Communication system, communication method, and program thereof

A communication system, a communication method and program thereof capable of easily constructing a system in which communication between an IC tag and a mobile information terminal having a built-in or externally-attached reader/writer is used. URL information in the Web page for disclosing personal information stored on the IC tag is read by the reader/writer and the information is accessed. A security system is provided in which an alarm is performed for preventing losing an article according to the communication state between the IC tag and the reader/writer, and if an article is lost, its position information can be checked by a mobile information terminal or another terminal device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/JP2004/003711, filed on Mar. 19, 2004, which claims priority of Japanese application numbers 2004-076066, filed on Mar. 17, 2004, 2003-125949, filed on Apr. 30, 2003 and 2003-077615, filed on Mar. 20, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the communication system, communication method and program thereof which is able to construct easily the security system using the information acquisition system which improves the applicability of the business card in various business scenes, or an IC tag using the business card which attached with the IC tag etc.

2. Background Art

Generally speaking, the beginning of business starts with the exchange of business cards, and it is usually common for the foundations of business.

However, many of the business cards actually distributed are only being written with a piece of information, including a title, a name, an address, a telephone number, and a e-mail address and so on in the restricted space which sizes about 9 cm×5 cm.

Since the conventional business card is not attractive, it does not pull interest from anyone. Further, once the conventional business card is kept in a card holder, it does not have utility value in the present business condition.

Recently, a different type of business cards from the conventional one appears on the market increasingly, for example, a business card of color printing or a business card containing a mug shot by development of printing technology.

However, there was a problem that it could not be freed from the conventional business card function.

Given the aspects of the design of the conventional business cards, since the space was restricted, there was a problem that the amount of information which is able to be displayed is restricted and that the information, once printed on the business card, was impossible to immediately rewrite the data printed on the business card.

In recent advancing of the technology of digitalizing of data, the technology of the electronic card notified in the form where the personal information on such as an address, a contact information, etc. is attached to an E-mail is also appearing and spreading on the market.

However, the custom of business card exchanging still exists and there was a problem that an electronic card was not what adapts itself to the present business scene immediately.

These days, RFID technology attracts attention. This RFID technology is the solid recognition technology of recognizing a data carrier with a non-contact method using an electric wave. Using the RFID technology, it provides to carry a lot of information which amounts far exceed the restricted space of the business card.

For example, JP2002-183693 is known as a united technology between the usual business card and the RFID technology as mentioned above.

However, the prior invention indicated in JP2002-183693 is to provide the device which is able to send information correctly to the destination for preventing the reading error of the partner's telephone number and the error of dialing by a simple system configuration. This prior invention only possesses the memory which memorizes the information only indicated on the business card.

Further, the system which consists of a small transmitter and a small receiver is conventionally known as a security system which provides thing-left-behind prevention, prevents luggage theft, etc.

For example, the above-mentioned system consists of a transmitter attached on a bag and a receiver which is carried by the owner of the bag.

A transmitter transmits the electric wave signal of the frequency band which is able to be received by a receiver for every definite period of time, and a receiver reports a warning sound in the state where it became impossible to receive the electric wave signal from the transmitter.

Carrying the function as such a transmitter in a portable telephone is also being realized with the spread of portable telephones these days.

For example, JP11-346389 discloses the portable telephone with a thing-left-behind prevention function which prevents a thing from being left behind because a main phone emits an alarm when communication with a portable telephone as a main phone and a cordless handset the device made to engage with personal belongings is impossible.

And, JP2000-287265 discloses the thing left behind/missing-child prevention device and handheld device which prevent a thing from being left behind and a missing child when an electric wave will stop arriving and a portable telephone will emit sound, if it consists of a cordless handset and a portable telephone as a main phone and a cordless handset separates from the portable telephone beyond a predetermined distance.

Further, JP2001-283351 discloses the thing-left-behind prevention device which consists of a main phone and a cordless handset to prevent a thing from being left behind. According to this prior invention, the main phone transmits an electric wave to a cordless handset at intermittently fixed time, and then shortly after the cordless handset receives this electric wave, the cordless handset will transmit an electric wave to a main phone. The main phone will repeat the cycle of checking the electric wave from a cordless handset, and a main phone reacts and informs by a warning buzzer when this cycle will be out of order.

However, according to the prior art mentioned above, there was a problem that both a main phone device and a cordless handset device must each have a power supply in order to communication each other.

For example, when the cordless handset had been turned off, it could not send a reply to the check signal from a main phone in spite of not having left anything behind. There was a problem that this could cause a the state of continually reporting that there was always a thing left behind.

Then, as mentioned above, it considers using the RFID technology which attracts attention these days.

According to this RFID technology, as compared with the former, updating and adding information are simple and easy, and package recognition for a plurality of solids is able to be carried out at the same time.

A power supply is unnecessary on this data carrier itself, and it is the mechanism of operating according to the power supply of the reader/writer which performs the reading and writing to a data carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first purpose of the present invention is to provide the communication system, communication method and program thereof for reading URL information memorized in the IC tag, accessing automatically to the contents corresponding to the URL information and acquiring the corresponding information by way of using the information-and-telecommunications terminal that carries the reader/writer function which the business card recipient owns.

The second purpose of the present invention is to provide the communication system, communication method and program thereof for informing certainly to a user that an article left behind or missing child exits by way of using the IC tag which does not need a power supply with a non-contact method and is easy to attach.

The present invention according to a first embodiment of the present invention provides a communication system comprising an IC tag attached on a business card; a first information-and-telecommunication terminal which carries reader function to the IC tag attached on the business card; and a server which is able to distribute contents corresponding to information memorized in the IC tag; wherein the first information-and-telecommunications terminal accesses the server by reading access information memorized in the IC tag by the reader function, and acquiring and displaying the contents corresponding to the access information concerned.

The present invention further provides the communication system comprising a second information-and-telecommunication terminal which carries reader/writer function, which is owned by a distributor of the business card; wherein the second information-and-telecommunication terminal accesses the server and performs creation/renewal of the contents.

