a2) United States Patent
`US 6,754,665 Bl
`(10) Patent No.:
`Futagamiet al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun, 22, 2004
`
`
`US006754665B1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS,
`INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD,
`AND STORAGE MEDIUM
`Inventors: Motomasa Futagami, Kanagawa (IP);
`Youji Kawamoto, Tokyo (JP);
`Hirofumi Kawamura, Kanagawa(JP),
`Motohiko Nagano, Tokyo (JP)
`
`.
`
`(73) Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`
`6,138,149 A * 10/2000 Ohmura oo... eee 705/26
`
`..
`6,195,651 Bl *
`2/2001 Handel et al.
`3/2001 Ferrel et al. we. 707/515
`6,199,082 B1 *
`6,199,099 B1 *
`3/2001 Gershmanet al.
`.......... 345/966
`Eo
`0905-478 Bi “ S00 Steametal oe t00093
`
`6,269,369 Bl *
`7/2001 Robertson.......
`707/10
`6,317,718 BL * 11/2001 Fano vescccsssssssseesssseeeeee 705/1
`6/2002 Van Det Meer oo... 715/513
`6,405,224 B1 *
`
`6,477,563 B1 * 11/2002 Kawamuraetal.
`......... 709/202
`.. 707/102
`6,487,557 B1 * 11/2002 Nagatomo.........
`
`8/2001 Herz et al. we 705/14
`2001/0014868 Al *
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 254 days.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/592,977
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 13, 2000
`
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Jun. 24, 1999
`(IP) eee eeecccceeseeeseseeecnseeenees P11-177819
`Jun. 24, 1999
`(IP) eee eee ccc ceeseeeseseeecnseeenees P11-177820
`
`Tint, C07 eee ceccececeeeececeeeeeneeanens GO06F 17/30
`(SV)
`UWS. Ch.
`cocceccccecceccssccessstessstessnsessseiesneesseees 707/102
`(52)
`(58) Field of Search oo... ecteeeeeeereees 707/102
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5191611 A *
`3/1993 Lang veces 705/53
`
`4/1996 Colgan vecccsscessseesseeeeee 705/12
`5,510,978 A *
`
`5/1998 Bisbee et al... 713/176
`5,748,738 A *
`9/1998 Felger oe. eee 379/114.14
`5,802,156 A *
`5,867,821 A *
`2/1999 Ballantyne et al.
`...... 345/970.1
`5,930,801 A *
`7/1999 Falkenhainer et al.
`.. 707/103 R
`6,006,227 A * 12/1999 Freemanetal. ............ 707/02
`
`4/2000 Sutcliffe et al. 345/751
`6,052,122 A *
`5/2000 Willner et al... 370/352
`6,064,666 A *
`....
`. 713/200
`6,119,229 A *
`9/2000 Martinez et al.
`
`............. 705/26
`6,134,548 A * 10/2000 Gottsmanet al.
`
`Primary Examiner—Wayne Amsbury
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sonnenschein, Nath &
`Rosenthal LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A technique is disclosed which makesit possible to easily
`control access to personal information of a user. A manage-
`.
`:
`,
`ment server stores personal information such as a name,
`telephone number, address, and electronic mail address of
`each user. For example,if a user of a computer transmits a
`request command to the management server to transmit
`personal
`information of a user of a portable telephone
`device, the management server determines, in accordance
`with accessrestriction information, whetheror not providing
`of the personal
`information of the user of the portable
`telephone is restricted. If the providing of the personal
`information requested by the user of the computer is
`restricted, the managementserver inquires of the user of the
`portable telephone device, who is the ownerof the personal
`information, whether to give permission to provide the
`personal information. If permission is given, the manage-
`mentserver provides the personal informationto the user of
`the computer.
