JP7659404B2 - Business card processing device, business card processing method, program, and business card file data structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a business card processing device that processes information related to business cards.

Conventionally, there have been business card information provision systems that do not require manual correction of scanned business card information. In such systems, a business card information provision server acquires business card information obtained by optically reading a business card from a terminal device, extracts genuine business card information corresponding to the acquired business card information based on a business card database in which multiple pieces of genuine business card information are registered, and outputs the extracted genuine business card information (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6566460

However, in conventional technology, when information such as text data required to create a business card was received, it was not possible to associate and manage the received information with the business card image, etc., obtained from the received information.

The business card processing device of the first invention is a business card processing device that includes a business card creation information receiving unit that receives business card creation information from which two or more pieces of information constituting a business card and business card layout information can be acquired, a business card information configuration unit that configures business card information having a business card image acquired using the business card creation information, and a business card storage unit that stores the business card creation information and the business card information in association with each other.

With this configuration, when information required to create a business card is received, the business card image etc. obtained from the received information can be associated with the received information and managed.

The business card processing device of the second invention is a business card processing device in which, compared to the first invention, the business card information is a business card file, which is a single file having two or more items of information and a business card image.

With this configuration, when the information required to create a business card is received, a business card file containing a business card image and text data can be obtained from the received information.

The business card processing device of the third invention is a business card processing device that, compared to the first or second invention, further includes a business card processing unit that performs a predetermined process using the business card information when the business card information configuration unit configures the business card information.

With this configuration, when the information required to create a business card is received, a specified action can be taken.

The business card processing device of the fourth invention is a business card processing device that, compared to the third invention, further includes a judgment unit that judges whether the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit already exists, and the business card information configuration unit or business card processing unit operates only when the judgment unit judges that the information does not already exist.

With this configuration, business card information can be constructed or specific processing can be performed only if the information required to create the accepted business card is new.

The business card processing device of the fifth invention is a business card processing device according to the third or fourth invention, in which the business card processing unit transmits change information that includes some or all of the information contained in the business card information.

With this configuration, when the information required to create a business card is received, information regarding changes to the user of that business card can be sent.

The business card processing device of the sixth invention is a business card processing device that, compared to the fifth invention, further includes a business card exchange information storage unit in which one or more pieces of business card exchange information relating to the exchange of business cards between one user and other users are stored, and the business card processing unit determines one or more other users who have exchanged business cards with the user corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit, using the one or more pieces of business card exchange information in the business card exchange information storage unit, and transmits change information to the one or more other users determined.

With this configuration, when the information required to create a business card is received, information regarding the transfer of the user of that business card can be sent to other users who have exchanged business cards with that user.

The business card processing device of the seventh invention is a business card processing device in which, compared to the third or fourth invention, the business card processing unit transmits business card information to the user corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit.

With this configuration, when the information required to create a business card is received, the business card information including the business card image can be sent to the user of the business card. It is preferable that the business card information is a business card file, which will be described later.

The business card processing device of the eighth invention is a business card processing device that includes a business card creation information receiving unit that receives business card creation information having two or more pieces of information that constitute a business card and business card layout information, a business card information composition unit that composes a business card file having two or more pieces of information and a business card image, and a business card storage unit that stores the business card file.

With this configuration, when the information required to create a business card is received, a business card file containing two or more items of information and a business card image can be created and stored.

The data structure of the ninth invention is a data structure of a business card file having two or more pieces of information that constitute a business card and a business card image, and the received item information is used as a key for searching, and a business card file containing the item information is output.

This configuration allows a business card file to be provided that contains a business card image and item information that makes up the business card.

The data structure of the business card file of the tenth invention is different from that of the ninth invention in that each of two or more pieces of item information corresponds to an item identifier that identifies the item.

This configuration makes it possible to provide a business card file that includes a business card image and item information that corresponds to the item identifier.

When the business card processing device of the present invention receives information required to create a business card, it is possible to manage the received information in association with the business card image etc. obtained from the received information.

Conceptual diagram of business card processing system A in embodiment 1 Block diagram of the business card processing system A A diagram showing an example of a template for same-person transfer information A flowchart explaining an example of the operation of the business card processing device 1. A flowchart for explaining an example of the business card information configuration process A flowchart illustrating an example of the predetermined process. A flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the terminal device 2 A diagram showing the business card creation information management table A diagram showing the business card exchange information management table FIG. 13 shows the layout information management table. A diagram showing the business card information management table A diagram showing an example of the screen A diagram showing an example of the screen A diagram showing an example of the business card file FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of change information A diagram showing an example of the screen A diagram showing an example of the output A diagram showing an example of the screen A diagram showing an example of the output Overview of the computer system Block diagram of the computer system

Below, an embodiment of a business card processing device and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components with the same reference numerals in the embodiments perform similar operations, so repeated explanations may be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
In this embodiment, a business card processing device is described that receives information that can acquire two or more pieces of information that make up a business card and layout information of the business card, uses the information to construct business card information including a business card image, and stores the layout information, the two or more pieces of information, and the business card information in association with each other. Note that in this embodiment, it is preferable that the business card information is a file that contains two or more pieces of information that make up a business card and the business card image. Such a file is appropriately called a business card file.

In addition, in this embodiment, a business card processing device is described that performs an action using business card information when the business card information is configured. The action is, for example, a transfer information transmission process and a business card information transmission process, which will be described later.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, we will explain a business card processing device that determines whether the received business card creation information is new or not, and performs a predetermined process only if it is new.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a business card processing system A in this embodiment. The business card processing system A includes a business card processing device 1 and one or more terminal devices 2.

The business card processing device 1 is a device that accepts information for creating business cards and performs various processes. The business card processing device 1 is, for example, a device that accepts order information for business cards and performs various processes. The business card processing device 1 is usually a so-called server, such as a cloud server or an ASP server. There is no restriction on the type of business card processing device 1. The business card processing device 1 may also be a standalone device.

