JP4557350B2 - Address information management device, address information management method, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an address information management device, an address information management method, and an information recording medium.
[0002]
In particular, address information is exchanged while protecting privacy between users, and even if there is a change in address for a certain user, only the user can change the address information so that other users can know that fact. The present invention relates to an address information management apparatus, an address information management method, and a computer-readable information recording medium in which a program for realizing the address information is recorded.
[0003]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a relay device for connecting each terminal to a computer communication network such as the Internet has been provided. Such a relay device is called a dial-up server or dial-up router when the terminal and the relay device are connected by a telephone line or the like, and a network cable (such as Ethernet) is used between the terminal and the relay device. In this case, it is called a gateway.
[0004]
A company or company that provides a right to use such a relay device to allow a terminal user to connect to the Internet is called an ISP. In computer communication networks such as the Internet, there are ASPs that are included in a computer communication network and provide services to users of each terminal.
[0005]
Each user connects to the Internet via an ISP and receives a service from the ASP using a web browser or the like. This service includes provision of image information, audio information, search result information of various databases, and the like.
[0006]
In the field of such ISP business, various research and development have been promoted due to the recent increasing interest in WWW (World Wide Web) and the progress of commercialization.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such an Internet environment, there is a great demand for address information management technology that manages address information of the user himself / herself and address information of the user's friends and affiliated companies while protecting privacy.
[0008]
In particular, when there is a change in address information due to moving, etc., address information management technology that can automatically transmit the information to the friend, etc., only by changing the address information is strongly desired. ing.
[0009]
Furthermore, it is necessary to respond to a request for an address information management service that performs printing of postcards, New Year's cards, address labels, and the like based on address information of friends and the like accumulated in this way.
[0010]
In order to solve these problems, the present invention exchanges address information while protecting privacy between users, and even when a user has an address change, the user only changes the address information. To provide an address information management device, an address information management method, and a computer-readable information recording medium on which a program for realizing the address information is suitable for allowing other users to know the fact. With the goal.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.
[0012]
The address information management device according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to include an address information storage unit, a request reception unit, a determination unit, an address information acquisition unit, and a response unit.
[0013]
Here, the address information storage unit stores, for each user, the address information of the user and the user name of the partner to whom the user permits the disclosure of the address information.
[0014]
On the other hand, the request accepting unit accepts a request issued from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user.
[0015]
Further, the determination unit stores in the address information storage unit the user name of the second user as a partner to whom the first user permits the disclosure of the address information, and permits the second user to disclose the address information. It is determined whether or not a condition that the user name of the first user is stored as a partner to be stored is satisfied.
[0016]
Then, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the address information acquisition unit acquires the stored address information of the second user.
[0017]
On the other hand, the response unit responds to the terminal with the acquired address information of the second user.
[0018]
In this aspect, the address information of the first user and the address information of the second user are managed by the same address information management device. In addition, the aspect in the case of managing by different address information management apparatuses will be described below.
[0019]
The address information management device according to the second aspect of the present invention can communicate with other address information management devices, and includes an address information storage unit, a request reception unit, an inquiry destination acquisition unit, an inquiry unit, and a reply reception. In addition to the unit and the response unit, an inquiry reception unit, an address information acquisition unit, a determination unit, an address information reading unit, and a reply unit are provided.
[0020]
Here, the address information storage unit designates, for each user, the address information of the user, the user name of the partner to whom the user permits the disclosure of the address information, and the address information management device that manages the address information of the partner. Information to be stored.
[0021]
On the other hand, the request accepting unit accepts a request issued from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user.
[0022]
Furthermore, when the request is accepted and the user name of the second user is stored in the address information storage unit as a partner to whom the first user permits the disclosure of the address information, the inquiry destination acquisition unit is the second user. The information which designates the address information management apparatus which manages address information of is acquired.
[0023]
Then, the inquiry unit designates the user name of the first user as the request source and the user name of the second user as the request destination, respectively, and sends the second information to the address information management device designated in the acquired information. Inquires about the address information of the user.
[0024]
On the other hand, the reply acceptance unit accepts a reply specifying the address information of the second user returned from the inquired address information management device.
[0025]
Further, the address information acquisition unit acquires the address information of the second user specified in the reply.
[0026]
Then, the response unit responds to the terminal with the acquired address information of the second user.
[0027]
In addition, the inquiry accepting unit accepts an inquiry for designating the user name of the requesting user and the user name of the requesting user made from another address information management device.
[0028]
Further, the determination unit stores the user name of the request source user specified in the query as a partner to which the request destination user specified in the received query permits the disclosure of the address information, and the request source It is determined whether or not a condition that information specifying the address information management apparatus that has made the inquiry is stored as an address information management apparatus that manages the address information of the user is stored.
[0029]
When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the address information reading unit reads the stored address information of the requested user.
[0030]
On the other hand, the reply unit returns the read address information of the requested user to the address information management apparatus that made the query as a reply to the query.
[0031]
In the address information management apparatus of the present invention, the user name of the other party who is permitted to disclose the stored address information and the information of the address information management apparatus that manages the address information of the other party are URL (Universal Resource Locator). ) Can be configured to be stored in expressions.
[0032]
The address information management device of the present invention is configured to further include a user name receiving unit, an authentication character string generation / transmission unit, a password character string receiving unit, a rule storage unit, and an authentication unit. Can do.
