JP2007048255A - Data distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To send data of a data format suiting an apparatus of a receiver with respect to a data send request from a sender. <P>SOLUTION: In a greeting distribution system 10, a plurality of contents data (Flash data 24a, dynamic image data 24b, static image data 24c) is recorded in a data server 24. A greeting reception processing part 22a receives a send request for data, and type data indicating the contents data from a portable telephone 18 of a sender through a send and receive part 20. In a greeting distribution processing part 22b, when model information along with a receive request are received from a portable telephone 18 of a receiver, contents data of a data format corresponding to apparatus information is acquired from the data server 24, and it is sent to the portable telephone 18 of the receiver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data distribution apparatus that transmits data to a destination device in response to a transmission request for data received from the source device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a service for distributing an image representing a greeting card and music accompanying the image via the Internet has been provided (see Patent Document 1). When using such a service, for example, a site providing the service is accessed. Then, select content to be distributed from contents (images, music, etc.) prepared in advance, and enter the message, the mail address of the transmission source, the mail address of the transmission destination, etc. An electronic greeting card is created.

  The service provider transmits a URL (uniform resource locator) for accessing a site on the Internet where an electronic greeting card can be viewed to the destination by e-mail. When the destination user who receives this e-mail accesses the site indicated by the URL described in the e-mail, an electronic greeting card is displayed. Therefore, the user can read a message written on this card or read images and music. You can enjoy etc.

  In general, since various applications can be installed and executed in a personal computer, electronic greeting cards in various data formats can be received and processed. For example, in recent years, not only a function of displaying still image data and moving image data, but also a function of performing display based on vector format data (so-called Flash data) for reproducing content mainly including animation accompanied by audio. Has been installed, and greeting cards can also be expressed by animation.

In recent years, not only personal computers but also mobile phones have begun to use models capable of processing vector format data.
JP 2002-366396 A

  As described above, some mobile phones are equipped with a function capable of processing data in vector format. Data in this data format can be received to display an animation or the like.

  On the other hand, since mobile phones have various functions depending on the model, for example, data in vector format cannot be processed and only moving images can be displayed, and even moving images cannot be displayed. Some can only display still images.

  Therefore, even in the service of distributing electronic greeting cards, even if vector format data can be distributed, it cannot be used unless the destination mobile phone is compatible, Because you don't know the model you are using, you can send data that cannot be displayed unilaterally.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is a data distribution apparatus capable of transmitting data in a data format suitable for a destination device in response to a data transmission request from a transmission source. Is to provide.

  The present invention is a data distribution apparatus that selectively transmits a plurality of content data having different data formats for the same purpose, and a plurality of content data having different data formats for the same purpose are commonly used for identifying the same data. The data recording means for recording in association with the type data, the request for transmitting the content data recorded in the data recording means to the first device, and the type data indicating the content data to be transmitted as the second data A transmission request receiving means for receiving from a device; a reception request receiving means for receiving identification information for identifying the first device together with a content data reception request from the first device; and the reception request receiving means. Data discrimination for discriminating a data format of content data to be transmitted to the first device according to the received identification information And stage, recorded in the data recording means, characterized in that the content data determined data format by said data discriminating unit equipped with a data transmission means for transmitting to the first device.

  According to the present invention, when a content data transmission request is received from the second device (transmission source) to the first device (transmission destination), the second device (transmission source) receives the first request based on the identification information received from the first device. Since the data format that can be processed by one device is determined and content data is selected according to the data format and transmitted to the first device, the first device corresponds to any data format at the transmission source. Data in a data format suitable for the first device can be transmitted without being aware of the possible model.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system in the present embodiment. A greeting delivery device 10 (data delivery device) shown in FIG. 1 provides a service for delivering greeting data to a mobile phone 18 through a communication network (network 12, telephone company 14, base station 16). Then, a transmission request for transmitting content data to another mobile phone 18 is received from the transmission source mobile phone 18 (second device), and in response to this request, the transmission destination mobile phone 18 (first device). 1 has a function of executing distribution of data selected by the transmission source in response to a reception request from the first device. The greeting delivery device 10 of the present embodiment can selectively transmit a plurality of content data having different data formats for the same purpose. For example, as content data to be sent on “birthday”, as will be described later. Data in any one of the flash data 24a, the moving image data 24b, and the still image data 24c can be transmitted according to the function of the destination mobile phone 18.

  The greeting delivery device 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 20, a data acquisition unit 21, a control unit 22, and a data server 24.

  The transmission / reception unit 20 controls communication with an external device through the network 12 and transmits / receives various data.

  The data acquisition unit 21 acquires data received from an external device through the transmission / reception unit 20 and provides the data to the control unit 22 or the data server 24, and data to be output to the outside from the control unit 22 or the data server 24. Obtained and transmitted through the transceiver 20.

  The control unit 22 controls data distribution by the greeting distribution device 10 and includes functions of a greeting reception processing unit 22a, a greeting distribution processing unit 22b, and a model identification unit 22c.

  The greeting reception processing unit 22a transmits the content data for greetings recorded in the data server 24 to the mobile phone 18 as a transmission destination and the type data indicating the content data to be transmitted as the transmission source. Processing for receiving from the mobile phone 18 is executed.