The terminal device 2 is a device that transmits information for creating business cards to the business card processing device 1. The terminal device 2 is, for example, a device for ordering business cards. The terminal device 2 is, for example, a so-called personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc., and the type is not important.

The business card processing device 1 and one or more terminal devices 2 can communicate with each other via a network such as the Internet.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the business card processing system A in this embodiment. The business card processing device 1 constituting the business card processing system A includes a storage unit 11, a reception unit 12, a processing unit 13, and an output unit 14.

The storage unit 11 constituting the business card processing device 1 includes a business card creation information storage unit 111, a business card exchange information storage unit 112, and a business card file storage unit 113. The reception unit 12 includes a business card creation information reception unit 121, an exchange business card reception unit 122, and a search instruction reception unit 123. The processing unit 13 includes a judgment unit 131, a business card information configuration unit 132, a business card storage unit 133, a business card processing unit 134, a business card exchange information storage unit 135, and a search unit 136.

The terminal device 2 includes a terminal storage unit 21, a terminal reception unit 22, a terminal processing unit 23, a terminal transmission unit 24, a terminal reception unit 25, and a terminal output unit 26.

The storage unit 11 constituting the business card processing device 1 stores various types of information. The various types of information are, for example, business card creation information (described later), business card exchange information (described later), business card files (described later), layout information (described later), and various types of screen information. The various types of screen information are, for example, login screen information that prompts a user to log in to the business card processing device 1, order screen information for ordering business cards, and business card registration screen information for registering the business cards of other users with whom the user has exchanged business cards. The screen information is realized, for example, by HTML, XML, or a program, but the means of realization and structure are not important.

The business card creation information storage unit 111 stores one or more pieces of business card creation information. Business card creation information is information for creating a business card. Business card creation information is information used to create a business card. Business card creation information is information from which two or more pieces of item information and business card layout information can be acquired. Business card creation information has, for example, two or more pieces of item information and business card layout information. Business card creation information has, for example, links to two or more pieces of item information and links to business card layout information. Business card creation information has, for example, links to two or more pieces of item information and an identifier for the business card layout information. Note that creating a business card means, for example, printing a business card, but may also mean creating an electronic business card, creating an electronic business card image, etc.

Item information is information that constitutes a business card. Item information is usually text data that constitutes a business card. However, item information may also be an image. Item information is, for example, a name, a name (written in English), a company name, a department name, one or more titles, an address, a telephone number, an email address, or a URL of a company or organization. Item information is, for example, a user image. A user image is an image of a user that appears on a created business card, such as a photo of the user or an illustration of the user's face. Image item information may also be called image item information. Also, item information is usually associated with an item identifier. An item identifier is information that identifies an item. An item identifier is, for example, an item name or an ID. An item identifier is, for example, <company name>, <department name>, <title>, <name>, or <user image>.

Layout information is information that specifies the layout of a business card. There is no restriction on the means of realizing the layout information or the structure, etc. For example, the layout information is information written in CSS.

The business card exchange information storage unit 112 stores one or more pieces of business card exchange information. The business card exchange information is information about the exchange of business cards between one user and another user. The business card exchange information is information that enables one user to identify the other user from whom the one user received a business card. The business card exchange information is, for example, information that enables one user to determine that the one user has exchanged business cards with another user. The business card exchange information is, for example, information about a link between one business card creation information and another business card creation information, information about a pair of a first business card identifier of one business card creation information, another business card creation information, and a second business card identifier, information about a link between one business card file and another business card file, and information about a pair of a first file identifier of one business card file, another business card file, and a second file identifier. The business card exchange information is, for example, information about the business card of another user that is paired with the user identifier of one user.

The business card file storage unit 113 stores one or more business card files. The business card file is an example of business card information. The business card information is information having a business card image acquired using the business card creation information. The business card information has two or more item information and a business card image. The business card information has, for example, two or more business card item information, which are a set of an item identifier and item information, and a business card image. The business card image is an image showing an image of a business card. The business card image is, for example, an image showing a printed image of a business card. The business card image is, for example, the same image as a printed business card. The business card image may be only an image of the front of the business card, or may be an image of the front and back. The business card image is, for example, an image showing an electronic image of a business card. The business card image is, for example, jpeg, gif, etc., but the data structure is not important. The business card image is an image constructed using the accepted business card creation information.

A business card file is a single file that has two or more pieces of information and a business card image together. It is preferable that a business card file is a single file that has two or more pieces of information and a business card image together. In a business card file, for example, two or more pieces of information are included in the header or footer section of the file. Also, in a business card file, for example, two or more pieces of information are included in the header or footer section of the file. Also, in a business card file, for example, the business card image is the main body of the file. In a business card file, for example, a user image is included in the header or footer section of the file.

The reception unit 12 receives various information and instructions. The various information and instructions include, for example, business card creation information, order information (described below), business card exchange information (described below), and search instructions (described below).

Here, "acceptance" usually means receiving information from the terminal device 2. However, "acceptance" may also be a concept that includes the acceptance of information input from an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, or the acceptance of information read from a recording medium such as an optical disk, magnetic disk, or semiconductor memory.

The business card creation information receiving unit 121 receives business card creation information. The business card creation information is information for acquiring two or more pieces of item information that constitute a business card and layout information of the business card. The business card creation information has, for example, two or more pieces of item information that constitute a business card and layout information of the business card. However, the business card creation information may also be information that identifies two or more pieces of item information (for example, an identifier for the item information, a link to the item information) and information that identifies layout information of the business card (for example, an identifier for the layout information, a link to the layout information).

The business card production information receiving unit 121 may receive order information for business cards. The order information includes business card production information. The order information is an order instruction, and includes, for example, information specifying the number of business cards (for example, the number of sets to be printed, the number of prints).

The business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information accepting unit 121 and the business card creation information in the business card exchange information storage unit 112 may have different data structures.

