JP2005018746A - Contact information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system used for the exchanging of electronic business cards and having a novel added value associated with the electronic business card. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 221 implements various information processing, including: exchanging the electronic business cards by means of electronic mail; storing related information associated with the electronic mail on a database 203; delivering the updated electronic mail business cards; collecting individual information from a PC (Personal Computer) 200; preparing an event list; and reserving restaurant seats, and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a contact information processing system, method and program for processing an electronic business card, and further to a contact information processing system, method and program for exchanging or distributing an electronic business card using the contact information processing system.

Instead of handing out a paper business card to the other party, it is possible to communicate the personal information (hereinafter referred to as business card information) such as the name, organization name, and telephone number written on the business card using Internet e-mail. It is done on a daily basis. RFC2426-vCard MIME Directory Profile is well known as a data format of business card information for use in Internet communication. (Non-Patent Document 1)
The business card information sent in this data format includes a business card image and a plurality of sets of personal information character strings to be synthesized on the image, and is displayed on the display screen of the receiving computer as shown in FIG. Is done.

  In FIG. 1, 100 is an image of a business card, and 101 is a company name. Reference numeral 102 denotes a job title. Reference numeral 103 denotes an individual name. 104 is a zip code, and 105 is a company address. 106 is an e-mail address, 107 is a telephone number, and 108 is a URL. The information 101 to 108 is received in the form of a character code by the receiving computer, converted from the character code to the image by the receiving computer, and then the converted image is combined with the business card image 100 and displayed. Displayed on the screen.

  Such standardization of business card information has made it possible to contribute to improvement of user convenience in electronic commerce and the like.

  A service in which a user registers the business card information in a server computer and the registered user's client computers exchange the registered business card via the server has started. (Non-patent document 2, Patent document 1)

JP 2000-32033 A http: // www. y-adagio. com / public / standards / tr_vcd_2426 http://www.b-front.com/prm/service/card.html

  As for the business card information described in Non-Patent Document 1, since the business card information is sent by e-mail, if the content of the business card information is changed after the transmission of the business card information, the person on the transmission side creates the newly created business card, There is a problem that it is necessary to send the old business card information (electronic business card) by e-mail to a plurality of people who have sent the old business card information (electronic business card), and the operation of the computer for that purpose is complicated.

  In the service system for exchanging business card information via the server, the server manages the business card information of the user and the business card information received from others. Therefore, when the business card information is updated, the electronic It is possible to automatically update the business card with the sender's new electronic business card. However, this service system requires a user to register with the service system, and there is a problem that the business card information automatic update process cannot be applied to a user who is not registered with the service system.

  The above is one of the problems related to the management of the electronic business card by the user. Not limited to this, since electronic business cards are in the process of spreading, there are still few business card processing systems that perform information processing that gives added value in relation to the electronic business cards, so the spread of electronic business cards is delayed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a contact information processing system having a new added value related to an electronic business card, a method and a program therefor.

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a contact information processing system in which an electronic business card can be exchanged with another contact information processing system.
Communication means for sending and receiving electronic business cards in the form of e-mail;
Storage means for storing related information related to an electronic business card in association with the electronic mail;
Means for registering relevant information in the storage means;
It is characterized by comprising: display means capable of displaying the related information stored in the storage means; and information processing means for performing predetermined information processing using the related information stored in the storage means.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means includes a detecting means for detecting an update to the electronic business card sent in the past, and a display control means for displaying the mail address of the detected electronic business card on the display means. Further, it may be provided.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means further includes an instruction means for instructing a mail address to which the updated electronic business card is transmitted from a mail address of the updated electronic mail displayed by the display means by a user operation. And an updated electronic business card may be transmitted to the designated e-mail address by the communication means.

  According to the present invention, the detection means may repeat the detection of the update at a constant cycle.

  According to the present invention, in the contact information processing system according to claim 2, when an updated electronic business card is sent from another electronic processing system, the electronic business card received in the past with the updated electronic business card. Update means for updating the data may be further provided.

  According to the present invention, the related information stored in the storage means may be sharable with other contact information processing systems that have transmitted and received the electronic business card.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means checks the related information stored in the storage means according to a predetermined check item, and displays the proposal corresponding to the check by the check means. Display control means for displaying on the means may further be provided.

  According to the present invention, the check item may be an event that is periodically performed and whether or not it is time to execute an event related to a person who has received the electronic business card.

  According to the present invention, the event may include a New Year's card, a summer greeting, a mid-year gift, a year-end gift, and the like.

  According to the present invention, the check means may further detect a mail address of an electronic business card related to the check item, and display the detected mail address on the display means.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means corresponds to the checking by the checking means for checking the electronic business card stored in the contact information processing system in accordance with a predetermined check item. You may further provide the display control means to display a proposal on the said display means.

  According to the present invention, the check item is whether the electronic business card has been received from another contact information processing system in the past, and whether or not the electronic business card has been returned to the sender of the received electronic business card. Also good.

  According to the present invention, when the check means detects that the electronic business card is not returned, the display control means causes the display means to display a message for prompting creation of an electronic business card for reply. Also good.

  According to the present invention, the check item may be whether or not an initial setting related to an electronic business card of the contact information processing system has been performed.

  According to the present invention, when the check means detects that the initial setting is not performed, the display control means may cause the display means to display a message for prompting the initial setting.

  According to the present invention, the initial setting may be creation of an electronic business card of a user of the contact information processing system.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means is means for instructing activation of the means for creating the electronic business card when the means for creating the electronic business card and the message for prompting the initial setting are displayed. And may further be provided.

  According to the present invention, the check means also determines whether or not the check item corresponding to the proposal has been cleared, and when the check item is cleared, control is performed so that display by the display means is not performed. Also good.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means includes: a means for creating a search request including a search request content for another contact information processing system; and an instruction means for instructing a mail address of a search request destination. And the communication means may transmit the created electronic business card by e-mail to the designated e-mail address.

  According to the present invention, the survey request may be a survey request for information related to an electronic business card.

  According to the present invention, the survey request may be a survey request for related information stored in a storage unit of another contact information processing system.

  According to the present invention, the communication unit may receive a response received from another contact information processing system, and the information processing unit may further include a unit that collects the received plurality of responses.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means further includes means for creating a response to the received survey request when the communication request is received from another contact information processing system by the communication means, The reply may be transmitted by e-mail to the survey client by the communication means.

  According to the present invention, the search request includes a keyword for search, and the means for creating the answer is stored in an electronic business card and / or storage means held using the keyword. The related information may be searched, and the result of the search may be used to create the answer.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means may further comprise selection means for selecting information used for creating the answer from the search result.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means further includes an instruction means for instructing a mail address of a transfer destination of the survey request when the information corresponding to the keyword is not obtained by the search, and the communication means The survey request received by the communication means may be transferred to the designated mail address.

  According to the present invention, the information processing means includes means for providing guide information related to a plurality of contact information in the form of a WEB page, and a specific request requested from the other contact information processing system using the WEB page. And a means for providing an electronic business card for contact information.

  According to the present invention, the electronic business card provided by the providing means includes ID information for identifying contact information, such as news corresponding to the ID for the partner who provided the electronic business card. Information may be provided as the related information.

  According to the present invention, when the electronic business card before update is sent to another contact information processing system, the communication means may transfer the updated electronic business card to the mail address.

  According to the present invention, the communication means may use the electronic business card information included in the electronic business card to transmit the contact information encrypted.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic business card can be exchanged with a personal use status processing system or a corporate use server by using an electronic mail. Furthermore, the related information related to the electronic business card is stored in the storage means, and information processing is performed using the stored related information, so that the new added value (function) that has not been conventionally described in the embodiment can be obtained as contact information. It can be given to the processing system.

(Embodiment of the Invention)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a system configuration of a contact information processing system to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a personal computer (hereinafter PC200).

  Since a commercially available PC 200 can be used, the description of the hardware will be kept simple. The personal computer 200 includes a hard disk 210, a CPU 221, a system memory 222, a display 223, an input device 224, and a communication device 225 such as a modem.

  The CPU 221 executes various programs. The system memory 222 stores input / output information for the CPU 221. The display 223 displays the information processing result of the CPU 221 and the input information from the input device 223 on the display screen under the control of the CPU 221. The input device 224 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and inputs information to the CPU 221.

  The communication device 225 transmits / receives electronic mail to / from the mail server 260 in the provider via the provider's communication system. It connects with the communication network 250 and communicates with other PC200. The mail server 260 exchanges electronic mails with other mail servers 260 via the communication network 250.

