whether or not.
[0214]
FIG. 34 is a sequence chart illustrating the operation of each unit of the communication system according to the second modification. In the second modification as well, as in the fourth embodiment described above, the content data converted into the two-dimensional barcode includes the URL of a site that provides more detailed information on the content (FIG. 17). reference).
[0215]
The content provider provides the content data including such a URL and validity period information indicating a period during which the mobile phone 50 can access the site using the URL (for example, an access period enabling access to the site). The start time limit and the access end time limit for disabling access are transmitted from the development machine 10A to the barcode issuing server 30. Note that the validity period information may include, for example, only an access end time limit that prohibits access to the site.
[0216]
The barcode issuing server 30 generates a two-dimensional barcode having the content data received from the development machine 10A and the barcode ID assigned to the newly issued two-dimensional barcode as recording information (step S601). The image data of the two-dimensional barcode is returned to the development machine 10A. Further, the barcode issuing server 30 transmits the barcode ID of the issued two-dimensional barcode and the validity period information received from the development machine 10A to the gateway server 41 (Step S602).
[0219]
The gateway server 41 stores the relay management table 410b shown in FIG. 35 in the memory, and upon receiving the barcode ID and the validity period information from the barcode issuing server 30, the gateway server 41 stores the barcode ID and the validity period information in the relay management table. 410b.
[0218]
On the other hand, the mobile phone 50 reads a two-dimensional barcode attached to an article or the like by a content provider, and decodes content data and a barcode ID from the two-dimensional barcode. Then, the mobile phone 50 displays the decoded content data (see FIG. 17) on the liquid crystal screen. In response to this display, the URL displayed on the screen is designated by an operation input, and when an access to a site designated by the URL is instructed, the mobile phone 50 transmits the designated URL and the content data. And a connection request including the decoded barcode ID to the base station 42. This connection request is transmitted from the base station 42 to the gateway server 41 via the exchange (step S603).
[0219]
Upon receiving the connection request from the mobile phone 50, the gateway server 41 reads out the validity period information corresponding to the barcode ID included in the connection request from the relay management table 410b. Then, the gateway server 41 compares the read validity period information with the current time measured by the internal clock provided in the gateway server 41, and determines whether or not it is within the validity period of the access to the site. (Step S604).
[0220]
As a result, if the gateway server 41 determines that it is out of the validity period (step S605: No), it notifies the mobile phone 50 of a message indicating that it is out of the validity period, and then performs communication based on the received connection request. The process ends without performing the relay.
[0221]
If the gateway server 40 determines that it is within the validity period (step S605: Yes), the gateway server 40 transmits a connection request to the content server specified by the URL included in the connection request (step S606). The communication between the content server 50 and the content server is relayed (step S607). Note that the processing from step S608 shown in FIG. 16 is the same as the processing from step S506 to S509 shown in FIG.
[0222]
As described above, the validity period of the access using the URL included in the two-dimensional barcode may be determined in the gateway server 41. When the above-mentioned access validity period information is included in the two-dimensional barcode as management information, and the mobile phone 50 accesses the site based on the URL included in the two-dimensional barcode, the mobile phone 50 A configuration may be adopted in which it is determined whether or not the access to the site is within the validity period, and if the access is out of the validity period, no communication is performed.
[0223]
<Modification 3>
In the above-described first embodiment, a case has been described in which validity period information indicating the validity period of reading content data is included in the two-dimensional barcode as management information. However, the validity period information may be stored in the gateway server 41 in association with the barcode ID, and the mobile phone 50 may request the gateway server 41 to use the content data decoded from the two-dimensional barcode.
[0224]
FIG. 36 is a sequence chart illustrating the operation of each unit of the communication system according to the third modification. First, the content provider transmits from the development machine 10A to the barcode issuing server 30 the content data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode and the validity period information indicating the validity period of reading the content data (step S701). .
[0225]
The barcode issuing server 30 generates a two-dimensional barcode having as recording information the content data received from the development machine 10A and the barcode ID assigned to the newly issued two-dimensional barcode this time (step S702). The image data of the two-dimensional barcode is returned to the development machine 10A (step S703). Further, the barcode issuing server 30 transmits the barcode ID of the issued two-dimensional barcode and the validity period information received from the development machine 10A to the gateway server 41 (Step S704).
[0226]
Upon receiving the barcode ID and the validity period information from the barcode issuing server 30, the gateway server 41 stores the barcode ID and the validity period information in the internal memory.
[0227]
On the other hand, the mobile phone 50 reads the two-dimensional barcode attached to the article or the like by the content provider, and decodes the content data and the barcode ID from the two-dimensional barcode (step S705). Thereafter, the mobile phone 50 inquires of the gateway server 41 whether or not the two-dimensional barcode has been decoded within the content data reading validity period. That is, the mobile phone 50 transmits a use permission request including the barcode ID decoded from the two-dimensional barcode to the gateway server 41 (step S706).