In addition, the business card creation information receiving unit 121 does not have to receive two or more pieces of item information and layout information, etc., at the same time. The business card creation information receiving unit 121 may receive each part of the information that constitutes the business card creation information at different times.

The exchange business card receiving unit 122 receives exchanged business card information, which is information on a business card received by one user from another user. The exchanged business card information has, for example, the user identifier of one user and a business card image of the other user. The exchanged business card information has, for example, the user identifier of one user and two or more items of information on the business card of the other user. Note that the business card exchange here may be considered to include the unilateral acquisition of a business card.

The search instruction receiving unit 123 receives a search instruction. The search instruction is an instruction to search for a business card file. The search instruction includes information that specifies search conditions. The search instruction typically includes one or more pieces of item information. It is preferable that such item information corresponds to an item identifier. The search instruction may include image item information.

The processing unit 13 performs various types of processing. The various types of processing are, for example, processing performed by the judgment unit 131, the business card information configuration unit 132, the business card storage unit 133, the business card processing unit 134, the business card exchange information storage unit 135, and the search unit 136.

The judgment unit 131 judges whether the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121 already exists. The judgment unit 131 judges, for example, whether the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121 is stored in the business card creation information storage unit 111. The judgment unit 131 judges, for example, whether the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121 is registered in a business card server (not shown).

The business card information construction unit 132 constructs business card information having a business card image obtained using the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121.

More specifically, the business card information composition unit 132 composes a business card image by arranging two or more item information corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121 according to the layout information corresponding to the business card creation information. The business card information composition unit 132 then composes business card information having two or more item information corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121 and the composed business card image. Note that the layout information corresponding to the business card creation information is layout information that can be obtained from the business card creation information. Also, the item information corresponding to the business card creation information is item information that can be obtained from the business card creation information.

It is preferable that the business card information construction unit 132 constructs a business card file that includes two or more items of information corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121 and the constructed business card image.

It is also preferable that the business card information construction unit 132 constructs business card information only when the judgment unit 131 judges that the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121 does not exist.

The business card storage unit 133 stores the business card creation information received by the business card creation information receiving unit 121 in association with the business card information constructed by the business card information construction unit 132. It is preferable that the business card information is a business card file.

It is also preferable that the business card storage unit 133 stores the business card creation information in association with the business card information only when the judgment unit 131 judges that the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121 does not exist.

When the business card information configuration unit 132 configures business card information, the business card processing unit 134 performs a predetermined process using the business card information. The predetermined process is, for example, a transfer information transmission process described below, and a business card information transmission process described below.

The business card processing unit 134, for example, acquires transfer information that includes some or all of the information contained in the business card information, and transmits the transfer information. This process is the transfer information transmission process.

The transfer information is information about the transfer of the user corresponding to the business card creation information. The business card processing unit 134 constructs the transfer information, for example, by substituting item information contained in the business card creation information for variables (tags having "<" and ">") in the template shown in FIG. 3. The business card processing unit 134 then transmits the transfer information. The template is stored, for example, in the storage unit 11.

It is preferable that the business card processing unit 134 transmits the configured change information to one or more other users who have exchanged business cards with the user corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121.

Specifically, it is preferable that the business card processing unit 134 uses one or more pieces of business card exchange information in the business card exchange information storage unit 112 to determine one or more other users who have exchanged business cards with the user corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit 121, and transmits the change information to the one or more other users thus determined.

More specifically, the business card processing unit 134 acquires the user identifiers of one or more other users that are paired with the user identifier of the user that is paired with the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information accepting unit 121 from the business card exchange information storage unit 112, and transmits the change information to the contacts indicated by the contact information that is paired with the user identifiers of the one or more other users. Note that the contact information that is paired with the user identifier is stored, for example, in the storage unit 11. Also, the contact information is, for example, an email address, a telephone number, a user identifier, an IP address, etc.

The business card processing unit 134 transmits the business card information constructed by the business card information construction unit 132 to the user corresponding to the business card creation information received by the business card creation information reception unit 121. The business card processing unit 134 transmits the business card information, for example, to the terminal device 2 that transmitted the business card creation information. This process is the business card information transmission process. If the business card information is a business card file, the business card information transmission process allows the user to use his or her business card file for various purposes. For example, a use is to realize a virtual business card exchange by transmitting his or her business card file to a remote party in a web conference, instead of a paper business card. For example, a use is to transmit the business card file to a printing company's server and place an order for the business card to be printed.

The business card exchange information accumulation unit 135 uses the exchange business card information accepted by the exchange business card acceptance unit 122 to construct business card exchange information, and accumulates the business card exchange information in the business card exchange information storage unit 112.

The business card exchange information storage unit 135, for example, acquires a user identifier (the identifier of the user who sent the exchange business card information) that is paired with the exchange business card information accepted by the exchange business card acceptance unit 122, and stores the business card image contained in the exchange business card information in association with the user identifier. Such a business card image is an image of a business card received by a user identified by the user identifier that is paired with the exchange business card information.

The business card exchange information storage unit 135, for example, acquires a user identifier that pairs with the exchange business card information accepted by the exchange business card acceptance unit 122, acquires a user identifier (the identifier of the user with whom the business card is exchanged) that pairs with the business card creation information that matches two or more items of information contained in the exchange business card information, and accumulates the business card exchange information having the two user identifiers.

The business card exchange information accumulation unit 135, for example, acquires a user identifier paired with the exchange business card information accepted by the exchange business card acceptance unit 122, composes a business card file using the exchange business card information, generates a user identifier that identifies the business card file, stores the business card file paired with the user identifier in the business card file storage unit 113, and stores the business card exchange information having the two user identifiers in the business card exchange information storage unit 112. The process of constructing a business card file using the exchange business card information may be performed by the business card information composition unit 132.

The search unit 136 retrieves from the business card file storage unit 113 one or more pieces of business card information that match the item information included in the search instruction received by the search instruction receiving unit 123.

The search unit 136, for example, retrieves from the business card file storage unit 113 one or more business card files that match the item information included in the search instruction received by the search instruction receiving unit 123.

