JP2008084201A - Information exchange system and portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

In an information exchange system that transmits and receives information via an electric field transmission medium, information to be disclosed is flexibly changed according to a partner, and information security is further improved.
A portable terminal includes a transceiver, storage means storing a plurality of own user IDs, accepting means for accepting a level at which the information of the own user is disclosed to other users, and an own user ID corresponding to the level. And a communication means for receiving the other user ID from the other portable terminal and storing it in the storage means, and the computer 5 sends an information acquisition request including the other user ID to the information exchange server 7. The information exchange server 7 corresponds to the database 73 in which a plurality of information about each user and the level of each information are stored for each user, and the other user ID specified in the information acquisition request from the computer 5. Information providing means for extracting information on other users at the level to be extracted from the database 73 and transmitting it to the computer 5.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information exchange system using a transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium and detects the induced electric field to transmit and receive information.

  Although wearable computers are attracting attention due to the miniaturization and high performance of portable terminals, FIG. 9 shows an example in which such wearable computers are used while being worn by humans. As shown in the figure, the wearable computer 7 is mounted on a person's arm, shoulder, torso, etc. via a transceiver 9 to transmit / receive data to / from each other, and is further provided on the wall or floor so that it can be touched by the tip of a limb. Communication is performed with a personal computer (PC) 8 provided outside through the transceivers 9a and 9b and the cables.

  Here, the transceiver 9 used for data communication between the wearable computer 7 and between the wearable computer 7 and the personal computer 8 uses a signal detection technique based on an electro-optic technique using a laser beam and an electro-optic crystal. Thus, an electric field based on information to be transmitted is induced in a living body that is an electric field transmission medium, and information is transmitted and received using the induced electric field.

The transceiver 9 is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.
JP 2001-352298 A

  Now, when registering a user ID and personal information (name, contact information, etc.) in advance at an exhibition, etc., and obtaining information about the products displayed at the exhibition, It is possible to present. In this case, the exhibitor who has acquired the user ID can acquire all the personal information of the registered user. Thereby, the user who presented the user ID may be annoyed later by sending unnecessary business mail, direct mail, or the like.

  In addition, in various circles and the like, all registered personal information may be disclosed to a certain person, but only the name of the registered personal information may be disclosed to another person.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to flexibly change information to be disclosed according to the other party in an information exchange system that transmits and receives information via an electric field transmission medium, The purpose is to further improve information security.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is an information exchange system using electric field communication that communicates via an electric field transmission medium, an information exchange server, a portable terminal and a computer used by each user, The portable terminal induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in the electric field transmission medium, detects the induced electric field and transmits / receives information, and stores a plurality of own user IDs. Means, a receiving means for accepting a level at which the information of the own user is disclosed to other users, a self user ID corresponding to the level accepted by the accepting means is read from the storage means and transmitted to the other portable terminal, and the other Communication means for receiving another user ID from the portable terminal and storing it in the storage means, and the communication means includes the own user carrying the own portable terminal and the other When another user carrying the band terminal comes into contact with the other portable terminal via the transceiver and the electric field transmission medium, the computer issues an information acquisition request including the other user ID acquired by the portable terminal. The information exchange server receives, for each user, a database in which a plurality of information about the user and the level of each information are stored, and an information acquisition request from the computer, Information providing means for extracting information on other users at a level corresponding to the other user ID specified in the information acquisition request from the database and transmitting the information to the computer.