The present invention according to the first embodiment still further provides the communication system wherein the second information-and-telecommunication terminal writes the access information of created and updated contents in the IC tag by the reader/writer function.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the second information-and-telecommunication terminal is characterized by arbitrarily changing in information disclosure level of the contents for every receipt person of the business card.

The present invention according to the first embodiment still further provides the communication system wherein the contents are personal information of the distributor of the business card.

The present invention according to a second embodiment provides a communication method applied to a communication system including an IC tag attached on a business card, a first information-and-telecommunication terminal which carries a reader function to the IC tag attached to the business card, a second information-and-telecommunication terminal which carries a reader/writer function, which is owned by a distributor of the business card and a server which is able to distribute contents corresponding to information memorized in the IC tag, wherein the first information-and-telecommunication terminal comprises a reading step for reading access information memorized in the IC tag by the reader function; an acquiring step for acquiring contents corresponding to the access information by way of accessing the server, and a displaying step for displaying the acquired contents corresponding to the access information; wherein the second information-and-telecommunication terminal characterized by comprising the steps of: creating and updating step for creating and updating the contents by way of accessing the server, writing step for writing access information of the created and updated contents in the IC tag by way of using the reader/writer function.

The present invention according to the second embodiment further provides the communication method wherein the second information-and-telecommunication terminal also has a setting step for setting change of information disclosure level of the contents arbitrarily for every receipt person of the business card.

The present invention further provides the communication method wherein the contents offer personal information of a distribution person of the business card.

The present invention provides a communication program applied to a communication system including an IC tag attached on a business card, a first information-and-telecommunication terminal which carries a reader function to the IC tag attached to the business card, a second information-and-telecommunication terminal which carries a reader/writer function, which is owned by a distributor of the business card and a server which is able to distribute contents corresponding to information memorized in the IC tag, wherein the first information-and-telecommunication terminal comprises a reading process for reading URL information as access information memorized in the IC tag by the reader function; an acquiring process for acquiring contents corresponding to the access information by way of accessing the server, and a displaying process for displaying the acquired contents corresponding to the access information; wherein the second information-and-telecommunication terminal includes a creating and updating process for creating and updating the contents by accessing the server, and a writing process for writing access information of the created and updated contents in the IC tag by using the reader/writer function.

The present invention further provides the communication program wherein the second information-and-telecommunication terminal further has a setting process for setting change of information disclosure level of the contents arbitrarily for every receipt person of the business card.

According to the second embodiment, the present invention still further provides the communication program wherein the contents offer personal information of a distribution person of the business card.

According to a third embodiment, the present invention provides a communication system comprising: an IC tag attached on an object, a reader/writer provided with a function which communicates with the IC tag for every predetermined time; a mobile information terminal which carries the reader/writer, wherein the mobile information terminal has a first alarm emission function for emitting a first alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible; a second alarm emission function for emitting a second alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes possible; a position information acquisition function for acquiring a position information of the mobile information terminal when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible; and a display function for displaying the position information which is acquired by the position information acquisition function.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the mobile information terminal suitably changes the timing for acquiring the position information by the position information acquisition function in accordance with electric wave environment, when communication of the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible.

The present invention provides the communication system according to the third embodiment wherein the IC tag gives a unique identification number and setting change of correlation data with the object being arbitrarily possible via the reader/writer from the mobile information terminal.

The present invention still further provides the communication system wherein the first alarm and the second alarm are different or have the same sound, luminescence, vibration or screen information, or its combination, and setting change is arbitrarily possible from the mobile information terminal.

The present invention also provides the communication system wherein the position information acquisition function acquires the position information based on received electric wave intensity with two or more base stations.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the position information acquisition function acquires the position information by communication with a GPS Satellite via base stations.

The present invention still further provides the communication system wherein the mobile information terminal is connected with a management server via a communication line and provides the function which transmits the first alarm and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition function to the management server.

The present invention further provides the communication system herein the management server provides an information program about the communications system using the IC tag and offers information about a lost article in the information program for a terminal device which is able to be accessed via the communication line.

The present invention according to a fourth embodiment provides a communication program applied to a communication system including an IC tag attached on an object, a reader/writer provided with a function which communicates with the IC tag for every predetermined time, and a mobile information terminal which carries the reader/writer, wherein the mobile information terminal has a first alarm emission process for emitting a first alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible; a second alarm emission process for emitting a second alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes possible; a position information acquisition process for acquiring a position information of the mobile information terminal when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible; and a display process for displaying the position information which is acquired by the position information acquisition process.

The present invention according to the fourth embodiment provides the communication program wherein the mobile information terminal is connected with a management server via a communication line and provides a process which transmits the first alarm and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition process to the management server.

The present invention still further provides the communication program wherein the mobile information terminal provides a process which restricts functions of the mobile information terminal when the mobile information terminal is in a missing condition.

The present invention further provides the communication program wherein the position information acquisition process changes the acquisition timing of the position information according to electric wave environment.

The present invention according to a fifth embodiment provides a communication system comprising: an IC tag attached on an object; a reader/writer provided with a function which communicates with the IC tag for every predetermined time; and a mobile information terminal which carries the reader/writer, wherein the mobile information terminal emits a first alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible, emits a second alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes possible; wherein the first alarm and the second alarm are different or have the same sound, luminescence, vibration or screen information, or its combination, and setting change is arbitrarily possible from the mobile information terminal.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the mobile information terminal detects and temporarily memorizes the position information of the mobile information terminal when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag is possible, and displays the position information which is temporarily memorized when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible.

The present invention according to a sixth embodiment provides a communication system comprising: an IC tag attached on an object; a reader/writer provided with a function which communicates with the IC tag for every predetermined time; and a mobile information terminal which carries the reader/writer, wherein the mobile information terminal detects and temporarily memorizes the position information of the mobile information terminal when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag is possible, emits an alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible, and displays the position information which is memorized temporarily.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the IC tag having given an unique identification number and setting change of correlation data with the object being arbitrarily possible via the reader/writer from the mobile information terminal.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the mobile information terminal emits a first alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible, and emits a second alarm when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes possible.

