JP2005102338A - Information providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing apparatus capable of making communication between two users through a public telephone line network without knowing opposite telephone numbers. <P>SOLUTION: The information providing apparatus 40 that provides information to a user via the Internet 20 comprises: receiving part 102 for receiving a communication request requesting communication with a second user from a first user via the Internet 20; a first telephone line connecting part 54 for establishing connection with a first telephone that the first user owns via a public telephone line network 30 when the receiving part 102 receives the communication request; a second telephone line connecting part for establishing connection with a second telephone that the second user owns via the public telephone line network 30 when the receiving part 102 receives the communication request; and a communication establishing part 126 for establishing communication between the first telephone and the second telephone via connection with the first telephone established by the first telephone line connecting part and the connection with the second telephone established by the second telephone line connecting part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an information providing apparatus that provides information to a user via the Internet.

  Communication technology on the Internet such as chat and bulletin board has been developed. Users can have a conversation on the Internet using these.

  However, it is impossible to communicate in real time with users other than those connected to the Internet at the same time. In addition, there are security problems in Internet conversations.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the information provision apparatus which can solve said subject. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus for providing information to a user via the Internet, and a communication request for requesting communication with a second user via the Internet. A first receiver that establishes a connection with a first telephone owned by the first user via a public telephone network when the receiving section receives the communication request and the receiving section that receives from the first user; And a second telephone line that establishes a connection with the second telephone owned by the second user via a public telephone network when the receiving unit receives the communication request. Via the connection between the connection part and the first telephone established by the first telephone line connection part and the second telephone established by the second telephone line connection part, the first telephone line is established. Establish communication between the telephone and the second telephone And a signal establishing unit.

  The provision information database that stores the provision information received from the second user via the Internet by the receiving unit in association with the second user, and the provision information stored in the provision information database is the Internet. An information providing unit that provides the user with the information may be further provided. The receiving unit may receive the communication request with the second user from the first user when the first user selects the provision information provided by the second user. Good.

  The receiving unit may receive a search condition for the provision information to be provided from the user. You may further provide the extraction part which extracts the provision information which matched the search conditions from the provision information stored in the provision information database from the provision information database. The information providing unit may provide the provision information extracted by the extracting unit to the user.

  The receiving unit may receive a search condition for the provision information to be provided from the user. You may further provide the extraction part which extracts the said provision conditions which matched the said search conditions from the said provision information stored in the said provision information database from the said provision information database. The information providing unit may transmit an e-mail indicating the content of the provided information extracted by the extracting unit to the e-mail address of the user.

  When the reception unit receives the communication request with the second user from the first user, the fact that the communication request with the second user has been received from the first user You may further provide the notification part notified with respect to 2 users.

  The notification unit may notify the user using electronic mail.

The first telephone line connection unit calls the first telephone, the second telephone line connection unit calls the second telephone, and responds to the call from the first and second telephones. When the response is received, the communication establishment unit may establish communication between the first telephone and the second telephone.

  On condition that the first telephone line connection unit has established a connection with the first telephone, the second telephone line connection unit calls the second telephone, and from the second telephone When a response to the call is received, the communication establishment unit may establish communication between the first telephone and the second telephone.

  Program transmission for transmitting a program for requesting communication between the first telephone and the second telephone when the receiving unit receives the communication request with the second user from the first user. May be further included. When the user who has received the program executes the program, the communication establishment unit may establish communication between the first telephone and the second telephone.

  The information providing unit may provide the user with an input support page for inputting the provision information and the user's telephone number as a Web page to be displayed on a display unit of a user terminal used by the user. When the receiving unit receives the provision information and the user's telephone number input on the input support page from the user, the provision information database associates the user with the provision information and the user's telephone number. You may store it. When the extraction unit extracts the provision information that matches the search condition from the provision information database, the information provision unit may provide the extracted provision information as a Web page to the first user. When the first user selects the provision information provided from the second user on the Web page, the reception unit sends the communication request with the second user to the first user. You may receive from a user.

  The first user's telephone may be a mobile phone having means for displaying information received via a public digital communication network on a display screen. You may further provide the user identification information database which matches and stores the provider identification information which identifies the telephone number of the said mobile phone, and the provision destination of the said web page. The information providing unit may provide a web page of the provision information as information to be displayed on the display screen to the provision destination indicated by the provision destination identification information of the first telephone. When the reception unit receives the communication request with the second user from the mobile phone of the first user, the communication establishment unit corresponds to the provision destination identification information of the first user. Then, the telephone number of the mobile phone stored in the user identification information database may be read to establish communication between the first phone and the second phone.