`
`23 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
`
` RETRIEVAL
`
`
`44
`
`
`
`LOG
`DATABASE
`
`COMMUNICATION
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`
`UPDATED INFORMATION
`
`SERVER UNIT
`NOTIFICATION UNIT
`
`
`
`
`
`PERSONAL
`
` INFORMATION
`
`
`DATABASE
`
`33
`
`
`
`
`
`TO NETWORK
`
`Google Exhibit 1030
`Google Exhibit 1030
`Google v. Mullen
`Google v. Mullen
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`q1aVL
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`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`Ssaydqdqv
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 3
`
`21
`
`TERMINAL UNIT
`
`COMMUNICATION
`CONTROLLER
`
`1
`
`TO NETWORK
`
`ADDRESS TABLE
`
`MEMORY
`
`23
`
`NY
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 4
`
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`REGISTRATION PROCESS
`
`ACCESS A SERVER
`
`o1
`
`DISPLAY A PERSONAL INFORMA-|S2
`TION INPUT SCREEN
`
`IS A TRANSMISSION
`COMMNAD INPUT?
`
`WM oo
`
`TRANSMIT PERSONAL|S4
`INFORMATION
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`ACQUISITION PROCESS
`
`TRANSMIT A KEYWORD|911
`TO A SERV
`mi D
`
`i
`
`IS PERSONAL
`
`INFORMATION RECEIVED?
`
`S12
`
`UPDATE AN ADDRESS
`es m
`TAB
`
`|913
`
`END
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 6
`
`32
`
`31
`
`SERVER UNIT
`
`COMMUNICATION
`|}<—> CONTROLLER
`
`TO NETWORK
`
`
`
`PERSONAL
`INFORMATION
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`33
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 7
`
`DATABASE REGISTRATION
`PROCESS
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT A PERSONAL INFORMA-
`TION INPUT SCREEN DATA
`
`IS PERSONAL
`
`INFORMATION RECEIVED?
`
`Y
`
`$22
`
`
`
`
`
`Ay,
`
`
`INPUT THE PERSONAL INFORMA-
`TION INTO THE DATABASE
`
`
`
`FIG. 8
`
`S21
`
`523
`
`
`
`
`
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`
`PROVIDING PROCESS RETRIEVE PERSONAL INFORMA-
`TION USING A KEYWORD
`
`
`931
`
`TRANSMIT PERSONAL INFORMATION|932
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`ee
`
`NOILLVWHOSNI
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`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 9 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 10
`
`UPDATED INFORMATION
`
`NOTIFICATION PROCESS
`
`
`RETRIEVE A USER WHO HAS
`RETRIEVED UPDATED PERSONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT THE UPDATED PERSONAL
`INFORMATION TO THE USER
`
`
`
`
`
`S41
`
`$42
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 10 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`COMPUTER 1
`(USER A)
`
`MANAGEMENT
`SERVER 6
`
`COMPUTER 4
`(USER B)
`
`(P1) REQUEST FOR RETRIEVAL
`
`THE USER
`
`(P3) PRODUCE A RETRIEVAL
`
`
`LOG IN TERMS OF THEC)
`(P4) TRANSMIT PERSONAL
`
`RETRIEVAL OF USER A
`
`
`INFORMATION
`
`
`OF PERSONAL INFORMATION (P2) AUTHENTICATE ()
`
` (P5)REQUEST FOR UPDATING
` (P6) UPDATE THE PERSONAL (C)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`
`INFORMATION
`
`(P7) CHECK THE
`RETRIEVAL LOG ©
`
`
`(IN TERMS OF
`(P8) TRANSMIT PERSONAL
`USER A)
`
`
`INFORMATION
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 11 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`clOld
`
`LS
`
`Le
`
`|501
`
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`
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`LINNSNIMOSHO
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`dlvddn
`
`
`
`AYOWAWJ1avl
`
`sSayddaqv
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 12 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`UPDATE CHECKING
`PROCESS
`
`ACCESS A SERVER
`
`|S91
`
`ISSUE A REQUEST FOR CHECKING|S52
`WHETHER PERSONAL INFORMA-
`TION HAS BEEN UPDATED
`
`
`
`N/IS UPDATED PERSONAL S58
`
`INFORMATION RECEIVED?