The present invention still further provides the communication system wherein the first alarm and the second alarm are different or have the same sound, luminescence, vibration or screen information, or its combination, and the setting change being arbitrarily possible from the mobile information terminal.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the mobile information terminal detects and temporarily memorizes the position information of the mobile information terminal using two or more base stations when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag is possible, and displays the position information which is memorized temporarily when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible.

The present invention still further provides the communication system wherein the mobile information terminal has a GPS function, detects and temporarily memorizes the position information of the mobile information terminal by communication with a GPS satellite via base stations, and displays the position information which is memorized temporarily when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag becomes impossible.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the mobile information terminal acquires the position information of the mobile information terminal by communication with the GPS Satellite and the base stations whenever communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag is performed, and overwrites and updates the acquired position information on the position information that is memorized temporarily.

The present invention according to a sixth embodiment provides a communication program applied to a communication system including an IC tag attached on an object, a reader/writer provided with a function which communicates with the IC tag for every predetermined time, and a mobile information terminal which carries the reader/writer, wherein the mobile information terminal has a communication control process which controls communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag; and a position information detection/memory process which detects the position information of the mobile information terminal and memorizes the detected position information temporarily when communication with the reader/writer and the IC tag is possible.

The present invention further provides the communication system wherein the business card is attached with the IC tag or is attached with a bar code which includes URL information instead of attaching with the IC tag, and wherein the first information-and-telecommunication terminal consists of a reader function for reading the bar code attached on the business card, accesses to the contents management server by reading the access information included in the bar code using the reader function, and displays contents corresponding to the access information which is acquired from the contents management server.

According to the present invention, the business card receipt person is able to acquire the Web page information corresponding to the URL information memorized beforehand in the IC tag and can check the contents easily by reading the information memorized in the IC tag, by way of using the information-and-telecommunications terminal which the business card receipt person owns.

According to the present invention, the business card receipt person who received the business card to which is attached the IC tag written in the URL information of the business card distribution person's homepage was given is able to access the contents management server using the information-and-telecommunications terminal which the business card receipt person owns. The business card receipt person is able to check the information on the business card distribution person's homepage easily and the business card distribution person is able to update the contents of the homepage easily from the information-and-telecommunications terminal which the business card distribution person owns.

According to the present invention, since a setting change of the permitted level of personal information is able to be arbitrarily made for every visitor by a business card distribution person, an invasion of privacy is able to be prevented beforehand by setting up low the permitted level to the person by whom neither the first meeting nor a confidential relation is constructed.

According to the present invention, a security system is able to be easily constructed only by sticking or equipping personal belongings with the IC tag of a non-contact method, and equipping the portable telephone which a user owns with the reader/writer which communicates with the IC tag concerned.

According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to carry a power supply in order for an IC tag to transform into electric power the radio electric wave transmitted from the reader/writer and to transmit a reply signal, the fault that a system is not able to be used according to a dead battery is fully cancelable.

According to the present invention, since sound, luminescence, vibration, text information, picture information, etc. report to a user the alarm which reports that a thing left behind exists, and the alarm which shows that a thing left behind exists in the neighborhood, the existence of a thing left behind is able to be certainly reported.

According to the present invention, the position information on the object on which the IC tag attached is displayed on a portable telephone when a reader/writer and an IC tag are impossible to communicate, then the user is able to grasp easily the position information in which a thing left behind exists.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Hereafter, the embodiment of the communication system, communication method and program thereof concerning the present invention is explained in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment of the communication system, communication method and program thereof concerning the present invention is shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 18.

FIG. 1is a system configuration figure showing the outline of the communication system using the IC tag which is the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in theFIG. 1, the communication system using the IC tag which is the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an information-and-telecommunications terminal10, a business card20with which the IC tag of the non-contact method is attached, and a contents management server30.

The information-and-telecommunications terminal10and the contents management server30is able to communicate via the internet network100.

The information-and-telecommunications terminal10is a portable telephone (PHS and PDA are included) provided with the usual transceiver function, and also provided with the indication unit and the control unit.

The information-and-telecommunications terminal10is a terminal which is owned by the user who is a business card receiver and is under the environment which is able to access the contents management server30via the Internet network100.

Further, the information-and-telecommunications terminal10carries the reader function to read the information memorized in the IC tag21attached on the business card20.

In addition, the information-and-telecommunications terminal10may not have only the reader function but also the writer function. It may be those functions built in the information-and-telecommunications terminal10as well as it is built out as an external device.

The business card20is the usual business card used on a business scene and a corporate name, his affiliation post name, an executive name, a name, an address, a telephone number, a facsimile number, an e-mail address, etc. were printed on business card20.

The IC tag (it is also called IC seal)21is attached on a part of the business card20.

The IC tag21operates by receiving the radio electric wave of a specific frequency band.

The IC tag21is provided with the function as a recording medium, and a serial identification number (hereafter called serial number) which does not overlap and is recorded in the IC tag21in a manufacturing stage beforehand, or recoded in the IC tag21in afterwards.

The IC tag21is formed as an IC chip which consists of CPU211, ROM212, RAM213, EEPROM214, coprocessor215, I/F(interface)216and antenna (loop antenna)217allocated so that the periphery of the IC chip may be surrounded.

The shape in particular of the IC tag21is not limited, and should just be provided with composition which was mentioned above.

The contents management server30is a computer server which manages the contents for distributing through the network and communicates to the information-and-telecommunications terminal10via the internet network100.

The contents management server30manages many kinds of contents data, and it possesses the database for managing information including the access history to each contents and the access frequency information, etc.

The contents management server30possesses a list of visitors data which is generated automatically based on the access history or access frequency.

FIG. 2is a sequence chart which shows the example of the communication system using the IC tag which is the first embodiment of the present invention of operation.