  The provision information may be a profile of the user.

  The profile may include an image of the user.

  The first telephone line connection unit and the second telephone line connection unit may be connected to the mobile phone and one of a plurality of other telephones, respectively. The provided information database may store profiles of the first user who owns the mobile phone and the user who owns the other phone in association with the user. The extraction unit may extract a user having the profile that matches the profile of the first user who owns the mobile phone stored in the provision information database from the provision information database. The information providing unit may provide a web page including the content of the profile extracted by the extracting unit as information to be displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone to the first user. When the user selects the profile of the second user from the profile displayed on the display screen, the establishing unit may include the mobile phone of the first user and the telephone of the second user. Communication may be established.

  The provided information database may store telephone numbers of the mobile phone and the plurality of other telephones in association with the profiles of the respective users. When the first user selects the profile of the second user from the profile displayed on the display screen, the communication establishment unit reads the telephone number of the second user from the provided information database. And calling the second user to establish communication between the mobile phone of the first user and the telephone of the second user.

  When the first user selects the profile of the second user from the profile displayed on the display screen, the communication establishment unit obtains the telephone number of the first user from the user database. The communication between the first user's mobile phone and the second user's telephone may be established by reading and calling the mobile phone of the first user.

  When the receiving unit receives the communication request, the communication unit may further include a communication permission unit that determines whether to permit communication between the first phone and the second phone. When the communication permission unit permits the communication, the communication establishment unit may establish communication between the first phone and the second phone.

  The communication request receiving unit has received the communication request with the second user from the first user, and has received the communication request with the first user from the second user. As a necessary condition, the communication permission unit may permit communication between the first telephone and the second telephone.

Using the connection with the second telephone established by the second telephone line connection unit, further receiving permission information permitting connection with the first user from the second user;
The receiving unit has received the communication request with the second user from the first user, and has received the permission information from the second telephone via the second telephone line connection unit. On the condition, the communication permission unit may permit communication between the first telephone and the second telephone.

  You may further provide the timer part which counts time. After the receiving unit receives the communication request with the second user from the first user, the receiving unit does not receive a communication request with the first user from the second user. In the state, when the timer unit counts a predetermined time, the communication permission unit may prohibit communication between the first telephone and the second telephone.

  The information processing apparatus may further include a selection situation database that stores the provision information selected by the user in association with the user, and a selection situation database update unit that updates information held in the selection situation database. When the reception unit receives the communication request with the second user from the first user, the selection situation database update unit has received the communication request with the second user. The information to be shown may be stored in the selection situation database in association with the first user.

  The information processing apparatus may further include a selection situation database that holds the provision information selected by the user in association with the user, and a selection situation database update unit that updates information held in the selection situation database. When the reception unit receives the communication request with the second user from the first user, the selection status database update unit indicates that the communication request has been received from the first user. Information may be stored in the selection situation database in association with the second user.

  When the receiving unit receives the communication request with the second user from the first user and receives the communication request with the first user from the second user, the selection status The database update unit may store information indicating that communication with the second user is permitted in the selection status database in association with at least one of the first user and the second user. .

  When the communication permission unit prohibits communication between the first phone and the second phone, the selection status database update unit is stored in the selection status database in association with the first user. Information indicating that the communication request has been received from the first user, and the communication request has been received from the first user stored in the selection situation database in association with the second user. At least one of the information indicating that may be deleted.

The information providing unit may provide the user who created the Web page from information associated with the user read from the selection situation database.

  When the selection status database update unit updates at least one of the information corresponding to the first and second users stored in the selection status database, the information providing unit updates the content of the database Based on the above, at least one of the Web pages of the selection status provided to the first user and the second user may be updated and provided.

  The input support Web page may include a field for inputting a call time when the user can make a call. When the reception unit receives the communication request with the second user from the first user, the page creation unit displays the selection status Web page provided to the first user, Content indicating the call time of the second user may be added in association with the information of the second user.

  When the communication establishment unit establishes communication between the first phone and the second phone, the communication establishment unit further includes a billing unit that charges a connection fee to at least one of the first phone and the second phone. May be.