  The second aspect of the present invention is a portable terminal in an information exchange system using electric field communication that communicates through an electric field transmission medium, and induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted to the electric field transmission medium. A transceiver that detects an electric field and transmits / receives information, a storage unit that stores a plurality of own user IDs, a receiving unit that receives a level at which the user's information is disclosed to other users, and a level received by the receiving unit Communication means for reading out the own user ID corresponding to the storage device from the storage means and transmitting it to the other portable terminal, receiving the other user ID from the other portable terminal and storing it in the storage means, Through the transceiver and the electric field transmission medium when the own user carrying the own portable terminal and the other user carrying the other portable terminal come into contact with each other. Serial to communicate with other mobile devices.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the information exchange system which transmits / receives information via an electric field transmission medium, the information disclosed according to a partner can be changed flexibly and information security can be improved more.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an information exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, information is exchanged at an information exchange meeting such as an exhibition or a hobby circle. The information exchange system shown in the figure includes a portable terminal 1 used by each user, a computer 5 such as a PC (Personal Computer), and an information exchange server 7. Each computer 5 is connected to an information exchange server 7 via a network 9.

  Each user registers information about the user in the information exchange server 7 using the computer 5 before participating in the information exchange meeting. Each user carries the mobile terminal 1, participates in an information exchange meeting, and exchanges user IDs with other users using the mobile terminal 1. And a user acquires the information regarding another user from the information exchange server 7 using the computer 5 after an information exchange meeting.

  Each computer 5 receives an instruction from each user, registers information about the user in the information exchange server 7, and acquires information about other users from the information exchange server 7.

  The mobile terminal 1 establishes a communication path with another mobile terminal 1 via the user who is an electric field communication medium when the users make a handshake or the like and contact the other mobile terminal 1 with data. Send and receive.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the mobile terminal 1. The mobile terminal 1 includes a computer 2 and a transceiver 3. The computer 2 includes a reception unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The receiving unit 21 receives a user instruction input from an input device (not shown) such as a selection button. The communication unit 22 transmits / receives data to / from other portable terminals via the transceiver 3. The storage unit 23 stores a plurality of own user IDs of the own user and other user IDs of other users acquired from other portable terminals.

  The transceiver 3 uses a signal detection technique based on an electro-optic technique using a laser beam and an electro-optic crystal, and induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in a living body that is an electric field transmission medium. It is a transceiver that transmits and receives information.

  For example, the transceiver 3 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2. When transmission data from the computer 2 is received via the input / output (I / O) circuit 901, the transmission data is transmitted via the transmission unit 902. The electric field is supplied to the transmission / reception electrode 903, an electric field is induced in the electric field transmission medium via the transmission / reception electrode 903 and the insulating film 904, and the electric field is transmitted to other parts of the electric field transmission medium. The transceiver 3 detects the electric field induced and transmitted by the electric field transmission medium by the transmission / reception electrode 903 via the insulating film 904, and couples the electric field to the electric field detection optical unit 905 to convert it into an electric signal. This electric signal is subjected to signal processing such as amplification and noise removal by the signal processing circuit 906, further subjected to waveform shaping by the waveform shaping circuit 907, and output to the computer 2 via the input / output circuit 901. ing.

  Note that the receiving unit 910 of the transceiver 3 may detect an electric field by an electrical detection circuit instead of the electric field detection optical unit 905.

  The information exchange server 7 includes a registration unit 71, an information providing unit 72, and a database 73. The registration unit 71 receives registration information regarding each user from each computer 5 and registers the information in the database 73. In addition, the registration unit 71 sets a plurality of user IDs for the user who registered the information, and transmits the user ID to the requesting computer 5. The information providing unit 72 receives an information acquisition request from another computer 5 from each computer 5, extracts predetermined information from the database 73, and transmits it to the requesting computer 5.

  3 and 4 are examples of personal information registered in the database 73. FIG. Note that the personal information table shown in the figure shows data of one user for convenience of explanation, but it is actually a database in which data of a plurality of users (all members) are mixed.

  FIG. 3 is a personal information table in the case of an exhibition. FIG. 3A is a personal information table of participating users who participate in the exhibition, and FIG. 3B is a personal information table of exhibiting users who exhibit and exhibit products at the exhibition.

  In the personal information table for participating users in FIG. 3A, registration data (name, contact information, etc.) 31 is set on the vertical axis, and a plurality of IDs 32 used by the user are set on the horizontal axis. . Each ID set on the horizontal axis is determined by the information exchange server 7 for each level at which registration data is disclosed.

