JP5098074B2 - Remote code reader system, host computer, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote code reader system that collects and processes codes (for example, bar codes) sent from a local code reader and related technology.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a system that scans a barcode and displays a corresponding home page.

JP 2001-350782 A

  However, in the system of Patent Document 1, a home page is only displayed on the user's terminal.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a remote code reader system and a related technique in which a host computer can start a predetermined computer program installed in a terminal in response to reception of a code.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a remote code reader system is connected to a communication terminal connectable to a network, and reads a code. The local code reader transmits the code via the communication terminal. A host computer that receives a code, the host computer transmitting data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal, wherein the corresponding data is First information for starting a predetermined computer program installed in the terminal is included.

  According to this configuration, a predetermined computer program installed in the communication terminal can be started via the network in response to the code scan, so that the scope of business model construction using the code scan and the network can be expanded. .

  In the remote code reader system, the correspondence data includes second information used by the predetermined computer program.

  According to this configuration, the predetermined computer program (or the execution result thereof) can be controlled by the second information. For example, by associating the code and the second information on a one-to-one basis, it is possible to obtain different execution results by a predetermined computer program for each different code. That is, an execution result specific to the loaded code can be obtained.

  The remote code reader system further includes a predetermined server connected to the network, and the predetermined computer program accesses the predetermined server based on the second information.

  According to this configuration, the predetermined computer program can use not only the resource of the communication terminal in which it is installed (for example, image data and audio data) but also the resource of the predetermined server, and more abundant content. Can be provided.

  In the remote code reader system, the first information includes an extension associated with the predetermined computer program.

  According to this configuration, the communication terminal can easily recognize a predetermined computer program to be started only by determining the extension of the corresponding data.

  In the remote code reader system, the correspondence data is passed to a browser of the communication terminal, the browser passes the correspondence data to an operating system of the communication terminal, and the operating system is configured to execute the predetermined computer based on the correspondence data. Start the program.

  According to this configuration, since a predetermined computer program can be activated by existing software without installing dedicated software, convenience for the user is improved. Incidentally, a browser and an operating system are generally installed in most communication terminals (for example, personal computers).

  In the remote code reader system, the predetermined computer program is a virtual globe application program that displays satellite photographs and / or aerial photographs, and the first information is the extension associated with the virtual globe application program. The second information includes longitude and latitude information.

  According to this configuration, the communication terminal starts the virtual globe application program associated with the extension included in the first information, and identifies the program based on the longitude and latitude included in the second information. Satellite photographs and / or aerial photographs of land and buildings to be used can be displayed. In this case, the communication terminal can identify a land or the like based on longitude and latitude information, and can acquire a corresponding satellite photograph or the like from a storage device such as a hard disk built in or externally attached to the network and / or communication terminal.

  In the remote code reader system, the code is transmitted to the host computer via the network by the communication terminal in response to the output of the code from the local code reader.

  According to this configuration, since the code scan is a trigger, the user of the communication terminal can transmit the code to the host computer by only reading the code with the local code reader without operating any communication terminal. That is, it is possible to improve user convenience.

  In this remote code reader system, the local code reader outputs the code, address information of the host computer, and a command for causing the communication terminal to transmit the code to the host computer. The command is a command for an operating system installed in the communication terminal. For example, the operating system is Windows (registered trademark), and the command is a command for starting the browser on the communication terminal, and is keyboard data corresponding to a GUI (Graphical User Interface) key + R key of the keyboard. is there.

  Since a command for an OS having a large share such as Windows is output to a local code reader, most communication terminals can be connected to a communication terminal (for example, a personal computer) simply by connecting the local code reader to this system. Available for.

  In the remote code reader system, the local code reader transmits different correspondence data to the communication terminal according to the installation location of the communication terminal for the same code.

  According to this configuration, even with the same code, the host computer can provide effective services and contents in consideration of the situation where the user is placed. Here, a case where the host computer receives a code attached to a product and provides the communication terminal with a web site on which a link related to the product is placed or a web site related to the product is given as an example. In this case, according to the present invention, the stage for the user's product (for example, before and after purchase, the store and the home) and the psychological state can be executed, so the stage and the psychological state for the user's product are considered. Provide effective services and content. This is because the stage or psychological state of the user's product depends on the installation location of the communication terminal (it can also be said to be the code transmission source or the connection location of the local code reader), that is, the location where the user is present. Because it can change.

  Therefore, for example, the installation location of the communication terminal is at least a personal home and a store, and the processing means recognizes that the communication terminal is installed in the personal home from the communication terminal installed in the personal home. The information which can recognize that the said communication terminal is installed in the store is received from the said communication terminal installed in the store.

  In addition, regardless of the hardware performance of the communication terminal, only the installation location of the communication terminal is considered in the processing. Therefore, when the category of the installation location of the communication terminal (for example, store and personal house) is different, the host computer executes different processing even if the hardware performance of the communication terminal is equivalent, and the hardware of the communication terminal Even if the performance is different, the host computer executes the same process if the category of the installation location of the communication terminal is the same. Of course, not only can the processing be varied depending on the installation location, but the processing can be further varied depending on the hardware performance of the communication terminal.

  As described above, even if the hardware performance of the communication terminal is equivalent, different services (including content) can be provided for the same code depending on the installation location of the communication terminal.

  In the remote code reader system, the host computer includes classification means for classifying the received code into any of a plurality of groups, and processing means for executing processing corresponding to the group to which the code belongs, The processing means transmits the correspondence data to the communication terminal when the code belongs to a predetermined group among the plurality of groups.

  According to this configuration, the host computer can execute processing according to the group to which the code belongs, and can transmit content corresponding to the group and content corresponding to the code to the communication terminal. Therefore, the communication terminal can display various contents according to the code. In other words, the user of the local code reader can be provided with various services according to the code from the host computer in response to sending the code to the host computer. In this case, the user can be provided with various different services as long as the user has at least one local code reader. In addition, the user of the local code reader does not need to search a site for receiving a desired service or content, and can immediately receive a service or content corresponding to the code by scanning the code.

  In the remote code reader system, the plurality of groups include a group of common product codes.

  According to this configuration, the host computer classifies the received code into the common product code group and the other group, and executes processing according to the classification result. The common product code is created for the purpose of use in the POS system and is not created for this system. That is, the common product code exists regardless of the present system, and is already widely used for the above purpose. Therefore, this system can provide a service by using a common product code that is already widely used in the world. On the other hand, codes other than the common product code are created for the purpose of providing a specific service using this system, and are not intended to be used for the POS system. That is, codes other than the common product code exist on the premise of this system. Therefore, for codes other than the common product code, various services can be provided by this system according to the purpose of creating each code.

  In this way, the common product code is different in character and character from other codes, but without being aware of it, the user can scan them with the same code reader and put them into a group of common product codes. It is possible to receive provision of corresponding services, and it is also possible to receive provision of various services corresponding to various codes of other groups.

  In addition, if it is assumed that a user can easily obtain an article with a common product code that is already widely used and that the network environment is in place, this system can be used immediately if there is a code reader. Can be used. On the other hand, the user can receive various services provided by scanning a group of codes other than the common product code.

  Furthermore, since the common product code that has already been widely used can be used for the system building side, the labor for introducing the system can be reduced as compared with the case of using only other codes.

  In this remote code reader system, the common product code is a code used for a POS (Point Of Sale) system. For example, the common product code is a JAN (Japan Article Number) code, an EAN (European Article Number) code, or a UPC (Universal Product Code) code.

  In this remote code reader system, when the received code is an in-store code, the host computer returns a predetermined message (for example, a message indicating that the service cannot be used) to the communication terminal.

  Further, in this remote code reader system, when the received code belongs to the group of common product codes, the host computer searches for information for generating a product-specific portal screen corresponding to the received code. Then, the information for generating the searched portal screen is transmitted to the communication terminal.

  According to this configuration, when a user who is interested in a product or a user who has purchased the product transmits code information unique to the product to a terminal installed in a store or a private house, the terminal The information for generating the portal screen (referred to as “individual portal screen”) can be received from the host computer, and the individual portal screen can be displayed. Since this individual portal screen is a product-specific screen indicated by the code information, it includes link information to a server of a manufacturer, a distributor, etc. (advertiser) that transmits information related to the product. Therefore, the user of the terminal can easily access a server such as a manufacturer or a distributor of the product via the individual portal screen, and can easily browse information on the desired product.

  Advertisers such as manufacturers and distributors can provide information about the product to the pinpoint via the individual portal screen for those who are actually interested in the product or who have purchased the product. There is an advantage. This is a significant difference from the traditional affiliate model.

  On the other hand, if the user of the terminal is interested in the product or wants to investigate something about the purchased product, the terminal user can simply send code information specific to the product to the individual portal specific to the product. A screen is displayed on the terminal. The user can easily access the target site via the individual portal screen. For this reason, using a general-purpose search engine, you can search by entering text that seems to be related to the product, or by using a conventional portal site service, It is much easier to obtain information about a product than to search for information on a desired product from inside.

  In addition, with conventional methods such as general-purpose search engines and portal site services, multiple product sites with the same or similar names appear in the search results, and the user does not know which information he wants. Although it may occur, this situation can be avoided. In addition, these conventional methods often hit confusing sites, informal sites, etc., which hinders advertisers from directing viewers to their servers. .

  As a result, the client terminal can efficiently support access to the advertiser's server that transmits information about the product.

  By the way, an operator of a host computer that distributes an individual portal screen (referred to as a “system operator”) can make money by obtaining a price from an advertiser in creating the individual portal screen. For example, only the advertiser's homepage link information is displayed on the individual portal screen without requesting the consideration, and the consideration is obtained from the advertiser who wants to display more link information on the individual portal screen. . As a result, the link information on the individual portal screen increases.

  The fact that there is a lot of link information displayed on the individual portal screen means that the product can be advertised from various angles, and the user is more willing to purchase than when there is little link information displayed on the individual portal screen. Can irritate. In other words, for the same type of product, the product sales amount of the advertiser of the individual portal screen with a lot of link information is expected to be larger than the product sales amount of the advertiser of the individual portal screen with a little link information. Therefore, it is expected that advertisers such as product manufacturers and distributors will be prompted to display additional link information even if they pay the price.

  For the same reason, it is clear that there is a difference in sales between stores such as retail stores that have introduced this system and stores that do not. Therefore, it can be expected that businesses that operate stores also introduce this system. In this case, the system operator can increase the profit by acquiring the consideration from the operator who operates each store.

  In this remote code reader system, the portal screen includes link information to a site related to the product indicated by the code information. For example, the link information purchases the link information to the advertiser's home page of the product indicated by the code information, the link information to the site that distributes the commercial video of the product indicated by the code information, and the product indicated by the code information. Link information to a site that can be used, link information to a site that displays an image of the product indicated by the code information, link information to a site that provides a description of the product indicated by the code information, and the code information indicates Link information to a site where user registration regarding the product can be performed, link information to a site conducting a questionnaire regarding the product indicated by the code information, or link information to a site where information on after-sales service related to the product indicated by the code information is posted, Or any combination thereof. According to this configuration, information on the product itself can be provided to the user from various angles via the portal screen. In particular, it is possible to conduct market research on various products by posting link information to sites that conduct questionnaires on the portal screen. Moreover, quick and real-time results can be obtained. In this way, the system operator can obtain useful information.

  In this remote code reader system, the portal screen includes link information to a site where user registration is possible, link information to a site where a questionnaire is being conducted, or any combination thereof. According to this configuration, it is also possible to collect user information and questionnaires that do not depend on “things” to which codes are assigned via the portal screen.

  Furthermore, in this remote code reader system, the portal screen includes link information to a site relating to a store or a retailer that sells the product indicated by the code information. According to this configuration, not only the convenience of the user can be further improved, but also the system operator can obtain compensation from a store or the like.

  In the remote code reader system, the code is assigned to a thing, which includes a tangible object including goods and real estate, an intangible object including information and service, a commodity, and a living thing including a person and an animal, Includes video, audio, programs, and data. In this case, the code may be a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, and / or a code stored in an IC tag. For example, the one-dimensional code is a one-dimensional barcode, the two-dimensional code is a QR code, and the IC tag is an RFID tag. In particular, the system can be further spread by using the barcode widely used for identifying individual products and specifying their manufacturers.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the host computer is any one of the remote code reader systems according to the first aspect. The effect is the same as that of the remote code reader system according to the first aspect.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the host computer is a host computer connected to a communication terminal connectable to a network and connected to a local code reader for reading a code via the network and the communication terminal. Receiving means for receiving the code sent by the local code reader, and processing means for sending data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal. The correspondence data includes first information for starting a predetermined computer program installed in the communication terminal.

  In the host computer, the correspondence data includes second information used by the predetermined computer program.

  In this case, the predetermined computer program accesses a predetermined server connected to the network based on the second information.

  In the host computer, the first information includes an extension associated with the predetermined computer program.

  Further, in the host computer, the correspondence data is passed to a browser of the communication terminal, the browser passes the correspondence data to an operating system of the communication terminal, and the operating system is configured to execute the predetermined computer based on the correspondence data. Start the program.

  Further, in the host computer, the predetermined computer program is a virtual globe application program for displaying satellite photographs and / or aerial photographs, and the first information is the extension associated with the virtual globe application program. The second information includes longitude and latitude information.

  In the host computer, the processing means transmits different correspondence data to the same code according to the installation location of the communication terminal.

  In this host computer, the processing means receives information from the communication terminal that enables the installation location of the communication terminal to be recognized. For example, the installation location of the communication terminal is at least a personal home and a store, and the processing means can recognize from the communication terminal installed in the personal home that the communication terminal is installed in the personal home. The information is received, and the information recognizing that the communication terminal is installed in the store is received from the communication terminal installed in the store.

  The host computer further includes classification means for classifying the received code into any of a plurality of groups, the processing means executing a process corresponding to the group to which the code belongs, wherein the code is the plurality of the plurality of groups. When belonging to a predetermined group among the groups, the processing means transmits the correspondence data to the communication terminal.

  In this case, at least one of the groups is a group of common product codes. The common product code is a code used for a POS (Point Of Sale) system. For example, the common product code is a JAN (Japan Article Number) code, an EAN (European Article Number) code, or a UPC (Universal Product Code) code.

  In the host computer, the processing means returns a predetermined message to the communication terminal when the received code is an in-store code.

  Further, in this host computer, when the received code belongs to the group of common product codes, the processing means searches for information for generating a product-specific portal screen corresponding to the received code, Information for generating the searched portal screen is transmitted to the communication terminal.

  In this host computer, the portal screen includes link information to a site related to the product indicated by the code information. For example, the link information purchases the link information to the advertiser's home page of the product indicated by the code information, the link information to the site that distributes the commercial video of the product indicated by the code information, and the product indicated by the code information. Link information to a site that can be used, link information to a site that displays an image of the product indicated by the code information, link information to a site that provides a description of the product indicated by the code information, and the code information indicates Link information to a site where user registration regarding the product can be performed, link information to a site conducting a questionnaire regarding the product indicated by the code information, or link information to a site where information on after-sales service related to the product indicated by the code information is posted, Or any combination thereof.

  In this host computer, the portal screen includes link information to a site where user registration is possible, link information to a site where a questionnaire is being conducted, or any combination thereof.

  Furthermore, in this host computer, the portal screen includes link information to a site relating to a store or a retailer that sells the product indicated by the code information.

  In the host computer, the codes are assigned to things, which include tangibles including goods and real estate, intangibles including information and services, commodities, and organisms including humans and animals. Includes video, audio, programs, and data. In this case, the code is a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, and / or a code stored in an IC tag. For example, the one-dimensional code is a one-dimensional barcode, the two-dimensional code is a QR code, and the IC tag is an RFID tag.

  The host computer according to the third aspect described above has the same effects as the remote code reader system according to the first aspect.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a code processing method comprising: a host computer connected to a communication terminal connectable to a network, and connected to a local code reader that reads a code via the network and the communication terminal; A code processing method to be executed, the step of receiving the code sent by the local code reader, and the data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal. And the correspondence data includes first information for starting a predetermined computer program installed in the communication terminal.

  In this code processing method, the correspondence data includes second information used by the predetermined computer program.

  In this case, the predetermined computer program accesses a predetermined server connected to the network based on the second information.

  In the code processing method, the first information includes an extension associated with the predetermined computer program.

  Further, in the code processing method, the correspondence data is passed to a browser of the communication terminal, the browser passes the correspondence data to an operating system of the communication terminal, and the operating system is configured to execute the predetermined data based on the correspondence data. Start a computer program.

  Furthermore, in the code processing method, the predetermined computer program is a virtual globe application program that displays a satellite photograph and / or an aerial photograph, and the first information is the extension associated with the virtual globe application program. The second information includes information on longitude and latitude.

  In the code processing method, the step of transmitting transmits the corresponding data different to the same code depending on the installation location of the communication terminal.

  The code processing method further includes a step of receiving information capable of recognizing the installation location of the communication terminal from the communication terminal. For example, the installation location of the communication terminal is at least a personal home and a store, and the receiving step can recognize from the communication terminal installed in the personal home that the communication terminal is installed in the personal home. The information is received, and the information recognizing that the communication terminal is installed in the store is received from the communication terminal installed in the store.

  The code processing method further includes a step of classifying the received code into any of a plurality of groups, and a step of executing a process corresponding to the group to which the code belongs, wherein the transmitting step includes the step of: When the code belongs to a predetermined group among the plurality of groups, the correspondence data is transmitted to the communication terminal.

  In this case, at least one of the groups is a group of common product codes. The common product code is a code used for a POS (Point Of Sale) system. For example, the common product code is a JAN (Japan Article Number) code, an EAN (European Article Number) code, or a UPC (Universal Product Code) code.

  The code processing method further includes a step of returning a predetermined message to the communication terminal when the received code is an in-store code.

  Further, in the code processing method, when the received code belongs to the group of common product codes, information for generating a product-specific portal screen corresponding to the received code is searched, and the searched portal The method further includes transmitting information for generating a screen to the communication terminal.

  In this code processing method, the portal screen includes link information to a site related to a product indicated by the code information. For example, the link information purchases the link information to the advertiser's home page of the product indicated by the code information, the link information to the site that distributes the commercial video of the product indicated by the code information, and the product indicated by the code information. Link information to a site that can be used, link information to a site that displays an image of the product indicated by the code information, link information to a site that provides a description of the product indicated by the code information, and the code information indicates Link information to a site where user registration regarding the product can be performed, link information to a site conducting a questionnaire regarding the product indicated by the code information, or link information to a site where information on after-sales service related to the product indicated by the code information is posted, Or any combination thereof.

  In this code processing method, the portal screen includes link information to a site where user registration is possible, link information to a site conducting a questionnaire, or any combination thereof.

  Furthermore, in this code processing method, the portal screen includes link information to a site related to a store or a retailer that sells the product indicated by the code information.

  In the code processing method, the code is assigned to a thing, and the thing includes a tangible object including goods and real estate, an intangible object including information and services, a commodity, and a living thing including a person and an animal. , Video, audio, programs, and data. In this case, the code is a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, and / or a code stored in an IC tag. For example, the one-dimensional code is a one-dimensional barcode, the two-dimensional code is a QR code, and the IC tag is an RFID tag.

  The code processing method according to the fourth aspect described above has the same effects as the remote code reader system according to the first aspect described above.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the code processing program is a computer program for executing the code processing method according to the fourth aspect. The effect is the same as that of the remote code reader system according to the first aspect.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a recording medium is a computer-readable recording medium that records a code processing program according to the fifth aspect.

  Examples of the recording medium include a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, a CD (including a CD-ROM and a Video-CD), a DVD (including a DVD-Video, a DVD-ROM, and a DVD-RAM), a ROM. Cartridges, RAM memory cartridges with battery backup, flash memory cartridges, non-volatile RAM cartridges and the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is incorporated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a remote barcode reader system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the remote barcode reader system includes a host computer 1 and a plurality of and arbitrary local barcode readers 7 that read an arbitrary barcode 11. As the local barcode reader 7, any type of barcode reader such as a pen scanner, a CCD touch scanner, a hand laser scanner, a fixed laser scanner, or a slot reader can be used.

  Here, the bar code is a comprehensive expression of bar code information and a bar code pattern, and when it is not necessary to strictly distinguish these, the term bar code is simply used. From another point of view, the barcode includes intangibles such as objects (tangibles such as goods and real estate, information (including video, audio, programs, and data) and services), living things such as goods, people and animals. ), A code assigned to something that can be identified by some other means.

  Bar code information means character strings such as numbers, letters, and symbols. The barcode pattern means a pattern in which barcode information is expressed by a combination of a black bar and a white space. The same reference symbol “11” is attached to the barcode and the barcode pattern.

  The host computer 1 and each local barcode reader 7 are connected via the Internet 3 and a fixed terminal 5f or a portable terminal 5m. The fixed terminal 5f is an arbitrary stationary computer such as a desktop computer having a communication function. The portable terminal 5m is an arbitrary portable computer such as a notebook computer having a communication function, or an arbitrary portable communication terminal such as a cellular phone and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish the fixed terminal 5f and the portable terminal 5m, these are described as the terminal 5.

  The illustrated example will be described. A personal local barcode reader 7 is connected to the Internet 3 via a fixed terminal 5f and an access network (not shown), and is further connected to the host computer 1 via an access network (not shown). Another personal local barcode reader 7 is connected to the Internet 3 via the portable terminal 5m and an access network (not shown), and further connected to the host computer 1 via the access network. A local barcode reader 7 in a certain private home is connected to the Internet 3 via a fixed terminal 5f, a user network 9 such as a LAN, and an access network (not shown), and further connected to the host computer 1 via the access network. The

  A local barcode reader 7 of company A (for example, a company that develops a convenience store chain) is connected to the Internet 3 via a fixed terminal 5f, a user network 9 such as a LAN, and an access network (not shown). To the host computer 1. A local barcode reader 7 of a store (for example, a convenience store) operated by company A is connected to the Internet 3 via a fixed terminal 5f, a user network 9 such as a LAN, and an access network (not shown). Via the host computer 1.

  A local barcode reader 7 of a store operated by a rival company B, which is different from company A, is connected to the Internet 3 via a fixed terminal 5f, a user network 9 such as a LAN, and an access network (not shown), It is connected to the host computer 1 via an access network.

  Here, the local barcode reader 7 and the fixed terminal 5f of each store of the A company and the B company are not POS terminals. However, it is also possible to use a POS terminal.

  The illustration is an example, and the host computer 1 is connected to various arbitrary and various local barcode readers 7 through various networks including the Internet 3 beyond the boundaries of individuals and companies. Therefore, the host computer 1 can collect an arbitrary and a plurality of various barcodes globally. Bar codes 11 are classified into a plurality of groups. The host computer 1 performs processing according to the group to which the barcode 11 belongs, and provides a service to the user through the processing. In this case, the host computer 1 can provide services (including contents) via the Internet 3 and the terminal 5. However, based on the processing result of the host computer 1, not only the Internet 3, but also a service can be provided not only by the WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), other networks, and a combination of these networks. . The same applies to the collection of the barcode 11. Note that the WAN includes a telephone line network, a dedicated line, a power line communication network, a CATV, and the like. Further, the service can be provided by another route (broadcast, postal mail, other communication means, home delivery service, etc.) in response to the processing result of the host computer 1 without going through the network. In other words, a network is required to collect the barcode 11, but the service provided to the user may be provided by any method.