  When the communication request receiving unit receives a communication request with the second phone from the first phone, the charging unit may charge the first phone.

  You may further provide the burden rate designation | designated part which receives the input of the burden rate of the said connection fee from the said user. The charging unit may charge at least a part of the connection fee to the second telephone based on the input burden rate.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus for connecting a mobile phone having a display screen for displaying information received from a public digital communication network and one of a plurality of other telephones. A transmission unit that transmits display information for displaying a telephone destination to a terminal computer via a network; and a telephone of a user who uses the terminal computer when selection information for selecting the telephone destination is received from the terminal computer. And a connection unit for connecting the telephone of the telephone destination displayed in the display information.

You may further provide the user database which matches and stores the said telephone destination user and the telephone number of the said telephone destination. When the connection unit receives selection information for selecting the telephone number from the terminal computer, the connection unit retrieves the telephone number of the telephone destination from the telephone number database, so that the telephone of the user and the telephone destination A telephone may be connected.

  You may further provide the registration part which registers the said user's telephone number. When the connection unit receives selection information for selecting the telephone destination from the terminal computer of the user, the telephone of the telephone destination using the telephone number registered by the registration unit, and the terminal computer You may be connected to the telephone of the user who uses

  The registration unit may write the telephone number into the terminal computer. When the connection information is received from the terminal computer, the connection unit reads the telephone number from the terminal computer and reads the telephone number of the user who uses the terminal computer and the telephone of the telephone destination. And may be connected.

  You may further provide the user database which matches and stores the said telephone number with the said user's identification information. When the connection unit receives selection information for selecting the telephone destination from the terminal computer, the connection unit reads the user's telephone number from the user database, and thereby the user's telephone using the terminal computer and the telephone You may connect with the previous phone.

  As a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus for supporting a telephone connection, a telephone number database for storing display information indicating the telephone destination in association with the telephone number of the telephone destination, By transmitting display information and call request information for calling the telephone number associated with the display information to a mobile phone via a public digital communication network, the display information is transmitted to the mobile phone. On the display screen.

  The mobile phone may have a display screen for displaying information received from a public digital communication network. By receiving display information indicating a telephone destination and call request information for calling the telephone number associated with the display information from the public digital communication network, and selecting the display information, the telephone And means for calling the number.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  According to the present invention, communication can be performed via a public telephone line without knowing the telephone number of the other party.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows the entire information providing system including the information providing apparatus 40. The information providing apparatus 40 communicates with the user terminal 14 and the plurality of mobile phones 10 and 12 via the Internet 20 and the public telephone line 30. The information providing device 40 also communicates with the mobile phones 10 and 12 via the public telephone line 30. The information providing apparatus 40 receives provision information from these users from the first mobile phone 10 or 12 and the user terminal 14 via the Internet 20 and registers it as provision information to be provided to the user via the Internet 20. The provided information in the present embodiment is a user profile of the providing user.

  The user who browsed the user profile selects this user when he finds the desired user profile. The information providing apparatus 40 communicates with the browsing user and the telephone of the user selected by the browsing user, and connects the two telephones. As described above, the user who has transmitted the communication request and the providing user communicate with the information providing apparatus 40 via the public telephone line 30. The information providing apparatus 40 connects communication via the public telephone line 30 between the providing user and the user who has received the communication request. Therefore, the user who has transmitted the communication request and the providing user can talk with each other via the public telephone line 30 without knowing the other party's telephone number.

  The provided information of the present embodiment is a user profile, but other than this, it may be information related to a product sold by the providing user or information related to information that the providing user wants to purchase. The provided information may be a restaurant reservation status. Thus, the contents of the providing user are not limited to this embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information providing apparatus 40. The information providing apparatus 40 includes a processing unit 100, a user profile database 42, and a selection situation database 44. The processing unit 100 includes a CPU 46, ROM 48, RAM 50, Internet connection unit 52, and telephone line connection unit 54. The CPU 46 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 48 and the RAM 50. The user profile database 42 stores the user profile in association with identification information for identifying the user. The selection situation database 44 associates selection information indicating which user has selected the user who has browsed the provision information provided by the information providing apparatus 40 and which user has selected the browsed user. Store. The Internet connection unit 52 connects to the Internet 20 and transmits / receives data. The telephone line connection unit 54 connects to the public telephone line 30 and establishes communication with the user's telephone. The telephone line connection unit 54 can communicate with a plurality of telephones.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the processing unit 100 that are characteristic of the present embodiment. As an example, the processing unit 100 can be realized by cooperation of the CPU 46 of FIG. 2 and programs stored or loaded in the ROM 48 and the RAM 50. When the CPU 46 has a built-in memory, a necessary program may be stored in the memory and various functions may be realized as firmware. Although FIG. 3 describes the functions of the processing unit 100 as a unitary configuration, these are not necessarily physically united and need not be.