  The greeting delivery processing unit 22b transmits the content data recorded in the data server 24 to the destination mobile phone 18 in response to a request from the source mobile phone 18 received by the greeting reception processing unit 22a. . The greeting delivery processing unit 22b causes the data acquisition unit 21 to acquire content data in a data format that can be processed by the destination mobile phone 18 identified by the model identification unit 22c and transmit the content data.

  The model identification unit 22c receives the identification information (device information (code) unique to the cellular phone 18) from the cellular phone 18 that is the destination of the content data, and sends it to the cellular phone 18 that is the transmission destination according to this identification information. The data format of the content data to be transmitted is determined. The model identification unit 22c refers to model identification information 24e (described later) recorded in the data server 24 to determine the data format of content data to be transmitted according to the identification information (model information).

  The data server 24 records various data related to data distribution. As content data for greetings, a plurality of content data having different data formats for the same purpose, common type data for identifying the data, They are recorded in association with each other (see FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, flash data 24a, moving image data 24b, and still image data 24c are prepared for a plurality of purposes as content data for greetings (hereinafter referred to as greeting data).

  The flash data 24a is data for displaying an image mainly including animation accompanied by audio. The flash data 24a is composed of data in a vector format, and has a feature that it has a small capacity and can display a smooth image even when enlarged. In order to display an image based on the flash data 24a, a playback function (program) corresponding to the flash data 24a is required.

  The moving image data 24 b is data that can be reproduced by a moving image reproduction function installed in the mobile phone 18.

  The still image data 24c is data that can be displayed by a still image reproduction function installed in the mobile phone 18, and can be displayed on, for example, a standby screen.

  FIG. 2 shows correspondence relationships between greeting data recorded in the data server 24, that is, flash data 24a, moving image data 24b, and still image data 24c.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the data server 24, a plurality of pieces of content data having different data formats for the same purpose (for example, greeting as “New Year's card”) are combined with common type data (for example, “New Year's card 1” )) And recorded. The purpose of a plurality of greetings is, for example, “New Year's card”, “Christmas”, “Wedding celebration”, “Birthday”, etc. The data for each greeting is the data of Flash data 24a, moving image data 24b, and still image data 24c. It is prepared in a format.

  Therefore, for example, when “New Year card 1” is received as the type data indicating the greeting data to be transmitted from the transmission source mobile phone 18, the flash data 24a, moving image data 24b corresponding to “New Year card 1”, or Greeting data created from any of the still image data 24c can be selected and transmitted.

  Further, the data server 24 records each data of the data list 24d and the model identification information 24e.

  The data list 24d is used to select content (greeting data) to be transmitted to the transmission destination in the transmission source mobile phone 18, and a list of type data indicating the greeting data prepared in the data server 24 is displayed. It is data to represent. The data list 24d is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 18 by being transmitted to the mobile phone 18 as a transmission source (see FIG. 8A).

  The model identification information 24e is information for identifying which data format the mobile phone 18 to which the greeting data is sent has a reproduction function for data.

  In addition, reservation data 24 f is recorded in the data server 24. The reservation data 24f is data stored when a prior reservation is requested in the greeting reception process (details will be described later (FIG. 15)).

  FIG. 3 shows an example of data included in the model identification information 24e. As shown in FIG. 3, the model identification information 24e corresponds to model information (code) for identifying the mobile phone 18 and corresponding reproduction function information indicating a data format that can be processed in the device indicated by the model information. It is attached and recorded. As compatible playback function information, video playback that can display video based on video data, Flash playback that can display animation based on Flash data, still image that can display still image data Information such as playback is recorded.

  Here, it is assumed that the playback function mounted on the mobile phone 18 is fixed, and the corresponding playback function information for each type of mobile phone 18 is registered in the greeting distribution device 10 in advance.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile phone 18 in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a mobile phone 18a that is a model that does not support Flash and moving images, a mobile phone 18b that is a model that does not support Flash, and a mobile phone 18c that is a model that supports Flash.

  The cellular phones 18a, 18b, and 18c are connected to a communication network through wireless communication with the base stations 16 (16a, 16b, and 16c) provided by the telephone company 14 (14a, 14b, and 14c) to which the cellular phones 18a, 18b, and 18c belong. The telephone company 14 (14a, 14b, 14c) is connected to the network 12 including the Internet, and the mobile phone 18 can use the greeting data distribution service provided by the greeting distribution apparatus 10 through the network 12.

  Each mobile phone 18a, 18b, 18c has a function necessary as a phone, that is, a wireless communication function with a base station 16 (16a, 16b, 16c), a function for voice call, and a control device (CPU for executing a program) , Memory, etc.), display devices, voice input / output devices (speakers, microphones), operation buttons (numeric (character) buttons, cursor buttons, function buttons, etc.), recording devices, etc. Is not shown.

  The mobile phone 18a is a model that does not support Flash and moving images, and executes various programs by the control device, whereby a mail transmission / reception unit 30a, a reception program execution unit 31a, a mail creation unit 32a, a transmission / reception unit 33a, and an operation input unit 34a. The function of the destination input unit 35a is realized. Further, model information 36a unique to the model is recorded in the mobile phone 18a. The mobile phone 18a is not compatible with Flash and moving images, but can display a still image based on still image data as a basic function.

  The mail transmission / reception unit 30a executes transmission of the e-mail created by the mail creation unit 32a and reception of an e-mail (e.g., e-mail transmitted from the greeting distribution device 10 or another mobile phone 18) from our part. .

