JPH11110353A - Coupon for information exchange, method and system for exchanging information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve safety, extensibility and flexibility by receiving a coupon for information exchange from a person to be communicated (person to exchange information) through a network to a communicating person (information exchanging person) and determining a communication means (information exchanging system) by describing a required matter on this coupon. SOLUTION: The terminal of an information exchanging person A and the host machine of a person B to exchange information are connected through a network 2. A terminal on the side of the information exchanging person A requests an initial state coupon C1 to the person B to exchange information to receive an information exchange service and acquires the initial state coupon C1 through the network 2. The terminal on the side of the information exchanging person A, who acquires the initial state coupon C1, divides that coupon into a coupon C11 for information exchanging person and a coupon C12 for person to exchange information and sends back the coupon C12 for person to exchange information through the network 2. An information exchanging method is established between the information exchanging person A and the person B to exchange information and the desired information exchange service is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information exchange apparatus and an information exchange method, and more particularly to an information exchange apparatus and an information exchange method between terminals of unspecified persons via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When information is exchanged via a network, a key encryption method is known in which information to be exchanged is encrypted on a transmission side and decrypted on a reception side to know the contents of the information. ing. Conventional key encryption methods are roughly classified into two types, namely, a secret key encryption method and a public key encryption method.

In the secret key encryption method, both the sender and the receiver need to have a common encryption key.
The delivery of the key is performed by sending by another means without passing through a network. Here, the sending by another means includes, for example, storing the key file on a floppy disk or the like and delivering it by mail or the like.

[0004] However, in the secret key encryption method, as described above, there is a problem that information is exchanged on the assumption that actual delivery is manually performed, which is very troublesome.

[0005] On the other hand, in the public key encryption system, the receiver has the decryption key in secret, and the sender has the encryption key sent from the possession center, thereby requesting the encryption or the sender. Receives an encryption key that matches the receiver's decryption key from the holding center, encrypts it using the public key, and transmits the information.

[0006] However, the public key encryption method requires a public key holding center, which is a third party, in addition to the parties involved in information exchange, and whether or not information can be exchanged depends on the reliability of the holding center. There was a problem of doing.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional secret key encryption scheme for key encryption communication, both the sender and the receiver need to have a common encryption key, The delivery of the key is very troublesome because it is necessary to save the key file on a floppy disk and deliver the actual file by mail or the like without using a network.

Further, in the public key encryption system, a public key holding center, which is a third party, is required in addition to the parties to exchange information, and whether or not information can be exchanged depends on the reliability of the holding center. There was a problem.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an information exchange apparatus and an information exchange method via a network which is simpler than conventional key-encrypted communication, and which is excellent in security, expandability and flexibility. And

[0010]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A first interface for obtaining information about a predetermined user from the terminal in an information exchange coupon for exchanging predetermined information between a terminal on the information exchange side and a machine on the information exchange side; Means, and selecting means for selecting a specific information exchange method between the machine and the terminal, based on the obtained information on the predetermined user,
When a specific information exchange method is selected by the selection means, dividing means for dividing the information exchange coupon itself into an information exchange coupon and an information exchange person coupon,
Information exchange characterized by comprising second interface means provided on each of the information exchange coupon and the information exchange coupon at the time of division, and communicating with each other in accordance with the specific information exchange method. It is a coupon.

Further, at the time of division by the division means, control is performed so that the functions of the first interface means and the selection means are invalidated. The invention according to claim 3 is a computer-readable recording medium that records a program for exchanging predetermined information between a terminal on the information exchange side and a machine on the information exchange side, First interface means for obtaining information on a predetermined user from a terminal, and selecting a specific information exchange method between the machine and the terminal based on the obtained information on the predetermined user. Selecting means, dividing means for dividing the information exchange coupon itself into an information exchange coupon and an information exchanged coupon when a specific information exchange method is selected by the selection means, and the information According to the specific information exchange method, when an exchange coupon is managed by the terminal and the informed person coupon is managed by the machine, A second computer readable recording medium recording a program for executing an interface means for communicating each other.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information exchange method for exchanging predetermined information between a terminal on the information exchange side and a machine on the information exchange side, the method comprising: A first coupon is output to the terminal from a predetermined public area managed by the machine, and the output first coupon is received by the terminal, and the first coupon is output to the terminal based on information about a predetermined user. Selecting a specific information exchange method with the terminal, dividing the first coupon into the second coupon and the third coupon, and receiving the first coupon with the second coupon and the second coupon; When the coupon is divided into three coupons, the second coupon is output to a public area of the machine, the second coupon is received by the machine, and a communication interface provided in the second coupon is provided. Between the communication interface means provided in the interface means and said third coupon, according to the specific information exchange system, an information exchange method characterized by communicating with each other.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information exchange system for exchanging predetermined information between a terminal on the information exchange side and a machine on the information exchange side, the machine exchanges a request from the terminal. And output means for outputting a first coupon to the terminal from a predetermined public area, and receiving means for receiving a second coupon obtained by dividing the first coupon, The terminal is
Receiving means for receiving the first coupon; and an output for outputting the second coupon to a public area of the machine when the received first coupon is divided into the second coupon and the third coupon. Means for selecting a specific information exchange method between the machine and the terminal based on information about a predetermined user, the first coupon comprising: And a third coupon, and each of the second coupon and the third coupon includes a communication interface for communicating with each other in accordance with the specific information exchange method. An information exchange system characterized in that:

According to the present invention, the communication means (information exchanger) receives the information exchange coupon from the communicationee (information exchanger) via the network, and fills in the necessary information in the coupon for information exchange. Since the information exchange method is determined, the encryption method and the communication method are not known to a third party in advance. Furthermore, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in communication system, an encryption system, and other means related to communication, version upgrade, and the like.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system to which an information exchange method according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, the terminal 1 of the information exchange A and the host machine 2 of the information exchange B are connected via a network 3. Here, the information exchanger means a person who uses the information exchange service, and the information exchanger means a person who provides the information exchange service. It should be noted that a plurality of terminals 1 and host machines 2 may exist, and the point is that any configuration may be used as long as information exchange according to the present invention can be realized.

FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining the concept of the information exchange method according to the present invention. That is, in the figure, the information exchange A side terminal 1 requests an initial exchange coupon C1 from the exchanged person B who wants to receive the information exchange service, and the initial exchange coupon C1 is transmitted via the network 2. get. Here, the initial state coupon C1
Is obtained from the public area 21 that can be accessed without requiring any special restriction in the information exchange B side host machine 3. The public area 21 and the private area 22 are
As shown in FIG. 3B, the access request can be realized by the access control unit 23 determining whether or not the access is permitted based on the information of the accessor and other information in response to the access request from the network 2. . The public area 21 and the private area 22 are
And the host machine 3.

The information exchange A side terminal 1 having acquired the initial state coupon C1 is divided into an information exchange coupon C11 and an information exchange person coupon C12, and the divided information exchange person coupon C12 is divided. Through the network 2. As a result, an information exchange method is established between the information exchange person A and the information exchange person B, and a desired information exchange service can be performed. Hereinafter, details of the processing up to establishment of this information exchange method will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information exchange coupon according to the present embodiment. In the above description, the names of the initial state coupon C1, the information exchange coupon C11, and the information exchanged coupon C12 are used.
Here, these are collectively referred to as information exchange coupons. The information exchange coupon is configured to be divided into an information exchange coupon C11 and an information exchange person coupon C12, as described later.

The information exchange coupon includes various function realizing means described later therein. The functions of these function realizing means are realized by a program module or the like executed by the terminal 1 or the CPU of the host machine 3 alone or together with the operating system.

In FIG. 1, the timed user interface unit 31 keeps the terminal 1 until the information exchange system is established.
Resources (eg, CPU, memory, keyboard, etc.)
It implements an interface function for exchanging information with the server. In the present embodiment, when the timed user interface unit 31 receives information specific to the information exchanger (user) input from a keyboard (not shown) or the like,
The information is sent to the user information storage unit 33 via the information exchange interface unit 32, and the user information storage unit 32 holds this information.

The information exchange method selection section 34 selects a specific information exchange method from a plurality of predetermined information exchange methods. This selection is made based on information specific to the user. In addition, a specific information exchange method may be selected, and parameters constituting the information exchange method may be set based on information unique to the user. Information exchange method selector 3
4 selects a specific information exchange method, and notifies the information exchange side processing unit 35B via the information exchange side processing unit 35A and the connection units 36A and 36B. When the information exchange method is selected and the notification to the information exchange side processing unit 35A and the information exchanged side processing unit 35B is completed, the division processing unit 37 controls the connection units 36A and 36B to perform the separation (division) processing. Then, the information exchange coupon is divided into two coupons, that is, an information exchange coupon C11 and an information exchange person coupon C12.

The division process of the coupon for information exchange has been described using the connection unit 36. For example, when the status flag managed by the connection unit 36 is "0", division is impossible, and when it is "1". May be realized as being divisible. The division processing unit 37 is provided in the coupon C11 for the information exchanger, but the coupon C for the information exchanger is provided.
12 or may be controlled from outside the information exchange coupon.

The division processing section 37 invalidates (stops) the functions of the timed user interface section 31 and the information exchange method selection section 34 and activates the exchange information authentication section 38 during the above-mentioned division processing. I do.

The information exchange A side terminal 1 has a division processing unit 37
Is completed, the coupon C12 for the information-exchanged person is transferred to the public area 2 of the host machine 3 of the information-exchanged person B side
Return to 1.