First, business card receipt person A, who received the business card20, holds up the information-and-telecommunications terminal10on the IC tag21attached on the business card20concerned. Then, the information-and-telecommunications terminal10(IC tag reading mode working) transmits a read-out demand of URL information to the IC tag21by a reader function (Step S1).

The information-and-telecommunications terminal10starts an application program automatically (Step S3), and it accesses to the contents management server30via the internet network100based on the URL information acquired from the IC tag21(Step S4).

The information-and-telecommunications terminal10may carry the application program beforehand, or it may be made to download it from the contents management server30at the time of system use.

The contents management server30transmits the contents (Web page) corresponding to the transmitted URL information to access from the information-and-telecommunications terminal10(Step S5).

The information-and-telecommunications terminal10displays the Web page transmitted from the contents management server30(Step S6).

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, only by reading the information on the IC tag attached on the received business card with the information-and-telecommunications terminal10which the business card receipt person A owns, the contents (Web page) corresponding to the URL information beforehand memorized in the IC tag21is able to be acquired, and the contents are able to be checked easily by the business card receipt person A.

FIG. 3is a system configuration figure showing the outline of the communication system using the IC tag, which is the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 3, the communication system using the IC tag which is the second embodiment of the present invention, includes an information-and-telecommunications terminal10which the business card receipt person A owns, a business card20with which the IC tag of the non-contact method is attached, a contents management server30, and an information-and-telecommunications terminal40which the business card distribution person B owns.

The information-and-telecommunications terminal10, the contents management server30and the information-and-telecommunications terminal40are able to communicate via the internet network100.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the business card distribution person B starts a personal homepage (Web page), and he is able to update the contents of his personal homepage at any time.

About the same component described in the first embodiment mentioned above, the same numerals are attached and the explanation is omitted.

The information-and-telecommunications terminal40is a portable telephone (PHS and PDA are included) provided with the usual transceiver function, and is also provided with the indication unit and the control unit.

The information-and-telecommunications terminal40is a terminal which owned by the user who is a business card distributor and is under the environment which is able to access the contents management server30via the Internet network100.

Further, the information-and-telecommunications terminal40carries the reader function to read the information memorized in the IC tag21attached on the business card20and also carries the writer function to write the information to the IC tag21.

In addition, the reader function and the writer function may be built in the information-and-telecommunications terminal40as well as it is built as an external device, and the writer function is able to write information two or more IC tags at the same time.

FIG. 4is a sequence chart which shows the example of the writing of the URL information from homepage creation of personal information to an IC tag of operation in the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, the information-and-telecommunications terminal40which business card distribution person B owns is accessed via the internet network100to the contents management server30, and the download request of the application program for exclusive use about system use is transmitted to the contents management server30(Step S11).

The contents management server30transmits member ID and individual URL to the information-and-telecommunications terminal40, after performing a predetermined system use registration procedure to the download request from the information-and-telecommunications terminal40(Step S12).

When the member ID and the individual URL are transmitted to the information-and-telecommunications terminal40from the contents management server30, in order that it may start a business card distribution person B individual's homepage (Web page), information registration processing of a homepage is performed (Step S13).

FIG. 5is a figure showing an example of information used for information registration of a homepage.

As a homepage started individually, although there is a personal private page and a business page for companies, one person is able not to necessarily restrict to one and to register two or more homepages.

According to the information fromFIG. 5, although “□” is defined as an indispensable input item and “▪” is considered as arbitrary input items, each of these items is able to be specified alternatively.

It is only performing easy input process using the control unit of the information-and-telecommunications terminal40since input form with the constant information is beforehand offered by the contents management server30, as it shows business card distribution person B who becomes the information registration side inFIG. 6.

In Step S13, the contents management server30, which is transmitting homepage information, starts the program for creating a homepage automatically and creates a homepage of the business card distribution person B automatically (Step S14), then notifies a notice of the completion process of registration about the created homepage to information-and-telecommunications terminal40(Step S15).

The information of the homepage, which registration process completed, is stored in the memory of the information-and-telecommunications terminal40and is able to be checked at any time.

When the information-and-telecommunications terminal40receives the notice of the completion of registration process of a homepage from the contents management server30, the write-in mode to the IC tag is started by the business card distribution person B (Step S16), and the information-and-telecommunications terminal40performs to write the member ID and the URL information on a homepage in the IC tag21, that arranged in the neighborhood, by the reader/writer function (Step S17).

The IC tag21transmits the notice of write-in completion, when the write-in processing by the information-and-telecommunications terminal40is completed (Step S18).

The information-and-telecommunications terminal40is able to verify that member ID and URL information were certainly written in the IC tag21by checking the notice of write-in completion transmitted from the IC tag21.

At the time of renewal of a homepage, the contents management server30is accessed from the information-and-telecommunications terminal40, and transmits a name, member ID, URL information, etc. and a correction term is inputted into predetermined correction form by the user and transmitted them after choosing a correction term from a selection screen as shown inFIG. 7.

In the contents management server30, it is able to be updated easily since the updating data is automatically carried out by the corrected contents to the newest data.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the business card receipt person A, who received the business card attached with the IC tag which memorized the URL information of the homepage started by the business card distribution person B and his member ID, is able to check the business card distribution person B's homepage easily by accessing the contents management server30using the information-and-telecommunications terminal10as mentioned in the example of the first embodiment above.

The service mentioned-above is able to be used if the business card distribution person B pays a monthly amount utilization charge to the administrator of the contents management server30.

The third embodiment of the present invention makes a setting change of the information disclosure level in business card distribution person's B personal information homepage (private data) arbitrarily based on the visitor list currently kept in the database of contents management server30.

FIG. 8is a figure showing the example at the time of setting up information disclosure level in three steps.

As shown inFIG. 8, there is a danger of easily infringing on privacy since it may be used in the private data also as a place which releases personal information, such as a personal secret.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, personal relationships are classified into the following three levels and a business card distribution person is able to make a setting change of the information disclosure level arbitrarily from the information-and-telecommunications terminal.