[0228]
Upon receiving the use permission request from the mobile phone 50, the gateway server 41 reads out the validity period information corresponding to the barcode ID included in the use permission request from the internal memory. Next, the gateway server 41 compares the read validity period information with the current time measured by the internal clock to determine whether or not it is within the content data readout validity period (step S707). Then, the gateway server 41 transmits a result notification indicating the determination result to the mobile phone 50 (Step S708).
[0229]
Upon receiving the result notification from the gateway server 41, the mobile phone 50 determines whether to use the content data based on the determination result (step S709). That is, when receiving the result notification that the content data is within the valid reading period, the mobile phone 50 permits the use of the content data, and permits display and output to an external device. On the other hand, when the portable telephone 50 receives the result notification that the content data is out of the validity period, the mobile phone 50 prohibits use of the content data and displays a message indicating that the content data is out of the validity period on the liquid crystal screen. At the same time, the content data is discarded.
[0230]
The validity period may be determined by a server on the Internet 20 such as the barcode issuing server 30 instead of the gateway server 41.
[0231]
<Modification 4>
In the fourth embodiment and the second modification described above, the case where the content data converted into the two-dimensional barcode includes the URL of the site that provides more detailed information on the content has been described. However, the two-dimensional barcode includes the URL of the management server that manages the two-dimensional barcode, and the mobile phone 50 obtains the URL of the site related to the content decoded from the two-dimensional barcode from the management server. It is good also as a structure which performs.
[0232]
FIG. 37 is a sequence chart illustrating the operation of each unit of the communication system according to the fourth modification. First, the content provider issues a barcode from the development machine 10A with the content data to be converted to a two-dimensional barcode, the URL of the site related to the content data, and the validity period information indicating the validity period of reading the content data. The data is transmitted to the server 30 (step S801).
[0233]
The barcode issuing server 30 stores the content data received from the development machine 10A, the barcode ID assigned to the newly issued two-dimensional barcode, and the URL of the management server 90 as recording information. It generates (step S802), and returns the image data of the two-dimensional barcode to the development machine 10A (step S803). Further, the barcode issuing server 30 transmits the barcode ID of the issued two-dimensional barcode, the validity period information received from the development machine 10A, and the URL of the site to the management server 90 (step S804).
[0234]
The management server 90 is a server connected to the Internet 20, and stores a URL management table 900a shown in FIG. 38 in a memory. When receiving the barcode ID, the validity period information, and the URL of the site from the barcode issuing server 30, the management server 90 adds these data to the URL management table 900a.
[0235]
On the other hand, the mobile phone 50 reads the two-dimensional barcode attached to the article or the like by the content provider, and decodes the content data, the barcode ID, and the URL of the management server 90 from the two-dimensional barcode (step S805). Then, the mobile phone 50 displays the decoded content data on the liquid crystal screen (see FIG. 39). When the URL acquisition button is clicked by an operation input in response to this display, the mobile phone 50 issues a URL acquisition request including the barcode ID decoded from the two-dimensional barcode via the mobile packet communication network 40 to the management server 90. (Step S806).
[0236]
When receiving the URL acquisition request from the mobile phone 50, the management server 90 reads out the validity period information corresponding to the barcode ID included in the URL acquisition request from the URL management table 900a. Then, the management server 90 compares the read validity period information with the current time measured by the internal clock provided in the management server 90 to determine whether or not it is within the content data readout validity period. (Step S807).
[0237]
As a result, when the management server 90 determines that it is out of the validity period (step S808: No), it notifies the mobile phone 50 of a message indicating that it is out of the validity period, and ends the processing. If the management server 90 determines that the validity period is not exceeded (step S808: Yes), the management server 90 reads the URL corresponding to the barcode ID included in the URL acquisition request from the URL management table 900a, and reads the URL. The message is transmitted to the telephone 50 (step S809). As a result, the mobile phone 50 can acquire the URL of the site relating to the content decoded from the two-dimensional barcode, and thereafter can access the site using this URL.
[0238]
Note that the URL of the management server 90 does not necessarily need to be included in the two-dimensional barcode, but may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 510 of the mobile phone 50. Further, the management server 90 and the barcode issuing server 30 may be the same server. Further, the management server 90 may be provided in the mobile packet communication network 40.
[0239]
<Modification 5>
In the above embodiments, the barcode issuing server 30 is connected to the Internet 20. However, the barcode issuing server 30 may have a configuration directly connected to the gateway server 41 of the mobile packet communication network 40 via a dedicated line or a configuration installed in the mobile packet communication network 40.
[0240]
<Modification 6>
In the first embodiment described above, the barcode issuing center examines that the content submitted from the content provider is not harmful content or does not cause a problem in the mobile phone 50 and passes the examination. Only the content may be converted into a two-dimensional barcode.