  The reception program execution unit 31 a executes a program (for example, a browser program) for receiving various data provided by various server devices including the greeting distribution device 10 through the network 12. For example, a site that provides a greeting service by the greeting distribution device 10 can be accessed by the reception program execution unit 31a.

  The mail creating unit 32a creates an electronic mail based on data input from the operation input unit 34a when the user performs an operation on an operation button (not shown). The mail creation unit 32a also executes processing for transferring the electronic mail received by the mail transmission / reception unit 30a to others.

  The transmission / reception unit 33a performs transmission / reception of various data (voice call, web page data, e-mail, etc.) with the base station 16a by wireless communication.

  The operation input unit 34a inputs data in response to an input operation with respect to an operation button provided on the mobile phone 18a.

  The destination input unit 35a inputs a destination (address) indicating a transmission destination of the electronic mail when the electronic mail is generated by the mail generation unit 32a.

  The mobile phone 18b is a model that does not support Flash, and has a configuration in which a moving image reproducing unit 37 is further provided in the configuration shown in the mobile phone 18a. About another structure, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted as what is substantially the same as the corresponding function of the mobile telephone 18a.

  The video playback unit 37b plays video based on the video data and displays it on the display device. When video data is received as greeting data through the transmission / reception unit 33b, the video playback unit 37b displays a greeting based on the video data. The intended video can be displayed.

  The mobile phone 18c is a flash compatible model, and has a configuration in which a flash data reproduction unit 38c is further provided in the configuration shown in the mobile phone 18b. About another structure, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted as it is the same as the corresponding function of mobile phone 18a, 18b.

  The flash data reproducing unit 38c reproduces an animation or the like based on the vector format data and displays it on the display device. When the flash data is received as greeting data through the transmission / reception unit 33b, the flash data is displayed. You can display animations for greetings.

  Next, the operation of the greeting distribution device 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure between the source mobile phone 18 (hereinafter, mobile phone 18X), the greeting distribution device 10, and the destination mobile phone 18 (hereinafter, mobile phone 18Y).

  The greeting distribution device 10 provides a greeting service at a site accessible from the mobile phone 18 through the network 12 (WWW). The mobile phone 18 is connected to the network 12 (WWW) via the base station 16 and the telephone company 14 and can access a site established by the greeting distribution device 10.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the greeting reception process executed by the control unit 22 (greeting reception processing unit 22a) of the greeting distribution device 10.

  When the greeting reception processing unit 22a receives a greeting list transmission request from the transmission source mobile phone 18X in order to use the greeting service (step A1), it reads the data list 24d recorded in the data server 24. Then, the data is transmitted to the mobile phone 18X as the transmission source (step A2) (FIGS. 7A and 7B).

  Upon receiving the data list 24d through the transmission / reception unit 33, the transmission source mobile phone 18X displays a greeting list on the display device based on this data (FIG. 7 (3)).

  FIG. 8A shows an example of a greeting list screen displayed on the mobile phone 18X. In the greeting list, the cursor can be moved by an operation on the operation input unit 34, and any one can be arbitrarily selected as a greeting target.

  For example, when “birthday” is selected (FIG. 7 (4)), the greeting reception processing unit 22a acquires type data indicating the selected “birthday” (step A3). Here, the greeting reception processing unit 22a reads the still image data 24c indicated by the type data, and transmits it to the transmission source mobile phone 18X for sample display (step A4). At this time, a sample message (text) or voice data prepared in advance may be transmitted together with the still image data 24c.

  When receiving the still image data 24c for sample display, the transmission source mobile phone 18X displays an image based on this data. FIG. 8B shows an example of a screen on which sample images are displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, a message “Happy Birthday!” Is displayed together with a sample image (still image).

  Here, when the user who confirms the image displayed on the sample instructs cancellation (step A5, No), the source mobile phone 18X displays the greeting list screen again to select another greeting target. Let

  On the other hand, when confirmation is instructed with respect to the sample image display (step A5, Yes), the greeting reception processing unit 22a receives the type data to be confirmed as a greeting object to the mobile phone 18X. In addition, the greeting reception processing unit 22a inputs a destination user name and a transmission source user name indicating a transmission destination of the greeting data, a message (text data) attached to the greeting data, a transmission destination mail address, a transmission source mail address, and the like. A screen for performing the above is displayed and each of them is input (step A6).

  When the greeting reception processing unit 22a obtains various data from the transmission source mobile phone 18X, it records it in the data server 24 for preparation of the greeting distribution (step A7) (FIG. 7 (5)).

  Thus, when the greeting reception processing unit 22a receives a greeting data transmission request from the transmission source mobile phone 18X, it transmits a confirmation mail to the transmission source (step A8) (FIG. 7 (6)). The confirmation mail notifies that the greeting data transmission request has been accepted, and information indicating the request destination of the greeting data, for example, a URL (uniform resource locator) indicating the site (Web page) where the greeting distribution device 10 provides the greeting data ).

  When the source mobile phone 18X receives the confirmation mail from the greeting delivery device 10, it transfers it to the destination mobile phone 18Y (FIG. 7 (7)). The destination mobile phone 18 can know that the greeting has been distributed by browsing the email received from the source mobile phone 18X.