  Here, the above group into which the barcode 11 is classified is exemplified. The first example is a group of barcodes printed on a paper medium such as a magazine, and the host computer 1 receives the barcode and relates to the paper medium on which the barcode is printed or its description (for example, advertisement). The URL of the WEB site where the information is posted is given to the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 displays it. The second example is a group of barcodes assigned to each company in a printed matter in which stock price information such as company quarterly information is described. The host computer 1 receives the barcode and obtains stock price information of the corresponding company. The URL of the posted WEB site is given to the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 displays it.

  The third example is a group of barcodes assigned to each company in a printed matter in which job posting information is described, and the host computer 1 receives the barcode and receives the job information of the corresponding company. The URL is given to the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 displays it. The fourth example is a group of barcodes assigned to each landscape in a printed matter in which landscape photographs are described, and the host computer 1 receives the barcode, and the URL of the WEB site on which the details of the corresponding landscape are posted. Is given to the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 displays it.

  The fifth example is a group of barcodes assigned to each article in a newspaper. The host computer 1 receives this barcode and gives the terminal 5 the URL of the WEB site on which the details of the corresponding article are posted. The terminal 5 displays this. The sixth example is a group of barcodes assigned to a business card, and the host computer 1 receives this barcode and gives the terminal 5 the URL of the WEB site where the detailed information of the owner of the corresponding business card is posted. The terminal 5 displays this.

  The seventh example is a group of barcodes assigned to each item in the book, and the host computer 1 receives this barcode and gives the URL of the WEB site on which details of the corresponding item are posted to the terminal 5. The terminal 5 displays this. The eighth example is a group of barcodes assigned to each title in a music CD or movie DVD, and the host computer 1 receives the barcode and receives a WEB site where the corresponding music or movie can be viewed. The URL is given to the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 displays it.

  The ninth example is a group of barcodes assigned to each attached drawing in the trading card, and the host computer 1 receives this barcode and returns the URL of the WEB site where information on the corresponding drawing is posted. This is given to the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 displays it. The tenth example is a group of barcodes printed on a receipt issued after shopping, and the host computer 1 receives the barcode and relates to a store that has issued a receipt on which the barcode is printed. The URL of the WEB site where the information (for example, sale information) is posted is given to the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 displays it.

  The eleventh example is a group of common product codes, and the host computer 1 receives the barcode of this group and gives the terminal 5 a URL in which information related to the product indicated by the barcode is posted. Is displayed. The common product code is a code used for a POS (Point Of Sale) system, for example, a JAN (Japan Article Number) code, an EAN (European Article Number) code, and a UPC (Universal Product Code) code.

  As described above, in this system, the barcode 11 is classified into one of a plurality of groups, and the host computer 1 executes processing according to the group to which the received barcode 11 belongs, and content corresponding to the group. The content corresponding to the received barcode 11 is provided to the terminal 5. Needless to say, the above group is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the local barcode reader 7 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing how the ROM 19 built in the MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 15 of FIG. It is an illustration figure which shows the storage state of a program and data. With reference to FIG. 2A, the local barcode reader 7 includes a scanner 13, an MCU 15, and a communication device 17. The scanner 13 optically reads the barcode pattern 11 and converts the bar and space into an electrical signal (scanning). As described above, an arbitrary method can be adopted as the scanning method in this case. An electrical signal corresponding to the barcode pattern 11 from the scanner 13 is given to the MCU 15.

  The MCU 15 includes a CPU (not shown), a RAM (not shown), an A / D converter, a ROM 19 shown in FIG. The ROM 19 includes a decoding program 21, a keyboard emulation program 23, an output control program 25, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) 27 of the host computer 1 represented by keyboard data, a command 29 to the terminal 5 represented by keyboard data, a keyboard The serial number 30 represented by data and other necessary programs and data are stored.

  The command 29 is a command for instructing the terminal 5 to start a browser and access the host computer 1 indicated by the URL 27. For example, when the OS (Operating System) is Windows (registered trademark), the command is keyboard data corresponding to a GUI (Graphical User Interface) key + R key in Windows 98 or later. With this command, a browser (Internet Explorer) is activated in Windows. That is, this command is prepared in advance in Windows as an OS. Note that the Windows GUI key is commonly called the Windows key. Since a command for an OS having a large share such as Windows is stored in the local barcode reader 7 and outputted, most of the terminals 5 can be connected to the terminal 5 simply by connecting the local barcode reader 7 to the terminal 5. Available for. Therefore, the local barcode reader 7 does not need to store a plurality of commands in advance, recognize the OS for each terminal 5, and select and use a command corresponding to the OS.

  The serial number 30 is a unique number assigned to identify the local barcode reader 7.

  The MCU 15 executes the decoding program 21, decodes the electric signal corresponding to the input barcode pattern 11, and acquires barcode information. Then, the MCU 15 executes the keyboard emulation program 23, converts the barcode information into keyboard data, and stores it in the RAM. Then, the MCU 15 executes the output control program 25, acquires the command 29, URL 27, and serial number 30 from the ROM 19, acquires barcode information from the RAM, and passes these keyboard data to the communication device 17.

  The communication device 17 is, for example, a USB controller or the like, and transmits keyboard data (command 29, URL 27, barcode information, and serial number 30) received from the MCU 15 to the terminal 5. Then, in response to the received command 29, the terminal 5 transmits the received barcode information and serial number 30 to the host computer 1 via the Internet 3 based on the received URL 27. Note that personal information can be arbitrarily registered by the user from the terminal 5, but care must be taken in handling it. Since the host computer 1 acquires the serial number 30, it must be handled particularly strictly.

  Note that an EEPROM, a flash memory, or the like can be mounted outside the MCU 15 so that the URL, program, and the like can be changed. In the figure, the MCU 15 and the communication device 17 are illustrated as separate ones, but may be integrated.

  Referring to FIG. 3, in step S1, local barcode reader 7 reads barcode pattern 11 in response to a user operation. In step S3, the local barcode reader 7 decodes the barcode pattern 11 based on a known barcode decoding method.

  In step S5, the local barcode reader 7 converts the barcode information, which is the decoding result, into keyboard data and stores it in the RAM. In step S 7, the local barcode reader 7 acquires the URL 27 (for example, “http://www.ssd.co.jp”) of the host computer 1 as keyboard data from the ROM 19, and ends the URL 27. Are added with barcode information (for example, “4560256580016”) and serial number 30 (for example, “132222159”) as keyboard data, and a new URL (for example, “http://www.ssd.co.jp/”) is added. ? Bc = 4560256580016 & sn = 13222159 ").

  In step S9, the local barcode reader 7 obtains from the ROM 19 a command 29 in the form of keyboard data that instructs the terminal 5 to activate the browser and access the host computer 1, and stores it in the RAM. In step S 11, the local barcode reader 7 outputs keyboard data (command 29 and URL (URL 27 + barcode information + serial number 30)) to the terminal 5.

  The terminal 5 receives the keyboard data output from the local barcode reader 7. In step S21, the terminal 5 starts the browser in response to the command 29 given from the local barcode reader 7, and in step S23, based on the URL received from the local barcode reader 7, the host 5 Access the computer 1. At this time, the URL is transmitted to the host computer 1.

  Then, the host computer 1 receives the URL (including the barcode information and the serial number 30). In step S31, the host computer 1 executes processing corresponding to the group to which the received barcode information belongs, and generates content corresponding to the group and corresponding to the barcode information. In step S33, the host computer 1 transmits content corresponding to the barcode information (for example, described in HTML) to the terminal 5 in accordance with the processing in step S31.

  In step S25, the terminal 5 displays the content transmitted from the host computer 1 on the display (for example, analyzes the received HTML information and displays the WEB page). In step S27, the terminal 5 performs processing and communication with the host computer 1 in accordance with an input from the user. Similarly, in step S <b> 35, the host computer 1 performs processing and communication with the terminal 5 in response to access from the terminal 5. The content provided from the host computer 1 to the terminal 5, that is, the content provided to the user is an example of a service provided to the user. Examples of services provided to users will be described below as application examples of the system.

  A supplementary explanation of step S23 will be given. In step S23, more specifically, the terminal 5 accesses a DNS (Domain Name System) server and acquires an IP address corresponding to the domain name (in the above example, “www.ssd.co.jp”). Then, the URL including the barcode information and the serial number 30 together with the IP address is transmitted to a network including the Internet 3 to access the host computer 1 and transmit the barcode information and the serial number 30 to the host computer 1. However, since these processes are performed by a well-known protocol, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, arbitrary and plural local barcode readers 7 are connected to the host computer 1 via various networks including the Internet 3 and arbitrary and plural terminals 5 connected thereto. Connected to. In other words, the host computer 1 is connected with various arbitrary and various local barcode readers 7 beyond the boundaries of individuals and companies. Therefore, the host computer 1 can collect an arbitrary and a plurality of various barcodes 11 globally. Then, the host computer 1 executes processing corresponding to the group to which the barcode 11 belongs, and transmits content corresponding to the group and content corresponding to the barcode 11 to the terminal 5. Therefore, the terminal 5 can display various contents according to the barcode 11. In other words, the user of the local barcode reader 7 can be provided with various services according to the barcode 11 from the host computer 1 in response to the transmission of the barcode 11 to the host computer 1. In this case, as long as the user owns at least one local barcode reader 7, the user can be provided with various different services. For example, the user can receive the services of the first to eleventh examples described above with one local barcode reader 7. In addition, the user of the local barcode reader 7 does not need to search a WEB site for receiving a desired service or content. By scanning the barcode 11, the user of the service or content corresponding to the barcode 11 is immediately scanned. You can receive the offer.

  In this embodiment, the local barcode reader 7 outputs the URL 27 and the command 29 of the host computer 1 together with the barcode 11 to the terminal 5. In response to this, the terminal 5 transmits the barcode 11 to the host computer 1. That is, the barcode 11 is transmitted with the scanning of the barcode 11 as a trigger. Therefore, the user of the local barcode reader 7 can transmit the barcode 11 to the host computer 1 without operating the terminal 5 by simply reading the barcode 11 with the local barcode reader 7. In addition, the user does not need to install software for transmitting the barcode 11 to the host computer 1 in the terminal 5 or input the URL 27 of the host computer 1. As a result, the convenience of the user can be improved.

  Further, since the serial number 30 of the local barcode reader 7 is transmitted to the host computer 1, the user can determine the content of the content for the user regardless of the terminal 5 to which the local barcode reader 7 is connected. You can receive the offer. That is, as long as the user uses his / her local bar code reader 7, the user can be provided with content for himself / herself at any terminal 5. Of course, in this case, the host computer 1 executes processing associated with the serial number 30 of the local barcode reader 7 and transmits the content corresponding to the serial number 30 to the terminal 5. By the way, transmission of the serial number 30 from the local barcode reader 7 or the terminal 5 is an option, and does not necessarily have to be transmitted.

  In the above example, the host computer 1 functions as a WEB server. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in that case, a protocol corresponding to the server is used and the URL is also different. The host computer 1 can also have a plurality of types of server functions.

  Next, an application example of the remote barcode reader system of FIG. 1 will be described.

  (Application 1)

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an advertisement support system to which the remote barcode reader system of FIG. 1 is applied. With reference to FIG. 4, the advertisement support system includes a center server 31 connected to a network 33. The network 33 includes various networks such as the Internet and a LAN (Local Area Network).

  A personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 43 is installed in each of the personal residences 41-1 to 41-n (n is an integer of 1 or more), and a barcode attached to the product is provided on the PC 40. Is connected to the barcode reader 7. The PC 43 is connected to the network 33.

  A computer 37 is installed in each of the stores 35-1 to 35 -k (k is an integer of 1 or more). The computer 37 has a monitor 39 and a barcode reader 7 for reading a barcode attached to the product. Is connected. A plurality of sets are installed in each of the stores 35-1 to 35 -k, and each computer 37 is connected to the network 33.

  A server 77 is installed in each of the store head offices 75-1 to 75 -p (p is an integer of 1 or more) and connected to the network 33.

  A server 47 is installed in each of the advertisers 45-1 to 45 -m (m is an integer of 1 or more) of various products, and is connected to the network 33.

  Here, the personal homes 41-1 to 41-n are collectively referred to as personal homes 41-N, the stores 35-1 to 35-k are collectively referred to as stores 35-K, and the advertiser 45 -1 to 45-m are collectively referred to as an advertiser 45-M, and the store headquarters 75-1 to 75-p are collectively referred to as a store headquarter 75-P.

  Various known servers can be used as the center server 31, the advertiser 47-M server 47, and the store head office 75-P server 77. In this embodiment, an example using a WEB server will be given. Further, the advertiser 45-M refers to a business located mainly in the upstream of distribution, such as a product manufacturer or a merchant of the product, and the store headquarters 75-P is mainly located in the downstream of distribution such as a retailer. The business operator is located, the store 35-K indicates a store managed by the store headquarters 75-P, and the personal home 41-N indicates a consumer home.

  Here, the center server 31 corresponds to the host computer 1 of FIG. The PC 43, the computer 37, and the monitor 39 correspond to the fixed terminal 5f in FIG. The bar code reader 7 corresponds to the local bar code reader 7 of FIG.

  Next, an outline of the advertisement support system in FIG. 4 will be described. In this case, communication among the center server 31, the personal residence 41-N, and the advertiser 45-M is taken as an example.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an outline of the advertisement support system. Referring to FIG. 5A, in step S50, the barcode reader 7 scans and decodes the barcode pattern 11 in response to the user's operation, and displays the barcode information represented by the barcode pattern 11. get.

  In step S51, the PC 43 receives the barcode information output from the barcode reader 7, and transmits it to the center server 31 via the network 33 in step S52. In step S <b> 53, the center server 31 transmits information for displaying an individual portal screen corresponding to the barcode information received from the PC 43 to the PC 43 via the network 33. Then, the PC 43 displays an individual portal screen based on the received information.

  The individual portal (entrance) screen is a screen that is prepared for each type of product and displays link information related to the product. That is, the individual portal screen is prepared for each product on a one-to-one basis.

  FIG. 5B is an illustration of a first individual portal screen 100 that is a first example of an individual portal screen prepared for a certain product. Referring to FIG. 5B, the first individual portal screen 100 is for purchasing a product indicated by the barcode button 102 of the homepage (HP) of the advertiser 45-M of the product indicated by the barcode information and the barcode information. WEB site link button 104, WEB site link button 106 that distributes commercials (CMs) indicated by barcode information, WEB site link button 118 for bar code information after-sales service, bar Link button 108 to the WEB site for explaining the product indicated by the code information, Link button 116 to the WEB site for the product related to the product indicated by the barcode information, Link button 110 to the WEB site for user registration , And a link button 112 to a WEB site for conducting a questionnaire. A cursor 114 is displayed on the first individual portal screen 100. In this example, the related product indicated by the link button 116 is a product provided by the advertiser 45-M of the product indicated by the barcode information. The link button 110 is assumed to be a link to a site for performing user registration for this system. However, it may be a link to a site where user registration for the product indicated by the barcode information is performed, or may be both of them. Collecting user information is quick and easy.

  Furthermore, the link button 112 is a link to a site for conducting a questionnaire for the product indicated by the barcode information. Accordingly, it is possible to conduct market research on various products. Moreover, quick and real-time results can be obtained. In this way, the advertisement support provider can obtain useful information. However, the link button 112 may be a link for conducting a questionnaire for other purposes instead of a link to a site for conducting a questionnaire for the product indicated by the barcode information. In this case, it is possible to collect questionnaires that do not depend on products to which barcodes are assigned.

  However, as a default (no charge from the advertiser 45-M), the link button 102 on the home page of the advertiser 45-M, the link button 110 for performing user registration of this system, and the link button 112 for performing a questionnaire Only is displayed. The other link buttons 104, 106, 108, 116 and 118 are optional only when the advertiser 45 -M becomes a member of the advertising support system of the business operator (advertising support business operator) that operates the center server 31. Is displayed. However, when the link button 104 is not a link to the purchase site of the advertiser 45-M but a link to the purchase site of another merchandise seller, the link button 104 is displayed as a default. This is because, in this case, the advertisement support business can obtain income from the affiliate.

  As a charging method from the member, a fixed cost type such as annual fee collection, a click type that charges according to the number of clicks (presses) of the link button displayed on the first individual portal screen 100, or a result (product of product) Any of the performance-reward types that receive rewards from members according to purchase, etc., or a combination thereof may be used.

  When the user of the PC 43 presses any of the link buttons 102, 104, 106, 108, 116, and 118, the PC 43 is based on the URL corresponding to the pressed link button in step S54 of FIG. Then, the server 47 of the advertiser 45 -M is accessed via the network 33. Then, in step S55, the server 47 transmits information for displaying the WEB page corresponding to the pressed link button to the PC 43 via the network 33. In response to this, the PC 43 displays the WEB page.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the computer 37 and the monitor 39 of the store 35 -K correspond to the PC 43 of the personal home 41 -N, and the bar code reader 7 of the store 35 -K is the bar code reader 7 of the personal home 41 -N. It corresponds to. Therefore, communication among the center server 31, the store 35-K, and the advertiser 45-M is performed between the center server 31, the personal residence 41-N, and the advertiser 45-M shown in FIG. This is the same as communication and will not be described.

  Further, the content of the individual portal screen displayed on the monitor 39 of the store 35-K is the same as the content of the first individual portal screen 100 of FIG. 5B displayed on the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. Description is omitted. However, in this case, a link button unique to the store 35-K, for example, a link button to a WEB site on which sale information, privilege information, etc. of the store 35-K can be displayed on the individual portal screen.

  When the business operator who operates the center server 31 introduces the advertising support system to the store 35-K, the business owner of the store 35-K must become a member and collect a fixed fee such as an annual fee. Is preferred (fixed cost type). As for the link button unique to the store 35-K, a click type or a result reward type can be adopted as in the case of the advertiser 45-M.

  Next, details of the center server 31 will be described.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the center server 31 of FIG. 6A, the center server 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 54, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 56, and an input / output interface. (Input / output I / F) 66, output unit 58, input unit 60, communication unit 62, drive 64, and bus 68.

  A RAM 52, ROM 54, HDD 56, and input / output I / F 66 are connected to the CPU 50 via a bus 68. The input / output I / F 66 includes an output unit 58 such as an LCD display, an input unit 60 such as a mouse or a keyboard, a communication unit 62 such as a LAN card or USB controller that manages connection to the network 33, and a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM A drive 64 for a removable recording medium 65 such as is connected to each other.

  The hardware configurations of the PC 43, the computer 37, the server 47, and the server 77 are the same as the hardware configuration of the center server 31, and the description thereof is omitted. The hardware configurations of the host computer 1 and the fixed terminal 5f in FIG. 1 are the same as the hardware configuration of the center server 31. Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the portable terminal 5m in FIG. 1 is well known.

  FIG. 6B is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the storage area 200 of the center server 31. As shown in FIG. 6B, the storage area 200 of the HDD 56 and ROM 54 of the center server 31 includes a program storage unit 210, a first individual portal screen file 230, a user registration file 240, and a questionnaire file 260.

  The first individual portal screen file 230 includes a database in which barcode information 232 assigned to each type of product and individual portal screen information 234 corresponding to the product indicated by the barcode information 232 are associated with each other.

  FIG. 6C is a diagram showing the configuration of the first individual portal screen file 230. Referring to FIG. 6C, the first individual portal screen file 230 is a file in which the barcode information 232 and the individual portal screen information 234 are associated with each product. The individual portal screen information 234 includes the URL of the advertiser home page corresponding to the link button 102 in FIG. 5B, the URL of the product description site corresponding to the link button 108, the URL of the product purchase site corresponding to the link button 104, and the link. The URL of the product commercial site corresponding to the button 106, the URL of the user registration site corresponding to the link button 110, the URL of the questionnaire site corresponding to the link button 112, the URL of the related product site corresponding to the link button 116, and the link button 118 URL of the after-service site corresponding to. In FIG. 6C, the protocol (http: //) is omitted.

  Returning to FIG. 6B, the user registration file 240 includes the user identification information (ID) 242 and the first individual portal screen 100 displayed on the PC 43 of the personal residence 41 -N and the monitor 39 of the store 35 -K. The user information 244, the point information 246, and the household account book information 248 registered through the (link button 110) are configured by a database associated with each other. The user information is various information related to the user such as name, sex, age, date of birth, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and occupation. The point information 246 is a point added under certain conditions when the link button on the first individual portal screen 100 is pressed. When a certain point is accumulated, a privilege is given to the user. The household account book information 248 is a file that stores the daily expenditure of the user. The user can access the household account book information 248 from the PC 43 or the computer 37 by inputting the user ID and password.

  The questionnaire file 260 is configured by a database that stores questionnaire results collected via the first individual portal screen 100 (link button 112) displayed on the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N or the monitor 39 of the store 35-K. The

  The program storage unit 210 includes a communication control unit 212, a first individual portal screen search unit 214, an individual portal screen generation unit 215, a user registration unit 216, a household account book creation unit 218, and a questionnaire totaling unit 220. Each of these functional units is a computer software program installed in the ROM 54 and / or the HDD 56 or a subroutine in one program. These programs are stored in the removable recording medium 65 and are then installed in the center server 31. Each of these functional units will be described using the following flowchart.

  Next, a communication procedure among the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M, the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N, and the center server 31 will be described using a flowchart.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure of the advertisement support system. In FIG. 7, communication using a well-known protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) or HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is performed, and thus detailed description of these communication procedures is omitted. The

  Referring to FIG. 7, in step S <b> 200, PC 43 of personal residence 41 -N starts a browser in response to a command given from barcode reader 7. In step S202, the PC 43 accesses the center server 31 based on the URL given from the barcode reader 7, and receives the URL (including barcode information and the serial number 30) given from the barcode reader 7. To the center server 31. Here, the processing of the barcode reader 7 before the PC 43 receives these pieces of information is the same as steps S1 to S11 in FIG. It should be noted that the URL 19 of the center server 31 is stored in the ROM 19 of the barcode reader 7.

  The communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 receives the URL including the barcode information and the serial number 30. In step S300, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 of the center server 31 accesses the first individual portal screen file 230, and the URL associated with the received barcode information (see FIG. 6C). )

  In step S302, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 of the center server 31 displays HTML (HyperText Markup Language) information for displaying on the PC 43 the first individual portal screen 100 including the link button corresponding to the URL acquired in step S300. Is generated. In step S304, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the generated HTML information to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N.

  Here, for each barcode information, an HTML file for displaying the first individual portal screen 100 is created in advance, the HTML file is searched using the barcode information as an index, and this is transmitted to the PC 43. Also good.

