JP2008041086A - Interface device, interface method, program, storage medium and information collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a general-purpose interface device adaptive to communication of location information and communication with an information communication network and to further provide an information collection system using the interface device. <P>SOLUTION: The interface device 1 connects devices such as an information acquisition device 3 acquiring information of a digital camera, etc. at the present location and communication equipment 2 connected to the information communication network 4. In addition, the interface device 1 transmits data acquired by communication with the connected devices, the location information and other information included in the data acquired by itself to the information communication network 4 via the communication equipment 2. An information collection device 5 receives the transmitted data via the information communication network 4 and registers the data in association with other information data based on the location information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a general-purpose interface device, an interface method, a program, a computer-readable storage medium storing the program, and an information collection system for making the device compatible with position information and communication with an information communication network. It is.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices having a communication function with an information communication network such as a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) are generally used.
Devices that can acquire position information represented by latitude and longitude, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and a mobile phone with a GPS function, are also becoming popular.
Not only indoors and outdoors, but also digital cameras, video cameras, recording devices, altimeters, thermometers, hygrometers, various environmental information measuring devices such as water quality testing devices, noise measuring devices, radioactivity measuring devices, and blood pressure Many devices for acquiring information in the field are provided such as health measuring devices such as thermometers, thermometers, body fat meters, blood glucose meters, and medical devices such as ultrasonic diagnostic devices and electrocardiographs.

In addition, a system has been proposed in which local information is acquired together with position information, the information is transmitted to a server via an information communication network, and the server forms a database of the received information based on the position information.
In this system, which is generally called GIS (Geographical Information System), various information associated with location information is processed in conjunction with map data, and the search and analysis results of that information are output together with the associated map. It is being applied to various fields.

JP 2002-123557 A JP 2003-281671 A

However, although communication devices such as mobile phones are increasing in number of devices having a GPS function, they basically have communication functions such as telephone calls and data communication, and therefore have a function to obtain position information. I can't say.
In addition, although devices having a digital camera function are widespread, they do not necessarily have other functions such as measurement of atmospheric temperature, measurement of radioactivity, measurement of blood pressure value, and the like.

Moreover, since the apparatus which has a function which acquires position information, such as a GPS receiver, is centered on the function which acquires position information, it does not necessarily have a communication function with an information communication network.
Similarly, it does not necessarily have functions such as atmospheric temperature measurement, radioactivity measurement, and blood pressure measurement.

Also, digital cameras, video cameras, recording devices, altimeters, thermometers, hygrometers, various environmental information measuring devices such as water quality testing devices, noise measuring devices, radioactivity measuring devices, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, body fats Devices that acquire information locally, such as health measuring devices such as blood pressure meters and blood glucose meters, and medical devices such as ultrasound diagnostic devices and electrocardiographs, are devices for acquiring local target information. Therefore, it does not necessarily have a communication function with the information communication network.
Similarly, it does not necessarily have a function of obtaining position information.

By the way, regardless of whether indoors or outdoors, a device that acquires local information together with position information and transmits data via an information communication network is an indispensable device in a system such as GIS.
As a device for this purpose, there is also provided a device that has a position information acquisition function and a communication function to an information communication network, and can acquire a large amount of information such as local images, videos, sounds, and altitudes.
However, there is a limit to the type of information that can be acquired with such an apparatus.
Information on the site is so diverse that it is impossible to obtain such information all at once.
In addition, since a large number of functions are incorporated in the apparatus, the apparatus is enlarged, and an expensive product is unavoidable.

As another form, for example, a terminal device for obtaining environment information such as the environment information collecting terminal 20 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is prepared, and the position information acquisition device 21 or the environment information as an optional device is prepared in this device. There is also a method in which target information can be acquired by connecting the sensor 22 and the wireless communication means 23.
However, since such a method has a configuration centered on the environment information collection terminal 20, the specification of this device is fundamental, and other connection devices must follow it.
As a result, the communication method and data processing mechanism of these devices are closed according to the device manufacturer and a specific method, and lack general versatility and expandability.
The result is an expensive product, and the type of product is limited.

In addition, as in the portable self-supporting multi-sensing terminal unit 110 disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example, portable self-supporting multi-sensing equipped with various sensors 111 and a communication terminal device 116 for monitoring the air pollution status. There is also a method in which a terminal unit 110 is prepared, target information in the field (in this case, atmospheric environment information) is acquired by various sensors 111, and acquired data is transmitted using the communication terminal device 116.
However, in such a method, as in the example of Patent Document 1, the configuration is centered on the portable self-supporting multi-sensing terminal unit 110. Therefore, the specifications of this device are fundamental, and various sensors 111 and communication terminal devices are used. 116 must follow its specifications.
As a result, the communication method and data processing mechanism of these devices are closed according to the device manufacturer and a specific method, and lack general versatility and expandability.
The result is an expensive product, and the type of product is limited.

In addition, the above devices or methods can be used to acquire various information on the site (digital cameras, video cameras, recording devices, altimeters, thermometers, hygrometers, GPS receivers, water quality inspection devices, noise measurement devices, radiation devices, etc. Many types of environmental information measuring devices such as blood pressure measuring devices, health measuring devices such as blood pressure meters, thermometers, body fat meters, blood glucose measuring devices, and medical equipment such as ultrasonic diagnostic devices and electrocardiographs) Cannot be used.
Since the information obtained by these devices spans various fields, there are many specialized devices and various types.
Many of these apparatuses have means for communicating with an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, but their communication methods and data formats are not unified.
Since these devices are not originally intended for use in systems such as GIS, they cannot be used in GIS or the like as they are.
However, considering the importance of the information acquired by these devices, it is invaluable to incorporate these devices into a system that operates in association with location information such as GIS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art.
Specifically, the present invention provides a general-purpose interface device, an interface method, and a program for making the device compatible with position information and communication with an information communication network, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program The purpose is to do.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an information collection system using the interface device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1
A communication means for connecting to an information acquisition device having an information acquisition means capable of obtaining acquisition information to be acquired at its current location;
A communication means for connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network;
It has a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating its current location.

Note that “acquired information acquired at your current location” specifically refers to images, video, audio, text information, current temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed, water quality, soil quality, air quality, etc. It refers to information such as environmental information, health measurement information such as blood pressure value, body temperature, blood sugar level, pulse rate, and body fat percentage, and medical measurement information such as an image obtained by ultrasonic diagnosis and an electrocardiogram.
At this time, it is not limited to indoor or outdoor.

“Connecting” refers to a state in which signals can be exchanged between apparatuses regardless of wired or wireless means.

The invention according to claim 2
A communication means for connecting to an information acquisition device having an information acquisition means capable of obtaining acquisition information to be acquired at its current location;
And a communication unit for connecting to a communication apparatus having a communication unit having a communication unit connected to an information communication network.

The invention according to claim 3
A communication means for connecting to an information acquisition device having an information acquisition means capable of obtaining acquisition information to be acquired at its current location and a position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating the current location of the current location;
And a communication means for connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network.

The invention according to claim 4
A communication means for connecting to a position information acquisition device having a position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating its current location;
And a communication means for connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network.

The invention according to claim 5
A communication means for connecting to a position information acquisition device having a position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating its current location;
A communication means for connecting to an information acquisition device having an information acquisition means capable of obtaining acquisition information to be acquired at its current location;
And a communication means for connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the interface device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The position information acquisition means includes radio wave positioning means for receiving a radio wave from a satellite to acquire a current position, and the position information includes positioning information obtained by the radio wave positioning. Is.

The invention according to claim 7
A communication means for connecting to a first external device having position information indicating its current location;
And a communication means for connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network.

The invention according to claim 8 is the interface device according to claim 7,
The position information possessed by the first external device is position related information for specifying a position.

The invention according to claim 9 is the interface device according to claim 8,
It has a position calculation means for specifying a position using the position related information.

The invention according to claim 10 is the interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
It has a communication means for connecting to a second external device having its own attribute information.

The invention according to claim 11 is the interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
Receiving means for receiving data from the communication partner device;
And transmitting means for transmitting received data to the communication device.

The “communication partner device” is a partner device with which the interface device communicates by wired or wireless communication means. Specifically, the communication device, the information acquisition device, the position information acquisition device, the first external device, It refers to a device such as a second external device.
“Received data” is data received by the interface device from the communication partner device.

The invention according to claim 12 is the interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Control means for controlling the communication device is provided.

The invention according to claim 13 is the interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
It has a detecting means for detecting a data transmission request of the communication partner apparatus.

The invention according to claim 14 is the interface device according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
The received data includes the data received from the communication partner apparatus as well as the data acquired by itself.

Further, the invention according to claim 15 is the interface device according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
Packaging means for forming a storage and exchange type information package using the received data;
And a transmission unit configured to transmit the storage / exchange type information package to the communication device.

The invention according to claim 16 is the interface device according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
The communication apparatus includes control means for forming a storage and exchange type information package using the received data and transmitting the storage and exchange type information package to an information communication network.

The invention according to claim 17 is the interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
Map data,
It has a map production | generation means which produces | generates a map using the said map data.

The invention according to claim 18 is the interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
It has a data compression means for compressing the received data received from the communication partner device and the data acquired by itself.

The invention as set forth in claim 19
A communication step of connecting to an information acquisition device having information acquisition means capable of acquiring acquisition information acquired at the present location of the user;
A communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network;
And a position information acquisition step of acquiring position information indicating the current location of the user.

The invention as set forth in claim 20
A communication step of connecting to an information acquisition device having information acquisition means capable of acquiring acquisition information acquired at the present location of the user;
And a communication step of connecting to a communication apparatus having a communication unit having a communication unit connected to an information communication network.

The invention as set forth in claim 21
A communication step of connecting to an information acquisition unit having an information acquisition unit capable of acquiring acquisition information acquired at its current location and a location information acquisition unit capable of acquiring location information indicating its current location;
And a communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network.

The invention according to claim 22
A communication step of connecting to a position information acquisition device having position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating its current location;
And a communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network.

The invention as set forth in claim 23 provides
A communication step of connecting to a position information acquisition device having position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating its current location;
A communication step of connecting to an information acquisition device having information acquisition means capable of acquiring acquisition information acquired at the present location of the user;
And a communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network.

The invention as set forth in claim 24 is the interface method according to claim 19,
The position information acquisition step includes a radio wave positioning step of receiving a radio wave from a satellite to acquire a current position, and the position information includes positioning information obtained by the radio wave positioning. Is.

The invention as set forth in claim 25
A communication step of connecting to a first external device having position information indicating its current location;
And a communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network.

The invention described in claim 26 is the interface method according to claim 25,
The position information possessed by the first external device is position related information for specifying a position.

The invention according to claim 27 is the interface method according to claim 26,
It has a position calculation step which specifies a position using the position related information.

The invention according to claim 28 is the interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein
It has a communication step for connecting to a second external device having its own attribute information.

The invention according to claim 29 is the interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 28, wherein
A receiving step for receiving data from the communication partner device;
And a transmission step of transmitting received data to the communication device.

The invention according to claim 30 is the interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 29, wherein
It has the control step which controls the said communication apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

The invention described in claim 31 is the interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 30, wherein
It has a detection step of detecting a data transmission request of the communication counterpart device.

The invention described in claim 32 is the interface method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, wherein
The received data includes the data received from the communication partner apparatus as well as the data acquired by itself.

The invention according to claim 33 is the interface method according to any of claims 29 to 32, wherein
A packaging step of forming a storage and exchange type information package using the received data;
And a transmission step of transmitting the storage / exchange type information package to the communication device.

The invention according to claim 34 is the interface method according to any of claims 29 to 33, wherein
The communication apparatus includes a control step for causing the communication device to form a storage and exchange type information package using the received data and to transmit the storage and exchange type information package to an information communication network.

The invention as set forth in claim 35 is the interface method according to any of claims 19 to 34, wherein
It has a map generation step which generates a map using map data.

The invention as set forth in claim 36 is the interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 35, wherein
It has a data compression step of compressing the received data received from the communication partner device and the data acquired by itself.

An invention according to claim 37 is a program that causes a computer to function as the interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

The invention according to claim 38 is a program that causes a computer to execute the interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 36.

The invention described in claim 39 is a computer-readable storage medium characterized by storing the computer program according to claim 37 or 38.

The invention as set forth in claim 40 provides
The interface device according to claim 17 or 18, a communication device, and the communication counterpart device;
An information collection system comprising the information communication network with which the communication device communicates.

The invention according to claim 41 provides
The interface device, the communication device, and the communication partner device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
The information communication network with which the communication device communicates;
An information collection apparatus comprising: communication means for connecting to the information communication network; reception means for receiving the position information included in data transmitted by the communication apparatus; and registration means for registering the position information. It is the information collection system characterized by comprising.

The invention according to claim 42 is the information collection system according to claim 41,
The data transmitted by the communication device includes received data from the communication partner device and the interface device itself together with the position information.
The information collection device is configured to receive the position information included in the data transmitted by the communication device and reception data from the communication partner device and the interface device itself, and the communication partner based on the position information. And registration means for registering the received data from the device and the interface device in association with each other.

The invention as set forth in claim 43 is
The interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or 17, 18, and the communication counterpart device;
Packaging means for forming a storage and exchange type information package using received data from the interface device; and the communication apparatus having a transmission means for transmitting the storage and exchange type information package to an information communication network;
The information communication network with which the communication device communicates;
Communication means for connecting to the information communication network; receiving means for receiving the storage and exchange type information package transmitted by the communication device; extraction means for extracting the position information included in the information package; and the position information An information collecting system comprising: an information collecting device characterized by having a registration means for registering the information.

The invention according to claim 44 provides
The interface device, the communication device, and the communication counterpart device according to any one of claims 15 to 18,
The information communication network with which the communication device communicates;
Communication means for connecting to the information communication network; receiving means for receiving the storage and exchange type information package transmitted by the communication device; extraction means for extracting the position information included in the information package; and the position information An information collecting system comprising: an information collecting device characterized by having a registration means for registering the information.

The invention according to claim 45 is the information collection system according to claim 43 or 44, wherein
The storage and exchange type information package transmitted by the communication device includes, together with the position information, received data from the communication partner device and the interface device itself,
The information collection device, based on the location information, the location information included in the information package transmitted by the communication device, extraction means for extracting received data from the communication counterpart device and the interface device itself, It is characterized by comprising registration means for associating and registering received data from the communication partner device and the interface device itself.

The invention according to claim 46 is the information collection system according to any one of claims 43 to 45.
The storage and exchange type information package is an e-mail.

The invention according to claim 47 is the information collection system according to claim 46.
The information collecting apparatus includes receiving means for receiving an electronic mail as an MUA (Mail User Agent).

The invention according to claim 48 is the information collection system according to any one of claims 41 to 47, wherein
The interface device includes detection means for detecting a data transmission request of the information collection device, and controls the communication device to transmit data based on the data transmission request.

The invention according to claim 49 is the information collection system according to any of claims 41 to 48, wherein
The information collecting apparatus includes information output means for outputting registered information to a communication terminal.

The invention according to claim 50 is the information collection system according to claim 49,
The information output means outputs to the communication terminal connected to an internal network.

The invention according to claim 51 is the information collection system according to claim 49.
The information output means outputs to the communication terminal connected to an external network.

The invention according to claim 52 is the information collection system according to any one of claims 49 to 51,
The information collecting apparatus includes an updating unit for updating registered information using the communication terminal.

As described above, according to the interface device of the present invention, each device (communication device, information acquisition device, position information acquisition device, first external device, second external device, etc.) that originally existed in isolation is provided. ) Can be reconfigured as an organically coupled device group having position information acquisition means and communication means to the information communication network.
As a result, the two devices (communication device, information acquisition device, position information acquisition device, first external device, second external device, etc.) that do not have location information acquisition means or communication means for the information communication network can be used. It will be possible to provide means.

Thus, for the first time, each of the above-described devices can be used as a device for acquiring various information on the site of a database system based on positional information such as GIS (Geographical Information System).

Further, according to the information collection system of the present invention, the interface device of the present invention and each communication partner device (communication device, information acquisition device, position information acquisition device, first external device, second external device, etc.) are acquired. The position information and other information can be transmitted via the communication device, and the information collection device can register the sent information in association with other information based on the position information.

Accordingly, each device (communication device, information acquisition device, location information acquisition device, first external device, second external device, etc.) that is not originally considered for use in a database system based on location information such as GIS. Can be reused as a device to acquire various information in the field, and the information collected by each information device via the information communication network The system will be completed.

(First embodiment)
One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an outline of an interface apparatus 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the interface apparatus 1.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 are transmitted using the communication device 2. Assume the case.

In addition, as a form of information to be transmitted, it is assumed that a storage and exchange type information package is used.
Since this is not real-time communication, information may not be exchanged directly between the information transmitting side and the receiving side.

Hereinafter, a specific example of the storage and exchange type information package will be described using an electronic mail system.

In the figure, the information communication network 4 is a single or a plurality of information communication networks such as a telephone line, the Internet, a dedicated communication line, and a wireless communication line.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the information collecting device 5 operates as a MUA (Mail User Agent) so-called mail client that performs transmission / reception of electronic mail using a mail box of a mail server on the information communication network 4. is doing.
As the MUA, the information collecting device 5 receives a storage and exchange type information package from a predetermined mailbox, extracts position information and other acquired information from the information package, and registers the acquired information in association with the extracted position information. To do.

In FIG. 1, a communication device 2 is a device that can be connected to an information communication network 4 such as the Internet via a wired or wireless connection. Etc.

Wired communication methods include LAN connection, dial-up connection, ADSL, optical communication, and the like, and wireless methods include TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), and wireless LAN.
The connection to the information communication network 4 need not always be connected.
It is only necessary to be able to connect when it is necessary to transmit the acquired information or when it is necessary.

The communication device 2 also has an e-mail processing unit that transmits data in a storage and exchange type information package such as e-mail.
As methods for embedding data in an e-mail, there are a method for embedding in a mail body, a method for embedding in a header portion, a method for embedding as an attached file, and the like.

The communication device 2 includes a communication unit for communicating with a device such as the interface device 1.
Wired communication methods include USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEE 1394, and RS-232C, and wireless methods include Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), wireless LAN, and infrared communication IrDA.

In FIG. 1, an information acquisition device 3 is a device that can acquire information on the current location. For example, a digital camera, a video camera, a recording device, a surveying device, a thermometer, a hygrometer, a radioactivity measuring device, a wind speed Meter, sound level meter, vibration meter, illuminance meter, moisture meter, membrane pressure meter, water quality inspection device, soil inspection device, electromagnetic wave measuring device, oxygen concentration meter and other gas detectors, odor measuring device, negative ion measuring device, and other environments Environmental information acquisition device that acquires information, health measuring devices such as blood pressure monitor, weight meter, thermometer, pulse meter, body fat meter, blood glucose meter, medical equipment such as ultrasonic diagnostic device and electrocardiograph, Etc.
The information acquisition device 3 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a pen input unit, and the like for acquiring current location information as character information or image information.