[0033]
Here, the user name receiving unit receives a user name issued from the terminal.
[0034]
On the other hand, the authentication character string generation / transmission unit generates an authentication character string and transmits it to the terminal.
[0035]
Further, the password character string receiving unit receives the password character string transmitted from the terminal.
[0036]
The rule storage unit stores a rule for converting the authentication character string into a password character string in association with the user name.
[0037]
On the other hand, the authentication unit converts the authentication character string generated according to the rules stored in the rule storage unit in association with the received user name, and the password character string received by the password character string receiving unit If they match, the terminal is authenticated against the username.
[0038]
Furthermore, the request reception unit issues a request issued from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user, and the user name of the first user is not authenticated to the terminal. If not, do not accept.
[0039]
In addition, the address information management device of the present invention can be configured to further include a change request accepting unit and a changing unit.
[0040]
Here, the change request accepting unit accepts a change request issued from the terminal to change the user's address information.
[0041]
On the other hand, when the user name of the user specified in the received change request is authenticated for the terminal, the change unit stores the user's name stored in the address information storage unit according to the received change request. Change address information.
[0042]
In addition, the address information management apparatus of the present invention can be configured to further include a printing unit.
[0043]
Here, the printing unit prints the acquired address information of the second user on a printed material including paper, a postcard, and an address label.
[0044]
The address information management method according to the third aspect of the present invention is configured to include a request reception process, a determination process, an address information acquisition process, and a response process.
[0045]
Here, in the request accepting step, a request issued from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user is accepted.
[0046]
On the other hand, in the determination step, for each user, the first user stores the address information of the address information in the address information storage unit that stores the address information of the user and the user name of the partner with whom the user permits the disclosure of the address information. Whether the user name of the second user is stored as a partner who permits the disclosure, and the condition that the second user stores the user name of the first user as a partner who permits the disclosure of the address information Judge whether or not.
[0047]
Furthermore, in the address information acquisition step, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the stored address information of the second user is acquired.
[0048]
In the response step, the acquired address information of the second user is returned to the terminal.
[0049]
The address information management method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a request reception process, an inquiry destination acquisition process, an inquiry process, a reply reception process, an address information acquisition process, a response process, and an inquiry reception process. A process, a determination process, an address information reading process, and a reply process are provided.
[0050]
Here, in the request accepting step, a request issued from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user is accepted.
[0051]
On the other hand, in the inquiry destination acquisition step, the request is accepted, and for each user, the address information of the user, the user name of the partner that the user permits the disclosure of the address information, and the address information of the partner are managed. In a case where the user name of the second user is stored in the address information storage unit that stores the information that specifies the address information management device as a partner to whom the first user permits the disclosure of the address information. Information specifying an address information management apparatus that manages user address information is acquired.
[0052]
Further, in the inquiry step, the user name of the first user is designated as the request source, the user name of the second user is designated as the request destination, and the second address is specified in the address information management device specified in the acquired information. Inquires about the address information of the user.
[0053]
And in a reply reception process, the reply which designates the 2nd user's address information returned from the inquired address information management apparatus is received.
[0054]
On the other hand, in the address information acquisition step, the address information of the second user designated for reply is acquired.
[0055]
Further, in the response step, the acquired address information of the second user is returned to the terminal.
[0056]
In addition, in the inquiry reception step, an inquiry specifying the user name of the requesting user and the user name of the requesting user, which is performed from another address information management device, is received.
[0057]
Further, in the determination step, the user name of the request source user specified in the inquiry is stored as a partner to whom the request destination user specified in the received inquiry permits the disclosure of the address information, and the request source It is determined whether or not a condition that information specifying the address information management apparatus that has made the inquiry is stored as an address information management apparatus that manages the address information of the user is stored.
[0058]
Then, in the address information reading step, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the stored address information of the requested user is read.
[0059]
Further, in the reply process, the read address information of the requested user is returned to the address information management apparatus that made the query as a reply to the query.
[0060]
Further, in the address information management method of the present invention, the user name of the other party who is permitted to disclose the stored address information and the information of the address information management apparatus that manages the address information of the other party are URL (Universal Resource Locator). ) Can be configured to be stored in expressions.
[0061]
Further, the address information management method of the present invention is configured to further include a user name receiving step, an authentication character string generating / transmitting step, a password character string receiving step, a rule obtaining step, and an authentication step. Can do.
[0062]
Here, in the user name receiving step, the user name issued from the terminal is received.
[0063]
On the other hand, in the authentication character string generation / transmission step, an authentication character string is generated and transmitted to the terminal.
[0064]
Further, in the password character string receiving step, the password character string transmitted from the terminal is received.
[0065]
In the rule acquisition step, the rule stored in association with the received user name is acquired from the rule storage unit that stores the rule for converting the authentication character string into the password character string in association with the user name. .
[0066]
On the other hand, in the authentication step, if the converted character string generated according to the acquired rule matches the received password character string, the terminal is authenticated against the user name.
[0067]
Further, in the request receiving step, a request issued from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user is not authenticated to the terminal by the user name of the first user. If not, do not accept.
[0068]
In addition, the address information management method of the present invention can be configured to include a change request accepting step and a changing step.
[0069]
Here, in the change request receiving step, a change request issued from the terminal to change the user address information is received.