  For example, level A is a level used when all the registered data of the user is disclosed (provided) to the other party (exhibitor user) and the exhibitor user wants to provide / suggest information suitable for him / her. Level B is a level used when exhibiting interested users who want to exhibit a part of their registration data and continue to provide information. The level C is a level used only for the purpose of collecting information, and is used when disclosing minimum registration data. Level X is a level used when information exchange is unavoidable to exhibitors who are not interested, and does not provide any data of its own.

  Also, “◯ (public target)” or “× (public non-target)” is set in each cell of the illustrated personal information table. For example, in the case of a user ID for level A, it indicates that all registration data is to be disclosed, and in the case of a user ID for level X, it indicates that all registration data is not to be disclosed.

  The user inputs registration data and the level of registration data when registering information using the computer 5. For example, the name is specified as registration data of level A, level B, and level C. The contact information is specified as registration data of level A and level B.

  In the personal information table for the exhibiting user in FIG. 3B, each registration data is set on the vertical axis, and a plurality of IDs used by the user are set on the horizontal axis, as in FIG. ing. In the case of the personal information table shown in the figure, for example, level E is a level used when all registered data (for example, detailed product information and specifications) is disclosed to participating users who are likely to be interested. It is. The level F is a level used when a part of the registered data (such as a pamphlet or a catalog) is disclosed.

  FIG. 4 is a personal information table in the case of a hobby circle meeting. Like FIG. 3A, the vertical axis indicates each registered data, and the horizontal axis indicates a plurality of IDs used by the user. , Each is set. In the case of the personal information table shown in the figure, for example, level A is a level used when all of the registered data is disclosed to the other party and information is to be exchanged with honey. Level B is a level used when a part of registration data is disclosed and information is exchanged normally. Level C is a level used when a part of the registration data is disclosed but the contact information is not desired.

  As described above, the computer 2, the computer 5, and the information exchange server 7 of the mobile terminal 1 are all connected to the CPU, the memory, the external storage device, the input device, the output device, and other devices. A general-purpose computer system including a control device and a bus connecting these devices can be used. In this computer system, each function of each device is realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program loaded on the memory. Note that each of the devices 2, 5, and 7 includes an external storage device, an input device, and an output device as necessary.

  Next, the information exchange process of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  In the information exchange processing of this embodiment, information registration processing for registering personal information in the information exchange server 7, ID exchange processing for exchanging user IDs at an information exchange meeting, and information on other users are acquired from the information exchange server 7. Information acquisition processing.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the information registration process.

  In this process, each user registers information about the user in the information exchange server 7 in advance and acquires a plurality of user IDs before participating in the information exchange meeting.

  First, each user registers information about the user in the information exchange server 7 using the computer 5. That is, the computer 5 accepts registration information including a plurality of registration data input by the user and a level specified for each of the registration data. Then, the computer 5 transmits a registration request for the received registration information to the information exchange server 7 (S11).

  The registration unit 71 of the information exchange server 7 receives a registration request from the computer 5, generates a personal information table, and registers it in the database 73 (S12). That is, the registration unit 71 generates a plurality of user IDs for each level, and generates a personal information table as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. The registration unit 71 generates and assigns a user ID that cannot specify the level and the user.

  Then, the registration unit 71 transmits the generated user ID and the level of the user ID to the computer 5 (S13). The computer 5 outputs a level corresponding to each received user ID to an output device such as a display. Then, the user inputs each output user ID and level to the mobile terminal 1. The receiving unit 21 of the mobile terminal 1 stores the plurality of input user IDs in the storage unit 23 in association with the levels (S14).

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of ID exchange processing in which portable terminals exchange user IDs.

  In this process, each user carries the portable terminal 1 storing a plurality of user IDs, participates in an information exchange meeting, and exchanges user IDs with other users.