`
`
`UPDATE PERSONAL INFORMATION|904
`IN THE ADDRESS TABLE
`
`
`END
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 13 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`COMPUTER 1
`(USER A)
`
`MANAGEMENT
`SERVER 6
`
`COMPUTER 4
`(USER B)
`
`(P11) ISSUE A REQUEST FOR
`RETRIEVING INFORMATION
`
`(P12) AUTHENTICATE()
`THE USER
`
`(P13) TRANSMIT PERSONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`(P14) PRODUCE A RETRIEVAL OC
`LOG ASSOCIATED WITH
`
`(P15)PERFORM POLLING IN
`ACCORDANCE WITH THE
`RETRIEVAL LOG
`
`(P22) POLLING RESPONSE: YES
`
`(P16) CHECK PERSONAL 7)
`INFORMATION
`
`(P18)
`ISSUE A REQUEST FOR
`UPDATING THE PERSONAL
`INFORMATION ASSOCIATED
`WITH USER A
`(P19) UPDATE THE
`PERSONAL INFOR- ©
`MATION ASSOCIATED]
`WITH USER A
`
`(P21) CHECK PERSONAL ()
`INFORMATION
`
`(P17) POLLING RESPONSE: NO
`
`(P20) PERFORM POLLING IN
`ACCORDANCE WITH
`THE RETRIEVAL LOG
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 14 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 15
`
`DATA B-
`
`DATA C
`
`USER C
`
`OWNER
`INFORMATION :
`USER A
`
`ACCESS
`ALLOWANCE
`INFORMATION :
`ALL
`
`INFORMATION :
`USER A
`
`ACCESS
`ALLOWANCE
`INFORMATION :
`USER A
`
`INFORMATION :
`USER B
`
`ACCESS
`ALLOWANCE
`INFORMATION :
`USER A
`USER B
`
`OWNER
`INFORMATION :
`USER C
`USER D
`
`ACCESS
`ALLOWANCE
`INFORMATION :
`USER A
`USER C
`USER D
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 15 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG.
`
`16
`
`USER A
`
`USER B
`
`USER ©
`
`USER D
`
`OWNER
`INFORMATION :
`DATA C
`
`OWNER
`INFORMATION :
`DATA D
`
`OWNER
`INFORMATION :
`DATA D
`
`DATA D
`
`OWNER
`INFORMATION :
`DATA A
`DATA B
`
`ACCESS
`ALLOWANCE
`INFORMATION :
`DATA A
`DATA B
`DATA C
`DATA D
`
`ACCESS
`ALLOWANCE
`INFORMATION :
`DATA A
`DATA C
`
`ACCESS
`ALLOWANCE
`INFORMATION :
`DATA C
`
`ACCESS
`ALLOWANCE
`INFORMATION :
`DATA D
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 16 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 17
`
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`PROVIDING PROCESS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE PERSONAL INFORMATION|961
`
`USING A KEYWORD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` S66
`
`
`Y
`S68
`
`
`
`
`
`CHANGE THE ACCESS RESTRIC-
`TRANSMIT A MESSAGE
`TO TELL THAT THE
`
`TION INFORMATION
`
`REQUEST IS REFUSED
`
`TRANSMIT PERSONAL INFORMATION
`
`IS ACCESS ALLOWED?
`
` 563
`TRANSMIT A MESSAGE TO TELL
`THAT ACCESS TO THE PERSONAL
`INFORMATION IS NOT ALLOWED
`
`$64
`
`IS THERE A REQUEST FOR CHANG
`ING THE ACCESS RESTRICTION?
`
`Y
`
`
`TRANSMIT A REQUEST TO THE
`
`OWNER TO CHANGE THE ACCESS
`
`RESTRICTION INFORMATION
`
`
`IS THE REQUEST ACCEPTED?