  The hard disk 210 stores the following objects (data and programs) according to the present invention. Reference numeral 201 denotes an electronic business card created by the contact information processing program 202 and an electronic business card received from another PC 200. The electronic business card 201 is a data set (a set of a plurality of data) including a character string in the form of a character code and image data of a background image of the business card. A contact information processing program 202 has an electronic business card creation function and various functions related to the present invention described later. The contact information processing program is installed in the hard disk 210 from a recording medium such as a CD ROM or a floppy (registered trademark) disk. Reference numeral 203 denotes information for managing the created electronic business card and the received electronic business card (collectively referred to as management information) and various information related to the electronic business card (referred to as related information. Management information is also included in the concept of related information. This is a database that stores

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a communication program for transmitting an electronic business card to another PC 200. In this embodiment, e-mail software will be described as an example. However, other communication programs such as a communication program using a file transfer protocol (FTP) may be used depending on the application. be able to.

  However, in consideration of versatility, the communication form is most preferably electronic mail.

  The hard disk 210 further includes an OS program, but since a commercially available OS is well known, detailed description will not be required. In addition, a background image used when creating an electronic business card and various data necessary for business card processing are also stored in the hard disk 210.

(Contact Information Processing Program)
The contact information processing program has the following functions. Each function will be described in detail later.
(1) Electronic business card creation function This function creates and edits business cards in the form of images.
(2) Update function of electronic business card information When an electronic business card created by this function is changed, the change is detected, and the changed electronic business card is retransmitted to the partner who sent the electronic business card before the change. In addition, when a re-changed electronic business card is received, this function automatically updates management information in the database 203. (3) Electronic business card sharing function Multiple users can share an electronic business card. . When sharing is specified for an electronic business card managed by one user, the electronic business card can be shared by a plurality of users in a preset group.
(4) Creation of event list This function sends a request message about an event to a plurality of specific partners who exchanged business card information, and collects response messages sent from the other party in response to the message. The event list is created, and when a request message related to the event is received from another PC 200, the response message is created by this function.
(5) Proposal according to the relationship history This function makes it possible to perform an inspection according to the action. For example, if an electronic business card has not been sent from here to the other party who received the electronic business card, this is detected and a proposal is made.
(6) Request for introduction of personal information Utilizing the point that the electronic business card indicates personal information and the electronic business card is stored, this function requests other PCs 200 to introduce personal information to other computers.
(7) Other

An information processing method for realizing the above functions will be described below.
(Database 203)
Information managed by storing in the database 203 includes the following information.
(1) Attached information such as creation date / time, type, storage location and security settings of the created electronic business card (2) Dating record related to the electronic business card It includes a communication record of the e-mail address, the name of the sender, the transmission date and time of the transmitted electronic business card, the e-mail address of the transmission partner, and the name of the transmission partner. Further, in the dating record, various dating information relating to dating with a human input by the user and indicated by each electronic business card is included as related information of the present invention.
Examples of this dating information include information such as New Year's cards, Christmas cards, year-end gifts, and when meetings are held.
(3) Address book created based on personal information acquired from electronic business cards (4) Other business card related information (information indicating events to be executed for each business card, etc.)
Such information is stored in the database 203 in association with an electronic business card managed by the apparatus. The plurality of types of data may be stored in the database 203 as one record (data set), or the plurality of types of information may be stored in the database 203 for each type of information.

  Hereinafter, information processing according to the present invention will be described. Such information processing is executed by the contact information processing program 202.

(Electronic business card creation function)
The processing content for creating an electronic business card is well known. For this reason, the description will be kept simple.

  The processing contents of the electronic business card creation program included in the contact information processing program 202 are shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, when the user selects the electronic business card creation menu of the display screen information, the processing program of FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU 221. The user selects and opens a business card image for a desired background image from business card design files prepared in advance on the hard disk 210 (they are temporarily stored in the system memory 222 and displayed on the front screen of the display 223). (Process 301). In this form, the business card design file is classified into three uses: company, home, and convenient, and the user can select a desired image from a design file for a desired use.

  Next, the user instructs the CPU 221 to read his personal information initially registered in the database 203. In response to this instruction, the CPU 221 reads the user's personal information (character code form) from the database 210 and temporarily stores it in the system memory 222 (process 302).

  The CPU 221 converts personal information temporarily stored in the system memory 222 and in the form of character codes into an image. The CPU 221 combines the converted image and the business card image for the background image selected in the process 301 on the system memory 222 and displays them on the front screen (process 303).

  When the user designates the position of personal information on the front screen using the mouse, the CPU 221 moves the personal information to the designated position. Specifically, the CPU 221 arranges the personal information image arranged at the position designated by the user on the background image business card image on the system memory 222, re-synthesizes the new business card image, and re-synthesizes the business card image. Is displayed on the display screen of the display 223.

  When the synthesis of the image of the electronic business card is completed, the user inputs data to be registered in the database 203 as a part of management information, for example, the type of electronic business card and remark information.

  When the user gives an instruction for termination using the mouse or the keyboard, the CPU 221 creates a data set of a data format of an electronic business card standard (for example, RFC2426) such as personal information, its arrangement position, background image data, etc. Is stored in the dedicated storage area. Also, management information relating to the created business card information is registered in the database 203 (processing 304). As management information at the time of creating an electronic business card, creation date and time, personal information (character code form), identification name of a business card image for background image, information input by a user (type of business card, remark information) can be used. However, the program designer may determine as appropriate.

(Electronic business card information update function)
An example of updating own card information will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a graphical user interface for editing the principal information. This racial user interface is displayed when the user instructs a business card editing process while the electronic business card processing program 202 is being executed. The identity information is previously input by the user from the keyboard and stored in the hard disk 210 as the electronic business card of the identity. When the user instructs the execution of the business card editing process, the CPU 221 reads personal information from the electronic business card of the person himself and initially displays it in the form of the screen of FIG.

  The user changes a predetermined display by inputting information from the keyboard. In response to a user change instruction (OK button operation), the CPU 221 compares the personal information when initially displayed with the personal information when the OK button is pressed. If a match determination is obtained, it is determined that there is no change, and no change processing is performed on the database 203. On the other hand, if a mismatch determination is obtained, it is determined that there is a change, and the CPU 221 changes the personal information (text data portion) of the electronic business card to the personal information when the OK button is operated.

After the change, recommended items as shown in FIG. 6 are displayed.
In this form, there are three types of electronic business cards: a company business card, a private business card, and a convenient business card. A company business card is a business card used for work, and a private business card (home) is an electronic business card used for private purposes. Convenient business cards are other electronic business cards. A business card design can be selectively set on the screen of FIG.

  A desired candidate is selected from a plurality of selection candidates using a pull-down menu indicated by an inverted triangle mark, or the display content is changed by character input from a keyboard. When the change is completed, the user operates the OK button. In response to the operation of the OK button, the CPU 221 updates the related information in the database 203 with the changed information. When the background image is changed, the image data of the person's electronic business card is updated with the changed image data.

(A) Change notification of electronic business card The change detection program in the contact information processing program is interrupted for a certain period (for example, once a day) or immediately after the change, and the CPU 221 updates the electronic business card of the person on the database 203 and a new one. It compares with the electronic business card based on information, and determines whether there was any change. If it is determined that there is a change, as shown in FIG. 6, the name of the person who has changed “Nippon Taro”, the update message “Update company name card”, and the date of update are displayed on the display screen. Also, recommended items described later are created and stored in the hard disk 210.

  When the user clicks the line portion where the change message is displayed with the mouse, the created recommended item is displayed as shown in FIG.

  The recommended item here is the name of the other party who sent the changed electronic business card in the past, the e-mail address 701, the image of the changed electronic business card (image 704 combining the character string of the personal information and the background image), the electronic This is information that collectively refers to personal information 705, electronic business card type 702, and other related information included in the business card (see FIG. 7).

The CPU 221 creates recommended items according to the processing procedure of FIG.
Specifically, it is determined in S810, S820, and S830 whether the changed (edited) electronic business card type is a company business card, a private business card, or a convenient business card.

  Recommended item information (e-mail address or the like) is acquired from the business card related information on the database 203 corresponding to the determined business card type. The acquired information is stored in a dedicated area in the hard disk 210 (S811 to S816, S821 to S826, S831 to S836).

  When the above process is described in detail for a company business card, a temporary electronic business card using the changed information is created (S811). The created electronic business card is compared with the temporary electronic business card created last time (S812). In the case of coincidence determination (S812 is YES), since the change is a change for the same information, the procedure jumps from S812 to other processing of S850.

  On the other hand, if it is different from the provisional electronic business card created last time, it is determined as a new change, and the procedure proceeds from S812 to S813. Here, it is determined whether or not “Recommendation for updating business card” is currently displayed. If "Recommend company card update" is displayed, delete the displayed "Recommend company card" from the display screen and create a new "Recommend company card" It is displayed on the display screen (S814 → S815).

  If the determination result in S813 indicates that “Recommendation for updating business card” is not displayed, the procedure proceeds from S813 to S815, where a new “Recommendation for updating business card” is created, Display on the display screen.

  Finally, the temporary business card of this time is stored in the hard disk 210 as the temporary company business card made the next time (S816). For personal business cards and convenient business cards, processing similar to that for company business cards is performed in S821 to S826 and S831 to S836.