[0241]
<Variation 7>
For example, in the above-described first and fifth embodiments, the mobile phones 50 and 55 perform a process of decoding and outputting data from a two-dimensional barcode in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 508 or the nonvolatile memories 510 and 520. However, the program for executing the processing according to the present invention may be provided to the mobile phones 50 and 55 through communication. Of course, the above program may be provided to the mobile phones 50 and 55 using a recording medium such as an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide a recording medium drive for reading the program from the recording medium in the mobile phones 50 and 55.
[0242]
<Modification 8>
Various forms are conceivable for the contents of the content data provided as the two-dimensional barcode and the form for providing the user with the two-dimensional barcode, other than those described in the above-described embodiments. For example, as the content data provided as a two-dimensional barcode, there are product information indicating information and inquiries about a product, a URL of a homepage introducing the content of the product in more detail, a map indicating the location of a store, and the like. Store introduction information indicating regular holidays, merchandise, etc., timetable data of trains and buses, standby image data of the mobile phone 50, incoming melody data, articles of newspapers and magazines, and the like can be considered. In addition, as a form of providing a two-dimensional barcode to a user, a two-dimensional barcode is printed on a poster on a street or a store, a signboard, a hanging advertisement on a train, a business card, general merchandise, and the like, a television screen or a personal computer screen. For example, a form in which a two-dimensional barcode is displayed can be considered.
[0243]
<Modification 9>
In each of the embodiments described above, the case where the matrix type two-dimensional barcode is used has been described. However, it is a matter of course that a stack type two-dimensional barcode may be used, and a one-dimensional barcode may be used instead of a two-dimensional barcode. In short, any code may be used as long as the code is represented by an image that can be read optically by the electronic device. The code reading method may be a CCD line sensor method, a laser method, or the like.
[0244]
The electronic device to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the mobile phone 50. For example, a code represented by an icon such as a PHS (registered trademark) terminal, a PDA, a personal computer, and various home appliances is used. Any electronic device having an optical reading function may be used. In addition, the mobile packet communication network 40 may be a PHS network, a public wireless LAN, an in-house LAN, or the like.
[0245]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a general user or an information distribution company can easily provide data to an electronic device using a code represented by an icon. Further, it is possible to improve the convenience of data provided using the code represented by the icon.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a barcode issuing server according to the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying a data configuration of a charge table stored in an HD in the barcode issuing server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the mobile phone according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram exemplifying content data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a two-dimensional barcode according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a barcode issuing process 1 executed by a CPU in the barcode issuing server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a barcode reading process 1 executed by a CPU in the mobile phone according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram exemplifying a data configuration of a charge table stored in the HD in the barcode issuing server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a barcode issuing process 2 executed by a CPU in the barcode issuing server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen of text data to be converted into a two-dimensional barcode in the mobile phone according to the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case where a two-dimensional barcode image received from the barcode issuing server is displayed on the liquid crystal screen in the mobile phone according to the embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the hardware configuration in the mobile phone according to the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a barcode issuing process 3 executed in the development machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a sequence chart illustrating an operation of each unit of a communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of content data converted into a two-dimensional barcode according to the embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a relay management table stored in a memory of the gateway server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a diagram exemplifying a data configuration of a charge table stored in the HD in the barcode issuing server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a mobile phone according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a data configuration of content data included as recording information in a two-dimensional barcode according to the embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of a data configuration of content data included as recording information in a two-dimensional barcode according to the embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a diagram (part 3) illustrating an example of a data configuration of content data included as recording information in a two-dimensional barcode according to the embodiment;
FIG. 24 is a diagram (part 4) illustrating an example of a data configuration of content data included as recording information in a two-dimensional barcode according to the embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a barcode reading process 2 executed by the CPU in the mobile phone according to the embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a diagram (part 1) for describing content data stored in a content server according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a diagram (part 2) for describing content data stored in the content server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a sequence chart illustrating operations of the mobile phone and the content server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a sequence chart illustrating operations of the mobile phone, the gateway server, and the content server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a diagram exemplifying an outline of a data providing service using an encrypted two-dimensional barcode according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a generation process of an encrypted two-dimensional barcode according to the embodiment.
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a process from when the mobile phone according to the embodiment reads the encrypted two-dimensional barcode to when the content data is output.
FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a mobile phone according to a first modification of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is a sequence chart illustrating an operation of each unit of the communication system according to the second modification of the present invention.
FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a relay management table stored in a memory of a gateway server according to Modification 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 36 is a sequence chart illustrating an operation of each unit of the communication system according to Modification 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 37 is a sequence chart illustrating an operation of each unit of the communication system according to Modification 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a URL management table stored in a memory of a management server according to Modification 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 39 is a diagram exemplifying content data decoded from a two-dimensional barcode according to Modification 4 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2 ... communication system, 10A ... development machine, 10B ... printer, 20 ... Internet, 30 ... barcode issuing server, 40 ... mobile packet communication network, 41 ... gateway server, 42 ... base Bureau, 50, 51, 52, 55, 56 ... mobile phone, 60 ... printer, 70 ... communication charge management server, 80 ... personal computer, 90 ... management server, 301 ... communication interface, 302 ... Operation input unit, 303, display unit, 304, barcode conversion device, 305, printer driver, 306, CPU, 307, ROM, 308, RAM, 309, HD, 309a, barcode issuance Management DB, 309b, 309c, 309d: charge table, 310: bus, 410a, 410b: relay management table , Wireless communication unit, 501a, antenna, 502, operation input unit, 503, call processing unit, 504, CCD camera, 505, CPU, 506, liquid crystal display unit, 507, storage , ROM, 509, RAM, 510, 520, nonvolatile memory, 510a, barcode decoding software, 510b, encryption decoding software, 510c, application software, 511, bus 512 communication interface, 520a model information storage area, 520b base station ID storage area, 551 bar code reader driver, 552 bar code reader, 900a URL management table.

Claims (70)

A first step in which the communication device transmits data usable in the electronic device to a code issuing device that issues a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device;
A second process in which the code issuing device receives the data transmitted in the first process, and converts the data into the code;
A third process in which the code issuing device transmits image data of the code converted in the second process to the communication device;
A fourth step of optically reading the code attached to the article or displayed by a display device on the electronic device, and decoding data usable in the electronic device from the code. How to provide. In the second step, the code issuing device receives the data transmitted in the first step, encrypts the data, converts the data into the code,
In the fourth step, the electronic device optically reads the code attached to the article or displayed on the display device, decodes the encrypted data from the code, and performs the data on the data. 2. The data providing method according to claim 1, wherein the encryption is decoded to obtain data usable by the electronic device. Communication device, data that can be used in the electronic device, validity information indicating the validity of reading the code when the data is converted into a code represented by an optically readable image of the electronic device, A first step of transmitting to a code issuing device that issues the code;
A second process in which the code issuing device receives the data and the validity period information transmitted in the first process, and converts the data and the validity period information into the code;
A third process in which the code issuing device transmits image data of the code converted in the second process to the communication device;
A fourth step in which the electronic device optically reads the code attached to the article or displayed by a display device, and decodes data usable in the electronic device and the validity period information from the code;
The electronic device obtains a current time and, if it determines that the current time is within the validity period based on the validity period information decoded in the fourth step, permits the use of the data. And a data providing method. A step performed between the third step and the fourth step,
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the managing device for managing the code issuance fee further includes a sixth step of obtaining a code issuance fee to be charged to a person who has requested the code issuance to the code issuance device. 4. The data providing method according to 1 or 3. In the sixth step,
The management device obtains an amount of data converted into the code by the code issuing device in the second process, and calculates an issuance fee of the code based on the data amount. Item 5. The data providing method according to Item 4. A step performed between the third step and the fourth step,
A managing device that manages the issuance fee of the code, acquires the validity period information received by the code issuing device in the second process, and calculates the issuance fee of the code based on the validity period. 4. The data providing method according to claim 3, further comprising a step. A step performed between the third step and the fourth step,
A sixth step of: a managing device that manages the code issuance fee, seeking a code issuance fee to be charged to a person who requests the code issuance device to issue the code;
8. The data providing method according to claim 1, further comprising: an eighth step in which the management device generates bill data relating to the issuance fee of the code obtained in the sixth step. Method. A first step in which the communication terminal transmits data usable in an electronic device including the communication terminal to a code issuing device that issues a code represented by an optically readable image that the electronic device includes;
A second process in which the code issuing device receives the data transmitted in the first process, and converts the data into the code;
A third step in which the code issuing device transmits image data of the code converted in the second step to the communication terminal;
A fourth step in which the communication terminal receives the image data transmitted in the third step and displays the code on a display screen;
And a fifth step of optically reading the code displayed in the fourth step by the other electronic device and decoding data usable in the electronic device from the code. Data provision method. A step performed between the third step and the fourth step,
A management device that manages the code issuance fee, obtains the code issuance fee to be charged to a person who has requested the code issuance to the code issuance device, and identifies the issuance fee and the terminal identification information that identifies the communication terminal; A sixth step of transmitting to a billing device that performs a billing process for the usage fee of the communication terminal;
A charging device for receiving the issuance fee and the terminal identification information transmitted in the sixth process, and charging the issuance of the code to the usage fee of the communication terminal specified by the terminal identification information; 9. The data providing method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in the network of the content associated with the code from the code;
A second step in which the communication terminal transmits to the relay device a communication address decoded in the first step and identification information indicating that the communication address is a communication address read from the code; ,
The relay device receives the communication address and the identification information transmitted in the second process, and provides the communication device specified by the communication address, the content being stored in association with the communication address. A communication device, and a third step of relaying communication with the communication terminal;
A fourth step in which the relay device counts, for each communication address, the number of times of relaying communication based on the communication address read from the code in the third step;
The management device that manages the usage fee of the code, based on the number of relays counted for each communication address in the fourth step, charges the person who provided the content using the communication device with the code. A fifth step of calculating a usage fee. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes code identification information for identifying the code from the code;
