JPH10320410A - Address input system, and computer readable recording medium recorded with address input program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily input various kinds of address information without using a keyboard by reading address information, which corresponds to print information read by an optical reader, out of a correspondence table in a storage device and outputting it to the address input column or the like of browser or electronic mail software. SOLUTION: In the state of activating the browser or the electronic mail software, bar code information 31 printed on merchandise, catalog, magazine or business card is read by a bar code reader 13. Next, a controller 10 retrieves a correspondence table 30A in a 1st storage device 14 with that bar code information 31 and when there is the relevant bar code information 31 in the correspondence table 30A, correspondent address information 32 is outputted to the browser or the electronic mail software. When there is not the relevant bar code information 31, on the other hand, a correspondence table 30B in a 2nd storage device 18 is retrieved with the read bar code information 31 and when there is the relevant bar code information 31, correspondent address information 32 is outputted to the browser or the like and processed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an address input system for inputting an Internet address or an e-mail address, and a computer-readable recording medium for recording an address input program for realizing the same on a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as information devices such as personal computers have been widely used in companies and homes, the number of users of the Internet, personal computer communication, and the like has been increasing. In the Internet, companies and individuals publish various kinds of information on homepages. Users can read information on these homepages by using an information search and display program called a browser called URL (Universal Resource Locator) 12 to 20. It was necessary to input address information represented by an alphabet of about one character from a keyboard.

Also, when exchanging e-mails, it is necessary to input an e-mail address of a transmission destination represented by an alphabet of about 12 to 20 characters from a keyboard.

[0004]

However, with the rapid spread of personal computers and the Internet in recent years, beginners who are unfamiliar with keyboard operations have started operating the computer. It is a great burden for beginners to input many characters with a keyboard in order to input, and there is a problem that the use of the Internet and e-mail is hindered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an address input system capable of inputting various kinds of address information without using a keyboard, or an input system which can easily input even if a keyboard is used. It is to provide a possible recording medium.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an optical reading device for reading printed print information, a storage device for storing a correspondence table between the print information and predetermined address information,
A control device for reading address information corresponding to the print information read by the optical reading device from a correspondence table of the storage device and outputting the read address information to an address input column of a browser or e-mail software.

In the present invention, a correspondence table between print information and address information is stored in a storage device in advance, and when inputting an address with a browser or the like, the print information is read by an optical reading device. Then, the control device reads the address information corresponding to the read information from the storage device and outputs it to a browser or the like. This eliminates the need for the user (operator) to input an address using the keyboard, and allows the user to easily input address information.

Here, the storage device storing the correspondence table may be a device directly connected to the control device, that is, a local storage device. However, the storage device may be connected to the control device via a network. The control device may be configured to read and output address information corresponding to print information read by an optical reading device from a correspondence table of the storage device connected via a network.

It is necessary to periodically update and maintain the print information and address information stored in the correspondence table. When the correspondence table is stored in a local storage device, each user performs maintenance work. There is a need to do. On the other hand, if the storage device is provided on a network such as the Internet or personal computer communication, the management of the correspondence table can be entrusted to a specialized administrator, and ordinary users do not need to perform any maintenance work. Therefore, the correspondence table in which the latest information is registered can be easily used.

[0010] Further, as the storage device storing the correspondence table, a first storage device directly connected to the control device and a second storage device connected to the control device via a network are provided. When the print information read by the optical reading device is registered in the correspondence table of the first storage device, the control device reads and outputs the corresponding address information from the correspondence table, If the information is not registered in the correspondence table of the second storage device, the information may be read from the correspondence table of the second storage device connected via a network and output.

With this configuration, personal address information and frequently used address information, such as a friend's e-mail address, are registered in the local first storage device correspondence table, and are used by companies and the like. General address information can be registered in the correspondence table of the second storage device on the network. In this way, general address information used by many users is registered in the correspondence table of the second storage device, thereby facilitating maintenance, allowing the user to easily use the address information and personally using the information. By registering the address information to be performed in the local first storage device, the processing can be speeded up and the convenience of the user can be improved.

The print information is a bar code,
Preferably, the optical reader is a bar code reader. As the print information, various codes such as a code having a basic pattern of crosses and a square divided into squares and a code having a black and white pattern can be used, but it is preferable to use a widely used bar code. .

The barcode has already been used as information including a product maker code and a product name code in a distribution business or a maker for product management or the like. For this reason,
If a barcode is used as printing information, the barcode information and the address information of the product or manufacturer are registered in a correspondence table, so that the barcode attached to the product can be read with a barcode reader. Can be used to enter address information. Since the existing barcode can be used as the print information, the correspondence table can be easily constructed, and there is no need to prepare special print information, so that the system construction cost can be significantly reduced.