`
`N
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 17 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`USER
`REQUESTING
`S
`
`MANAGEMENT
`SERVER 6
`
`OWNER OF
`PERSONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`(P33) AUTHENTICATION
`
`(P32)
`C) PERFORM USER
`
`PROCESS
`
`(P31)REQUEST THE SERVER
`TO AUTHENTICATE THE
`USER
`
`AUTHENTICATION
`
`
`suepeouesr|EAGT ETRE
`PERSONAL
`C)
`WITH A KEYWORD
`INFORMATION
`
`(P36) TRANSMITPERSONAL
`
`(P35)
`(>) DETERMINATION AS
`TO ALLOWANCE OF
`ACCESS: ALLOWED
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 18 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`USER
`REQUESTING
`ACCESS
`
`MANAGEMENT
`SERVER 6
`
`OWNER OF
`PERSONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`(P41)REQUEST THE SERVER
`TO AUTHENTICATE THE
`USER
`
`(P43) AUTHENTICATION
`
`AUTHENTICATION
`PROCESS
`
`(INPUT BY THE USER) (P42) PERFORM USER
`
`DETERMINATION AS TO
`WHETHER TO ISSUE A
`REQUEST FOR CHANGING
`THE ACCESS RESTRIC-
`TION : NO
`
`(P44) TRANSMIT A RETRIEVAL
`REQUEST TOGETHER
`WITH A KEYWORD
`
`(P46) TRANSMIT THE RESULT
`OF DETERMINATION AS
`TO ALLOWANCE OF
`ACCESS
`
`(P45) DETERMINATION
`AS TO ALLOWANCE OF
`ACCESS : NOT ALLOWED
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 19 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 Bl
`
`USER
`REQUESTING
`ACCESS
`
`MANAGEMENT
`SERVER 6
`
`OWNER OF
`PERSONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`(P51)REQUEST THE SERVER
`TO AUTHENTICATE THE
`USER
`
`(P53) AUTHENTICATION
`
`(P52)
`e PERFORM USER
`AUTHENTICATION
`PROCESS
`
`(P54) TRANSMIT A RETRIEVAL
`REQUEST TOGETHER
`WITH A KEYWORD
`
`(P56) TOASTAMESSAGE
`
`ACCESS IS REFUSED
`
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`
`(P55)
`A DETERMINATION AS TO
`ACCESS : NOT ALLOWED
`
`ALLOWANCE OF
`
`DETERMINATION
`AS TO WHETHER TO
`ISSUE A REQUEST
`FOR CHANGING
`THE ACCESS
`(P57) TRANSMIT A REQUEST
`RESTRICTION : YES
`FOR CHANGING THE
`(INPUT BY THE USER)
`ACCESS RESTRICTION|(psa)
`ACQUIRE INFORMATION
`C) AS TO THE OWNER OF
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`(P59)
`TRANSMIT A REQUEST
`FOR CHANGING THE
`ACCESS RESTRICTION
`
`(P60)
`TRANSMIT A MESSAGE
`TO TELL THAT THE
`REQUEST HAS BEEN
`ACCEPTED
`(P62)
`(P61)
`TRANSMIT THE
`PERSONAL INFORMATION‘ACQUIRE THE
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`Cy (P63)
`UPDATE INFORMATION
`AS TO RESTRICTION
`OF ACCESS TO THE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 20 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`USER
`REQUESTING
`ACCESS
`
`MANAGEMENT
`SERVER 6
`
`OWNER OF
`PERSONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`(P51)REQUEST THE SERVER
`TO AUTHENTICATE THE
`USER
`
`(P53) AUTHENTICATION
`
`(P52)
`(y PERFORM USER
`AUTHENTICATION
`PROCESS
`
`(P54)TRANSMIT A RETRIEVAL
`REQUEST TOGETHER
`WITH A KEYWORD
`
`(P55)
`DETERMINATION AS TO
`() ALLOWANCE OF
`(P56) TRANSMIT A MESSAGEYAccess: NOT ALLOWED
`TO TELL THAT THE
`ACCESS IS REFUSED
`
`PERSONAL INFORMATION (P61)
`
`(P60)
`TRANSMIT A MESSAGE
`TO TELL THAT THE
`REQUEST HAS BEEN
`ACCEPTED
`
`DETERMINATION
`AS TO WHETHER TO
`ISSUE A REQUEST
`FOR CHANGING
`THE ACCESS
`RESTRICTION: YES
`(INPUT BY THE USER)
`
`(P57) TRANSMIT A REQUEST
`FOR CHANGING THE
`ACCESS RESTRICTION
`
`(P58)
`ACQUIRE INFORMATION
`OAS TO THE OWNER OF
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`
`(P59)
`TRANSMIT A REQUEST
`FOR CHANGING THE
`ACCESS RESTRICTION
`
`(P62)
`TRANSMIT THE
`
`O ACQUIRE THE
`PERSONAL INFORMATION
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 21 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 22 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 23
`
`
`
`REGISTERED USER NAME: USER A, USER B
`
`ACCESS RESTRICTION