Information disclosure level 1 (□) First meeting level

Information disclosure level 2 (∘) Friend level

Further, the information disclosure level set-up once is able to be changed suitably and easily, and it is able to be set-up for every visitor depending on how close to its relation.

In the case of releasing no personal information, or when it is judged that the writing to a bulletin board is unsuitable, it is also possible to access the contents management server from the information-and-telecommunications terminal in order to refuse the access from a specific visitor or to delete a record of a visitor who is a write-in person to a bulletin board.

In the case of business data, it is not necessary to set-up the information disclosure level because the business data is usually opened to the public, but it is possible to set-up arbitrarily. If the person who writes to a bulletin board page unsuitably, he is able to be deleted by the above-mentioned method.

FIG. 9is a figure showing the example of a screen of access refusal/permitted level set-up.

The visitor table currently kept by the database is shown inFIG. 9(a), and it is possible to change set-up, such as “deletion (access refusal)” and “level change” on this screen.

The deletion report screen as shown inFIG. 9(b) or the level change notice screen as shown inFIG. 9(c) is displayed at the time of access from a visitor who is deleted or level changed by the set-up.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, since a setting change of the permitted level of personal information is able to be arbitrarily made for every visitor, therefore, it prevents from the invasion of privacy beforehand by setting up the permitted level low to the person by whom neither the first meeting person nor an unconfident related person.

Each embodiment mentioned above is a suitable embodiment of the present invention, and it is possible to change within limits which do not deviate from the main point of the present invention variously, and to carry out.

For example, the method of printing URL information on a business card may be used with an IC tag or without using an IC tag, indicating or memorizing as bar code information (one dimension/two dimensions).

For another example, after the information-and-telecommunications terminal which prepares a bar code reader function for the case where it is printed as bar code information performs reading operation, it is also possible to be made to perform access processing based on the read URL information.

It is possible to provide suitably additional services, such as members' affinity fortune-telling service etc. which is uniquely managed by the contents management server side to the member who performed use registration of this system.

It is also possible to provide suitably additional services, such as address book creation service based on the data of the visitor list managed in the database and simultaneous notice service to the mail address further specified arbitrarily from the visitor list.

Further, it is possible to use the present invention for a private scene or a business scene and not only the business card but it is possible to attach the IC tag, which memorized the URL information on the homepage which opened beforehand, on the pamphlets for an advertisement and distribute them.

FIG. 10is a figure showing the outline composition of the communication system using the IC tag which is the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

InFIG. 10, the communication system using the IC tag which is the fourth embodiment of the present invention is consisted of portable telephone50, reader/writer51carried in the portable telephone50and IC tag (IC seal)61with which attached on personal belongings60such as a bag, a notebook, a key case and a wallet, etc.

The portable telephone50is a usual portable telephone (PHS is also included) provided with the usual transceiver function, and also provided with the indication unit and the control unit.

The portable telephone50downloads the application program for using the system concerned on the website connected via an Internet network and performs various motion controls.

The reader/writer51is attached to the portable telephone50as an external device and operated with the electric power supplied from the portable telephone, and is provided with the function which communicates with the IC tag61for every predetermined time by radio.

The reader/writer51may be built as an external device as well as built in the portable telephone50.

A distance from which of this reader/writer51, and IC tag61are able to communicate with each other is about 5 m.

The IC tag (IC seal)61which is attached on personal belongings60operates by receiving the radio electric wave of a specific frequency band.

The IC tag61is formed as an IC chip which consists of CPU611, ROM612, RAM613, EEPROM614, coprocessor615, I/F(interface)616and antenna (loop antenna)617allocated so that the periphery of the IC chip may be surrounded.

The IC tag61is given the identification number (hereafter called serial number) in which a peculiar alteration is impossible in a manufacturing stage beforehand, or manufactured as a blank in a manufacturing stage and the identification number is set-up arbitrarily later Further, the proper data of personal belongings is written in the IC tag61by the user via the reader/writer51from the control unit of the portable telephone50.

The data written in the IC tag61is not restricted, therefore, it is also possible to write in the IC tag with the user information including a user's address, a name, and a contact address, and so on.

In addition, the number of IC tag61is not limited to one and may comprise two or more IC tags.

Although explained as the IC tag provided with a card shape, it combines with a label type, a coin type, a stick type, etc. depend on the usage of the IC tag and the shape of the IC is not limited to a particular shape.

FIG. 11is a flow chart which shows an initial-setting operation at the time of using the communication system using the IC tag which is the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

First, the user (hereafter called a user) of this system attaches or equips the personal belongings60(for example, bag etc.) with IC tag61, and equips the portable telephone50which the user owns with the reader/writer51(Step S21).

Next, the user starts the initial-setting screen of the IC tag from the operation menu of the portable telephone50(Step S22).

The user registers the correlation data (for example, data in which it is shown that personal belongings are bags) of personal belongings60using a control unit (Step S24) after registering user information (a name, an address, a contact, etc.) (Step S23), and ends initial-setting processing.

The data by which initial setting was carried out here is written in EEPROM614of the IC tag61by wireless communications via a reader/writer51.

Under the present circumstances, when there are IC tags which is not a target for writing-in process, those IC tags have to be arranged in the outside area of the range of writing-in electric wave.

For example, when equipping with and using the IC tag for each of a “bag”, a “wallet”, and a “pass holder”, the correlation data written in the IC tag61a-61cturns into the following data.

Further, the indication “<No.______>” shown below is an identification number peculiar to each IC tag which is not able to be altered.

The EEPROM614is an electrically rewritable recording medium so that it is also able to set-up the correlation data of new personal belongings again after predetermined elimination processing via portable telephone50, even if the data was set-up by initial-setting process.

The timing which performs correlation with personal belongings is arbitrary. For example, it is possible to register from an outstation, and to delete or change of the correlation data which were registered.

FIG. 12is a sequence chart which shows the example of the communication system using the IC tag which is the fourth embodiment of the present invention of operation.