In addition, the information acquisition device 3 includes a communication unit for communicating with a device such as the interface device 1.
Wired communication methods include USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEE 1394, and RS-232C, and wireless methods include Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), wireless LAN, and infrared communication IrDA.

In FIG. 1, the interface device 1 includes a communication unit for communicating with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3.
Wired communication methods include USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEE 1394, and RS-232C, and wireless methods include Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), wireless LAN, and infrared communication IrDA.

Further, the interface device 1 includes a current position acquisition unit that acquires position information of the current location.
The position information referred to here is information for specifying a position in space, and includes, for example, coordinate system information, latitude / longitude information, and position accuracy information.

By using the interface device 1 according to the present invention, information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 for the first time can be recorded in association with position information.
Thereby, the information acquisition apparatus 3 can have a function as an information acquisition apparatus in the field of the database system based on position information such as GIS (geographic information system).
Further, since the information acquisition device 3 is connected to the communication device 2 by the interface device 1, it can be connected to the information communication network 4 for the first time.
As a result, for example, the acquisition information can be transmitted to the information collecting device 5 via the communication device 2, so that the field survey site, the disaster site, the medical site, the nursing site, the construction site, the survey point, the data observation point, Alternatively, the acquired information can be transmitted as it is from the site, such as a health condition survey at the place of visit.
In addition, since information is transmitted using a storage and exchange type information package such as e-mail, information in the current location can be obtained even in situations such as mountainous areas, offshore areas, and when the line is disconnected in the event of a disaster. There is an advantage that the position information and the acquired information can be transmitted again when connected.
In such a case, a communication error occurs in real-time communication.

By using the interface device 1 in this way, an information acquisition device (a digital camera, a video camera, a recording device, an altimeter, a thermometer, a hygrometer, a GPS receiver, which does not have a communication function to the information communication network 4 or a position information acquisition function. In addition, various environmental information measuring devices such as water quality testing devices, noise measuring devices, radioactivity measuring devices, health measuring devices such as blood pressure meters, thermometers, body fat meters, blood glucose measuring devices, ultrasonic diagnostic devices, These functions can be provided to medical devices such as electrocardiographs, and these information acquisition devices can be reused as local information acquisition devices for database systems based on location information such as GIS. The profit is great.

Referring to FIG. 1, an information collecting device 5 that receives a storage and exchange type information package, extracts position information and other acquired information from the information package, and associates and registers the acquired information based on the extracted position information is wired or wireless. A communication unit for connecting to an information communication network 4 such as the Internet via the Internet.
Examples of the wired system include dial-up connection, LAN connection, ADSL, and optical communication. Examples of the wireless system include TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), and wireless LAN.
The connection to the information communication network 4 need not always be connected.
It only needs to be able to connect when it is necessary to receive e-mails or at other times.

The information collecting device 5 is a predetermined user on the information communication network 4 as a MUA (Mail User Agent) so-called mail client that performs transmission / reception of e-mail using a mail server mailbox on the information communication network 4. An e-mail receiving unit that receives e-mails stored in the mailbox.
In this case, the mailbox can be received from a plurality of mailboxes as well as a single mailbox.

The information collecting device 5 receives a storage and exchange type information package as a MUA, extracts position information and other acquired information from the information package, and registers the acquired information in association with each other based on the extracted position information.

Since the MUA function is not a mail server function, it is not necessary for the information collecting device 5 to always operate, and it is necessary to register a global address that is an IP address uniquely assigned to a device connected to the Internet. Nor.
That is, it is only necessary to connect to the information communication network 4 when collecting information.
Therefore, the information collection device 5 does not need to be a large-scale server machine.
Also, there is no need for a number of procedures and registrations for using server functions such as global address and domain name registration.
Thus, since it is not necessary to disclose as a server, the information collecting device 5 can be a simple and inexpensive device.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and is necessary based on the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3. Information extraction, data format conversion, and missing data addition.
The interface device 1 transmits the processed data to the communication device 2.
The communication device 2 creates an e-mail package based on the processed data received from the interface device 1 and transmits it to the information communication network 4 to the information collection device 5.
The transmitted e-mail package is stored in the mailbox of the mail server that manages the destination address via the information communication network 4.
The information collection device 5 receives the email package as a MUA.
The information collection device 5 extracts position information and acquisition information from the received e-mail package, and registers the acquisition information in association with each other based on the position information.

FIG. 2 shows an internal block diagram of the interface device 1.
In the figure, the interface device 1 includes communication units A (104a) to N (104n) for communicating with the communication device 2, the information acquisition device 3, and the like.
Wired communication methods include USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEE 1394, and RS-232C, and wireless methods include Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), wireless LAN, and infrared communication IrDA.
Each communication unit can perform communication according to the communication method and communication protocol of the counterpart device.

A management program for controlling the entire interface device 1, other necessary processing programs, various acquired information and processing data, and the like are stored in the internal storage unit 102 configured by a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, a hard disk, and the like. Yes.
In addition, driver software that performs input / output control and communication protocol conversion with a counterpart device such as the communication device 2 or the information acquisition device 3 using each communication unit (104a to 104n) is also stored.

Further, the data processing unit 105 extracts information necessary as information on the current location from various information acquired in communication with each communication partner apparatus.
Information (reception data) acquired from each communication partner device is diverse, such as information about the device, information acquired by the device, information indicating the communication state, and the information necessary as information on the current location is extracted from the information.

In addition, the data processing unit 105 can perform data format conversion in order to ensure data consistency when information acquired from each communication partner device is converted into a database.
For the same reason, data can be added to the information acquired from each communication partner device.

The interface device 1 also includes a removable external storage unit 103 such as a flash memory.

The current position acquisition unit 106 for obtaining the current position includes, for example, a receiver and a processing program for receiving a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite signal and acquiring position information.
There are two types of GPS positioning: single positioning performed by a receiver alone and relative positioning for measuring the position using a plurality of receivers.
If communication between GPS receivers is not possible in mountainous areas, offshore areas, and disasters, relative positioning is impossible, and independent positioning is performed so that the current position can be acquired independently.
However, the current position is usually acquired by performing relative positioning with high position accuracy.

In order to perform relative positioning, it is necessary to receive or transmit position information and position correction information from other GPS receivers. In this case, communication with the communication device 2 is performed using the communication unit 104, and the communication device 2 is The position information and the position correction information can be received or transmitted via.
As for reception of position information and position correction information, by providing a receiving unit in the current position acquisition unit 106, information transmitted as an electromagnetic wave such as an AM wave or an FM wave is received, and relative positioning is performed using this information. Can also be done.

The central processing unit 101 controls the interface device 1 as a whole.

Next, the operation of the interface device 1 will be described in more detail using a sequence diagram.

FIG. 3 shows an operation at the time of starting the interface device 1 when the communication device 2 is connected.
In the figure, the user first connects the communication device 2 to the interface device 1.
And the interface apparatus 1 transmits the communication signal (apparatus detection confirmation signal) for confirming whether apparatuses, such as the communication apparatus 2, are connected to the communication apparatus 2 via a communication part (104a-104n). (S10).
At this time, the device detection confirmation signal may be transmitted according to a detection result by including a detection unit that detects that a device such as the communication device 2 is connected to the interface device 1 or at predetermined time intervals. You may make it carry out periodically.

The communication device 2 returns a communication signal (device detection result signal) for notifying connection in response to this device detection confirmation signal (S11).
This device detection result signal includes information on the connection device such as the manufacturer ID and product ID of the communication device 2.

Next, the interface device 1 uses the internal storage unit 102 and the external storage unit 103 based on information specifying the type of device such as the manufacturer ID and product ID of the communication device 2 included in the device detection result signal. Then, it is confirmed whether or not appropriate driver software for performing input / output control and communication protocol conversion of the communication device 2 exists (S12).

At this time, if the device already communicating via the communication units (104a to 104n) has appropriate driver software, the driver software can be acquired from the device.

If there is no suitable driver software, the user is informed by an output means such as LED display, character output, or buzzer so that the appropriate driver software is incorporated into the external storage device 103.
Thus, suitable driver software is acquired (S13).

When driver software suitable for the communication device 2 exists in the internal storage unit 102 or the external storage unit 103, the interface device 1 uses the driver so that the communication unit 2 can communicate with the communication device 2 using the communication units (104a to 104n). The software is incorporated inside so that it can be used (S14).

Then, the interface device 1 starts communication with the communication device 2 (S15).

In the case of wireless communication, there is no connection of the device by a cable or the like, but the connection of the device is started when the wireless signal is exchanged, and the following operations are the same, so the description is omitted.

FIG. 4 shows an operation at the time of starting the interface device 1 when the information acquisition device 3 is connected.
In this case, it is assumed that the communication device 2 is already connected to the interface device 1.
If the communication device 2 is not connected, the operation is the same as when the communication device 2 is connected in FIG.
Although the operation at the time of starting up when connecting the information acquisition device 3 will be described here, the same operation is performed not only when the information acquisition device 3 is connected but also when another device such as the position information acquisition device 6 is connected. Therefore, it is simply expressed as “connection device” in FIG.

In the figure, the user first connects the information acquisition device 3 to the interface device 1.
And the interface apparatus 1 transmits the communication signal (apparatus detection confirmation signal) for confirming whether apparatuses, such as the information acquisition apparatus 3, are connected via the communication part (104a-104n). (S50).
At this time, the transmission of the device detection confirmation signal may be performed according to the detection result by including a detection unit for detecting that the device such as the information acquisition device 3 is connected to the interface device 1 or at a predetermined time interval. May be performed periodically.

The information acquisition device 3 returns a communication signal (device detection result signal) for notifying connection in response to the device detection confirmation signal (S51).
This device detection result signal includes information on the connection device such as the manufacturer ID and product ID of the information acquisition device 3.

Next, the interface device 1 uses the internal storage unit 102 and the external storage unit 103 based on information specifying the type of device such as the manufacturer ID and product ID of the information acquisition device 3 included in the device detection result signal. Then, it is confirmed whether or not appropriate driver software for performing input / output control and communication protocol conversion of the information acquisition device 3 exists (S52).

At this time, if the device already communicating via the communication units (104a to 104n) has appropriate driver software, the driver software can be acquired from the device.

If there is no suitable driver software, the interface device 1 controls the communication device 2 to connect to the information communication network 4 and search for whether there is suitable driver software on the device connected to the information communication network 4. (S53).
If suitable driver software exists on the device connected to the information communication network 4, the driver software is acquired (S54, S55).
At this time, the driver software may be searched for in a specific device connected to the information communication network 4 or in an unspecified number of devices.

The interface device 1 is incorporated so that the driver software can be used so that the acquired driver software can communicate with the information acquisition device 3 using the communication units (104a to 104n) (S56).

Then, the interface device 1 starts communication with the information acquisition device 3 (S57).

In the case of wireless communication, there is no connection of the device by a cable or the like, but the connection of the device is started when the wireless signal is exchanged, and the following operations are the same, so the description is omitted.

By the way, in general, since communication between devices often has different input / output control methods and communication protocols for each device, processing for each device is required for device control and information acquisition.
Therefore, for example, there is a limit to devices with which the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 can communicate.
However, by using the interface device 1 in this way, the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 can communicate with many other devices.
The interface device 1 can communicate with the device by incorporating driver software suitable for the connected device.
Then, these devices can communicate with other devices connected to the interface device 1 via the interface device 1.
By doing so, it is possible to provide a general-purpose interface device that does not depend on a specific manufacturer or communication method.

Needless to say, not only the driver software but also other software is incorporated into the interface device 1 to enable more advanced and flexible communication and control with the communication partner device.

If the interface device 1 cannot incorporate driver software suitable for the device because the type of device cannot be specified, the driver software suitable for the device can be manually incorporated. Of course.

In the above embodiment, the method using the driver software has been described in order to perform input / output control and communication protocol conversion of the connection device connected to the interface device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a hardware unit such as a PC card is used. There is also a method of enabling communication by replacing the.

5, in response to a request from the communication device 2, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and communicates the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3. A procedure of an operation of transmitting to the apparatus 2 and transmitting as an electronic mail package using the communication apparatus 2 is shown.

In the figure, first, the user uses the communication device 2 to request data from the connected device (S100).
A communication signal (acquired data request signal) including information for requesting data (such as a corresponding command) is sent to the communication units (104a to 104n) of the interface device 1 via the communication unit of the communication device 2 ( S101).

At this time, the acquisition data request signal may be transmitted according to the detection result by including a detection unit that detects that the user has pressed a specific button provided in the communication device 2, or an operation screen of the communication device 2. A transmission may be made when a data request is selected from the selection screen requesting acquired data.
Alternatively, the user may make a call by detecting that the mail creation process has started.
In addition, the communication device 2 may automatically transmit periodically at a predetermined time interval, or detection means for detecting that the communication device 2 is connected to the interface device 1 at a timing. May be provided according to the detection result.

In addition, a detection unit that detects that the acquisition data request signal is transmitted may be provided on the interface device 1 side, and the determination may be made according to the detection result.
In this case, for example, a specific button provided in the communication device 2 is assigned, the interface device 1 periodically monitors whether or not this button is pressed, and is acquired at a timing when the button is detected to be pressed. There is a method for determining that a data request signal has been transmitted.

Then, the interface device 1 detects the acquisition data request signal from the communication device 2 (S102).

Next, the interface apparatus 1 receives the acquisition data request signal from the communication apparatus 2 and includes information (such as a corresponding command) for requesting acquisition data from the communication partner apparatus (in this case, the information acquisition apparatus 3). A signal (acquired data request signal) is transmitted (S103).

Next, the interface apparatus 1 receives the acquisition data request signal from the communication apparatus 2 and acquires the position information using the current position acquisition unit 106 that acquires the position information indicating its current location (S104).
The position information is stored in the internal storage unit 102 as character data or a predetermined data format.

The acquisition of the position information in step S104 is not limited to this point of time, and there is a method of automatically acquiring the position information when the interface device 1 is activated.
Further, the position information may be acquired periodically at predetermined time intervals.

The information acquisition device 3 receives the acquisition data request signal from the interface device 1 and receives information on its own current location (video, sound, air quality, water quality, soil and other environmental information, blood pressure value, body temperature, Information on the current location is acquired using an information acquisition unit that acquires health measurement information such as blood sugar level, pulse rate, and body fat percentage, medical measurement information such as images and electrocardiograms obtained by ultrasonic diagnosis, and the like.
In addition, a character input by the user using a keyboard, an illustration drawn with an input pen, or the like is acquired as character information or image information (S105).

These pieces of acquisition information are stored in the information acquisition device 3 as character data, image data, or a predetermined data format.
For example, if a photograph is taken locally, the information acquisition device 3 records the photographed image (image data), the photographing date and time, and the like.
In the case of a thermometer, the temperature and recording date and time of the atmospheric temperature are recorded.
In the case of a sphygmomanometer, the measured blood pressure value and recording date and time are recorded.
If it is an electrocardiograph, record the measured electrocardiogram and the recording date and time.

At this time, output means such as an LED, a liquid crystal display, or a buzzer provided in the information acquisition device 3 is used to prompt the user to acquire information on the current location at the timing of receiving the acquisition data request signal from the interface device 1. It is also possible to output the output.

Note that the acquisition of information in step S105 is not limited to this point of time, and there is a method of automatically acquiring information when the information acquisition device 3 is activated.
In addition, information may be acquired periodically at predetermined time intervals.

Next, the information acquisition device 3 returns a communication signal (acquired data return signal) including the acquired information to the interface device 1 (S106).

Next, the interface apparatus 1 receives the acquisition data return signal from the information acquisition apparatus 3, and acquires information from the information acquisition apparatus 3 (communication partner apparatus) included in the acquisition data return signal (S107).

The information (received data) acquired from the communication partner device (in this case, the information acquisition device 3) is diverse, such as information about the device, information acquired by the device, and information indicating the communication status. Necessary information needs to be extracted.
Therefore, the interface apparatus 1 identifies the type of apparatus based on information such as the manufacturer ID and product ID of the information acquisition apparatus 3 included in the received data (S108).

Next, the interface device 1 specifies the type of information to be extracted from the information (reception data) acquired from the device based on the information related to the specified device type (S109).
At this time, the format of each data can also be grasped.

Note that the type of device and the type of information to be extracted in steps S108 and S109 may be determined at the timing when the communication partner device (in this case, the information acquisition device 3) is connected to the interface device 1.

Identification of the type of device and identification of the type of information extracted from the received data are performed by associating information related to the device such as the manufacturer ID and product ID in the interface device 1 with the type of device and the type of information to be extracted. This is possible by providing a recorded reference table.

FIG. 35 shows a specific example of a reference table in which information relating to a device such as a manufacturer ID and product ID is recorded in association with the type of device and the type of information to be extracted.
In the figure, a manufacturer ID and a product ID are used as information for specifying the type of apparatus.
Of course, the present invention is not limited to this example, and any information can be used as long as the information can identify the type of the device from the received data transmitted from the communication partner device.

The table (A) in the figure is a table in which the manufacturer ID and product ID are associated with the product name and the type of information to be extracted.
Thereby, using the manufacturer ID and the product ID, the interface device 1 can grasp the type of the device (for example, the product name) and the type of information to be extracted.
If there are a plurality of types of information to be extracted, the necessary number can be recorded in the table.

The table in FIG. 5B is a table in which details of information to be extracted are recorded.
Each data in the information to be extracted and its data format are recorded.
The table (B) is recorded in association with the table (A).

For example, in the table of (A), a device whose manufacturer ID is “xxx123” and product ID is “xxxx11” has a product name “XXX” and “xx11101” as the type of information to be extracted. It has been recorded.
It can be seen that “xx11101” represents “photograph” in the table of (B).
Each data item of information to be extracted is recorded.
“Recording date / time”, “file type”, “file name”, and “size” in FIG.
The data format of each data is also recorded.

By doing in this way, the interface apparatus 1 can grasp | ascertain the kind of communication other party apparatus, the kind of information which should be extracted, the detail of each information to extract, a data format, etc.

Such a reference table can be stored in the internal storage unit 102 or the external storage unit 103.
Alternatively, it may be used in the communication partner apparatus, or may be used by being taken into the interface apparatus 1.
Further, it may be used in a device connected to the information communication network 4 via the communication device 2 or may be used by being taken into the interface device 1.

In addition, such a reference table may be in a relational database format, or any other format may be used as long as the type of device and the type of information to be extracted can be specified.

Next, the interface apparatus 1 extracts the information specified in step S109 using the information (received data) acquired from the communication partner apparatus (in this case, the information acquisition apparatus 3) (S110).

Next, the interface device 1 converts the data format in order to ensure data consistency when the information acquired from the communication partner device is converted into a database (S111).
Since the interface device 1 has already identified the type of information extracted from the received data and simultaneously grasped the data format, only the information that needs to be converted can be converted into the data format.