  FIG. 8C shows an example of a confirmation mail screen displayed on the destination mobile phone 18Y. In FIG. 8C, a URL (for example, “http: //www.aaaaa”) indicating the acquisition destination of the greeting data is displayed together with a message “Greeting message has arrived from Mr. XX”. The destination mobile phone 18Y selects (or clicks) the URL displayed on the confirmation mail screen to access the site indicated by this address, that is, the site where the greeting distribution device 10 transmits greeting data. A greeting reception request can be transmitted (FIG. 7 (8)). In the greeting reception request, model information 36 unique to the mobile phone 18Y is transmitted together.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the greeting delivery process executed by the control unit 22 (greeting delivery processing unit 22b) of the greeting delivery device 10.

  When a greeting reception request is received from the destination mobile phone 18Y (Yes in Step B1), the greeting distribution processing unit 22b of the greeting distribution device 10 receives various information including model information together with this request (Step B2). . It is assumed that the various types of information include information for specifying a transmission destination designated in the transmission source mobile phone 18X.

  The greeting distribution processing unit 22b determines whether the information for specifying the transmission destination matches the information registered as the greeting distribution preparation in the data server 24 in the greeting reception process. Check if it is.

  For example, it can be confirmed based on a destination user name, a destination mail address, etc. received from the destination mobile phone 18X. In addition, any parameter is added by adding a unique parameter to each greeting transmission request to the URL indicating the acquisition destination of the greeting data notified by the confirmation mail from the greeting delivery device 10. The reception request source can also be confirmed depending on whether the URL is accessed. In this case, the information of each parameter is stored in the data server 24 as a greeting delivery preparation. Note that the method of specifying the transmission destination is not limited to the method described above, and any method can be adopted.

  When the reception request from the correct transmission destination is confirmed in this way (step B3, Yes), the greeting distribution processing unit 22b, based on the model information received together with the reception request, transmits the destination mobile phone 18Y. Is recognized by the model identifying unit 22c.

  The model identification unit 22c searches the model identification information 24e based on the received model information and determines whether the corresponding model information (code) is registered. When the corresponding model information is acquired, the data format that can be processed by the destination mobile phone 18Y is determined based on the corresponding playback function information registered in correspondence with the model information.

  In response to the data format identified by the model identifying unit 22c (steps B4 and B5), the greeting distribution processing unit 22b reads greeting data in the corresponding data format from the data server 24 (steps B6, B7, and B8). Then, using the greeting data and other data, for example, message data received from the transmission source mobile phone 18X and the transmission destination user name, data for distribution is created and transmitted to the transmission destination mobile phone 18Y ( Step B9, B10).

  For example, when the model information “B” has been received, since this information and information indicating flash playback are recorded as in the model identification information 24e shown in FIG. 3, the data format that can be played back is Flash. The data 24a can be identified (step B4, Yes). The greeting distribution processing unit 22b reads the flash data 24a for greetings corresponding to the type data from the data server 24 (step B6), creates distribution data using this data, and transmits it (steps B9 and B10). (FIG. 7 (9) (10)).

  Further, when the model information “A” is received, the model identification information 24e includes this information and information indicating the video reproduction (step B5, Yes), and therefore corresponds to the type data from the data server 24. The moving image data 24b for the greeting to be read is read (step B7), and data for distribution is created and transmitted using this data (steps B9 and B10) (FIGS. 7 (11) and (12)).

  If the model information “C” is received, the model identification information 24e includes this information and information indicating still image reproduction (step B5, No). The corresponding greeting still image data 24c is read out (step B8), and data for distribution is created and transmitted using this data (steps B9 and B10) (FIG. 7 (13)).

  The destination mobile phone 18Y receives the greeting data from the greeting distribution device 10, and displays this data on the display device using the function installed in the own device (FIG. 7 (14)).

  In this manner, the greeting distribution device 10 selects and transmits greeting data in a data format that can be processed by the destination mobile phone 18Y in response to a greeting data transmission request from the source mobile phone 18X. Can do.

  In addition, the greeting distribution device 10 according to the present embodiment provides greeting data suitable for the function installed in the transmission source mobile phone 18Y regardless of which data format the transmission source mobile phone 18X can handle. Can be sent. That is, even if the transmission source is a mobile phone 18a that is a model that does not support Flash and moving images, it can receive still image data as a sample image, confirm greeting data to be transmitted, and make a transmission request. . In response to the request from the mobile phone 18a, for example, if the destination is the flash-compatible mobile phone 18c, the greeting distribution device 10 transmits greeting data based on the flash data 24a.

  In addition, the greeting distribution device 10 may be configured to provide a service that mainly distributes the flash data 24a. In this case, flash data 24a is transmitted as a sample image to the transmitting mobile phone 18X to confirm / select greeting data to be transmitted. Also in this case, it is identified which data format the mobile phone 18Y of the transmission destination can support, and greeting data in a data format corresponding to the transmission destination is transmitted. Therefore, even if the transmission destination is, for example, the mobile phone 18b that can only play a non-Flash video, the greeting data based on the video data 24b can be transmitted.

  In the description using FIG. 7, a confirmation e-mail is transmitted from the greeting distribution device 10 to the transmission source mobile phone 18 </ b> X, and this e-mail is transferred from the mobile phone 18 </ b> X to the transmission destination mobile phone 18 </ b> Y. However, the confirmation mail may be transmitted directly from the greeting delivery device 10 to the destination mobile phone 18Y.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication procedure between the source mobile phone 18X, the greeting delivery device 10 and the destination mobile phone 18Y when a confirmation mail is transmitted from the greeting delivery device 10 to the mobile phone 18Y. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the greeting delivery apparatus 10 creates a confirmation mail in response to a transmission request from the transmission source mobile phone 18X and transmits it to the transmission destination mobile phone 18Y (FIG. 9 (6)).