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`FIRST AND LAST NAMES : USER A, USER B
`
`HOME TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`: USER A, USER B
`
`PORTABLE TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`: USER A, USER B
`
`PAGER NUMBER : USER A, USER B
`
`E-MAIL ADDRESS : USER A, USER B
`
`HOME FACSIMILE
`NUMBER
`
`: NOBODY
`
`HOME ZIP CODE : NOBODY
`
`HOME ADDRESS : NOBODY
`
`COMPANY NAME : USER A
`
`COMPANY TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`: USER A
`
`COMPANY FACSIMILE
`NUMBER
`: USER
`
`SECTION NAME
`
`:USER A
`
`COMPANY ADDRESS : USER A
`
`NOTES
`
`: NOBODY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATION TERMINAL
`INFORMATION LIST
`:USER A, USER B
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 23 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 24
`
`REGISTERED USER NAME: USER A, USER B
`
`FIRST AND LAST NAMES
`HOME TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`: USER A, USER B
`
`: USER A, USER B
`
`PORTABLE TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`: USER A, USER B
`PAGER NUMBER : USER A, USER B
`
`E-MAIL ADDRESS : USER A, USER B
`
`HOME FACSIMILE
`NUMBER
`
`: NOBODY
`
`HOME ZIP CODE : NOBODY
`
`HOME ADDRESS_: NOBODY
`
`COMPANY NAME : USER A
`
`COMPANY TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`: USER A
`
`COMPANY FACSIMILE
`NUMBER
`USER A
`
`SECTION NAME
`
`:USER A
`
`COMPANY ADDRESS : USER A
`
`NOTES
`
`: NOBODY
`
`
` UPDATED
`INFORMATION
`
`
`NOTIFICATION
`
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATION TERMINAL
`INFORMATION LIST
`:USER A, USER B
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 24 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 25A
`
`
`
`FIG. 25B
`
`111
`
`112
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`113
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`114
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`116
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`115
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`FIG. 25C
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22, 2004
`
`Sheet 25 of 25
`
`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`FIG. 26
`
`142
`
`143
`
`144
`
`102
`
`CPU|ROM|RAM HARD DISK 141
`
`_ |
`|
`|
`
`INPUT / OUTPUT INTERFACE
`
`145
`
`DISPLAY
`
`INPUT
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`146
`
`147
`
`148
`
`149
`
`,
`
`101
`
`

`

`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`1
`
`INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS,
`INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD,
`AND STORAGE MEDIUM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to an information processing
`apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage
`medium, and moreparticularly, to an information processing
`apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage
`medium, which allow personal information ofa user, such as
`a name, address,
`telephone number, and electronic mail
`address, to be recorded in an address table or the like and
`which also makeit possible to easily control the access of
`another user to the personal information.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`A recent reduction in cost of information communication
`devices allows many users to record and mange personal
`information on an information communication device such
`
`as a portable telephone device, a computer, or a PDA
`(Personal Digital (Data) Assistant), wherein the personal
`information may include names, addresses,
`telephone
`numbers, and electronic mail addresses of users themselves
`and/or friends or acquaintances.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communication system
`including such information communication devices.
