Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 1 of 17 PageID #: 4922
`Case 5:19-cv-00036—RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 1 of 17 PageID #: 4922
`
`EXHIBIT 4
`
`EXHIBIT 4
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 2 of 17 PageID #: 4923
`
`USOO7116438B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Maeoka et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`(54) TERMINAL FOR INFORMATION
`PROCESSING
`
`(75) Inventors: Jun Maeoka, Kawasaki (JP); Yoshiaki
`Morimoto, Kawasaki (JP); Motoaki
`Satoyama, Sagamihara (JP); Koji Doi.
`Yokohama (JP); Shinya Iguchi,
`Fujisawa (JP)
`(73) Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 186 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/747,267
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0233621 A1
`Nov. 25, 2004
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`May 22, 2003 (JP)
`............................. 2003-1442.59
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06F 5/00
`G06F 15/12
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................... 358/1.15: 348/333.06;
`705/50; 715/750
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........ 361/679-687,
`361/724. 727; 348/333.06; 705/50; 345/81;
`713/176; 715/750; 358/1.15, 1.16
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2005/0179938 A1* 8/2005 Kayashima et al. ....... 358,115
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`41111972O A * 4f1999
`JP
`2002-123466
`4/2002
`JP
`WO WO 2004/100014 A1 * 11, 2004
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Hung Van Duong
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Mattingly, Stanger, Malur &
`Brundidge, P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electronic notice-board system for allowing information
`to be contributed to an electronic notice board. A first
`short-distance communication device carries out communi
`cation with the mobile terminal located in a predetermined
`communication range and a second communication device
`exchanges data with the mobile terminal after the user of the
`mobile terminal has been authenticated. Similarly, the
`mobile terminal also has a short-distance communication
`device for carrying out communication with the electronic
`notice board located in a predetermined communication
`range and a second communication device for exchanging
`data with the electronic notice board after the user of the
`mobile terminal has been authenticated. Since users of the
`electronic notice board must be close by, it is possible to
`avoid improper use of the electronic notice board by any
`user located a long distance away from the electronic notice
`board.
`
`7 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Short-distance
`communication
`unit
`
`Input
`loutput
`unit
`
`Transmission?
`reception
`unit
`
`Program DB
`Contribution
`inspection
`program
`
`Terminal-owner
`information DB
`
`113
`
`14
`1
`
`120
`
`Processor
`
`Mail
`reception module
`
`Picture acquisition
`module
`Contribution inspection
`processing module
`Contribution
`module
`Comment write
`module
`
`Login request
`module
`
`Terminal-owner
`information
`management
`module
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 3 of 17 PageID #: 4924
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`FIG.1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Mobile-terminal
`gateway
`
`Display
`terminal
`
`6
`Short-distance
`COmmunication means
`6
`Short-distance
`COmmunication means
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Mobile
`terminal
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 4 of 17 PageID #: 4925
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`FIG.2
`
`
`
`Mobile terminal
`
`1O
`
`Short-distance
`Cara Communication
`unit
`
`105
`
`input
`Eit
`unit
`
`Transmission/
`reception
`Unit
`
`Storage unit
`
`Processor
`
`GREY
`Inspection
`program
`
`Mail
`reception module
`
`Picture acquisition
`""
`Contribution inspection
`processing module
`Contribution
`module
`Comment Write
`module
`
`information DB
`
`module
`
`Terminal-Owner
`information
`management
`module
`
`106
`
`113
`
`114
`
`120
`
`117
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 5 of 17 PageID #: 4926
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`FIG.3
`
`
`
`Display terminal
`
`102
`
`212
`
`104
`
`Short-distance
`Communication
`unit
`
`Display
`unit
`
`Transmission/
`reception
`unit
`
`105
`
`Storage unit
`
`107
`Processor
`
`108
`201
`
`Program DB
`Electronic
`notice-board
`program
`
`204
`
`Session
`information
`DB
`
`User
`information
`DB
`
`Content
`management module
`...
`Contribution
`reception module
`
`s
`
`Comment
`reception module
`Time-limit
`management
`module
`
`Session
`management
`module
`Login
`processing
`module
`User-information
`Cataloging
`module
`Time acquisition
`module
`
`210
`
`211
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 6 of 17 PageID #: 4927
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.4
`
`401
`
`User-information table
`
`111
`
`112
`
`402
`
`maeoka
`doi
`
`xxxxx
`yyyyyy
`
`maeokaaxyz
`doiGDaaa..bb.CC
`
`FIG.5
`
`Content management table
`
`502
`
`111
`
`COntent
`
`503
`Displa tit
`
`maeoka
`
`2003/5/12 13:00
`
`maeoka
`
`2003/5/12 13:OO
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 7 of 17 PageID #: 4928
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`FIG.6
`
`
`
`Session management table
`
`602
`
`111
`
`603
`
`604
`
`Session ID
`
`User D life Web Session D
`
`s002
`
`do
`
`55sec
`
`ws002
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 8 of 17 PageID #: 4929
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.7
`
`Mobile terminal
`
`Display terminal
`
`S704
`
`
`
`S702
`
`Perform login
`OOCESSIO
`
`Login request
`User ID and password)
`
`S708
`
`S710
`
`Wait for
`short-distance
`Communication
`
`
`
`Authenticate user
`
`Generate Session
`information
`
`information
`
`S712
`
`8 Aussa
`
`AAA
`
`Session information
`
`(Access URL and session ID
`
`you
`
`
`
`Store Session ID
`
`Set Connection to
`access URL
`
`S714
`
`Out:
`
`Request for use of notice ...