  The PC 43 receives the HTML information of the first individual portal screen 100, analyzes the HTML information in step S204, and displays the first individual portal screen 100. In step S206, the PC 43 determines whether any one of the link buttons 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 116, or 118 on the first individual portal screen 100 has been pressed. Returns to step S206, and if pressed, proceeds to step S208.

  If the link button pressed in step S206 is one of the link buttons 102, 106, 108, 116, and 118, the PC 43 proceeds to step S210 (step S208), and either of the link buttons 110 and 112 is selected. If it is, the process proceeds to step S216 (step S208), and if it is the link button 104, the process proceeds to step S1060 in FIG. 8 (step S208).

  In step S210, the PC 43 accesses the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M based on the URL corresponding to the pressed link button. Then, the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M transmits the corresponding HTML information to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N in step S100. The PC 43 receives this HTML information, analyzes it, and displays the WEB site. In this case, if the link button pressed in step S206 is the link button 108, a WEB site for explaining the product indicated by the barcode information transmitted in step S202 is displayed. The homepage of the advertiser 45-M of the product indicated by the code information is displayed. In the case of the link button 106, a WEB site that distributes the commercial of the product indicated by the barcode information is displayed. If the link button pressed in step S206 is the link button 116, the WEB site of the product related to the product indicated by the barcode information is displayed, and if the link button 118 is the link button 118, the item of the product indicated by the barcode information is displayed. A web site for after-sales service is displayed.

  In step S214, the PC 43 performs processing and communication with the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M according to the input from the user. In step S <b> 102, the server 47 performs processing and communication with the PC 43 in response to access from the PC 43.

  On the other hand, in step S216, the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N accesses the center server 31 based on the URL corresponding to the pressed link button. Then, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the corresponding HTML information to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N in step S306. In this case, when the link button pressed in step S206 is the link button 110, the user registration unit 216 of the center server 31 generates HTML information of the WEB site for performing user registration. In the center server 31, the questionnaire totaling unit 220 generates HTML information of a WEB site for conducting a questionnaire.

  The PC 43 receives and analyzes the HTML information, and displays the WEB site in step S218. In this case, if the link button pressed in step S206 is the link button 110, a WEB site for performing user registration is displayed, and if the link button 112 is the link button 112, a WEB site for performing a questionnaire is displayed. .

  In step S220, the PC 43 performs processing and communication with the center server 31 in response to an input from the user. In step S <b> 308, the center server 31 performs processing and communication with the PC 43 in response to access from the PC 43. In this case, when the link button pressed in step S206 is the link button 110, the user registration unit 216 of the center server 31 executes various processes for performing user registration and stores the result in the user registration unit 216. In the case of the link button 112, the questionnaire totaling unit 220 of the center server 31 executes various processes for collecting and counting the questionnaires, and stores the results in the questionnaire file 260.

  If it is determined in step S206 in FIG. 7 that the link button 104 has been pressed, with reference to FIG. 8, in step S1060, the PC 43 performs an electronic commerce site (that is, based on the URL corresponding to the pressed link button 104). , The electronic commerce server (not shown) of the business operator who operates the product purchase site. Then, this server transmits the corresponding HTML information to the PC 43 in step S1050. In step S1062, the PC 43 receives the HTML information, analyzes it, and displays the electronic commerce site. In step S1064, the PC 43 performs communication with the processing and electronic commerce server in accordance with an input from the user. In step S1052, the server performs processing and communication with the PC 43 in response to an access from the PC 43, and accepts an order for a product indicated by the barcode information. The electrical configuration of this server is the same as that of the center server 31 in FIG.

  Here, the household account book creation unit 218 of the center server 31 will be described. User registration is performed, and a household account book creation service is provided to a desired user. The household account book creation unit 218 calculates daily expenditure based on the barcode information transmitted from the user's PC 43, creates a household account book, associates it with the user ID, and stores it in the user registration file 240. In this case, the name of the product is acquired from the barcode information, but the price of the product is input by the user to the PC 43 and given to the center server 31.

  The computer 37 and the monitor 39 of the store 35-K correspond to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N, and communication between the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M, the computer 37 of the store 35-K, and the center server 31. The procedure is the same as that of the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  Now, the first individual portal screen 100 in FIG. 5B is an example of the individual portal screen. Another example of the first individual portal screen 130 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of the first individual portal screen 130 in the first application example. Referring to FIG. 9, the first individual portal screen 130 includes a frame 132 managed by the advertisement support provider alone and a frame 134 managed by the advertiser 45 -M. However, the advertiser 45-M manages the contents of the frame 134, and the system is managed by the advertisement support provider. A cursor 114 is displayed on the first individual portal screen 130.

  The frame 132 includes a personal home button 136, a purchase button 138, a questionnaire button 140, and a help button 142. When the user moves the cursor 114 to the personal home button 136 and clicks it, the personal site is displayed. This personal site is a WEB site assigned for each user, and is a WEB site for displaying and managing user-specific information. For example, the personal site performs history display and management of the barcode 11 scanned by the user. A table in which the URL of the personal site is associated with the serial number 30 of the barcode reader 7 is prepared in the HDD 56. Therefore, the center server 31 can acquire the corresponding URL by referring to this table using the received serial number 30 as an index.

  When the user moves the cursor 114 to the purchase button 138 and clicks it, a product purchase site (that is, an electronic commerce site) is displayed. This product purchase site is a site for performing a procedure for purchasing the product displayed in the frame 134, that is, the product indicated by the scanned barcode 11. When the user moves the cursor 114 to the questionnaire button 140 and clicks it, a questionnaire site is displayed. This questionnaire site is a site for the user to input an answer to the questionnaire. When the user moves the cursor 114 to the help button 142 and clicks it, a help site is displayed. This help site is a site that explains in detail how to use this system to the user.

  The frame 134 displays an image 144 of the product indicated by the scanned barcode 11, a barcode field 146 indicating barcode information indicated by the scanned barcode 11, and various types of information regarding the product indicated by the scanned barcode 11. The product information column 148, 150, 152, 154 to represent is included. The merchandise information columns 148, 150, 152, and 154 are each composed of an upper row (title column) and a lower row (text column). In the example of FIG. 9, the product information column 148 describes a title (book title) and text (XaviX dictionary). In the product information column 150, a title (author) and a text (new generation Taro) are described. In the product information column 152, a title (price) and a text (800 yen) are described. In the product information column 154, a title (publisher) and a text (new generation corporation) are described. In this example, these fields 148, 150, and 154 are link buttons. Therefore, the user can browse a WEB site that provides more detailed information regarding each piece of information by moving the cursor 114 to the desired product information column 148, 150, 154 and clicking.

  Next, a method for generating the first individual portal screen 130 performed by the center server 31 will be described. When the first individual portal screen 130 is generated, the individual portal screen table of FIG. 10 stored in the HDD 56 is referred to.

  Referring to FIG. 10, this table is a table in which barcodes are associated with priority levels, titles, texts, and URLs.

  In the “priority” column of this table, the smaller the number, the higher the order. The “priority” column defines the display priority of the product information column (148, 150, 152, 154). The higher the priority, the higher the frame 134 is displayed. The “title” column is a character string described in the upper part of the product information column. The “text” column is a character string described in the lower part of the product information column. The “URL” field is a link destination URL when the product information field functions as a link button.

  A specific example will be described. Lines 1 to 4 in the table in FIG. 10 correspond to the product information fields 148, 150, 152, and 154 in FIG. 9, respectively. And the priority order is the product information fields 148, 150, 152 and 154 from the highest. Accordingly, in the frame 134, product information fields 148, 150, 152, and 154 are displayed from the top.

  Of course, how many product information columns are displayed for one barcode 11, that is, one first individual portal screen 130, can be arbitrarily set by setting this table. It is up to the advertiser 45-M what character strings are stored in the “title” column and the “text” column, and the priority in the “priority” column is also the advertiser 45-M. The advertiser 45 -M is free to determine what URL is stored in the “URL” column.

  However, it is assumed that the advertisement support provider permits only display on the first individual portal screen 130 of one product information column as a default, that is, without charging. In this case, the advertising support provider describes the manufacturer, seller, or provider in the “title” column, the company name in the “text” column, and the company ’s name in the “URL” column. Only the URL of the homepage (not the product page but the top page of the company's WEB site) is allowed. The setting of the default product information column may be a system that can be set by the advertiser 45-M, or may be a system that is set by the advertising support provider, and both of them are possible. You can also However, since it is not preferable that the user scans the barcode 11 and no information on the product is displayed, initially, the default product information column is set by the advertisement support provider. The display of the product information column other than the default product information column is an option, and the table is set by charging from the advertiser 45 -M who desires it.

  In the example of FIG. 10, options are set for the bar code information “9784872337136” and “4928205042477” in the table, and four and two product information columns are displayed, respectively. In addition, regarding the barcode information “9784873338571” and “4928208541357”, there is no option setting, only a default, and only one product information column in which only the company name can be described is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the position of the barcode field 146 is determined in advance, and the scanned barcode information is displayed. The position of the product image 144 is determined in advance. However, it is assumed that the display of the product image 144 on the first individual portal screen 130 is an option, and charging is generated.

  Now, the communication procedure in the advertisement support system for displaying the first individual portal screen 130 is the same as that shown in FIGS. However, in step S300, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 of the center server 31 collects information necessary for constructing the first individual portal screen 130. That is, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 accesses the individual portal screen table of FIG. 10 to search the received barcode information and obtain the contents of the product information column. In addition, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 acquires the URL to be assigned to the personal home button 136 from the HDD 56 using the received serial number 30 of the barcode reader 7 as an index. The serial number of the barcode reader 7 is stored in the HDD 56 in association with the URL of the user's personal site. In addition, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 acquires the URL to be assigned to the purchase button 138 from the HDD 56 using the received barcode information as an index. The barcode information is stored in the HDD 56 in association with the URL of the product purchase site. In addition, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 acquires the address at which the product image 144 is stored from the HDD 56 using the received barcode information as an index. The barcode information is stored in the HDD 56 in association with the address information of the product image 144. The product image 144 is stored in the HDD 56.

  In step S302, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 of the center server 31 generates HTML information for displaying the first individual portal screen 130 on the PC 43, based on the information collected in step S300. In step S304, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the generated HTML information to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N.

  As described above, according to the application example 1 of the remote barcode reader system of FIG. 1, a user who is interested in a product or a user who has purchased the product reads a barcode with the barcode reader 7. When the computer 37 or the PC 43 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “terminal tm”) installed in the store 35-K or the personal residence 41-N transmits the barcode information of the product, the terminal tm The information for generating the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 can be received from the center server 31 and the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 can be displayed.

  Since the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 are product-specific screens indicated by the barcode information, the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 include link information to the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M that transmits information related to the products. . Therefore, the user of the terminal tm can easily access the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M of the product via the first individual portal screens 100 and 130, and can easily browse information on the desired product. .

  For the advertiser 45-M, information regarding the product is pinpointed to the person who is actually interested in the product or purchased the product via the first individual portal screens 100 and 130. There is an advantage that it can be provided. This is a significant difference from the traditional affiliate model.

  On the other hand, when the user of the terminal tm is interested in the product or wants to investigate something about the purchased product, the barcode is read by the barcode reader 7, and the barcode of the product is read into the terminal tm. By only transmitting information, the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 unique to the product are displayed on the monitor of the terminal tm. The user can easily access the target site via the first individual portal screens 100 and 130. For this reason, using a general-purpose search engine, you can search by entering text that seems to be related to the product, or by using a conventional portal site service, It is much easier to obtain information about a product than to search for information on a desired product from inside.

  In addition, with conventional methods such as general-purpose search engines and portal site services, multiple product sites with the same or similar names appear in the search results, and the user does not know which information he wants. Although it may occur, this situation can be avoided. Furthermore, these conventional methods often hit confusing sites, informal sites, and the like, which hinders advertisers 45-M from guiding viewers to their servers 47. Can also be avoided.

  The advertisement support business operator who operates the center server 31 can obtain a compensation from the business owner of the advertiser 45-M or the store 35-K when creating the first individual portal screens 100 and 130. For example, only the link button 102 of the homepage of the advertiser 45-M is displayed on the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 without requesting the consideration, and more information is displayed on the first individual portal screens 100 and 130. Consideration is acquired from an advertiser 45 -M who desires to display link information. As a result, the link information of the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 increases.

  The fact that there is a lot of link information displayed on the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 means that the product can be advertised from various angles, and there is less link information displayed on the first individual portal screens 100 and 130. However, it is possible to stimulate the user to purchase more. In other words, for the same type of product, the product sales amount of the advertiser on the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 with a large amount of link information is larger than the product sales amount of the advertiser on the first individual portal screen 100 with a small amount of link information. It is expected that. Therefore, it is expected that the advertiser 45-M will ask for the display of additional link information even if it pays the consideration.

  For the same reason, it is clear that there is a difference in sales between a store 35-K such as a retail store where this system is introduced and a store that is not. Therefore, it can be expected that businesses that operate stores also introduce this system. In this case, the advertisement support company can increase the profit by acquiring the consideration from the company that operates each store 35-K.

  Of course, the center server 31 does not give the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 to the PC 43 or the computer 37, but passes the URL of the WEB site of the product corresponding to the barcode information to the PC 43 or the computer 37 and directly displays them. It is also possible to do. However, in this case, there is no effect unique to the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 as described above.

  In addition, on the first individual portal screens 100 and 130, link buttons 104 and 138 corresponding to the URL of the product purchase site operated by the electronic commerce company are displayed. Accordingly, a product may be purchased through these buttons 104 and 138, and the advertisement support business operator who operates the first individual portal screens 100 and 130 can obtain income from the affiliate.

  (Application example 2)

  Even when the user accesses the center server 31 from the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N and when the user accesses the center server 31 from the computer 37 of the store 35-K, the center server 31 It is also possible to provide individual portal screens with different contents.

  When accessing the center server 31 from the computer 37 at the store 35-K, it is considered that the user is confused about purchasing. For example, there is a configuration in which there are many links to information such as merchandise commercials that mainly stimulate purchase motivation. However, when the user accesses the center server 31 from the PC 43, the user is often already after purchasing the product. For example, there are many links to information on new products, information for after-sales service, etc. It is possible to create an individual portal screen that can better meet the needs of advertisers and users. In this way, individual portal screens with different configurations are provided even for the same barcode, depending on which stage the user is in for the product. In the application example 2, the stage at which the user is in the product is classified according to the installation location of the terminal tm.

  Specifically, in the application example 2, when the user accesses the center server 31 from the PC 43, the first individual portal screen 100 of FIG. On the other hand, when accessing the center server 31 from the computer 37 at the store 35-K, the second individual portal screen 101 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 11A, the second individual portal screen 101 includes a frame 166 for managing the linked content by the advertiser 45-M and a frame 164 for managing the linked content by the store head office 75-P. Including.

  The frame 166 indicates the link button 102 of the homepage (HP) of the advertiser 45-M of the product indicated by the barcode information, the link button 128 to the WEB site of the product related to the product indicated by the barcode information, and the barcode information. A link button 106 of a WEB site that distributes a commercial (CM) of a product, a link button 120 to a WEB site for explaining a product indicated by barcode information, and a WEB site for conducting a questionnaire on the product indicated by the barcode information A link button 112 is included. The frame 164 includes a link button 124 to the WEB site that posted the sale information of the store 35-K, a link button 126 to the WEB site that posted the privilege information at the store 35-K, and the homepage of the store headquarters 75-P ( HP) link button 168. Further, a cursor 114 is displayed on the second individual portal screen 101.

  However, as a default (no charge from the advertiser 45-M), only the link button 102 on the home page of the advertiser 45-M and the link button 122 for conducting a questionnaire are displayed. The link buttons 128, 106, and 120 are displayed only when the advertiser 45 -M becomes a member of the advertising support system of the business operator that operates the center server 31. Further, the link buttons 124, 126, and 168 are displayed only when the store head office 75 -P becomes a member of the advertising support system of the business operator that operates the center server 31.

  In Application Example 2, common points and differences between the first individual portal screen 100 and the second individual portal screen 101 will be described. First, common points will be described. The link buttons 102 and 106 are the same in both. This is because there is little significance in changing these contents between the personal residence 41-N and the store 35-K.

  Next, differences will be described. The link button 108 on the first individual portal screen 100 is different from the link button 120 on the second individual portal screen 101. For example, since the link button 108 is browsed by the user at the personal residence 41-N, the link button 108 is a link to a site on which product usage and application examples are posted, and the link button 120 is browsed by the user at the store 35-K. Therefore, it is anticipated that purchases will be taken seriously, and in addition to how to use the product, etc., a link will be made to a site that contains explanations that can encourage purchases.

  Further, the link button 116 on the first individual portal screen 100 is different from the link button 128 on the second individual portal screen 101. For example, since the link button 116 is viewed by the user at the personal residence 41-N, it is expected that the user already owns the product, and not only the usage method and application examples of the product, but also model changes and new products. The link button 128 is used as a link to the site where the information is posted, and the user browses at the store 35-K. Therefore, in order to expand purchase options, other items of the same type manufactured and sold by the advertiser 45-M are displayed. It is a link to the posted site.

  The link button 112 on the first individual portal screen 100 is different from the link button 122 on the second individual portal screen 101. This is because the store 35-K and the personal residence 41-N may have different psychological states of users, and the proportion of users who have purchased (or have not purchased) products is also different. This is because meaningful results may be obtained if different questionnaires are conducted.

  Further, the link button 104 is displayed only on the first individual portal screen 100 viewed at the personal residence 41 -N, and is not displayed on the second individual portal screen 101. This is because it is assumed that the personal home 41-N is purchased by electronic commerce, but the store 35-K is considered to be unnecessary for the second individual portal screen 101 because it is considered to be purchased directly there. .

  Further, the link button 118 is displayed only on the first individual portal screen 100 viewed at the personal residence 41 -N, and is not displayed on the second individual portal screen 101. This is because the user has not yet purchased the product at the store 35-K, but the user may have already purchased the product at the personal residence 41-N, so there is a need for after-sales service. Because it is expensive.

  Further, the link button 110 is displayed only on the first individual portal screen 100 viewed at the personal residence 41 -N, and is not displayed on the second individual portal screen 101. This is because it is unlikely that user registration is performed at the store 35-K, and generally user registration is performed at the personal residence 41-N.

  The link buttons 124, 126 and 168 are displayed only on the second individual portal screen 101 and are not displayed on the first individual portal screen 100. This is because the link buttons 124, 126, and 168 are information related to the store 35-K, and the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N does not have information on the store 35-K.

  Here, the system configuration of the application example 2 is the same as the system configuration of FIG. However, the bar code reader 7 of the store 35-K does not adopt the configuration unique to the present application shown in FIG. 2 and is a bar code reader that is generally commercially available. In addition, dedicated software that causes the browser to transmit the barcode 11 to the center server 31 is installed in advance in the computer 37 of the store 35-K. In this case, the dedicated software is automatically activated in response to the input of the barcode 11 and automatically transmits the barcode 11 to the center server 31.

  Incidentally, even if a configuration for installing dedicated software is adopted, unlike the case of the private home 41-N, there is almost no need to take care of installation in the store 35-K. This is because, in the case of the store 35-K, generally, the trader installs the computer 37, the monitor 39, and the barcode reader 7.

  Further, the storage state of the program and data in the storage area 200 of the center server 31 is the same as that in FIG. However, instead of the program storage unit 210, the program storage unit 199 of FIG. In addition to the first individual portal screen file 230, the storage area 200 stores the second individual portal screen file 222 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 11B, a program storage unit 199 is obtained by adding a second individual portal screen search unit 228 to the configuration of the program storage unit 210. Further, the second individual portal screen file 222 in FIG. 11C includes an advertiser file 236 and a store file 254. The advertiser file 236 includes a database in which barcode information 224 attached to each product type and individual portal screen information 226 corresponding to the product indicated by the barcode information 224 are associated with each other. The store file 254 is configured by a database in which store code 256 assigned to the store 35-K and individual portal screen information 258 are associated with each other.

  With reference to FIG. 11D, the store file 254 is a file in which the store code 256 and the individual portal screen information 258 are associated with each other. The individual portal screen information 258 includes the URL of the store head office homepage corresponding to the link button 168 in FIG. 11A, the URL of the privilege information site corresponding to the link button 126, and the URL of the sale information site corresponding to the link button 124. Including.

  With reference to FIG.11 (e), the advertiser file 236 is the file which linked | related the barcode information 224 and the individual portal screen information 226 for every goods. The individual portal screen information 226 includes the URL of the advertiser home page corresponding to the link button 102 in FIG. 11A, the URL of the related product site corresponding to the link button 128, the commercial URL of the product corresponding to the link button 106, The URL of the product description site corresponding to the link button 120 and the URL of the questionnaire site corresponding to the link button 122 are included. In FIG. 11D and FIG. 11E, the protocol (http: //) is omitted.

  Now, the communication procedure among the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M, the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N and the center server 31 in the advertisement support system in the application example 2 is the same as that shown in FIGS. is there. However, there are also differences, which will be described in turn below.

  Referring to FIG. 7, in step S202, PC 43 of personal residence 41-N transmits a URL (for example, “http://www.ssd.com”) transmitted by dedicated software installed in computer 37 of store 35-K. "co.jp/kiosk/", bar code information and serial number omitted for simplification of description, URL ("http://www.ssd.co.jp/house/", simplification of description) Therefore, the bar code information and the serial number are omitted) to the center server 31. That is, the URL given to the PC 43 by the barcode reader 7 of the personal residence 41-N is different from the URL transmitted by the dedicated software of the computer 37 of the store 35-K. Thus, for example, the directory name arranged immediately after the domain name is different between the personal residence 41-N and the store 35-K. Also, for example, subdomains can be provided to make them different. In short, any well-known technique can be used as long as the center server 31 can distinguish between the personal residence 41-N and the store 35-K. The dedicated software of the computer 37 transmits the store code assigned to the store 35 -K to the center server 31.

  Further, in the application example 2, instead of steps S300, S302, and S304 in FIG. 7, the individual portal screen generation process in FIG. 12 is executed.

  Referring to FIG. 12, in step S400, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 confirms the content of the received URL and determines whether it is from the personal residence 41-N or the store 35-K. Determine. In step S401, when the communication control unit 212 determines that the received URL is transmitted by the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N, that is, in the above example, the directory name immediately after the domain name is “house”. ”, The process proceeds to step S402, the control is transferred to the first individual portal screen search unit 214, and when it is determined that the received URL is transmitted by the computer 37 of the store 35-K, that is, in the above example If the directory name immediately after the domain name is “kiosk”, the process proceeds to step S406, and control is passed to the second individual portal screen search unit 228.

  In step S402, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 accesses the first individual portal screen file 230 and searches for the URL (see FIG. 6C) associated with the received barcode information. In step S404, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 displays HTML (HyperText) for displaying the first individual portal screen 100 including the link button corresponding to the URL acquired in step S402 on the personal computer 41-N PC 43. Markup Language) information is generated.