  The stored temporary business card information is displayed as shown in FIG. 7 by clicking the mouse in the row of the change notification message in FIG. When the user deletes a specific electronic mail address of a partner who has sent an electronic business card in the past on the display screen of FIG. 7, the CPU 221 deletes the corresponding electronic mail address and name on the hard disk 210. When the user operates the send button 706 in FIG. 7, the CPU 221 creates a transmission candidate list indicated by the e-mail address in the recommended item stored in the hard disk 210, and transmits the transmission destination indicated by the creation candidate list. On the other hand, the changed electronic business card is delivered by e-mail in the form of communication data conforming to the communication standard (S840 → S841 → S845). At this time, the communication data may include data indicating the change of the electronic business card or information (name or the like) for specifying the electronic business card data sent in the past.

  The PC 200 that has received the changed electronic business card via the mail server 260 (see FIG. 1) searches the database 203 by data related to the sender of the same electronic business card, for example, the name, etc. based on the data indicating the change. Acquire the storage address of the received electronic business card. The electronic business card stored at this storage address is updated to the electronic business card received earlier. In addition, a reception history (reception date / time, sender mail address, etc.) is registered in the database 203.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the electronic mail address of the partner to whom each PC 200 has sent an electronic business card in the past is stored in the database 203, and when the electronic business card is updated, it is addressed to the electronic mail address sent in the past. Since the changed business card is sent by e-mail, the changed electronic business card can be automatically transmitted to the related parties without a dedicated server for exchanging the electronic business card.

(B) Management of dating records (When a newly created and updated electronic business card is transmitted and when an electronic business card is received from another PC 200, the transmission record and the received record are stored in the database 203 as dating records. Introducing one form of dating record.

  The communication records included in the dating record are the electronic business card transmission destination (when the electronic business card is transmitted), the electronic business card address (when the electronic business card is received), and the transmission / reception date and time.

  The address book is the address book of the other party who sent and received. In the address book, electronic business card information extracted from the received electronic business card, that is, address book information such as name, address, and telephone number is described. The address book is linked to the above communication record, and from the name of the address book, the communication record of the person with that name can be called, and the person who corresponds from the communication record (transmission / reception record) in the communication record or the e-mail address The address book information can be called. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, a new function using communication record information and address book information is provided. Furthermore, when an electronic business card is received from another PC 200 by e-mail, the personal information of the electronic business card is newly registered in the address book automatically or manually, or the personal information registered by the received personal information is registered. It is possible to update.

(Create event list)
There are many events such as sending New Year's cards and Christmas cards to specific people. In the present embodiment, it is possible to support creation of a destination list (referred to as an event list) so as to be convenient when performing such an event. In the following, processing related to creation of an event list will be described.

  For the sake of explanation, an example is the case where Mr. Aoki (a pseudonym) surveys the three subordinates from whom they received year-end gifts at the end of 2001 and what they received as year-end gifts.

  The event list creator (Mr. Aoki) instructs the CPU 221 to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for requesting an event list on the display screen as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a mail address input field. Reference numeral 902 denotes an input column for the type of dating. Reference numeral 903 denotes an input field for the type of event to be requested. Reference numeral 904 denotes an input field for the year to be requested. Reference numeral 905 denotes an information input field indicating the content of the request. Reference numeral 906 denotes an input field for the time when the event is to be performed. Reference numeral 907 denotes a transmission button. In this form, the input fields 902 to 906 use pull-down menus, and the event list creator needs each input field by selecting one of a plurality of selection items prepared in advance from the pull-down menu. Enter the matter.

  Finally, when the event list creator operates the send button 907 with a mouse, a send message is created by the CPU 221 based on information input from the input fields 902 to 906. The created transmission message is transmitted by e-mail to the e-mail address input from the input field 901.

  The PC 200 that has received the transmission message via the mail server 260 causes the CPU 221 to display the transmission message on the display screen as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes the title of the transmission message. When the user designates the title 1001 with the mouse and operates the click button of the mouse, the investigation requested by the transmission message is automatically performed by the CPU 221, and when the investigation result is obtained, the graphical user shown in FIG. The details of the sent message are displayed by the interface.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1101 denotes a field for displaying the survey result of the request target person. Reference numeral 1102 denotes a field for displaying the event occurrence time included in the transmission message. 1103 is a column for displaying the contents of the requested event included in the transmission message.

  Reference numeral 1104 denotes a field for displaying the reception date and time of the transmission message. Reference numeral 1105 denotes a field for displaying the mail address of the sender of the transmission message. Reference numeral 1106 denotes a button for inputting acceptance of the request. Reference numeral 1107 denotes a button for inputting a request decline.

  When the user operates the button 1106, the display screen in FIG. 11 shifts to the display screen in FIG. When the user operates the button 1107, a message to that effect is sent to the e-mail address of the sender.

  In FIG. 12, a message 1301 indicating that a survey result exists using the contents of the requested event of FIG. 11 is displayed. When the user designates this message with the mouse and operates the click button, the investigation result is displayed by the graphical user interface of FIG. The example of FIG. 13 shows that year-end gifts were received from six people who transmitted or received electronic business cards. Since five of them have the contents of the year-end present in the dating record, the contents of the year-end present are displayed in the graphical user interface of FIG.

  When a part of the survey result (in this case, the content of the year-end present) does not exist, a blank input field 1401 is displayed as a notification to that effect, and it is possible to input an answer to the input field 1401 by manual operation. . When the respondent of the survey request operates the send button 1402 with the mouse, the communication result for the mail using the survey result, that is, the survey result obtained automatically and / or the survey result input manually is created and surveyed. It is sent to the requester's PC 200 by e-mail.

  The PC 200 of the survey requester who has received the e-mail via the mail server 260 displays the title of the received e-mail, the name of the sender, and the like by the graphical user interface shown in FIG.

  When the survey requester designates a desired line 1501 with the mouse and clicks a click button, the response content corresponding to that line is displayed by the graphical user interface of FIG.

  When the survey requester operates the import button 1602, the survey results displayed on the graphical user interface are additionally stored in the dating record in the database 203 of the hard disk 210 and collected.

  When the answers from all the respondents are collected in the dating record, the survey requester can see the result of the compilation through the graphical user interface shown in FIG. This graphical user interface is configured to initially display the answer title in the event list detail display field, and to display the answer contents when the title portion is designated with the mouse and clicked with the mouse button.

  When converting the result of the above compilation into a tabular data file, the survey requester instructs “save” by operating a menu (not shown) with a mouse. In response to this instruction, a window 1801 for designating a storage destination is displayed as shown in FIG. In this window screen, when the survey requester specifies the storage location on the hard disk 210, the file name, and the data format of the file, for example, the table format, the contact information processing program 202 delivers the summary result to the spreadsheet program that processes the table. Thus, the table shown in FIG. 18 is created. The created table is saved in the specified storage location.

  A processing procedure for realizing such a function will be described with reference to FIG. 19 in relation to the PC 200 of the survey requester and the PC 200 of the request receiver.

  In FIG. 19, the survey requester selectively inputs survey request items using the graphical user interface of FIG. The CPU 221 creates a survey request using the input survey item (process 2001). Next, in response to the survey requester's transmission instruction, the CPU 221 transmits the survey request in the form of an e-mail to the partner instructed by the user (process 2002).

  The PC 200 of the respondent who has received the e-mail displays the contents of the survey request through the graphical user interface of FIG. 11 via the graphical user interface of FIG. When accepting the survey request, the respondent operates the accept button 1106, and when rejecting the survey request, operates the decline button 1107 (process 2051). If the decline button 1107 is operated, this is determined in the process 2052. The CPU 221 sends an e-mail to the investigation requester as to the decline message prepared in advance (process 2060), and the process procedure of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the consent button 1106 is operated, this is determined in processing 2052. The CPU 221 searches the dating record in the database 203 using the received survey request content as a query, and extracts a name, an e-mail address, and a response to the survey request item that match the query from the dating record. (Process 2053).

  The extracted data is displayed by the graphical user interface shown in FIG. The CPU 221 determines whether or not there is a blank in a part of the data obtained as the search result. If there is a blank in a part, the CPU 221 accepts an input from the respondent of the data corresponding to the blank part (processing 2054). → Process 2055). When it is detected in process 2056 that the respondent has operated the send button 1402, the CPU 221 sends an e-mail to the survey requester (process 2057), and the process procedure of FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, not only the electronic business card is stored and managed, but also various related information related to the dating on the dating record in association with the e-mail address described on the electronic business card, in the above example, Since the contents of what was received and the received year-end gift are stored, survey requests and responses can be made among people in a specific group. As related information related to companionship, it is possible to handle New Year's cards, year-end gifts, summer greetings, receipt of Christmas cards, and other information.