A second step in which the communication terminal transmits the code identification information decoded in the first step to a relay device;
A communication device, wherein the relay device is a communication device associated with the code identification information transmitted in the second step, and provides a content stored in association with the code identification information; A third step of relaying communication with the communication terminal;
A fourth step in which the relay device counts the number of times of relaying communication in the third step for each code identification information;
A management device that manages the usage fee of the code, wherein the code that charges a person who has provided content using the communication device based on the number of relays counted for each piece of the code identification information in the fourth step; And a fifth step of calculating a usage fee. A first step in which a communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon and decodes a communication address and code identification information for identifying the code from the code;
A second step in which the communication terminal transmits a communication address and code identification information decoded in the first step to a relay device;
The relay device receives the communication address and the code identification information transmitted in the second process, and provides a content associated with the code identification information, the communication device being specified by the communication address. A third step of relaying communication with the communication device and the communication terminal;
A fourth step in which the relay device counts the number of times of relaying communication in the third step for each code identification information;
A management device that manages the usage fee of the code, wherein the code that charges a person who has provided content using the communication device based on the number of relays counted for each piece of the code identification information in the fourth step; And a fifth step of calculating a usage fee. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes data usable in the communication terminal and code identification information for identifying the code from the code;
A second step in which the communication terminal transmits the code identification information decoded in the first step to a management device that manages the code;
The management device receives the code identification information transmitted in the second process, determines whether or not the code can be used based on information stored in association with the code identification information, and determines a determination result. A third step of notifying the communication terminal of
And a fourth step of, when the communication terminal is permitted to use the code according to the determination result notified in the third step, outputting the data decoded in the first step. A data providing method, comprising: In the third step,
The management device receives the code identification information transmitted in the second step, and uses the code based on the validity period information stored in association with the code identification information and the current time. 14. The data providing method according to claim 13, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not the communication terminal is available. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes code identification information for identifying the code from the code;
A second step in which the communication terminal transmits the code identification information decoded in the first step to a management device that manages the code;
The management device receives the code identification information transmitted in the second process, and determines whether a current time is within a validity period based on validity period information stored in association with the code identification information. A third step of determining whether
If the management device determines that the validity period is not exceeded in the third step, the communication address indicating the location of the content in the network stored in association with the code identification information is transmitted to the communication device. Transmitting data to the terminal. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in the network of the content associated with the code from the code;
The communication device, wherein the communication terminal is a communication device specified by a communication address decoded in the first process, wherein the communication terminal associates the content with the communication address and indicates a validity period in which the content can be used. A second step of communicating with a communication device storing the information and
A third step in which the communication device obtains a current time and determines whether or not the current time is within a validity period based on validity period information associated with a communication address specified by the communication terminal. When,
A fourth step of reading the content corresponding to the communication address and transmitting the content to the communication terminal when the communication device is determined to be within the validity period in the third step;
A fifth step of the communication terminal receiving the content transmitted in the fourth step and outputting the content. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in the network of the content associated with the code from the code;
A second step in which the communication terminal obtains information indicating a use state of the communication terminal or information for identifying the communication terminal;
The communication terminal is a communication device that specifies the information acquired in the second process by the communication address, and permits a plurality of contents and use of each of the contents in association with the communication address. A third step of transmitting to the communication device storing information indicating the condition;
A fourth step in which the communication device receives the information transmitted in the third step, reads out the content corresponding to the information and the communication address, and transmits the content to the communication terminal;
A fifth step of the communication terminal receiving the content transmitted in the fourth step and outputting the content. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an icon and decodes a communication address and code identification information for identifying the code from the code;
A second step in which the communication terminal obtains information indicating a use state of the communication terminal or information for identifying the communication terminal;
The communication device, wherein the communication terminal identifies the code identification information decoded in the first step and the information acquired in the second step by the communication address, A third step of transmitting to the communication device storing a plurality of contents and information indicating conditions for permitting use of each of the contents in association with the information;
The communication device receives the code identification information transmitted in the third step and the information obtained in the second step, and receives the code identification information and the information obtained in the second step. A fourth step of reading content corresponding to information and transmitting the content to the communication terminal;
A fifth step of the communication terminal receiving the content transmitted in the fourth step and outputting the content. In the communication device, for one communication address, a plurality of contents are stored in association with different periods,
In the second step, the communication terminal acquires information indicating a current time,
In the fourth step, the communication device receives the information indicating the current time transmitted in the third step, and, among the plurality of contents associated with the communication address designated by the communication terminal, 18. The data providing method according to claim 17, wherein a content corresponding to a period including the current time is read and transmitted to the communication terminal. 20. The data providing method according to claim 19, wherein, in the second step, the communication terminal acquires information indicating a current time when the code was read in the first step. 20. The data providing method according to claim 19, wherein in the second step, the communication terminal acquires information indicating a current time when communicating with a communication device specified by the communication address. In the communication device, for one communication address, a plurality of contents are stored in association with different regions,