  On the other hand, in step S406, the second individual portal screen search unit 228 accesses the advertiser file 236 of the second individual portal screen file 222, and the URL associated with the received barcode information (see FIG. 11E). ) Further, in step S408, the second individual portal screen search unit 228 accesses the store file 254 of the second individual portal screen file 222, and uses the URL associated with the received store code (see FIG. 11D). Search for. In step S410, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 generates HTML for displaying the second individual portal screen 101 including the link button corresponding to the URL acquired in steps S406 and S408 on the computer 37 of the store 35-K. Generate information.

  In step S412 after step S404, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the HTML information generated in step S404 to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. On the other hand, in step S412 after step S410, the communication control unit 212 transmits the HTML information generated in step S410 to the computer 37 of the store 35-K.

  Next, a communication procedure among the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M, the computer 37 of the store 35-K, and the center server 31 in the advertisement support system in the application example 2 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure among the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M, the computer 37 of the store 35-K, and the center server 31 in the application example 2. In FIG. 13, since communication using a known protocol such as TCP / IP or HTTP is performed, the detailed description of these communication procedures is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 13, in step S <b> 600, computer 37 in store 35 -K activates the dedicated software described above when given barcode information from the barcode reader. In step S602, the dedicated software transmits the barcode information given from the barcode reader and the store code held to the center server 31 based on the URL of the center server 31 held. The bar code reader is a general bar code reader, unlike the bar code reader 7, and provides only bar code information to the computer 37 with keyboard data. The URL and store code of the center server 31 held by the dedicated software are stored in the HDD of the computer 37, for example.

  The communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 receives the barcode information and the store code. In step S700, the center server 31 executes the individual portal screen generation process of FIG.

  The computer 37 of the store 35-K receives the HTML information of the second individual portal screen 101, analyzes the HTML information, and displays the second individual portal screen 101 in step S604. In step S606, the computer 37 determines whether any of the link buttons 102, 128, 120, 106, 122, 126, 168 or 124 on the second individual portal screen 101 has been pressed, and has not been pressed. If YES in step S606, the process returns to step S606. If pressed, the process advances to step S608.

  If the link button pressed in step S606 is one of the link buttons 102, 128, 120, and 106, the computer 37 proceeds to step S610 (step S608), and if the link button is the link button 122, step S616 is performed. (Step S608), if any of the link buttons 126, 168 and 124, the process proceeds to Step S900 of FIG. 14 (Step S608).

  In step S610, the computer 37 accesses the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M based on the URL corresponding to the pressed link button. Then, the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M transmits corresponding HTML information to the computer 37 of the store 35-K in step S500. Then, in step S612, the computer 37 receives this HTML information, analyzes it, and displays a WEB site. In this case, if the link button pressed in step S606 is the link button 120, a WEB site for explaining the product indicated by the barcode information transmitted in step S602 is displayed. The homepage of the advertiser 45-M of the product indicated by the code information is displayed. In the case of the link button 106, a WEB site that distributes the commercial of the product indicated by the barcode information is displayed. If the link button pressed in step S606 is the link button 128, the WEB site of the product related to the product indicated by the barcode information is displayed.

  In step S614, the computer 37 performs processing and communication with the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M in response to an input from the user. In step S <b> 502, the server 47 performs processing and communication with the computer 37 in response to access from the computer 37.

  On the other hand, in step S616, the computer 37 accesses the center server 31 based on the URL corresponding to the pressed link button 122. Then, the communication control part 212 of the center server 31 transmits corresponding HTML information to the computer 37 of the store 35-K in step S702. In this case, the questionnaire totaling unit 220 of the center server 31 generates HTML information of the WEB site for conducting the questionnaire.

  The computer 37 receives and analyzes the HTML information, and displays a WEB site for conducting a questionnaire in step S618.

  In step S620, the computer 37 performs processing and communication with the center server 31 in response to an input from the user. In step S <b> 704, the center server 31 performs processing and communication with the computer 37 in response to access from the computer 37. In this case, the questionnaire totaling unit 220 of the center server 31 executes various processes for collecting and totaling the questionnaires, and stores the results in the questionnaire file 260.

  If it is determined in step S608 in FIG. 13 that any one of the link buttons 126, 168, and 124 has been pressed, referring to FIG. 14, in step S900, the computer 37 corresponds to the pressed link button. Based on the URL, the server 77 of the store head office 75-P is accessed. Then, the server 77 transmits corresponding HTML information to the computer 37 of the store 35-K in step S800. In step S902, the computer 37 receives the HTML information, analyzes it, and displays a WEB site. In this case, if the link button pressed in step S606 is the link button 126, the WEB site on which the privilege information of the store 35-K indicated by the store code transmitted in step S602 is displayed is displayed. Displays the homepage of the store headquarters 75-P that manages the store 35-K indicated by the store code, and in the case of the link button 124, displays the WEB site on which the sale information of the store 35-K indicated by the store code is displayed. The

  In step S904, the computer 37 performs processing and communication with the server 77 of the store head office 75-P in response to an input from the user. In step S <b> 802, the server 77 performs processing and communication with the computer 37 in response to access from the computer 37.

  In Application Example 2, the first individual portal screen 130 of FIG. 9 can be displayed instead of the first individual portal screen 100.

  As described above, according to the application example 2, even with the same barcode, the center server 31 can provide effective services and contents in consideration of the situation where the user is placed. For example, since it is possible to execute processing that takes into account the stage (for example, before and after purchase, store and home) and psychological state of the user's product, effective services and contents that take into account the stage and psychological state of the user's product Can be provided. This is because the installation location of the communication terminal (37, 43) (which can also be referred to as the barcode transmission source or the connection location of the barcode reader 7), that is, depending on the location of the user, This is because the stage and psychological state of the product may change.

  In addition, regardless of the hardware performance of the communication terminal (37, 43), only the installation location of the communication terminal is considered in the processing. Therefore, when the category of the installation location of the communication terminal (for example, store and personal house) is different, the center server 31 provides different contents even if the hardware performance of the communication terminal is equivalent, and the hardware of the communication terminal Even if the wear performance is different, the center server 31 provides the same content if the category of the installation location of the communication terminal is the same. Of course, not only can the contents be varied depending on the installation location, but the contents can be further varied according to the hardware performance of the communication terminal (for example, a personal computer and a mobile phone).

  As described above, even if the hardware performance of the communication terminal is equivalent, different services (including contents) can be provided for the same barcode depending on the installation location of the communication terminal (37, 43).

  (Application 3)

  The system configuration of application example 3 is the same as the system configuration of FIG. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings with a focus on feature points.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the third application example. Referring to FIG. 15, in application example 3, center server 31 classifies barcodes into first group 251 and second group 252 and executes processing. The bar codes of the first group 251 are made up of 13-digit and 8-digit JAN (Japan Article Number) codes 2510, and the second group 252 is made up of bar codes 2520 other than the JAN codes.

  The JAN code is a common product code in Japan (a code common to the same product), and is used in POS (Point Of Sale) systems, ordering systems, inventory and inventory management systems, and more. It is also used for payment systems such as utility bills. The first group 251 corresponds to the above-described eleventh example group. On the other hand, the bar code 2520 of the second group is, for example, a 14-digit bar code issued by an advertisement support provider corresponding to a service or content. The second group 252 corresponds to the groups of the first to tenth examples described above. In this way, when a plurality of groups for classifying barcodes are set, 14-digit barcodes belonging to the respective groups are issued so that there is no overlap between the groups, and each group corresponds to each service or content.

  In the application example 3, the center server 31 determines the number of digits of the barcode received from the PC 43, and the barcode is the barcode 2510 (that is, the JAN code) of the first group 251 or the second group 252. The barcode 2520 is determined. In this case, when the number of digits of the received barcode is 13 digits or 8 digits, the center server 31 determines that the barcode belongs to the first group 251, and determines that the others belong to the second group 252. .

  When the received barcode is the barcode 2510 of the first group 251, the center server 31 transmits the first individual portal screen 100 (of course, the first individual portal screen 130 may be used instead) to the PC 43. To do. On the other hand, if the received barcode is the barcode 2520 of the second group 252, the center server 31 executes processing corresponding to the group to which the barcode 2520 belongs in the second group, and the content corresponding to the group The content corresponding to the barcode 2520 is generated and transmitted to the PC 43.

  Now, the storage state of the program and data in the storage area 200 of the center server 31 is the same as in FIG. However, instead of the program storage unit 210, the program storage unit 172 of FIG. The program storage unit 172 is obtained by adding control programs 174-1 to 174-q to the configuration of the program storage unit 210. The control programs 174-1 to 174 -q are collectively referred to as a control program 174 -Q.

  A 14-digit bar code other than the JAN code is classified into a plurality of groups, and each group is associated with various services on a one-to-one basis. Then, the content corresponding to the group to which the received 14-digit barcode belongs is provided to the PC 43. In this case, the control program 174-Q corresponding to the group is executed to generate content. Accordingly, a control program 174-Q is prepared for each group. Of course, in the storage area 200, resources used by the respective control programs 174-Q are stored in addition to the illustration.

  By the way, the communication procedure among the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M, the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N and the center server 31 in the advertisement support system in the application example 3 is the same as that shown in FIG. However, there are also differences, which will be described in turn below.

  In application example 3, instead of steps S300, S302, and S304 in FIG. 7, the screen generation process in FIG. 17 is executed.

  Referring to FIG. 17, in step S430, communication control unit 212 of center server 31 determines the number of digits of the received barcode information. In step S432, if the received barcode information is 13 digits or 8 digits, that is, if a JAN code is received, the communication control unit 212 proceeds to step S434, and controls the first individual portal screen search unit. If the received barcode information is other than 13 digits and 8 digits, the process proceeds to step S440, and control is passed to the control program 174-Q corresponding to the group to which the barcode information belongs.

  In step S434, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 accesses the first individual portal screen file 230 and searches for the URL (see FIG. 6C) associated with the received barcode information. In step S436, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 displays HTML information for displaying the first individual portal screen 100 including the link button corresponding to the URL acquired in step S434 on the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. Generate. In step S438, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the HTML information generated in step S436 to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. The subsequent processing is the same as in FIGS.

  On the other hand, in step S440, the control program 174-Q creates content HTML information according to the received barcode information. In step S442, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the HTML information of the content generated in step S440 to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. Then, the PC 43 analyzes the HTML information and displays the content.

  The computer 37 of the store 35-K corresponds to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. In the application example 3, communication between the center server 31, the computer 37, and the advertiser 45-M is performed with the center server 31. This is the same as the communication between the PC 43 and the advertiser 45-M, and the description is omitted.

  As described above, in the application example 3, the center server 31 classifies the received barcode into one of the first group 251 and the second group, and executes processing according to the classification result. Since the first group 251 is the JAN code 2510, it is originally created for the purpose of use for the POS system, and is not created for this system. That is, the JAN code 2510 exists regardless of the present system, and has already been widely used in the world. Therefore, this system provides a service, that is, an individual portal screen, using the JAN code 2510 that is already widely used in the world. On the other hand, since the second group 252 is a bar code 2520 other than the JAN code 2510, it is created for the purpose of providing a specific service using this system, and is used for the POS system. Not aimed at. That is, the barcode 2520 exists on the premise of this system. Accordingly, various services are provided by this system according to the purpose of creating the barcode 2520.

  As described above, the barcode 2510 belonging to the first group 251 and the barcode 2520 belonging to the second group 252 have different properties and personalities, but the user can use the same barcode without being aware of that. The reader 7 can scan them, can receive services corresponding to the first group 251, and can receive various services corresponding to various bar codes 2520 of the second group 252. it can.

  In addition, if it is assumed that a user can easily obtain an article with the JAN code 2510 that is already widely used and that the network environment is in place, the user can immediately have the barcode reader 7. This system can be used. On the other hand, the user can receive various services provided by scanning the barcode 2520 of the second group 252.

  Furthermore, since the JAN code 2510 that has already been widely used can be used also for the system construction side, the labor for introducing the system can be reduced as compared with the case where only the bar code 2520 is used.

  (Application 4)

  The application example 4 uses a camera unit 180 instead of the barcode reader 7 of FIG. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings with a focus on feature points.

  FIG. 18 is an external perspective view of the PC 43 and the camera unit 180 of the personal residence 41-N. Referring to FIG. 18, the PC 43 includes a main body 182, a monitor 184, a wireless keyboard 188, and a wireless mouse 190. The camera unit 180 is connected to the main body 182 of the PC 43 by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 186. Although the camera unit 180 is disposed at the lower part of the monitor 184, the camera unit 180 can be disposed at an arbitrary place such as on the monitor 184.

  When the camera unit 180 is connected to the PC 43, the PC 43 recognizes the camera unit 180 as a keyboard and a mouse. The camera unit 180 images the barcode 11 of the product directed by the user. Then, the camera unit 180 analyzes the obtained image, digitizes the barcode 11, converts it into keyboard data, and outputs it to the PC 43. A digitized barcode is called barcode information. At the same time, the camera unit 180 also functions as a mouse (pointing device). That is, when the user directs the product to the camera unit 180 and moves the product itself, the camera unit 180 calculates the movement amount of the product (each of the X axis and the Y axis) and outputs it to the PC 43. The PC 43 moves the cursor 114 displayed on the individual portal screen according to the received movement amount. That is, the cursor 114 is linked to the movement of the product. In addition, the camera unit 180 sequentially calculates the area of the image of the photographed product, and when the change in area becomes a predetermined multiple or more from small to large, that is, when the product is brought close to the camera unit 180. In addition, it is assumed that the user has indicated the intention to click, and the click information is transmitted to the PC 43. Therefore, if the PC 43 receives click information from the camera unit 180 while the cursor 114 is staying at the link button in the individual portal screen, the PC 43 determines that the link button has been pressed.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the camera unit 180 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 19, the camera unit 180 includes an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 192, an image sensor 194 such as a CCD and an image sensor, a RAM 196, a ROM 198, an interface (I / F) 202, and a bus 204. A RAM 196, a ROM 198, and an I / F 202 are connected to the MCU 192 via a bus 204. The image sensor 194 is, for example, a VGA (Video Graphics Array). The I / F 202 includes a USB controller. The ROM 198 stores a control program shown in a flowchart described later. The RAM 196 is used as a storage location or work area for image data from the image sensor 194.

  The communication procedure among the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M, the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N, and the center server 31 in the advertisement support system in the application example 4 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  Note that the camera unit 180 may be used instead of the bar code reader 7 of the store 35-K. Further, the communication procedure among the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M, the computer 37 of the store 35-K, and the center server 31 in the advertisement support system in the application example 4 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  Next, the processing of the MCU 192 will be described using a flowchart.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the barcode scanning flow by the MCU 192 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 20, in step S999, the MCU 192 calculates a difference between the previous camera image (previous frame) and the current camera image (current frame), and acquires a difference image. In step S1000, the MCU 192 determines, based on the difference image, whether or not the photographed product image has moved. If there is movement, the MCU 192 returns to step S999. If there is no movement, The process proceeds to step S1001. It should be noted that the fact that there is a movement in the image of the photographed product is regarded as using the camera unit 180 as a pointing device by the user moving the product.

  In step S1001, the MCU 192 analyzes the barcode in the image captured by the image sensor 194, digitizes it, and acquires barcode information. In step S1003, the MCU 192 determines whether or not the bar code analysis is successful. If it is unsuccessful, the process returns to step S999, and if successful, the process proceeds to step S1005.

  In step S <b> 1005, the MCU 192 converts the barcode information that is the analysis result into keyboard data and stores it in the RAM 196. In step S1007, the MCU 192 acquires the URL (eg, “http://www.ssd.co.jp”) of the center server 31 as keyboard data from the ROM 198, and adds keyboard data at the end of the URL. And a serial number (for example, “132222159”) of the camera unit 180 are added, and a new URL (for example, “http://www.ssd.co.jp/?”) Is added. bc = 4560256580016 & sn = 132222159 ") and stored in the RAM 196.

  In step S <b> 1009, the MCU 192 acquires a command in the form of keyboard data that instructs the PC 43 to start the browser and access the center server 31 from the ROM 198 and stores it in the RAM 196. In step S1011, the MCU 192 outputs keyboard data (command and URL (server URL + barcode information + serial number)) to the PC 43 via the USB controller of the I / F 202. In response to this command, the PC 43 activates the browser and transmits the barcode information and the serial number to the center server 31.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of mouse processing by the MCU 192 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 21, in step S1030, MCU 192 performs pattern recognition on the basis of an image that is a result of imaging by imaging element 194, and the amount of movement of a moving product (that is, a product that the user moves with hand) ( (In the X-axis and Y-axis directions). In step S1032, the MCU 192 transmits the calculated movement amount to the PC 43 via the USB controller of the I / F 202. Receiving this information on the amount of movement, the PC 43 can link the cursor 114 on the individual portal screen with the movement of the product with the barcode that the user moves with the hand.

  In step S1034, the MCU 192 calculates the area of the moving product. That is, when the user holds the product in his hand and approaches the camera unit 180, the image area of the product increases. In order to detect the enlargement of the area, the process of step S1034 is performed. In step S1036, the MCU 192 determines whether the area of the image of the product has been enlarged a predetermined time (a value exceeding 1 time) or more compared to the previous time, and if not, In step S1030, if the image is enlarged, it is determined that the user has brought the product closer to the camera unit 180, and the process proceeds to step S1038. If the area of the image of the product is enlarged by a predetermined factor or more compared to the previous time, it is considered that the user has made an intention to click (equivalent to a mouse click), and in step S1038, the MCU 192 Click information is transmitted to the PC 43 via the USB controller of / F318. The PC 43 can recognize that the click operation has been performed by receiving the click information.

  As described above, in the application example 4, the convenience of the user is further enhanced by using the camera unit 180 as an input means to the terminal tm.

  That is, since the user simply causes the camera unit 180 to photograph the barcode attached to the product, the terminal tm automatically transmits the barcode information to the center server 31 in response to a command from the camera unit 180. The individual portal screen can be displayed on the monitor of the terminal tm without the user performing a simple operation (no need to operate the terminal tm). Moreover, since the terminal tm performs an operation for realizing the present system in accordance with the command of the camera unit 180, it is possible to save the user's trouble such as installing a new program in the terminal tm.

  Further, the camera unit 180 not only functions as a barcode information acquisition unit but also functions as a mouse (pointing device). Therefore, after the user causes the camera unit 180 to photograph the barcode attached to the product for obtaining the barcode information to be transmitted to the center server 31, the user simply moves the product toward the camera unit 180. The cursor 114 displayed on the individual portal screen can be operated, and the configuration is very user-friendly.

  (Application example 5)

  Referring to FIG. 1, in application example 5, host computer 1 receives barcode 11 scanned by barcode reader 7, transmits data corresponding to barcode 11 to terminal 5, and receives the received data. The predetermined application program installed in the terminal 5 is started based on the data thus obtained, and the predetermined application program is caused to perform processing based on the received data. Hereinafter, an example in which the predetermined application program is a virtual globe application program (hereinafter referred to as “globe app”) will be described. The globe app displays satellite and aerial photographs from around the world like a map. The earth is displayed on the screen, and when operated by the user, the user can approach a desired place from the sky and view a satellite photograph or an aerial photograph of the place.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of Application Example 5. Note that the center server 31, the content server 72, and the globe server 80 in FIG. 22 correspond to the host computer 1 in FIG. The electrical configuration of the content server 72 is the same as the electrical configuration of the center server 31 in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 22, in step S1500, barcode reader 7 scans and decodes barcode pattern 11 in response to a user operation, and acquires barcode information represented by barcode pattern 11. At this time, for example, the user scans the barcode pattern 11 printed on the barcode-added book 160 of FIG. This book 160 includes a plurality of sets of satellite photographs / aerial photographs 162 (hereinafter referred to as “photographs 162”) and a barcode pattern 11 as a set. The user scans the barcode pattern 11 printed under the desired photograph 162 with the barcode reader 7.

  Returning to FIG. 22, in step S1502, the operating system (OS) 84 of the PC 43 receives the barcode information acquired by the barcode reader 7, and passes it to the browser 82 of the PC 43 in step S1504. In step S 1506, the browser 82 transmits the received barcode information to the center server 31 via the network 33.

  In step S1508, the center server 31 converts the received barcode information into a URL and transmits the URL to the browser 82 of the PC 43. In step S1510, the browser 82 accesses the content server 72 indicated by the received URL, and acquires a file indicated by the received URL (hereinafter referred to as “control file”) from the content server 72 in step S1512. . As shown in FIG. 24, this control file has an extension (“kml” in the example shown) associated with the globe application 86. The control file includes information related to the photograph 162 displayed by the globe application 86. In the example of the figure, this information includes the name (“name”), the description (“description”), and the display information of the place or the building shown in the photograph 162. This display information includes longitude (“longitude”), latitude (“latitude”), photographing altitude (“altitude”), display range (“range”), depression angle (“tilt”), etc. ), Heading (“heading”), and mark presence / absence information (“visibility”).

  Returning to FIG. 22 again, in step S1514, the browser 82 passes the acquired control file to the OS 84. In step S1516, the OS 84 starts the globe application 86 based on the extension of the control file, and passes the path of the control file. In step S1518, the globe application 86 accesses the control file based on the passed path and makes a transmission request for the photograph 162 of the land or the like indicated by the display information included in the control file to the globe server 80. Then, in step S1520, the globe server 80 performs streaming delivery of the data of the photo 162 requested by the globe application 86 to the globe application 86. Based on this data, the globe application 86 displays the photograph 162 on the monitor. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the globe application 86 displays a photograph 162 on the monitor 88 based on the streamed data. As a result, the user can view the details / enlargement of the photograph 162 described in the book 160 on the screen of the monitor. In addition, the globe application 86 displays a photo operation column 90 on the monitor 88. When the user operates each icon in the photo operation field 90 with the cursor 92, the globe application 86 performs location change (east, west, south, north), enlargement / reduction (enlargement / reduction), and depression angle change (vertical / horizontal) according to the operation. Do.

  Now, the storage state of the program and data in the storage area 200 of the center server 31 is the same as that of the application example 3 (see FIGS. 16 and 6B). In this case, the control program 174-1 in the program storage unit 172 in FIG. 16 executes processing for the application example 5. Further, in the application example 5, a conversion table of FIG.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure among the content server 72, the PC 43, and the center server 31 in the application example 5. In FIG. 26, communication using a well-known protocol such as TCP / IP or HTTP is performed, and thus detailed description of the communication procedure is omitted. Further, the flowchart is shown on the assumption that the center server 31 has received the barcode 2520 of the second group 252 among the barcodes 11 (including the barcodes 2510 and 2520). Accordingly, the description of the processing corresponding to steps S430, S432, S434, S436, and S438 in FIG. 17 is omitted. Note that the processing after step S438 in Application Example 5 is the same as steps S306 and S308 in FIG. Correspondingly, the processing of the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N and the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M in the application example 5 in this case is the same as steps S204 to S220 and steps S100 and S102 of FIG. is there. Further, the processing of the PC 43 and the electronic commerce server in this case is the same as the processing of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 26, in step S1530, OS 84 of PC 43 of personal residence 41-N starts browser 82 in response to the command given from barcode reader 7. In step S1532, the browser 82 accesses the center server 31 based on the URL given from the barcode reader 7, and the URL given from the barcode reader 7 (including the barcode information and the serial number 30). Is transmitted to the center server 31. Here, the processing of the barcode reader 7 before the PC 43 receives these pieces of information is the same as steps S1 to S11 in FIG. It should be noted that the URL 19 of the center server 31 is stored in the ROM 19 of the barcode reader 7.