Next, the interface device 1 adds insufficient data in order to ensure data consistency when information acquired from the communication partner device is converted into a database (S112).
Since the interface device 1 has already specified the type of information extracted from the received data, it can also specify the information to be added.

Thus, by unifying the data format, it is possible to absorb the difference between the communication partner apparatuses (in this case, the information acquisition apparatus 3).
In other words, if a digital camera is taken as an example, a similar data format can be created even with a device of a different manufacturer.
In this way, it is possible to eliminate inconsistencies in creating information into a database, and it is possible to create a unified and comprehensive database.

Of course, the interface device 1 also extracts necessary information, converts the data format, and adds insufficient data to the position information acquired by itself.

Next, the interface apparatus 1 creates transmission data to the communication apparatus 2 using the information created up to step S112 (S113).

The interface device 1 transmits a reply signal (acquired data reply signal) including the created transmission data to the communication device 2 (S114).

Next, the communication device 2 receives the acquired data return signal from the interface device 1.
The communication device 2 creates an e-mail package based on the transmission data from the interface device 1 included in the acquired data return signal (S115).
As a method of embedding transmission data and other information in an e-mail, a method of embedding in a mail body, a method of embedding in a header portion, a method of embedding as an attached file, and the like can be considered.

Specifically, for example, there is a method of recognizing the interface device 1 as a part of the external storage unit or the external storage device from the communication device 2 side.
By doing so, it becomes possible to access the data in the interface device 1 from the communication device 2 side, and it can be taken in as an attached file or the like in the created electronic mail.

By the way, time information indicating the acquisition time of information can be recorded when an e-mail package is created.
As the acquisition time, specifically, there is a method of setting the time when the position information is acquired by the interface device 1 as the acquisition time.
However, since the time when the position information is acquired may be different from the time when the information acquisition device 3 acquires the information, there is a method in which the time information can be changed.
This time information can be used as basic information when the information collection device 5 forms each acquired information into a database based on the position information.
Specifically, it can be made into a database as three-dimensional or four-dimensional (when there is altitude information) spatiotemporal information obtained by adding time information to position information.
By doing in this way, the change with time of position information and related acquisition information can be grasped.

At this time, the email package can be encrypted as a security measure.
As the encryption method, a common key encryption method, a public key encryption method, a hash function, or the like is used.
Encryption can encrypt the information individually, or it can encrypt the entire email package.

At this time, a plurality of transmission destination addresses to the information collecting device 5 of the electronic mail package can be prepared, and the transmission destination address can be changed by judging the contents of the mail, the transmission time, the difference of users, and the like.
These transmission destination addresses can be used for grouping collected information in the information collecting apparatus 5.

By the way, the creation of the e-mail package may be a method in which the user performs an e-mail creation process, and the position information of the interface device 1 and the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3 are fetched therein. You may perform mail preparation processing after receiving.
Further, the communication device 2 may automatically perform the e-mail creation process at the timing when the acquired data return signal is received from the interface device 1.

Then, the communication device 2 sends the created electronic mail package to the information collection device 5 to the information communication network 4 (S116).

At this time, the e-mail may be transmitted by the user, or may be a method in which the communication apparatus 2 automatically transmits at the setting timing by automatic transmission setting.

Here, a specific example of information acquired by the interface device 1 from the information acquisition device 3, and data after extracting necessary information as information on the current location from the acquired information, and after converting the data format and adding insufficient data A specific example of the above, a specific example of information transmitted to the communication device 2, and a specific example of an electronic mail transmitted by the communication device 2 are shown in FIGS.
In this case, a digital camera will be described as a specific example of the information acquisition device 3.

FIG. 6 shows a list of data acquired by the interface device 1 from the information acquisition device 3 (digital camera).
These data are diverse, such as information about the device, detailed information on each piece of photo data, and information indicating the communication status, but what is necessary as local information is limited.
Also, the data format may include a format unique to the apparatus.

The interface device 1 grasps the type and data format of information that can be acquired from the device based on the information specifying the device type such as the manufacturer ID and product ID of the information acquisition device 3, and the necessary information is obtained from the information. Extraction, data format conversion, and addition of missing data.

FIG. 7A shows a list of information after the interface device 1 extracts information, converts the data format, and adds insufficient data based on the data (received data) acquired from the information acquisition device 3. Indicates.
In the figure, “information type” is added in addition to the information about the apparatus and the detailed information of the photo data. This is for indicating the classification of information when the information is made into a database.
The value of “type of information” is “photograph” because the information acquisition device 3 is a digital camera based on information specifying the type of device such as the manufacturer ID and product ID of the information acquisition device 3. This is because the interface device 1 knows that the acquired information is a photograph.

Also, the data format of the photo recording date / time is converted from “2006/07/01/13: 00: 05” to “July 1, 2006 13:00:05”. The data format is unified in order to ensure the consistency of the data when it is converted.
Also, the photo data is reduced to one because the photo data acquired at the timing of the acquisition data request in step S100 is one.
The determination in this case can be made by using, for example, recording date / time information when the photograph is taken.

FIG. 7B shows a list of position information acquired by the interface device 1 itself.
The value of “information type” indicating the classification of information is “position information”, and includes information related to the device and detailed position information such as geodetic system, latitude, longitude, and position accuracy.

FIG. 8 shows a specific example of information when the interface apparatus 1 transmits information to the communication apparatus 2 using information acquired from the information acquisition apparatus 3 and information acquired by itself.
In the figure, the position information and the photographic information are expressed in a unified format, but by using such a unified data format, it is possible to achieve data consistency when the information is made into a database.
In addition, this makes it possible to determine the type of each data when creating a database.
Specifically, it can be determined that <position information> to </ position information> is information about a position, and <photo> to </ photo> is information about a photograph.
Of course, the data format may be any other data format as long as it is a unified format.

In the figure, “datum”, “unit”, “lat”, “lon”, and “acc” are described as location information, but these indicate “geodetic system”, “unit”, “latitude”, “longitude”, and “position accuracy”, respectively. Represents.

FIG. 9 shows a specific example of an e-mail created by the communication device 2 based on the information transmitted by the interface device 1.
In the figure, the position information and the photo information transmitted by the interface device 1 are recorded in a unified data format in the e-mail body.
This format is a data format already created by the interface device 1.
Further, as the attached file, a file having the same file name as that described in the photo information is attached, but this of course represents the same photo data.
By creating an e-mail in this way, it is possible to transmit the location information in the current location, the photo information, and the actual photo data together.
This also makes it possible to easily associate and register position information, photo information, and photo data when creating information in a database using this e-mail.

Note that the interface device 1 can also manually change the data in preparation for changing the information acquired from the information acquisition device 3 or supplementing the deficient data.
In this case, the interface device 1 may be provided with an input / output unit, or data may be changed using a device provided with the input / output unit via the communication unit 104.

In addition, in order to perform e-mail package creation processing by the communication device 2 more efficiently, a method of incorporating a processing program necessary for the communication device 2 to perform cooperation processing with the interface device 1 and creation or transmission of e-mail is also available. is there.
In this way, for example, a dedicated processing screen is prepared, and the communication device 2 can be handled as if it were a dedicated communication device of the interface device 1 or the information acquisition device 3.
In addition, by doing so, finer processing using the communication device 2 is possible.
Note that the necessary processing program for this purpose may be taken in from an external storage unit included in the communication device 2 or may be taken in when the communication device 2 is connected to the information communication network 4 and downloaded from a device on the network.

Similarly, there is a method in which a detailed cooperation process with the interface apparatus 1 can be performed by incorporating a necessary processing program into the information acquisition apparatus 3.
In this way, for example, a dedicated processing screen is prepared, and the information acquisition device 3 can be handled as if it were a dedicated device such as the interface device 1 or the communication device 2.
Note that a necessary processing program for this can be fetched from, for example, an external storage unit included in the information acquisition device 3.

In addition to the location information of the interface device 1 and the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3, the data to be transmitted as an e-mail includes information and information acquired by each communication partner device (in this case, the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3). Of course, it is possible to include information, information that the interface device 1 itself has, and acquired information.

Further, in the acquisition data request by the communication device 2 in step S100, the interface device 1 is provided with detection means for detecting that the user has pressed a specific button provided in the communication device 2, and the position information is determined according to the detection result. Or the reception of acquired information, creation of an e-mail, and transmission of an e-mail may all be performed automatically.
In this case, the interface device 1 controls the communication device 2.
Specifically, a signal such as a command for operating the communication device 2 is transmitted via the communication unit 104, and processing such as creation of a new email or transmission of the created email is performed.
Information acquired from each communication partner device can be incorporated into the body of an email if it is text information, and can be incorporated as an attached file if it is photo data or the like.

Further, all processes from the request for acquired data (S100) by the communication device 2 to the transmission of e-mail (S116) by the communication device 2 are automated and performed periodically at predetermined time intervals without any user operation. Alternatively, it may be activated at a specific time.
Also in this case, the interface device 1 is enabled by controlling the communication device 2 and each communication partner device via the communication unit 104.

FIG. 10 shows an internal block diagram of the information collecting apparatus 5.
In the figure, the communication unit 202 can be connected to the information communication network 4 via wired or wireless.
Examples of the wired system include dial-up connection, LAN connection, ADSL, and optical communication. Examples of the wireless system include TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), and wireless LAN.
The connection to the information communication network 4 need not always be connected.
It only needs to be able to connect when it is necessary to receive e-mails or at other times.

An e-mail receiving unit 203 for receiving e-mail receives and stores e-mail accumulated in a predetermined single or plural mailboxes on the information communication network 4 as a MUA (Mail User Agent). .

Package data of the stored e-mail package is analyzed by an acquisition information extraction unit 204 for extracting position information and acquisition information, and each packaged information is extracted as an original form.
At this time, if the position information and the acquired information are encrypted, the package data is decrypted.
When the data is compressed, the compressed data is decompressed (restored to the original state).
Each piece of information is extracted as position information, time information, image data, character data, audio data, or a predetermined data format.

The extracted position information is registered as the acquisition information database 205.
If the extracted data includes acquired information other than position information, the information is associated with the position information and registered as the acquired information database 205 in character data, audio data, or a predetermined data format.

The extracted information may include a plurality of pieces of position information because the information is acquired at a plurality of points.
Even in such a case, the acquisition information related to each position information is registered as the acquisition information database 205.
However, if information about the position is recorded as other acquired information, it is registered as a part of the acquired information.

If time information is included in the acquired information, it can be databased as three-dimensional information including the time information in the position information.
By doing in this way, the change with time of position information and related acquisition information can be grasped.
Further, if the acquired information includes altitude information, it can be databased as three-dimensional spatial information including the altitude information in the position information.
Further, if time information and altitude information are included in the acquired information, it is possible to create a database as four-dimensional information including position information and time information and altitude information.
By doing in this way, it becomes possible to grasp | ascertain the change with time of position information and related acquisition information as three-dimensional spatial information.

The acquired transmission destination address and transmission source address can be used as grouping or filtering when registering position information and other acquisition information.
At the time of grouping, the acquired data is grouped for each registered address group.
As a deletion function, filtering can automatically delete an e-mail package of a registered address or its extracted data.
On the other hand, a membership system in which only registered addresses are made into a database as acquired data can also be used.

Information in the acquired information database 205 is output as a symbol to the display unit 208 made of a liquid crystal display or the like based on the position information.
The design of the symbol can be changed.
In this case, the acquired information associated with the position information can be displayed.
When the acquired information is character information, it can be displayed in a table format.
Information having a predetermined data format such as an image and sound can be output in each format.

A map database 206 can be used as a background map for output to the display unit 208.
Further, it is possible to search the acquired information database 205 and update data in association with the map attribute information recorded in the map database 206.

A user who uses the information collection device 5 uses the input unit 207 including a keyboard and a mouse to output information collected from the site, update data, and search.

A display unit 208 made of a liquid crystal display or the like outputs a data update screen, a collection information display screen, a search screen, a map display screen, and the like.

In an internal storage unit 209 composed of a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, etc., a management program for controlling the entire information collecting device 5 and the collected information are managed together with map data in correspondence with coordinates such as latitude and longitude. Stores programs and various information and processing data.

In addition, the information collection device 5 includes a removable external storage unit 210 such as a readable / writable CD drive, DVD drive, or flash memory.

The central processing unit 201 controls the information collecting apparatus 5 as a whole.

By the way, the map database 206 is not limited to being stored in the internal storage unit 209 but may be in the external storage unit 210 or may be in a device on the information communication network 4.
Furthermore, they may be used in combination.

Next, the operation of the information collection device 5 will be described in more detail using a flowchart.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process in which the information collection device 5 receives an email package and collects position information and other acquired information.

First, in step S150, the information collection device 5 receives an electronic mail package as a MUA (Mail User Agent).
At this time, the acquisition destination mailbox may be single or plural.
This difference in mailboxes is related to grouping of acquired information in later step S156.
E-mail reception can be automated depending on settings.
In that case, a method of receiving at regular intervals, a method of receiving at a specific time, or the like can be considered.

Next, in step S151, filtering based on the transmission source address of the received electronic mail package is performed.
At this time, various security checks can be performed by pre-setting in the information collection device 5.
For example, if reception rejection is set, an e-mail package having a transmission source address registered as reception rejection is discarded in step S152.
As a result, inappropriate mail such as virus mail whose transmission source address is known can be prevented from being taken into the information collection device 5.
As another setting method, for example, when setting is made to permit reception of only the registered address, only the mail package having the pre-registered address as the transmission source address passes through step S151, and the others are discarded in step S152. .
This makes it possible to collect limited information only by an e-mail package in which the source address is registered.
Specifically, limited use is possible within members and specific organizations.
In addition, since the transmission source address is registered, it is possible to prevent other inappropriate mail such as virus mail from being taken into the information collecting apparatus 5.

In step S153, the e-mail package that has passed step S151 is stored in the internal storage unit 209 of the information collection device 5.
In step S154, it is checked whether all e-mail packages have been received.
If mail still remains in the mailbox, the process returns to the e-mail receiving process in step S150.
If not, the process proceeds to the next step S155.
Repeat the above as long as mail remains in the mailbox.
Of course, a method of receiving only unread mail can be used in step S154.

When all mails are received, data is extracted from each electronic mail package in step S155.
Here, the package data is analyzed, and the packaged position information and other acquired information are extracted as the original form.
At this time, if the position information and the acquired information are encrypted, the package data is decrypted.
When the data is compressed, the compressed data is decompressed (restored to the original state).

In step S156, the location information and other acquired information are grouped by using the transmission source address and the transmission destination address according to the setting.
Users can be effectively utilized by grouping the acquired data.

In step S157, the position information and other acquired information are registered as a database based on the position information.
If time information is included in the acquired information, it is possible to create a database as three-dimensional information including time information in position information.
By doing in this way, the change with time of position information and related acquisition information can be grasped.
Further, if the acquired information includes altitude information, it can be databased as three-dimensional spatial information including the altitude information in the position information.
Further, if time information and altitude information are included in the acquired information, it is also possible to create a database as four-dimensional information including position information and time information and altitude information.
By doing in this way, it becomes possible to grasp | ascertain the change with time of position information and related acquisition information as three-dimensional spatial information.

In step S158, a symbol is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information.
A map of the map database 206 can also be displayed as a background map.
The design of the symbol can be changed by setting.
In step S159, the acquired information is displayed on the display unit 208.
Character information can be displayed in tabular form.
Information having a predetermined data format, such as images and sounds, is output in each format.
The display timing can be considered when a corresponding symbol on the screen is clicked with a mouse, or when information is searched and target information is selected.
FIG. 33 shows an example of an actual display screen.

In step S160, various operations using the input unit 207 are performed.
Specifically, the acquisition information database 205 is updated, the acquisition information database 205 is searched, data is extracted from the acquisition information database 205 using keywords, and the like.

Note that it is possible to automate all processes from reception of electronic mail to registration of position information and acquisition information.
In this case, for example, there is a method of performing a series of operations periodically at predetermined time intervals.
Or you may make it start at a specific time.

By using the interface device 1 described above, the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 are organically combined for the first time, the positional information of the interface device 1 and the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3 are associated, and the transmission of the communication device 2 is performed. Information can be transmitted via the information communication network 4 by the function.
Thereby, the user who acquires information in the field can acquire information using a communication function and a position information acquisition function which are not originally provided.
In addition, since information is transmitted using electronic mail, the information acquisition operation can be continued even in a place where communication is not possible, and the acquired information can be transmitted collectively when communication becomes possible later.

In addition, the user who operates the information collecting device 5 can receive and register the transmitted information according to his / her situation regardless of the local work situation.
This is an advantage of using an e-mail system.
Further, since the electronic mail is received as the MUA and the information is registered, it is not necessary to construct the information collecting device 5 as a server device.
As a result, it is not necessary to operate the apparatus at all times, and it is sufficient to turn on the power only when the user needs it.
This eliminates the need for a large-scale device configuration for continuous operation.
Further, it is not necessary to use expensive parts having a high degree of reliability necessary for always operating.
Similarly, the network configuration does not need to be a large-scale device configuration for always operating.
The merit of such cost reduction is great.

Needless to say, the information acquisition device 3 can acquire information on the spot whether indoors or outdoors.

By the way, there may be a deviation between the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the position of the communication partner device (in this case, the information acquisition device 3).
Even in such a case, the positional deviation between the two can be expressed by using, for example, position accuracy information indicating the accuracy of the position.
By doing so, the position information acquired by the interface device 1 can be used as information representing the position of the information acquisition device 3.

In this embodiment, the information collection device 5 registers the position information of the interface device 1 and the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3 included in the e-mail package. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the information contained in the device (in this case, the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3), the acquired information, and the information included in the interface device 1 itself or the acquired information are included in the e-mail package, the information is also included. Needless to say, the collection device 5 can be registered in association with the position information.

In addition, the information acquired by transmitting information including information (manufacturer ID, product ID, etc.) about each device to the information held by each communication partner device and the interface device 1 itself and the acquired information. It can be confirmed whether it is a device of this kind.
If the device information includes a unique ID of the device such as a serial number that can identify the individual device, it is also possible to specify the device individual that acquired the information by sending it with this unique ID. It becomes.

(Second Embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 12, and FIG.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an outline of an interface apparatus 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the interface apparatus 1.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and the interface device 1 uses the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 to send an e-mail. It is assumed that a package is created and an electronic mail package is transmitted by controlling the communication device 2.
In addition, it is assumed that the timing of information acquisition and e-mail transmission processing is started by the interface device 1 based on a processing request from the information acquisition device 3.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the information acquisition device 3, the information communication network 4, and the information collection device 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
The communication device 2 has the same communication function with the information communication network 4 as in the first embodiment, but does not have an e-mail processing function.
Or even if it has the function, it is not used in this embodiment.
In this form, the interface device 1 performs creation and transmission of an e-mail.