[0070]
On the other hand, in the changing step, when the user name of the user specified in the received change request is authenticated for the terminal, the user's name stored in the address information storage unit is stored in accordance with the received change request. Change address information.
[0071]
In addition, the address information management method of the present invention can be configured to further include a printing process.
[0072]
Here, in the printing step, the acquired address information of the second user is printed on a printed material including paper, a postcard, and an address label.
[0073]
Further, a program for controlling a computer communicable with another address information management apparatus to function as the address information management apparatus of the present invention is a compact disk, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, It can be recorded on a computer-readable information recording medium such as a semiconductor memory.
[0074]
When the program recorded on the information recording medium of the present invention is executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and other devices and peripheral devices included in the computer, the computer is used as the address information management device of the present invention. Function.
[0075]
In addition to being able to distribute and sell an information recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded, independently of the computer, the program recorded on the information recording medium is transmitted via a computer communication network. The recorded program can be recorded on another information recording medium.
[0076]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In addition, embodiment described below is for description and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0077]
In the following description, TCP / IP communication is taken as an example. In the TCP / IP communication, an acknowledge message that notifies that various messages have arrived is notified to the sender that transmitted the various messages. In order to facilitate understanding, transmission of a confirmation message for TCP / IP communication will be omitted below.
[0078]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an address information management system 101 configured by the address information management apparatus of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.
[0079]
Each user accesses the Internet 131 from the terminal 111. In the Internet 131, there is an ASP 141 that provides services such as providing image information of a picture of a New Year's card or a postcard, or undertaking printing of a graduation list. Various message exchanges between the various ASPs 141 and the like and the terminal 111 are relayed by the ISP 171. Message transmission is performed based on the TCP / IP protocol.
[0080]
Each user transmits a user name and password from the terminal 111 to the ISP 171, and the ISP 171 authenticates the user based on this, and the IP address and port number (hereinafter simply referred to as “IP address”) of the terminal 111. The communication identifier consisting of is assigned, and communication between the terminal 111 and the Internet 131 is relayed.
[0081]
Note that both the ASP 141 and the ISP 171 may be realized on the same information processing apparatus. That is, one information processing apparatus can provide services of these servers and providers. The ISP 171 and the ASP 141 can also function as the terminal 111 used by the user. That is, it is a case where the user issues an instruction directly from the keyboard or mouse of the ISP 171 or ASP 141 and the result is displayed on the display or the like.
[0082]
Here, each ISP 171 functions as an address information management apparatus of the present invention. When providing address information between users managed by one ISP 171, both ISPs 171 communicate appropriately when providing address information between users managed by different ISPs 171. .
[0083]
(Summary of address book information)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of address book information of each user managed by the ISP 171 of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.
[0084]
The address book information 201 of a certain user includes the following information.
-Personal address information 202. This is address information of the user.
-Other person's address information 203. The names and names of the user's friends and affiliated companies and their address information are stored in a table format.
[0085]
The other person's address information 203 stores the following items organized for each other person.
-Name column 204. Memorize the name and name of the other person.
URL field 205 Indicates the location of the WWW page released by the other person. In the present invention, the address information of the other person is acquired while protecting the privacy using the information stored in the URL field. For example, the information is in the form of http://www.tennodai.com/~yuich/.
[0086]
The location of the address information management device (ISP 171) that manages the address information of the other person in the Internet 131 can be found by www.tennodai.com. Moreover, it can be understood from -yuich that the user name of the other person in the ISP 171 is yuich.
[0087]
In addition, the following information is recorded.
・ Publication permission column 206. It indicates whether or not the personal address information 202 may be disclosed to the other person.
Address field 207. When the other person cannot use the address information management apparatus of the present invention, the address of the other person is recorded. It performs the same function as a conventional address book.
[0088]
In order for the first user who uses the address information management apparatus of the present invention to know the address information of the second user, both of the following two conditions must be satisfied.
(A) The name / name of the second user and the URL of the second user are recorded in the other person's address information 203 of the address book information 201 of the first user, and the personal address information 202 of the first user is recorded. Has been recorded.
(B) The name / name of the first user and the URL of the first user are recorded in the other person's address information 203 of the address book information 201 of the second user, and the personal address information 202 of the second user is recorded. Has been recorded.
[0089]
Here, the ISP 171 indicated in the URL of the first user and the ISP 171 indicated in the URL of the second user each function as an address information management apparatus of the present invention.
[0090]
If these conditions are satisfied, the second user can know the address information of the first user. This mimics the fact that the contact information of each other can be known by exchanging business cards.
[0091]
Since the address book information of the present embodiment takes the same form as a so-called link information page, even a general unskilled user can easily understand the configuration and can be easily managed. .
[0092]
(Outline of address information management device)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an address information management apparatus realized by the ISP 171 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.
[0093]
The address information management device 301 can communicate with other address information management devices via the Internet 131.
[0094]
The address information storage unit 302 specifies, for each user, the address information of the user, the user name of the partner with whom the user permits the disclosure of the address information, and the address information management device that manages the address information of the partner. And memorize.
[0095]
On the other hand, the request reception unit 303, the inquiry destination acquisition unit 304, the inquiry unit 305, the reply reception unit 306, the address information acquisition unit 307, and the response unit 308 include other address information management devices 301 (ISP 171). ) To obtain the address information of others recorded in.