[0014] In a service business that does not have a product, a bar code may be written together with various advertisements appearing in newspapers and magazines. Further, as in a telephone directory, an address book in which a company, an individual name, and the like and a barcode are written together may be distributed. Further, a bar code indicating an e-mail address or the like may be written together with the business card.

The present invention also includes an optical reading device for reading print information on which address information is printed, and a control device for outputting the address information read by the optical reading device. Good.

At this time, if the print information includes information other than the address information, the control means selects and outputs only the address information from the print information read by the optical reading device. What is necessary is just to comprise an apparatus.

If the address information is directly recorded in the print information, there is no need to prepare a correspondence table, and the system configuration can be simplified. At this time, if printing information with a large amount of information is used, such as a two-dimensional barcode, by adding address information in addition to product information used for distribution,
In addition to conventional product management, it can also be used for address input.

Further, the address input system of the present invention comprises:
An input device for inputting a numerical code of a barcode which is printed print information, a storage device storing a correspondence table between the numerical code of the barcode and predetermined address information, and a numerical value input by the input device And a control device for reading out address information corresponding to the code from the correspondence table of the storage device and outputting the same.

A general bar code is accompanied by a numerical code of about 13 digits indicated by the bar code. Therefore, as described above, when inputting a barcode, instead of reading the barcode with a barcode reader, the numerical code described may be input using an input device such as a keyboard or a numeric keypad.

In the present invention as well, a correspondence table between the bar code information and the address information is stored in the storage device in advance, and when inputting the address with a browser or the like, the numerical code of the bar code is input to the keyboard or the like. Then, the control device reads the address information corresponding to the input information from the storage device and outputs it to a browser or the like. This eliminates the need for the user (operator) to input an address composed of alphabets using a keyboard, and allows the user to input address information simply by inputting only numbers that can be easily input.

Further, the present invention provides a procedure for acquiring print information read by an optical reading device or input by an input device, and a process for associating the print information previously stored in a storage device with predetermined address information. A computer-readable recording medium that records an address input program for causing a computer to read and output the address information corresponding to the input print information from the table may be used.

An optical reader such as a bar code reader,
Since input devices such as a keyboard and storage devices such as a hard disk and a memory are already used as a general computer system, an address input program for realizing the above-described procedures can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM or an FD. If the address input system is provided by being recorded on a recording medium, the address input system can be constructed at low cost.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a computer 1 having an address input system according to the present embodiment. The computer 1 includes a CPU and the like, and executes a control program 10 for executing various programs, a keyboard 11, a mouse 12, and a bar code reader 13 which is an optical reading device.
And the like, a first storage device 14 including a hard disk and a memory, and an output device including a display 15, a printer 16, and the like.

The computer 1 has a communication control device 17 comprising a modem, a terminal adapter, a router and the like.
And is connected to an Internet network (network) 20 via the communication control device 17.

The computer 1 of each user is connected to the Internet 20 via a provider or the like, and a second storage device 18 is also connected thereto. This storage device 18 is managed by a specific Internet provider or database management provider.

In each of the storage devices 14 and 18, a first correspondence table 30A and a second correspondence table 30B are recorded. In each of the correspondence tables 30A and 30B, as shown in FIG.
Barcode information 31 which is print information and address information 3
2 are registered correspondingly. Since the barcode information 31 is usually a 13-digit numerical code represented by the thickness of the bar, a 13-digit numerical code is recorded in the barcode information column of the correspondence tables 30A and 30B. .
Also, since the address information 32 is usually represented by a URL or an e-mail address composed of a character string of alphabets of about 12 to 20 digits, the address information column contains 12 to 2 characters.
A character string of about 0 digits is recorded.

In the correspondence table 30B of the second storage device 18 arranged on the network, barcode information 31 attached to various products and address information 32 of the homepage of the product or the product maker are registered. And address information 32 of a homepage of a company such as a service business that does not have a product and the address information 32
The barcode information 31 set for use is registered.
Further, address information 32 of an e-mail of a company or the like and barcode information 31 set in the address information 32
Is also registered.

On the other hand, in the correspondence table 30A of the local first storage device 14, the address information 32 of various homepages and e-mails frequently registered by the user or frequently used by the user, and the barcode information thereof 31 are registered.

Here, the control device 10, the barcode reader 13, and the first correspondence table 30A, 30B are stored.
The second storage devices 14 and 18 constitute an address input system of the present invention.