FIG. 12 shows an internal block diagram of the interface device 1.
The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and the processing from the central processing unit 101 to the current position acquisition unit 106 is as shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, an e-mail processing unit 107 is provided.

In the e-mail processing unit 107, the interface device 1 packages information such as the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3 obtained through the communication units (104a to 104n) and the position information obtained by the current position acquisition unit 106 as an e-mail. .
As methods for embedding data in an e-mail, there are a method for embedding in a mail body, a method for embedding in a header portion, a method for embedding as an attached file, and the like.

Next, operations of the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the information acquisition device 3 will be described in more detail with reference to sequence diagrams.

In FIG. 13, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 in response to a request from the information acquisition device 3, and the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 are displayed. An operation procedure in which the interface device 1 creates an electronic mail package and controls the communication device 2 to transmit the electronic mail package will be described.

In the figure, first, the user uses the information acquisition device 3 to request data transmission (in this case, transmission of an e-mail) (S200).
A communication signal (data transmission request signal) including information for requesting data transmission is sent to the communication units (104a to 104n) of the interface device 1 via the communication unit of the information acquisition device 3 (S201).

At this time, the transmission of the data transmission request signal may be performed according to the detection result by including a detection unit that detects that the user has pressed a specific button provided in the information acquisition device 3. You may make it transmit, when the request | requirement of data transmission is selected from the selection screen which requests | requires data transmission on the operation screen.

In addition, a detection unit that detects that the data transmission request signal has been transmitted may be provided on the interface device 1 side, and the determination may be made according to the detection result.
In this case, for example, a specific button provided in the information acquisition device 3 is assigned, and the interface device 1 periodically monitors whether the button is pressed at a predetermined time interval, and at the timing when the button is detected to be pressed. There is a method for determining that a data transmission request signal has been transmitted.
By doing in this way, the e-mail transmission process can be activated even in the information acquisition device 3 that does not assume a process such as e-mail transmission.

By the way, although the example which advances a process by using the data transmission request by the information acquisition apparatus 3 as an email transmission request at this time was shown, it is not restricted to this, The detection which detects an email transmission request separately from a data transmission request There is also a method of proceeding processing based on this request by providing means.

In response to the data transmission request signal from the information acquisition device 3, the interface device 1 includes a communication signal including information (such as a corresponding command) requesting acquisition data from the communication counterpart device (in this case, the information acquisition device 3). (Acquired data request signal) is transmitted (S202).

Next, the interface apparatus 1 receives the data transmission request signal from the information acquisition apparatus 3 and acquires the position information using the current position acquisition unit 106 that acquires the position information indicating its current location (S203). .
The details of the position information acquisition procedure are the same as those in the first embodiment (S104), and are therefore omitted here.

The information acquisition device 3 receives the acquisition data request signal from the interface device 1 and receives information on its own current location (video, sound, air quality, water quality, soil and other environmental information, blood pressure value, body temperature, Information on the current location is acquired using an information acquisition unit that acquires health measurement information such as blood sugar level, pulse rate, and body fat percentage, medical measurement information such as images and electrocardiograms obtained by ultrasonic diagnosis, and the like.
In addition, a character input by the user using a keyboard, an illustration drawn with an input pen, or the like is acquired as character information or image information (S204).
The details of the information acquisition procedure are the same as those in the first embodiment (S105), and are omitted here.

Next, the information acquisition device 3 returns a communication signal (acquired data return signal) including the acquired information to the interface device 1 (S205).

Next, the interface device 1 receives the acquisition data return signal from the information acquisition device 3.
And information required as information in the present location is extracted from the acquisition information (reception data) from the information acquisition device 3 included in the acquisition data return signal.
Also, the data format is converted and the missing data is added so that it can be handled as unified data (S206).
The details of this data processing are the same as those in the first embodiment (S107 to S113), and a description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, the interface apparatus 1 creates an e-mail package based on the acquired information acquired from the information acquiring apparatus 3 and the position information acquired by itself (S207).
As a method of embedding position information and acquired information in an e-mail, a method of embedding in a mail body, a method of embedding in a header portion, a method of embedding as an attached file, and the like can be considered.

In creating an e-mail, there are several items to be set, such as a destination address, a title, and a description of the body text. By setting these pieces of information in the interface device 1 in advance, automatic processing becomes possible. .
At this time, an input unit / display unit is prepared in the interface device 1, and the setting can be performed using the input unit (for example, a keyboard).
However, if a keyboard or the like is not installed in order to reduce the size of the interface device 1, there is a method of preparing a connector for connecting an input device / display device, for example.
Alternatively, there is a method for enabling setting using an information terminal having a user interface (input / display means) such as a personal computer that can be connected to the communication unit 104.
In this way, detailed setting of the device is possible even in the interface device 1 having no input unit / display unit.

A specific example of the e-mail created by the interface device 1 is the same as that in FIG. 9 in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

By the way, time information indicating the acquisition time of information can be recorded when an e-mail package is created.
As the acquisition time, specifically, there is a method of setting the time when the position information is acquired by the interface device 1 as the acquisition time.
However, since the time when the position information is acquired may be different from the time when the information acquisition device 3 acquires the information, there is a method in which the time information can be changed.
This time information can be used as basic information when the information collection device 5 forms each acquired information into a database based on the position information.
Specifically, it can be made into a database as three-dimensional or four-dimensional (when there is altitude information) spatiotemporal information obtained by adding time information to position information.
By doing in this way, it becomes possible to grasp the change with time of position information and related acquisition information.

At this time, the email package can be encrypted as a security measure.
As the encryption method, a common key encryption method, a public key encryption method, a hash function, or the like is used.
Encryption can encrypt the information individually, or it can encrypt the entire email package.

At this time, a plurality of transmission destination addresses to the information collecting device 5 of the electronic mail package can be prepared, and the transmission destination address can be changed by judging the contents of the mail, the transmission time, the difference of users, and the like.
These transmission destination addresses can be used for grouping collected information in the information collecting apparatus 5.

Next, the interface device 1 controls the communication device 2 to send a mail, so that a communication signal (mail transmission request) including the created electronic mail package and information (such as a corresponding command) requesting transmission of the mail is generated. Signal) is transmitted to the communication device 2 (S208).
In this case, the interface apparatus 1 has a method of handling the communication apparatus 2 like a modem, for example.

Then, the communication device 2 receives the mail transmission request signal from the interface device 1, and transmits the electronic mail package to the information collection device 5 to the information communication network 4 (S209).

In order to send an e-mail, an ID or a password for connecting to the information communication network 4 may be required. However, these pieces of information can be automatically processed by setting them in the interface device 1 in advance. It becomes.
A specific example of the setting method has been described in the procedure for creating an e-mail in step S207, and will not be described here.

Next, the communication device 2 returns a communication signal (mail transmission result signal) including the result information of the electronic mail transmission process to the interface device 1 (S210).

In the above example, a series of processing is performed based on a data transmission request (S200) from the information acquisition device 3 by a user operation.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all processes from the data transmission request (S200) from the information acquisition device 3 to the reply of the mail transmission result signal (S210) by the communication device 2 are automated without user operation. It may be performed periodically at time intervals, or may be activated at a specific time.

Also, the interface device 1 periodically monitors the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3 at a predetermined time interval, and a judgment criterion is provided for the information, and when the predetermined criterion is reached, a data transmission request signal is transmitted Therefore, a series of processes (S200 to S210) may be performed.
For example, when the information acquisition device 3 is a temperature measuring device, it can be determined that the data transmission request signal has been transmitted when the measured temperature of the atmospheric temperature exceeds a predetermined reference (for example, 35 degrees Celsius). When the information acquisition device 3 is a sphygmomanometer, it can be determined that the data transmission request signal is transmitted when the blood pressure being measured exceeds a predetermined reference (for example, 140 mmHg).
By doing in this way, there is a great advantage that information can be automatically transmitted and made into a database based on environmental information such as atmospheric temperature, health information such as blood pressure, and other information acquired by the information acquisition device 3.

With the form shown in the present embodiment, the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 can be organically coupled through the interface device 1.
Further, based on the processing request of the information acquisition device 3, the acquisition of position information by the interface device 1, acquisition of information by the information acquisition device 3, and creation and transmission of an e-mail can be automated as a series of processing.
By doing so, there is a great advantage that the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 which are originally separate devices can be handled as one virtual device through the interface device 1.

In the present embodiment, the form in which the processing is performed based on the data transmission request by the information acquisition device 3 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a series of processing is performed based on the data transmission request by the interface device 1. There is also a way to do it.
In this case, the interface apparatus 1 itself makes a data transmission request in S200, and then transmits an acquisition data request signal in S202 to the information acquisition apparatus 3.
The subsequent series of operation procedures is as shown in this embodiment.
Similarly, there is also a method of performing a series of processes based on a data transmission request from the communication device 2.
In this case, the communication device 2 makes a data transmission request in S200, and the communication device 2 transmits the data transmission request signal in S201.
The subsequent operation procedure is as shown in this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the interface apparatus 1 creates an e-mail. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is a method in which the interface apparatus 1 controls the communication apparatus 2 to create an e-mail.
In this case, the e-mail processing unit 107 of the interface device 1 in FIG. 12 is not necessary.
Conversely, the communication device 2 has an email processing function.
Then, the creation of the electronic mail in S207 of the operation procedure in FIG. 13 is performed by the communication apparatus 2 based on the communication signal including the mail creation and transmission request of the interface apparatus 1.
Specifically, the interface device 1 causes the communication device 2 to issue a new email creation command or the like to create an email.
The subsequent operation procedure is as shown in this embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 14, and FIG.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an outline of an interface apparatus 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the interface apparatus 1.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and the interface device 1 uses the communication device 2 for the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3. It is assumed that the data is controlled and transmitted in real time.
Further, it is assumed that the timing of information acquisition and data transmission processing is started by the interface device 1 based on a processing request from the communication device 2.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the information acquisition device 3 and the information communication network 4 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
The communication device 2 does not need an e-mail processing function.

The internal block configuration of the interface device 1 is the same as the internal block diagram of FIG. 2 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows an internal block diagram of the information collection device 5.
The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Since this embodiment is not an embodiment using an e-mail package, the e-mail receiving unit 203 in the first embodiment does not exist.
Further, the operations of the communication unit 202 and the acquired information extraction unit 204 are different.

In the communication unit 202, the information collection device 5 receives transmission data from the communication device 2 connected to the information communication network 4 in real time.
The received data is analyzed by the acquisition information extraction unit 204, and information such as position information and acquisition information is extracted.
At this time, when received data or communication is encrypted, a decryption process is performed.
When the data is compressed, the compressed data is decompressed (restored to the original state).
The extracted information is registered as the acquisition information database 205.

When the reception data extraction / extraction / registration process ends normally, a result signal is transmitted to the communication device 2 to notify the normal end.
If there is any problem, a result signal including the error information is transmitted.

Next, the operations of the interface device 1, the communication device 2, the information acquisition device 3, and the information collection device 5 will be described in more detail with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

In the figure, first, the user requests data transmission using the communication device 2 (S250).
A communication signal (data transmission request signal) including information for requesting data transmission is sent from the communication device 2 to the communication units (104a to 104n) of the interface device 1 (S251).

At this time, the transmission of the data transmission request signal may be performed according to the detection result by including a detection unit that detects that the user has pressed a specific button provided in the communication device 2, or an operation screen of the communication device 2. The transmission may be performed when a data transmission request is selected from the selection screen for requesting data transmission.

In addition, a detection unit that detects that the data transmission request signal has been transmitted may be provided on the interface device 1 side, and the determination may be made according to the detection result.
In this case, for example, a specific button provided in the communication device 2 is assigned, the interface device 1 periodically monitors whether or not this button is pressed, and data is detected at the timing when the button is detected. There is a method for determining that a transmission request signal has been transmitted.
In this way, the data transmission process can be activated even in the communication device 2 that does not assume a process such as data transmission.

In response to the data transmission request signal from the communication device 2, the interface device 1 receives a communication signal including information (such as a corresponding command) requesting acquisition data from the communication partner device (in this case, the information acquisition device 3). An acquisition data request signal) is transmitted (S252).

Next, the interface apparatus 1 receives the data transmission request signal from the communication apparatus 2 and acquires the position information by using the current position acquisition unit 106 that acquires the position information indicating the current position of the interface apparatus 1 (S253).
The details of the position information acquisition procedure are the same as those in the first embodiment (S104), and are therefore omitted here.

The information acquisition device 3 receives the acquisition data request signal from the interface device 1 and receives information on its own current location (video, sound, air quality, water quality, soil and other environmental information, blood pressure value, body temperature, Information on the current location is acquired using an information acquisition unit that acquires health measurement information such as blood sugar level, pulse rate, and body fat percentage, medical measurement information such as images and electrocardiograms obtained by ultrasonic diagnosis, and the like.
In addition, a character input by the user using a keyboard, an illustration drawn with an input pen, or the like is acquired as character information or image information (S254).
The details of the information acquisition procedure are the same as those in the first embodiment (S105), and are omitted here.

Next, the information acquisition device 3 returns a communication signal (acquired data return signal) including the acquired information to the interface device 1 (S255).

Next, the interface apparatus 1 creates transmission data including the acquisition information (reception data) from the information acquisition apparatus 3 included in the acquisition data return signal received from the information acquisition apparatus 3 and the position information acquired by itself (S256).
At that time, the interface device 1 extracts necessary information as information at the current location from the acquired information (received data) from the information acquiring device 3.
Also, the data format is converted and the missing data is added so that it can be handled as unified data.
The details of the data processing are the same as those in the first embodiment (S107 to S113), and thus description thereof is omitted here.

By the way, time information indicating the acquisition time of information can be recorded in the transmission data at this time.
The time information can be used when creating a database as three-dimensional or four-dimensional (when there is altitude information) spatiotemporal information obtained by adding time information to position information.

Next, since the interface device 1 controls the communication device 2 to transmit transmission data, the interface device 1 generates a communication signal (data transmission request signal) including the created transmission data and information indicating that data transmission is requested (a corresponding command or the like). ) Is transmitted to the communication device 2 (S257).

The communication device 2 receives the data transmission request signal from the interface device 1, connects to the information collection device 5 via the information communication network 4, and transmits the transmission data (S258).

As long as the communication between the communication device 2 and the information collection device 5 is real-time communication, both a method of occupying a line and a communication method using a packet can be used.
At this time, communication can be encrypted as a security measure.
Encryption methods include SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and IPSec (Security Architecture for Internet Protocol).
There are also methods using a dedicated line or VPN (virtual private network).

By the way, in order to transmit data, an ID or a password for connecting to the information communication network 4 may be required.
Similarly, an ID, a password, or the like may be required for connection to the information collection device 5.
Such information can be automatically processed by setting the information in the interface device 1 in advance.
A specific example of the setting method has been described in the procedure for creating an e-mail in step S207 in the second embodiment, and is omitted here.

Next, the information collection device 5 receives the transmission data transmitted from the communication device 2.
Then, the information collecting device 5 extracts position information and acquired information included in the received data.
At this time, when received data or communication is encrypted, a decryption process is performed.
When the data is compressed, the compressed data is decompressed (restored to the original state).
Then, the extracted data is registered in association with the acquired information based on the position information (S259).

Next, the information collection device 5 returns a communication signal (data reception result signal) including the result information of the reception and registration processing of the transmission data transmitted from the communication device 2 to the communication device 2 (S260).

Next, the communication device 2 returns a response signal (data reception result signal) from the information collection device 5 to the interface device 1 (S261).

At this time, the interface device 1 may periodically monitor the reception signal of the communication device 2 at a predetermined time interval in order to receive a reply signal (data reception result signal) from the information collection device 5.

In the present embodiment, the form in which the processing is performed based on the data transmission request by the communication device 2 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a series of processing is performed based on the data transmission request by the interface device 1. There is also a method.
In this case, the interface apparatus 1 itself makes a data transmission request in S250, and then transmits an acquisition data request signal in S252 to the information acquisition apparatus 3.
The subsequent series of operation procedures is as shown in this embodiment.
Similarly, there is also a method of performing a series of processes based on a data transmission request from the information acquisition device 3.
In this case, the information acquisition apparatus 3 makes a data transmission request in S250, and the information acquisition apparatus 3 transmits a data transmission request signal in S251.
The subsequent operation procedure is as shown in this embodiment.

In the above example, a series of processing is performed based on a data transmission request (S250) from the communication device 2 by a user operation.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all processes from the data transmission request (S250) from the communication device 2 to the reply of the data reception result signal (S261) by the communication device 2 are automated without any user operation. It may be performed periodically at intervals, or may be activated at a specific time.

Further, in the case of a method of performing a series of processing based on a data transmission request by the information acquisition device 3, the interface device 1 periodically monitors the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3 at a predetermined time interval and determines that information. A reference may be provided, and when a predetermined reference is reached, it may be determined that a data transmission request signal has been transmitted, and a series of processing (S250 to S261) may be performed.
For example, when the information acquisition device 3 is a temperature measuring device, it can be determined that the data transmission request signal has been transmitted when the measured temperature of the atmospheric temperature exceeds a predetermined reference (for example, 35 degrees Celsius). When the information acquisition device 3 is a sphygmomanometer, it can be determined that the data transmission request signal is transmitted when the blood pressure being measured exceeds a predetermined reference (for example, 140 mmHg).
By doing in this way, there is a great advantage that information can be automatically transmitted and made into a database based on environmental information such as atmospheric temperature, health information such as blood pressure, and other information acquired by the information acquisition device 3.

According to the embodiment shown in this embodiment, the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 are organically coupled through the interface device 1.
In addition, the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 can be transmitted to the information collection device 5 via the communication device 2 in real time.
By performing real-time communication, information can be collected quickly.

In addition, since it is real-time communication, the interface apparatus 1 can also consider a method of confirming, searching, and updating information registered by the information collecting apparatus 5.
Specifically, for example, there is a method of controlling the communication device 2 and confirming, searching, updating, and the like of information registered by the information collecting device 5 using the input / display unit of the communication device 2.
There is also a method of operating using an information terminal provided with a user interface (input / display means) such as a personal computer that can be connected to the communication unit 104.
Moreover, if the interface apparatus 1 has an input / display part, it can also operate using them.
Alternatively, there is a method of preparing a connector for connecting an input device / display device.

As a communication method for the interface device 1 to check, search, and update information registered in the information collecting device 5, there is a method using the communication protocol HTTP.
In this case, the information collection device 5 operates as a WWW server, and the interface device 1 operates as a WWW client.
At this time, the interface device 1 can display information, update data, search, and the like using a WWW browser generally used on the Internet or an intranet.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication between the information collection device 5 and the interface device 1 may use a client / server system based on a unique communication protocol.
Thereby, it becomes possible to give an original function.