[0096]
The request accepting unit 303 accepts a request issued from the terminal 111 to request the second user's address information from the first user.
[0097]
Further, when the request is accepted and the address information storage unit 302 stores the user name of the second user as a partner with whom the first user permits the disclosure of the address information, the inquiry destination acquisition unit 304 receives the second The information which designates the address information management apparatus 301 which manages the address information of the user is acquired.
[0098]
These pieces of information are recorded in the URL field 205 and the disclosure permission field 206 of the other person address information 203 in the address book information 201 described above.
[0099]
Then, the inquiry unit 305 designates the user name of the first user as the request source and the user name of the second user as the request destination, respectively, to the address information management device 301 designated in the acquired information. An inquiry about the address information of the second user is made.
[0100]
On the other hand, the reply accepting unit 306 accepts a reply that specifies the address information of the second user returned from the address information management apparatus 301 inquired about.
[0101]
Furthermore, the address information acquisition unit 307 acquires the address information of the second user specified in the reply.
[0102]
Then, the response unit 308 responds to the terminal with the acquired address information of the second user.
[0103]
In addition, the inquiry reception unit 309, the determination unit 310, the address information reading unit 311, and the reply unit 312 are sent from the other address information management device 301 (ISP 171) to the address information management device 301 (ISP 171). It functions in order to respond to the inquiry of the address information of the user managed.
[0104]
The inquiry reception unit 309 receives an inquiry for designating a user name of a request source user and a user name of a request destination user, which are made from another address information management device.
[0105]
Further, the determination unit 310 stores the user name of the request source user specified in the inquiry as a partner to which the request destination user specified in the received inquiry permits the disclosure of the address information, and the request It is determined whether or not a condition that information specifying the address information management apparatus that has made the inquiry as an address information management apparatus that manages the address information of the original user is stored is satisfied.
[0106]
In this determination, the URL field 205 and the disclosure permission field 206 of the other person's address information 203 included in the address book information 201 are used.
[0107]
When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the address information reading unit 311 reads the stored address information of the requested user. This address information is the personal address information 202 included in the address book information 201.
[0108]
On the other hand, the reply unit 312 returns the read address information of the requested user to the address information management apparatus 301 that made the query as a reply to the query.
[0109]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which address information is exchanged between the address information management apparatuses 301 of the present embodiment.
[0110]
The two users “Ishii” and “Kimura” have the URL addresses http://www.tennodai.com/~yuich/ and http://www.akpat.com/~kimura/ respectively. Yes. The address information of these users is managed by an ISP 171 having an IP address referenced by www.tennodai.com and www.akpat.com, respectively. Hereinafter, for ease of understanding, “ISP referred to by www.tennodai.com” will be described simply as “www.tennodai.com”.
[0111]
When “Ishii” inquires about the address of “Kimura”, first, “Ishii” accesses the www.tennodai.com 171 using the user name yuich via the terminal 111 and is authenticated.
[0112]
Next, when the user name yuich requests the address information of “Kimura” from www.tennodai.com 171, www.tennodai.com 171 receives http://www.akpat.com/˜kimura as the URL of “Kimura”. Get /.
[0113]
Furthermore, www.tennodai.com 171 confirms that “Ishii” has disclosed the address information of “Ishii” to “Kimura”. Send an inquiry to get kimura's address information.
[0114]
This inquiry can be realized by a general CGI (Common Gateway Interface) script. For example, the above inquiry is performed by starting CGI in the following format.
[0115]
http://www.akpat.com/address.cgi?server=www.tennodai.com&user=yuich&who=kimura
[0116]
This indicates that the user yuich of www.tennodai.com 171 requests the address information of the user kimura from www.akpat.com 171. This inquiry may be encrypted as appropriate. Further, by using a one-way hash function, the server name specified by server = or the user name specified by user = may be hashed and the hash value may be transmitted.
[0117]
When the CGI script address.cgi of www.akpat.com 171 is activated in such a format, the script generates a URL of http://www.tennodai.com/˜yuich from the passed parameters.
[0118]
Next, the address book information 201 of the user kimura is checked, and http://www.tennodai.com/˜yuich is recorded in the URL field 205, and the address information of the user “kimura” is given to the user kimura. It is determined whether or not the condition of publishing is satisfied.
[0119]
At this time, if it is determined whether or not the inquiry is surely issued from www.tennodai.com 171, safety for privacy protection is further increased.
[0120]
If this condition is satisfied, “Ishii” and “Kimura” understand that each other will provide their address information to the other party.
[0121]
Therefore, www.akpat.com 171 responds to www.tennodai.com 171 with the personal address information 202 of “Kimura”.
[0122]
The www.tennodai.com 171 receives this response and sends the address information of “Kimura” to the terminal 111.
[0123]
In practice, www.akpat.com 171 and www.tennodai.com 171 may be configured by the same information processing apparatus. In this case as well, similar processing can be performed, and communication via the Internet 131 can be omitted as appropriate, and this embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0124]
(Inquiry processing)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a state of address information inquiry processing to another address information management apparatus 301 executed in the address information management apparatus 301 of this embodiment. This process is activated when a request to know the address information of another user from the terminal 111 used by the user is received.