  The communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 receives the URL including the barcode information and the serial number 30. In step S 1560, the control program 174-1 of the center server 31 accesses the conversion table of FIG. 27 stored in the HDD 56 using the received barcode information as an index, and searches for the corresponding URL. The process in step S1560 corresponds to step S440 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the conversion table is a table in which barcode information is associated with a URL. In this conversion table, the URL associated with the barcode information indicates the storage location of the control file (see FIG. 24) corresponding to the barcode information (that is, the photograph 162). The control file is stored in the storage device (for example, HDD) of the content server 72.

  The center server 31 is provided with a plurality of conversion tables corresponding to a plurality of groups of bar code information belonging to the second group 252, that is, a plurality of services. One of them is the conversion table of FIG. The flowcharts of FIG. 26 and FIG. 28 illustrate processing when the center server 31 receives barcode information belonging to a group that uses the conversion table of FIG. Note that all conversion tables associate bar code information and URLs.

  Returning to FIG. 26, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 gives the browser 82 of the PC 43 an access request to the URL searched in step S1562. The processing in step S1562 corresponds to step S442 in FIG.

  In step S1534, the browser 82 of the PC 43 accesses the content server 72 indicated by the URL received from the center server 31, and makes a transmission request for the control file indicated by the URL. In step S 1570, the content server 72 acquires the requested control file from the HDD and transmits it to the PC 43.

  Then, when the browser 82 of the PC 43 receives the control file and passes it to the OS 84, the OS 84 activates the globe application 86 associated with the extension of the control file in step S1536. In step S1538, the globe application 86 requests the globe server 80 to transmit the corresponding image data based on the information described in the control file.

  Then, in step S1580 of FIG. 28, the globe server 80 distributes the requested image data to the PC 43 by streaming. In step S1590, globe application 86 displays an image corresponding to the received image data on the monitor.

  In step S1592, the PC 43 performs processing and communication with the content server 72 in response to an input from the user. In step S1582, the content server 72 performs processing and communication with the PC 43 in response to access from the PC 43.

  As described above, according to the application example 5, in response to the scanning of the barcode 11, the globe application 86 installed in the communication terminal 5 can be activated via the network 33. The range of business model construction using the network 33 can be expanded.

  Further, the communication terminal 5 can easily recognize the application program to be activated, that is, the globe application 86, only by determining the extension of the control file.

  Further, since the control file and the barcode 11 (that is, the photograph 162) are associated one-to-one, the desired photograph 162 can be easily obtained by scanning the barcode 11 printed on the lower portion of the desired photograph 162. Can be displayed on the monitor.

  Furthermore, it is possible to control the execution result of the globe application 86, that is, how and where the photograph of the place is displayed on the monitor according to the contents of the control file.

  Furthermore, since the globe application 86 can be activated and controlled by existing software (browser and OS) without installing dedicated software, convenience for the user is improved. Incidentally, the browser and the operating system are generally installed in most PCs 43.

  Needless to say, this example can be applied not only to the application program installed in the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N but also to the activation and control of the application program installed in the computer 37 of the store 35-K.

  Here, by displaying a specific icon (or button) on the photograph displayed on the monitor 88 of FIG. 25 and clicking this icon, a specific window can be displayed. This window can include, for example, a description of a place with an icon, a related image, a link, and the like. In addition, sound can be output by clicking on the icon.

  The command for displaying the icon, the location of the image to be displayed in the window (for example, URL), the explanatory text to be displayed in the window, and the location of the audio data (for example, URL) are written in advance in the control file of FIG. It is.

  (Application example 6)

  Referring to FIG. 1, in application example 6, host computer 1 sequentially receives a plurality of barcodes 11 transmitted by local barcode reader 7 via terminal 5, and in accordance with the sequentially received barcodes 11, Are sequentially shifted, the process corresponding to the transitioned state is executed, and the execution result is transmitted to the terminal 5.

  In this way, since processing corresponding to sequential transitions by sequentially received barcodes 11 is executed, one content determined by one barcode 11 is changed to the next one content determined by the next one barcode 11 Provide related services. For the same reason, it is possible to provide a service in which one content determined by a plurality of barcodes 11 is related to the next one content determined by the next plurality of barcodes 11.

  For the same reason, one content determined by a plurality of barcodes 11 can be provided. For example, the host computer executes processing according to the combination or permutation of the plurality of barcodes 11 received sequentially, and transmits the content as the execution result to the terminal 5.

  FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of Application Example 6. FIG. The center server 31 and the content server 74 in FIG. 29 correspond to the host computer 1 in FIG. The electrical configuration of the content server 74 is the same as the electrical configuration of the center server 31 in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 29, in step S2000, barcode reader 7 scans and decodes barcode pattern 11 in response to a user operation, and acquires barcode information represented by barcode pattern 11. In step S2002, the operating system (OS) 84 of the PC 43 receives the barcode information acquired by the barcode reader 7, and passes it to the browser 82 of the PC 43 in step S2004. In step S2006, the browser 82 transmits the received barcode information to the center server 31 via the network 33.

  In step S2008, the center server 31 accesses the conversion table of FIG. 30 stored in the HDD 56 using the received barcode information as an index, and acquires the corresponding URL. As shown in FIG. 30, this conversion table is a table in which barcode information is associated with a URL. However, one group of barcode information is associated with one URL. Therefore, bar code information belonging to one group is associated with the same URL even if the contents are different. In the figure, for example, bar code information having the same first 10 digits out of 14 digits is classified into the same group. In this way, each group is associated with the content server by the corresponding URL. In this example, the URL of the content server 74 is the one in the first row of the conversion table (www.xxx1.or.jp), and the 14-digit barcode information whose upper 10 digits are “1234567891” is the content server. 74. In the following description, it is assumed that the first 10 digits of the bar code information received by the center server 31 is “1234567891”.

  The center server 31 adds the received barcode information to the URL acquired from the conversion table, and instructs the browser 82 to access the URL. In step S2010, the browser 82 accesses the content server 74 indicated by the received URL. At this time, the barcode information added to the URL is transmitted from the browser 82 to the content server 74. Accordingly, in step S2012, the content server 74 executes processing according to the barcode information, and transmits the content as the execution result to the browser 82. In response, the browser 82 displays the received content.

  In Application Example 6, since the barcode pattern 11 is sequentially scanned (step S2000), the content server 74 sequentially receives barcode information (step S2010). In this case, as shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, the content server 74 changes the internal state to another state (output) using the received barcode information (input) as a condition for the state transition. ), Content corresponding to the state after the transition is generated. Thus, the content server 74 has a function as a state machine.

  The content server 74 transmits the corresponding content to the browser 82 every time the state changes. In this case, by providing the relevance between the contents corresponding to each state, a series of contents having a plurality of relevances are provided to the PC 43, that is, the user by sequentially scanning the barcode pattern 11. it can. At this time, since the transition state varies depending on the barcode information indicated by the barcode pattern 11, it is not possible to provide uniform content, and various content can be provided. For example, the content can be given a story.

  The content server 74 can also transmit the content to the browser 82 when the state changes a predetermined number of times (an integer of 2 or more). In this case, the content corresponding to the latest state when the predetermined number of transitions may be transmitted to the browser 82, or the content corresponding to the history of the state when the predetermined number of transitions may be transmitted to the browser 82. For example, one content is defined by a permutation or combination of a predetermined number (= the predetermined number of times) of barcode information.

  In addition, the state transition of FIG. 31 is an illustration, It can set arbitrarily to which state by which barcode it changes. Of course, you can also set a bar code that loops the same state.

  Here, in FIG. 31 (b), only the state 5 is taken up for detailed explanation of input / output, and an input (barcode) arrow (outlined) and an output (transition) arrow (blacked out) are illustrated. In FIG. 31A, the input (barcode) arrow (outlined) is omitted, and only the output (transition) arrow (filled in black) is shown.

  Referring to FIG. 31B, the internal state is now state 5. In this case, the internal state of the content server 74 changes from the state 5 to one of a plurality of other states according to the input barcode 11.

  The barcode 11 to be input may be a barcode from the barcode reader 7 of a specific one user or a barcode from the barcode reader 7 of any user. That is, in all internal states that can be transitioned, the barcode that is input may be from the barcode reader 7 of one specific user, or the barcode that is input in a certain internal state and others. The bar code input in the internal state may be from different bar code readers 7 of different users.

  Further, the content server 74 can have one internal state in common for all users. In this case, the state transition of all users, that is, waiting for the input of the barcodes of all users (parallel input), it is possible to create content according to the final internal state, or the state transition of one user That is, each time a barcode is input from one user (serial input), content corresponding to the state transition can be created. Thus, the input for one internal state may be serial or parallel.

  On the other hand, the content server 74 can have an internal state for each user. In this case, content can be created separately for each user according to each state, and content common to each user can be created according to the combination or permutation of internal states corresponding to each user. You can also. When content common to each user is created according to the combination or permutation of internal states corresponding to each user, the state transition of all users, that is, waiting for the input of barcodes of all users (parallel input), the content In addition, each time a user enters a state transition, that is, every time a barcode is input from one user (serial input), the state after the state transition and the current state (or other user's) (or Content can also be created according to the past state. Thus, the input for one internal state may be serial or parallel.

  Now, the storage state of the program and data in the storage area 200 of the center server 31 is the same as that of the application example 3 (see FIGS. 16 and 6B). However, in application example 6, a classification program is stored in the program storage unit 172 of FIG. 16 instead of the control programs 174-1 to 174-q. In application example 6, the conversion table of FIG. 30 is stored in the storage area 200.

  Next, the flow of processing will be described with reference to the flowchart as appropriate. The processing of the barcode reader 7 is the same as steps S1 to S11 in FIG. It should be noted that the URL 19 of the center server 31 is stored in the ROM 19 of the barcode reader 7. The processing after the PC 43 receives the barcode information from the barcode reader 7 is the same as steps S1530 and S1532 of FIG.

  After receiving the barcode information from the PC 43, the center server 31 executes the classification process shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 32, in step S2069, center server 31 proceeds to step S2070 when it receives the barcode information, and returns to step S2069 otherwise. In step S2070, communication control unit 212 of center server 31 determines the number of digits of the received barcode information. In step S2072, if the received bar code information is 13 digits or 8 digits, that is, if a JAN code is received, the communication control unit 212 proceeds to step S2074 and controls the first individual portal screen search unit. If the received barcode information is other than 13 digits and 8 digits, the process proceeds to step S2080, and control is passed to the above classification program.

  In step S2074, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 accesses the first individual portal screen file 230 and searches for the URL (see FIG. 6C) associated with the received barcode information. In step S2076, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 displays HTML information for displaying the first individual portal screen 100 including the link button corresponding to the URL acquired in step S2074 on the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. Generate. In step S2078, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the HTML information generated in step S2076 to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N.

  Note that the processing after step S2078 in application example 6 is the same as steps S306 and S308 in FIG. Correspondingly, the processing of the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N and the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M in the application example 6 in this case is the same as steps S204 to S220 and steps S100 and S102 of FIG. is there. Further, the processing of the PC 43 and the electronic commerce server in this case is the same as the processing of FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S2080, the classification program of the center server 31 accesses the conversion table of FIG. 30 using the received barcode information as an index, and acquires the corresponding URL. In step S2082, the classification program adds barcode information to the acquired URL. In step S 2084, the communication control unit 212 instructs the PC 43 to access the URL to which the barcode information is added. Then, the process proceeds to step S2069. Hereinafter, a case where the center server 31 receives barcode information associated with a URL indicating the content server 74 will be described.

  In response to the instruction from the center server 31, the PC 43 accesses the content server 74 indicated by the instructed URL. At this time, the URL to which the barcode information is added is transmitted to the content server 74.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 33, in step S2030, the content server 74 receives the URL, that is, the barcode information, and proceeds to step S2032. Otherwise, the content server 74 returns to step S2030. In step S2032, the content server 74 changes the internal state to a state corresponding to the barcode information (see FIG. 31). In step S2034, content server 74 generates content corresponding to the transitioned state. In step S2036, the content server 74 transmits the content to the PC 43. Then, the process returns to step S2030. The PC 43 receives the content transmitted by the content server 74 and displays it on the monitor.

  Further, the content server 74 can perform the process of FIG. 34 instead of the process of FIG. Referring to FIG. 34, in step S2050, content server 74 receives the URL, that is, the barcode information, proceeds to step S2052, and otherwise returns to step S2050. In step S2052, the content server 74 changes the internal state to a state corresponding to the barcode information (see FIG. 31). In step S2054, the content server 74 determines whether P (two or more integers) barcode information has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S2056. If not received, the process returns to step S2050. .

  In step S2056, content server 74 generates content corresponding to the current state. In step S2058, the content server 74 transmits the content to the PC 43. Then, the process returns to step S2050. The PC 43 receives the content transmitted by the content server 74 and displays it on the monitor. In step S2056, content corresponding to the history of state transitions so far can be generated.

  The processing in FIG. 34 is an example of processing in the content server 74 when processing according to a combination or permutation of a plurality of barcodes 11 received sequentially is executed and content as an execution result is transmitted to the terminal 5.

  As described above, according to the application example 6, the content server 74 executes a process according to the sequential state transition by the sequentially received barcode 11, so that one content determined by one barcode 11 is included. Thus, it is possible to provide a service related to the next one content determined by the next one barcode 11 (corresponding to the processing of FIG. 33). Further, for the same reason, one content determined by a plurality of barcodes 11 can be provided (corresponding to the process of FIG. 34). That is, since processing according to a combination or permutation of a plurality of barcodes 11 can be executed, one content determined by the plurality of barcodes 11 can be provided. In this regard, compared to the case where one barcode 11 corresponds to one content, a variety of content can be provided with a small number of barcodes 11 and any content can be provided for the user. It is difficult or impossible to predict, so it can provide different enjoyment. Furthermore, for the same reason, it is possible to provide a service in which one content determined by a plurality of barcodes 11 is related to the next one content determined by the next plurality of barcodes 11.

  In addition, since the state transition can be performed according to the barcode 11 input from a plurality of users, the content can be enjoyed while mutually affecting the plurality of users. For example, the application example 6 can be applied to an online game (network game). Referring to FIG. 29, it is assumed that the first user of personal home 41-1 and the second user of personal home 41-2 are currently logged in to the online game. In this case, the content server 74 sequentially receives the barcode 11 input from the barcode reader 7 of the first user and the barcode 11 input from the barcode reader 7 of the second user, and changes the internal state. Then, the content (game result) corresponding to the state after the transition is created and transmitted to the PC 43 of the first user and the second user.

  (Application example 7)

  The application example 7 to be described below can be realized by various methods. In the following, an example of using the application example 6 will be described. Therefore, the application example 7 has the system configuration of FIG.

  Now, there are many people who request a specialty store to develop, print, and enlarge a film photographed with a still camera, and to print an image photographed with a digital camera. In the application example 7, the barcode 11 is printed on a photograph printed by the specialty store. In this case, the group to which the barcode 11 to be printed belongs is the second group 252 in FIG. 15, and each barcode 11 is unique. When a user who requests a specialty store to print a photograph scans the barcode 11 printed on the photograph with the barcode reader 7, a web page is displayed on the PC 43 by the content server 74.

  The WEB page displayed by scanning the barcode 11 includes a winning page, and thus the user can win a sweepstakes. This sweepstakes will be free for the next photo print. The WEB page displayed by the scan is a page in the sponsor's WEB site, and this sponsor bears a prize, that is, a photo printing fee. Thereby, the user can eliminate the economic burden when requesting a specialty store to print a photograph.

  Also, in order to win a sweepstakes, the user actively scans the barcode 11, so the user will always see the sponsor's WEB site, and the sponsor can effectively lead the user to their WEB site. it can. In addition, since the user pays for the printing fee, he / she should ask the specialty store that prints such a barcode 11 on a photo to print more, and can expect higher sales than a general specialty store.

  FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of Application Example 7. Referring to FIG. 35, it is assumed that the user of bar code reader 7 asks a specialty store to print an image taken with a digital camera, and P photographs 70 are completed. A photographed image is printed on the front of each photograph 70, and a unique barcode 11 is printed on the back. It is assumed that the sponsor A company provides the sweepstakes.

  When the barcode reader 7 scans the barcode 11 of the first photograph 70 by the user's operation, it is given to the content server 74 of company A via the center server 31, and the content server 74 The page P0 of the WEB site 83 of company A is transmitted to the PC 43. Thereby, the page P0 of the company A is displayed on the PC 43. Further, when the barcode 11 of the p-th photo 70 is scanned, it is given to the content server 74 of the company A via the center server 31, and the content server 74 is a page of the WEB site 83 of the company A. P5 is transmitted to the PC 43. Thereby, the page P5 of company A is displayed on the PC 43. Since the hit icon 78 is displayed on this page P5, the user presents the barcode 11 when requesting the next printing from the specialty store that has printed the barcode 11 on the photograph 70. By doing so, you can request free photo prints. When the barcode 11 of the last P-th photo 70 is scanned, it is given to the content server 74 of the company A via the center server 31, and the content server 74 is a page of the WEB site 83 of the company A. P3 is transmitted to the PC 43. Thereby, the page P3 of company A is displayed on the PC 43.

  The content server 74 determines which page of the WEB site 83 is to be transmitted to the PC 43 according to the received information of the barcode 11. Further, the content server 74 generates a hit page on which the hit icon 78 is displayed with a predetermined probability.

  When the barcode 11 of the same photograph 70 is scanned again, the center server 31 returns a message 94 indicating that it has already been scanned and is not valid to the PC 43. That is, in the application example 7, the barcode 11 can be used only once.

  Next, processing of the center server 31 in the application example 7 will be described. In this case, the center server 31 receives the barcode 11 printed on the photograph 70. After receiving the barcode 11 from the PC 43, the center server 31 executes the classification process shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 36, in step S2140, center server 31 proceeds to step S2142 when bar code 11 is received, and returns to step S2140 otherwise. In step S2142, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 determines the number of digits of the received barcode 11. In step S2144, if the received barcode 11 is 13 digits or 8 digits, that is, if a JAN code is received, the communication control unit 212 proceeds to step S2146 to control the first individual portal screen search unit. If the received barcode 11 is other than 13 digits and 8 digits, the process proceeds to step S2152, and control is passed to the classification program of application example 6 described above.

  The processes in steps S2146, S2148, and S2150 are the same as the processes in steps S2074, S2076, and S2078 in FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S2152, the classification program refers to the database in which the received barcode 11 is registered (hereinafter referred to as “reception registration database”), and the received barcode 11 is already received. 11, the process proceeds to step S2154 if the received barcode is 11. And the communication control part 212 transmits the message 94 of FIG. 35 to PC43, and progresses to step S2140. If the received barcode 11 is a barcode 11 that has not been received, the classification program proceeds to step S2156.

  In step S2156, the classification program registers the received barcode 11 as received in the receipt registration database. In step S2158, the classification program of the center server 31 accesses the conversion table of FIG. 30 using the received barcode 11 as an index, and acquires the corresponding URL. In step S2160, the classification program adds the barcode 11 to the acquired URL. In step S2162, the communication control unit 212 instructs the PC 43 to access the URL to which the barcode 11 is added. Then, the process proceeds to step S2140. Hereinafter, a case where the center server 31 receives the barcode 11 associated with the URL indicating the content server 74 will be described.

  In response to the instruction from the center server 31, the PC 43 accesses the content server 74 indicated by the instructed URL. At this time, the URL to which the barcode 11 is added is transmitted to the content server 74.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 37, in step S2100, the content server 74 receives the URL, that is, the barcode 11, proceeds to step S2102, and otherwise returns to step S2100. In step S2102, the content server 74 changes the internal state to a state corresponding to the barcode 11 (see FIG. 31). In step S2104, the content server 74 selects a WEB page corresponding to the transitioned state. A web page is associated with each internal state.

  In step S2106, content server 74 determines whether or not to add hit icon 78 to the selected WEB page. In step S2108, the content server 74 proceeds to step S2110 if the hit icon 78 is added, otherwise proceeds to step S2114. In step S2110, the content server 74 adds a hit icon 78 to the selected WEB page. In step S2112, the content server 74 registers the barcode 11 as a winning barcode in a database (hereinafter referred to as “winning registration database”).

  In step S2114, content server 74 transmits the selected WEB page to PC 43. Then, the process returns to step S2100. The PC 43 receives the WEB page transmitted from the content server 74 and displays it on the monitor.

  Next, another example of processing by the content server 74 will be described. The classification process of the center server 31 in this case is the same as the classification process of FIG.

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing of the content server 74 in the application example 7. Referring to FIG. 38, in step S2200, content server 74 receives the URL, that is, barcode 11, proceeds to step S2202, and otherwise returns to step S2200.

  In step S2202, the content server 74 refers to the database in which the received barcode 11 is registered (hereinafter referred to as “reception registration database”), and the received barcode 11 is already received. If the received barcode is 11, the process proceeds to step S2218. If the received barcode is 11, the process proceeds to step S2204.

  In step S2218, the content server 74 changes the internal state to a state corresponding to the barcode 11 (see FIG. 31). In step S2220, content server 74 selects a WEB page corresponding to the transitioned state, and proceeds to step S2222.

  On the other hand, in step S2204, the content server 74 registers the received barcode 11 in the receipt registration database as received. In step S2206, the content server 74 changes the internal state to a state corresponding to the barcode 11 (see FIG. 31). In step S2208, content server 74 selects a WEB page corresponding to the transitioned state.

  In step S2210, content server 74 determines whether or not to add icon 78 to the selected WEB page. In step S2212, the content server 74 proceeds to step S2214 if the hit icon 78 is added, and proceeds to step S2222 if not added. In step S2214, the content server 74 adds a hit icon 78 to the selected WEB page. In step S2216, the content server 74 registers the barcode 11 as a winning barcode in a database (hereinafter referred to as a “winning registration database”).

  In step S <b> 2222, the content server 74 transmits the selected WEB page to the PC 43. Then, the process returns to step S2200. The PC 43 receives the WEB page transmitted from the content server 74 and displays it on the monitor.

  By the way, in the application example 7, the advertisement support company that operates the center server 31 issues the barcode 11. Therefore, the advertisement support provider can obtain the price of the barcode 11 from the company A that is the operator of the WEB site 83. In other words, for the company A that became the sponsor, the print fee (sponsor) paid to the specialty store and the consideration paid to the advertisement support company are the advertisement fee.