In the second step, the communication terminal acquires information indicating a position of the communication terminal,
In the fourth step, the communication device receives the information indicating the position of the communication terminal transmitted in the third step, 18. The data providing method according to claim 17, wherein a content corresponding to an area including the position is read out from the content and transmitted to the communication terminal. 23. The data providing method according to claim 22, wherein, in the second step, the communication terminal measures a position of the communication terminal and acquires information indicating the position. In the second step, the communication terminal inquires of a device having a function of specifying or positioning the position of the communication terminal about the position of the communication terminal, and acquires information indicating the position. The data providing method according to claim 22. 23. The data according to claim 22, wherein, in the second step, the communication terminal acquires information indicating a position of the communication terminal when the code is read in the first step. How to provide. 23. The data according to claim 22, wherein in the second step, the communication terminal acquires information indicating a position of the communication terminal when performing communication with a communication device specified by the communication address. How to provide. In the communication device, for one communication address, a plurality of contents are stored in association with user identification information indicating a user who is permitted to use the contents for each of the contents,
In the second step, the communication terminal acquires user identification information assigned to a user using the communication terminal,
In the fourth step, the communication device receives the user identification information transmitted in the third step, and among a plurality of contents associated with a communication address designated by the communication terminal, 18. The data providing method according to claim 17, wherein the content corresponding to the user identification information is read and transmitted to the communication terminal. In the communication device, a plurality of contents are stored in association with different communication terminal types for one communication address, and in the second step, the communication terminal Get information indicating the type of
In the fourth step, the communication device receives the information indicating the type of the communication terminal transmitted in the third step, and a plurality of communication terminals associated with a communication address designated by the communication terminal. 18. The data providing method according to claim 17, wherein, among the contents, the content corresponding to the type of the communication terminal is read and transmitted to the communication terminal. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in the network of the content associated with the code from the code;
A second step in which the communication terminal transmits a communication address decoded in the first step to a relay device;
A third process in which the relay device acquires information indicating the usage status of the communication terminal or information for identifying the communication terminal;
A fourth process in which the relay device transmits the information obtained in the third process to a communication device specified by the communication address;
A fifth step in which the communication device receives the information transmitted in the fourth step, and transmits the information and the content corresponding to the communication address to the communication terminal;
A data providing method, comprising: the communication terminal receiving the content transmitted in the fifth process, and outputting the content. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in the network of the content associated with the code from the code;
The communication device, wherein the communication terminal is a communication device specified by a communication address decoded in the first process, and information indicating a plurality of contents and a condition for permitting use of each of the contents in association with the communication address. A second step of communicating with a communication device that stores
A third step in which the communication device obtains information indicating a use state of the communication terminal or information for identifying the communication terminal;
A fourth step in which the communication device reads the information corresponding to the information and the communication address obtained in the third step and transmits the content to the communication terminal;
A fifth step of the communication terminal receiving the content transmitted in the fourth step and outputting the content. A first step in which the communication terminal optically reads a code represented by an image and decodes a communication address indicating a location in the network of the content associated with the code from the code;
The communication device, wherein the communication terminal is a communication device specified by a communication address decoded in the first step, wherein the communication terminal is associated with the communication address and indicates a plurality of contents and a condition for permitting use of each of the contents. A second step of communicating with the communication device storing the condition information;
A third step in which the communication device reads a plurality of contents and usage condition information associated with the communication address and transmits the read information to the communication terminal;
A fourth step in which the communication terminal receives the plurality of contents and the use condition information transmitted in the third step;
A fifth step in which the communication terminal obtains information indicating a use state of the communication terminal or information for identifying the communication terminal;
A sixth step of permitting the communication terminal to use a content corresponding to the information obtained in the fifth step among a plurality of contents received in the fourth step. Data provision method. The data providing method according to any one of claims 1, 3, 8, 10 to 13, 15 to 18, and 29 to 31, wherein the code is a two-dimensional barcode. Receiving means for receiving data usable in the electronic device;
A conversion unit that converts the data received by the reception unit into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device,
Transmission means for transmitting image data of the code converted by the conversion means,
Calculating means for calculating a charge of issuing the code to a person who requests the code issuing apparatus to issue the code. The receiving means, data that can be used in the electronic device, and validity period information indicating a validity period of reading the code when the data is converted into a code represented by an optically readable image by the electronic device. And receive
34. The code issuing device according to claim 33, wherein the converting unit converts the data and the validity period information received by the receiving unit into the code. Storage means for storing fee data indicating the relationship between the amount of data converted to the code and the issuance fee of the code;
Measuring means for measuring the amount of data converted to the code by the converting means,
The code issuing device according to claim 33, wherein the calculating unit calculates an issuance fee of the code based on the data amount measured by the measuring unit and the fee data. Further comprising a storage unit for storing charge data indicating a relationship between the code read validity period and the code issue charge,
35. The code issuing device according to claim 34, wherein the calculating unit calculates the code issuance fee based on the validity period information and the fee data received by the receiving unit. The code issuing device according to claim 33, further comprising a generating unit configured to generate invoice data relating to the issuance fee of the code calculated by the calculating unit. Further comprising an encrypting means for encrypting the data received by the receiving means,