`In FIG. 1, computers 1 and 2 are connected to an in-house
`LAN (local area network) 12 in a certain company. The LAN
`12 is connected to the Internet 11. Computers 3 and 4 are
`connected to an ISP (Internet service provider) 14 via a
`public telephone network 13 so that they can access the
`Internet 11. A portable telephone device 5 can access the
`Internet 11 via a portable telephone wireless network
`(including base stations and the like) 15.
`The Internet 11 provides various services including an
`electronic mail (E-mail) service, whereby users of the com-
`puters 1 to 4 or the portable telephone device 5 can send an
`electronic mail to each other via the Internet 11.
`
`An application program for sending/receiving electronic
`mails is generally called a mailer. In general, the mailer has
`a table, called an address table, for managing personal
`information. The address table is used by a user to record
`personal
`information such as names and electronic mail
`addresses of other users.
`
`‘The recording of personal information into address tables
`hasto be performed by respective users themselves. This job
`is troublesome for users.
`
`Although the mailer has the capability of extracting the
`electronic mail addressof the senderof a received electronic
`mail and recording the extracted electronic mail address in
`the address table, the other items of personal information
`such as a telephone number or a company namehaveto be
`input by a user.
`Telephone devices such as a portable telephone device 5
`has the capability of recording telephone numbers of other
`users into an address table by using the telephone number
`notification service provided by the ISDN (Integrated Ser-
`vice Digital Network). However, even in this case, other
`items of personal
`information have to be input by the
`respective users of the telephone devices.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the
`problems described above.
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`According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
`provided an information processing apparatus which
`acquires personal information from an information provid-
`ing apparatus serving to provide personal information of a
`user, by means of transmitting a keyword used to retrieve
`personal information to the information providing appara-
`tus;
`requesting the information providing apparatus to
`retrieve personal information using the keyword; receiving
`personal information correspondingto the keyword from the
`information providing apparatus; and recording the personal
`information received from the information providing appa-
`ratus.
`
`According to another aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided an information processing apparatus which
`provides personal information of a user in response to a
`request issued by a client terminal in such a manner that
`whenpersonal information described in a personal informa-
`tion database is updated, information as to updating of the
`personal information is provided to a client terminal which
`hasissued, in the past, a requestforretrieval of that personal
`information.
`
`Accordingto still another aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided an information processing apparatus which
`provides personal information of a user in response to a
`request issued by a client terminal, by meansof receiving a
`request for personal information from the client terminal;
`determining whether providing of personal
`information
`requested by the client terminal is permitted or restricted, on
`the basis of permission/restriction information representing
`whether providing of the personal information is permitted
`or restricted; when the client terminal issues a request for
`personal information,if the providing of the personal infor-
`mation is not permitted or is restricted, inquiring of the
`ownerof the personal information whether or not to give
`permission as to the providing of the personal information;
`and providing personal information to the client terminal
`when the owner of the personal information gives permis-
`sion to provide the personal information.
`Accordingto still another aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided an information processing apparatus which
`acquires personal information of a user from an information
`providing apparatus serving to provide personal information
`of a user, by means of performing inquiry in such a manner
`that when a request is issued to the information providing
`apparatus to provide the personal information, if the pro-
`viding of the personal information is not permitted or is
`restricted, a request is issued to the information providing
`means to inquire of the owner of the personal information
`whetheror not to give permission as to the providing of said
`personal information.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of
`a conventional communication system;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configura-
`tion of a communication system according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
`functional configuration of a computer;
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a personal information
`registration process;
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a personal information
`acquisition process;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
`functional configuration of a managementserver;
`
`

`

`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a database registration
`process;
`FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a personal information
`providing process;
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another example of
`a functional configuration of a managementserver;
`FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an update notification
`process;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communi-
`cation process between the management server and com-
`puters;
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating another example of
`a functional configuration of a computer;
`FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an update checking
`process;
`FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communi-
`cation process between the management server and com-
`puters;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating access restric-
`tion information;
`FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating access restric-
`tion information;
`FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a personal information
`providing process;
`FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communi-
`cation process between the management server and an
`access requester and an owner of personal information;
`FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communi-
`cation process between the management server and an
`access requester and an ownerof personal information;
`FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communi-
`cation process between the management server and an
`access requester and an owner of personal information;
`FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communi-
`cation process between the management server and an
`access requester and an ownerof personal information;
`FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of
`personal information described in a personal information
`database stored in the management server, FIG. 22B illus-
`trates the contents of personal information, FIG. 22C illus-
`trates the contents of an address table, FIG. 22D illustrates
`the contents of user registration information, and FIG. 22E
`illustrates the contents of a communication terminal infor-
`mationlist;
`FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the details of
`access restriction information;
`FIG, 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating the details of
`update notification information;
`FIG. 25A is a schematic diagram illustrating the appear-
`ance of a computer in which a program for executing a
`process according to the present inventionis installed, FIG.