(Suggestion according to dating history)
With this function, various proposals regarding dating can be made to the user. For example, if an electronic business card has been sent from here to the other party that received the electronic business card, this is detected and a proposal is made.

This function will be described with reference to FIGS.
The CPU 221 executes the processing program of FIG. 22 in the contact information processing program 202 in an interrupted manner at a constant cycle. The CPU 221 determines whether the dating record satisfies the check item based on a predetermined check item (processing 2301 to 2302).

Check items are
(1) Is it time to process events (new year cards, Christmas cards, summer greetings)?
(2) Has the process instructed by the user been completed?
Etc. are prepared. More specifically, for the check item (1), the contents of the event registered in the dating record and the time of occurrence thereof are acquired, and the current calendar information (year, month, day information) is compared with the time of occurrence of the event. Thus, it is possible to detect that it is time to process the event.

  For the check item (2), it is determined whether or not the process instructed by the user to the contact information processing program 202 or the process to be instructed has been completed.

As a process that the user should instruct the CPU 221, for example,
(A) Initial setting (registration of personal information of the person and creation of the person's electronic business card)
(B) An electronic business card that receives an electronic business card and responds (resends) is sent.

As processing executed by the CPU 221 in response to a user instruction,
(A) Creation of survey responses requested from members in the group (b) Preparation of referral responses requested from members in the group (described later)
Is prepared.

If it is determined that the check conditions for the check items as described above are not satisfied, the procedure proceeds to processing 2310, and a proposal message corresponding to the check items is displayed by the graphical user interface shown in FIG. The
In addition, the first detected time is stored in the hard disk 210.

  In the present embodiment, a coping program corresponding to the displayed proposal message is prepared, and the coping program is activated when the row of the display proposing message is designated with the mouse and the user operates the click button (process 2312).

  In the example of FIG. 20, since the business card of the person has not been created, a proposal message (item) that prompts the creation is displayed. When the line on which this message is displayed is designated by the mouse, the graphical user interface of FIG. 21 is activated. After viewing the guidance message displayed by the graphical user interface, the user operates the execution button 2201 with the mouse. In response to the operation of the execution button 2201, a graphical user interface (not shown) for creating a business card is activated, and the user creates a business card using this graphical user interface.

  On the other hand, if the user leaves the instruction and click button operation for the proposal message in FIG. 20 without performing the operation, the procedure proceeds to processing 2313 via processing 2311. The proposal message that has been notified for a certain period of time in the determination process of Step 2313 is detected, and the proposal message that has been notified for a certain period of time is deleted from the display database used by the graphical user interface so that it is not displayed in the graphical user interface of FIG. . Needless to say, the proposal message is deleted from the database when the countermeasure program is started.

(Request for introduction of personal information)
(A) Electronic business card and dating record sharing function In this embodiment, the electronic business card and dating record held by each user's PC 200 can be shared. If this function is used, as described above, one user in the group can request another user to investigate the dating record.

  Next, a function for requesting introduction of personal information and answering it using the sharing function will be described.

(Request for introduction of personal information)
An introduction requester (hereinafter simply referred to as a requester) selects an introduction request menu 2401 with the mouse using the graphical user interface of FIG. In response to this selection, the graphical user interface of FIG. 24 is displayed on the display screen of the requester's PC 200. The user inputs the contents of the personal information introduction request using this graphical user interface.

  In FIG. 24, reference numeral 2501 denotes a column for inputting the mail address of the destination of the introduction request. Reference numeral 2502 denotes a field for instructing the type of information to be introduced. In this embodiment, a plurality of types of information are prepared in advance, and the requester operates the check button 2505 with the mouse button (the check button is turned on by operating the click button) to instruct the type of information.

  Reference numeral 2503 denotes a field for inputting a reply deadline for the request. Reference numeral 2504 denotes a field for inputting a message indicating the contents of the request. Reference numeral 2506 denotes a field for inputting a keyword used in the search. When the requester creates the request content as described above, the requester operates the send button 2504 with the mouse. The CPU 221 of the requester's PC 200 creates communication data including an identification code indicating an introduction request, an identification code indicating the instructed information content, and an input message, and sends an e-mail to the instructed mail address.

  The PC 200 that has received the e-mail via the mail server 260 detects the request for introduction of personal information from the request identification code included in the e-mail message, and the graphical user interface shown in FIG. The title of the request is displayed as indicated by reference numeral 2601.

  When the respondent indicates the title 2601 with the mouse and operates the click button, the CPU 221 of the respondent's PC 200 displays the answer satisfying the received introduction request in the association record in the database 203 for the type of information specified. Search with keywords included in the email requesting the referral. If no answer satisfying the introduction request is obtained as a result of the search, the graphical user interface shown in FIG. 26 is displayed. The graphical user interface of FIG. 26 has an input field 2701 for inputting a mail address to which an introduction request is transferred. When the respondent inputs the mail address of the transfer destination in the input field 2701 from the keyboard and operates the transfer button 2702 with the mouse, the CPU 221 uses the e-mail transfer function to set the received introduction request to the mail address of the transfer destination. Forward.

  When this transfer function is used, for example, in FIG. 27, the requester A can send an introduction request to B, and then B can transfer the introduction request to C.

  FIG. 27 shows that Mr. D who received the introduction request answers the requester A. On the display screen of the PC 200 that has received the transferred introduction request, a title 2601 for the introduction request is displayed as shown in FIG. This process is the same as described above, but is the same as when the introduction request is received directly from the requester.

  When the answer is obtained by the above search of the answer in response to the click operation of the title 2601 (operation of the mouse and the click button) in FIG. 25, the answer to the request is displayed by the gra user interface in FIG.

  In FIG. 28, reference numeral 2901 denotes a column for displaying the name and mail address of the client. Reference numeral 2902 denotes a field for displaying the reception date and time of the introduction request. Reference numeral 2903 denotes a column for displaying keywords included in the introduction request. Reference numeral 2904 denotes an answer obtained by the search, that is, an icon of data that has a keyword and matches the type content of the designated information. As the data, various data such as an electronic business card, a word processor document, electronic mail data and other data can be handled.

  Reference numeral 2905 denotes a field for displaying a message sent from the client.

  A field 2906 displays the name and mail address of the person corresponding to the introduction request. The name and mail address are detected by the CPU 221 by searching.

  The answer is displayed for each person by the graphical user interface shown in FIG. When the answerer operates the consent button 2907, the title of the answer for a certain person is displayed as shown in FIG. When the respondent operates the acceptance by the acceptance button 2907 in FIG. 28 for a plurality of answers, the titles of the answers for the plurality of answers are displayed by the graphical user interface in FIG. When the respondent selects a desired title with the mouse on the graphical user interface of FIG. 29, an answer corresponding to the selected title is emailed to the email address of the referral requester.

  In the present embodiment, after the title is selected, the respondent can select the information to be transmitted using the graphical user interface shown in FIG. When this graphical user interface is launched, the title of the answer created by the graphical user interface of FIG. The example in FIG. 29 indicates that there is one answer. When the respondent designates the title with the mouse and operates the click button, the contents of the answer are displayed by the graphical user interface of FIG.

  The user can select information to be actually transmitted from information that can be transmitted by operating the answer button 3101 with the mouse. The example of FIG. 30 indicates that an electronic business card, personal information, and related electronic mail have been selected. When the respondent operates the send button 3102, the created reply stored in the hard disk 210 is emailed to the email address of the referral requester. The selected information is attached to the electronic mail.

  The reply sent from the respondent's PC 200 is delivered to the referral requester's PC 200 via the mail server. The delivered answer is notified to the client by the graphical user interface of FIG. In the example of FIG. 31, the name of the sender of the received mail, the subject, the title of the mail, and the reception date and time are displayed.

  When the client clicks on title 3202 with a mouse, the corresponding answer is displayed by the graphical user interface of FIG. 32 and is notified to the user.

  When the requester operates the import button 3301 with the mouse, the information (data file) attached to the reply e-mail is stored in the storage area corresponding to the type of information in the database 203 of the requester's PC 200.

  As described above, when the client requests another person to introduce a person using the introduction request function, the other person's PC 200 automatically creates a reply to the request, and the automatically created reply is sent to the respondent ( Send a response under the direction of another person). The information sent as a reply can be selected by the respondent. As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible not only to exchange electronic business cards but also to share personal information stored in each PC 200 to request and introduce a person's individual introduction.

  FIG. 33 shows the processing procedure for the introduction request and the reply described above. The procedure shown in FIG. 33 is executed by the above-described graphical user interfaces and programs associated with these user interfaces.

  When the graphical user interface for the introduction request is activated, the CPU 221 of the requester's PC 200 accepts input information related to the request from the user, and creates an introduction request for transmission based on the received input information (processing 3401). . In response to the transmission instruction from the requester, an e-mail is transmitted to the e-mail address instructed by the requester (process 3402).