The search unit 136 preferably checks a specific area (e.g., a header section or a footer section) of the business card file to see whether it contains information corresponding to the item information included in the search instruction received by the search instruction receiving unit 123, and obtains one or more pieces of business card information from the business card file storage unit 113.

If the search instruction includes image item information, the search unit 136 performs an image search to determine whether the image item information is included in the business card file, and obtains one or more pieces of business card information from the business card file storage unit 113.

The output unit 14 outputs information. The information is, for example, the search results of the search unit 136. The search results are, for example, business card information (e.g., business card files). That is, the output unit 14 outputs, for example, one or more business card files acquired by the search unit 136.

In addition, output here usually means transmission to the terminal device 2, but it may also be a concept that includes display on a display, projection using a projector, printing on a printer, sound output, storage on a recording medium, and delivery of the processing results to other processing devices or other programs, etc.

The terminal storage unit 21 constituting the terminal device 2 stores various types of information. The various types of information include, for example, a user identifier, business card creation information, and exchanged business card information.

The terminal reception unit 22 receives various instructions and information. Examples of the instructions and information include business card creation information, order information, business card exchange information, and search instructions.

The device processing unit 23 performs various types of processing. For example, various types of processing are processing to convert instructions and information accepted by the device accepting unit 22 into instructions and information with a data structure to be transmitted. For example, various types of processing are processing to convert information received by the device receiving unit 25 into information with a data structure to be output.

The terminal transmission unit 24 transmits various instructions and information. Examples of the instructions and information include business card creation information, order information, exchanged business card information, and search instructions.

The terminal receiving unit 25 receives various types of information. The various types of information include, for example, various types of screen information, business card information, business card files, and transfer information.

The terminal output unit 26 outputs various information, such as various screens, business card information, business card files, and transfer information.

The storage unit 11, business card creation information storage unit 111, business card exchange information storage unit 112, business card file storage unit 113, and terminal storage unit 21 are preferably non-volatile recording media, but can also be realized with volatile recording media.

The process by which information is stored in the storage unit 11, etc. is not important. For example, information may be stored in the storage unit 11, etc. via a recording medium, information transmitted via a communication line, etc. may be stored in the storage unit 11, etc., or information inputted via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 11, etc.

The reception unit 12, business card creation information reception unit 121, exchange business card reception unit 122, search instruction reception unit 123, and terminal reception unit 25 are typically realized by wireless or wired communication means, but may also be realized by means of receiving broadcasts.

The processing unit 13, judgment unit 131, business card information composition unit 132, business card storage unit 133, business card processing unit 134, business card exchange information storage unit 135, search unit 136, and terminal processing unit 23 can usually be realized by a processor, memory, etc. The processing procedures of the processing unit 13, etc. are usually realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. However, they may also be realized by hardware (dedicated circuitry). The processor may be, for example, a CPU, MPU, GPU, etc., and the type is not important.

The output unit 14 and the terminal transmission unit 24 are realized, for example, by wireless or wired communication means, but may also be realized by broadcasting means.

The terminal reception unit 22 can be realized by a device driver for an input means such as a touch panel or keyboard, or control software for a menu screen, etc.

The terminal output unit 26 may or may not include an output device such as a display or speaker. The terminal output unit 26 may be realized by driver software for an output device, or by a combination of driver software for an output device and an output device, etc.

Next, an example of the operation of the business card processing system A will be described. First, an example of the operation of the business card processing device 1 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 4.

(Step S401) The business card creation information receiving unit 121 determines whether or not order information has been received. If order information has been received, the process proceeds to step S402, and if order information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S409. The order information includes, for example, business card creation information, the number of orders, a user identifier, etc.

(Step S402) The processing unit 13 acquires the business card creation information, order quantity, user identifier, etc. contained in the order information received in step S401.

(Step S403) The processing unit 13 performs order processing based on the business card creation information and the number of orders, etc. Note that the order processing is, for example, a process of sending business card creation information to a server for printing business cards, a process of charging a user identified by a user identifier based on the number of orders, etc. Note that the order processing may be any process related to an order, and the content thereof is not important. Also, the order processing is a publicly known technology.

(Step S404) The processing unit 13 determines whether the business card creation information contained in the order information received in step S401 already exists in the business card creation information storage unit 111. If it already exists, the process proceeds to step S407, and if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S405.

(Step S405) The business card information construction unit 132 constructs business card information. An example of such business card information construction processing is described using the flowchart in FIG. 5.

(Step S406) The business card accumulation unit 133 accumulates the business card creation information contained in the order information received in step S401 in the business card creation information storage unit 111, in association with the business card information configured in step S405.

(Step S407) The business card processing unit 134 judges whether or not to perform the specified processing. If the specified processing is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S408, and if the specified processing is not to be performed, the process returns to step S401. Note that the specified processing is to be performed, for example, when it is judged in step S404 that the business card creation information contained in the order information is not already present in the business card creation information storage unit 111.

(Step S408) The business card processing unit 134 performs a predetermined process. Return to step S401. An example of such a process will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 6.

(Step S409) The exchange business card reception unit 122 determines whether or not exchange business card information has been received. If exchange business card information has been received, the process proceeds to step S410; if exchange business card information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S415.

(Step S410) The business card exchange information storage unit 135 acquires the exchanged business card information received in step S409.

(Step S411) The business card exchange information accumulation unit 135 determines whether business card information having item information matching two or more item information contained in the exchanged business card information acquired in step S410 exists in the business card file storage unit 113. If it already exists, the process proceeds to step S412; if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S414.

(Step S412) The business card information composition unit 132 performs business card information composition processing. An example of such business card information composition processing is described using the flowchart in FIG. 5.

(Step S413) The business card information construction unit 132 stores the business card information constructed in step S412 in the business card file storage unit 113.