`25B is a schematic diagram illustrating various storage
`media for storing a program used to execute a process
`according to the present
`invention, and FIG. 25C is a
`schematic diagram illustrating a process for supplying a
`program used to execute a process according to the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
`configuration of a computer for executing a process accord-
`ing to the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration of a communication
`system according to an embodimentof the present inven-
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`tion. In FIG. 2, similar parts to those in FIG. 1 are denoted
`by similar reference numerals and they are not described in
`further detail, unless required. The communication system
`shownin FIG. 2 is basically similar to that shown in FIG. 1
`except
`that
`it further includes a management server 6
`connected to the Internet 11.
`
`The management server 6 (information providing
`apparatus) manages personal information of all users of
`computers 1-4, portable telephone device 5, and other client
`terminals which are not shown in FIG. 2, in termsof, for
`example, names,
`telephone numbers, addresses, dates of
`birth, and electronic mail addresses.
`If the managementserver 6 receives personal information
`from any user of the computers 1-4 orthe portable telephone
`device 5,
`the management server 6 enters the received
`personal information into a database. On the other hand,if
`personal information of a certain user is requested by any of
`the computers 1-4 or the portable telephone device 5, the
`managementserver 6 provides the requested personal infor-
`mation to the device which has issued the request.
`In the communication system constructed in the above-
`described manner, users of the computers 1 and 2 register
`their personal information into the managementserver 6 by
`accessing the managementserver6 on the Internet 11 via the
`in-house LAN 12. Similarly, users of the computers 3 and 4
`register their personal information by accessing the man-
`agement server 6 via the public telephone network 14 and
`the ISP 13, and the user of the portable telephone device 5
`registers his/her personal information by accessing the man-
`agement server 6 via the wireless network 15.
`When, thereafter, the user of the computer 1 wants to
`register the personal information of the user of the personal
`telephone device 5 into the address table on the computer1,
`the user of the computer 1 sends the nameorthelike of the
`user of the portable telephone device 5, as a keyword for
`retrieval of personal information, to the management server
`6 from the computer 1. In response, the managementserver
`6 retrieves personal
`information (for example, personal
`information containing the keyword) which matches the
`keyword received from the computer 1, and sends the
`retrieved personal information to the computer 1. If the
`computer 1 receives the personal information sent from the
`managementserver 6, the computer 1 records the received
`personal information into the address table.
`Thus, the user of the computer 1 can have the personal
`information of the user of the portable telephone device 5
`recorded in the address table without having to input the
`personal information via the keyboard orthe like.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a functional configuration
`of the computer 1 shown in FIG. 2.
`The computer 1 comprises a communication controller
`21, a terminal unit 22, and an address table memory 23.
`The communication controller 21 serves as an interface
`
`for communicating with the management server 6 on the
`Internet 11 via a network such as an in-house LAN 12, a
`public telephone network 14 and an ISP 13, or a wireless
`network 15. The terminal unit 22 serves to perform various
`processes required for the computer 1 to behave as a client
`of the management server 6. The address table memory 23
`stores an address table in which personal information is
`recorded.
`
`The computers 2-4 and the portable telephone device 5
`shownin FIG. 2 are similar to the computer 1 shownin FIG.
`3, and thus they are not described in further detail herein.