Upon receiving the returned information-exchanged person coupon C12, the information-exchanged person B side host machine 3 receives
It is checked whether or not this is processed according to the regular procedure, and after confirming that it is processed according to the regular procedure, this is transferred to the private area 22.

The above is the description of the information exchange coupon in the terminal 1 on the information exchange A side. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the coupon for information exchange after transfer. In the same figure, the transferred coupon C12 for the informed person is transmitted to the informed person communication unit 41 in the host machine 3 by the informed person interface unit 32B and the information transmitting and receiving unit 4.
2 are connected. After the connection process, the control unit (not shown) of the host machine 3 sends the communication interface unit 39B
Is arranged in its own public area 21, and other function realizing means are arranged in the private area 22.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the information exchange coupon after division. In the figure, the divided information exchange coupon C11 is connected to the information exchange communication unit 51 of the terminal 1 via the information exchange interface unit 32A and the information transmission / reception unit 52. After the connection,
The control unit (not shown) of the terminal 1 arranges the communication interface unit 39A in its own public area 21 and arranges other function realizing means in the private area 22.

When each control unit (not shown) arranges the communication interface units 39A and 39B at predetermined positions, the two communication interface units 39A and 39B operate for a predetermined time.
Set the communication connection. Here, the communication connection may be a real or virtual connection, and the predetermined time is, for example, a predetermined time set at the time of selecting the information exchange method, a time determined by the information exchanger, or information received. Any time such as the time set by the exchange may be used.

Thus, the communication between the information exchange A terminal 1 and the information exchange B host machine 3 via the network 2 is based on the information exchange coupon C1 and the information exchange coupon C2. Done between. When the communication connection is set, the host machine 3 obtains the information based on the transmitted information specific to the information exchanger and the information specific to the information exchanger registered in advance in the information exchanged person B side. Various conditions for the exchange are presented to the terminal 1 of the information exchange A. Then, upon receiving from the information exchange A that the presentation condition has been accepted, information exchange is performed between the two under the information exchange condition.

During the information exchange, the exchange information authentication unit 38 monitors whether or not the exchanged information is performed by the selected information exchange method. If an abnormality such as a system other than the selected information exchange system is detected, the exchange information authentication unit 38 immediately stops the information exchange.

As described above, by using the information exchange coupon according to the present invention, various information exchanges via the network can be performed with high security.

For example, assume that a virtual shopping center on a network is used from a desktop (screen) of a computer or the like that can access the network.

The user receives the communication coupon from the virtual admission ticket issuing office, fills in the address, name, age, occupation, the number of past uses, and other user information, and returns it.
In the virtual shopping center, when the acceptance is determined based on the user information, the past number of uses, the usage amount, and other information of the user are reduced based on the database information of the virtual shopping center, the discount rate for purchasing the product, the expiration date, Other usage conditions such as benefits are determined, and the user is notified via a coupon possessed by both parties.

When the user information is not registered in the database, the user is notified of predetermined use conditions via a coupon possessed by both. As a result, the user can purchase goods at the virtual shopping center based on the usage conditions. In this case, browsing of product information etc. is performed by a general-purpose browser such as WWW using an open communication method, and information that requires confidentiality such as payment information at the time of product purchase is included. Is possible only by communication using the information exchange coupon according to the present embodiment.

The use conditions such as the discount rate and other benefits previously determined in the product information, that is, information that differs for each user, are obtained via the information exchange side information transmission / reception unit via the information exchange coupon. .

At the time of product purchase, etc., information on the desired product to be purchased, the number, the settlement method, and other information necessary for product purchase are obtained from the information exchange side information transmitting / receiving section 51, and an information exchange coupon is provided to the information exchange. Through each time.

Also, the credit card number and its expiration date or bank account number and digital cash I
For information related to settlement methods such as D, the information exchange A
Although it is held in the side information transmitting and receiving unit 51, it is not registered as user information in the database of the host machine on the information exchanged person B side.

When the settlement is established, if the goods are tangible goods such as clothes, foods and daily necessities, the goods will be delivered later by some means of transportation. In the case of information that can be transmitted, such as computer software, digitized images, and digitized music, the information can be sent to the information exchanger A using an information exchange coupon.

[Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, it is possible to exchange various information via a network in which a user, a use period, a use place, and the like are limited with high security.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a user interface using the present system. Hereinafter, a specific example of information exchange will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that a virtual trip is performed on a network from a desktop (screen) such as a computer that can access the network.

The user receives the communication coupon from the virtual boarding pass issuance office, fills in the address, name, age, occupation, number of past uses, and other user information, and returns it.
If the virtual travel agency (corresponding to the information exchanged person B) decides to accept based on the user information, the past number of uses, the usage amount, and other information of the user are traveled based on the database information of the virtual travel agency. It determines the benefits in use, the discount rate for purchasing products during travel, the expiration date, and other conditions of use, and notifies the user via coupons held by both parties.
If there is no user information in the database, the user is notified of predetermined usage conditions via a coupon possessed by both parties.