34. The code issuing device according to claim 33, wherein the conversion unit converts the data encrypted by the encryption unit into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device. . From a communication terminal, data that can be used in an electronic device including the communication terminal, and receiving means for receiving terminal identification information for identifying the communication terminal,
A conversion unit that converts the data received by the reception unit into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device,
First transmission means for transmitting the image data of the code converted by the conversion means to the communication terminal;
Calculating means for calculating the code issuance fee to be charged to a person who has requested the issuance of the code using the communication terminal,
In order to charge the issuance fee of the code calculated by the calculating means to the usage fee of the communication terminal, the issuance fee and the terminal identification information received by the receiving means are charged for the usage fee of the communication terminal. A code transmitting device for transmitting to a charging device that performs processing. 40. The code issuing device according to claim 33, wherein the code is a two-dimensional barcode. A reading unit that optically reads a code represented by an iconic image, and decodes data usable in the electronic device and usability determination information used to determine whether the data is usable from the code,
Determining means for determining whether or not the data can be used using the usability determination information decoded by the reading means;
Output means for outputting the data when the use of the data is permitted by the determination means. The availability determination information is valid period information indicating a valid period for reading the code,
The determination unit obtains a current time, and determines whether the data can be used depending on whether the current time is within a valid period based on valid period information decoded by the reading unit. 42. The electronic device according to claim 41. The reading means,
Imaging means for capturing an image of a code represented by an iconic image,
Identification means for identifying an image of the code from an image taken by the imaging means;
Decoding means for decoding, from the image of the code identified by the identification means, data usable in the electronic device and usability determination information used to determine the usability of the data. Item 42. The electronic device according to item 41. Reading means for optically reading a code represented by an iconic image, and decoding, from the code, a plurality of data usable in the electronic device and use condition information indicating a condition for permitting use of each data; ,
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the usage status of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device,
Determining means for determining, from the plurality of data decoded by the reading means, data to be used based on the information obtained by the obtaining means and the use condition information decoded by the reading means,
Output means for outputting data determined by the determination means. The use condition information is information indicating a period during which use of the data is permitted for each of the data,
The acquiring means acquires a current time,
The determining unit specifies a period including the current time obtained by the obtaining unit among the periods indicated by the use condition information, and determines the period from the plurality of data decoded by the reading unit to the specified period. The electronic device according to claim 44, wherein the corresponding data is determined as data permitted to be used. The electronic device according to claim 45, wherein the obtaining unit obtains a current time when the code is read by the reading unit. The electronic device according to claim 45, wherein the obtaining unit obtains a current time when an instruction to output data decoded by the reading unit is issued. The use condition information is information indicating an area where use of the data is permitted for each of the data,
The obtaining means obtains a position of the electronic device,
The determining means specifies an area including the position acquired by the acquiring means among the areas indicated by the use condition information, and corresponds to the identified area from a plurality of data decoded by the reading means. The electronic device according to claim 44, wherein data to be used is determined to be data permitted to be used. Further comprising positioning means for positioning the position of the electronic device,
49. The electronic device according to claim 48, wherein the obtaining unit obtains the position of the electronic device measured by the positioning unit. 49. The electronic device according to claim 48, wherein the obtaining unit inquires of a device having a function of specifying or positioning the position of the electronic device about the position of the electronic device, and obtains the position. 49. The electronic device according to claim 48, wherein the obtaining unit obtains a position of the electronic device when the code is read by the reading unit. 49. The electronic device according to claim 48, wherein the obtaining unit obtains a position of the electronic device when output of data decoded by the reading unit is instructed. The use condition information is information associated with user identification information indicating a user who is permitted to use the data for each data,
The obtaining means obtains user identification information assigned to a user using the electronic device,
The determination unit specifies user identification information corresponding to the information acquired by the acquisition unit among the user identification information indicated by the use condition information, and specifies the identification from a plurality of data decoded by the reading unit. The electronic device according to claim 44, wherein data corresponding to the user identification information is determined as data permitted to use. The use condition information is information indicating the type of electronic device that permits use of the data for each of the data,
The obtaining means obtains information indicating a type of the electronic device,
The determining means specifies the type of electronic device corresponding to the information obtained by the obtaining device among the types of electronic devices indicated by the use condition information, and from among a plurality of data decoded by the reading device, The electronic device according to claim 44, wherein the data corresponding to the type of the specified electronic device is determined to be data permitted to be used. For optically reading a code represented by an iconic image, and from the code, data usable in the electronic device and an output format of the data for each type of electronic device are converted into an output format suitable for the type. Reading means for decoding the output format conversion data; and
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the type of the electronic device,
Based on the information obtained by the obtaining unit and the output format conversion data decoded by the reading unit, the output format of the data decoded by the reading unit is converted into an output format suitable for the type of the electronic device. Means for converting
Output means for outputting the data in an output format converted by the conversion means. Reading means for optically reading a code represented by an icon image and decoding a communication address indicating a location in the network of the content associated with the code from the code;
The communication unit communicates with the communication device specified by the communication address decoded by the reading unit, and sets a plurality of contents stored in the communication device in association with the communication address and a condition for permitting use of each of the contents. Receiving means for receiving usage condition information indicating
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the usage status of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device,
Information obtained by the obtaining unit, based on the use condition information received by the receiving unit, a determining unit that determines a content to be permitted to be used from among the plurality of contents received by the receiving unit,
Output means for outputting the content determined by the determination means. The data decoded by the reading means is encrypted.