  When the respondent's PC 200 receives the introduction request, the CPU 221 of the respondent's PC 200 searches the database 203. In this form, information (answer) that matches a search condition included in the introduction request, for example, a keyword or the like is searched. When no answer is obtained, the fact is notified to the respondent by the display. The respondent instructs the CPU 221 of the mail address of the transfer request of the introduction request to the CPU 221 using a predetermined graphical user interface. If it is determined in processing 3455 that the forwarding mail address has been input, the CPU 221 transfers the referral request to the designated mail address (processing 3456). On the other hand, if the forwarding mail address is not instructed (NO in processing 3455), the processing procedure on the respondent side in FIG. 33 ends.

  On the other hand, if an answer to the introduction request is obtained, the procedure proceeds from process 3451 to process 3453, where an answer for transmission is created based on the search result. It should be noted that, here, partial input of answers by manual operation is allowed. The created answer is e-mailed to the e-mail address of the requester in response to an instruction from the respondent (step 3454).

  The respondent's PC 200 that has received the transferred introduction request can perform the same processing as that of the respondent's PC 200 that performed the above-described transfer, that is, transfer of the introduction request and transmission of the response.

  In the requester's PC 200 that has received the answer, the CPU 221 displays the answer on the display, collects a plurality of answers, and saves them in the storage location of the hard disk designated by the answerer (processes 3403 to 3405).

(Other forms regarding requests)
(A) In the above-mentioned form, an inquiry about year-end gifts, that is, information related to the person who received the electronic business card but related information that the user registered in the database 203, is not included in the electronic business card. Yes. The content of such related information may be appropriately determined by the system user.
(B) In addition, the request (inquiry) regarding the introduction of information related to the electronic business card held by another user has been described. For example, when the electronic business card relates to information about a place or a store, Just introduce it.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the exchange of the electronic business card performed between the PCs 200 used by the individual and various information processing related to the exchanged electronic business card have been described. Next, business card transmission and various information processing related to the electronic business card executed between the personal computer 200 and the server will be described. The configuration of the entire system of the second embodiment is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 34, 3502 is the same PC as the PC 200 of the first embodiment.
Reference numeral 3502 denotes an information service, in this example, a server for providing a restaurant guide service. The PC 3501 and the server 3502 are connected via the Internet or other communication network. The server 3502 has a plurality of databases (hard disks) 3503 to 3505 for guidance services. The database 3503 stores an HTML document for providing a so-called home page.

  The database 3504 stores electronic business cards distributed to homepage viewers and those who have registered as users. The database 3505 stores personal information (member information) of those who have registered as users or who have applied for news distribution.

Since the server 3502 itself can use a commercially available computer system, a detailed description of the hardware will not be necessary. The function of the server 3502 according to the present invention is as follows.
(1) Storage and management of electronic business cards (location business cards, etc.) used as information services (2) Sending location business cards (3) Reserving restaurant seats and dishes using electronic business cards (4) Distributing news

  The above four functions will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 35 shows a processing procedure executed by the CPU in the server 3502. This processing procedure is distributedly executed by a plurality of programs, but may be executed by one program.

  The PC 3501 accesses a home page (so-called WEB page) provided by the server 3502 using a browser such as Internet Explorer (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation. The server 3502 detects that the request from the PC 3501 for the WEB page has been received by the request determination process of process 3601. The server 3502 reads the requested WEB page (HTML document) and data for displaying the WEB page, such as image and sound data (HTML document and these data are collectively referred to as contents), and transmits the read data to the PC 3501 that requested the access. . The PC 3501 that made the access request displays the WEB page by the browser using the received content.

  On the WEB page, a button for downloading an electronic business card, a button for user registration, and a button for applying for news distribution are prepared for each store.

  When the user operates the download button to instruct downloading of an electronic business card of a specific store, the server 2502 reads the electronic business card instructed in other processing 3605 from the database 3504 and transmits it to the requesting PC 3501. The user stores the received electronic business card in the database 203 of FIG.

  As an improved form, the electronic business card can be sent to the requesting PC 3501 by e-mail instead of downloading the electronic business card. In this case, the user inputs his / her mail address on the WEB page displayed on the display screen of the PC 3501, and notifies the server 3502 of the mail address.

  An example of an electronic business card relating to a store (place business card in this form) is shown in FIGS. FIG. 36A shows an example of an external appearance image of an electronic business card. FIG. 36B shows an example of place information in a text form included in an electronic business card. FIG. 37C shows additional information in text form included in the updated electronic name. FIG. 37D shows an example of text-form memo information included in the updated electronic business card.

  Although not shown, the place business card includes a place ID (text form). The place ID is an identification code representing the type content of the electronic business card. It should be noted that in this form, the place ID is an identification code assigned to a store guided by the information service. As will be described later, the server 3502 distributes the news of the store corresponding to the location ID using the location ID.

  When a place business card is registered in the database 203, the user uses a reservation graphical user interface or a news display graphical interface provided by the contact information processing program 202, and distributes from the server 3502 to store seat reservations. News can be displayed.

  When applying for news distribution, the user displays the WEB page on the display 223 of the PC 3501 and displays a user registration screen of a specific store by means of a news distribution button. The user performs user registration using this screen. In user registration, the user inputs personal information necessary for registration, such as a name and an e-mail address. When the server 3502 detects in the determination process 3602 that the personal information related to user registration has been input by the PC 3501, the procedure proceeds to a process 3620. Here, the server 3502 registers the personal information received from the PC 3501 in the database 3505. Further, the business card of the specific store selected by the user is read out from the database 3503 and e-mailed to the e-mail address included in the personal information (process 3621). As a result, the user can perform reservation processing for a specific store thereafter.

  When the user wants to receive news distribution, he / she applies for news distribution on the above-mentioned WEB page. In this case, the user notifies the server 3502 of at least a mail address. The content of the personal information notified to the server side may be appropriately determined by the operator of the server 3502.

  The server 3502 detects that there has been an application for news distribution in the determination process 3604, and registers at least the personal information of the mail address received from the PC 3501 in the database 3505. Also, the place name card and user ID are transmitted to the mail address of the user who applied for news distribution (processing 3640 → 3641).

  An example of registered data of the news distribution user registered in the database 3505 is shown in FIG. The registration data includes the location ID of the transmitted electronic business card, the user ID (ID given to the user for personal authentication) mail address, and news distribution request presence / absence information.

(Reservation of restaurant seats and food)
In the reservation menu (not shown) provided by the contact information processing program 202, the user selects a desired place business card from among the received place business cards. In response to this selection, the graphical user interface of FIG. 38 is displayed on the display screen.

  In FIG. 38, 3801 is an image of the selected place business card. Reference numeral 3802 denotes a reservation button for instructing transmission of reservation information. For example, the reservation information includes a due date, the number of dishes (dish menu), the user ID, and the like. These pieces of information are input from the input fields 3804 to 3806 with a keyboard or a mouse.

  When the user operates the reservation button with the mouse, the reservation information input from the input fields 3804 to 3806 is sent to the mail address corresponding to the displayed electronic business card, that is, the mail address held by the store. As a result, the user can make a reservation for a store seat or order a dish.

  When the server 3502 detects that the reservation e-mail addressed to itself has been received in the determination process 3603, the process proceeds to a process 3630 to perform the reservation process. As an example of the reservation process, the received reservation information is written in a reservation table included in the apparatus.

  You can also negotiate a reservation. For example, if there is a prior agreement on the date and time indicated by the reservation information, this is notified, and the reservation information is changed by the reservation applicant. This negotiation process is well known and will not require detailed description. As an example, there is a function called FORM in the tag instruction of an HTML document. When this function is used, it is possible to negotiate reservations in real time between the PC 3501 and the server 3502. When the reservation is completed, the server 3502 transmits a message for accepting the reservation to the email address of the reservation applicant, and the reservation processing 3630 is ended. The reservation acceptance message is notified to the reservation applicant through a graphical user interface as shown in FIG. 31, for example.

(News distribution)
The server 3502 executes the processing procedure of FIG. 40 when the distribution time comes. Specifically, the registration information of FIG. 39 in the database 3505 is read sequentially (processing 4101) and the following processing is performed.

  The server 3502 takes out the news to be transmitted from the database 3504 corresponding to the location ID in the registration information. Using the retrieved news and the e-mail address included in the registration information, the e-mail transmission data of the news for distribution is automatically created (process 4102). Next, the server 3502 e-mails the created communication data to the e-mail address (process 4103).

  Thereafter, the processes 4101 to 4104 are repeatedly executed for all registered information, and the news for each store is distributed to the mail address of the user who applied for distribution.

  The form of news may be a form suitable for a distributor such as text, sound, image, and electronic business card.

(Alternative embodiment)
As an alternative form of the second embodiment, the following form can be adopted.

  In the second embodiment, in user registration and news distribution application, the user manually inputs his / her e-mail address, but instead of this, his / her electronic business card may be sent to the server 3502. .