The procedure for inputting an address in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, with the browser and e-mail software running, the barcode reader 13 starts
The barcode information 31 printed on a magazine, a business card, or the like is read (Step 1, hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S).

Next, the control device 10 uses the read bar code information 31 to store the correspondence table 30 A in the first storage device 14.
(S2). Then, it is checked whether or not the corresponding barcode information 31 exists in the correspondence table 30A (S
3) If the corresponding barcode information 31 exists, the corresponding address information 32 is output to a browser, electronic mail software, or the like (S4), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is no corresponding bar code information 31, the correspondence table 30B in the second storage device 18 is searched with the read bar code information 31 (S5). Then, it is checked whether or not there is the corresponding barcode information 31 in the correspondence table 30B (S6). If there is the corresponding barcode information 31, the corresponding address information 32 is output to a browser or the like (S4), and the processing is performed. To end.

On the other hand, if there is no corresponding barcode information 31 in the second correspondence table 30B, it is determined that there is no corresponding data, and a message to that effect is displayed to the user (S7).
Then, the processing ends.

Note that such address input processing is as follows.
This is realized by an address input program, which is a computer-readable FD or CD-ROM.
And provided to each computer by recording on various recording media such as a personal computer, or provided to each computer via a network such as personal computer communication and the Internet.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Various addresses such as an Internet address and an e-mail address can be input simply by performing an operation of reading a printed barcode (print information) with the barcode reader 13. Properties can be significantly improved. For this reason, even a beginner who is unfamiliar with keyboard operation can access the Internet homepage, send an e-mail, etc., can improve the utilization rate of the Internet, and can easily access information. .

In the above embodiment, the first correspondence table 30A is provided in the first storage device 14, and the second storage device 1
8, a second second correspondence table 30B is provided, so that frequently used addresses and addresses registered by the operator are registered in the first correspondence table 30A, and addresses of general companies and the like are registered in the second correspondence table 30A. It can be registered in Table 30B. For this reason, the frequently used address information 32 can be acquired by the local first storage device 14, and the address information 32 can be quickly input, and the address according to the use of the user can be set. , Convenience can be improved.

In the second storage device 18, it is sufficient to register only information on companies and the like used by many users, and the amount of information in the second correspondence table 30B can be suppressed. Management can be performed easily. Furthermore, since the second correspondence table 30B is managed by a specific administrator, there is no need for a general user to perform maintenance, and the second correspondence table 30B can be used easily.

Further, since the barcode information 31 conventionally used for merchandise management and the like is used as the print information, if the correspondence tables 30A and 30B between the barcode information 31 and the address information 32 are set, the barcode information can be obtained. Code information 3
No. 1 does not need to be newly set, and the address information 32 can be easily input using the barcode of the commercial product. For this reason, the address input system of the present invention can be constructed very inexpensively.

The optical reading device such as the bar code reader 13 and the storage devices 14 and 18 such as a hard disk and a memory which constitute the address input system are already used as general computer systems.
By simply recording and providing an address input program for causing the control device 10 to execute the address input process on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or an FD, the address input system can be realized at low cost and easily. Can be.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and the like within a range that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the barcode is optically read by the barcode reader 13, but the keyboard 11 inputs a numeric code written along with the barcode, and refers to the input data in the correspondence tables 30A and 30B. Alternatively, the address information 32 may be read and output.

In this case, the same effects as in the above-described embodiments can be obtained. In addition, the input of the numeric code is easier than the case of inputting address information 32 such as a URL composed of alphabets, so that the input operability can be improved and the bar code reader 13 can be omitted. , The system can be made lower cost, and can be easily realized by a general system.

In the above embodiment, the first and second storage devices 14 and 14 are used as storage devices for storing the correspondence table.
Although the storage device 18 is provided, only one of the storage devices may be provided.

That is, if only the storage device 14 connected to the control device 10 is provided, the address information can be quickly input. However, for the maintenance of the correspondence table 30A, it is necessary for the user to register data or to periodically obtain the maintained correspondence table via a network, a CD-ROM, an FD, or the like.

If only the storage device 18 on the network is provided, it is not necessary for a general user to perform maintenance work on the correspondence table 30B. However, the barcode information 31 and the address information 32 must be always transmitted and received via the network, and it takes more time to input the address than when using the local storage device 14. Further, all the address information 32 is stored in the storage device 1.
8, the data size of the correspondence table 30B increases, and the data management work becomes complicated.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first correspondence table 30A is searched, and then the second correspondence table 30B is searched. However, when two storage devices 14, 18 are provided,
The control device 10 may be configured to search the correspondence tables 30A and 30B simultaneously.