Similarly, a method in which the information collecting device 5 confirms, searches, and updates information held by the interface device 1 is also conceivable.
In this case, as a communication method between the interface device 1 and the information collection device 5, there is a method using the communication protocol HTTP.
In this case, the interface device 1 operates as a WWW server, and the information collection device 5 operates as a WWW client.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication between the interface device 1 and the information collection device 5 may use a client / server system based on a unique communication protocol.
Thereby, it becomes possible to give an original function.

In this way, remote operation from both the interface device 1 side and the information collecting device 5 side becomes possible.

Note that when performing communication in real time, both the communication device 2 and the information collection device 5 need to be operating, but this does not necessarily mean that the information collection device 5 is always operating.
If the information collecting device 5 is always operating, the interface device 1 can access the information collecting device 5 at any time via the communication device 2. For this reason, the information collecting device 5 requires a device configuration for always operating. .
Further, it is necessary to have a configuration for always connecting to the information communication network 4.
As a result, the information collecting device 5 becomes a large-scale device and naturally costs high.
Without being limited to such a server configuration, there is also a method in which the information collection device 5 is connected to the information communication network 4 when necessary.
In this case, access from the interface device 1 side is not always possible, but instead, the device configuration of the information collecting device 5 can be greatly simplified, so that a low-cost system configuration is possible.
For both connections, for example, there is a method in which a communication time zone is set in both devices, and the information collecting device 5 can be accessed from the interface device 1 only during that time zone.

(Fourth embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an outline of an interface apparatus 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the interface apparatus 1.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and the interface device 1 uses the communication device 2 for the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3. It is assumed that the data is controlled and transmitted in real time.
Further, it is assumed that the timing of information acquisition and data transmission processing is started by the interface device 1 based on a processing request from the information collection device 5.

This form is a modification of the third embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those of the third embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, each of the interface device 1, the communication device 2, the information acquisition device 3, the information communication network 4, and the information collection device 5 is the same as that of the third embodiment.
The present embodiment is different in that a series of operations is started based on a processing request from the information collection device 5.

Next, operations of the interface device 1, the communication device 2, the information acquisition device 3, and the information collection device 5 will be described in more detail with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

In the figure, first, the interface device 1 requests communication start in order to start communication with the information collecting device 5 (S300).

At this time, the communication start request may be activated by the user, or may be automatically requested when the interface device 1 is activated.
Further, the request may be periodically made at predetermined time intervals.

Next, the interface device 1 requests the start of communication with the information collecting device 5 and controls the communication device 2 using a corresponding command or the like (S301).

Next, the communication device 2 receives a request from the interface device 1 and connects to the information collection device 5 via the information communication network 4 to perform communication including information (such as a corresponding command) for requesting the start of communication. A signal (communication start request signal) is transmitted (S302).

In response to the communication start request signal, the information collection device 5 returns a response signal (communication start response signal) that acknowledges the start of communication to the communication device 2 (S303).

Next, the communication device 2 returns a response signal (communication start response signal) from the information collection device 5 to the interface device 1 (S304).

By such an operation procedure, the interface device 1 and the information collecting device 5 can communicate.
Then, the interface device 1 is in a state of waiting for an operation request from the information collection device 5.

The information collection device 5 requests the interface device 1 to transmit data in order to collect data (S305).

The information collecting device 5 transmits a communication signal (data transmission request signal) including information requesting data transmission to the communication device 2 (S306).

At this time, the transmission of the data transmission request signal may be performed by a user operating the information collecting device 5 or may be performed automatically at a specific time.
Further, it may be performed periodically at predetermined time intervals.

Next, the communication device 2 transmits a transmission signal (data transmission request signal) from the information collection device 5 to the interface device 1 (S307).

The interface device 1 receives a data transmission request signal from the information collection device 5 and includes a communication signal including information (such as a corresponding command) requesting acquisition data from the communication partner device (in this case, the information acquisition device 3). (Acquired data request signal) is transmitted (S308).

The subsequent operation procedure (S309 to S317) is the same as the procedure (S253 to S261) in the third embodiment, and is therefore omitted here.

According to the form shown in the present embodiment, it is possible to start the operation of acquiring local information from the information collecting device 5 side via the information communication network 4.
As a result, for example, information can be collected by remote control from a device installed in the field.

Note that when performing communication in real time, both the communication device 2 and the information collection device 5 need to be operating, but this does not necessarily mean that the information collection device 5 is always operating.
If the information collecting device 5 is always operating, the interface device 1 can access the information collecting device 5 at any time via the communication device 2. For this reason, the information collecting device 5 requires a device configuration for always operating. .
Further, it is necessary to have a configuration for always connecting to the information communication network 4.
As a result, the information collecting device 5 becomes a large-scale device and naturally costs high.
Without being limited to such a server configuration, there is also a method in which the information collection device 5 is connected to the information communication network 4 when necessary.
In this case, access from the interface device 1 side is not always possible, but instead, the device configuration of the information collecting device 5 can be greatly simplified, so that a low-cost system configuration is possible.
For both connections, for example, there is a method in which a communication time zone is set in both devices, and the information collecting device 5 can be accessed from the interface device 1 only during that time zone.

By the way, when the interface device 1 controls the communication device 2 to connect to the information communication network 4 or the information collection device 5, an ID or password for connection may be required.
Such information can be automatically processed by setting the information in the interface device 1 in advance.
A specific example of the setting method has been described in the procedure for creating an e-mail in step S207 in the second embodiment, and is omitted here.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the interface device 1 has shown a case where communication is performed in real time in a form in which transmission processing of location information, acquisition information, and the like is started based on a data transmission request from the information collection device 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a storage and exchange type information package such as e-mail.
In this case, the information collection device 5 transmits a data transmission request as an electronic mail.
As a method of embedding information for requesting data transmission in an e-mail, there are a method of embedding in an e-mail body, a method of embedding in a header part, and a method of embedding as an attached file.
For example, in the case of embedding in the text, a character string “data transmission request = YES” is embedded in the mail text and transmitted to the interface device 1.
Next, the interface device 1 searches the text of the e-mail from the information collection device 5 received via the communication device 2 and checks whether or not there is a character string “data transmission request = YES”.
If the character string exists, the interface device 1 determines that the information collection device 5 has made a data transmission request, and based on this, a series of processes for transmitting information such as position information and acquired information To start.
By doing so, it is possible to make a data transmission request from the information collection device 5 side even in communication using e-mail, for example.

(Fifth embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 17 schematically shows an overview of the interface device 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the same.

In this embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and transmits the position information acquired by the communication device 2 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 using the communication device 2. Assume the case.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the information acquisition device 3, the information communication network 4, and the information collection device 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
This embodiment is different in that the position information is acquired not by the interface device 1 but by the communication device 2.
The interface device 1 does not have the current position acquisition unit 106 for acquiring position information.
Conversely, the communication device 2 includes a current position acquisition unit for acquiring position information.

In the present embodiment, the process of acquiring the position information and the acquisition information using the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the information acquisition device 3 is that the acquisition destination of the position information is changed from the interface device 1 to the communication device 2. Since other than that is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description here is abbreviate | omitted.
Similarly, the process of transmitting the acquired data to the information collection device 5 via the information communication network 4 and registering the data by the information collection device 5 is also the same as in the first embodiment, so the description here is as follows. Omitted.

This embodiment is also a modification of the second, third, and fourth embodiments.
Although the present embodiment is different in that the position information is acquired not by the interface device 1 but by the communication device 2, the other operations are the same as those of the other embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

According to the form shown in the present embodiment, the communication device 2 including position information acquisition means such as a mobile phone with a GPS function, and a digital camera or video camera, a recording device, an altimeter, a thermometer, humidity that can acquire local information. Various environmental information measuring devices such as blood pressure testers, water quality testing devices, noise measuring devices, radioactivity measuring devices, health measuring devices such as blood pressure meters, thermometers, body fat meters, blood glucose measuring devices, and ultrasonic diagnostic devices The information acquisition device 3 such as a medical device such as an electrocardiograph can be organically coupled using the interface device 1.

(Sixth embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 18 schematically shows an outline of the interface apparatus 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the interface apparatus 1.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 and transmits the position information and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 using the communication device 2. .

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the communication device 2, the information communication network 4, and the information collection device 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
This embodiment is different in that the position information is acquired not by the interface apparatus 1 but by the information acquisition apparatus 3.
The interface device 1 does not have the current position acquisition unit 106 for acquiring position information.
Conversely, the information acquisition device 3 includes a current position acquisition unit for acquiring position information.

In the present embodiment, the process of acquiring the position information and the acquisition information using the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the information acquisition device 3 is performed only by changing the acquisition destination of the position information from the interface device 1 to the information acquisition device 3. Other than that, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted here.
Similarly, the process of transmitting the acquired data to the information collection device 5 via the information communication network 4 and registering the data by the information collection device 5 is also the same as in the first embodiment, so the description here is as follows. Omitted.

This embodiment is also a modification of the second, third, and fourth embodiments.
This embodiment is different in that the acquisition of position information is performed not by the interface device 1 but by the information acquisition device 3, but the other operations are the same as those of the other embodiments, and thus description thereof is omitted here. .

According to the form shown in this embodiment, a digital camera or video camera equipped with position information acquisition means such as GPS positioning, a recording device, an altimeter, a thermometer, a hygrometer, a water quality inspection device, a noise measuring device, a radioactivity measuring device, etc. Interfaces with various environmental information measuring devices, health measuring devices such as blood pressure meters, thermometers, body fat meters, blood glucose measuring devices, and information acquisition devices 3 such as medical devices such as ultrasonic diagnostic devices and electrocardiographs The device 1 can be used to organically couple with the communication device 2.
This makes it possible to use a communication function with the information communication network 4 that the information acquisition apparatus 3 originally does not have.

(Seventh embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 19 schematically shows an outline of the interface apparatus 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the interface apparatus 1.

In this embodiment, the interface apparatus 1 communicates with the communication apparatus 2 and the position information acquisition apparatus 6 that acquires position information of the current location, and transmits the position information acquired by the position information acquisition apparatus 6 using the communication apparatus 2. Assume the case.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the communication device 2, the information communication network 4, and the information collection device 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the information acquisition device 3 does not exist, and conversely, the position information acquisition device 6 exists.
The position information is acquired not by the interface apparatus 1 but by the position information acquisition apparatus 6.

The location information acquisition device 6 is a device that can acquire location information of the current location, such as a GPS receiver.
Further, the position information acquisition device 6 includes a communication unit for communicating with a device such as the interface device 1.
Wired communication methods include USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEE 1394, and RS-232C, and wireless methods include Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), wireless LAN, and infrared communication IrDA.

In the present embodiment, the process of acquiring the position information using the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the position information acquisition device 6 is performed only by changing the acquisition destination of the position information from the interface device 1 to the position information acquisition device 6. Since other than that is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description here is abbreviate | omitted.
Similarly, the process of transmitting the acquired data to the information collection device 5 via the information communication network 4 and registering the data by the information collection device 5 is also the same as in the first embodiment, so the description here is as follows. Omitted.

This embodiment is also a modification of the second, third, and fourth embodiments.
The present embodiment is different in that the position information is acquired not by the interface device 1 but by the position information acquisition device 6, but the other operations are the same as those of the other embodiments, and thus description thereof is omitted here. To do.

As a modification of the second and third embodiments, there is a method of performing a series of processes based on a data transmission request from the position information acquisition device 6.
Since the specific operation procedure is shown in the second and third embodiments, the description is omitted here.

With the form shown in the present embodiment, the position information acquisition device 6 such as a GPS receiver provided with position information acquisition means can be organically coupled to the communication device 2 using the interface device 1.
This makes it possible to use a communication function with the information communication network 4 that the position information acquisition device 6 originally does not have.
For example, after acquiring position information of a target point in a mountain or the sea (for example, a disaster site such as an avalanche, a target animal discovery point, a specific coral growth point, etc.), the information is quickly transmitted via the communication device 2. It becomes possible.

In addition, if the positional information acquisition apparatus 6 has not only positional information but other information (for example, altitude information, a photograph, etc.) or information acquisition means, such information is also acquired with positional information. Of course, it can be transmitted to the interface device 1 as information.
The interface device 1 can transmit the information including the information to the information collecting device 5.

(Eighth embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 20 schematically shows an overview of the interface device 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the same.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2, the location information acquisition device 6 that acquires location information of the current location, and the information acquisition device 3, and the location information acquired by the location information acquisition device 6 and information It is assumed that the acquisition information acquired by the acquisition device 3 is transmitted using the communication device 2.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the communication device 2, the information communication network 4, and the information collection device 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, there is a position information acquisition device 6.
The position information is acquired not by the interface apparatus 1 but by the position information acquisition apparatus 6.

In the present embodiment, in the process of acquiring position information and acquisition information using the interface device 1, the communication device 2, the information acquisition device 3, and the position information acquisition device 6, the acquisition destination of the position information is acquired from the interface device 1. Since only the device 6 is changed and the rest is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.
Similarly, the process of transmitting the acquired data to the information collection device 5 via the information communication network 4 and registering the data by the information collection device 5 is also the same as in the first embodiment, so the description here is as follows. Omitted.

This embodiment is also a modification of the second, third, and fourth embodiments.
The present embodiment is different in that the position information is acquired not by the interface device 1 but by the position information acquisition device 6, but the other operations are the same as those of the other embodiments, and thus description thereof is omitted here. To do.

As a modification of the second and third embodiments, there is a method of performing a series of processes based on a data transmission request from the position information acquisition device 6.
Since the specific operation procedure is shown in the second and third embodiments, the description is omitted here.

According to the form shown in the present embodiment, a position information acquisition device 6 such as a GPS receiver provided with position information acquisition means, and a digital camera, video camera, recording device, altimeter, thermometer, hygrometer, water quality inspection device, noise measurement Various environmental information measuring devices such as devices, radioactivity measuring devices, health measuring devices such as blood pressure meters, thermometers, body fat meters, blood glucose measuring devices, medical equipment such as ultrasonic diagnostic devices and electrocardiographs, etc. The information acquisition device 3 can be organically coupled to the communication device 2 using the interface device 1.
Thereby, the position information acquisition function of the position information acquisition apparatus 6, the information acquisition function of the information acquisition apparatus 3, and the communication function of the communication apparatus 2 can be used as one system.

(Ninth embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 21 schematically shows an outline of the interface device 1 according to the present invention and an information collection system 20 using the same.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2 and the first external device 7 having position information indicating its current location, and the communication device 2 uses the position information that the first external device 7 has. Are assumed to be transmitted.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the communication device 2, the information communication network 4, and the information collection device 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the information acquisition device 3 does not exist, and conversely, the first external device 7 exists.
The position information is not in the interface device 1 but in the first external device 7.

The first external device 7 is a device having position information of the current location. For example, various home appliances such as various measuring devices and air conditioners, fixed devices having position information, vehicles having position information, and RFID tags (RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag).

The first external device 7 is not limited to a device whose position is fixed.
Even if the device is movable, it does not matter as long as it always has the current position information.

Further, the first external device 7 is not limited to position information such as latitude and longitude, but may include position related information for specifying the position.
The position related information is, for example, address information or a unique ID of a device for specifying the device, and the position information is obtained by calculating the position based on such information.

The first external device 7 has a communication unit for communicating with a device such as the interface device 1.
Wired communication methods include USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEE 1394, RS-232C, and power line communication. Wireless methods include Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), wireless LAN, and infrared communication IrDA. There is.
In the case of a wireless tag (RFID tag), there is communication using electromagnetic waves such as electromagnetic induction and microwaves.

Since the interface device 1 communicates with the first external device 7, the communication units (104a to 104n) acquire power line communication and information on a wireless tag (RFID tag) in addition to the first embodiment. It is possible to add a method of communication or reception using electromagnetic waves such as electromagnetic induction and microwaves.

In the present embodiment, the process of acquiring the position information using the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the first external device 7 is that the acquisition destination of the position information is changed from the interface device 1 to the first external device 7. Other than that, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted here.
Further, the process of transmitting the acquired data to the information collection device 5 via the information communication network 4 and registering the data by the information collection device 5 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so detailed description here. Is omitted.

By the way, when the information that the first external device 7 has is not the position information itself but position-related information for specifying the position, it is necessary to calculate the position in order to specify the position.
The process for calculating the position from the position related information will be described below.

FIG. 22 shows an internal block diagram of the interface device 1.
The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the current position acquisition unit 106 does not exist.
Conversely, the position calculation unit 110 that does not exist in the first embodiment is provided.

In the position calculation unit 110, the interface device 1 calculates a position in order to identify the position of the first external device 7 based on the position related information obtained from the first external device 7.

Next, a process in which the interface device 1 calculates a position using the communication device 2 and the first external device 7 will be described in more detail using a sequence diagram.

FIG. 23 shows an operation procedure of each apparatus.
In the figure, first, the interface device 1 transmits a communication signal (position-related information request signal) including information (such as a corresponding command) requesting position-related information to the first external device 7 (S350).

Next, the first external device 7 returns a communication signal (position related information return signal) including the position related information held by itself to the interface device 1 (S351).

Next, the interface apparatus 1 calculates a position in the position calculation unit 110 based on the position related information included in the received position related information return signal (S352).
For calculating the position, there is a method using a database in which position information and position related information are associated with each other.
Specifically, a database that associates position information with address information, a database that associates position information with a unique ID of a measuring device or information home appliance, or a database that associates position information with a unique ID of a wireless tag (RFID tag) and so on.

FIG. 24 shows a specific example of a database table in which a unique ID of a device is associated with position information.
In the figure, “Manufacturer ID”, “Product ID”, “Latitude”, “Longitude”, “Position accuracy”, and the like are registered in association with individual device unique IDs.
By using such a table, position information can be calculated based on the unique ID of the apparatus.
This table does not include latitude / longitude unit information or geodetic system information, but such information is not described as common information in the table.

However, the interface device 1 itself has a database and does not have to calculate the position.
The position calculation process may put a lot of load on the apparatus.
Therefore, it is possible to request processing from another device without calculating itself.

When the interface device 1 itself cannot calculate the position, or when the position calculation itself is not performed, the interface device 1 controls the communication device 2 to calculate the position of the device connected to the information communication network 4. A process is requested (S353).
The request for position calculation may be for a specific device or may request processing to an unspecified number of devices.
The apparatus that has received the request calculates the position (S354), and returns the result to the interface apparatus 1 via the communication apparatus 2 (S355).

At this time, if there is a device having a position calculating means in the communication partner device, it is possible to request the device to calculate the position.

Then, the interface device 1 acquires position information (S356).
By doing so, the interface apparatus 1 can obtain the position information from the position related information that the first external apparatus 7 has.

The determination as to whether or not the first external device 7 has position-related information is performed by, for example, the product ID of the first external device 7 obtained by the interface device 1 in the communication process with the first external device 7 or the like. This can be determined based on information about the functions of the device.
There is also a method of making a determination by searching position-related information such as address information in the information obtained from the first external device 7.