`The computers 1-4 and the portable telephone device 5
`(hereinafter,
`these devices are generically represented as
`
`

`

`US 6,754,665 B1
`
`5
`terminals) perform various processes including a
`client
`personal
`information registration process for registering
`personal information into the management server 6 and a
`personal information acquisition process for acquiring per-
`sonal information from the managementserver 6.
`Referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4, the personal
`information registration process is described below.
`When a user wants to register his/her personal informa-
`tion into the management server 6,
`the user operates a
`keyboard or the like (not shown) to input a registration
`command to the terminal unit 22. Thus,
`in step S1,
`the
`terminal unit 22 sends a personal information registration
`request to the management server 6 on the Internet 12 by
`accessing the managementserver 6 via the communication
`controller 21.
`
`Uponreception of the request for registration of personal
`information, the managementserver6 transmitsto the client
`terminal an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file or
`the like representing a personal information input screen
`used to input personal information, as described in further
`detail later. If the communication controller 21 of the client
`terminal receives the HTMLfile, the communication con-
`troller 21 transfers it to the terminal unit 22 In step S2, the
`terminal unit 22 displays the personal information input
`screen in accordance with the received HTMLfile.
`
`The user inputs desired items of personal information via
`the personal information input screen. After completion of
`inputting the personal information, the user enters a personal
`information transmission command. In step S3, the terminal
`unit 22 determines whether a transmission command has
`
`been issued If it is determined in step S3 that the personal
`information transmission commandhasnot been issued, the
`process returns to step S3.
`If it is determined in step S3 that the personal information
`transmission command has been issued, the process goes to
`step S4.
`In step S4,
`the terminal unit 22 controls the
`communication controller 21 so as to transmit the personal
`information, which has been input via the personal infor-
`mation input screen, to the managementserver 6. Thus, the
`personal information registration process is completed.
`Referring now to the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, the
`process of acquiring personal
`information is described
`below.
`
`When a user wants to acquire personal information of
`another user from the managementserver6, the user inputs
`a personal information request commandto the terminal unit
`22. In response, in step S11, the terminal unit 22 controls the
`communication controller 21 so as to transmit a personal
`information retrieval request command together with a key-
`word to the managementserver 6 on the Internet 11.
`Herein, when the personal information request command
`is input to the terminal unit 22, the keyword may be given
`by the user by meansof inputting the nameorthe electronic
`mail address of the user whose personal informationis to be
`acquired.
`The keyword may also be given from information locally
`owned by a client terminal. For example, when personal
`information of a certain user described in the address table
`stored in the address table memory 23 includes only the
`electronic mail address of that user,
`if another item of
`personal information of that user is required, the keyword
`may be obtained by invoking the address table and pointing
`to the electronic mail address. Alternatively, when an elec-
`tronic mail from a certain user is displayed in a window on
`the display screen of the client terminal, if the user of the
`client
`terminal
`inputs a personal
`information request
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`command, the terminal unit 22 detects the electronic mail
`address of the sender of the electronic mail displayed in the
`window and employsthe detected electronic mail address as
`the keyword.
`If the management server 6 receives the personal infor-
`mation retrieval request command together with the key-
`word from the client terminal,
`the management server 6
`retrieves the personal information which matches the key-
`word as will be described in further detail later, and trans-
`mits (returns) the retrieved personal informationto the client
`terminal. In step $12, the client terminal determines whether
`the personal information has been received from the man-
`agement server 6. If it is determined in step S12 that the
`personal information has not been received from the man-
`agement server 6, the process returns to step $12.
`If it is determined in step S12 that the personal informa-
`tion has been received from the managementserver6, that
`is,
`if the communication controller 21 has received the
`personal information from the management server 6, the
`process goes to step $13. In step $13, the terminal unit 22
`receives the personal information from the communication
`controller 21 and registers it into the address table in the
`address table memory 23. Thus, the personal information
`acquisition process is completed.
`As described above, the user of the client terminal can
`register personal
`information of a desired user into the
`address table by performing a simple operation upon the
`keyboard to generate a keyword without having