  The processing unit 100 includes a reception unit 102, a registration unit 104, an extraction unit 106, a page creation unit 108, an information distribution unit 110, a burden rate designation unit 112, a selection status DB update unit 120, a timer unit 122, a communication permission unit 124, a communication An establishment unit 126 and a charging unit 128 are included.

  The receiving unit 102 receives the user identification information for identifying the user profile and the user who transmitted the user profile from the mobile phone 10 and the user terminal 14 via the Internet 20. The receiving unit 102 further receives predetermined instructions from the mobile phone 10 and the user terminal 14. The registration unit 104 receives the user identification information and the user profile from the reception unit 102, associates the user identification information with the user profile, and stores them in the profile database 42.

  When the extraction unit 106 receives a provision request for requesting provision of a user profile from a user via the reception unit 102, the extraction unit 106 extracts user information indicated in the provision request from the profile database 42 based on the provision request, and creates a page. Send to part 108. When the extraction unit 106 receives a selection status request for requesting the selection status from the user via the receiving unit 102, the extraction unit 106 extracts the selection status from the selection status database 44 and sends the selection status to the page creation unit 108.

  The page creation unit 108 receives information to be provided to the user from the extraction unit 106 and creates a Web page to be provided to the user. The page creation unit 108 sends the created web page to the information distribution unit 110. The information distribution unit 110 provides a Web page to the user via the Internet connection unit 52. The notification unit 114 notifies the user via the Internet 20 when the contents of the selection situation database 44 are updated.

  The burden rate designating unit 112 receives from the user via the receiving unit 102 burden rate information indicating designation of the burden rate to be borne by the user out of a call charge when the user makes a call via the information providing device 40. . The burden rate specifying unit 112 sends the accounting rate information to the selection status DB update unit 120. The timer unit 122 measures time, and sends an update start command to the selection status DB update unit 120 at a predetermined time.

  Upon receiving an update start command from the timer unit 122, the selection status DB update unit 120 updates the contents of the selection status database 44. Upon receiving the burden rate information from the burden rate specifying unit 112, the selection status DB update unit 120 stores the burden rate information in the selection status database 44 in association with the user.

  Based on the selection status of each user stored in the selection status database 44, the communication permission unit 124 determines whether or not to allow the information providing apparatus 40 to establish communication between any two telephones.

  The communication establishment unit 126 establishes communication between the two telephones that the communication permission unit 124 has permitted communication. When the communication establishing unit 126 establishes communication, the charging unit 128 charges at least one of the two users who own two telephones. The charging unit 128 also charges at least one of the two users stored in the user profile database 42 and writes the charge amount in the user profile database 42.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed operation of the registration unit 104 in FIG. The registration unit 104 includes a position information acquisition unit 200, a user profile input unit 202, an image acquisition unit 204, and a user profile creation unit 208. The position information acquisition unit 200 acquires position information from the reception unit 102. The position information acquisition unit 200 acquires position information of the mobile phone. As described above, since the position information acquisition unit 200 acquires the position information of the mobile phone 10, even if the user does not input an address, the user's residential area can be limited to some extent.

  The user profile input unit 202 inputs a user profile from the receiving unit 102. The image acquisition unit 204 acquires a user image from the reception unit 102. In addition to the user's image, the image acquisition unit 204 can acquire an image that the user wants to provide via the Internet 20. User Profile Creation Unit User profile creation unit 208 receives location information from location information acquisition unit 200, receives a profile from user profile input unit 202, and receives a user image from image acquisition unit 204.

  The user profile creation unit 208 creates a user profile based on these pieces of information. The user profile creation unit 208 stores the created user profile in the user profile database 42 in association with identification information for identifying the user.

  FIG. 5 shows an input support page received by the user. When a user registers a user profile in the information providing apparatus 40, the user receives an input support page from the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20. The user inputs necessary items according to the format of the input support page. The user profile input unit 202 inputs the user profile entered on the input support page. Thus, since the item which should be input is predetermined, the user can input a user profile by inputting a required matter according to this. In this case, the database of FIG. 5 preferably stores the user's e-mail address in association with each user.