  The destination mobile phone 18Y can access a site for transmitting greeting data through the e-mail received from the greeting delivery device 10 and transmit a greeting reception request (FIG. 9 (7)).

  In the case of the procedure shown in FIG. 9, since the destination mobile phone 18Y suddenly receives an e-mail from an unknown destination, the greeting delivery device 10 sends it in response to a request from the source user. It is assumed that an e-mail is created and transmitted so that the e-mail is recognized by the transmission destination.

  In addition, the transmission source transmits a greeting transmission request to the greeting distribution device 10, and then checks whether the greeting distribution device 10 notifies the destination mobile phone 18Y (whether the service is provided). I can't. Therefore, for example, the greeting delivery device 10 may send an e-mail notifying the transmission completion to the source mobile phone 18X after delivering the greeting data to the source mobile phone 18Y. .

  In the above-described embodiment, when a transmission request is received from the destination mobile phone 18 via the Internet (WWW), greeting data is distributed from the greeting distribution device 10, but for example, greeting data is sent to an e-mail. It can also be set as the structure delivered with attachment. Alternatively, a transmission request may be received from the destination mobile phone 18 by e-mail. For example, a confirmation e-mail received from the source mobile phone 18 or the greeting delivery device 10 is transferred to the greeting delivery device 10 to make a greeting data reception request. It is assumed that model information of the destination mobile phone 18 is added to the e-mail for the reception request.

  In the above-described embodiment, the data format of content data that can be distributed from the greeting distribution device 10 includes Flash data 24a, moving image data 24b, and still image data 24c as shown in FIG. Greeting data in other data formats that can be processed by the cellular phone 18 (or other information device) can also be used. In this case, it is assumed that information capable of determining a model that can process other data formats is recorded in advance in the model identification information 24e.

  Also, the mobile phone 18 downloads an application program that can process data in a specific data format distributed by the greeting distribution device 10 from the greeting distribution device 10 or the telephone company 14 (server device) via the communication network. Can be executed. When the mobile phone 18 downloads an application program corresponding to a specific data format, the mobile phone 18 transmits information indicating the data format that can be processed by the downloaded application to the greeting delivery apparatus 10 together with the model information in response to the confirmation mail. May be. Thereby, the data format of the greeting data that can be distributed from the greeting distribution device 10 can be expanded.

  In the above description, the case where greeting data is distributed from the greeting distribution device 10 to the mobile phone 18 is described. However, the present invention can also be applied to distribution of other content data having a different purpose. it can. In other words, a plurality of pieces of content data having the same purpose data format can be distributed from the greeting distribution device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Moreover, although the case where the greeting data is transmitted from the transmission source mobile phone 18 to one specific transmission destination is described, the greeting distribution device 10 transmits the transmission from the transmission source mobile phone 18 to a plurality of transmission destinations. It is also possible to accept requests. In this case, the sender can select each type of greeting data from the greeting distribution device 10 to each destination without being aware of the data format that can be processed by the mobile phone 18 of each sender. Greeting data in a data format that matches the functions installed in the mobile phone 18 is transmitted.

  Moreover, although the case where data is distributed to the mobile phone 18 has been described, other information devices can be targeted. In this case, when a confirmation mail is transmitted to the information device as the transmission destination (FIG. 7 (7), FIG. 9 (6)), model information or information in a data format that can be processed from this information device. It is transmitted to the greeting delivery device 10. When the model information is transmitted from the information device, the greeting distribution device 10 determines a data format that can be processed by the information device of the transmission destination with reference to the model identification information 24e based on the model information.

  The greeting distribution device 10 according to the present embodiment has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from the mobile phone 18 via the WWW and a function of transmitting / receiving e-mails such as confirmation mails. It is also possible to adopt a configuration realized in the apparatus.

  In the above description, when the greeting delivery device 10 receives a greeting data transmission request from the transmission source mobile phone 18X, the greeting delivery device 10 immediately prepares for greeting delivery and transmits a confirmation mail in response to the transmission request. (FIG. 7 (6), FIG. 9 (6)).

  As described above, when the greeting delivery device 10 is configured to execute a process of instantly delivering a greeting in response to a request from the mobile phone 18X, a greeting is sent on the day when the user (gift giver) of the sender wants to send the greeting. Use the service provided by the distribution device 10 or use the service in advance to store confirmation emails in the mobile phone 18 (in the case of the procedure shown in FIG. 7), and send it to the destination ( You have to send mail to the recipient.

  However, in this method of use, the giver himself / herself must manage the schedule for sending greetings, which imposes a burdensome burden on the giver. In this case, a situation may occur in which the giver forgets the date of giving the greeting and misses the opportunity to use the service.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the above-described greeting delivery device 10 is provided with a function that enables pre-reservation of greetings as described below, thereby reducing the burden on the giver and increasing the opportunity to use the service. It is possible not to lose. Hereinafter, the operation of the greeting distribution device 10 when making a reservation in advance for a greeting will be described.