First, portable telephone50equipped with the reader/writer51transmits a check signal to thee IC tag61attached on the personal belongings60via the reader/writer51(Step S31).

The portable telephone50counts an interval until a timer function receives the reply signal from the IC tag61after transmitting the check signal to the IC tag61via a reader/writer51.

Then, the IC tag61transmits a reply signal, when the check signal transmitted via the reader/writer51is received (Step S32).

When the reply signal from the IC tag61is received, the portable telephone50stops the count by a timer function and counts predetermined time until the next check signal transmits to the IC tag61by a timer function.

Setting change is arbitrarily possible by a user for the communication interval of the portable telephone50and the IC tag61which equipped with the reader/writer51.

The portable telephone50repeats the process of Step S31while the reply signal from the IC tag61is answered, which means that the IC tag61and the portable telephone50are in condition to communicate each other.

The IC tag61transits a reply signal whenever IC tag61receives the check signal transmitted via a reader/writer51(Step S32).

After the portable telephone50transmits a check signal to the reader/writer51, when an interval until a timer function receives a reply signal exceeds a predetermined value (communication impossible state), the portable telephone50judges that there is no reply signal from the IC tag61(Step S33), and reports the first alarm (The user forgets the personal belongings60) to the user (Step S34).

When the first alarm is reported via the portable telephone50, the user can go out to the place considered to have forgotten personal belongings60with portable telephone50in the state where it is equipped with the reader/writer51possessed, and look for the personal belongings60concerned.

The user does not necessarily need to look for the personal belongings60immediately after reporting the first alarm.

After the portable telephone50reports the first alarm to the user, it transmits a check signal to the IC tag61for every predetermined time via the reader/writer51(Step S35), and checks the reply signal from the IC tag61(Step S36).

In Step S36, if the case where there is no reply signal from the IC tag61(no reply), the portable telephone reports the first alarm again (Step S34).

If the user who carries the portable telephone50equipped with the reader/writer51moves to the neighborhood (state which is able to be communicated) of the personal belongings60left behind, the IC tag61transmits the reply signal over the check signal transmitted via the reader/writer51(Step S37).

In Step S36, the portable telephone50reports the second different alarm, which shows that a thing left behind <the personal belongings60> exists in the neighborhood, from the first alarm to the user, if the reply signal from the IC tag61is received (with reply) (Step S38).

The alarms mentioned above are a combination or one of the following, sound (ring tone)/luminescence/vibration (vibration function)/character/picture.

For example, when setting up sound as an alarm, it is possible to carry out a selection set-up of the type of sound which depends on the request of user.

For instance, the user is able to set-up the music which is downloaded from the website or self recorded voice or a voice message using an automatic voice playback function as a ring tone.

The first alarm and the second alarm should be different sounds. If the first alarm and the second alarm are all set up as a ring tone, the type of ring tone should be different from each other.

Further, it is arbitrary to make the same set-up for the first alarm and the second alarm, and also the first alarm is set up as a sound and the second alarm is set up as a luminescence or vibration.

Furthermore, for example, when setting up a character and a picture as an alarm, it is possible to report as the first alarm “He forgets the wallet!” and as the second alarm “it was found” on the screen with the character and the picture image of the wallet. Such a picture image is able to be downloaded from the website.

Setting change is arbitrarily possible for the user from the screen of the portable telephone, he is able to also set-up a separate alarm to an individual item (object), and various set-ups mentioned above is not limited in particular.

Regardless of whether it is under telephone call, the first alarm and the second alarm is able to be informed, for example, these alarms are able to be displayed on the screen as an interruption indication or a voice alarm, when it is under telephone call.

As mentioned above, the distance by which reader/writer51and the IC tag61can communicate is about 5 m.

Therefore, the user is able to recognize that left behind personal belongings60exist in about 5 m distance (less than 5 m of radius) from the current position.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the communication system using an IC tag is able to be easily constructed by attaching or equipping the personal belongings with the IC tag of a non-contact method, and equipping a portable telephone with the reader/writer.

Since the IC tag is able to transmit a reply signal by receiving the check signal transmitted from the reader/writer51equipped with the portable telephone which is able to convert the received check signal (radio electric wave) into electric power, and drive the IC chip, it does not need to carry a power supply.

According the above, the problem that a system is not able to be used due to a dead battery like before does not occur.

Further, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it provides the function which measures the intensity of the signal (reply signal) answered by the portable telephone50from the IC tag61. Based on the receiving intensity of a reply signal, it may control to change automatically volume of ring tone, a luminescence pattern, and vibrating pattern at the time of searching for the personal belongings60which is left behind.

The user himself may perform a mode change set-up from the control unit of the portable telephone, or this control mode may be automatically changed by an application program of the portable telephone50after reporting the second alarm.

The distance by which the reader/writer51and the IC tag61can communicate is the composition which is able to be changeable alternatively to two modes such as the 5 m mode and 10 cm mode. When searching, the rough field of search of the personal belongings60is recognized in the 5 m mode, and then the pinpoint search of the personal belongings60is recognized in the 10 cm mode.

The above-mentioned two modes are not a specific example and do not limit the distance the reader/writer51and the IC tag61can communicate with each other. For example, when it has a mode change mechanism which is able to be set up in two or more steps, it is possible to be set up arbitrarily by the user.

Although the communication with the IC tag and the reader/writer is able to be temporarily canceled by arbitrary operation of the user, a system starts it again automatically when it becomes the distance which is able to be communicated again.

FIG. 13is a figure showing the outline composition of the communication system using the IC tag which is the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 13, in addition to the composition of the fourth embodiment of the present invention mentioned above, the communication system using the IC tag which is the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a portable telephone50which carries a GPS function, a base station70and a GPS Satellite80which communicates with base station70.

Although the portable telephone50is provided with the usual communication function and possesses a control unit and an indication unit just likes the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it newly carries the GPS function.

The GPS function is a function to detect the self-position information of the portable telephone50.