This embodiment is also a modification of the second, third, and fourth embodiments.
This embodiment is different in that the position information is obtained from the first external device 7 instead of the interface device 1, but the other operations are the same as those of the other embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. .

As a modification of the second and third embodiments, there is a method of performing a series of processes based on a data transmission request from the first external device 7.
Since the specific operation procedure is shown in the second and third embodiments, the description is omitted here.

By the way, a method in which the interface device 1 does not specify the position from the position related information obtained from the first external device 7 and transmits the position related information as it is to the information collecting device 5 is also conceivable.
In this case, the information collection device 5 takes charge of the position calculation.
Since the position calculation process by the information collecting device 5 is the same as the operation of the interface device 1 in this embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

According to the form shown in the present embodiment, the first external device 7 such as various measuring devices having position information, information home appliances, fixing devices having position information, and wireless tags (RFID tags) having position related information can be interfaced. The device 1 can be used to organically couple with the communication device 2.
This makes it possible to use a communication function with the information communication network 4 that is not originally provided in the first external device 7.

For example, if the user uses the interface device 1 and the communication device 2 to connect to a fixed device having position information (for example, a vending machine) and start communication, the first external device 7 (in this case, a vending machine). Can be transmitted to the information collecting device 5.
At the same time, it also informs the user's current location.

As the position related information, for example, when it is address information, the position information calculated from the address information may be one specific point in the space or a specific region occupying the space. May be.

Further, if the first external device 7 has not only position information but also other information or information acquisition means, the information is also transmitted to the interface device 1 as acquisition information together with the position information. Of course you can do it.
For example, if an air conditioner that is an information home appliance has information such as the manufacturer name, product number, product name, room temperature, and set temperature of the product along with the position information, the information is transmitted to the interface device 1. In addition, it can be transmitted to the information collecting device 5 via the communication device 2.
Thereby, the detailed information of the air conditioner can be registered in the information collecting device 5 together with the position information.

Further, if other devices such as the information acquisition device 3 are connected to the interface device 1, the interface device 1 can be used as one organically coupled system including those devices.

(Tenth embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 25 schematically shows an outline of the interface device 1 according to the present invention and the information collection system 20 using the same.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 1 communicates with the communication device 2, the location information acquisition device 6 that acquires location information of the current location, and the second external device 8 that has its own attribute information, and the location information acquisition device 6. Is assumed to be transmitted using the communication device 2 of the position information acquired by and the attribute information of the second external device 8.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the communication device 2, the information communication network 4, and the information collection device 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the information acquisition device 3 does not exist, and conversely, the position information acquisition device 6 and the second external device 8 exist.
The position information is acquired not by the interface apparatus 1 but by the position information acquisition apparatus 6.

The second external device 8 is a device having its own attribute information. For example, various measuring devices, information home appliances such as air conditioners, devices having attribute information such as vending machines, vehicles having attribute information, and wireless tags (RFID tag).
The attribute information of the second external device 8 includes, for example, the name of the device, the manufacturer name, the product number, the function of the device (for an air conditioner, the cooling function, the heating function, the dehumidifying function, etc.), and the state of the device (In the case of an air conditioner, room temperature, set temperature, humidity, timer setting information, continuous operation time, etc.).
Note that the second external device 8 may have a unique ID of a device for obtaining detailed attribute information without itself having detailed attribute information, such as a wireless tag (RFID tag).

The second external device 8 includes a communication unit for communicating with a device such as the interface device 1.
Wired communication methods include USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEE 1394, RS-232C, and power line communication. Wireless methods include Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), wireless LAN, and infrared communication IrDA. There is.
In the case of a wireless tag (RFID tag), there is communication using electromagnetic waves such as electromagnetic induction and microwaves.

Since the interface device 1 communicates with the second external device 8, in addition to the first embodiment, the communication units (104a to 104n) acquire power line communication and information on a wireless tag (RFID tag). It is possible to add a method of communication or reception using electromagnetic waves such as electromagnetic induction and microwaves.

In the present embodiment, in the process of acquiring position information and attribute information using the interface device 1, the communication device 2, the position information acquisition device 6, and the second external device 8, the acquisition destination of the position information is the position from the interface device 1. Since the information acquisition device 6 is changed to acquire the attribute information of the second external device 8 instead of the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3, the rest is the same as the first embodiment. The description here is omitted.

The process of transmitting the acquired data to the information collection device 5 via the information communication network 4 and registering the data by the information collection device 5 is the same as in the first embodiment. Omitted.

By the way, when the attribute information of the second external device 8 is a unique ID of the device, the interface device 1 obtains detailed attribute information of the second external device 8 in order to obtain detailed attribute information of the second external device 8. There is also a way to get information.
Hereinafter, a process of acquiring detailed attribute information from the unique ID of the second external device 8 will be described.

FIG. 26 shows an internal block diagram of the interface device 1.
The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the current position acquisition unit 106 does not exist.
Conversely, the attribute information acquisition unit 111 that does not exist in the first embodiment is included.

In the attribute information acquisition unit 111, the interface device 1 acquires detailed attribute information of the second external device 8 based on the unique ID of the device obtained from the second external device 8.

Next, a process in which the interface device 1 acquires detailed attribute information using the communication device 2 and the second external device 8 will be described in more detail using a sequence diagram.

FIG. 27 shows an operation procedure of each apparatus.
In the figure, first, the interface device 1 transmits a communication signal (attribute information request signal) including information (a corresponding command or the like) requesting attribute information to the second external device 8 (S400).

Next, the second external device 8 returns a communication signal (attribute information return signal) including the attribute information it has to the interface device 1 (S401).

Next, when the attribute information included in the received attribute information reply signal is the unique ID of the device, the interface device 1 acquires detailed attribute information in the attribute information acquisition unit 111 (S402).

For obtaining detailed attribute information, there is a method of using a database in which the unique ID of the apparatus is associated with the attribute information.
Specifically, there is a database in which a unique ID of a device is associated with a device name, a manufacturer name, a product number, a function of the device, and the like.

In addition, a database that associates attribute information of an object (tree, book, building, room, car, various measuring devices, electrical appliances, animals, etc.) equipped with a wireless tag (RFID tag) with a unique ID of the tag is used. You can also
In this case, for example, attribute information about trees is height, diameter, tree type, estimated age, etc., and attribute information about rooms is room size, floor plan, rent price, building date, and the like.
Further, the attribute information about the book includes the title, publication date, edition number, price, publisher name, number of pages, etc. of the book.
By using this wireless tag (RFID tag), it becomes possible to electronically grasp detailed information of objects such as organisms and inorganic substances that cannot be digitized originally.
In addition, there are a method of attaching a wireless tag (RFID tag), a method of sticking to an object, a method of fixing, and a method of incorporating it.

However, the interface device 1 itself is not necessarily provided with a database, and it is not necessary to acquire attribute information using the unique ID of the device.
The attribute information acquisition process may put a lot of load on the apparatus.
Therefore, it is possible to request processing from another device without acquiring attribute information.

When the interface device 1 itself cannot acquire the attribute information using the unique ID of the device, or when the attribute information acquisition process using the unique ID of the device is not performed, the interface device 1 performs communication. The device 2 is controlled to request the device connected to the information communication network 4 to acquire attribute information by the device unique ID (S403).
The attribute information acquisition request may be issued to a specific device or may request processing to an unspecified number of devices.
The apparatus that has received the request acquires attribute information from the unique ID of the apparatus (S404), and returns the result to the interface apparatus 1 via the communication apparatus 2 (S405).

At this time, if there is a device having a function of acquiring the attribute information from the unique ID of the device among the communication partner devices, it is possible to request the device to acquire the attribute information.

Then, the interface device 1 acquires details of the attribute information from the unique ID of the device (S406).
In this way, the interface device 1 can obtain detailed attribute information from the unique ID of the device included in the second external device 8.

This embodiment is also a modification of the second, third, and fourth embodiments.
This embodiment differs in that the position information is acquired not by the interface device 1 but by the position information acquisition device 6 and the attribute information of the second external device 8 is acquired instead of the acquisition information of the information acquisition device 3. However, the other operations are the same as those in the other embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

As a modification of the second and third embodiments, there is a method of performing a series of processes based on a data transmission request from the second external device 8.
Since the specific operation procedure is shown in the second and third embodiments, the description is omitted here.

By the way, a method in which the interface device 1 transmits the information to the information collecting device 5 as it is without obtaining detailed attribute information from the unique ID of the device of the second external device 8 is also conceivable.
In this case, the information collection device 5 is in charge of acquiring attribute information.
Since the attribute information acquisition process by the information collection device 5 is the same as the operation of the interface device 1 in the present embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

According to the form shown in the present embodiment, the second external device 8 such as various measuring devices, information home appliances, and wireless tags (RFID tags) having their own attribute information is connected to the communication device 2 using the interface device 1, and It can be organically combined with a position information acquisition device 6 such as a GPS receiver provided with position information acquisition means.
As a result, each attribute information becomes information associated with the position information, and connection with the information communication network 4 is possible via the communication device 2.

Thereby, for example, outdoors, the attribute information (height, diameter, tree type, estimated age, etc.) of the tree on which the wireless tag (RFID tag) is installed can be transmitted together with the position information via the communication device 2. .
As a result, it can be used in field surveys.
Further, for example, information such as the temperature in the vending machine included in the vending machine that is the second external device 8 and the number of each product can be transmitted together with the position information.
Indoors, for example, information such as the size, floor plan, rent price, and building date of a room can be transmitted together with position information by using a wireless tag (RFID tag) installed in the room.
As a result, it can be used in systems related to real estate.
Further, for example, information such as the temperature in the refrigerator, the temperature in the freezer, the image in the refrigerator, etc. of the refrigerator as the second external device 8 can be transmitted together with the position information.

Further, when the second external device 8 is a vehicle, for example, information such as the speed of the vehicle, the temperature inside the vehicle, the engine speed, and the temperature of the engine can be transmitted together with the position information.
Thereby, it becomes possible to grasp the state of the vehicle together with the current position of the vehicle.
Even if the vehicle is moving, if the position information acquisition device 6 can acquire the current position, it can be transmitted together with the position information.
At this time, by transmitting the time information, it becomes possible to grasp the state of the vehicle along with the change of the position information with time.

(Eleventh embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 28 schematically shows an overview of the interface device 1 according to the present invention and the information collection system 20 using the same.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the information collection device 5 includes an information output unit that can output information to the communication terminal 9 connected to the information communication network 4.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, an interface device 1, a communication device 2, an information acquisition device 3, and an information communication network 4 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the communication terminal 9 is newly connected to the information communication network 4.
The information collecting device 5 can output information to the communication terminal 9.

The communication terminal 9 is, for example, a device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a personal computer, or a mobile phone, and can be connected to the information communication network 4 by wire or wireless.
Examples of the wired system include dial-up connection, LAN connection, ADSL, and optical communication. Examples of the wireless system include TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), and wireless LAN.

The acquisition of information by the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the information acquisition device 3, the transmission of the acquired data, and the reception and registration of data by the information collection device 5 are the same as in the first embodiment. Is omitted.
Hereinafter, a process in which the information collection device 5 outputs the registered information and other information to the communication terminal 9 via the information communication network 4 will be described.

FIG. 29 shows an internal block diagram of the information collecting apparatus 5.
The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, an information output unit 211 is provided.

An information output unit 211 for outputting information to the communication terminal 9 can perform data communication with the communication terminal 9 via the communication unit 202 and the information communication network 4.
The communication terminal 9 can display a data update screen, a collection information display screen, a search screen, a map display screen, and the like based on the information output from the information collection device 5.
In addition, the registration information recorded in the information collecting device 5 can be updated or searched.
The display timing of each screen may be when the corresponding symbol on the screen is clicked with the mouse or when the target information is selected by searching for information.

By the way, as a communication method between the information collection device 5 and the communication terminal 9, there is a method using the communication protocol HTTP.
In this case, the information collection device 5 operates as a WWW server, and the communication terminal 9 operates as a WWW client.
At this time, the communication terminal 9 can display information, update data, search, and the like using a WWW browser or the like generally used on the Internet or an intranet.
Costs can be reduced by using such standardized technology.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication between the information collection device 5 and the communication terminal 9 may use a client / server system based on a unique communication protocol.
Thereby, it becomes possible to give an original function.

Next, the process in which the information collection device 5 outputs information to the communication terminal 9 will be described in more detail using a sequence diagram.

FIG. 30 shows the operation procedure of each apparatus.
In the figure, first, the communication terminal 9 transmits a communication signal (connection request signal) including information to request connection to the information collection device 5 to the information collection device 5 (S450).

Next, the information collecting device 5 returns a communication signal (connection reply signal) including information notifying that the connection from the communication terminal 9 has been accepted and initial information at the time of connection to the communication terminal 9 (S451).

Next, based on the initial connection information included in the received connection return signal, the communication terminal 9 outputs using a display unit or a speaker made of a liquid crystal display or the like (S452).
The position information can be displayed as a symbol.
Character information can be displayed in tabular form.
Information having a predetermined data format such as a map, an image, and a sound is output in each format.

Next, the communication terminal 9 makes a search or update processing request to the information collection device 5 in order to search or update information based on the data received from the information collection device 5.
For data operation, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like is used (S453).

Next, the information collection device 5 performs necessary processing based on processing requests such as search and update from the communication terminal 9 (S454).

Next, the information collection device 5 outputs the processing result to the communication terminal 9 (S455).

Next, the communication terminal 9 outputs the processing result received from the information collecting device 5 using a display unit or a speaker made of a liquid crystal display or the like (S456).
The position information can be displayed as a symbol.
Character information can be displayed in tabular form.
Information having a predetermined data format such as a map, an image, and a sound is output in each format.
The display timing can be considered when a corresponding symbol on the screen is clicked with a mouse, or when information is searched and target information is selected.
FIG. 33 shows an example of an actual display screen.

This embodiment is also a modification of the second to tenth embodiments.
Since this embodiment shows a form after the information collection device 5 collects and registers position information, acquired information, and other information, the process of acquiring, transmitting, and registering position information, acquired information, and other information Since is the same as in the other embodiments, description thereof is omitted here.

Not only the example of the present embodiment but also a method in which the information collection device 5 outputs information to the communication terminal 9 using electronic mail.
In this case, the information collection device 5 can periodically transmit information as an e-mail.
In addition, priority can be given to the information to be collected, and information can be output to the communication terminal 9 as an e-mail based on the priority when information received by the information collecting device 5 is extracted.
For example, there is a method of providing a priority keyword as a character string and embedding the keyword when acquiring information or transmitting data on site.
As keywords, for example, five levels of priority are provided, and the keyword “priority = 5” is set when simultaneous transmission is desired.
If the keyword “priority = 5” is recorded in the received e-mail body, the information collecting device 5 may simultaneously transmit information related to the received e-mail to the communication terminal 9 as an e-mail. It is done.

In addition, an information output request from the communication terminal 9 to the information collecting device 5 can be performed using an electronic mail.
In this case, for example, when a keyword indicating an information output request is provided and the keyword “information output request = YES” is recorded in the text of the email transmitted from the communication terminal 9, the information collecting device 5 transmits the information to the electronic It is possible to send it as an e-mail.
By doing so, the exchange of information between the communication terminal 9 and the information collecting device 5 can be performed only by electronic mail.

When the information collecting device 5 outputs the information as an e-mail, the output information includes, for example, information obtained by converting a screen using a map into an image file, character information, or a method of transmitting information in a predetermined data format as an attached file. There is.
As for the information contents, there is a method of obtaining detailed contents by setting detailed keywords using, for example, the keywords embedded in the mail body described above.
For example, keywords representing positions such as latitude and longitude are set.
Then, the communication terminal 9 transmits an e-mail including a keyword representing the position and a keyword representing the information output request to the information collecting device 5.
The information collecting device 5 can transmit a map around the position attached to the e-mail in an image file or other data format based on the keyword representing the position recorded in the mail text.

FIG. 31 shows a specific example when the communication terminal 9 makes an information output request to the information collection device 5 using an electronic mail, and the information collection device 5 sends an electronic mail according to the information output request of the communication terminal 9. A specific example in the case of using and outputting information will be shown.
The example shown in FIG. 5A is an example of an e-mail transmission screen for the communication terminal 9 to make an information output request to the information collection device 5.
In the body of the mail, a keyword “information output request = YES” representing an information output request is described.
In addition, in order to specify the center position of the map to be output, the position is specified by latitude and longitude using the keyword “position specification”.

The example shown in FIG. 5B is an example of an e-mail screen on which the information collection device 5 outputs information in response to an information output request from the communication terminal 9.
In the body of the mail, the fact that the mail is an automatic reply from the information collecting device 5 and the designated location information are described.
A map image centered on the position designated by the communication terminal 9 is attached as an image.
A cross mark on the map indicates the specified position.

By doing in this way, even if it is not real-time communication, the information output request | requirement by the communication terminal 9 and the output of the collection information by the information collection device 5 are attained.
In addition, by using a generally popular means such as e-mail, it is possible to obtain information such as a map even in the communication terminal 9 that does not have a map display function or the like.

By the way, in this embodiment, although the communication terminal 9 was demonstrated as another apparatus, there exists also the method of operating instead of the communication terminal 9 because the communication apparatus 2 has a function similar to the communication terminal 9, for example.
Similarly, there is a method of operating devices such as the interface device 1 and the information acquisition device 3 in place of the communication terminal 9.

According to the form shown in the present embodiment, the information collection device 5 can output not only the position information, the acquisition information, and other information as an apparatus for collecting and registering, but also the registered information to an external device such as the communication terminal 9. I can do it.
Thereby, the local information with the location information acquired locally can be confirmed, searched, and updated by other devices such as the communication terminal 9 connected to the information communication network 4.
As a result, there is a great advantage that information can be distributed simultaneously and information can be confirmed / updated from the field.

(Twelfth embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 32 schematically shows an outline of the interface device 1 according to the present invention and the information collection system 20 using the same.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the communication terminal 9 is connected to an internal network to which the information collection device 5 belongs.

This form is a modification of the eleventh embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the eleventh embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, the interface device 1, the communication device 2, the information acquisition device 3, and the information communication network 4 are the same as those in the eleventh embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the communication terminal 9 communicates with the information collection device 5 via an internal network such as an in-house LAN.

The process in which the information collection device 5 outputs the registered information and other information to the communication terminal 9 and the process in which the communication terminal 9 updates and searches the registration information are the same as in the eleventh embodiment. Description is omitted.

With the form shown in the present embodiment, the information collection device 5 can output position information, acquired information, and other information to a device such as a communication terminal 9 connected to an internal network such as an in-house LAN.
As a result, local information with location information acquired locally can be distributed, searched, updated, and the like only for internal users.
In this way, unauthorized access from the outside can be reduced, and it is not necessary to unnecessarily disclose the information collection device 5 to the external network.
As a result, a closed system of company units and organizational units can be constructed.