[0125]
First, the address information management apparatus 301 determines the user name (requesting user name) of the user and the address information of the user, the name / name of the user (requesting user), or the requesting user. URL is obtained (step S501).
[0126]
Next, the address book information 201 associated with the request source user name and stored in the address information storage unit 302 is acquired (step S502), the URL of the request destination user is recorded, and It is checked whether or not the request source user has disclosed the personal address information 202 of the request source user to the request destination user (step S503). This means that it is checked whether or not the condition (a) is satisfied.
[0127]
When the condition (a) is satisfied (step S503; Yes), the location of the ISP 171 that manages the address information of the request destination user and the user name of the request destination user are obtained from the URL of the request destination user as described above. (Step S504) As described above, a query for the CGI is generated and the query is executed (Step S505).
[0128]
When a reply to the inquiry is received (step S506), the reply is transmitted to the terminal 111 of the requesting user and relayed (step S507), and this process ends.
[0129]
In this reply, the personal address information 202 of the requested user may be recorded, or error information indicating that the address information is not disclosed may be recorded.
[0130]
On the other hand, when the condition (a) is not satisfied (step S503; No), it is checked whether address information is recorded in the address field 207 of the request destination user (step S508), and when it is recorded (step S508; Yes), the address information is transmitted to the requesting user's terminal 111 together with a warning that “the address information may be old” (step S509), and this process ends.
[0131]
When the address information of the request destination user is not recorded (step S508; No), the fact that the address information of the request destination user cannot be obtained is transmitted to the terminal 111 of the request source user (step S509). The process ends.
[0132]
(Reply Process) FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the state of a reply process executed in the address information management apparatus 301 of this embodiment when an address information inquiry is received from another address information management apparatus 301. This process is activated when an address information inquiry is received from another address information management apparatus 301.
[0133]
First, the address information management apparatus 301 acquires the following information included in the inquiry (step S601).
-Location of the ISP 171 used by the requesting user (IP address or domain name)
-User name of the requesting user
-Request destination user name
[0134]
Next, it is checked whether or not the inquiry is surely issued from the ISP 171 used by the requesting user (step S602). If not (step S602; No), an error is reported (step S603). This process is terminated.
[0135]
When the inquiry is issued from the ISP 171 used by the request source user (step S602; Yes), the address book information 201 of the request destination user is acquired from the request destination user name (step S604).
[0136]
Next, the URL of the request source user is generated from the IP address or domain name of the ISP 171 used by the request source user and the user name of the request source user (step S605). In addition, you may employ | adopt the embodiment that this URL is previously contained in the inquiry itself.
[0137]
Further, the generated URL is recorded in the address book information 201 of the request destination user, and it is checked whether or not it is set that the personal address information 202 may be disclosed to the user (step S606). . This corresponds to checking whether the condition (b) is satisfied.
[0138]
When the condition (b) is satisfied (step S606; Yes), it is considered that the request destination user and the request source user have agreed that the address information may be mutually exchanged. The user's personal address information 202 is acquired (step S607), a reply including the personal address information 202 is transmitted to the ISP 171 used by the requesting user (step S608), and the process ends.
[0139]
On the other hand, when the condition (b) is not satisfied (step S606; No), a reply to the effect that the address information of the request destination user cannot be provided is transmitted to the ISP 171 used by the request source user (step S609). Exit.
[0140]
(Second Embodiment)
In the above embodiment, a known technique is used for authentication of the requesting user. That is, in order to access the ISP 171 via the terminal 111 and further access the Internet 131, the user transmits the user name and password of the user to the ISP 171 for authentication. In this embodiment, a new technique is used for the authentication.
[0141]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of connection start processing using this new authentication technique. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.
[0142]
First, the terminal 111 receives an input of a user name from a user (step S801), and transmits a connection request to the ISP 171 together with the user name (step S802).
[0143]
When receiving the connection request (step S803), the ISP 171 generates an authentication character string using a random number (step S804), and transmits the authentication character string to the terminal 111 (step S805).
[0144]
The terminal 111 receives the authentication character string (step S806) and displays the authentication character string on the screen (step S807).
[0145]
The user converts the displayed authentication character string into a password character string based on a rule predetermined for the user in advance. This rule is stored in association with the user name on the hard disk of the ISP 171. This conversion will be described later.
[0146]
The terminal 111 receives an input of a password character string from the user (step S808), and transmits the password character string to the ISP 171 (step S809).
[0147]
The ISP 171 receives the password character string (step S810).
[0148]
Next, the ISP 171 obtains a rule stored in association with the user name on the hard disk (step S811), and applies the rule to the authentication character string generated in step S804. Is generated by converting (step S812).
[0149]
Further, it is compared whether or not the password character string received in step S810 is equal to the character string converted and generated in step S812 (step S813).
[0150]
If they are equal (step S813; Yes), the connection request is valid, and the ISP 171 assigns a currently unused communication identifier to the terminal 111 (step S814), the user name, The assigned communication identifier is associated and stored in a hard disk or RAM (Random Access Memory) (step S815), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, the terminal 111 acquires the assigned communication identifier (step S816) and prepares for subsequent communication.
[0151]
On the other hand, if the two character strings are not equal (step S813; No), that is, if the connection request is not valid, a notification that the connection request is rejected is sent to the terminal 111 (step S817). This process ends. Note that the response of the terminal 111 to this notification is not shown for easy understanding.