  First, the user determines a level for other users (partners) met at the information exchange meeting. For example, if the user likes another user, the user selects the level A for publishing (providing) all his / her registered data, and the level C for publishing a part of his / her registered data for other users who do not like the user. Then, the user inputs the determined level to the mobile terminal 1.

  The receiving unit 21 of the mobile terminal 1 receives a level input from an input device such as a selection button or a switch, and stores it in the storage unit 23 (S21, 22). When the users come into contact with each other by shaking hands, a communication path is established between the two portable terminals 1 via the transceiver 3 and the user's human body as the electric field communication medium (S23). In addition, it is good also as a communication path being established when a user overlaps and mutually contacts the portable terminal 1. FIG.

  After the communication path is established, the communication unit 22 of the mobile terminal 1 reads out the own user ID corresponding to the level received in S21 and S22 from the storage unit 23 and transmits it to the mobile terminal of the other user, The other user ID is received from the terminal (S24). And the communication part 22 memorize | stores the received other user ID in the memory | storage part 23 (S25, S26). Note that when storing the other user ID, the communication unit 22 may also store the reception time (exchange date and time) and the transmitted user ID in the storage unit 23 together.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of information acquisition processing for acquiring information of another user from the information exchange server 7. After the information exchange meeting, each user obtains information related to other users whose user IDs have been exchanged from the information exchange server 7.

  First, the computer 5 receives a user instruction, accesses the information exchange server 7, and transmits an information acquisition request (S31). The information acquisition request includes the other user ID exchanged at the information exchange meeting. It is assumed that the user inputs the other user ID stored in the storage unit 23 of the mobile terminal 1 to the computer 5.

  The information providing unit 72 of the information exchange server 7 receives the information acquisition request and specifies the personal information table (see FIGS. 3 and 4) corresponding to the other user ID specified in the information acquisition request from the database 73. And the information provision part 72 searches and extracts the registration data used as the object of the said other user ID from the specified personal information table (S32). Then, the information providing unit 72 transmits the extracted registration data of other users to the computer 5 (S33).

  The computer 5 receives registration data of other users from the information exchange server 7 and outputs it to an output device (not shown) such as a display (S34).

  In the mobile terminal 1 of the present embodiment described above, a plurality of user IDs are set according to the level of information to be disclosed, and an appropriate user ID is transmitted to another mobile terminal according to a user instruction. Thereby, even the personal information registered in the information exchange server 7 can flexibly change the level (range / content) of the personal information disclosed according to the other party. Therefore, in the case of a partner who does not want to give a contact address, it is possible to transmit a user ID at a level at which only the minimum information of only the name is disclosed (or a level at which all information is not disclosed). Thereby, it is possible to avoid sending unnecessary business mail, direct mail, and the like. In addition, information security can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, only the user ID is exchanged with the mobile terminal 1, and information about the other party is acquired from the information exchange server 7. Further, the level at which information is disclosed cannot be specified from the user ID to be exchanged. Thereby, since the user cannot recognize which level the user ID received from the other party corresponds to, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a trouble depending on whether or not the personal information is passed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the communication path between portable terminals is established using electric field communication, and user ID transmission / reception is performed by shaking hands. Thereby, a user interface can be improved.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example,
The present invention may be applied to a comparator, a game, an entertainment, and the like. In this case, as the personal information table registered in the database 73 of the information exchange server 7, for example, the personal information table shown in FIG. In the case of the personal information table shown in the figure, for example, level A is a level that is used when teaching all registered data of the user to a favorite partner. The level B is a level used when teaching only a name and a contact information to a person who likes it reasonably. Level C is a level used when a conversation is made on the spot, but contact information is not desired. Level X is a level used when no registration data is taught to a partner who does not want to associate. Note that the personal information table shown in the figure shows the data of one user for convenience of explanation, but it is actually a database in which data of a plurality of users are mixed.