(Third embodiment)
A system for exchanging electronic business cards using a mobile phone will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 41, reference numeral 4201 denotes the same PC as in the first and second embodiments.
Reference numeral 4202 denotes a communication network such as the Internet. Reference numeral 4203 denotes a mediation server that mediates for exchange of electronic business cards between the mobile phone 4205 and the PC 4201. Reference numeral 4204 denotes a public wireless communication network that transmits information between the mobile phone 4205 and the mediation server 4203.

  In this form, the mediation server 4203 has the same software configuration as the PC 200 of the first embodiment. The mediation server 4203 operates as the PC 200 excluding the input device 224 and the display 223 in terms of hardware. The cellular phone 420 functions as the input device 224 and the display 223 in the PC 200.

  In such a system, it is possible to instruct the mediation server 4203 to transmit / receive an electronic business card using the information input function (numeric keypad) of the mobile phone 4205 and a display. Electronic business cards exchanged with the PC 4201 are stored and managed in the database 203 of the mediation server 4203.

  It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the third embodiment, various information processing devices having a wireless communication function can be used instead of the mobile phone 4205.

In addition to the above embodiment, the following embodiment can be implemented.
1) In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a personal computer is taken as an example of the computer 200 on which the contact information processing program is installed, but the computer on which the contact information processing program is installed is a server computer or other well-known information processing equipment. It can be.
2) In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the Internet is used as an example of the communication network 250. However, other communication networks such as a LAN, a public telephone line, a dedicated telephone line, a communication line using a satellite, and these communications are used. A communication network in which networks are arbitrarily combined can be used.
3) The concept of the program described in this specification is not limited to a program in the form of a machine language executed by the CPU. Various objects that can be converted into machine language program instructions, such as a program in the source language to be converted into machine language, or an HTML document and its extended form, are also included in the concept of the program. Furthermore, an encrypted program that is decrypted and executed by the CPU is also included in the concept of the program in this specification.
4) The electronic business card referred to in the present invention can be used for various purposes such as electronic New Year's cards and other generally well-known letters such as summer greeting cards, Christmas cards, and moving-in guidance.
5) The place business card described in the above-described embodiment may include information on the company, for example, information on the company's business, information indicating capital and founding date, and the like.
6) The distribution news described in the above embodiment may include a program (including a script and a markup language document) executed on the client side in addition to information in text (character string) form. .
7) In order to secure security for transmitting electronic business cards via the Internet, the following may be performed.

  When an electronic business card is sent from a personal computer of a user, the electronic business card information is encrypted by the personal computer and transmitted to the other party. In this case, the public key is first sent from the other party, and the electronic business card information is encrypted with the public key. The user who has received the encrypted electronic business card information uses the secret key to decrypt (decrypt) the encrypted electronic business card information. When sending a public key, an electronic business card may be used. FIG. 42 shows a data structure of a suitable electronic business card in this case.

  In FIG. 42, 5000 is an electronic business card. Reference numeral 5001 denotes a header, which includes general information of an electronic business card, for example, the data size of the electronic business card. In this embodiment, since electronic business card information (e-mail address, name, address, etc.) is encrypted or not encrypted, identification information indicating the presence or absence of encryption is included in the header.

  Reference numeral 5002 denotes a signature (electronic signature), and a well-known signature for preventing forgery of an electronic business card can be used.

  Reference numeral 5003 denotes a certifier issued by a third-party public institution, which certifies that the user who transmits the electronic business card is surely the principal. The public key is embedded in this certificate. In the personal computer that received the public key, the presence or absence of the public key is determined. If the public key is present, identification information indicating the person who sent the public key and the electronic business card to the hard disk in the personal computer, for example, The e-mail address is stored in the management table. The public key stored in this table is used for the encryption of the next electronic business card information. The above processing may be performed by the electronic business card processing program 202. At this time, the CPU of the personal computer that executes the electronic business card processing program and the Internet communication device (modem or the like) correspond to the “communication means for encrypting and transmitting the electronic business card information included in the electronic business card” of the present invention. .

8) In the above-described embodiment, it is disclosed that proposals are automatically made for some processes. However, the following proposals can also be made. This processing content is shown in FIG. In FIG. 43, when a part of his / her business card information, for example, an e-mail address is changed in the personal computer 6000 of the user A, the personal computer automatically detects the change, and “others who sent this business card information” Display a recommendation (suggestion) message on the display screen. When the user issues an instruction to issue a change notification with the mouse or the keyboard, the personal computer acquires the electronic mail address of the user who sent the electronic business card from the dating record stored in the database 203. Send a change notification to this email address. The change notification includes an electronic business card whose contents have been changed and identification information indicating that the electronic business card has been changed. Upon receiving the change notification, the user B's personal computer 6010 detects a change in the electronic business card from the identification information, and updates the electronic stored in the database 203 with the received electronic business card. After the update, the personal computer B displays a message notifying that the electronic business card has been updated on the display screen, and whether or not the updated electronic business card has been sent to another user is the same as the dating record in the database 203. Judge by checking whether the database is registered.

  For example, when the electronic business card of the user A is transferred to the users C and D, a suggestion message asking whether to send a change notification to the users C and D is displayed on the display screen in the same manner as described above. When user B gives an instruction to send a change notification using the keyboard or mouse, a change notification is sent from user B's personal computer to users C and D. The above processing may be performed by the electronic business card processing program 202. The CPU that executes the electronic business card processing program at this time and the communication device (modem or the like) for Internet communication “if the electronic business card before update is sent to another contact information processing system, the mail address Corresponds to “communication means for transferring the updated electronic business card”.

  In this mode, every time an electronic business card is updated, the user is notified whether the electronic business card change notification is issued or not, but (1) other users are automatically confirmed in advance without user confirmation. (2) Sending a change notification after confirming the user's confirmation (3) Initializing settings such as not issuing a change notification, and processing for issuing / not issuing a change notification according to the setting You may do it. In the processes (1) to (3), a selection from the user may be accepted using a graphical user interface such as a menu.

  As described above, several exemplary embodiments have been described in order to make the present invention understandable. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various improvements and alternative forms can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. Exists. It goes without saying that these forms are also within the technical scope of the present invention.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the conventional electronic business card. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the creation processing procedure of an electronic business card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for editing the personal information of an electronic business card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for setting the design of an electronic business card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for alert | reporting the proposal (recommended item) relevant to an electronic business card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for instruct | indicating transmission of the updated electronic business card. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence for updating the personal information of an electronic business card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for creating the provision request | requirement of an event list | wrist. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for alert | reporting reception of the provision request | requirement of an event list | wrist. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for confirming the reply of the provision request of an event list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for alerting | reporting the advice regarding transmission of the reply with respect to a request. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for confirming an answer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for leaving reception of an answer unattended. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for displaying the content of the reply of reception. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for displaying the title of the collected reply. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for preserve | storing the collected reply by the table form. It is explanatory drawing which shows the produced table | surface. It is a flowchart which shows the event list submission (investigation) request and reply processing procedures. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for alert | reporting a proposal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for displaying the advice regarding a proposal. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence for making a proposal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface which has an introduction request menu. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for inputting the content of the introduction request | requirement of personal information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for displaying the title of a request. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface displayed when an answer is not obtained. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transfer path | route of a request. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for displaying the reply with respect to a request. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for displaying the title of an answer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for selecting the information to transmit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for displaying the content of an answer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for displaying an answer. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an introduction request and its reply. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole system of 2nd Embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure executed by a CPU in a server 3502. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the external appearance image of an electronic business card. (B) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the place information of the text form contained in an electronic business card. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the additional information of the text form contained in the updated electronic name. (D) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the memo information of the text form contained in the updated electronic business card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface for making a reservation. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the registration data of a news delivery user. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence for news delivery. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the whole system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the encryption process contained in the electronic business card of other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the change notification process of the electronic business card of other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 201 Electronic business card 200 PC
210 Hard disk 221 CPU
222 System memory 223 Display 224 Input device 225 Modem 250 Communication network 260 Mail server

Claims (86)