Usually, when detecting the self-position information of the portable telephone50, a GPS signal is transmitted from the portable telephone50by predetermined operation, and the detection demand of a self-position is transmitted to the base station70after accessing via a wireless-communications transmission network from the portable telephone50.

When the GPS signal transmitted from portable telephone50is caught, the GPS Satellite80transmits the position information of the portable telephone50(latitude, longitude, altitude) to the base station70.

The base station70transmits the position information transmitted from the GPS Satellite80to the portable telephone50as address information or map information.

The self-position information of portable telephone50is acquirable with the above procedure.

The fifth embodiment of the present invention acquires the self-position information of the portable telephone50(equipped with the reader/writer51) by way of using a GPS function, when communication of the reader/writer51and the IC tag61becomes impossible, and it notifies the user of the position information via the portable telephone50.

FIG. 14is a sequence chart which shows the first example of the communication system using the IC tag which is the fifth embodiment of the present invention of operation.

First, portable telephone50equipped with the reader/writer51transmits a check signal to the IC tag61like the first embodiment of the present invention mentioned above (Step S41).

The IC tag61transmits a reply signal, when the check signal transmitted via the reader/writer51is received (Step S42).

Further, when a reply signal is answered from the IC tag61to the check signal transmitted via the reader/writer51, which is under a condition receivable by the reply signal, it repeatedly carries out the process of above-mentioned Step S41and Step S42.

Hereafter, the case where the reader/writer51and the IC tag61become impossible to communication each other is explained.

The portable telephone50transmits a check signal to the IC tag61again (Step S43).

However, when it is in a communication impossible state because the personal belongings60with which the IC tag61attached or equipped are left behind, the IC tag61is able to neither receive the check signal transmitted via the reader/writer51nor transmit a reply signal.

Then, after the portable telephone50transmits a check signal via the reader/writer51, a timer function counts an interval until the timer function receives a reply signal from the IC tag61. When it exceeds a predetermined value, the portable telephone50judges that there is no reply signal (Step S44), and a GPS signal is transmitted by a GPS function (Step S45), and the acquisition request of self-position information is transmitted to the base station70(Step S46).

By communication with the GPS Satellite80, the base station70acquires the position information of the portable telephone50(latitude, longitude, altitude) (Step S47), and transmits this acquired position information to the portable telephone50(Step S48).

The portable telephone50displays the time entry which acquired the acquired position information and the position information concerned on a screen, when the position information transmitted from the base station70is acquired (Step S49).

Since it is greatly influenced by electric wave environment when acquiring position information, it is related with the acquisition timing of the position information. Therefore, it may be good to acquire the position information immediately after communication with the IC tag61becomes impossible. If electric wave environment is bad, it may be good to shift timing for acquiring the position information and start to acquire the position information when electric wave environment becomes good.

FIG. 15is a sequence chart which shows the second example of the communication system using the IC tag which is the fifth embodiment of the present invention of operation.

First the portable telephone50equipped with the reader/writer51transmits a check signal to the IC tag61just like the first embodiment of the present invention mentioned above (Step S51).

The IC tag61transmits a reply signal, when the check signal transmitted via the reader/writer51is received (Step S52).

When the portable telephone receives the reply signal from the IC tag61via the reader/writer51, the portable telephone50transmit a GPS signal by a GPS function (Step S53), and transmits the acquisition request of self-position information to the base station70(Step S54).

By communication with the GPS Satellite80, the base station70acquires the position information of the portable telephone50(latitude, longitude, altitude) (Step S55), and transmits the acquired position information to the portable telephone50(Step S56).

The portable telephone50memorizes the time entry to which the acquisition request of the acquired position information and the position information is transmitted, when the position information transmitted from the base station70is acquired (Step S57).

Further, when a reply signal is answered from the IC tag61to the check signal transmitted via the reader/writer51, which is under a condition receivable by the reply signal, it repeatedly carries out the series process of above-mentioned Step S51to Step S57.

Hereafter, the case where the reader/writer51and the IC tag61become impossible to communicate with each other is explained.

In Step S57, when the portable telephone50stores the position information and the time information temporarily, it transmits a check signal to the IC tag61again (Step S58).

However, when it is in a communication impossible state because the personal belongings60with which the IC tag61is attached or equipped are left behind, the IC tag61is able to neither receive the check signal transmitted via the reader/writer51nor transmit a reply signal.

Then, after the portable telephone50transmits a check signal via the reader/writer51, a timer function counts an interval until the timer function receives a reply signal from the IC tag61. When it exceeds a predetermined value, the portable telephone50judges that there is no reply signal (Step S59), and it displays the position information and the time information, which is stored temporarily on the indication unit (Step S60).

According to any of the first example of operation and the second example of operation, the user does not need to perform any particular operation for acquiring the position information of the portable telephone50, if the mode set-up for acquiring the position information automatically is preliminary done.

FIGS. 16 and 17are figures showing the example of the display screen of position information and a time entry displayed on the indication area of a portable telephone.

As shown in theFIG. 16, the information including the phrases “what was left behind? (Bag)”, “where did you leave behind a thing? (Address indication)”, and “what time did you leave behind a thing? (Time indication)” are displayed on the screen as “thing-left-behind information”. In this case, all information on the screen is indicated as text data.

As shown inFIG. 17, the information including the phrases “where did you leave behind a thing? (Map indication)”, “what was left behind? (Wallet)”, and “what time did you left behind a thing? (Time indication)” are displayed on the screen. In this case, map information is displayed as a graphic data and the other information is displayed as text data.

Regardless of whether it is under telephone call, the above-mentioned indication is good by performing an interruption indication and a voice alarm to report thing-left-behind information, when it is able to display regardless of whether it is under telephone call, for example, is under telephone call, when it is under telephone call.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, when the communication of the reader/writer51and the IC tag61is impossible, the user is able to gasp easily the position information in which a thing left behind exists by acquiring position information using the GPS function of the portable telephone50and displaying the acquired position information on the portable telephone50.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, although GPS function for acquisition of position information shown is one of the examples, the present invention is not limited to the above mentioned example.