(Step S414) The business card exchange information accumulation unit 135 acquires business card exchange information using the exchange business card information acquired in step S410 and the user identifier corresponding to the exchange business card information received in step S409, and accumulates the business card exchange information in the business card exchange information storage unit 112. Return to step S401.

(Step S415) The search instruction receiving unit 123 determines whether or not a search instruction has been received. If a search instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S416; if a search instruction has not been received, the process returns to step S401.

(Step S416) The search unit 136 assigns 1 to counter i.

(Step S417) The search unit 136 determines whether the i-th business card file exists in the business card file storage unit 113. If the i-th business card file exists, the process proceeds to step S418; if not, the process proceeds to step S423.

(Step S418) The search unit 136 retrieves the i-th business card file from the business card file storage unit 113 and opens the business card file.

(Step S419) The search unit 136 obtains, from the i-th business card file, item information that pairs with one or more item identifiers contained in the search conditions included in the search instruction received in step S415.

(Step S420) The search unit 136 determines whether the item information paired with each of the one or more item identifiers acquired in step S419 matches the search conditions. If the item information matches the search conditions, the process proceeds to step S421. If the item information does not match the search conditions, the process proceeds to step S422.

(Step S421) The search unit 136 temporarily stores the business card file identifier of the i-th business card file in a buffer (not shown).

(Step S422) The search unit 136 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S417.

(Step S423) The output unit 14 transmits the search result, which is the business card file identified by the business card file identifier stored in a buffer (not shown), to the terminal device 2 that transmitted the search instruction. Return to step S401. Note that here, if the search unit 136 is unable to acquire the business card file, it transmits a search result to the terminal device 2 indicating that no business card file matching the search conditions exists.

In the flowchart in Figure 4, processing ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt occurs to end processing.

Next, an example of the business card information configuration process in step S405 will be described using the flowchart in Figure 5.

(Step S501) The business card information composition unit 132 obtains layout information corresponding to the business card creation information contained in the order information received in step S401.

(Step S502) The business card information construction unit 132 assigns 1 to counter i.

(Step S503) The business card information composition unit 132 determines whether the i-th item information exists that corresponds to the business card creation information contained in the order information received in step S401. If the i-th item information exists, the process proceeds to step S504; if not, the process proceeds to step S507.

(Step S504) The business card information construction unit 132 obtains the i-th item information from the order information received in step S401.

(Step S505) The business card information composition unit 132 places the i-th item information acquired in step S504 in the area indicated by the item identifier of the i-th item information according to the layout information.

(Step S506) The business card information configuration unit 132 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S503.

(Step S507) The business card information construction unit 132 images the information in which two or more pieces of information are arranged according to the layout information, and obtains a business card image.

(Step S508) The business card information composition unit 132 generates a new file.

(Step S509) The business card information construction unit 132 writes the business card image data to the file generated in step S508. The business card information construction unit 132 writes the business card image data, for example, to the main body of the file.

(Step S510) The business card information construction unit 132 assigns 1 to counter i.

(Step S511) The business card information composition unit 132 determines whether the i-th item information is present in the business card creation information contained in the order information received in step S401. If the i-th item information is present, the process proceeds to step S508; if not, the process proceeds to step S515.

(Step S512) The business card information construction unit 132 obtains the i-th item identifier and item information pair from the order information received in step S401.

(Step S513) The business card information composition unit 132 adds the pair of the i-th item identifier and item information acquired in step S512 to a specified location in the file. The business card information composition unit 132 writes the pair of the i-th item identifier and item information, for example, to the header or footer of the file. The area in which the item information is written may differ depending on the item identifier. For example, the business card information composition unit 132 may write the item information of the text data to the header of the file, and write images such as photographs to the footer of the file.

(Step S514) The business card information configuration unit 132 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S511.

(Step S515) The business card information construction unit 132 closes the file.

(Step S516) The business card information configuration unit 132 acquires a business card file identifier, which is the identifier of the destroyed file. The business card file identifier includes, for example, a user identifier.

(Step S517) The business card information configuration unit 132 accumulates the business card file, which is a file having the name of the business card file identifier obtained in step S516, in the business card file storage unit 113. Then it returns to the upper level processing.

Next, an example of the predetermined processing in step S408 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 6.

(Step S601) The business card processing unit 134 applies two or more items of information to the template in the storage unit 11 to generate transfer information for the user.

(Step S602) The business card processing unit 134 acquires a user identifier. Note that this user identifier is the identifier of the user of the received order information.

(Step S603) The business card processing unit 134 refers to the business card exchange information storage unit 112 and acquires one or more other user identifiers that correspond to the user identifier acquired in step S602.

(Step S604) The business card processing unit 134 assigns 1 to counter i.

(Step S605) The business card processing unit 134 determines whether the i-th other user identifier is present among the other user identifiers acquired in step S603. If the i-th other user identifier is present, the process proceeds to step S606, and if the i-th other user identifier is not present, the process proceeds to step S609.

(Step S606) The business card processing unit 134 obtains notification destination information that pairs with the i-th other user identifier from the storage unit 11.

(Step S607) The business card processing unit 134 sends the change information acquired in step S601 to the notification destination indicated by the notification destination information acquired in step S606.

(Step S608) The business card processing unit 134 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S605.

(Step S609) The business card processing unit 134 acquires the constructed business card file.

(Step S610) The business card processing unit 134 sends the business card file acquired in step S609 to the terminal device 2 that sent the order information. Then it returns to the upper level processing.

Next, an example of the operation of the terminal device 2 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 7.

(Step S701) The terminal reception unit 22 determines whether or not the order information has been received. If the order information has been received, the process proceeds to step S702. If the order information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S707.

(Step S702) The device processing unit 23 obtains the user identifier from the device storage unit 21.

(Step S703) The terminal transmission unit 24 transmits information including the order information accepted in step S701 and the user identifier acquired in step S702 to the business card processing device 1.

(Step S704) In response to the transmission of the order information, the terminal receiving unit 25 determines whether or not a business card file has been received. If a business card file has been received, the process proceeds to step S705; if a business card file has not been received, the process proceeds to step S706.