[0152]
As a rule used in the present embodiment, for example, the following can be adopted.
[0153]
The authentication character string is a string of n-digit numbers, and the password character string is a string of m-digit numbers. The number in the k (1 ≤ k ≤ m) digit of the password string is h in the authentication string. _k (1 ≦ h _k <= N) A rule is defined so as to be obtained by applying a predetermined operation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. to the digit of the digit. This h _k And authentication is performed by making the calculation for this different for each user.
[0154]
For example, if n = 8 and m = 3, for a certain user, "2 plus 1 plus 4 plus 2 plus 6 plus 3 plus 6" For another user, a rule such as “the first digit multiplied by 3, the eighth digit divided by 4, the fifth digit minus 3”, etc. (However, only the first place of the result of addition / subtraction / division / division is adopted). For example, when the former rule is used, the correct password character string for the authentication character string “18245924” is “962”.
[0155]
In addition, a string of alphabetic characters or kana can be used as the authentication character string. In this case, “next character”, “previous character”, “change to lower case”, “change to upper case”, “get vowel”, and the like may be used as operations. In addition, as disclosed in JP-A-10-307799, a predetermined conversion operation panel may be used.
[0156]
In this embodiment, when the ISP 171 provides a connection to the Internet 131, it is possible to prevent a raw password character string from being input at the terminal 111.
[0157]
As a result, for example, even if the terminal 111 is infected with a computer virus that monitors dial-up connections and steals passwords entered, authentication will not succeed unless the rules are known. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with a connection to the Internet 131 with high security.
[0158]
(Third embodiment)
In the embodiment described above, the address information management apparatus 301 responds by transmitting the obtained address information of the requested user to the terminal 111 as it is. In this embodiment, instead of simply responding, a postcard or the like is printed based on the address information of the requested user.
[0159]
The address information management apparatus 301 according to the present embodiment obtains the postal code, address, and name of the request destination user from the obtained address information of the request destination user, and drives the printer in accordance with the obtained postal code, address, name, and paper, postcard, address Print on the label.
[0160]
For example, the request source user selects a plurality of destination users, makes an inquiry to the ISP 171 of the address of the destination user, and causes the ISP 171 to print the address of a postcard or New Year's card.
[0161]
Furthermore, the ISP 171 can print an image on the postcard body by using image information data purchased by the requesting user from another ASP 141 via the Internet 131.
[0162]
When the address printing is completed, the ISP 171 collects the printed postcards and sends them to the requesting user. In this case, the address information 202 of the requesting user can be used.
[0163]
Instead of printing on a postcard, it is also possible to print contact information such as the address and name of the inquired user in a list form. This can be applied to, for example, management of an alumni association list.
[0164]
In addition, e-mail address information can be included in address book information, and this system can be applied to simultaneous broadcasts. That is, if an e-mail address is registered in the address book information, the e-mail address is notified. Otherwise, the address information management device 301 is used to obtain a destination address, and the contents of the notification are sent by mail. Will be sent.
[0165]
(Fourth embodiment)
In addition to the configuration of the above embodiment, in this embodiment, the address book information 201 managed by the address information management device 301 realized by the ISP 171 from the terminal 111 can be changed.
[0166]
When the user requests to change the address book information 201 from the terminal 111, a form 801 as shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted to the terminal and displayed.
[0167]
In the form 801, the address information of the principal is displayed in the address information column 802 of the principal. Also, item number 0 is assigned to this information.
[0168]
In the form 801 interruption, information relating to the address of another person is displayed as a scrollable table 803. Here, one item number is assigned to each other person, and the name, URL, disclosure possibility / impossibility, address information, etc. of the other person are displayed.
[0169]
The user selects the item number of the item whose address book information is to be changed, and inputs this in the item number column 804.
[0170]
Further, the contents of the change are entered in the name edit field 805, URL edit field 806, public edit field 807, and address edit field 808.
[0171]
When the personal address information is changed, 0 is entered in the item number field 804, and an address such as the moving address is entered in the address edit field 808.
[0172]
Thereafter, when the change button 809 is clicked, a request for changing the content is transmitted to the ISP 171, and the address book information 201 recorded in the ISP 171 is updated and changed by the request.
[0173]
These processes are realized by a CGI script prepared in the ISP 171.
[0174]
(Embodiment of WWW server)
The address information management apparatus 301 (ISP 171) according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by a WWW server configured to be connectable to the Internet 131 and in a state where a CGI script for executing the above-described processing is executable. .
[0175]
The WWW server is controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), connected to the Internet 131 via a network interface, and connected to the terminal 111 via a modem or a terminal adapter.
[0176]
A RAM (Random Access Memory) is used as a temporary data storage location, and an initial program loader or the like to be executed at startup is recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory).
[0177]
The CGI script and address book information are stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk, and the update and installation of the CGI script is performed using an information recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM). It is also possible to update via a network.
[0178]
In the above embodiment, the user name in the ISP 171 is used as it is as the user name. However, any user name can be used as long as each user can be identified.
[0179]
For example, an e-mail address or a basic resident register code can be used. In the present embodiment, when the electronic mail address or the basic resident register code and the ISP 171 used by the user are described in the address book, the personal addresses can be exchanged with each other.