  Note that the basic configuration of the greeting distribution device 10 is the same as that described above. However, the data server 24 further stores reservation data 24f for managing greeting reservations, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the greeting distribution apparatus 10 that enables pre-booking of greetings in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams showing a communication procedure between the source mobile phone 18 (mobile phone 18X), the greeting delivery device 10, and the destination mobile phone 18 (mobile phone 18Y).

  First, the operation of the greeting reception process executed by the control unit 22 (greeting reception processing unit 22a) of the greeting distribution device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing of steps C1 to C5 shown in FIG. 10 is executed in the same manner as steps A1 to A5 shown in FIG.

  When the greeting reception processing unit 22a acquires various data (transmission destination user name / mail address, transmission source user name / mail address, etc.) from the transmission source mobile phone 18X (step C6), the greeting is transmitted using this data. Is requested to the mobile phone 18X to input an instruction to execute either immediate processing for immediately executing reservation processing or reservation processing for performing advance reservation.

  For example, the cellular phone 18X displays a menu screen for selecting either immediate processing or reservation processing, and selects one from the menu screen by a user input operation. The mobile phone 18X notifies the greeting delivery device 10 (greeting reception processing unit 22a) of an execution request for either immediate processing or reservation processing selected from the menu screen.

  Here, when the greeting reception processing unit 22a is notified of the execution request for immediate processing from the mobile phone 18X (step C7, immediate processing), the greeting reception processing unit 22a executes greeting delivery preparation and creation / transmission of a confirmation mail (steps C8 and C9). ). Note that the processing in steps C8 and 9 is the same as the processing in steps A7 and A8 shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, when a reservation processing execution request is notified from the mobile phone 18X (step C7, reservation processing), the greeting reception processing unit 22a acquires the greeting reservation date and time required for greeting reservation by the reservation reception processing (step C10). (FIG. 12 (5)).

  For example, when the greeting reception processing unit 22a is requested to execute the greeting reservation processing (FIG. 14A), the period (for example, 1) that can be designated as the reservation date as shown in FIG. 14B. Month) calendar is displayed on the mobile phone 18X, and a reservation date is designated from the calendar. Further, when the reservation date is designated, the designation of the time to execute the greeting (the time to send the confirmation mail from the greeting distribution device 10 to the mobile phone 18X) is input.

  When receiving the greeting reservation date and time from the mobile phone 18X, the greeting reception processing unit 22a transmits a reservation reception confirmation notification to the mobile phone 18X and stores the reservation data 24f in the data server 24 (step C11).

  FIG. 14C shows an example of a reservation acceptance confirmation screen displayed on the mobile phone 18X. As shown in FIG. 14 (c), on the reservation acceptance confirmation screen, the type of greeting data selected previously (for example, “New Year's card 1”) and the designated greeting reservation date and time (“January 1 10:00”). )) Is displayed. As a result, the giver using the mobile phone 18X can confirm the reservation acceptance (FIG. 12 (6)).

  FIG. 15 shows an example of reservation data 24 f stored in the data server 24. For example, the reservation data 24f includes, as shown in FIG. 15, type data indicating the type of greeting data, reservation date / time data indicating greeting reservation date / time, data relating to the transmission source (transmission source data), data relating to the transmission destination (transmission destination) Data) is stored in association with each other. The reservation data 24f stored in the data server 24 is used for a greeting delivery process described later.

  The reservation contents registered in the greeting distribution device 10 by the reservation process described above can be confirmed from the mobile phone 18X at an arbitrary timing. That is, the mobile phone 18X accesses a site established by the greeting distribution device 10 via the network 12 (WWW), and transmits the transmission source data (transmission source user name, transmission source mail address) registered in advance. A greeting reservation confirmation can be requested by designating (FIG. 12 (7)) (FIG. 16 (a)).

  When greeting reservation confirmation is requested, the greeting reception processing unit 22a uses the reservation data 24f stored in the data server 24 to store the type data stored in correspondence with the transmission source data and the reservation date / time data. read out. Based on this data, greeting reservation list data for displaying a list of reservation contents is generated and transmitted to the mobile phone 18X (FIG. 12 (8)).

  The mobile phone 18X displays a greeting reservation confirmation screen based on the greeting reservation list data received from the greeting distribution device 10 (FIG. 12 (9)). FIG. 16B shows an example of a greeting reservation confirmation screen. On the greeting reservation confirmation screen, the type of greeting data reserved for the greeting (such as “New Year's card 1”) and the reservation date (such as “January 1 10:00”) are displayed in a list in association with each other. .

  On this list display screen, any reservation can be arbitrarily selected (clicked) as a change target by operating a cursor key or the like provided on the mobile phone 18X (FIG. 12 (10)). When any reservation is selected, the mobile phone 18X displays a reservation change screen including reservation details (data type, reservation date and time). FIG. 16C shows an example of a reservation change screen displayed when the second reservation in the list display shown in FIG. 16B is selected as the change target.

  On the reservation change screen shown in FIG. 16C, either “Christmas 2” indicating the data type or “December 24 13:00” indicating the reservation date and time can be selected and changed. Here, when the data type “Christmas 2” is selected, the mobile phone 18X transmits a greeting creation request to the greeting distribution device 10 (greeting reception processing unit 22a). That is, greeting data can be selected anew by executing the processing of steps C1 to C5 (FIGS. 12 (1) to (4)) shown in FIG.