  Further, in the ID exchange process (see FIG. 6) of the above embodiment, before exchanging the user ID, the level is input and switched by looking at the other party. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the level may be set by various methods. For example, a default level may be set in advance, and if a level is not input, a user ID corresponding to the default level may be transmitted. In addition, when a level other than the default level is input, a user ID corresponding to the level is transmitted only once, or a user ID corresponding to the level is transmitted only within a predetermined time. It is good also as transmitting user ID corresponding to the level of. In addition, the input level may be valid until another level is input thereafter, and a user ID corresponding to the level may be transmitted.

  In the information acquisition process (see FIG. 7), the information providing unit 72 of the information exchange server 7 denies access to the user ID until a predetermined time elapses (for example, until the information exchange meeting ends). It is good to do. Alternatively, the information exchange server 7 may specify an accessible period (such as two weeks from the next day). Therefore, it is also possible to control access to the ID by recording the exchange date and time in the portable terminal 2 at the time of ID exchange in FIG. 6 and outputting a request with the exchange date and time added at the time of information acquisition in FIG. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of trouble by accessing the information exchange server 7 immediately after exchanging the user ID at the information exchange meeting.

  Further, the personal information registered in the database 73 of the information exchange server 7 of the present embodiment is a database in which data of a plurality of users are mixed, but a database may be provided for each user. In this case, each user can freely set data items to be registered in each database.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an information exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the personal information table in an exhibition. It is a figure which shows an example of the personal information table in a circle of hobbies. It is a sequence diagram of the information registration process which registers information with an information exchange server. It is a sequence diagram of ID exchange processing in which portable terminals exchange IDs. It is a sequence diagram of the information acquisition process which acquires information from an information exchange server. It is a figure which shows an example of the personal information table in a party. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example in the case of mounting | wearing and using a wearable computer for a person via a transceiver.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable terminal 2,5 Computer 3 Transceiver 4 Portable terminal 7 Information exchange server 901 I / O circuit 902 Transmission part 903 Transmission / reception electrode 904 Insulating film 905 Electric field detection optical part 906 Signal processing circuit 907 Waveform shaping circuit 910 Reception part

Claims (2)

An information exchange system using electric field communication for communicating via an electric field transmission medium,
An information exchange server, and a mobile terminal and a computer used by each user,
The portable terminal is
A transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in the electric field transmission medium and detects the induced electric field to transmit and receive information;
Storage means for storing a plurality of own user IDs;
Accepting means for accepting a level at which the user's information is disclosed to other users;
A communication unit that reads out the own user ID corresponding to the level received by the receiving unit from the storage unit and transmits the same to the other portable terminal, receives the other user ID from the other portable terminal, and stores the other user ID in the storage unit; Have
The communication means communicates with the other portable terminal through the transceiver and the electric field transmission medium when the own user carrying the own portable terminal and another user carrying the other portable terminal come into contact with each other.
The computer transmits an information acquisition request including the other user ID acquired by the mobile terminal to the information exchange server,
The information exchange server
For each user, a database storing a plurality of information about the user and the level of each information,
Information providing means for receiving an information acquisition request from the computer, extracting information of another user at a level corresponding to the other user ID specified in the information acquisition request from the database, and transmitting the information to the computer. An information exchange system characterized by this. A portable terminal in an information exchange system using electric field communication that communicates via an electric field transmission medium,
A transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in the electric field transmission medium and detects the induced electric field to transmit and receive information;
Storage means for storing a plurality of own user IDs;
Accepting means for accepting a level at which the user's information is disclosed to other users;
A communication unit that reads out the own user ID corresponding to the level received by the receiving unit from the storage unit and transmits the same to the other portable terminal, receives the other user ID from the other portable terminal, and stores the other user ID in the storage unit; Have
The communication means communicates with the other portable terminal through the transceiver and the electric field transmission medium when the own user carrying the portable terminal and another user carrying the other portable terminal come into contact with each other. Mobile device.

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