  As described above, according to the application example 7, the user of the barcode reader 7 can obtain a prize by scanning the barcode 11. Therefore, it can be assumed that the user scans a large number of barcodes 11 in order to win a prize. In other words, the sweepstakes are an incentive, and a large number of barcodes 11 are scanned. As a result, each time the barcode 11 is scanned, the user sees the transmitted WEB page. Therefore, the operator of the site having the transmitted WEB page can effectively guide the user to his / her page.

  In particular, in the above, since the barcode 11 with a prize is printed on the photograph 70 printed by the specialty store, it is possible to attract more customers to the specialty store that prints the barcode 11.

  In application example 7, the barcode 11 can be used only once. As a result, unauthorized access that the operator of the WEB site 83 wants to exclude can be prevented. For example, if a prize is won by scanning the same barcode 11 any number of times, a person who creates a program that repeatedly sends the barcode 11 to the center server 31 and wins the prize without looking at the WEB site 83 May also appear. The operator of the WEB site 83 gives a prize so that the user can see his / her WEB site 83, and such a case must be eliminated.

  (Application 8)

  As an application example 8, an example in which a personal computer (PC) 361 is used as the fixed terminal 5f in FIG.

  FIG. 39 is an external perspective view of the PC 361 and the BC mouse 363. Referring to FIG. 39, the PC 361 includes a main body 300, a monitor 301, a keyboard 304, and a BC mouse 363. The BC mouse 363 is connected to the main body 300 of the PC 361 by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 302. On the side surface of the BC mouse 363, a scan switch 315 that is kept pressed when the barcode 11 is scanned is provided.

  FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram of the BC mouse 363 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 40, a BC mouse 363 includes an imaging unit 310 that includes an image sensor (not shown) that captures an imaged surface, and a light emitting unit that includes a light emitting diode (not illustrated) that emits light toward the imaged surface. 308, a mouse function unit 307, a scan switch 315, a barcode decoder 314, and a transmission unit 18.

  First, the function as a normal mouse will be briefly described. The imaging unit 310 captures an imaged surface, that is, the lower surface of the BC mouse 363 at a predetermined period T, and sequentially outputs the obtained frame images to the mouse function unit 307. The mouse function unit 307 converts these frame images into digital data, stores them, and compares the same images (for example, a specific pattern on the desk that is the photographing surface) reflected in each frame image. The movement direction and amount of the BC mouse 363, that is, the operation information of the BC mouse 363 is calculated. Then, the mouse function unit 307 outputs the calculated operation information to the transmission unit 18. For example, the mouse function unit 307 can be configured by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and a program that causes the DSP to execute the above processing.

  Next, the barcode reading function will be described. When the user slides the bottom of the optical mouse 363 on the barcode 11 while pressing the scan switch 315, the barcode 11 is read and decoded. Note that an imaging window by the image sensor of the imaging unit 310 is provided at the bottom of the optical mouse 363. This is the same as a normal optical mouse. Details are as follows.

  FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram of a barcode reading method using the BC mouse 363 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 41, consider a frame image 311 output from the imaging unit 310 and converted into digital data. The image sensor of the imaging unit 310, that is, the frame image 311 is assumed to be composed of (N + 1) pixels × (M + 1) pixels. The mouse function unit 307 outputs pixel data P (n, m) at a predetermined position (n, m) to the barcode decoder 314 every time the frame image 311 is acquired. That is, the mouse function unit 307 sequentially outputs the pixel data P (n, m) to the barcode decoder 314 at the imaging cycle T of the imaging unit 310. n and m are constants.

  Here, sequentially output pixel data P (n, m) is represented as P (t). The variable t is a value obtained by multiplying the shooting period T by an integer.

  FIG. 42 is an exemplary diagram of the barcode 11, the pixel data P (t) at a predetermined position (n, m) of the frame image 311 and the binarized data B (t) thereof. Referring to FIG. 42, the level of pixel data P (t) changes according to the black and white pattern of barcode 11. That is, when the pixel data P (t) represents a black bar, the luminance level is small, and when the pixel data P (t) represents a white space, the luminance level is large.

  The bar code decoder 314 compares the sequentially input pixel data P (t) with a predetermined threshold Th to obtain binarized data B (t). That is, when the pixel data P (t) is greater than the predetermined threshold Th, the barcode decoder 314 determines that the pixel data P (t) represents a white space and sets the pixel data P (t) to a binary value “0”. Data B (t). On the other hand, when the pixel data P (t) is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold Th, the barcode decoder 314 determines that the black bar is indicated, and sets the pixel data P (t) to a binary value “1”. Data B (t).

  As described above, the barcode decoder 314 binarizes sequentially inputted pixel data P (t), and decodes the barcode 11 by a known decoding method based on the obtained data B (t). . Then, the barcode decoder 314 converts the decoding result, that is, barcode information into keyboard data, and outputs the keyboard data to the transmission unit 18. Further, the barcode decoder 314 outputs a command for instructing the PC 361 to start a browser and transmit barcode information to the host computer 1 to the transmission unit 18 as keyboard data. However, the barcode decoder 314 performs a decoding process and a command issuing process when the barcode 11 is scanned while the scan switch 315 is pressed by the user. For example, the barcode decoder 314 can be configured by an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) and a program that causes the MCU to execute the above processing.

  The transmission unit 18 selectively outputs the operation information given from the mouse function unit 307 and the keyboard data given from the barcode decoder 314 to the PC 361 in accordance with a request from the PC 361. For example, the transmission unit 18 can be configured by a USB controller.

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the barcode decoder 314 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 43, in step S2551, barcode decoder 314 determines whether or not scan switch 315 is on. If off, the process returns to step S2551, and if on, the process proceeds to step S2552.

  In step S2552, the barcode decoder 314 receives pixel data P (t) at a predetermined position (n, m) from the mouse function unit 307. In step S2553, the barcode decoder 314 compares the pixel data P (t) with a predetermined threshold Th to binarize the pixel data P (t) to obtain binarized data B (t). In step S2554, the barcode decoder 314 stores the binarized data B (t) in the buffer.

  In step S2555, the barcode decoder 314 determines whether or not the scan switch 315 is on. If the scan switch 315 is on, the process returns to step S2552 because the scan is being performed. If the scan switch 315 is off, the process ends. . In step S2556, the barcode decoder 314 decodes the binarized data B (t) stored in the buffer based on a known barcode decoding method.

  If the barcode decoder 314 determines in step S2557 that the decoding of the barcode 11 has not been completed normally, the barcode decoder 314 proceeds to step S2562, clears the buffer, and returns to step S2551. On the other hand, if the barcode decoder 314 determines that the decoding of the barcode 11 has been completed normally, the barcode decoder 314 proceeds to step S2558.

  In step S2558, barcode decoder 314 converts the barcode information, which is the decoding result, into keyboard data and stores it in a RAM (not shown). In step S2559, the barcode decoder 314 acquires the URL (eg, “http://www.ssd.co.jp”) of the host computer 1 as keyboard data from a ROM (not shown). Barcode information (for example, “4560256580016”) as keyboard data is added to the end of the URL, and as a new URL (for example, “http://www.ssd.co.jp/?bc=4560256580016”). And stored in a RAM (not shown).

  In step S2560, the barcode decoder 314 obtains a command in the form of keyboard data for instructing the PC 361 to start the browser and access the host computer 1 from the ROM (not shown), and the RAM (not shown). (Not shown). In step S2561, the barcode decoder 314 outputs the keyboard data (command and URL) of steps S2559 and S2560 to the transmission unit 18, clears the buffer in step S2562, and returns to step S2551.

  As described above, the convenience of the user is further enhanced by mounting the barcode reading function on the optical mouse. That is, since the user simply scans the barcode 11 attached to the product with the BC mouse 363, the PC 361 automatically transmits the barcode information to the host computer 1 in response to the command from the BC mouse 363. The user can receive a service corresponding to the barcode 11 from the host computer 1 without performing a troublesome operation (no need to operate the PC 361). In addition, since the PC 361 performs an operation for realizing the present system in accordance with a command of the BC mouse 363, it is possible to save the user's trouble such as installing a new program in the PC 361.

  Of course, the BC mouse 363 also functions as a pointing device. Therefore, after the user scans the barcode 11 with the BC mouse 363, the PC 361 can be operated only by operating the BC mouse 363, and the configuration is very user-friendly.

  In addition, although the imaging unit 310 is provided, the pixels arranged at predetermined positions are not based on image analysis for decoding the barcode 11 based on the image of the barcode 11 in the obtained image. The barcode 11 is decoded based on pixel data that is continuous in time. In this way, an optical mouse based on a completely new barcode reading method that has not been conventionally available can be provided.

  (Application example 9)

  As an application example 9, a barcode with a novel use and a system for providing the barcode will be described. This new barcode is applied to the remote barcode reader system of FIG.

  FIG. 44 is a conceptual diagram of a business model realized by the barcode service providing system according to the application example 9. Referring to FIG. 44, a certain user 400 applies to the barcode service provider 405 for providing a barcode service. The user 400 is an individual, a company, a store, or the like.

  The barcode issuing system 407 allocates a unique barcode 431 to the user 400 and provides the user 400 with the barcode 431. In this case, the user 400 can apply for issuing a plurality of types of barcodes 431 without being limited to one. That is, the user 400 can apply for issuing a different barcode 431 for each of his uses # 0 to #N (N is an integer). In this case, the barcode issuing system 407 issues a different barcode 431 for each usage # 0 to #N. When there is no need to distinguish between uses # 0 to #N, they are collectively expressed as use #n.

  FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram of bar code assignment according to Application Example 9. Referring to FIG. 45, barcodes 431 (# 0,...) Are not assigned to articles as in the prior art, but are assigned to users 400 (A,...). Therefore, even if the user 400 is the same barcode 431, the user 400 can attach it to various desired articles. In addition, if the user 400 has a plurality of types of barcodes 431, they can be used for each application. Of course, also in this case, the same barcode 431 can be attached to various desired articles.

  Returning to FIG. 44, any route can be used as the barcode application / issuance route 403 between the barcode service provider 405 and the user 400. For example, the application route of the user 400 includes an application by a network such as the Internet and an application by submitting an application form by mail or the like. In addition, for example, as an issuance route (that is, provision route) of the barcode 431 of the barcode service provider 405, the barcode 431 is provided through a network such as the Internet, or the removable storage such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk is used. The barcode 431 is stored and provided, or the barcode 431 is printed and provided on a paper medium such as a sticker.

  When issuing the barcode 431 to the user 400, the barcode issuing system 407 associates the barcode 431 with a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for each user 400 and usage #n and stores it in the database 409 as a URL search file. Store. That is, the barcode issuing system 407 allocates a URL for each user 400 and usage #n. Accordingly, a directory is secured in the server 413 for each user 400 and usage #n. The URL includes a protocol, a host name, a directory, a file name, and the like.

  The user 400 accesses the server 413 by a personal computer (PC) 419 and creates or updates an HTML file in a directory assigned for each usage #n (that is, for each barcode 431). The content is created or updated for each usage #n, and the WEB site is operated for each usage #n.

  On the other hand, the user 400 distributes different barcodes 431 for each usage # 0 to #N to the recipient groups 417-0 to 417-N each including one or a plurality of recipients. When it is not necessary to distinguish the recipient groups 417-0 to 417-N, they are collectively referred to as a recipient group 417-n. For example, the user 400 distributes the barcode 431 of the usage # 0 to the recipient group 417-0 for the usage # 0 (private), and uses the usage # 1 to the recipient group 417-1 for the usage # 1 (work). The barcode 431 is distributed.

  Any route can be used as the distribution route 415 of the barcode 431 by the user 400. For example, the user 400 includes barcodes 431 on various desired articles (including electronic information such as software, image data, and audio data, and paper media such as magazines, business cards, postcards, catalogs, and advertising flyers). And can be distributed along with the goods. For example, the user 400 can store the barcode 431 in the removable storage and distribute it together with the removable storage. For example, the user 400 can distribute the barcode 431 by electronic mail. For example, the user 400 can distribute the barcode 431 through the WEB site.

  Recipients of the recipient group 417-n to whom the barcode # 431 of usage #n is distributed from the user 400 access the server 413 based on the barcode 431 of usage #n, and the barcode 431 of usage #n. Browse the web site assigned to. Thereby, the recipient can easily acquire information transmitted by the user 400.

  FIG. 46 is a schematic diagram of a communication procedure between the recipient group 417-n in FIG. 44 and the server 413 of the barcode service provider 405. Referring to FIG. 46, it is assumed that the recipients of recipient group 417-n in FIG. 44 have personal computer (PC) 435 and barcode reader 433 connected thereto. The PC 435 may be referred to as a client 435. In step S81, the recipient operates the barcode reader 433 to scan the distributed barcode 431. Then, the barcode reader 433 decodes the barcode 431 and acquires a character string represented by the barcode 431, that is, barcode information.

  In step S83, the barcode reader 433 outputs the barcode information as the decoding result to the PC 435 as keyboard data. The PC 435 receives the barcode information as keyboard data output from the barcode reader 433, and transmits it to the server 413 of the barcode service provider 405 via the network 137 in step S85. In this case, the PC 435 activates the browser and transmits the barcode information in response to the command as keyboard data given from the barcode reader 433. Therefore, it is not necessary to install special software on the PC 435.

  In step S87, the server 413 transmits information for displaying the WEB page corresponding to the barcode information received from the PC 435 to the PC 435 via the network 137. Then, the PC 435 displays a WEB page based on the received information.

  The server 413 corresponds to the host computer 1 in FIG. 1, the PC 435 corresponds to the terminal 5 in FIG. 1, the bar code reader 433 corresponds to the local bar code reader 7 in FIG. 1, and the network 137 corresponds to the Internet in FIG. It corresponds to 3.

  FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the flow of barcode issuing processing by the barcode issuing system 407 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 47, barcode issuing system 407 creates user identification information (user ID) in step S3101. In step S3103, the barcode issuing system 407 creates barcode information (character string) unique to the created user ID. In step S3105, the barcode issuing system 407 creates a binary code for creating a barcode pattern 431 representing barcode information according to a predetermined rule. In step S3107, the barcode issuing system 407 creates a URL unique to the user ID, that is, unique to the created barcode information. In step S3109, the barcode issuing system 407 stores the barcode information and the URL in the database 409 as a URL search file in association with the user ID.

  FIG. 48 is a conceptual diagram of the URL search file 421 stored in the database 409 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 48, URL search file 421 is a table in which user IDs, barcodes 431, and URLs are associated with each other. In this example, information on usage #n is included in the user ID. That is, the user ID includes a user identification unit and a use identification unit with a hyphen interposed therebetween.

  The communication procedure among the barcode reader 433, the client 435, and the server 413 is the same as the communication procedure between the local barcode reader 7, the terminal 5, and the host computer 1 shown in FIG. In this case, in step S31, the server 413 accesses the database 409, refers to the URL search file 421, and searches for the URL (see FIG. 48) associated with the received barcode 431. In step S33, the server 413 transmits the URL acquired in step S31 to the client 435. In step S25, the client 435 accesses the server 413 based on the received URL and displays a WEB page.

  Next, a modified example of the barcode issuing system 407 will be described. In this modification, the bar code 431 is a URL itself represented by letters, numbers, and symbols.

  FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the barcode issuing system 407. Referring to FIG. 49, in step S3251, the barcode issuing system 407 according to the modification creates a user ID. In step S3253, the barcode issuing system 407 according to the modification creates a URL unique to the user ID. In step S3255, the barcode issuing system 407 according to the modification creates a binary code for creating a barcode pattern 431 representing a URL according to a predetermined rule. In step S3257, the barcode issuing system 407 according to the modification stores the URL in the database 409 in association with the user ID. In this way, by setting the URL itself to the barcode 431, the URL search process (see step S31) by the server 413 is not necessary.

  As described above, according to the application example 9, the generated barcode 431 is associated with the URL of the content created by the user 400 (see FIG. 48). Accordingly, a person who receives the distribution of the barcode 431 can access the content on the server 413 by giving the barcode 431 to the server 413 via the client 435. Since this barcode 431 is not assigned to an article but unique to the user assigned to the user 400, the user 400 of the barcode 431 can create content regardless of the article to which the barcode 431 is attached. Is possible.

  By the way, if a barcode is assigned to an article, the person who received the barcode will have access to obtain information about the article, so it would be disappointing to create content unrelated to the article. In addition to ending in, you will never have access based on that barcode again. If the user wants to access the user's own content that does not depend on the article, the barcode needs to be associated with the user 400 as in this embodiment.

  Further, since the barcode 431 is not assigned to an article, the user 400 can attach the same barcode 431 to different articles, and the barcode 431 regardless of the article. It can be distributed alone.

  Furthermore, in the application example 9, a plurality of different barcodes 431 can be issued to one user. Accordingly, the user 400 can own a plurality of different barcodes 431. That is, the user 400 can create content corresponding to each barcode 431. Therefore, the user 400 can transmit the target information to the person who has the purpose by distributing different bar codes 431 to different recipients according to the usage #n. That is, even the same user may want to send a lot of information, and in this case, the receiving side is inconvenient because there is unnecessary information while there is necessary information. In addition, even the same user may not want to send all information to all people. In other words, there are cases where it is desired to send specific information only to a specific person.

  Further, in the modified example, in addition to the above effect, the processing load on the server 413 can be reduced. This is because the URL is included in the barcode 431 itself, so that the server 413 does not need to perform URL search processing (see step S31).

  (Application example 10)

  In the application example 1, the center server 31 (corresponding to the host computer 1 in FIG. 1) refers to the file 230 in FIG. 6C stored in the HDD 56 and the table in FIG. However, the received barcode 11 may not be registered in these files or tables. Also, it is convenient if an individual portal screen can be generated without preparing these files and tables. Therefore, the application example 10 provides a system that can generate an individual portal screen without necessarily preparing these files and tables.

  50A and 50B are explanatory diagrams of the application example 10. FIG. FIG. 50A is an explanatory diagram when the bar code 11 received by the center server 31 is a JAN code, an EAN code, or a UPC code excluding an ISBN code. FIG. 50B is an explanatory diagram when the bar code 11 received by the center server 31 is an ISBN code.

  Referring to FIG. 50A, in step S250, the barcode reader 7 scans and decodes the barcode pattern 11 in response to a user operation, and obtains barcode information represented by the barcode pattern 11. In step S252, the barcode information is transmitted to the PC 43 together with the URL of the center server 31 and the command. This command is a command for instructing the PC 43 to start the browser and access the center server 31 indicated by the given URL.

  In step S254, in response to the given command, the PC 43 transmits the given barcode information to the center server 31 via the network 33 based on the given URL.

  In step S256, the center server 31 accesses the barcode database 96 and searches the received barcode information. In step S258, the center server 31 acquires from the barcode database 96 the company name indicated by the manufacturer code and the product name indicated by the item code included in the searched barcode information. The barcode database 96 is a database in which barcode information is associated with company names and product names.

  In step S260, the center server 31 accesses the search engine 98 and searches the network 33 for the acquired company name and product name. In step S262, the center server 31 obtains the URL having the first search order in each search result, and regards it as the address of the site of the company and the site of the product. Thereby, even when many sites are hit, the URL to be acquired can be easily determined.

  In step S264, the center server 31 transmits to the PC 43 an individual portal screen including a link button for accessing the acquired URL (company homepage, product site). When the link button is pressed in step S266, the PC 43 accesses the server 47 indicated by the URL corresponding to the link button. In step S268, the PC 43 receives site display information from the server 47 and displays the site.

  Referring to FIG. 50B, the processes in steps S280, S282, and S284 are the same as steps S250, S252, and S254 in FIG.

  In step S286, the center server 31 accesses the book database 91 and searches for the received barcode information (that is, ISBN). In step S288, the center server 31 acquires from the book database 91 the book name, author name, publisher name, and URL of the electronic commerce site where the book with the book name indicated by the searched barcode information can be purchased. The book database 91 is a database in which barcode information is associated with a book name, author name, publisher name, and URL of an electronic commerce site where a book with the book name can be purchased.

  In step S290, the center server 31 accesses the publisher database 93 and searches for publisher symbols included in the barcode information. In step S 292, the center server 31 acquires the URL associated with the searched publisher symbol from the publisher database 93. The publisher database 93 is a database in which the publisher symbol included in the barcode information is associated with the URL of the publisher. Of course, the publisher database 93 may be a database in which the publisher name indicated by the publisher symbol included in the barcode information is associated with the URL of the publisher. In this case, the center server 31 searches for the publisher name from the publisher database 93.

  In step S294, the center server 31 includes the acquired book name, author name, publisher name, link button to the publisher's site, and link button to the electronic commerce site where the book with the title can be purchased. The portal screen is transmitted to the PC 43. In step S296, when the link button to the electronic commerce site where the book with the title can be purchased is pressed, the PC 43 accesses the electronic commerce server 95 indicated by the URL corresponding to the link button. Then, in step S298, the PC 43 receives the display information of the site where the book with the title is purchased from the electronic commerce server 95, and displays the site. Note that when the publisher's link button is pressed on the individual portal screen, the PC 43 accesses a server (not shown) indicated by the URL corresponding to the link button.

  FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for generating an individual portal screen in application example 10. Referring to FIG. 51, in step S3000, communication control unit 212 of center server 31 determines the number of digits of the received barcode information. In step S3002, if the received barcode information is 13 digits or 8 digits, that is, if a JAN code, EAN code, or UPC code is received, the communication control unit 212 proceeds to step S3008 and performs control. If the received barcode information is other than 13 digits and 8 digits, the process proceeds to step S3004, and control is passed to the control program 174-Q corresponding to the group to which the barcode information belongs. .

  In step S3008, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 accesses the first individual portal screen file 230 and searches the received barcode information (see FIG. 6C). In step S3010, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 proceeds to step 3012 when the input barcode information is registered in the first individual portal screen file 230, and the input barcode information is not yet stored. In the case of registration, the process proceeds to step 3014.

  In step S3012, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 generates HTML information for displaying the first individual portal screen 100 including the link button corresponding to the URL acquired in step S3008 on the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N.

  On the other hand, in step S3014, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 determines the prefix symbol of the barcode information (the upper three digits of the barcode information). In step S3016, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 proceeds to step S3026 if the prefix symbol is “978”, that is, if the barcode information is an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) code (step S3025). Is not executed in this example.) Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S3018.

  In step S3018, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 accesses the barcode database 96, searches the received barcode information, and acquires the company name and product name indicated by the barcode information. In step S3020, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 searches the acquired company name with a search engine, and acquires the URL with the first search order. In step S3021, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 searches the acquired product name with a search engine, and acquires the URL with the first search order. In step S3022, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 displays HTML information for displaying the first individual portal screen 100 including the link button corresponding to the URL acquired in steps S3020 and S3021 on the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. Generate.

  On the other hand, in step S3026, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 accesses the book database 91 to search the received barcode information, and the book name, author name, publisher name, and The URL of an electronic commerce site where the book with the title can be purchased is acquired. In step S3028, the first individual portal screen search unit 214 accesses the publisher database 93, searches for the publisher symbol included in the received barcode information, and acquires the URL of the site operated by the publisher. . In step S3030, the individual portal screen generation unit 215 displays HTML information for displaying the first individual portal screen 100 including the link button corresponding to the URL acquired in steps S3026 and S3028 on the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. Generate.