  When the reservation date and time “December 24, 13:00” is selected, the cellular phone 18X inputs the changed date or time by a button operation or the like, and the greeting delivery device 10 (greeting reception processing unit 22a). Send to.

  The reservation change screen is provided with an item “Delete this greeting” for instructing deletion of the selected reservation. When this item is selected, the cellular phone 18X displays a message “Are you sure you want to delete?” For prompting confirmation of deletion, as shown in FIG. When a confirmation instruction is given by operating the “confirm button” or the like, a reservation deletion request is transmitted to the greeting reception processing unit 22a.

  In this way, when an instruction to change the data type or the reservation date or time or a reservation deletion is output from the mobile phone 18X, the greeting reception processing unit 22a stores the reservation data 24f stored in the data server 24 according to the instructed content. Is changed (FIG. 12 (11)).

  As described above, in the greeting delivery device 10 according to the present embodiment, the greeting content can be changed at any timing by the greeting reservation confirmation before the greeting is executed.

  Next, the greeting delivery process when pre-reserved is described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The greeting delivery processing unit 22b refers to the reservation date / time data of the reservation data 24f stored in the data server 24 and monitors whether there is a reservation that has reached the reservation date / time (step D1) (FIG. 13 (1)). When there is a reservation that has reached the reservation date and time (step D1, Yes), the greeting distribution processing unit 22b prepares each of the data corresponding to the corresponding reservation date and time data in the reservation data 24f (type data, transmission) in preparation for greeting distribution Original data, transmission destination data) are recorded in the data server 24 (step D2) (FIG. 13 (2)). That is, it is stored as data that is the subject of a greeting reception request from the destination mobile phone 18Y.

  In addition, the greeting delivery processing unit 22b creates and transmits a confirmation mail to the source mobile phone 18X (step D3) (FIG. 13 (3)). By this confirmation mail, the user (gift giver) of the mobile phone 18X can know that the reserved greeting delivery date has come. Therefore, even if the giver forgets that he has reserved the greeting delivery device 10 for sending the greeting, the presenter is notified by this confirmation mail, so the timing for sending the greeting is not missed.

  When the source mobile phone 18X receives the confirmation mail from the greeting distribution device 10, it may transfer it to the destination mobile phone 18Y (FIG. 13 (4)). The destination mobile phone 18Y knows that greeting data is arranged to be distributed by the giver by browsing the e-mail (forwarded confirmation email) received from the source mobile phone 18X. be able to.

  The receiving side (recipient) mobile phone 18Y receives an e-mail (confirmation e-mail) originating from the other party using the mobile phone 18Y, that is, an acquaintance (e-mail address) teaching the e-mail address. Will do. Therefore, even if an e-mail about a greeting is suddenly received, it is not recognized that the e-mail is recognized as a junk e-mail and rejected, or the e-mail content is not confirmed without being confirmed.

  The e-mail (confirmation mail) received by the mobile phone 18Y includes information indicating a request destination of greeting data, for example, a URL indicating a site (Web page) that provides greeting data by the greeting distribution device 10 ( (Refer FIG.8 (c)). In the cellular phone 18Y, by selecting (clicking) the URL displayed in the confirmation mail screen, the site indicated by this address, that is, the site where the greeting distribution device 10 transmits greeting data is accessed and a greeting reception request is made. Can be sent.

  In addition, about the process of step D4-D12 shown to the flowchart of FIG. 11, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted as what performs the process similar to step B2-B10 of the flowchart shown in FIG. FIGS. 13 (2) to (11) correspond to FIGS. 7 (5) to (14), respectively.

  In this way, the greeting delivery device 10 according to the present embodiment can make a reservation in advance for a greeting in response to a request from the transmission source mobile phone 18X. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the gift giver to manage the greeting schedule, and when the confirmation mail is received from the greeting delivery apparatus 10 at the reserved date and time, it is only necessary to forward the confirmation mail to the destination party. In addition, even when making a reservation in advance, the procedure for transferring a confirmation mail to the destination is used, so that the greeting is delivered to the destination by an e-mail originating from the sender's (given) email address. You can notify the other party. Therefore, it can be avoided that the message is rejected or discarded because it is recognized as a spam mail, and the delivery of the greeting data can be ensured.