  FIG. 6 shows the structure of data stored in the profile database 42. The profile database 42 stores a user profile, a profile of a partner user desired by the user, a profile of a partner user not desired by the user, and a total call charge of the user in association with the user ID. The user ID is preferably a mobile phone number owned by the user. As a user profile, a user's address, age, sex, occupation, and a user's image are stored.

  FIG. 7 shows the structure of data stored in the selection situation database 44. The selection status database 44 is associated with the user ID and indicates which user has selected this user and which user has selected this user, that is, a selection status indicating which user has selected the user. Is stored. In addition, the other party selected by each user and his / her own share of call charges when calling with the selected party are also stored.

  FIG. 8 shows the display unit 11 that displays information that the user A receives from the information providing device 40 when the user A who owns the first mobile phone 10 transmits a provision request to the information providing device 40. A user item 300, a match degree 302, and a user profile 304 are shown. In the user item 300, the name of the user is displayed. If the registered user does not want to disclose the name, the nickname may be displayed instead of the name. The degree of match indicates how much the condition of the user A's desired partner matches. The degree of match of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment indicates the number of items that match the desire of the user A among the user registration items stored in the user profile. The user profile 304 is provided with a detail button. When the user clicks this button, the user profile of the user is displayed on the display unit 11. As described above, since the user profiles of a plurality of users registered in the information providing apparatus 40 are transmitted from the information providing apparatus 40 to the user A, the user A can select a desired partner.

  When the user A presses the details button of Mr. B in FIG. 8, the detailed profile of Mr. B is displayed on the display unit 11. Thus, since Mr. B's image is displayed as Mr. B's profile, Mr. B's image can be grasped. When the browsing user presses a selection button provided at the bottom of the screen, information indicating that the user A has selected the user B is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 40.

  FIG. 9 shows the display unit 11 that displays the selection status received from the information providing device 40 when the user A transmits a selection status request to the information providing device 40. The selection status item 306 indicates what selection status the user A has. The user item 308 displays the other party selected by the user A or the user who selected the user A. The number of days field 310 displays the number of days that have elapsed since the current selection status. The user profile item 312 is provided with a detail button, and when the user clicks the detail button, the user profile of the user is displayed on the display unit 11.

  User A is currently established with user B. this is. It shows that user A has selected user B and user B has selected user A. User E is arranged in the approach row. This indicates that user E has selected user A. User G is arranged in the approach column. This indicates that user A has selected user G. In this way, the user A can know the partner selected by the user A and the user who has selected the user by browsing the user selection status. Further, since the current situation is reached, for example, in the approach, the number of days from when the user A selects the user G is displayed.

  The number of days shown to the right of each user indicates, for example, the number of days from the date when the user A selects the user B and the user B selects the user A to the present when it is established. Since the number of days from the selected day is displayed in this way, the user can check the progress of the selection. Further, when the number of days of items for the user that the user is approaching reaches a predetermined number of days, the user G is deleted from the items of the approach of the user A. Thus, since the user's item under approach is deleted after a certain period of time, if the user who is approaching is not willing to select for user A, the user's item is automatically selected for a predetermined period. Can be deleted.

  10 is clicked, the image of Mr. B and the call time desired by Mr. B are displayed on the display unit 11. If the user A wishes to make a call with the user B, the user A clicks the “Call” button. As a result, a call request indicating that a call with the user B is desired is transmitted from the first mobile phone 10 to the information providing apparatus 40. When the information providing apparatus 40 receives a call request from the user A, the information providing apparatus 40 establishes communication between the user A and the user B.

  FIG. 10 shows a communication sequence when user A and user B communicate via the information providing apparatus 40 using the first mobile phone 10 and the second mobile phone 12 via the Internet 20 and the public telephone line 30, respectively. Show. The first mobile phone 10 requests the information providing apparatus 40 to register the user profile of the user A himself / herself via the Internet 20 (S100). When receiving the registration request, the information providing device 40 transmits an input support page to the first mobile phone 10 via the Internet 20 (S102). The user fills in the necessary items on the received input support page (S104). The first mobile phone 10 returns an input support page in which necessary items are input to the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20 (S106).