In the above embodiment, the correspondence table 30A,
Although the address information 32 is obtained from the barcode information 31 read by the barcode reader 13 using the 30B, the address information is directly recorded in the print information such as the barcode information 31 and the print information is obtained by the barcode reader 13 or the like. That is, the address information may be directly read and input. At this time, a URL may be recorded in the barcode information 31, or an IP address represented by a number on the Internet may be recorded.

Further, the print information is not limited to the conventional barcode. For example, a two-dimensional barcode, a code using a cross in a basic pattern, a square divided into squares,
A code with a black and white pattern may be used. Especially,
When recording address information directly in print information, if a two-dimensional barcode or various codes with a large amount of information is used,
You can add address information along with product information,
The code can be used for both product management and address input. In this case, the control device 10 only needs to be programmed so as to distinguish the address information portion and other information from the input print information and output only the address information.

The optical reading device may be set as appropriate according to the format of the print information. Further, the barcode reader 13 is not limited to a generally used barcode reader, and a mouse having a barcode reader function on the lower surface may be used.

Further, the print information is not limited to the information printed on the product, and may be written together with various types of advertisements, catalogs, pamphlets, and the like appearing in newspapers, magazines, and the like, together with barcodes and other print information. In particular, service businesses that do not have products,
For a manufacturer that manufactures a product such as a car that cannot be easily handled or a product that cannot print a barcode or the like, the print information may be described together with the advertisement. Furthermore, like a telephone directory,
An address book in which a company, an individual name, etc. and a barcode are described together may be distributed, or a business card may be accompanied by a barcode indicating an e-mail address or the like.

Since the address input process of the present invention is a program realized by a computer (control device 10), the address input process is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and provided to each computer. Alternatively, the program may be provided to each computer via a network such as the above to function. Furthermore, since the correspondence table 30A stored in the storage device 14 is also a database, it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and provided to each computer, or provided to each computer via a network such as personal computer communication and the Internet. And may be stored in the storage device 14.

An optical reading device such as a bar code reader 13, an input device such as a keyboard 11, a hard disk,
The storage devices 14 and 18 such as memories are often already used as general computer systems. To configure this system, only an address input program and correspondence table data are stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. It is sufficient to provide in such a recording medium,
An address input system can be easily and inexpensively constructed.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, various types of address information can be input without using a keyboard, or can be easily input even using a keyboard.
The operability of inputting address information can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an address input system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data format of a correspondence table of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an address input processing procedure in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer 10 Control device 13 Barcode reader which is an optical reading device 11 Keyboard 14 First storage device 18 Second storage device 20 Internet network 30A First correspondence table 30B Second correspondence table 31 Barcode information 32 Address information

Claims (8)

[Claims] An optical reading device that reads printed print information; a storage device that stores a correspondence table between the print information and predetermined address information; and a print device that corresponds to the print information read by the optical read device. An address input system comprising: a control device that reads address information to be read from a correspondence table of the storage device and outputs the read address information. 2. The address input system according to claim 1, wherein the storage device in which the correspondence table is stored is connected to the control device via a network, and the control device is an optical reading device. An address input system, wherein address information corresponding to read print information is read from a correspondence table of the storage device connected via a network and output. 3. The address input system according to claim 1, wherein the storage device storing the correspondence table is a first storage device directly connected to the control device, and a control device via a network. And a second storage device connected to the first storage device when the print information read by the optical reading device is registered in the correspondence table of the first storage device. The corresponding address information is read and output, and if not registered in the correspondence table of the first storage device, the address information is read and output from the correspondence table of the second storage device connected via a network. And address input system. 4. The address input system according to claim 1, wherein said print information is a barcode, and said optical reading device is a barcode reader. 5. An address input system comprising: an optical reading device for reading print information on which address information is printed; and a control device for outputting the address information read by the optical reading device. 6. The address input system according to claim 5, wherein the print information includes information other than the address information, and the control device outputs the address information among the print information read by the optical reading device. An address input system characterized in that only an address is selected and output. 7. An input device for inputting a numeric code of a printed bar code, a storage device for storing a correspondence table between the numeric code of the bar code and predetermined address information, and an input device for inputting the numeric code of the bar code. A control device for reading out address information corresponding to the numeric code from a correspondence table of the storage device and outputting the read out address information. 8. A procedure for obtaining print information read by an optical reading device or input by an input device, and obtaining the print information from a correspondence table between the print information and predetermined address information stored in a storage device in advance. A computer-readable recording medium recording an address input program for causing a computer to read and output address information corresponding to input print information.