(Step S705) The terminal output unit 26 outputs the business card file received in step S704. Return to step S701.

(Step S706) The device processing unit 23 determines whether or not a timeout has occurred. If a timeout has occurred, the process returns to step S701. If a timeout has not occurred, the process returns to step S704. Note that a timeout occurs when a time equal to or greater than a threshold has elapsed since the order information, etc. was sent.

(Step S707) The terminal reception unit 22 determines whether or not the exchanged business card information has been received. If the exchanged business card information has been received, the process proceeds to step S708. If the exchanged business card information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S710.

(Step S708) The device processing unit 23 obtains the user identifier from the device storage unit 21.

(Step S709) The terminal transmission unit 24 transmits information including the exchanged business card information accepted in step S707 and the user identifier acquired in step S708 to the business card processing device 1. Return to step S701.

(Step S710) The terminal reception unit 22 determines whether or not a search instruction has been received. If a search instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S711. If a search instruction has not been received, the process returns to step S701.

(Step S711) The terminal transmission unit 24 transmits the search instruction received in step S710 to the business card processing device 1.

(Step S712) The terminal receiving unit 25 determines whether or not the search results have been received. If the search results have been received, the process proceeds to step S713; if the search results have not been received, the process returns to step S712.

(Step S713) The terminal output unit 26 outputs the search results received in step S712. Return to step S701. The search results are, for example, one or more business card files.

The specific operation of business card processing system A in this embodiment will be described below. A conceptual diagram of business card processing system A is shown in Figure 1.

Now, assume that the business card creation information storage unit 111 stores a business card creation information management table having the structure shown in Figure 8. The business card creation information management table is a table that manages business card creation information. The business card creation information management table here manages one or more records having an "ID", "user identifier", "password", "item information", and "layout information identifier". The "item information" here includes "first name (Japanese)", "email", "company name", "user image", etc.

The business card exchange information storage unit 112 stores a business card exchange information management table having the structure shown in FIG. 9. The business card exchange information management table is a table that manages business card exchange information. Here, the business card exchange information management table manages one or more records having an "ID," "user identifier," and "other user identifier." The "other user identifier" is the identifier of another user who has received (registered) a business card from the user identified by the user identifier.

The storage unit 11 also stores a layout information management table as shown in FIG. 10. The layout information management table manages one or more records having a "layout information identifier" and "layout information". In FIG. 10, the "layout information" is information indicating that item information corresponding to each tag is placed at the position of each tag. Font attribute values such as font, font size, and color of each tag are also included in the layout information, and the item information is placed in the business card image with an appearance according to the font attribute values of the corresponding tag. The "layout information" may also include layout information for the front of the business card and layout information for the back of the business card.

Furthermore, it is assumed that the business card file storage unit 113 stores a business card information management table having the structure shown in FIG. 11. The business card information management table is a table for managing business card information. Here, the business card information management table is a table for managing business card files. The business card information management table has one or more records having an "ID", a "business card file (business card information)", and a "file name". The "ID" here corresponds to the "ID" in FIG. 8. In other words, the "ID" in the business card creation information management table for a user's business card creation information matches the "ID" in the business card information management table for the business card information of the user. Also, the "business card file (business card information)" is a file having a header section, a body section, and a footer section. The "file name" has a user identifier and is a unique file name. Note that the business card file storage unit 113 may be considered here as a folder for managing business card files.

In this situation, the following three specific examples will be explained. Specific example 1 is when a user is transferred to a different department and orders new business cards to be made. Specific example 2 is when searching for business card files using item information from text as a key. Specific example 3 is when searching for business card files using item information from images.

(Specific Example 1)
Assume now that an order screen for ordering printing of business cards is displayed on the terminal device 2 used by the user "Yamamoto Uko." The user then inputs his/her item information (first and last name, title, phone number, photo (user image), etc.) into the order screen. An example of such a screen is shown in FIG. 12. Next, the user presses the "Register" button 1201 in FIG. 12.

Then, the terminal reception unit 22 of the terminal device 2 receives the set of item information in FIG. 12. Next, the terminal transmission unit 24 transmits the set of item information in FIG. 12 to the business card processing device 1.

Next, the reception unit 12 of the business card processing device 1 receives the set of item information. The determination unit 131 then determines whether or not the received set of item information exists in the business card production information management table of FIG. 8. Here, it is assumed that the determination unit 131 has determined that the received set of item information does not exist in the business card production information management table of FIG. 8.

Next, the business card information composition unit 132 generates a new user identifier "1819". The business card information composition unit 132 then composes a record having the new user identifier "1819" and the set of item information received, and stores the record in the business card creation information management table of FIG. 8.

Next, the output unit 14 obtains screen information that constitutes a screen for selecting layout information from the storage unit 11 and transmits it to the terminal device 2.

The terminal receiving unit 25 of the terminal device 2 receives the screen information. Then, the terminal output unit 26 outputs a screen for selecting layout information.

Then, assume that the user "Yamamoto Uko" selects the layout information identifier "L02" and selects the "Order" button 1301. An example of such a screen is shown in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, an image of the business card of "Yamamoto Uko" is displayed using the layout information identified by the layout information identifier "L02".

Next, the terminal reception unit 22 receives order information having the layout information identifier "L02" and the user identifier "1819" of "Yamamoto Uko." Note that the user identifier "1819" is also information that identifies a collection of item information for "Yamamoto Uko."

Next, the terminal transmission unit 24 transmits order information having the layout information identifier "L02" and "1819" (user identifier) that identifies two or more items of information to the business card processing device 1.

Next, the business card creation information receiving unit 121 of the business card processing device 1 receives the order information.

Next, the processing unit 13 acquires two or more pieces of item information "<Name (Japanese)> Yamamoto Yuko", <Name (English)> Yuko Yamamoto, <Title> Chief, <Company name> Sansan Co., Ltd., <TEL> 03-1111-1234, <E-mail> y.sansan@sansan.com..." that are paired with "1819" which identifies two or more pieces of item information contained in the received order information. Then, the processing unit 13 performs order processing. As a result of this order processing, printing of a new business card for Yamamoto Yuko is proceeded.