Thus, the user can make a virtual trip using the virtual travel agency based on the usage conditions. During virtual trips, browsing of basic information on sightseeing spots, sightseeing spots, events, and other sightseeing resources is performed using a general-purpose browser such as the WWW using an open communication method. In the case of including important or valuable information, it is possible only by communication using the information exchange coupon according to the present embodiment.

Also, payment information and the like when purchasing a product during a virtual trip can be obtained only by communication via a coupon. In the case of purchasing a product, etc., the information is exchanged via the information exchange unit on the information exchange side. The desired products, the number of products to be purchased, the number of payments, the settlement method, and other information necessary for purchasing the products are provided to the travel agency as the information exchange person using the information exchange coupon each time.

Here, the credit card number and its expiration date or bank account number and digital cash
The settlement method related information such as the ID may be stored in the information exchange side information transmission / reception unit, but is not registered as user information in the information exchanged person database.

When the settlement is established, if the goods are tangible goods such as souvenirs, the goods will be delivered later by some means of transportation, and if the information can be transmitted, such as computer software, digitized images, and digitized music, Information is exchanged using the information exchange coupon.

The virtual travel agency can efficiently use the virtual tourism resources by limiting the date and time of the virtual travel and the number of virtual travel participants, so that the virtual travel participants can enjoy a high-quality virtual travel experience. to enable.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Various information exchanges via a network can be performed with high security.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system to which an information exchange method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the concept of an information exchange method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information exchange coupon according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a coupon for information exchange after transfer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information exchange coupon after division.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal 2 ... Network 3 ... Host machine 31 ... Timed I / F part 32 ... Information exchange I / F part 33 ... User information storage part 34 ... Information exchange method selection part 35 ... Processing part 36 ... Connection part 37 ... Division processing unit 38 Exchange information authentication unit 39 Communication interface unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information exchange coupon for exchanging predetermined information between a terminal on the information exchange side and a machine on the information exchange side, for obtaining information on a predetermined user from the terminal. First interface means, and selecting means for selecting a specific information exchange method between the machine and the terminal based on the obtained information on the predetermined user; and specific information by the selecting means. A division unit for dividing the information exchange coupon itself into an information exchange coupon and an information exchange person coupon when the exchange method is selected; and the information exchange person coupon and information exchange when the division is performed. And a second interface means provided on each of the coupons for persons and communicating with each other in accordance with the specific information exchange method. 2. The coupon for information exchange according to claim 1, wherein, at the time of division by said division means, control is performed so as to invalidate the functions of said first interface means and said selection means. 3. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for exchanging predetermined information between a terminal on the information exchange side and a machine on the information exchange side is recorded. First interface means for obtaining information about the user of the user, and selection means for selecting a specific information exchange method between the machine and the terminal based on the obtained information about the predetermined user. A dividing unit for dividing the information exchange coupon itself into an information exchange coupon and an information exchanged coupon when the specific information exchange method is selected by the selection unit; and When the coupon is managed by the terminal and the counsel for the informed person is managed by the machine, the coupon is mutually managed according to the specific information exchange method. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing a second interface means for signal. 4. An information exchange method for exchanging predetermined information between a terminal on the information exchange side and a machine on the information exchange side, wherein a predetermined disclosure managed by the machine according to a request from the terminal. Outputting a first coupon from an area to the terminal; receiving the output first coupon by the terminal; and specific information between the machine and the terminal based on information about a predetermined user. Selecting an exchange method, dividing the first coupon into the second coupon and the third coupon, and dividing the received first coupon into the second coupon and the third coupon Outputting the second coupon to a public area of the machine; receiving the second coupon by the machine; and a communication interface unit provided on the second coupon and Between the communication interface means provided on the 3 coupons, the following specific information exchange system, information exchange method characterized by communicating with each other. 5. An information exchange system for exchanging predetermined information between a terminal on the information exchange side and a machine on the information exchange side, wherein the machine is provided with a predetermined public area according to a request from the terminal. From first
Output means for outputting the coupon to the terminal, and receiving means for receiving a second coupon obtained by dividing the first coupon, wherein the terminal outputs the first coupon Receiving means for receiving, and output means for outputting the second coupon to a public area of the machine when the received first coupon is divided into the second coupon and the third coupon, Selecting means for selecting a specific information exchange method between the machine and the terminal based on information on a predetermined user, the first coupon comprising: the second coupon and the third coupon; A dividing unit for dividing the second coupon and the third coupon into communication interfaces for communicating with each other in accordance with the specific information exchange method. Information exchange system, characterized by comprising a chromatography scan unit.