Incidentally, a dedicated line or VPN (virtual private network) can be used as an extension of the internal network.
In this case, the physical connection destination of the communication terminal 9 can be an external network, but the actual connection environment is an internal network, which corresponds to this embodiment.

FIG. 33 shows a specific example of the screen display of the information collection device 5.
The background map on the screen is obtained by displaying the map database 206.
Seven star-shaped symbols ("Yomitan 1" to "Yomitan 7") are displayed on the map, and these represent points where location information and other local information are acquired.
Information acquired at the point of the symbol P1 (“Yomitan 1”) is displayed in the window W1.
The detailed information of the symbol P1 appears as another window when the “data details” button in the window W1 is selected.
When the “search screen” button in the window W1 is selected, a search screen appears.
A photograph is displayed in another window W2, which is a photograph acquired at the point of the symbol P1 (“Yomitan 1”).
The display timing can be considered when a corresponding symbol on the screen is clicked with a mouse, or when information is searched and target information is selected.
In addition, the example of the display screen of a figure is also an example of the display screen in the communication terminal 9. FIG.

By using the interface device 1 described above, each device (communication device 2, information acquisition device 3, position information acquisition device 6, first external device 7, and second external device 8) that was originally isolated is present. , Etc.) can be reconfigured as an organically coupled device group having position information acquisition means and communication means to the information communication network 4.
Thereby, a device (communication device 2, information acquisition device 3, position information acquisition device 6, first external device 7, second external device 8) having no position information acquisition means or communication means to the information communication network 4. Etc.) can be provided with these two means.

For the first time, these devices can be used as devices for acquiring information in the field of database systems based on position information such as GIS.

By using the interface device 1 of the present invention, each communication partner device (the communication device 2, the information acquisition device 3, the position information acquisition device 6, the first external device 7, the second external device 8, etc.) is individually provided. It is possible to produce effects that are clearly different from the effects obtained by using them.
For example, consider a case where information acquired using the information acquisition device 3 or the position information acquisition device 6 is transmitted using the communication device 2.
In this case, there is a problem whether the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3 and the position information acquisition device 6 can communicate with each other.
Even if communication is possible, the information sent from each device is unorganized. Therefore, it is necessary to extract necessary information from the devices and to convert the data format for data consistency.
It is also necessary to check the consistency of the acquisition timing of information sent from each device and the consistency of the acquisition position.
Such a problem is a problem caused by using each device individually, and it is difficult even if the above-described processing is performed manually.
Such a problem can be solved for the first time by using the interface device 1.

In addition, the interface device 1 is a general-purpose interface device that enables communication with the device by incorporating appropriate driver software for performing input / output control and communication protocol conversion of the connected device. It is not affected by a specific manufacturer or communication method.
This enables mass production and simplification of specifications.
As a result, the price can be reduced.

Of course, not only the driver software but also other software can be incorporated into the interface device 1 to enable more advanced and flexible communication and control with the communication partner device.

Note that, as a method for generalizing the interface device 1, a method using driver software has been described.

Further, the interface device 1 is not a general-purpose device such as a personal computer, but a device that is made for the purpose of an interface function. Therefore, the interface device 1 does not need to have any other extra functions, and as a result, it is greatly reduced in size and low Pricing is possible.

In each of the above embodiments, the interface device 1 has been described as an embodiment having no input unit / display unit. However, in this case as well, detailed settings of the interface device 1 can be performed.
For example, a connector for connecting an input device and a display device can be prepared.
Alternatively, there is a method for enabling the setting using an information terminal including a user interface (input means / display means) such as a personal computer that can be connected to the communication unit 104.
Further, for example, the interface device 1 operates as a WWW server, and an input connected to an information terminal provided with input / display means such as a personal computer connected to the communication unit 104 or an information communication network 4 connected via the communication device 2 -You may enable it to operate from an information terminal provided with a display means using a WWW browser.
In this way, detailed settings of the interface device 1, data search / update, information analysis, and the like are possible.

In each of the above embodiments, the interface device 1 or the communication partner device (communication device 2, information acquisition device 3, position information acquisition device 6, first external device 7, second external device 8, etc.) At least one has acquired or has position information, and this position information is shown as a basic information for data registration in a database system based on position information such as GIS (Geographic Information System).
At this time, whether or not there is a device that acquires or has position information in either the interface device 1 or the communication partner device can be determined by the user, or can be determined by the interface device 1.
In the case of a method for the user to judge, for example, by providing output means such as an LED in the interface device 1 and when the position information can be received from either the interface device 1 itself or the communication counterpart device, the LED is caused to emit light, There are ways to allow users to make decisions.
In addition, when the interface device 1 itself makes a determination, for example, when the position information can be received from either the interface device 1 itself or the communication partner device, the interface device 1 performs the actual processing, and the position information While it cannot be received, requests from other devices or processing requests from users are put on hold, and a message requesting to connect a device that acquires or has position information is output using an LED, liquid crystal display, speaker, etc. , Etc.

Similarly, in each of the above-described embodiments, the communication device 2 is connected to the interface device 1.
At this time, whether or not the communication device 2 is connected to the interface device 1 can be determined by the user, or can be determined by the interface device 1.
In the case of the method for the user to judge, for example, an output means such as an LED is provided in the interface device 1, and the operation at startup when the communication device 2 shown in FIG. When communication is started, the LED is caused to emit light.
In this way, there is a method that allows the user to make a judgment.
In addition, when the interface device 1 itself determines, for example, when the communication device 2 shown in FIG. 3 is connected and the operation at the time of startup is normally passed and communication with the communication device 2 is started, The interface device 1 performs each actual process, and while communication with the communication device 2 is not established, a message requesting that the communication device 2 be connected by holding a request from another device or a processing request from the user. Is output using an LED, a liquid crystal display, a speaker, or the like.

Note that the interface device 1 determines whether the device connected to the interface device 1 has communication means with the information communication network 4 or whether it has position information acquisition means, various information acquisition means, position information, attribute information, and the like. For example, when the interface device 1 starts communication with each connected device, the determination can be made by obtaining the product ID, information on functions and attributes of the device, and the like.
By doing in this way, the interface apparatus 1 can recognize the communication apparatus 2, the positional information acquisition apparatus 6, and another apparatus.
Of course, when a plurality of devices are connected, each device can be recognized by the same method.

When a plurality of devices having communication means with the information communication network 4 are connected to the interface device 1, the interface device 1 can select any one by providing a priority order to the devices.
The priority order includes, for example, the communication speed with the information communication network 4 and the order of connection.

Similarly, even when a plurality of devices having position information or having position information acquisition means are connected to the interface device 1, the interface device 1 can select any one by providing a priority order to the devices.
For example, there is a method of making a determination based on information on position accuracy.
Alternatively, there is a method based on the order of connection.
Alternatively, there is a method of outputting to an LED or a liquid crystal display in order to prompt the user to select any position information.
Also, the position can be calculated using a plurality of pieces of position information.
In this case, a position with higher accuracy can be calculated using details of the plurality of pieces of position information (position accuracy information and the like).

Further, when a plurality of devices having information acquisition means for acquiring local information are connected to the interface device 1, the interface device 1 collectively transmits the information acquired by these devices via the communication device 2. I can do it.
At this time, in order to clarify which device the information is acquired from, the information about the device such as the product ID of each device is associated with the information acquired by each device via the communication device 2. Can be sent.
By doing in this way, when registering the received information in the information collecting device 5, it is possible to register the device that acquired the information in association with the acquired information.

By the way, there are various types of data received from each device with which the interface device 1 communicates, such as character information, image information, and voice information.
Even if the character information is the same, the meaning differs depending on the content.
As a method for the interface device 1 to organize such a wide variety of information, there is, for example, a method in which a plurality of individual pieces of information related to one piece of information are collected as a set and arranged as one information set.
This will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 34 shows a specific example of a set of three types of information.
(A) of a figure is an example of the set of the information showing position information.
(B) in the figure is an example of a set of information representing a photograph.
(C) in the figure is an example of a set of information representing blood pressure measurement values.

In FIG. 34A, as a set of information representing position information, “information type, geodetic system, position information unit, latitude, longitude, position accuracy, recording date, product ID, manufacturer ID, data group ID” Individual information is recorded.
Examples of specific values are given on the right side of the table.
In this case, “type of information” is basic information for identifying the type of information, and is the basis for organizing information.
For example, this information may be represented by a code, or may be coded after the information type is hierarchized by content.
The “type of information” is recorded when the interface device 1 acquires the target information using each communication device or its own acquisition means.
Specifically, if the location information is acquired, the value of “information type” is “location information”, and if the photo is acquired, the value of “information type” is “photo”. Become.
“Datum, unit of position information, latitude, longitude, position accuracy” is information representing a position.
These are included in the information to be acquired.
“Recording date and time” represents the date and time when information was recorded.
This information is included in the information to be acquired.
“Product ID, manufacturer ID” is information for specifying the recorded device.
These are included in the information to be acquired.
The “data group ID” is an ID for collecting the information group acquired by the interface device 1 and means “information acquired at one point in the field”.
In short, the interface apparatus 1 represents the received data from each apparatus and the data acquired by the interface apparatus 1 at a certain point on the site.
It should be noted that the actual positional deviation between the devices can be dealt with by adding such error information to the information set.
The “data group ID” is recorded by the interface device 1.

In this way, by making the information related to position information into one information set, it is possible to sort out information that may cause confusion if individual information remains as it is.

In FIG. 34B, individual information of “information type, file type, file name, recording date, product ID, manufacturer ID, data group ID” is recorded as a set of information representing a photograph. ing.
Examples of specific values are given on the right side of the table.
In this case, “information type”, “recording date / time”, and “product ID, manufacturer ID” are the same as those in FIG.
In the case of a photo, “file type, file name” is recorded as individual information.
These are included in the information to be acquired.
By the way, the value of “data group ID” is the same as the value of “data group ID” of the position information in FIG.
This means that the photograph of FIG. 34 (B) was taken at the point where the position information of FIG. 34 (A) was acquired.

The specific method for the interface device 1 to record the “data group ID” is, for example, when acquiring information using each device that the interface device 1 communicates and the function of the interface device 1 itself. There is a method of recording the same data group ID for information obtained in a series of acquired processes.
It can be assumed that a series of consecutive processes were performed at the same point.
There is also a method in which the data group ID is made common to other information recorded within a predetermined time range from the recording date and time recorded in the position information information set.
It can be assumed that the information recorded at approximately the same time as the time when the position information was recorded was recorded at the same point.
When performing processing for acquiring information other than position information, there is also a method of automatically adding position information acquisition processing at the same time and recording a common data group ID for both.
By doing in this way, the shift | offset | difference of an actual information acquisition position and position information can be reduced as much as possible.
Of course, the value of the data group ID can be changed.
Also, there is a method in which the interface device 1 outputs the information using an LED, a liquid crystal display, a speaker, etc. so that the user confirms the recorded data group ID value.

By doing so, these two information sets can be associated with each other, and the information collection apparatus 5 also registers the information set of the photograph in FIG. 34B based on the position information in FIG. You can register.

In FIG. 34C, the information set representing the blood pressure measurement value is set as “information type, unit, measurement value (maximum blood pressure), measurement value (minimum blood pressure), recording date and time, product ID, manufacturer ID. , Individual information of “data group ID” is recorded.
Examples of specific values are given on the right side of the table.
In this case, “information type”, “recording date / time”, and “product ID, manufacturer ID” are the same as those in FIG.
In the case of a blood pressure measurement value, “unit, measurement value (maximum blood pressure), measurement value (minimum blood pressure)” is recorded as individual information.
These are included in the information to be acquired.
By the way, the blood pressure measurement in FIG. 34C is performed at a point different from that in FIGS.
Therefore, the interface device 1 records different data group ID values.

As described above, by setting related information as a single information set, the interface apparatus 1 can organize a wide variety of information according to contents and positions.
Also, these pieces of information can be transmitted to the information collecting device 5 as a piece of information (for example, an information set of position information).
Further, the information collecting apparatus 5 can register information without confusion by confirming the “information type”, “data group ID”, and the like of the received information set.

Note that the form of the information set shown in FIG. 34 is one embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to this.
Similarly, each information item of FIG. 34 (A), (B), (C) is not limited to this.

(Thirteenth embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 36 schematically shows an overview of the interface device 1 according to the present invention and the information collection system 20 using the same.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that information is transmitted and received between the interface devices 1 via the communication device 2.
In other words, the interface device 1 itself outputs position information included in the received data acquired from the communication partner device or data acquired by itself or various pieces of acquired information (environmental information, health measurement information, medical measurement information, etc.). Therefore, it is assumed that a map is generated based on the acquired position information, and the data format of the acquired information is converted as necessary and transmitted to another interface device 1.

By doing in this way, information can be transmitted and received between the interface devices 1, and for example, it is possible for persons who investigate in the field to exchange information without intervention of a central device.

This form is a modification of the first embodiment.
Since the basic configuration and operation of the system are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the changed part will be described.

In the figure, three groups (a, b, c) are connected to the information communication network 4 in a form in which the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the information acquisition device 3 are connected.
In addition, the position information is acquired by another device in each group.

In the figure, the information communication network 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Creation and transmission of an electronic mail are performed by the interface device 1 instead of the communication device 2.

Details will be described using the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 37 shows an internal block diagram of the interface device 1.
The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and the processing from the central processing unit 101 to the communication unit 104 is as shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, the data processing unit 105 performs data processing for outputting information using data acquired by the interface device 1.
After extracting necessary information as information on the current location from the received data from each communication partner device or data acquired by itself, the interface device 1 converts the data format as necessary in order to output the information.
For example, when the acquired information is in a special data format, it may not be possible to display it on another device as it is.
By converting this into a general-purpose data format, it is possible to appropriately output information even in the output destination device.
For example, information in a special graph format can be displayed on many other devices by converting it into image data.
In addition, in order to output information, the data processing unit 105 adds insufficient data and creates transmission data.

The current position acquisition unit 106 is as shown in FIG.

The map generation unit 121 for generating a map generates a surrounding map using the map data 120 based on the acquired position information.
By generating a map based on the position information acquired by the communication partner apparatus or the interface apparatus 1, it is possible to confirm the actual position of the position information that was originally numerical information on the map.

In the e-mail processing unit 107, information acquired locally, a map around the site, and the like can be created as an e-mail and transmitted to the information communication network 4 via the communication device 2.

Next, operations of the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the information acquisition device 3 will be described in more detail with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

The basic operation of these apparatuses is the same as that in the sequence diagram in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
That is, in FIG. 5, the interface device 1 and the information acquisition device 3 respectively acquire local information from the request for acquisition data using the communication device 2 (S100), and the interface device 1 extracts information from the reception data ( The processes up to S110) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 38, after the interface apparatus 1 extracts information from the received data (S110), the interface apparatus 1 converts the data format as necessary (S900) in order to output the acquired information.
Since the interface device 1 already knows the type of communication partner device and the type of data to be extracted, it can also grasp information for data conversion.
For example, it is possible to record information to be converted and the data format after conversion in a reference table as shown in FIG.

Next, the interface device 1 adds insufficient data (S901), and creates transmission data (S902).
Details are the same as those in steps S112 and S113, and are therefore omitted.

Next, the interface device 1 generates a map (S903).
The position information acquired by the communication partner device or the interface device 1 is grasped intuitively only when it is shown on the map.
The interface device 1 generates a peripheral map in a range set around the position indicated by the acquired position information in order to indicate the position to the user who has output the information.
Map data 120 is used for map generation.
The map data 120 is single-layer or multi-layer map data, and a vector data format or a raster data format can be used.
The interface device 1 copies a map of a range set around the position indicated by the acquired position information from the map data 120 and uses it as a background map.
The map layer to be used can be set in advance.
The interface device 1 displays a symbol such as an asterisk on the copied map to indicate the position indicated by the position information.
By doing in this way, the periphery map centering on the position which the acquired position information shows can be produced | generated.
When the interface device 1 generates and outputs such a map, a user who receives this information can intuitively grasp the position where the interface device 1 or the communication partner device has acquired the information.

The map data 120 may be in the internal storage unit 102 of the interface device 1 or in the external storage unit 103.
It can also be used in a device connected to the information communication network 4.
Moreover, you may utilize combining these.

The range of the map to be generated can be set in the interface device 1 in advance.
Similarly, a combination of map layers can be set in advance.

The interface apparatus 1 creates an e-mail using the created transmission data and the generated map (S904).

Next, the interface device 1 controls the communication device 2 to send a mail, so that a communication signal (mail transmission request) including the created electronic mail package and information (such as a corresponding command) requesting transmission of the mail is generated. Signal) is transmitted to the communication device 2 (S905).

The communication device 2 receives the mail transmission request signal from the interface device 1 and transmits the electronic mail package to the information communication network 4 (S906).
At this time, the transmission destination of the electronic mail is the communication device 2 connected to the other interface device 1.
Specifically, the communication device 2b or 2c in FIG. 36 is obtained.
Of course, if there is a communication device 2 connected to another interface device 1, transmission is possible in the same manner.
If the interface device 1 itself can directly receive a mail, it sends it to the interface device 1.
Further, if another communication partner device connected to the interface device 1 can receive mail, it can also be sent to that device.
Of course, it can also be transmitted to the information collecting device 5.

Next, the communication device 2 returns a communication signal (mail transmission result signal) including the result information of the electronic mail transmission process to the interface device 1 (S907).

FIG. 39 shows a specific example of the e-mail created in step S904.
In the figure, in the e-mail body, position information and photo information created by the interface device 1 are recorded in a unified data format.
By doing so, the user who has received the e-mail can clearly grasp the details of the transmitted data.

Further, a map centered on the position indicated by the position information is attached as an image, which is a map generated by the interface device 1.
An asterisk indicates its position.
By generating it as an image file, it can be displayed on many devices that have received mail.
Of course, it is possible to generate maps in other data formats.
Thereby, the user who received the mail can clearly grasp the information acquisition position.

In addition, a file having the same file name as that described in the photo information is attached as an attached file, but this of course represents a photograph acquired locally.

By creating such an e-mail, information can be displayed without any problem if it is a general device that can receive the e-mail (in this case, the communication device 2 or the like).
In this way, information can be transmitted and received between devices using the interface device 1.
Taking FIG. 36 as an example, information can be transmitted and received between three groups (a, b, c) in a form in which the interface device 1, the communication device 2, and the information acquisition device 3 are connected.
As a result, for example, persons conducting field surveys can exchange the acquired information directly from the site.
Similarly, in disaster sites and emergency medical sites, there is a great advantage that users on site can mutually confirm information.

Although the above example has been described using the configuration of FIG. 36A, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of (b) and (c), or other configurations using the interface device 1 is also used. Of course it is possible.