[0180]
In addition, a management server that manages the correspondence between the e-mail address, the basic resident register code, and the ISP 171 as a database may be separately prepared, and each may inquire about the location of the ISP 171.
[0181]
Such a management server may be operated by a public institution such as the government, or may be operated by a private company that manages personal information. The contract between the management server and the ISP 171 imposes confidentiality on the ISP 171 so that the combination of the basic resident register code and the person's ISP 171 does not leak to the individual level.
[0182]
Further, since the e-mail address is generally managed by the same ISP 171 as the ISP 171 of the address information management apparatus 301, the domain name or IP address of the ISP 171 may be obtained from this address.
[0183]
Conversely, for example, when an e-mail address assigned by a company is used, the e-mail address may not be constant. In some cases, the e-mail address may only be disclosed to a predetermined person. An embodiment in which an e-mail address is used instead of the “personal address” and a basic resident register code is used instead of “URL” is also conceivable.
[0184]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, address information is exchanged while protecting privacy between users, and even if there is a change in address for a certain user, the user only changes the address information. To provide an address information management device, an address information management method, and a computer-readable information recording medium on which a program for realizing the address information is suitable for enabling other users to know the fact. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an address information management system configured by an address information management device.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of address book information of each user managed by an ISP.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an address information management apparatus realized by an ISP.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which address information management devices exchange address information with each other.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a state of inquiry processing executed in the address information management apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reply process executed in the address information management apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of connection start processing in the ISP together with processing in the terminal.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a form displayed in the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Address information management system
111 terminals
131 Internet
141 ASP
171 ISP
201 Address book information
202 Personal address information
203 Other address information
204 Name field
205 URL field
206 Public permission column
207 Address field
301 Address information management device
302 Address information storage unit
303 Request reception part
304 Inquiry acquisition unit
305 Inquiry Department
306 Reply reception
307 Address information acquisition department
308 Response unit
309 Inquiry reception department
310 Judgment part
311 Address information reading section
312 Answer Department
801 form
802 Personal address information column
803 table
804 Item number field
805 Name edit field
806 URL edit field
807 Public edit column
808 Address edit field
809 Change button

Claims (16)

An address information management device capable of communicating with other address information management devices,
Address information for storing, for each user, address information of the user, a user name of a partner to whom the user permits disclosure of address information, and information specifying an address information management device that manages the address information of the partner. A storage unit;
A request accepting unit that accepts a request from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user;
When the request is accepted and the user name of the second user is stored in the address information storage unit as a partner to whom the first user permits the disclosure of the address information, the address information of the second user An inquiry destination acquisition unit for acquiring information specifying an address information management device for managing
The user name of the first user is designated as a request source, the user name of the second user is designated as a request destination, and the second user is designated to the address information management device designated in the acquired information. An inquiry section that inquires for address information of
A reply accepting unit for accepting a reply specifying the address information of the second user returned from the inquired address information management device;
An address information acquisition unit for acquiring address information of the second user designated in the reply;
A response unit that responds to the terminal with the acquired address information of the second user;
An inquiry reception unit that receives an inquiry specifying a user name of a request source user and a user name of a request destination user made from another address information management device;
The user name of the requesting user specified in the inquiry is stored as a partner to whom the requesting user specified in the accepted inquiry permits the disclosure of the address information, and the address information of the requesting user A determination unit that determines whether or not a condition that information specifying the address information management device that made the inquiry is stored is satisfied as an address information management device that manages
When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, an address information reading unit that reads the address information of the stored user of the request destination;
A reply unit that returns the read address information of the requested user to the address information management apparatus that made the query as a reply to the query;
An address information management device comprising: The user name of the other party who permits the disclosure of the stored address information and the information of the address information management apparatus that manages the address information of the other party are stored in a URL (Universal Resource Locator) expression. The address information management device according to claim 1 . A user name receiving unit for receiving a user name issued from the terminal;
An authentication character string generation and transmission unit for generating an authentication character string and transmitting the generated character string to the terminal;
A password character string receiving unit for receiving a password character string transmitted from the terminal;
A rule storage unit for storing a rule for converting an authentication character string into a password character string in association with a user name;
A password character string received by the password character string receiving unit is obtained by converting the generated authentication character string according to a rule stored in the rule storage unit in association with the received user name. An authentication unit that authenticates the terminal against the user name;
Further comprising
The request accepting unit issues a request issued by the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user, and the user name of the first user is not authenticated to the terminal The address information management device according to claim 1 , wherein the address information management device is not accepted. A change request accepting unit that accepts a change request issued from the terminal to change the user's address information;
If the user name of the user specified in the accepted change request is authenticated for the terminal, the address information of the user stored in the address information storage unit according to the accepted change request Change part to change,
The address information management device according to claim 3 , further comprising: The address according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a printing unit that prints the acquired address information of the second user on a printed body including paper, a postcard, and an address label. Information management device. A request accepting step of accepting a request issued from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user;
The request is accepted, and for each user, the address information of the user, the user name of the partner to whom the user permits the disclosure of the address information, and the address information management device that manages the address information of the partner are specified. If the user name of the second user is stored in the address information storage unit that stores the information as a partner to whom the first user permits the disclosure of the address information, the address information of the second user An inquiry destination acquisition step for acquiring information specifying an address information management device that manages