In the contact information processing system that can exchange electronic business cards with other contact information processing systems,
Communication means for sending and receiving electronic business cards in the form of e-mail;
Storage means for storing related information related to an electronic business card in association with the electronic mail;
Means for registering relevant information in the storage means;
Contact comprising: display means capable of displaying related information stored in said storage means; and information processing means for performing predetermined information processing using related information stored in said storage means Information processing system.   2. The contact information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing means displays on the display means a detection means for detecting an update to an electronic business card sent in the past and an email address of the detected electronic business card. A contact information processing system, further comprising display control means for causing the contact information to be displayed.   3. The contact information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information processing means is configured to select a mail address for transmitting an updated electronic business card from a mail address of the updated electronic mail displayed by the display means by a user operation. A contact information processing system, further comprising instruction means for instructing, wherein the communication means transmits an updated electronic business card to the designated e-mail address.   The contact information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit repeats the detection of the update at a constant period.   The contact information processing system according to claim 2, wherein when an updated electronic business card is sent from another electronic processing system, update means for updating an electronic business card received in the past with the updated electronic business card is provided. A contact information processing system further comprising:   2. The contact information system according to claim 1, wherein the related information stored in the storage means can be shared with another contact information processing system that has transmitted and received the electronic business card. Processing system.   2. The contact information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing means is a check means for checking related information stored in the storage means according to a predetermined check item, and a check by the check means. A contact information processing system, further comprising display control means for displaying a corresponding proposal on the display means.   8. The contact information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the check item is an event that is periodically performed and whether or not it is time to execute an event related to a person who has received the electronic business card. A featured contact information processing system.   9. The contact information processing system according to claim 8, wherein the event includes any one of sending a New Year's card, sending a summer greeting, sending a midsummer gift, a year-end gift, and the like.   9. The contact information system according to claim 8, wherein the check means further detects a mail address of an electronic business card related to the check item, and displays the detected mail address on the display means. Processing system.   The contact information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing means is configured to check an electronic business card stored in the contact information processing system in accordance with a predetermined check item; A contact information processing system, further comprising display control means for causing the display means to display a proposal corresponding to the check by the means.   12. The contact information processing system according to claim 11, wherein the check item has received an electronic business card from another contact information processing system in the past, and has returned the electronic business card to the sender of the received electronic business card. A contact information processing system characterized by whether or not.   13. The contact information processing system according to claim 12, wherein when the check means detects that an electronic business card has not been returned, the display control means displays a message prompting creation of an electronic business card for reply. A contact information processing system, characterized by being displayed by a display means.   12. The contact information processing system according to claim 11, wherein the check item is whether or not initial setting related to an electronic business card of the contact information processing system has been performed.   15. The contact information processing system according to claim 14, wherein if the check means detects that the initial setting is not performed, the display control means causes the display means to display a message prompting the initial setting. Contact information processing system characterized by this.   The contact information processing system according to claim 15, wherein the initial setting is creation of an electronic business card of a user of the contact information processing system.   17. The contact information processing system according to claim 16, wherein said information processing means is means for creating said electronic business card when said means for creating an electronic business card and a message prompting said initial setting are displayed. And a means for instructing activation of the contact information processing system.   12. The contact information processing system according to claim 11, wherein the check means also determines whether or not a check item corresponding to the proposal has been cleared, and performs display by the display means when the check item is cleared. A contact information processing system that is controlled so as not to exist.   2. The contact information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing means includes means for creating a search request including a search request content with respect to another contact information processing system, and an e-mail address of a destination of the search request. A contact information processing system comprising: an instruction means for instructing, wherein the communication means transmits the created electronic business card by electronic mail to the designated mail address.   20. The contact information processing system according to claim 19, wherein the survey request is a survey request for information related to an electronic business card.   20. The contact information processing system according to claim 19, wherein the investigation request is an investigation request for related information stored in a storage unit of another contact information processing system.   The contact information processing system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the communication unit receives a response received from another contact information processing system, and the information processing unit collects the received plurality of responses. A contact information processing system further comprising:   23. The contact information processing system according to claim 19, wherein the information processing unit creates an answer to the received survey request when the survey unit receives a survey request from another contact information processing system. A contact information processing system, further comprising: a means for transmitting the created response to the survey requester by the communication means by e-mail.   24. The contact information processing system according to claim 23, wherein the search request includes a keyword for search, and the means for creating the answer includes an electronic business card and / or an electronic business card held using the keyword. Alternatively, a contact information processing system, wherein related information stored in a storage means is searched, and a result of the search is used to create the answer.   25. The contact information processing system according to claim 24, wherein the information processing means further comprises selection means for selecting information used for creating the answer from the search result.   26. The contact information processing system according to claim 25, wherein the information processing means further includes an instruction means for instructing a mail address to which a survey request is to be transferred when information corresponding to a keyword cannot be obtained by the search. The contact information system transfers the investigation request received by the communication means to the designated e-mail address. The contact information processing system according to claim 1,
The information processing means provides means for providing guidance information regarding a plurality of stores in the form of a WEB page, and provides an electronic business card of a specific store requested from the other contact information processing system using the WEB page. And a contact information processing system.   28. The contact information processing system according to claim 27, wherein the electronic business card provided by the providing means includes ID information for identifying a store, and the ID is given to the partner who provided the electronic business card. A contact information processing system characterized in that corresponding news can be provided as the related information. In the contact information processing method of a contact information processing system that can exchange an electronic business card with another contact information processing system, the contact information processing system includes:
Communication means for transmitting and receiving an electronic business card in the form of e-mail; storage means for storing related information related to the electronic business card in association with the e-mail; means for registering related information to the storage means;
Display means capable of displaying related information stored in the storage means;
Information processing means for performing predetermined information processing using related information stored in the storage means,
Sending and receiving electronic business cards in the form of e-mail by the communication means,
Storing related information related to the electronic business card in association with the electronic mail by the storage means;
Registering relevant information to the storage means by the means for registering,
It is possible to display related information stored in the storage means by the display means,
A contact information processing method characterized in that the information processing means performs predetermined information processing using related information stored in the storage means. The contact information processing method according to claim 29,
The information processing means further comprises detection means for detecting an update on an electronic business card sent in the past, and display control means for displaying on the display means an email address of the detected electronic business card, the detection means A contact information processing method characterized by detecting an update to an electronic business card sent in the past and displaying the mail address of the detected electronic business card detected by the display control means on the display means.   31. The contact information processing method according to claim 30, wherein the information processing means selects a mail address for sending an updated electronic business card from a mail address of the updated electronic mail displayed by the display means by a user operation. An instruction means for instructing, the display means displays an e-mail address of the updated e-mail, and the e-mail address for sending the updated electronic business card is displayed by the user operation from among the displayed e-mail addresses; A contact information processing method comprising: instructing by means, and transmitting the updated electronic business card to the instructed mail address by the communication means.   31. The contact information processing method according to claim 30, wherein the detection unit repeats the detection of the update at a constant period.   30. The contact information processing method according to claim 30, wherein, when an updated electronic business card is sent from another electronic processing system, update means for updating an electronic business card received in the past with the updated electronic business card. A contact information processing method, further comprising:   30. The contact information method according to claim 29, wherein the related information stored in the storage means can be shared with another contact information processing system that has transmitted and received the electronic business card. Processing method.   30. The contact information processing method according to claim 29, wherein the information processing means performs a check on related information stored in the storage means in accordance with a predetermined check item, and a check by the check means. Display control means for displaying the corresponding proposal on the display means, the related information stored in the storage means is checked by the check means according to a predetermined check item, and the display control means A contact information processing method, wherein a proposal corresponding to the check by the check means is displayed on the display means.   36. The contact information processing method according to claim 35, wherein the check item is an event that is periodically performed and whether or not it is time to perform an event related to a person who has received the electronic business card. A featured contact information processing method.   36. The contact information processing method according to claim 35, wherein the event includes any one of a New Year's card sending, a summer greeting sending, a midsummer gift, a year-end gift, and the like.   37. The contact information processing method according to claim 36, wherein the check means further detects a mail address of an electronic business card related to the check item, and causes the display means to display the detected mail address. Processing method.   30. The contact information processing system according to claim 29, wherein the information processing means is configured to check an electronic business card stored in the contact information processing system in accordance with a predetermined check item; Display control means for causing the display means to display a proposal corresponding to the check by the means, and checking the electronic business card stored in the contact information processing system in accordance with a check item predetermined by the check means And a proposal corresponding to the check by the check means is displayed on the display means by the display control means.   40. The contact information processing method according to claim 39, wherein the check item has received an electronic business card from another contact information processing system in the past, and has returned the electronic business card to the sender of the received electronic business card. A contact information processing method, wherein:   41. In the contact information processing method according to claim 40, when the check means detects that an electronic business card has not been returned, the display control means displays a message prompting creation of an electronic business card for reply. A contact information processing method, wherein the information is displayed by a display means.   40. The contact information processing method according to claim 39, wherein the check item is whether or not initial setting related to an electronic business card of the contact information processing system has been performed.   43. The contact information processing method according to claim 42, wherein, when the check means detects that the initial setting is not performed, the display control means causes the display means to display a message for prompting the initial setting. A contact information processing method.   44. The contact information processing method according to claim 43, wherein the initial setting is creation of an electronic business card of a user of the contact information processing system.   