In addition, the above example shows a configuration using e-mail. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in real-time communication, only e-mail is not used, and operations such as map generation are the same. Information exchange between the devices 1 is possible.

When the interface device 1 transmits data received from each communication partner device or data acquired by the interface device 1 via the communication device 2, the data capacity may be a problem.
For example, there are many mail servers that limit the capacity of one e-mail. In this case, in order to transmit information using e-mail, it is necessary to be within the capacity limit.
Even when electronic mail is not used, if the volume of data to be transmitted is too large, the load on the network increases, which may cause network troubles, and there is a problem that communication for a long time is forced.

In order to solve such a problem, the interface apparatus 1 can be provided with data compression means to compress the data to be transmitted.
As a method for compressing data, specifically, compression processing can be performed in units of files.
As the compression method, for example, the ZIP method or the RAR method can be used.
Of course, an original compression method may be used.
Further, not only the file unit but also the entire data to be transmitted can be compressed together.

For example, when the data to be transmitted is an image, the data can be compressed by reducing the resolution.
It is also possible to create thumbnails of images and send thumbnail images instead of actual images.
Further, by dividing the data to be transmitted into a plurality of data, the capacity of one data can be reduced.
For example, when transmitting data using e-mail, the capacity of one e-mail can be reduced by dividing the attached file into a plurality of e-mails.

Whether the interface device 1 compresses the data to be transmitted is determined, for example, in the case where e-mail is used, and processing is performed when the capacity of the data to be transmitted exceeds a preset capacity. it can.
In real-time communication, the same method can be used for determination.

The actual processing is performed by the data processing unit 105 in the internal block diagram of the interface device 1 in FIG.
Further, the processing timing can be performed after the interface apparatus 1 performs information extraction, data format conversion, and addition of insufficient data in the data processing unit 105.

This form is a modification of the first to twelfth embodiments.

By the way, in each of the above embodiments, the interface device 1 has been described as being configured separately from the device to be connected. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is configured to be integrated with a device to be connected, for example, the communication device 2. You may make it do.
Specifically, there are methods such as a PC card, an ExpressCard, a compact flash (registered trademark) card, and a built-in module.
In the case of integration, the interface device 1 may take in the communication device 2, or conversely, the communication device 2 may take in the interface device 1.
In this case, not only the communication device 2 but also the information acquisition device 3, the position information acquisition device 6, the first external device 7, the second external device 8, and the like can be used in the same combination, so the description will be given. Omitted.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the interface device 1 has been described as an embodiment having no input unit / display unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an input unit configured with a keyboard, a mouse, a pen input device, or the like. The current location information (text, illustrations, etc.) recorded by the user may be acquired as character information or image information.
Similarly, an operation screen or an input screen may be displayed using a display unit made of a liquid crystal display or the like.
By doing so, the operability of the interface device 1 is greatly improved.
The interface device 1 can be used in such a form that the interface device 1 may be enlarged, a frequent operation is required, or a higher function is required.

In addition, the interface device 1 itself acquires information on the site such as images and images, environmental information such as atmospheric temperature and humidity, health measurement information such as blood pressure, and medical measurement information such as images and electrocardiograms obtained by ultrasonic diagnosis. You may have an acquisition means and can transmit those information via the communication apparatus 2 with the information from another apparatus.

By the way, security measures may be required in communication between the interface device 1 and a device connected to the interface device 1.
When transmitting and receiving information that cannot be disclosed to the public or information that restricts the parties that can be disclosed, authentication and communication encryption can be performed as a security measure.
As an authentication method, there is a method for authenticating a user and a method for performing authentication between devices.
As an authentication method, password authentication, biometric authentication, CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) authentication, authentication by a unique ID of the apparatus, or the like can be used.
As communication encryption, there are methods such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer), IPSec (Security Architecture for Internet Protocol), and WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the number of devices connected to the interface device 1 is shown in a limited manner, but is not limited to this, and in a range where the interface device 1 can be connected by wired or wireless communication, Multiple devices can be connected.

In addition, there is a method that enables fine cooperation processing with the interface device 1 by incorporating a necessary processing program in each device connected to the interface device 1.
In this way, for example, a dedicated processing screen is prepared, and each device connected to the interface device 1 can be handled as if it were a dedicated device of the interface device 1.
Note that a necessary processing program for this can be fetched from, for example, an external storage unit included in each device.
Alternatively, it can be acquired from the interface device 1 itself or another device connected to the interface device 1.
Alternatively, there is a method of connecting to the information communication network 4 using the communication device 2 and downloading by downloading from a device on the network.

By the way, when the information collecting device 5 receives, for example, data sent without specifying a position from the position related information obtained from the first external device 7 or data having a plurality of position information, the information collecting device 5 Also, a method of registering information without exceptionally determining the position is conceivable.
In this case, each information is temporarily registered.
Then, at a stage where the position is determined later, each piece of acquired information can be associated and registered based on the position information.

In each of the above embodiments, the information collection device 5 communicates with the interface device 1 via the information communication network 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the interface device 1 and the information collection device 5 Are directly connected by wire or wireless, so that the interface device 1 directly transmits the position information and other information acquired by the interface device 1 and the device connected to the interface device 1 to the information collecting device 5, and the information collecting device 5 Of course, the form of registering may be acceptable.

The interface device 1 and the information collection device 5 described above can be realized by a software program that causes a computer having a CPU and a memory to function as the interface device 1 or the information collection device 5, respectively. .
The interface method and the information collection method described above can be realized by causing a computer having a CPU and a memory to execute a software program that performs the above-described processing.

In these cases, a part of them can also be realized by a hardware circuit.
Such a software and hardware mounting method itself will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description and conventional related art, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Needless to say, the program for realizing the present invention by a computer can be stored in an appropriate storage medium such as a computer-readable storage medium, semiconductor memory, or hard disk.
A program can also be provided by downloading a file through the information communication network 4.

In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing a program supplied by a computer, and the program is jointly operated with an OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer. When the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, or when all or part of the processing of the supplied program is performed by a function expansion board or a function expansion unit of the computer, the function of the above-described embodiment is realized. Such a program is included in the embodiment of the present invention.

Although an example of a storage and exchange type information package has been described using e-mail, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that an information package having a format independent of e-mail may be used.

Moreover, although the example which used GPS positioning was shown as a specific example of the method of acquiring position information, it is not limited to this, Other radio wave positioning methods independent of GPS positioning, GPS positioning and other radio wave positioning methods Of course, it is possible to use a positioning method in combination with other positioning methods other than radio positioning.

In each of the above embodiments, the interface device 1 and the information collection device 5 are both described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the interface device 1 in the form in which the information collection device 5 does not exist. Of course, it may be configured by a device connected thereto.
Further, a device or system different from the information collecting device 5 that receives and registers data transmitted to the information communication network 4 in a form configured by the interface device 1 and devices connected thereto may be used. .

In each of the above embodiments, the interface device 1 and the device connected to the interface device 1 have been described as embodiments in which acquisition information and the like are acquired together with position information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only position information is acquired. Of course, it may be transmitted via the communication device 2.
Similarly, in the information collecting apparatus 5, it is of course possible to receive and register only position information that does not include acquired information.

Each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of the implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner.
That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, the information acquisition apparatus 3, and the information collection apparatus 5 which concern on the 1st-4th embodiment of this invention, and the information collection system 20 using them. . It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of starting at the time of connecting the communication apparatus 2 to the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of starting at the time of connecting the information acquisition apparatus 3 to the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The interface device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 are stored in the communication device 2. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an operation of transmitting and transmitting as an electronic mail package using the communication device 2. It is a figure which shows typically the list of the data which the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention acquired from the information acquisition apparatus 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the list of information after the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs extraction of acquisition information, conversion of a data format, and addition of insufficient data. It is a figure which shows typically the specific example of the information at the time of transmitting the information which the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention acquired to the communication apparatus 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the specific example of the email which the communication apparatus 2 produced based on the information which the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention transmitted. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the information collection apparatus 5 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the information collection method of the information collection apparatus 5 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The interface device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and based on the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of an operation in which the interface device 1 creates an e-mail package and controls the communication device 2 to transmit the e-mail package. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the information collection apparatus 5 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The interface device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention communicates with the communication device 2 and the information acquisition device 3, and the position information acquired by the interface device 1 and the acquisition information acquired by the information acquisition device 3 are transmitted to the interface device. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an operation in which 1 controls a communication device 2 and transmits it to an information collecting device 5 in real time. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the operation | movement which the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention transmits information to the information collection apparatus 5 in real time based on the processing request of the information collection apparatus 5. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, the information acquisition apparatus 3, and the information collection apparatus 5 which concern on the 5th Embodiment of this invention, and the information collection system 20 using them. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, the information acquisition apparatus 3, and the information collection apparatus 5 which concern on the 6th Embodiment of this invention, and the information collection system 20 using them. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, the positional information acquisition apparatus 6, and the information collection apparatus 5 which concern on the 7th Embodiment of this invention, and the information collection system 20 using them. An outline of an interface device 1, a communication device 2, an information acquisition device 3, a position information acquisition device 6, an information collection device 5, and an information collection system 20 using them is schematically shown according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, the 1st external device 7, and the information collection apparatus 5 which concern on the 9th Embodiment of this invention, and the information collection system 20 using them. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process in which the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 9th Embodiment of this invention calculates a position using the communication apparatus 2 and the 1st external device 7. It is a figure which shows typically the specific example of the database table which linked | related unique ID, the positional information, etc. of the apparatus which concerns on the 9th Embodiment of this invention. An outline of an interface device 1, a communication device 2, a position information acquisition device 6, a second external device 8, an information collection device 5 and an information collection system 20 using them according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 10th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process in which the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 10th Embodiment of this invention acquires attribute information using the communication apparatus 2 and the 2nd external device 8. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, the information acquisition apparatus 3, the communication terminal 9, and the information collection apparatus 5 which concern on the 11th Embodiment of this invention, and the information collection system 20 using them. is there. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the information collection apparatus 5 which concerns on the 11th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process in which the information collection apparatus 5 which concerns on the 11th Embodiment of this invention outputs information to the communication terminal 9. FIG. Information is collected according to a specific example when the communication terminal 9 according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention makes an information output request to the information collection device 5 using an electronic mail, and the information output request of the communication terminal 9. It is a figure which shows typically the specific example in case the apparatus 5 outputs information using an email. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, the information acquisition apparatus 3, the communication terminal 9, and the information collection apparatus 5 which concern on the 12th Embodiment of this invention, and the information collection system 20 using them. is there. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a display state of a screen when information is collected by the information collecting device 5. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the specific example of the information set which put together the information which the interface apparatus 1 acquired by the content. A specific example of a reference table in which information relating to a device such as a manufacturer ID and a product ID included in received data acquired by the interface device 1 from a communication partner device and a type of device and a type of information to be extracted are recorded in association with each other. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, the information acquisition apparatus 3, and the information collection system 20 using them concerning the 13th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 13th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of operation | movement of the interface apparatus 1, the communication apparatus 2, and the information acquisition apparatus 3 which concern on the 13th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the specific example of the email produced by the interface apparatus 1 which concerns on the 13th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Interface apparatus 2 Communication apparatus 3 Information acquisition apparatus 4 Information communication network 5 Information collection apparatus 6 Location information acquisition apparatus 7 1st external apparatus 8 2nd external apparatus 9 Communication terminal 20 Information collection system

Claims (52)

A communication means for connecting to an information acquisition device having an information acquisition means capable of obtaining acquisition information to be acquired at its current location;
A communication means for connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network;
An interface apparatus comprising: position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the current location of the terminal device. A communication means for connecting to an information acquisition device having an information acquisition means capable of obtaining acquisition information to be acquired at its current location;
An interface apparatus comprising: position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating its current location; and communication means for connecting to a communication apparatus having communication means for connecting to an information communication network. A communication means for connecting to an information acquisition device having an information acquisition means capable of obtaining acquisition information to be acquired at its current location and a position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating the current location of the current location;
An interface device comprising: communication means for connecting to a communication device having communication means for connecting to an information communication network. A communication means for connecting to a position information acquisition device having a position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating its current location;
An interface device comprising: communication means for connecting to a communication device having communication means for connecting to an information communication network. A communication means for connecting to a position information acquisition device having a position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating its current location;
A communication means for connecting to an information acquisition device having an information acquisition means capable of obtaining acquisition information to be acquired at its current location;
An interface device comprising: communication means for connecting to a communication device having communication means for connecting to an information communication network. The position information acquisition means includes radio wave positioning means for receiving a radio wave from a satellite to acquire a current position, and the position information includes positioning information obtained by the radio wave positioning. The interface device according to claim 1. A communication means for connecting to a first external device having position information indicating its current location;
An interface device comprising: communication means for connecting to a communication device having communication means for connecting to an information communication network. 8. The interface device according to claim 7, wherein the position information included in the first external device is position related information for specifying a position. 9. The interface apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a position calculating unit for specifying a position using the position related information. 10. The interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for connecting to a second external device having own attribute information. Receiving means for receiving data from the communication partner device;
The interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit reception data to the communication apparatus. 12. The interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the communication device. The interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect a data transmission request of the communication partner device. 14. The interface device according to claim 11, wherein the received data includes data acquired by the communication partner device together with data received by itself. Packaging means for forming a storage and exchange type information package using the received data;
The interface apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the storage / exchange type information package to the communication apparatus. 12. A control unit configured to cause the communication device to form a storage and exchange type information package using the received data and to transmit the storage and exchange type information package to an information communication network. 15. The interface device according to any one of 15. Map data,
The interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a map generation unit configured to generate a map using the map data. 18. The interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising data compression means for compressing received data received from a communication partner apparatus and data acquired by itself. A communication step of connecting to an information acquisition device having information acquisition means capable of acquiring acquisition information acquired at the present location of the user;
A communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network;
And a position information acquisition step of acquiring position information indicating the current location of the user. A communication step of connecting to an information acquisition device having information acquisition means capable of acquiring acquisition information acquired at the present location of the user;
An interface method, comprising: a communication information step of connecting to a communication device having a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating its current location and a communication means for connecting to an information communication network. A communication step of connecting to an information acquisition unit having an information acquisition unit capable of acquiring acquisition information acquired at its current location and a location information acquisition unit capable of acquiring location information indicating its current location;
A communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network. A communication step of connecting to a position information acquisition device having position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating its current location;
A communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network. A communication step of connecting to a position information acquisition device having position information acquisition means capable of acquiring position information indicating its current location;
A communication step of connecting to an information acquisition device having information acquisition means capable of acquiring acquisition information acquired at the present location of the user;
A communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network. The position information acquisition step includes a radio wave positioning step of receiving a radio wave from a satellite to acquire a current position, and the position information includes positioning information obtained by the radio wave positioning. The interface method according to claim 19. A communication step of connecting to a first external device having position information indicating its current location;
A communication step of connecting to a communication device having a communication means for connecting to an information communication network. 26. The interface method according to claim 25, wherein the position information included in the first external device is position related information for specifying a position. 27. The interface method according to claim 26, further comprising a position calculating step of specifying a position using the position related information. The interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 27, further comprising a communication step of connecting to a second external device having its own attribute information. A receiving step for receiving data from the communication partner device;
29. The interface method according to claim 19, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting reception data to the communication device. 30. The interface method according to claim 19, further comprising a control step of controlling the communication device. 31. The interface method according to claim 19, further comprising a detection step of detecting a data transmission request of the communication partner apparatus. 32. The interface method according to claim 29, wherein the received data includes data received from the communication partner apparatus together with data acquired by the apparatus itself. A packaging step of forming a storage and exchange type information package using the received data;
33. The interface method according to claim 29, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting the storage / exchange information package to the communication device. 30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising a control step for causing the communication device to form a storage and exchange type information package using the received data and to transmit the storage and exchange type information package to an information communication network. 34. The interface method according to any one of 33. The interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 34, further comprising a map generation step of generating a map using the map data. 36. The interface method according to claim 19, further comprising a data compression step of compressing received data received from a communication partner apparatus and data acquired by the communication partner apparatus. A program that causes a computer to function as the interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 18. A program for causing a computer to execute the interface method according to any one of claims 19 to 36. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 37 or 38. The interface device according to claim 17 or 18, a communication device, and the communication counterpart device;
An information collection system comprising the information communication network with which the communication device communicates. The interface device, the communication device, and the communication partner device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
The information communication network with which the communication device communicates;
An information collection apparatus comprising: communication means for connecting to the information communication network; reception means for receiving the position information included in data transmitted by the communication apparatus; and registration means for registering the position information. An information collection system characterized by comprising: The data transmitted by the communication device includes received data from the communication partner device and the interface device itself together with the position information.
The information collection device is configured to receive the position information included in the data transmitted by the communication device and reception data from the communication partner device and the interface device itself, and the communication partner based on the position information. 42. The information collection system according to claim 41, further comprising registration means for associating and registering received data from the device and the interface device itself. The interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or 17, 18, and the communication counterpart device;
Packaging means for forming a storage and exchange type information package using received data from the interface device; and the communication apparatus having a transmission means for transmitting the storage and exchange type information package to an information communication network;
The information communication network with which the communication device communicates;
Communication means for connecting to the information communication network; receiving means for receiving the storage and exchange type information package transmitted by the communication device; extraction means for extracting the position information included in the information package; and the position information An information collecting system comprising: an information collecting device characterized by having a registration means for registering the information. The interface device, the communication device, and the communication counterpart device according to any one of claims 15 to 18,
The information communication network with which the communication device communicates;
Communication means for connecting to the information communication network; receiving means for receiving the storage and exchange type information package transmitted by the communication device; extraction means for extracting the position information included in the information package; and the position information An information collecting system comprising: an information collecting device characterized by having a registration means for registering the information. The storage and exchange type information package transmitted by the communication device includes, together with the position information, received data from the communication partner device and the interface device itself,
The information collection device, based on the location information, the location information included in the information package transmitted by the communication device, extraction means for extracting received data from the communication counterpart device and the interface device itself, 45. The information collection system according to claim 43 or 44, further comprising registration means for associating and registering received data from the communication partner device and the interface device itself. 46. The information collecting system according to claim 43, wherein the storage exchange type information package is an e-mail. 47. The information collecting system according to claim 46, wherein the information collecting device has a receiving means for receiving an electronic mail as a MUA (Mail User Agent). 48. The interface device includes detection means for detecting a data transmission request of the information collection device, and controls the communication device to transmit data based on the data transmission request. Information collection system in any one of. 49. The information collection system according to claim 41, wherein the information collection device includes an information output unit that outputs registered information to a communication terminal. 50. The information collection system according to claim 49, wherein the information output means outputs to the communication terminal connected to an internal network. 50. The information collection system according to claim 49, wherein the information output means outputs to the communication terminal connected to an external network. 52. The information collection system according to any one of claims 49 to 51, wherein the information collection device includes an update unit for updating registered information using the communication terminal.