  The receiving unit 102 of the information providing apparatus 40 receives the input support page entered by the user A. At this time, the user profile entered in the input support page received by the user is stored in the user profile database 42 (S108). Next, the selection status DB update unit 120 of the information providing device 40 generates a record of the user A in the user profile database 42 (S110).

  Next, when information requesting registration of the user profile is received from the user B who owns the second mobile phone 12 (S112), the information providing device 40 sends an input support page to the second mobile phone 12 via the Internet 20. Is transmitted (S114). The information providing apparatus 40 repeats the operations from S00 to S106 described above, and stores the user profile of the user B in the user profile database 42 (S118). Next, the information providing apparatus 40 generates a record for the user B in the selection situation database 44 (S120).

  Next, the user A transmits a provision request for requesting the information providing apparatus 40 to provide a user profile via the Internet 20 (S122). At this time, the user A may send a condition specifying the user profile to be provided as a provision request, or may not specify the condition. Moreover, the information provision apparatus 40 may provide user information to each user regularly. Thus, the user can always view the newly registered user profile soon after registration.

  When the receiving unit 102 of the information providing apparatus 40 receives the provision request, the extraction unit 106 extracts a user profile that matches the hope indicated in the provision request from 42 (S124). The page creation unit 108 of the information providing device 40 creates a Web page to be distributed to the user A from the extracted user profile. Next, the information delivery part 110 transmits a web page to the user A (S126). User A can cause the display unit 11 to display a Web page received from the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20. When the user selects user B from the displayed plurality of user profiles (S128), a communication request is transmitted from the first mobile phone 10 to the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20 (S130). When receiving the communication request, the information providing device 40 changes the selection status stored in the selection status database 44 (S132). Specifically, information indicating that the user A has selected is added to the record of the user A stored in the selection situation database 44. In S132, when a communication request for selecting the user A is received from the user B, the process proceeds to S134, and communication between the user A and the user B is established (S134).

  Thus, communication between the user A and the user B is established, and the user A and the user B can make a call via the information providing apparatus 40. Thus, the user A and the user B establish a call with the information providing apparatus 40, and the lines of the user A and the user B are connected through this connection. I can have a conversation.

  In the present embodiment, the user profile is distributed as a web page to the mobile phone 10 and the user terminal 14, but instead, the information providing device 40 extracts the user profile (S124), You may transmit to the mobile telephone 10 and the user terminal 14. FIG.

  The communication request in S130 is transmitted in i mode via a digital public network such as the Internet. More specifically, for example, based on an i-mode (trademark) screen of a mobile phone, the request selected by the user A is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 40 as a communication request.

  In the present embodiment, when the user profile receives a browsing request (S122), the information distribution unit 110 of the information providing device 40 transmits the user profile to the user A. Instead of this, the information providing apparatus 40 may periodically transmit a user profile that matches the user A to the user A. As described above, since the user profile is periodically distributed, the user A of the first mobile phone 10 can periodically browse the new user profile.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the information providing apparatus 40 in S132 of FIG. The selection situation DB update unit 120 resets the measurement days of the items related to the user B in the user A record stored in the selection situation database 44. The information providing apparatus 40 also resets the measurement days of items related to the user A included in the record of the user B (S200). Next, a message indicating that the user B is approaching is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone of the user A (S202). Next, the mobile phone screen of the user B indicates that the user A is approaching (S204). Next, when the user B selects the user A (S206), the process jumps to S134.

  When the user B does not select the user A (S206), the timer unit 122 measures the date and time. When the predetermined time is reached (S208), the timer unit 122 increments the number of measurement days described in the record stored in the selection status database 44 (S210). Next, the selection status DB update unit 120 deletes the user item that has become the specified value from the record when the number of days of measurement with the user who is approaching the record user becomes the specified value (S212). . As the specified value, an appropriate number of days such as 10 days or 20 days can be designated. If the specified value is not reached in S212, the process returns to S206 and S206 to S212 are repeated.

  FIG. 12 shows a communication sequence in the communication establishment stage (S134) in FIG. The user A transmits a call request with the user B to the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20 (S300). When the receiving unit 102 of the information providing apparatus 40 receives information desired to be communicated from the user A, the communication establishing unit 126 calls the telephone of the first mobile phone 10 owned by the user A via the public telephone line 30 ( S302). Next, the first mobile phone 10 transmits the response information, and communication between the user A and the telephone line connection unit 54 is established (S304). When the communication establishment unit 126 confirms the response of the user A, the communication establishment unit 126 transmits an announcement indicating that the user A is waiting as it is to the user A via the telephone line connection unit 54 (S306). Next, the communication establishment unit 126 calls the second mobile phone 12 of the user B via the telephone line connection unit 54 (S308). In the second mobile phone 12, the user B transmits a call response to the call (S310).