The user name of the first user is designated as a request source, the user name of the second user is designated as a request destination, and the second user is designated to the address information management device designated in the acquired information. An inquiry process for inquiring address information of
A reply accepting step of accepting a reply specifying the address information of the second user returned from the inquired address information management device;
An address information acquisition step of acquiring address information of the second user designated in the reply;
A response step of responding to the terminal with the acquired address information of the second user;
An inquiry reception step for receiving an inquiry specifying a user name of a request source user and a user name of a request destination user made from another address information management device;
The user name of the requesting user specified in the inquiry is stored as a partner to whom the requesting user specified in the accepted inquiry permits the disclosure of the address information, and the address information of the requesting user A determination step of determining whether or not a condition that information specifying the address information management device that made the inquiry is stored is satisfied as an address information management device for managing
If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, an address information reading step of reading the stored address information of the user of the request destination;
Returning the address information of the read request destination user to the address information management apparatus that made the inquiry as a reply to the inquiry;
An address information management method comprising: The user name of the other party who permits the disclosure of the stored address information and the information of the address information management apparatus that manages the address information of the other party are stored in a URL (Universal Resource Locator) expression. The address information management method according to claim 6 . A user name receiving step of receiving a user name issued from the terminal;
An authentication character string generation and transmission step of generating an authentication character string and transmitting it to the terminal;
A password character string receiving step for receiving a password character string transmitted from the terminal;
A rule acquisition step of acquiring a rule stored in association with the received user name from a rule storage unit that stores the rule for converting the authentication character string into a password character string in association with the user name;
An authentication step of authenticating the terminal with respect to the user name when the generated authentication character string according to the acquired rule matches the received password character string;
Further comprising
The request receiving step is a request issued from the terminal to request the second user's address information from the first user, and the user name of the first user is not authenticated to the terminal The address information management method according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the address information management method is not accepted. A change request accepting step for accepting a change request issued from the terminal to change the address information of the user;
If the user name of the user specified in the accepted change request is authenticated for the terminal, the address information of the user stored in the address information storage unit according to the accepted change request Change process to change,
The address information management method according to claim 8 , further comprising: The address according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising: a printing step of printing the acquired address information of the second user on a printing body including paper, a postcard, and an address label. Information management method. A computer that can communicate with other address information management devices,
Address information for storing, for each user, address information of the user, a user name of a partner to whom the user permits disclosure of address information, and information specifying an address information management device that manages the address information of the partner. Storage unit,
A request accepting unit that accepts a request issued from the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user;
When the request is accepted and the user name of the second user is stored in the address information storage unit as a partner to whom the first user permits the disclosure of the address information, the address information of the second user Inquiry acquisition unit for acquiring information specifying the address information management device that manages
The user name of the first user is designated as a request source, the user name of the second user is designated as a request destination, and the second user is designated to the address information management device designated in the acquired information. Inquiry department to inquire about address information
A reply accepting unit for accepting a reply specifying the address information of the second user returned from the inquired address information management device;
An address information acquisition unit for acquiring address information of the second user designated in the reply;
A response unit that responds to the terminal with the acquired address information of the second user;
An inquiry reception unit for receiving an inquiry specifying a user name of a request source user and a user name of a request destination user made from another address information management device;
The user name of the requesting user specified in the inquiry is stored as a partner to whom the requesting user specified in the accepted inquiry permits the disclosure of the address information, and the address information of the requesting user A determination unit that determines whether or not a condition that information specifying the address information management device that has made the inquiry is stored is satisfied as an address information management device that manages
When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, an address information reading unit that reads the address information of the stored user of the request destination, and
A computer-readable information record in which a program is recorded, wherein the read address information of the requested user is made to function as a reply unit that returns to the address information management apparatus that made the query as a reply to the query Medium. In the computer, the program is
The user name of the other party who permits the disclosure of the stored address information and the information of the address information management device that manages the address information of the other party are stored in a URL (Universal Resource Locator) expression. The information recording medium according to claim 11 , wherein: The program causes the computer to
A user name receiving unit for receiving a user name issued from the terminal;
An authentication character string generation / transmission unit that generates an authentication character string and transmits it to the terminal;
A password character string receiving unit for receiving a password character string transmitted from the terminal;
A rule storage unit for storing a rule for converting an authentication character string into a password character string in association with a user name; and
A password character string received by the password character string receiving unit is obtained by converting the generated authentication character string according to a rule stored in the rule storage unit in association with the received user name. The terminal further functions as an authentication unit that authenticates the user name,
The request accepting unit issues a request issued by the terminal to request the address information of the second user from the first user, and the user name of the first user is not authenticated to the terminal the information recording medium according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that to function so as not accepted. The program causes the computer to
A change request accepting unit that accepts a change request issued from the terminal to change the user's address information; and
If the user name of the user specified in the accepted change request is authenticated for the terminal, the address information of the user stored in the address information storage unit according to the accepted change request The information recording medium according to claim 13 , wherein the information recording medium further functions as a changing unit that changes the information. The program causes the computer to
15. The apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising a printing unit that prints the acquired address information of the second user on a printed material including paper, a postcard, and an address label. Information recording medium. Information recording medium storing the program, a compact disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disc, according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that a magnetic tape, a semiconductor memory Information recording media.

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