For example, as shown inFIG. 18, the method of detecting the rough position information of the portable telephone50from the receiving intensity among two or more base stations71-73which transmitted the electric wave for every definite period of time from portable telephone50and caught the electric wave concerned is also possible.

In this case, calculation processing of the position information based on the signal strength between two or more base stations (71-73) is carried out by the portable telephone50and the server90connected with an Internet network.

When the portable telephone50detects the self-position information, it accesses the server90and acquires the position information.

Further, the embodiment mentioned above is a suitable embodiment for the present invention and it is possible to change within limits which do not deviate from the main point of the present invention variously, and to carry out.

For example, it is also possible to have composition which combined the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In this case, the first alarm is reported when a thing left behind exists, which means that a communication with the reader/writer51and the IC tag61is impossible.

Next, after the position information on the portable telephone50is displayed on an indication unit by a GPS function, the user goes in search for a thing left behind based on the above-mentioned position information. It is also possible to report the second alarm to the user when the communication with a reader/writer51and IC tag61is attained.

The information, which included user information such as correlation data of personal belongings, written in the IC tag61at the time of initial setting, is also possible to register with the server which managed by the third person organization connected via a communication line network. For example, the information above is to be used as attestation information at the time of the delivery of the lost article in public institutions such as a station and the police.

Although the embodiment mentioned above is explained in the premise of the thing left behind of personal belongings, in case of a theft situation about wallet, it is also possible to use the present system to search for a stolen wallet, if an IC tag is attached on the wallet.

Further, it is possible to prevent a missing child situation by attaching an IC tag on the articles (for example, a label, shoes, clothes, etc.) which a child carries. Even if a child who carries the personal belongings attached with an IC tag is missing temporarily, it is able to search for the missing child easily using the present system.

When it is a tour travel which a tour conductor accompanies, it is also possible to alarm a sound and to display the name in the situation which someone is left in the distance. And it is also possible to use for the number check by a tour conductor and to search for the person who got lost, by attaching an IC tag on a tourist's tour badge and so on.

According to the present system, if a portable phone which has an IC tag attached to it is left behind, it is possible to recognize to have left behind the portable telephone immediately, because the portable telephone rings, emits light or vibrates when the communication of the portable telephone (with the reader/writer) and the IC tag becomes impossible, which means the predetermined distance separates each other.

The present system is also applicable for the shoplifter prevention system by performing correlation processing with the IC tag which attached the IC tag on the goods displayed in a store before opening and possessing the portable phone by the salesclerk.

When a store space is large, it is also possible to be made to perform the correlation process with the goods and the IC tag in two or more steps separately.

It is also possible to use as a management server when employing the communication system using the IC tag shown in the fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention that mentioned above server90shown inFIG. 18as the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In that case, the information written in the IC tag (IC seal) at the time of initial setting is registered into the management server via communication lines (Internet etc.), then the alarm information and the position information are transmitted to a management server at the time of article loss, or transmitted and registered automatically or manually after predetermined time passes.

The user who lost an article is able to access from a personal computer or a mobile terminal under the environment which is able to access to the management server other than the portable telephone which owner is not the user and the present condition of a lost article is able to be checked using the website (program) for which it is provided by the system management company.

When a lost article is discovered, it is automatically or manually notified to the management server that it is re-acquired.

The user receives grant of the IC tag from system management side beforehand, and registers personal information such as owner address information, a name, a contact, a password, etc. into the management server.

As mentioned above, a different serial number for every IC tag is memorized in the IC tag. Also, the URL information which is the access information to the management server or contact information of a system management company is memorized in the IC tag.

Regarding the matter of this contact information, for example, it is made to write in later or may be made to carry out by a bar code indication or printing on the surface of the IC tag so that the finder of a lost article is able to check by viewing.

Therefore, the finder of a lost article is able to easily access the system management side and be notified about the lost article by using a reader/writer, a bar code reader, or a character reading function such as OCR to read URL information of the management server or contact information of the system management company, etc. which are printed or recorded on the IC tag currently attached on the lost article.

Further, the finder is not necessary to access the program sponsored by the system management company and to necessarily submit notice, and also the finder may contact the owner of a lost article directly by telephone.

When the information about a lost article is sent to the management server, which is a system management side, it provides the information on lost article discovery to the user who is an owner of the lost article and can determine the details about the plan of delivery schedule, etc.

In this case, it is also possible to perform arrangements which send a lost article to the user who is an owner, or to instruct so that it may be made to dispose, if a lost article is unnecessary for the owner of a lost article.

Although the sixth embodiment of the present invention above shows the case where a third party finds a lost article, for example, apparatuses which is able to communicate with the IC tag, just like the reader/writer function mentioned above, are placed beforehand in every place, (such as a telegraph pole, a building, a town, or a station), and it makes possible to constitute the system which applies for the case of a theft.

In this case, the information detected by the reader/writer transmits the information about a lost article to a management server immediately, and contacts the user who is an owner.

The system management side is also able to publish the lost article inquiry information from the user who built the bulletin board corner on the Web using the management server, and disclose lost article information.

In this case, the system management side is made to promptly connect to the user who is an owner, when it searches whether there is any notification of the lost article corresponding to information with writing and there is a notification of an applicable lost article about it.

Furthermore, in case that the portable telephone itself is lost, which means communication with other properties which related beforehand is impossible, it controls so that a lock function starts automatically after a definite-period-of-time progresses in order to prevent the unauthorized use of the portable telephone by a finder

In this case, on the screen of a portable telephone, the contact information of a system management company is displayed and position information and time information are further transmitted for every definite period of time.

Therefore, the unauthorized use by a finder is able to be prevented, and the user can access a management server and check the position information on the portable telephone.

It is possible to distribute by the method of marketing CD-ROM which recorded the application program about use of such a system, or selling on a network.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As mentioned above, the communication system concerning the present invention is useful as a security system using the information acquisition system which improves the use added value in various business scenes using the business card which attached the IC tag etc., or using the IC tag.