56. The electronic device according to claim 41, further comprising a decoding unit that decodes encryption applied to the data and obtains data usable by the electronic device. machine. The electronic device according to any one of claims 41, 44, 55, and 56, wherein the code is a two-dimensional barcode. Computer
Conversion means for converting data usable in an electronic device into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device,
An output unit for outputting image data of the code converted by the conversion unit, and a program for functioning as a charging unit for calculating an issue fee for the code output by the output unit and charging the user of the computer . Further comprising a measuring means for measuring the amount of data converted to the code by the converting means,
60. The program according to claim 59, wherein the charging unit calculates an issuance fee of the code based on the data amount measured by the measuring unit, and charges the user of the computer. The apparatus further includes a counting unit that counts the number of times the code is issued, wherein the charging unit calculates an issuance fee of the code based on the number of issuances counted by the counting unit, and charges the user of the computer. 60. The program according to claim 59, wherein: The conversion means, data that can be used in the electronic device, and validity period information indicating the validity of reading the code when the data is converted into a code represented by an optically readable image by the electronic device. Into the above code,
60. The program according to claim 59, wherein the charging unit calculates an issuance fee of the code based on the validity period and charges a user of the computer. Computer
Conversion means for converting data usable in an electronic device into a code represented by an image readable by the electronic device,
A program for functioning as judging means for judging whether or not the code converted by the converting means can be issued, and outputting means for outputting image data of the code when the issuance of the code is permitted by the judging means. Issuance limit points are points indicating the limit that can issue the code, the issue limit points are subtracted points required to issue the code every time the code is issued, is associated with the program,
Further comprising calculating means for calculating points required for issuing the code converted by the converting means,
64. The program according to claim 63, wherein the determination unit permits the issuance of the code converted by the conversion unit when the issuance limit point is greater than the point calculated by the calculation unit. Electronic devices,
Reading means for optically reading a code represented by an iconic image, and decoding data usable in the electronic device and usability determination information used to determine the usability of the data from the code,
Functioning as a judging means for judging whether or not the data can be used by using the usability judgment information decoded by the reading means, and an output means for outputting the data when the use of the data is permitted by the judging means Program to let you. Electronic devices,
Reading means for optically reading a code represented by an iconic image and decoding, from the code, a plurality of data usable in the electronic device and use condition information indicating a condition permitting use of each data;
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the usage status of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device,
Determining means for determining, from the plurality of data decoded by the reading means, data to be permitted to be used, based on the information obtained by the obtaining means and the use condition information decoded by the reading means; and A program for functioning as output means for outputting the data determined by the determining means. Electronic devices,
For optically reading a code represented by an iconic image, and from the code, data usable in the electronic device and an output format of the data for each type of electronic device are converted into an output format suitable for the type. Reading means for decoding the output format conversion data;
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the type of the electronic device,
Based on the information obtained by the obtaining unit and the output format conversion data decoded by the reading unit, the output format of the data decoded by the reading unit is converted into an output format suitable for the type of the electronic device. And a program for functioning as output means for outputting the data in an output format converted by the conversion means. Electronic devices,
Reading means for optically reading a code represented by an iconic image and decoding a communication address indicating the location in the network of the content associated with the code from the code;
The communication unit communicates with the communication device specified by the communication address decoded by the reading unit, and sets a plurality of contents stored in the communication device in association with the communication address and a condition for permitting use of each of the contents. Receiving means for receiving usage condition information indicating
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the usage status of the electronic device or information for identifying the electronic device,
Determining means for determining, from the plurality of contents received by the receiving means, content to be used, based on the information obtained by the obtaining means and the use condition information received by the receiving means; and A program for functioning as output means for outputting the content determined by the determining means. The program according to any one of claims 59, 63, and 65 to 68, wherein the code is a two-dimensional barcode. A computer-readable recording medium recording the program according to any one of claims 59, 63, 65-68.

Images