  After step S3012, S3022, or S3030, in step S3032, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the generated HTML information to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. The subsequent processing is the same as in FIGS.

  In step S3004, the control program 174-Q creates content HTML information according to the received barcode information. In step S3006, the communication control unit 212 of the center server 31 transmits the HTML information of the content generated in step S3004 to the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N. Then, the PC 43 analyzes the HTML information and displays the content.

  The communication procedure between the PC 43 and the barcode reader 7 is the same as the communication procedure between the terminal 5 and the barcode reader 7 in FIG.

  As described above, in the application example 10, the URL of the site related to the company and the item corresponding to the barcode 11 can be acquired by using the existing search engine 98. It is not necessary to have the URL of the site related to the company and the item in advance, and the cost can be reduced. By the way, it takes a lot of time, labor, and expense to have URLs for all company sites or item sites. Even when the URL is associated with the barcode 11 in advance, the URL that has not been stored can be complemented by acquiring the URL by the search engine 98.

  Further, when the individual portal screen is generated, the URL related to the company or the product corresponding to the barcode 11 is acquired using the search engine 98. For this reason, as long as the company or product site corresponding to the barcode 11 exists on the network 33, an inconvenient situation such that the link of the company or product corresponding to the barcode 11 is not included in the individual portal screen can be avoided. In other words, since the case of inaccessibility to the company site or the product site can be eliminated as much as possible, it is possible to prevent the existing user from leaving and contribute to the development of new users.

  (Application Example 11)

  Application Example 11 provides a new utilization of GPS (Global Positioning System) by a remote barcode reader system.

  FIG. 52A is an explanatory diagram of Application Example 11. FIG. Referring to FIG. 52A, the digital camera 450 receives a GPS receiver (not shown) that receives information transmitted from a GPS satellite, and a shooting position (latitude, longitude) based on the information received by the GPS receiver. And a GPS control unit (not shown) for calculating the altitude. The digital camera 450 associates the image data obtained by photographing and the photographing position data acquired at that time and stores them in a storage device (for example, a memory).

  In step S350, the digital camera 450 transmits image data and corresponding shooting position data to the PC 43 in accordance with a user operation. In step S <b> 352, the PC 43 transmits the shooting position data received from the digital camera 450 to the content server 72 via the network 33 in accordance with a user operation. In step S <b> 354, the content server 72 assigns a unique barcode 11 to the shooting position data received from the PC 43 and transmits the barcode 11 to the PC 43 via the network 33. The PC 43 stores the received barcode 11 in a storage device (for example, HDD) in association with the corresponding image data and shooting position data. Further, the content server 72 creates the control file of FIG. 24 based on the shooting position data (latitude / longitude data), and stores it in a storage device (for example, HDD) in association with the barcode 11 assigned to the shooting position data. To do. Note that the photographing altitude (that is, scale) from the aircraft or satellite included in the control file is set to a constant value.

  In step S356, the content server 72 transmits the barcode 11 and the URL of the control file associated therewith to the center server 31. The center server 31 registers the received barcode 11 and URL in the conversion table of FIG.

  In step S358, according to the user's operation, the PC 43 provides the printer 452 with the image data and the corresponding barcode 11 together with the print command. In step S360, the printer 452 prints the received image data and the barcode 11 on a sheet. As a result, a photograph 454 including the barcode 11 is completed. The barcode 11 in the photograph 454 corresponds to the barcode 11 in FIG. Therefore, the barcode 11 in the photograph 454 can be used in the same manner as the barcode 11 in the application example 5. That is, the processing after the barcode 11 of the photograph 454 is scanned by the barcode reader 7 is the same as the processing in the application example 5 (FIGS. 22, 26, and 28), and detailed description thereof is omitted. This will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 22, in step S1500, the barcode reader 7 scans and decodes the barcode pattern 11 of the photograph 454 (see FIG. 52) in response to the user's operation. Get the barcode information to represent.

  In step S1502, the OS 84 of the PC 43 receives the barcode information acquired by the barcode reader 7, and passes it to the browser 82 of the PC 43 in step S1504. In step S 1506, the browser 82 transmits the received barcode information to the center server 31 via the network 33.

  In step S 1508, the center server 31 converts the received barcode information into a URL using the conversion table in FIG. 27, and transmits the URL to the browser 82 of the PC 43. In step S1510, the browser 82 accesses the content server 72 indicated by the received URL, and acquires the control file (see FIG. 24) indicated by the received URL from the content server 72 in step S1512.

  In step S1514, the browser 82 passes the acquired control file to the OS 84. In step S1516, the OS 84 starts the globe application 86 based on the extension of the control file, and passes the path of the control file. In step S1518, the globe application 86 accesses the control file based on the passed path, and sends a transmission request for a photograph (aerial photograph or satellite photograph) of the shooting position (latitude / longitude) indicated by the control file. 80.

  In step S1520, the globe server 80 performs streaming distribution of the photo data requested by the globe app 86 to the globe app 86. Based on this data, the globe application 86 displays a photograph on the monitor. The globe server 80 has a database of aerial photographs and satellite photographs of various parts of the world associated with latitude and longitude.

  The center server 31 and the content server 72 correspond to the host computer 1 in FIG. The same applies to the example shown in FIG.

  FIG. 52B is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the application example 11. Referring to FIG. 52B, the digital camera 451 stores image data obtained by photographing in a storage device (for example, a memory) in association with time data at that time. In addition, the GPS unit 456 includes a GPS receiving unit (not shown) that receives information transmitted from a GPS satellite and a shooting position (including latitude, longitude, and shooting altitude) based on the information received by the GPS receiving unit. A GPS control unit (not shown) for calculating Then, the GPS unit 456 stores the calculated shooting position data in a storage device (for example, a memory) in association with the time data at that time. It is assumed that the user performs shooting with the digital camera 451 while holding the GPS unit 456.

  In step S370, the digital camera 451 transmits image data and corresponding time data to the PC 43 in accordance with a user operation. On the other hand, in step S372, the GPS unit 456 transmits shooting position data and corresponding time data to the PC 43 in accordance with a user operation. The PC 43 stores the shooting position data corresponding to the time data received from the GPS unit 456, which indicates the same time as the time data received from the digital camera 451, in association with the image data corresponding to the time data. To store.

  In step S374, the PC 43 transmits the shooting position data to the content server 72 via the network 33 in accordance with the user operation. In step S 376, the content server 72 assigns a unique barcode 11 to the shooting position data received from the PC 43 and transmits the barcode 11 to the PC 43 via the network 33. The PC 43 stores the received barcode 11 in a storage device (for example, HDD) in association with the corresponding image data and shooting position data. Also, the content server 72 creates the control file of FIG. 24 based on the shooting position data, and stores it in a storage device (for example, HDD) in association with the barcode 11 assigned to the shooting position data. Note that the photographing altitude (that is, scale) from the aircraft or satellite included in the control file is set to a constant value.

  In step S378, the content server 72 transmits the URL indicating the storage location of the barcode 11 and the control file associated therewith to the center server 31. The center server 31 registers the received barcode 11 and URL in the conversion table of FIG.

  In step S380, the PC 43 provides the printer 452 with the image data and the corresponding barcode 11 together with the print command in accordance with the user operation. In step S382, the printer 452 prints the received image data and the barcode 11 on a sheet. As a result, a photograph 454 including the barcode 11 is completed. The barcode 11 in the photograph 454 corresponds to the barcode 11 in FIG. Therefore, the barcode 11 in the photograph 454 can be used in the same manner as the barcode 11 in the application example 5. This is the same as the example of FIG.

  FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing the flow of barcode application processing in the application example 11. Referring to FIG. 53, in step S1200, content server 72 assigns unique barcode 11 to the shooting position data received from PC 43 (see steps S352 and S374). In step S1202, the content server 72 transmits the assigned barcode 11 to the PC 43. In step S1204, the content server 72 creates the control file of FIG. 24 based on the shooting position data (latitude / longitude data). In step S1206, the content server 72 transmits to the center server 31 a URL indicating the storage location of the barcode 11 and the control file.

  As described above, according to the application example 11, the captured image data obtained by the digital cameras 450 and 451 is associated with the capturing position data based on GPS. A unique barcode 11 is assigned to the photographing position data. Further, the photographed image data is printed together with the assigned barcode 11, and a photograph 454 is completed. On the other hand, the control file of FIG. 24 is created based on the shooting position data corresponding to the shot image data.

  Therefore, when the barcode 11 printed on the photograph 454 is scanned by the barcode reader 7, the PC 43 acquires the control file of FIG. 24 from the content server 72 and activates the globe application 86. Then, the globe application 86 receives the image data of the location indicated by the control file from the globe server 80, that is, the location indicated by the shooting position data, and displays it on the monitor. The shooting position data indicates a shooting location by the digital camera 450. For this reason, the user can view the aerial photograph or satellite photograph of the place etc. which are reflected in the image captured by the digital cameras 450 and 451 on the monitor. In this case, the user can perform enlargement / reduction or change the depression angle by operating the icon in the photo operation column 90 (see FIG. 25), and can also view the surrounding photo.

  In this way, the user can see the location and the like in the captured image by the digital cameras 450 and 451 in various viewpoints and forms. In addition, if the photos stored in the globe server 80 are sequentially updated to the latest ones, how the locations in the past photographed images taken by the digital cameras 450 and 451 are currently changing, etc. Can see.

  As described above, since the shooting positions of the digital cameras 450 and 451 are acquired by the GPS and associated with the barcode 11, the user simply scans the barcode 11 of the photo 454 and appears in the photo 454. You can see aerial photos or satellite photos of places. Thus, the application example 11 can provide new utilization of GPS.

  Further, since the content server 72 issues the barcode 11 and does not issue the barcode 11 on the PC 43 side, that is, the user side, it is easy to collect a fee for issuing the barcode 11. For example, the content server 72 charges each time the barcode 11 is issued.

  (Application 12)

  In Application Example 12, a program for performing fraud on the remote barcode reader system according to this embodiment will be described. Patent rights and other rights are obtained with respect to fraudulent programs, and when illegal programs are distributed or sold, they can be eliminated by patent rights or the like.

  FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram of the application example 12. Referring to FIG. 54, assume that an unauthorized program 81 is installed in terminal 5. The unauthorized program 81 may be newly installed in the terminal 5 or may be a modified version of a program (for example, a driver or a browser) already installed in the terminal 5.

  As described above, the barcode reader 7 scans the barcode 11, and transmits the barcode 11, the URL of the host computer 1, the command for starting the browser, and the serial number to the terminal 5 as keyboard data. (See FIG. 2A).

  The unauthorized program 81 receives this keyboard data and accesses the unauthorized server 69 indicated by a different URL instead of the host computer 1 indicated by the URL given from the barcode reader 7. In order to force the terminal 5 to access the unauthorized server 69 (for malicious purposes), the unauthorized program 81 may be distributed. In addition, a malicious program 81 may be distributed by a third party for the purpose of providing a specific service (for example, library creation) (for the purpose of good intentions). In this case, it is considered that the user installs the unauthorized program 81 in order to receive the service, but this impedes the business of the operator of the remote barcode reader system and is not permitted.

  Alternatively, the unauthorized program 81 receives the keyboard data, extracts the barcode 11 given from the barcode reader 7, and executes processing (for example, creation of a library) using the barcode 11, but the host computer No access to 1.

  The access and processing as described above, regardless of whether the user intends, causes a disadvantage (business interruption) to the operator of the remote barcode reader system, and is not permitted but prohibited.

  Alternatively, the unauthorized program 81 discards this keyboard data. In this case, since access to the host computer 1 is not performed, the business of the operator of the remote barcode reader system is hindered, and naturally such processing is also prohibited.

  FIG. 55A is a flowchart showing the flow of processing (first example) of the unauthorized program 81 in the application example 12. Referring to FIG. 55A, in step S2300, the unauthorized program 81 checks whether or not keyboard data (URL, command, barcode, serial number) has been given from the barcode reader 7, and is given. If NO in step S2302, the flow advances to step S2300. In step S2302, the unauthorized program 81 accesses an unauthorized server 69 different from the host computer 1 indicated by the URL included in the received keyboard data. In this case, the malicious program 81 can send the barcode to the unauthorized server 69 or not.

  FIG. 55B is a flowchart showing the flow of processing (second example) of the unauthorized program 81 in the application example 12. Referring to FIG. 55 (b), in step S2304, the unauthorized program 81 checks whether or not keyboard data (URL, command, barcode, serial number) is given from the barcode reader 7, and is given. If YES in step S2306, the flow advances to step S2306; otherwise, the flow returns to step S2304. In step S2306, the unauthorized program 81 extracts a barcode included in the received keyboard data and discards other data. In step S2308, the unauthorized program 81 executes processing using the extracted barcode.

  Now, if the malicious program 81 is executed, access to the authorized host computer 1 that is originally intended to be accessed is not performed, and the business of the provider that provides a service based on access to the authorized host computer 1 can be obtained. It will be obstructed (business disruption). Further, when the user of the terminal 5 desires access to the legitimate host computer 1, the user's profit is also harmed. Therefore, when a patent right is obtained for such a malicious program 81 and the unauthorized program 81 is distributed or sold, it can be excluded by the patent right. That is, fraud when accessing the network 33 using the barcode 11 can be prevented.

  Further, it is possible to prevent the unauthorized program 81 from transmitting the barcode 11 to the unauthorized server 69 or to use the barcode 11 without permission at the terminal 5 and to prevent the abuse of the barcode 11.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

  (1) In the above, a configuration is adopted in which it is unnecessary to install special software on the terminal 5 that causes the browser to transmit the barcode 11 to the host computer 1 by causing the local barcode reader 7 to output the command 29. . However, such dedicated software may be installed in the terminal 5 without adopting a configuration in which the local barcode reader 7 outputs the command 29. In this case, it is preferable that the software is activated in response to the input of the barcode 11 and automatically transmits the barcode 11. Alternatively, the local barcode reader 7 may output a command for such dedicated software, and the software may transmit the barcode 11 to the host computer 1 in response to the command.

  In the above description, a configuration is adopted in which it is unnecessary to input the host URL 27 to the terminal 5 by causing the local barcode reader 7 to output the URL 27 of the host computer 1. However, the local barcode reader 7 does not adopt the configuration for outputting the URL 27, and the user inputs the URL 27 of the host computer 1, or the above software is provided with the URL 27 and is brought to the terminal 5. It may be left.

  The local barcode reader 7 that does not output the URL 27 and the command 29 is the same as a general barcode reader. Therefore, it is possible to use a general bar code reader for this system by installing the above-described software in the terminal 5.

  (2) Although the example shown in FIG.5 (b), FIG.9, and FIG.11 (a) was given as a structure of an individual portal screen, a link button is not limited to these. In addition, the advertisement support provider can arbitrarily determine which link button is the default. Also, the advertisement support company can arbitrarily determine which link button is the link button with consideration.

  Furthermore, the content displayed on the individual portal screen is not necessarily limited to the link button. Further, the center server 31 can return the URL of the WEB site related to the product indicated by the received barcode to the PC 43 or the like without providing an individual portal screen, and can directly display the WEB site. The information regarding the product posted on the WEB site includes all information that the advertiser 45 -M wants to convey to the user before or after purchasing the product. This also applies to information relating to products provided from the link destination by the link button on the individual portal screen.

  (3) The link destinations from the link buttons 102, 106, 118, 108, and 116 on the first individual portal screen 100 are files in the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M. However, this server 47 does not physically mean a single server, but these link destinations may be composed of a plurality of servers. The same applies to the case where the link destination on the first individual portal screen 130 is a file in the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M. The same applies when the link destination on the second individual portal screen 101 is a file in the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M.

  In addition, the user registration function, the questionnaire function, and the household account book function of the center server 31 can be configured by separate servers. Of course, the processing of the center server 31 can be distributed to a plurality of servers.

  Furthermore, the link destinations corresponding to the buttons 126, 168, and 124 displayed on the frame 164 of the second individual portal screen 101 are files in the server 47 of the store head office 75-P. However, this server 77 does not physically mean a single server, but these link destinations may be composed of a plurality of servers.

  (4) In the above description, the barcodes 11 and 431 are used as information to be transmitted to the host computer 1 and the center server 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electronic tag (IC tag) such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification System) tag can be used. In this case, however, information stored in the electronic tag is read by an electronic tag reader (IC tag reader) instead of the barcode readers 7 and 433. It is preferable that the electronic tag reader (IC tag reader) issue the same command as the barcode readers 7 and 433 and output the URL of the host computer 1. In the above description, a one-dimensional bar code, which is a one-dimensional code, is used. However, a two-dimensional bar code, a QR code, or the like, which is a two-dimensional code, can also be used.

  (5) The host computer 1 and the center server 31 can be physically configured by one computer, or can be configured by distributing processing to a plurality of computers. Of course, the installation locations of each computer in the case of distributed processing may be in the same country, or may be distributed and installed in a plurality of countries. The host computer 1 and the center server 31 are used as a concept including hardware and software.

  (6) In the application examples 1 to 6, when the center server 31 receives the in-store code from the barcode reader 7 or the camera unit 180, the center server 31 sends a predetermined message (for example, notification that the service cannot be provided) to the terminal. It can also be returned to tm. The in-store code is a bar code set by the retailer and used only in the store. Therefore, it is rejected because it is not necessarily unique when viewed from the whole market.

  (7) As the barcode reader 7, a barcode recognition function using a camera of a mobile phone can be used. The same applies to QR code recognition. In this case, for example, software for transmitting a barcode to the host computer 1 or the center server 31 is installed in the mobile phone.

  (8) In the above description, the first group 251 is a JAN code. However, an EAN (European Article Number) code and / or a UPC (Universal Product Code) code may be included in the first group 251.

  (9) Application example 2 and application example 3 may be combined. That is, the center server 31 classifies the received barcode into the first group 251 and the second group 252 and executes the process. In this case, when the center server 31 receives a barcode belonging to the first group 251, the user accesses the center server 31 from the PC 43 of the personal residence 41-N and from the computer 37 of the store 35-K. Even when the same barcode is used when the center server 31 is accessed, individual portal screens having different contents are provided for both. Similarly, a combination of application example 2 and application example 5, a combination of application example 2 and application example 6, and a combination of application example 2 and application example 7 are also possible.

  A combination of Application Example 5 and Application Example 6 is also possible. In this case, for example, the center server 31 in the application example 6 is used. Therefore, the classification program of the center server 31 accesses the conversion table of FIG. 30 to acquire the URL associated with the group to which the received barcode information belongs, adds the barcode information to the URL, and To instruct access to the content server indicated by the URL. For example, it is assumed that the URL associated with the barcode group in the first row of the conversion table in FIG. 30 indicates the content server 74, and the URL associated with the barcode group in the second row indicates the content server 72. In this case, the content server 72 searches for a control file (see FIG. 24) corresponding to the barcode information received from the PC 43 and transmits it to the PC 43. The content server 74 is the same as Application Example 6. Similarly, the combination of the application example 5 and the application example 7 is also possible.

  Further, a combination of Application Example 2, Application Example 5 and Application Example 6 and a combination of Application Example 2, Application Example 5 and Application Example 7 are possible. Of course, the camera unit 180 of the application example 4 and the BC mouse 363 of the application example 8 can be used in place of the barcode reader 7 in all application examples.

  (10) In the above application example 2, based on the URL given from the terminal tm, it is determined whether the terminal tm is installed in the store 35-K or in the personal residence 41-N (FIG. 12 step S400). However, the method is not limited as long as the center server 31 can determine the installation location of the terminal tm. Also, although two types of individual portal screens are prepared according to the installation location, three or more types of individual portal screens can be prepared according to the installation location.

  (11) In the application example 3, the barcode is classified into either the first group 251 or the second group 252 depending on the number of digits of the received barcode (step S430 in FIG. 17). However, the method is not limited as long as the type of barcode can be determined. For example, the barcode reader 7 or the terminal tm can perform classification by giving the center server 31 information indicating the type of the barcode together with the barcode.

  (12) Although the control programs 174-1 to 174 -q of FIG. 16 are executed on the center server 31, they can be executed on separate computers (content servers). In this case, the communication control unit 212 gives the barcode 2520 of the second group 252 to the computer on which the corresponding control program 174-Q is executed, and provides the corresponding content from the computer to the terminal tm. In the above, the application example 6 becomes this type.

  (13) The individual portal screen (100, 130, 101) is an example of the portal screen of the present invention. This portal screen is a page serving as a relay for accessing a WEB site (referred to as a “direct site”) directly related to a “thing” to which a code (barcode, QR code, RFID, etc.) is assigned, One example is the individual portal screen described above, where “thing” includes tangible objects including goods and real estate, intangible objects including information and services, goods, and organisms including humans and animals. , Video, audio, programs, and data.

  In the present invention, the user always accesses the direct site via such a portal screen serving as a relay. Accordingly, the business operator who operates the host computer 1 and the center server 31 collects and analyzes the status of the user's access to each portal screen and the link destination posted there, and the “thing” to which the code is assigned. Statistical data on can be quickly obtained. For example, market analysis of “things” is possible based on the obtained statistical data. In addition, comparative analysis of the same kind of “things” is also possible. These are also economically valuable and can be a source of revenue for the operator. Furthermore, the business operator can also make a profit like the individual portal screen unique to the product. In this way, the provision of the portal screen can increase the opportunities for the business operator to earn revenue. Incidentally, if the user can immediately access the direct site by scanning the code, the operator cannot recognize the status of access to each direct site.

  (14) In the application example 5, the globe application 86 is given as an example of the application program installed in the communication terminal 5 that is controlled by the control file transmitted by the center server 31. However, the application program controlled by the control file is not limited to this. For example, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database, mailer, game program, and various other types of application programs can be controlled by the control file. Further, the application program does not necessarily need to be controlled by a file, but may be data in other formats.

  (15) In Application Example 5, an existing browser and OS are used without installing dedicated software to control the globe application 86. However, it is also possible to install dedicated software and cause the globe application 86 to be activated or controlled based on transmission of a barcode or control file. In this case, it is not always necessary to use the control file having the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the configuration of data for starting and controlling the globe application 86 given from the center server 31 can be arbitrarily designed according to the specifications of the dedicated software.

  (16) In the application example 5, the image data of the photograph 162 is acquired from the globe server 80. However, the PC 43 may store these image data in a storage device such as an internal or external hard disk. Also, image data can be stored in both.

  (17) First to third examples will be described as methods for classifying barcode information. First, a first example will be described. This example is applied to Application Example 6. That is, the center server 31 has the conversion table of FIG. 30, searches for a URL associated with the group to which the received barcode information belongs, adds the barcode information, and sends the PC 43 to the content server indicated by the URL. Make it accessible. In response to this access, the content server generates content corresponding to the barcode information added to the URL and transmits it to the PC 43. However, in this example, the center server 31 does not necessarily need to add the barcode information itself to the URL, and can add the barcode information converted according to a predetermined algorithm.