Next, the business card information composition unit 132 obtains layout information that pairs with the received layout information identifier "L02" from the layout information management table in FIG. 10. The business card information composition unit 132 also obtains two or more pieces of item information. The business card information composition unit 132 then arranges the two or more pieces of item information according to the obtained layout information to compose a business card image. Here, since the layout information has two pieces, one for the front and one for the back of the business card, the business card information composition unit 132 composes two images (front and back) that make up the business card image.

Next, the business card information composition unit 132 creates a new file whose name includes the user identifier "1819". The business card information composition unit 132 then writes the business card image into the main body of the file. The business card information composition unit 132 also writes the character string information from the two or more pieces of item information, paired with the item information identifier, into the header of the file. Furthermore, the business card information composition unit 132 writes the user image (photograph) from the two or more pieces of item information, paired with the item information identifier, into the footer of the file. The file is then closed.

Through the above process, a business card file for the user "Yamamoto Uko" has been created. The file name of this business card file is, for example, "1819.pdf." An example of the business card file for the user "Yamamoto Uko" is shown in Figure 14.

In FIG. 14, text item information is placed in the header section, and image item information is placed in the footer section. However, the placement position of such item information is not important. However, it is preferable that the placement areas of the text item information and the image item information are different.

By performing the above process, when business card creation information is received that can obtain two or more pieces of information that make up a business card and business card layout information, the business card creation information and business card information can be stored in association with each other.

The business card processing unit 134 also performs transfer information transmission processing and business card information transmission processing as follows.

In other words, the business card processing unit 134 obtains the template (Figure 3) from the storage unit 11, applies two or more items of information for the obtained "Yamamoto Uko" to the template, and constructs the transfer information for that user (see Figure 15).

Next, the business card processing unit 134 acquires the user identifier "1819". Next, the business card processing unit 134 refers to the business card exchange information management table in FIG. 9 and acquires one or more other user identifiers, such as "1010" and "1081", that correspond to the user identifier acquired in step S602.

Next, the business card processing unit 134 obtains the email address that pairs with the other user identifiers "1010", "1081", etc. from the business card creation information management table in FIG. 8. Then, the business card processing unit 134 sends the transfer information of "Yamamoto Uko" in FIG. 15 to the email address that pairs with the user identifiers "1010", "1081", etc.

In this way, when an order for a business card is accepted, a user can send transfer information about that user to other people who have received the business card.

The business card processing unit 134 also transmits the constructed business card file (Figure 14) to Yamamoto Uko's terminal device 2.

Next, Yamamoto Uko's terminal device 2 receives and stores the business card file (Figure 14). Through this process, Yamamoto Uko can use her business card file for various purposes. Examples of various purposes include electronic business card exchange, business card exchange during a web conference, and requesting printing from another printing company.

(Specific Example 2)
Now, assume that the user inputs search conditions into the business card file search screen on the terminal device 2 as shown in Fig. 16 and selects the "Search" button 1601. The terminal reception unit 22 of the terminal device 2 then receives the search instruction "<First name (Japanese)> Yamamoto Ueko, <Company name> Sansan Co., Ltd." Next, the terminal transmission unit 24 transmits the received search instruction to the business card processing device 1.

Next, the search instruction receiving unit 123 of the business card processing device 1 receives the search instruction. Next, the search unit 136 searches the header section of each file in the business card file storage unit 113, and obtains the business card file of "Yamamoto Uko" that has item information in the header section that matches the search instruction "<First name (Japanese)> Yamamoto Uko, <Company name> Sansan Co., Ltd." Next, the output unit 14 transmits the business card file of "Yamamoto Uko" to the terminal device 2 that transmitted the search instruction.

Next, the terminal receiving unit 25 of the terminal device 2 receives the business card file of "Yamamoto Uko." Next, the terminal output unit 26 outputs the business card file of "Yamamoto Uko." An example of such output is shown in FIG. 17. Note that, when outputting the business card file, it is preferable to output the business card image in the main body without outputting information in the footer and header sections.

(Specific Example 3)
Now, suppose that the user inputs search criteria (here, only photo images) into the business card file search screen on the terminal device 2 as shown in Fig. 18 and selects the "Search" button 1801. The terminal reception unit 22 of the terminal device 2 then receives the search instruction "<user image> image file" and the image file (1802). Next, the terminal transmission unit 24 transmits the received search instruction to the business card processing device 1.

Next, the search instruction receiving unit 123 of the business card processing device 1 receives the search instruction. Next, the search unit 136 searches for image data corresponding to the <user image> in the footer section of each file in the business card file storage unit 113, and searches for an image that is identical or similar to the user image that corresponds to the search instruction. Then, the search unit 136 obtains the business card file of the user "Yamada Kenji". Next, the output unit 14 transmits the business card file of "Yamada Kenji" to the terminal device 2 that transmitted the search instruction. Note that the image search technology for searching for identical or similar images is a publicly known technology, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

Next, the terminal receiving unit 25 of the terminal device 2 receives the business card file of "Kenji Yamada." Next, the terminal output unit 26 outputs the business card file of "Kenji Yamada." An example of such output is shown in FIG. 19. Note that, even here, it is preferable that information in the footer and header sections is not output, and only the business card image in the main body section is output.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when information required to create a business card is received, the business card image etc. obtained from the received information can be associated with the received information and managed.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the information required for creating a business card is received, a predetermined action can be performed. Note that the predetermined action can be, for example, sending information regarding the transfer of the user of the business card, sending the business card file to the user of the business card, etc.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the information required to create a business card is received, a business card file can be constructed that includes a business card image and item information that constitutes the business card.