45. The contact information processing method according to claim 44, wherein said information processing means is means for creating said electronic business card when said means for creating an electronic business card and a message prompting said initial setting are displayed. Contact information characterized in that when the message for prompting the initial setting is displayed, the instruction means instructs the activation of the means for creating the electronic business card. Processing method.   40. The contact information processing method according to claim 39, wherein the check means also determines whether or not a check item corresponding to the proposal has been cleared, and when the check item is cleared, performs display by the display means. A contact information processing method characterized in that control is performed so as not to occur.   30. The contact information processing method according to claim 29, wherein the information processing means includes means for creating a search request including a search request content with respect to another contact information processing system, and an e-mail address to which the search request is sent. An instruction means for instructing, creating a survey request including the contents of the survey request for another contact information processing system by means for creating the survey request, and specifying the mail address of the destination of the survey request A contact information processing method, characterized in that the communication means sends the created electronic business card by electronic mail to the designated mail address.   48. The contact information processing method according to claim 47, wherein the survey request is a survey request for information related to an electronic business card.   48. The contact information processing method according to claim 47, wherein the investigation request is an investigation request for related information stored in a storage unit of another contact information processing system.   The contact information processing method according to any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein the information processing means further includes means for collecting a plurality of received responses, and the communication means receives responses received from other contact information processing systems. A contact information processing method characterized by receiving and combining the received plurality of answers by the means for collecting.   50. The contact information processing method according to claim 47, wherein the information processing means creates an answer to the received survey request when the communication request is received from another contact information processing system. A means for creating an answer to the received survey request when the survey request is received from the other contact information processing system by the communication means, and creating the created answer by the means for creating the answer, A contact information processing method, wherein the created reply is transmitted to the survey client by e-mail by the communication means.   52. The contact information processing method according to claim 51, wherein the search request includes a keyword for search, and the means for creating the answer includes an electronic business card and / or an electronic business card held using the keyword. Alternatively, a contact information processing method, wherein related information stored in a storage unit is searched, and a result of the search is used to create the answer.   53. The contact information processing method according to claim 52, wherein the information processing means further comprises selection means for selecting information to be used for creating the answer from the search result, and the selection means determines the information from the search result. A contact information processing method, wherein information used for creating an answer is selected.   54. The contact information processing method according to claim 53, wherein the information processing means further includes an instruction means for instructing a mail address of a transfer destination of a survey request when information corresponding to a keyword is not obtained by the search. When the information corresponding to the keyword is not obtained by the search, the instruction means instructs the mail address of the transfer destination of the survey request, and the communication means receives the instructed mail address by the communication means. A contact information processing method characterized by transferring a survey request.   30. The contact information processing method according to claim 29, wherein the information processing means includes means for providing guide information related to a plurality of stores in the form of a WEB page, and the other contact information processing system using the WEB page. Means for providing an electronic business card of the requested specific store, providing information on a plurality of stores in the form of a WEB page by means of providing in the form of the WEB page, and using the WEB page A contact information processing method characterized in that an electronic business card of a specific store requested by the other contact information processing system is provided by means for providing the electronic business card.   56. The contact information processing method according to claim 55, wherein the electronic business card provided by the providing means includes ID information for identifying a store, and the ID is given to the partner who provided the electronic business card. A contact information processing method characterized in that corresponding news can be provided as the related information. In a contact information processing program executed in a contact information processing system capable of exchanging an electronic business card with another contact information processing system, the contact information processing system associates the electronic business card with related information related to the electronic business card. Having storage means for storing,
The contact information processing program
A communication step of transmitting and receiving an electronic business card in the form of e-mail;
Registering relevant information in the storage means;
A contact comprising: a display step capable of displaying the related information stored in the storage means; and an information processing step for performing predetermined information processing using the related information stored in the storage means. Information processing program.   58. The contact information processing program according to claim 57, wherein the information processing step includes a detection step of detecting an update to an electronic business card sent in the past, and an email address of the detected electronic business card detected in the display step. A contact information processing program, further comprising: a display control step.   59. The contact information processing program according to claim 58, wherein the information processing step is performed by a user operation to select an e-mail address for transmitting an updated electronic business card from among the e-mail addresses of the updated e-mail displayed in the display step. A contact information processing program, further comprising an instruction step of instructing, wherein the updated electronic business card is transmitted to the instructed mail address by the communication step.   59. The contact information processing program according to claim 58, wherein the detection step repeats the detection of the update at a constant period.   59. In the contact information processing program according to claim 58, when an updated electronic business card is sent from another electronic processing system, an update step of updating an electronic business card received in the past with the updated electronic business card is performed. A contact information processing program further comprising:   58. The contact information program according to claim 57, wherein the related information stored in the storage means can be shared with another contact information processing system that has transmitted and received the electronic business card. Processing program.   58. The contact information processing program according to claim 57, wherein the information processing step includes a check step for checking related information stored in the storage means in accordance with a predetermined check item, and a check by the check step. A contact information processing program further comprising a display control step for displaying a corresponding proposal in the display step.   64. The contact information processing program according to claim 63, wherein the check item is an event that is periodically performed and whether or not it is time to execute an event related to a person who has received the electronic business card. Feature contact information processing program.   65. The contact information processing program according to claim 64, wherein said event includes any one of sending a New Year's card, sending a summer greeting, sending a midsummer gift, a year-end gift, and the like.   The contact information processing program according to claim 64, wherein the check step further detects a mail address of an electronic business card related to the check item, and displays the detected mail address in the display step. Processing program.   58. The contact information processing program according to claim 57, wherein the information processing step includes a check step of checking an electronic business card stored in the contact information processing system in accordance with a predetermined check item, and the check A contact information processing program further comprising: a display control step for displaying a proposal corresponding to the check by the step in the display step.   68. The contact information processing program according to claim 67, wherein the check item has received an electronic business card from another contact information processing system in the past, and has returned the electronic business card to the sender of the received electronic business card. A contact information processing program characterized by whether or not.   69. In the contact information processing program according to claim 68, when it is detected by the check step that an electronic business card is not returned, the display control step displays a message for prompting creation of an electronic business card for reply. A contact information processing program which is displayed by a display step.   68. The contact information processing program according to claim 67, wherein the check item is whether or not an initial setting relating to an electronic business card of the contact information processing system has been performed.   71. In the contact information processing program according to claim 70, when it is detected by the check step that the initial setting is not performed, the display control step causes the display step to display a message for prompting the initial setting. A contact information processing program characterized by that.   72. The contact information processing program according to claim 71, wherein the initial setting is creation of an electronic business card of a user of the contact information processing system.   73. The contact information processing program according to claim 72, wherein the information processing step includes a step for creating an electronic business card and a step for creating the electronic business card when a message prompting the initial setting is displayed. And a step of instructing activation of the contact information processing program.   68. The contact information processing program according to claim 67, wherein the check step also determines whether or not a check item corresponding to the proposal is cleared, and when the check item is cleared, display by the display step is performed. A contact information processing program that is controlled so as not to exist.   58. The contact information processing program according to claim 57, wherein the information processing step includes a step of creating a survey request including a survey request content with respect to another contact information processing system, and an email address to which the survey request is sent. A contact information processing program comprising: an instruction step for instructing, wherein the communication step transmits the created electronic business card by e-mail to the instructed mail address.   76. The contact information processing program according to claim 75, wherein the survey request is a survey request for information related to an electronic business card.   76. The contact information processing program according to claim 75, wherein the investigation request is an investigation request for related information stored in a storage means of another contact information processing system.   78. The contact information processing program according to claim 75, wherein the communication step receives a response received from another contact information processing system, and the information processing step includes a step of collecting the received plurality of responses. A contact information processing program, further comprising:   78. The contact information processing program according to claim 75, wherein the information processing step creates an answer to the received survey request when the survey request is received from another contact information processing system by the communication step. The contact information processing program further comprising: a step of transmitting the created reply to the survey requester by e-mail in the communication step.   80. The contact information processing program according to claim 79, wherein the search request includes a keyword for search, and the step of creating the answer includes the electronic business card and / or the possessed electronic card using the keyword. Alternatively, a contact information processing program, wherein related information stored in a storage means is searched, and a result of the search is used to create the answer.   81. The contact information processing program according to claim 80, wherein the information processing step further includes a selection step of selecting information used for creating the answer from the search result.   82. The contact information processing program according to claim 81, wherein the information processing step further includes an instruction step for instructing a mail address of a transfer destination of the survey request when information corresponding to the keyword is not obtained by the search. In the contact information processing program, the communication step transfers the survey request received in the communication step to the designated e-mail address. The contact information processing program according to claim 57,
The information processing step includes providing a plurality of contact information in the form of a WEB page, and providing an electronic business card of specific contact information requested from the other contact information processing system using the WEB page. And a contact information processing program.   84. The contact information processing program according to claim 83, wherein the electronic business card provided by the providing step includes ID information for identifying contact information, and the ID is provided to a partner who provided the electronic business card. A contact information processing program characterized in that information such as news corresponding to can be provided as the related information.   6. The contact information processing system according to claim 5, wherein when the electronic business card before update is sent to another contact information processing system, the communication means sends the updated electronic business card to the mail address. A contact information processing system characterized by transferring. The contact information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit encrypts and transmits the contact information using electronic business card information included in the electronic business card.

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