  Next, a second example will be described. This example is applied to Application Example 5. That is, the center server 31 has the conversion table of FIG. 27 for each group to which the barcode information belongs, and accesses the conversion table corresponding to the group to which the received barcode information belongs, and associates the barcode information with it. And the PC 43 is accessed to the content server indicated by the URL. In response to this access, the content server transmits the content indicated by the URL to the PC 43. The content referred to here corresponds to a control file in the application example 5. As described above, in this specification, the content is used as including content and data defining the content in addition to the content itself.

  Next, a third example will be described. In this example, the barcode reader 7 stores URLs of a plurality of content servers in the ROM 19 in addition to the URL of the center server 31. The barcode reader 7 has a table that associates barcode information with the URL of the content server. Then, the barcode reader 7 transmits the URL of the center server 31 to the PC 43 as a default. However, when the barcode information associated with the URL of the content server is read, the barcode reader 7 transmits the URL of the content server to the PC 43. Accordingly, in this case, the PC 43 directly accesses the content server, not the center server 31, and thereafter, the scanned barcode information is transmitted to the content server. In this case, the bar code reader 7 receives the URL of the center server 31 by elapse of a predetermined time, by a predetermined number of accesses (an integer of 1 or more), or by reading a specific bar code indicating returning to the default. Is transmitted to the PC 43.

  (18) In the application example 6, the content according to the state transition of the content server 74 is provided. However, it is also possible to prepare a table in which a permutation or combination of a predetermined number of barcodes 11 is one set, a plurality of sets are defined, and one set is associated with each set. In this case, the content server 74 creates content to be provided with reference to this table. Even in this case, in many cases, the processing according to the state transition of the content server 74 is actually performed.

  Even in this case, the process according to the combination or permutation of a plurality of barcodes input from a plurality of barcode readers 7 of a plurality of users is not limited to the input from one barcode reader 7 of a specific one user. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy content (for example, an online game) while affecting each other among a plurality of users.

  (19) In Application Example 7, the barcode 11 printed on the photograph 70 is unique. However, it is also possible to scan the same barcode 11 as many times as possible so that a prize is won as many times as possible. Even in this case, as a result, since the user sees the sponsor's site, the advertising effect can be sufficiently expected.

  (20) In application example 7, an example in which the sponsor is one company has been described, but any number of sponsors may be used. In this case, the center server 31 refers to the conversion table in FIG. 30 and causes the PC 43 to access the (sponsor) content server 74 corresponding to the barcode 11. In this way, when there are a large number of sponsors, for example, a plurality of sponsor barcodes 11 can be mixed in a plurality of photos by a single request from the user. In addition, for example, the barcode 11 of the same sponsor can be printed on a plurality of photos by one request, and the barcode 11 of another sponsor can be printed at the time of another request. For example, the sponsor can be switched depending on the number of photos to be printed regardless of the user.

  (21) In Application Example 7, one barcode 11 is printed on one photograph. However, it is also possible to print a plurality of barcodes 11 on a single photo. In this case, the barcode 11 of a different sponsor can be printed, or the barcode 11 of the same sponsor can be printed. Moreover, although the barcode 11 was printed on the back of the photograph, it may be printed on the front of the photograph. Further, the barcode 11 may not be printed on all the photos, but may be printed only on a part of the photos by a single request.

  (22) In Application Example 7, the sweepstakes were the total amount of photo printing. However, it can also be part of the print fee. In addition, the sweepstakes can be arbitrarily set without being limited to the photo printing fee. In addition to the next printing fee, the printing fee can be basically free (sponsor burden), and another prize (sponsor burden) can be provided as a sweepstakes.

  In Application Example 7, the sweepstakes was used as a photo printing fee. However, it is also possible to give a prize to the user at every scan, and to give a prize if a certain number of points are accumulated. In addition, points can be awarded for winning, and a prize can be awarded when a certain number of points are accumulated.

  In Application Example 7, there was one stage of sweepstakes. However, a stage such as a special prize, first prize, second prize, etc. may be provided.

  (23) In the above, when the center server 31 receives the barcode 2510 belonging to the first group 251 in FIG. 15, the individual portal screens 100 and 130 are transmitted to the PC 43. In this case, an example in which the advertiser and the manufacturer indicated by the barcode 2510 coincide is given. However, the individual portal screen 100 of a specific advertiser can be transmitted regardless of the manufacturer indicated by the barcode 2510. For example, assume A company and its rival company B, and A company is the specific advertiser. In this case, when the barcode 2510 issued by the company B is scanned and transmitted to the center server 31, the center server 31 transmits the individual portal screens 100 and 130 of the company A to the PC 43. In that case, Company A can be expected to be superior to Company B in advertising. In this case, the advertisement support business operator who operates the center server 31 acquires the consideration from the company A. Of course, there may be a plurality of such specific advertisers. Further, the WEB site of company A may be directly displayed on the PC 43 without transmitting the individual portal screens 100 and 130.

  Such a business model can be combined with Application Example 7 described above. In other words, the winning page is included in the WEB site of Company A. Many people are expected to scan various bar codes 2510 attached to various commodities for the prize. As the number of bar code 2510 scans increases, access to Company A's WEB site also increases, thus increasing the advertising effectiveness. In this way, the sweepstakes become an incentive, a large number of scans are executed, and access to the WEB site of Company A increases. Since the barcode 2510 belonging to the first group 251 is attached to many products, the scan target is abundant.

  By doing so, rival companies other than specific advertisers are disadvantageous in terms of advertising, and therefore all of these rival companies also request the same service from the advertising support provider operating the center server 31. This advertising support provider can expect to get a lot of benefits.

  (25) The barcode 431 issued in the application example 9 can be used as the barcode 11 in all application examples. Further, the barcode 431 of the application example 9 belongs to the second group 252 of FIG.

  (26) In step S3008 of the application example 10, the first individual portal screen file 230 is referred to, but the table of FIG. 10 can also be referred to. Further, it is possible to unconditionally advance from step S3002 to S3014 without having these files and tables. The barcode database 96 associates the barcode information with the company name and the product name. However, the barcode database 96 may associate the barcode information with the company name, or associate the barcode information with the product name. May be good. If the center server 31 can acquire only the company name, step S3021 is unnecessary. If the center server 31 can acquire only the product name, step S3020 is unnecessary.

  In the above description, the center server 31 accesses the book database 91 using the ISBN code (bar code) as an index. However, acquisition of a book title etc. is not restricted to such a method. For example, the book database 91 is constructed by a WEB server, and a file for each ISBN code is prepared in the WEB server. Each file includes the title of the book corresponding to the ISBN code, the author's name, the publisher's name, and the URL of the electronic commerce site where the book can be purchased (include the publisher's URL). May be) Then, the center server 31 can acquire the file by designating the file name and accessing the book database 91.

  For example, it is assumed that the center server 31 receives a 13-digit ISBN code “9784819018029” from the PC 43. In this case, in step S3025 in FIG. 51, the center server 31 includes a URL (481901802) that is a part of the ISBN code (country symbol, publisher symbol, and book title symbol) and a newly created check digit “7” ( http://www.ssd.co.jp/xavix/4819018027), and based on this, the book database 91 is accessed in step S3026 to obtain a file corresponding to the ISBN code “4819018027”. Here, “www.ssd.co.jp” is the domain name of the book database 91, “xavix” is the directory name, and “4819018027” is the country code, publisher code, title code, and check digit of the ISBN code. . In addition, when the site indicated by “http://www.ssd.co.jp/xavix/4819018027” is an electronic commerce site for purchasing the book, the book database 91 is an electronic device that can purchase the book. There is no need to have a URL for a commerce site.

  As described above, the center server 31 can also generate a URL based on the received barcode. In this case, the center server 31 can acquire a file corresponding to the barcode arranged on the network 33 based on the generated URL. Note that a part of the barcode is used when generating the URL, but the entire barcode can also be used.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the publisher database 93 is provided separately from the book database 91. However, the book database 91 may have barcode information associated with the publisher URL. In this case, the publisher database 93 is not necessary.

  (27) Any combination of Application Examples 1 to 11 is possible.

  (28) In the application example 11, the unique barcode 11 is assigned to the shooting position data. However, the shooting position (latitude / longitude) itself indicated by the shooting position data can be included as a character in the barcode. In this case, in the digital camera 450 with the GPS function (see FIG. 52A), the camera 450 may issue the barcode 11 and give it to the PC 43, or the PC 43 receives the shooting position data from the camera 450. A bar code 11 may be issued. In the digital camera 451 without the GPS function (see FIG. 52B), the PC 43 can associate the image data and the shooting position data and issue the barcode 11 including the shooting position data.

  In such a case, since it is not necessary to have the content server 72 issue the barcode 11, the PC 43 does not access the content server 72 (that is, steps S352, S354, S374, and S376 are unnecessary). The printer 452 can print the photograph 454 with the barcode 11. In this case, steps S356 and S378 are also unnecessary.

  In this case, when the barcode 11 printed on the photograph 454 is scanned, for example, the following processing is performed in FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 22, in step S <b> 1506, browser 82 transmits the barcode information received from barcode reader 7 to center server 31 via network 33.

  In step S 1508, the center server 31 adds barcode information to the URL of the content server 72 and transmits the URL to the browser 82 of the PC 43. In step S1510, the browser 82 accesses the content server 72 indicated by the received URL. In this case, a URL including bar code information is also transmitted to the content server 72. In step S1512, the content server 72 creates the control file in FIG. 24 based on the shooting position (latitude / longitude) included in the barcode information, and transmits the control file to the PC 43.

  In this case, since the processes in steps S1500, S1504, S1514, S1516, S1518, and S1520 are not changed, description thereof is omitted.

  In this case, the PC 43 can also directly access the content server 72 without accessing the center server 31 to transmit the barcode information and acquire the control file.

  (29) In application example 11, the content server 72 issued the barcode 11. However, the center server 31 can also issue the barcode 11. For example: The PC 43 transmits the shooting position data to the center server 31. Then, the center server 31 assigns a unique barcode 11 to the received shooting position data and transmits it to the PC 43. Further, the center server 31 transmits the barcode 11 and shooting position data to the content server 72. Then, the content server 72 creates the control file of FIG. 24 based on the received shooting position data, and transmits the URL indicating the storage position of this control file and the barcode 11 to the center server 31. The center server 31 registers the received URL and barcode 11 in the conversion table of FIG. For example, the center server 31 charges each time the barcode 11 is issued.

  (30) In the application example 11, the globe application 86 obtains image data from the globe server 80 and displays it on the monitor 88. However, the content server 72 can directly transmit image data to the browser 82 instead of the control file, and the browser 82 can display the image. Of course, in this case, voice data and / or character data can be transmitted together with the image data or instead of the image data. Further, the content server 72 can transmit the arrangement location (for example, URL) of the image data to the browser 82 instead of the control file, and the browser 82 can acquire and display the image from the arrangement location. Of course, in this case, the location of the audio data and / or the character data can be transmitted together with the location of the image data or instead of the location of the image data.

  (31) In the application example 12, the unauthorized program 81 is installed in the terminal 5. However, in the network 33, a program or a device that replaces the IP address of the host computer 1 with the IP address of the unauthorized server 69 and returns it to the terminal 5 is also permitted because it hinders the business of the above-mentioned operator (business interruption). It is prohibited. That is, referring to FIG. 56A, in step S2314, the malicious program placed on the network 33 determines whether the IP address of the host computer 1 is being returned to the terminal 5, and in the case of YES Proceeding to step S2316, if NO, the process returns to step S2314. In step S 2316, the unauthorized program replaces the IP address of the host computer 1 with the IP address of the unauthorized server 69 and sends it back to the terminal 5.

  In the network 33, a program or device that replaces the domain name of the host computer 1 sent from the terminal 5 to the network 33 with the domain name of the unauthorized server 69 also hinders the business of the above-mentioned operator (sales business). It is not allowed and prohibited. This is because in such a case, the DNS server returns the IP address of the unauthorized server 69 to the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 accesses the unauthorized server 69. That is, referring to FIG. 56 (b), in step S2310, the malicious program placed on network 33 determines whether the domain name of host computer 1 has been sent from terminal 5 or not. Proceeding to step S2312, if NO, the process returns to step S2310. In step S2312, the malicious program replaces the domain name of the host computer 1 with the domain name of the unauthorized server 69 and transmits the result to the DNS server.

  (32) In the above, in order to receive the service (content) provided from the host computer 1, the center server 31 or the content server, it is also possible to make the user log in. For example, the login may be performed using a login barcode or the serial number of the barcode reader 7.

  (33) In the above, an example is given in which content is provided from the content server via the center server 31. However, the barcode is directly transmitted from the PC to the content server without going through the center server 31, and directly. You can also receive content.

  (34) In this specification, means does not necessarily mean a physical means, but includes a case where the function of each means is realized by software. Furthermore, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means. This also applies to servers and computers.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a remote barcode reader system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is a figure which shows the electrical constitution of the local barcode reader 7 of FIG. (B) It is an illustration figure which shows the storage state of the program and data to ROM19 incorporated in MCU15 of Fig.2 (a). It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure between the local barcode reader 7, the communication terminal 5, and the host computer 1 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the advertisement assistance system using the remote barcode reader system of FIG. (A) It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of an advertisement assistance system. (B) It is an illustration figure of the 1st individual portal screen 100 which is the 1st example of the individual portal screen prepared with respect to a certain goods. (A) It is a figure which shows the electrical constitution of the center server 31 of FIG. (B) It is an illustration figure which shows the storage state of the program and data to the storage area 200 of the center server 31 of Fig.6 (a). (C) It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st separate portal screen file 230 of FIG.6 (b). It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure in the advertisement assistance system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure between the said server after having been judged as URL which shows an electronic commerce server by step S208 of FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a first individual portal screen 130 in application example 1; It is an illustration figure of the individual portal screen table referred when producing the 1st individual portal screen 130 of FIG. (A) It is an illustration figure of the 2nd separate portal screen 101 in the example 2 of an application. (B) It is a conceptual diagram of the program storage part 199 in the application example 2. FIG. (C) It is a conceptual diagram of the 2nd separate portal screen file 222 in the example 2 of an application. (D) It is a figure which shows the structure of the 2nd separate portal screen file 222 in the example 2 of an application. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating an individual portal screen in application example 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure between the server 47 of the advertiser 45-M in the application example 2, the computer 37 of the store 35-K, and the center server 31. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure between the server 77 and the computer 37 after having been judged as URL which shows the server 77 of the store headquarters 75-P in FIG.13 S608. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an application example 3. FIG. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a program storage unit 172 of application example 3. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of screen generation processing of application example 3. It is a perspective view of the camera unit 180 of the application example 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the electrical constitution of the camera unit 180 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a barcode scanning flow by the MCU 192; 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of mouse processing by an MCU 192. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an application example 5. FIG. It is an illustration figure of the book 160 with a barcode in the application example 5. FIG. FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of a control file that the center server 31 transmits to the terminal 5 in correspondence with the barcode 11. It is an illustration figure of the screen which the globe application 86 installed in PC43 in the application example 5 displays. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure among a content server 72, a PC 43, and a center server 31 in Application Example 5. FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a conversion table in application example 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure between the globe server 80 and PC43 in the application example 5. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the application example 6. FIG. It is an illustration figure of the conversion table in the application example 6. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state transition of the content server 74 in the application example 6. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of classification processing of the center server 31 in application example 6. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of processing in the content server 74 in Application Example 6. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of processing in the content server 74 in Application Example 6. 12 is an explanatory diagram of Application Example 7. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of classification processing of the center server 31 in application example 7. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a content server 74 in application example 7. 18 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing of the content server 74 in Application Example 7. 22 is an external perspective view of a PC 361 and a BC mouse 363 in Application Example 8. FIG. FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram of a BC mouse 363 in FIG. 39. It is explanatory drawing of the barcode reading method by BC mouse 363 of FIG. It is an illustration figure of the pixel data P (t) of the barcode 11, the predetermined position (n, m) of the frame image 311, and its binarized data B (t). 41 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process flow of the barcode decoder 314 of FIG. 40. It is a conceptual diagram of the business model implement | achieved by the barcode service provision system in the application example 9. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of barcode allocation. It is the schematic of the communication procedure between the recipient group 417-n of FIG. 44 and the server 413 of the barcode service provider 405. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the barcode issuing process by the barcode issuing system 407 of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of the URL search file 421 stored in the database 409 of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the modification of the barcode issuing system 407 of FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an application example 10. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating an individual portal screen in application example 10. It is explanatory drawing of the application example 11. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of barcode provision processing in application example 11. It is explanatory drawing of the application example 12. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of an unauthorized program 81 in application example 12. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of application example 12.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 3 ... Internet, 5 ... Terminal, 5f ... Fixed terminal, 5m ... Portable terminal, 7 ... Local barcode reader, 9 ... User network, 11 ... Bar code, 13 ... Scanner, 15 ... MCU, 17 ... Communication device, 19 ... ROM, 21 ... decode program, 23 ... keyboard emulation program, 25 ... output control program, 27 ... URL, 29 ... command, 31 ... center server, 33 ... network, 35-1 to 35-k ... store , 41-1 to 41-n ... private home, 45-1 to 45-m ... advertiser, 75-1 to 75-p ... store headquarters, 100, 130 ... first individual portal screen, 101 ... second individual portal Screen, 180 ... camera unit, 251 ... first group (JAN), 252 ... second group (other than JAN), 72, 74 Content server, 80 ... Globe server, 82 ... Browser, 83 ... WEB site, 84 ... OS, 86 ... Globe app, 160 ... Book with barcode, 70, 162 ... Photo, 78 ... Win icon, 94 ... Message, 361 ... PC, 363 ... BC mouse, 307 ... mouse function unit, 308 ... light emitting unit, 310 ... imaging unit, 314 ... barcode decoder, 315 ... scan switch, 18 ... transmission unit, 403 ... application / issue route, 405 ... barcode Service provider, 407 ... Bar code issuing system, 413 ... Server, 409 ... Database, 400 ... User, 419 ... PC, 415 ... Distribution route, 417-0 to 417-N ... Recipient group, 431 ... Bar code, 433 ... Barcode reader, 435 ... PC, 137 ... Network, 96 ... Barcode database Vinegar, 98 ... search engine, 91 ... book database, 93 ... publisher database, 450, 451 ... digital camera, 452 ... printer, 454 ... photos, 456 ... GPS unit, 69 ... unauthorized server, 81 ... unauthorized program.

Claims (15)

A code reader connected to a communication terminal that can be connected to the network and reading a code;
A host computer that receives the code transmitted by the code reader via the communication terminal;
A predetermined server connected to the network ,
The host computer transmits data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
The corresponding data, first information activating a predetermined computer program Te to the communication terminal, and, viewed including the second information said predetermined computer program uses,
The remote code reader system , wherein the predetermined computer program accesses the predetermined server based on the second information . A code reader connected to a communication terminal that can be connected to the network and reading a code;
A host computer that receives the code transmitted by the code reader via the communication terminal,
The host computer transmits data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
The correspondence data includes first information for starting a predetermined computer program in the communication terminal,
The corresponding data is passed to the browser of the communication terminal, the browser passes the corresponding data to the operating system of the communication terminal, the operating system activates the predetermined computer program based on the correspondence data, remote Code reader system. The first information includes the extension associated with the predetermined computer program, according to claim 1 or 2 remote code reader system according. A code reader connected to a communication terminal that can be connected to the network and reading a code;
A host computer that receives the code transmitted by the code reader via the communication terminal,
The host computer transmits data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
The correspondence data includes first information for starting a predetermined computer program in the communication terminal, and second information used by the predetermined computer program,
The predetermined computer program is a virtual globe application program that displays satellite photographs and / or aerial photographs;
The first information includes the extension associated with the virtual globe application program,
The second information includes information longitude and latitude, remote code reader system.   The remote code reader system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first information is information for starting the predetermined computer program installed in the communication terminal. The code according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the code is transmitted to the host computer via the network by the communication terminal in response to the code being output from the code reader. Remote code reader system. The code reader, the code, the host computer address information, and a command to transmit the code to the host computer to the communication terminal, and outputs to the communication terminal, to any one of claims 1 to 6 The remote code reader system described.   A host computer connected to the code reader for reading a code connected to a communication terminal connectable to a network via the network and the communication terminal;
  Receiving means for receiving the code sent by the code reader;
  Processing means for transmitting data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
  The correspondence data includes first information for starting a predetermined computer program on the communication terminal, and second information used when the predetermined computer program accesses a predetermined server connected to the network. Including the host computer.   A host computer connected to the code reader for reading a code connected to a communication terminal connectable to a network via the network and the communication terminal;
  Receiving means for receiving the code sent by the code reader;
  Processing means for transmitting data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
  The correspondence data includes information for starting a predetermined computer program in the communication terminal, is passed to the browser of the communication terminal, is passed from the browser to the operating system of the communication terminal, and the operating system is A host computer used to launch computer programs.   A host computer connected to the code reader for reading a code connected to a communication terminal connectable to a network via the network and the communication terminal;
  Receiving means for receiving the code sent by the code reader;
  Processing means for transmitting data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
  The correspondence data includes first information for starting a predetermined computer program in the communication terminal, and second information used by the predetermined computer program,
  The predetermined computer program is a virtual globe application program that displays satellite photographs and / or aerial photographs;
  The first information includes an extension associated with the virtual globe application program;
  The second information is a host computer including longitude and latitude information.   The host computer according to claim 8, wherein the first information is information for starting up the predetermined computer program installed in the communication terminal.   To a host computer connected via the network and the communication terminal to a code reader that reads a code connected to a communication terminal connectable to the network,
  Receiving the code sent by the code reader;
  Transmitting the data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
  The correspondence data includes first information for starting a predetermined computer program on the communication terminal, and second information used when the predetermined computer program accesses a predetermined server connected to the network. Including computer programs.   To a host computer connected via the network and the communication terminal to a code reader that reads a code connected to a communication terminal connectable to the network,
  Receiving the code sent by the code reader;
  Transmitting the data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
  The correspondence data includes information for starting a predetermined computer program in the communication terminal, is passed to the browser of the communication terminal, is passed from the browser to the operating system of the communication terminal, and the operating system is A computer program used to start a computer program.   To a host computer connected via the network and the communication terminal to a code reader that reads a code connected to a communication terminal connectable to the network,
  Receiving the code sent by the code reader;
  Transmitting the data corresponding to the received code (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding data”) to the communication terminal,
  The correspondence data includes first information for starting a predetermined computer program in the communication terminal, and second information used by the predetermined computer program,
  The predetermined computer program is a virtual globe application program that displays satellite photographs and / or aerial photographs;
  The first information includes an extension associated with the virtual globe application program;
  The second information is a computer program including longitude and latitude information.   15. The computer program according to claim 12, wherein the first information is information for starting up the predetermined computer program installed in the communication terminal.