  Next, the communication establishment unit 126 of the information providing apparatus 40 connects the telephone lines of the waiting user A and the user B (S312). When the user B designates the call charge burden rate (S314), the user A and the user B are charged a predetermined amount (S316). In S314, when the user B does not specify the burden rate, a predetermined amount is charged to the user B and the user A (S320). Thus, communication between the user A and the user B is established.

  Thus, the user A and the user B can communicate with the user A and the user B 45 by responding to the telephone from the information providing apparatus 40. Therefore, it is possible to have a conversation with the person who wants to talk directly without knowing the telephone number of the other party.

  FIG. 13 shows another example of the communication sequence of the first mobile phones 10 and 12, the Internet 20, the public telephone line 30, and the information providing device 40. In this example, a user who is not registered in the information providing apparatus 40 can talk with the registered user. The communication sequence in this example will be described below. The configuration and operation of the processing unit 100 of the information providing apparatus 40 in this example are the same as the operation and configuration of the information providing apparatus 40 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 and described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

  The information providing apparatus 40 transmits an input support page to the user B via the Internet 20 (S400). User B inputs the user profile by filling in the necessary items on the received input support page (S402). The user B transmits the input support page in which the user profile is filled in to the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20 (S404). The information providing apparatus 40 receives the input support page, extracts the user profile entered in the input support page, associates it with the user, and stores it in 42 (S406). Next, the information providing apparatus 40 generates 44 records of the received user B (S408).

  Subsequently, a browsing request is transmitted from the user A to the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20 (S410). When receiving the browsing request, the information providing apparatus 40 extracts a user profile that matches the hope indicated in the browsing request from 42 (S412). Next, the information providing apparatus 40 transmits a user profile that matches the wishes of the user A to the user A via the Internet 20 (S414). When the user A's user profile is selected from the profile transmitted by the user A (S416), a communication request is transmitted from the user A via the Internet 20 to the information providing apparatus 40 (S418).

  When the information providing apparatus 40 receives a communication request with the user B, the notification unit 114 notifies the user B that there is a communication request from the user A (S420). When the user B receives the notification and permits the communication with the user A, the user B transmits the communication permission information to the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20 (S422). When the information providing apparatus 40 receives permission information from the user B, the information providing apparatus 40 permits communication (S424). Next, communication between the user A and the user B is established (S426).

  FIG. 14 shows functional blocks of the processing unit 100 in the second embodiment. The processing unit 100 according to the present embodiment includes a program creation unit 130. This is different from the first mobile phone processing unit 100 of the first embodiment. When the communication permission unit 124 permits the connection between the user A and the user B, the program creation unit 130 creates a call program for calling the user A and the user B with each other. The program creation unit 130 transmits the created call program to the user A and the user B. Other configurations and operations of the first mobile phone processing unit 100 are the same as those of the first mobile phone processing unit 100 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows a communication sequence of the present embodiment in the communication establishment stage (S134) described in FIG. Since the operations of the first mobile phones 10 and 12, the Internet 20, the public telephone line 30, and the information providing device 40 in the present embodiment are the same as those described with reference to FIG. When the communication request with the second user is received from the first user, the information providing apparatus 40 creates a call program (S500). The information providing apparatus 40 transmits a program for connecting to the user B's telephone to the user A (S502). The information providing apparatus 40 also transmits to the user B a call program that enables the user B to make a call with the user A (S504). Next, when the user A executes the program (S506), a call request is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 40 via the Internet 20 (S508). Next, the information providing apparatus 40 calls the user A via the public telephone line 30 (S510). The information providing apparatus 40 receives a call response from the user A via the public telephone line 30 (S512).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 40 transmits an announcement notifying the user A that the user A is to stand by via the public telephone line 30 (S514). Subsequently, the information providing apparatus 40 calls the user B via the public telephone line 30 (516). Next, the information providing apparatus 40 receives a call response from the user B via the public telephone line 30 (S518). Next, the information providing apparatus 40 establishes communication between the user A and the user B (S520). Hereinafter, the charging operation is the same as the operation in the S3 user terminals 14 to 324 described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the information providing apparatus 40 when creating a call program to be transmitted to the user A in the program creation stage (S500) in FIG. When receiving a call permission from the communication permission unit 124, the program creation unit 130 creates a program for calling with the user B and the user A (S600). Next, the page creation unit 108 creates a Web page to be transmitted to the user A from the call program created by the program creation unit 130 and the extracted information. Next, the call program created by the program creation unit 130 is embedded in the Web page. Next, the information distribution unit transmits the Web page received from the page creation unit to the user A via the Internet 20. A call program to be transmitted to the user B is created in the same manner. The communication program may be improved by adding a calling instruction to XML or JAVA (registered trademark).