In addition, according to this embodiment, by including business card images and business card item information in one business card file, it becomes easier to handle information related to business cards as a whole.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by including the business card image, item identifiers for business card items, and item information in one business card file, it becomes easier to handle information related to business cards, such as by allowing accurate searches by specifying item identifiers.

The processing in this embodiment may be realized by software. This software may be distributed by software download or the like. This software may also be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. This also applies to the other embodiments in this specification. The software that realizes the business card processing device 1 in this embodiment is a program as follows. In other words, this program causes a computer to function as a business card creation information receiving unit that receives business card creation information from which two or more items of information that constitute a business card and business card layout information can be obtained, a business card information composition unit that composes business card information having a business card image obtained using the business card creation information, and a business card storage unit that associates and stores the business card creation information and the business card information.

Figure 20 also shows the appearance of a computer that executes the programs described in this specification to realize the business card processing device 1 of the various embodiments described above. The above-mentioned embodiments can be realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed thereon. Figure 20 is an overview of this computer system 300, and Figure 21 is a block diagram of system 300.

In FIG. 20, computer system 300 includes computer 301, which includes a CD-ROM drive, keyboard 302, mouse 303, and monitor 304.

In FIG. 21, in addition to a CD-ROM drive 3012, computer 301 includes an MPU 3013, a bus 3014 connected to the CD-ROM drive 3012 etc., a ROM 3015 for storing programs such as a boot-up program, a RAM 3016 connected to the MPU 3013 for temporarily storing instructions for application programs and providing temporary storage space, and a hard disk 3017 for storing application programs, system programs, and data. Although not shown here, computer 301 may further include a network card that provides connection to a LAN.

The program that causes the computer system 300 to execute the functions of the business card processing device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment may be stored on the CD-ROM 3101, inserted into the CD-ROM drive 3012, and then transferred to the hard disk 3017. Alternatively, the program may be sent to the computer 301 via a network (not shown) and stored on the hard disk 3017. The program is loaded into the RAM 3016 when executed. The program may be loaded directly from the CD-ROM 3101 or the network.

The program does not necessarily have to include an operating system (OS) or third-party programs that cause the computer 301 to execute the functions of the business card processing device 1 of the above-described embodiment. The program only needs to include instructions that call appropriate functions (modules) in a controlled manner to obtain the desired results. How the computer system 300 operates is well known, and a detailed description will be omitted.

In the above program, the steps of transmitting information and receiving information do not include processing performed by hardware, such as processing performed by a modem or interface card in the transmission step (processing that is performed only by hardware).

The computer that executes the above program may be a single computer or multiple computers. In other words, it may perform centralized processing or distributed processing.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that two or more communication means present in one device may be realized physically by one medium.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, each process may be realized by centralized processing in a single device, or may be realized by distributed processing in multiple devices.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the business card processing device of the present invention has the effect of being able to manage, when it receives information necessary for creating a business card, the received information in association with the business card image etc. obtained from the received information, making it useful as a business card processing device etc.

A Business Card Processing System 1 Business Card Processing Device 2 Terminal Device 11 Storage Unit 12 Reception Unit 13 Processing Unit 14 Output Unit 21 Terminal Storage Unit 22 Terminal Reception Unit 23 Terminal Processing Unit 24 Terminal Transmission Unit 25 Terminal Reception Unit 26 Terminal Output Unit 111 Business Card Creation Information Storage Unit 112 Business Card Exchange Information Storage Unit 113 Business Card File Storage Unit 121 Business Card Creation Information Reception Unit 122 Exchanged Business Card Reception Unit 123 Search Instruction Reception Unit 131 Determination Unit 132 Business Card Information Composition Unit 133 Business Card Accumulation Unit 134 Business Card Processing Unit 135 Business Card Exchange Information Accumulation Unit 136 Search Unit

Claims (6)

a business card exchange information storage unit for storing one or more pieces of business card exchange information relating to business card exchange between one user and another user;
a business card creation information receiving unit that receives business card creation information from which two or more pieces of information constituting a business card and business card layout information can be acquired;
a business card information constructing unit that constructs business card information having a business card image acquired using the business card creation information;
a business card storage unit that stores the business card creation information and the business card information in association with each other ;
a business card processing unit that transmits change information, which is a part or all of the information contained in the business card information, when the business card information configuration unit configures the business card information ;
The business card processing unit includes:
A business card processing device that determines one or more other users who have exchanged business cards with a user corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information accepting unit, using the one or more business card exchange information in the business card exchange information storage unit, and transmits the change information to the one or more other users determined . The business card processing device according to claim 1, wherein the business card information is a business card file that is a single file having two or more items of information and a business card image. The business card processing unit includes:
3. The business card processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the business card information construction unit constructs the business card information, the business card information constructed by the business card information construction unit is transmitted to a user corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information acceptance unit. a determination unit that determines whether the business card creation information received by the business card creation information receiving unit already exists;
The business card information configuration unit:
The business card processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the determining unit performs an operation only when it determines that the business card does not already exist. A business card processing method realized by a business card processing device including a business card exchange information storage unit in which one or more pieces of business card exchange information relating to business card exchange between one user and another user are stored, a business card creation information receiving unit, a business card information configuration unit, a business card accumulation unit, and a business card processing unit,
a business card creation information receiving step in which the business card creation information receiving unit receives business card creation information from which two or more pieces of information constituting a business card and business card layout information can be obtained;
a business card information construction step in which the business card information construction unit constructs business card information having a business card image acquired by using the business card creation information;
a business card storage step in which the business card storage unit stores the business card creation information and the business card information in association with each other ;
a business card processing step in which the business card processing unit transmits change information, which is a part or all of the information contained in the business card information, when the business card information configuration unit configures the business card information ;
In the business card processing step, one or more other users who have exchanged business cards with the user corresponding to the business card creation information accepted by the business card creation information accepting unit are determined using the one or more business card exchange information in the business card exchange information storage unit, and the change information is sent to the determined one or more other users . Computer,
A program for causing the business card processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 to function as such a device.

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