  In the above description, the reservation process can be further executed in the procedure shown in FIG. 7 (FIGS. 12 and 13). However, the reservation process may be executed in the procedure shown in FIG. In this case, the greeting distribution device 10 refers to the reservation data 24f stored by the reservation process, and if there is a reservation that has reached the reservation date and time, this reservation content (type data, transmission source data, transmission destination data) is also stored. You can send the confirmation email you created to the recipient.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  The method described in the embodiment is a program (software means) that can be executed by a computer (computer), for example, a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, etc.). It can also be stored in a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.), or transmitted and distributed by a communication medium. The program stored on the medium side includes a setting program that configures in the computer software means (including not only the execution program but also a table and data structure) to be executed by the computer. A computer that implements this apparatus reads a program recorded on a recording medium, constructs software means by a setting program as the case may be, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation by this software means. The recording medium referred to in this specification is not limited to the distribution, but includes a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or a semiconductor memory provided in a computer or a device connected via a network.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the system in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the correspondence of the greeting data (Flash data 24a, moving image data 24b, still image data 24c) recorded on the data server 24 in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data contained in the model identification information 24e in this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the mobile telephone 18 in this embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the greeting reception process in this embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the greeting delivery process in this embodiment. The figure which shows the communication procedure between the mobile telephone 18X of the transmission source in this embodiment, the greeting delivery apparatus 10, and the mobile telephone 18Y of a transmission destination. The figure which shows the example of a display screen of the mobile telephone 18 in this embodiment. The figure which shows the communication procedure between the mobile telephone 18X of the transmission source in this embodiment, the greeting delivery apparatus 10, and the mobile telephone 18Y of a transmission destination. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement of the greeting reception process which enabled the prior reservation of the greeting in this embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the greeting delivery process which enabled the prior reservation of the greeting in this embodiment. The figure which shows the communication procedure between the mobile telephone 18X of the transmission origin at the time of enabling advance reservation in this embodiment, the greeting delivery apparatus 10, and the mobile telephone 18Y of a transmission destination. The figure which shows the communication procedure between the mobile telephone 18X of the transmission origin at the time of enabling advance reservation in this embodiment, the greeting delivery apparatus 10, and the mobile telephone 18Y of a transmission destination. The figure which shows the example of a display screen of the mobile telephone 18X of the transmission side at the time of the reservation process in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the reservation data 24f in this embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display screen of the mobile telephone 18X of the transmission side at the time of reservation change in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Greeting delivery apparatus, 12 ... Network, 14 (14a, 14b, 14c) ... Telephone company, 16 (16a, 16b, 16c) ... Base station, 18 (18a, 18b, 18c) ... Mobile phone, 20 ... Transmission / reception part 21 ... Data acquisition unit, 22 ... Control unit, 22a ... Greeting reception processing unit, 22b ... Greeting delivery processing unit, 22c ... Model identification unit, 24 ... Data server, 24a ... Flash data, 24b ... Movie data, 24c ... Stationary Image data, 24d ... Data list, 24e ... Model identification information, 24f ... Reserved data, 30 (30a, 30b, 30c) ... Mail transmission / reception unit, 31 (31a, 31b, 31c) ... Receiving program execution unit, 32 (32a) , 32b, 32c)... Mail creation unit, 33 (33a, 33b, 33c)... Transmission / reception unit, 34 (34) , 34b, 34c) ... operation input unit, 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) ... destination input unit, 36 (36a, 36b, 36c) ... model information, 37 (37b, 37c) ... video playback unit, 38c ... Flash data Playback part.

Claims (10)

A data distribution apparatus that selectively transmits a plurality of content data having different data formats for the same purpose,
Data recording means for recording a plurality of content data having different data formats for the same purpose in association with common type data for identifying the data;
A transmission request receiving means for receiving, from the second device, type data indicating the content data to be transmitted together with a transmission request for transmitting the content data recorded in the data recording means to the first device;
A reception request receiving means for receiving identification information for identifying the first device together with a content data reception request from the first device;
Data discriminating means for discriminating the data format of content data to be transmitted to the first device according to the identification information received by the reception request receiving means;
A data distribution apparatus comprising: a data transmission unit configured to transmit content data recorded in the data recording unit and having a data format determined by the data determination unit to the first device. Model identification information storage means for recording the model information and the function information indicating the data format that can be processed in the device indicated by the model information in association with each other,
The reception request receiving means receives model information unique to the first device as the identification information,
The data discriminating unit discriminates a data format by acquiring function information corresponding to the model information from the model identification information storage unit based on the model information received by the reception request receiving unit. The data distribution apparatus according to claim 1.   An e-mail for notifying the second device of information indicating a content data reception request destination to be transferred to the first device when a transmission request is received by the transmission request receiving unit The data distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mail transmission unit that transmits the message.   When a transmission request is received by the transmission request receiving unit, a mail transmission unit is provided that transmits an e-mail for notifying the first device of information indicating a reception request destination of content data. The data distribution apparatus according to claim 1.   The plurality of content data having different data formats recorded in the data recording unit include vector data, moving image data, and still image data used for display in the first device. Data distribution device. The reception request receiving means receives a reception request from the first device through WWW (World Wide Web),
The data distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission unit transmits content data to the first device through the WWW. The reception request receiving means receives a reception request from the first device by e-mail,
The data distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission means transmits content data to the first device by electronic mail. Reservation means for receiving and storing a reservation date and time for performing transmission of the content data in response to the transmission request received by the transmission request reception means;
Reservation date and time determination means for determining that the date and time stored by the reservation means has been reached;
A mail transmission means for transmitting an e-mail for notifying the second device of information indicating a reception request destination of content data when it is determined by the reservation date determination means that the reservation date has been reached. The data distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Selection means for selecting whether to immediately transmit or reserve the content data for the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving means;
Reservation means for receiving and storing a reservation date and time from the second device when reservation is selected by the selection means;
When it is selected by the selection means that the transmission of the content data is to be executed immediately, an e-mail for notifying the second device of information indicating the reception destination of the content data is transmitted to the second device. A first mail transmission means;
Reservation date and time determination means for determining that the date and time stored by the reservation means has been reached;
When the reservation date and time discriminating means determines that the reservation date and time has been reached, a second e-mail for notifying the second device of information indicating the request destination of the content data is sent. 2. The data distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mail transmission unit.   10. The data distribution apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising reservation changing means for changing a reservation date and time stored by the reservation means in response to a request from the second device.

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