  FIG. 17 shows the entire information system in the third embodiment. The information providing device 40 supports telephone connection. A telephone number database for storing display information indicating a telephone destination in association with a telephone number of the telephone destination, display information, and call request information for calling a telephone number associated with the display information. By transmitting to the mobile phone via the Internet 20, the display information is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone. The mobile phones 10 and 12 have a display screen that displays information received from the Internet 20. Display information indicating a telephone destination and call request information for making a call to the telephone number associated with the display information are received from the Internet 20, and the display information is selected so that the telephone number is portable. A call is made via the telephone communication network 300. Such call request information may be provided from the information providing device 40 to the mobile phone 10 as a communication program. This communication program may be improved by adding a calling instruction to XML or JAVA (registered trademark).

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the description of the scope of claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  As such a first modification, in the present embodiment, the case where each user of the first mobile phone 10 and the second mobile phone 12 establishes communication has been described. However, the user uses the user terminal 14. The user information may be received and browsed. In this case, the user registers the telephone number used by the user in the user profile database 42 in association with the user identification information. Thus, the user can search using the user terminal 14 and communicate with the other user using the telephone.

1 is a diagram illustrating an entire information providing system including an information providing apparatus 40. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information providing apparatus 40. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a processing unit 100. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the detailed operation | movement of the registration part 104 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the input assistance page which the user received. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data stored in the user profile database. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data stored in the selection condition database. It is a figure which shows the display part 11 which displayed the information which the user A receives from the information provision apparatus 40, when the user A transmits a provision request to the information provision apparatus 40. FIG. It is a figure which shows the display part 11 which displayed the selection condition received from the information provision apparatus, when the user A transmitted the selection condition request | requirement with respect to the information provision apparatus. This is a communication sequence when the user A and the user B communicate via the information providing device 40 via the Internet 20 and the public telephone line 30. 12 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the information providing apparatus 40 in S132 of FIG. It is a communication sequence in S134 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the communication sequence of the 1st mobile phone 10, the 2nd mobile phone 12, the internet 20, the public telephone line 30, and the information provision apparatus 40. FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the process part 100 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a communication sequence of 2nd Embodiment in S134 demonstrated in FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the processing unit 100 when creating a call program to be transmitted to the user A in S500 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole information provision system in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st mobile phone 12 ... 2nd mobile phone 14 ... User terminal 20 ... Internet 30 ... Public telephone line 40 ... Information provision apparatus 42 ... User profile database 44 ... Selection status database 46 ... CPU 48 ... ROM 50 ... RAM 52 ... Internet connection unit 54 ... telephone line connection unit 100 ... processing unit 102 ... reception unit 104 ... registration unit 106 ... extraction unit 108 ... page creation unit 110 information distribution unit 112 ... burden rate designation unit 114 ... notification unit 120 ... selection status DB update Section 122 ... Timer section 124 ... Communication permission section 126 ... Communication establishment section 128 ... Billing section

Claims (1)

An information providing apparatus that provides information to a user via the Internet,
A receiving unit for receiving a communication request for requesting communication with the second user from the first user via the Internet;
A first telephone line connection unit that establishes a connection with a first telephone owned by the first user via a public telephone line network when the receiving unit receives the communication request;
A second telephone line connection unit that establishes a connection with a second telephone owned by the second user via a public telephone line network when the receiving unit receives the communication request;
Via the connection with the first telephone established by the first telephone line connection unit and the connection with the second telephone established by the second telephone line connection unit, the first telephone and the An information providing apparatus comprising: a communication establishing unit that establishes communication with a second telephone.

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