`board (Session ID
`s
`
`S716
`
`
`
`
`
`S718
`
`Collate Session D
`and generate
`Web Session D
`
`Transmit web
`Session ID
`
`S720
`
`Web Session information
`(Web Session ID)
`
`Store Web Session D
`
`Display top screen
`
`
`
`S722
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 9 of 17 PageID #: 4930
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`FIG.8
`Information-uproad-processing procedure
`Mobile terminal
`Display terminal
`
`
`
`
`
`S802
`
`Contributed data
`
`START
`
`
`
`Kosh) is
`
`Contribution request
`so (Web session ID, contributed immin
`data and display time limit)
`
`S806
`
`Verify web session ID
`
`
`
`Store and display
`Content
`
`S808
`
`O OPP
`
`Notice of contribution
`Completion
`
`w
`
`you gets
`
`Make logout request
`throps
`
`
`
`LOOOut request
`
`S. SS D
`
`S812
`
`
`
`S810
`
`Verify web session D
`
`Erase Web Session ID and Session
`ID in session management table,
`and transmit notice of
`logout-process completion
`
`
`
`S814
`
`seas a fak a
`
`Notice of logout-process
`E.
`
`...
`
`S816
`
`Display notice of
`logout-process
`Completion
`
`
`
`Get Comments entered by inspector
`When the time-limit of
`the Content Come
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Display email
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 10 of 17 PageID #: 4931
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`FG.9
`Inspection procedure
`
`Mobile terminal
`
`
`
`
`
`Select Content
`
`S902
`
`S904
`
`Display terminal
`
`START
`
`
`
`:
`
`:
`
`
`
`Comment Write request
`(Web Session ID, Content D AAAAAAAAAAAA
`and Comment data)
`
`S908
`
`S906
`Verify web session ID
`
`Store and display
`Comment
`
`
`
`S910
`
`so:::O
`
`Notice of Comment Write DOSD
`Completion
`
`
`
`Make logout request
`
`889 as ARIAA
`
`SS request
`eb Session ID
`
`
`
`-
`
`issues
`
`S912
`
`S914
`
`
`
`Verify web session ID
`
`Erase websession ID and session
`ID in session management table,
`and transmit notice of
`logout-process completion
`
`as
`
`a
`
`sesses
`
`Notice of logout-process ...
`Completion
`
`
`
`S916
`
`
`
`Display notice of
`logout-process
`completion
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 11 of 17 PageID #: 4932
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`FIG.10
`
`212
`
`Display unit
`
`" -
`
`A personal
`computer for sale
`
`List of comments on the
`Written message
`oWant to buy it at 15,000 yen.
`o have a question
`
`We are looking
`for this doc
`
`List of Written comments
`On the Written message
`O FOund him in an area
`COSe to XXX
`
`
`
`FIG.11
`
`Select usage
`
`Contribute a content
`
`Write a Comment
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 12 of 17 PageID #: 4933
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 7,116.438 B2
`
`FIG.12
`
`Select a picture for contribution
`Favorite car's picture 030515
`My picture 030513
`Pet's picture 020304
`
`Enter a message
`We are looking for this dog.
`
`Enter a display time limit
`2003/06/O1 18:35
`
`Transmission button
`
`FIG.13
`
`
`
`Enter a Contribution number
`shown on the screen
`
`Enter a Comment
`Found him in an area
`Close to XXX
`
`Transmission button
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 13 of 17 PageID #: 4934
`
`US 7,116,438 B2
`
`1.
`TERMINAL FOR INFORMATION
`PROCESSING
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`The information-processing terminal further has a means
`for selecting an object from those appearing on the display
`apparatus. Thus, an object appearing on the display appa
`ratus can be specified with ease.
`In addition, a display apparatus according to the present
`invention comprises a first short-distance communication
`apparatus for carrying out a short-distance communication
`with an information-processing terminal and a second com
`munication apparatus for carrying out a communication with
`the information-processing terminal through a network. To
`be more specific, the display apparatus carries out a pro
`cessing communication with the information-processing ter
`minal through the first short-distance communication appa
`ratus in order to allow the information apparatus to start use
`of the display apparatus, and exchanges data with the
`information-processing terminal by way of the second com
`munication apparatus.
`Moreover, a process is carried out to associate informa
`tion on a communication establishment between the first
`short-distance communication apparatus and the informa
`tion-processing terminal with information on a communica
`tion establishment between the second communication
`apparatus and the information-processing terminal. By car
`rying out this process, it is possible to verify the identity of
`the same information-processing terminal communicating
`through another communication path.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic notice-board
`system comprising display terminals and mobile terminals;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of
`the mobile terminal;
`FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of
`the display terminal;
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a user
`information table;
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of a content
`management table;
`FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of a session
`management table;
`FIG. 7 shows a flowchart representing the execution
`procedure of a login process;
`FIG. 8 shows a flowchart representing the execution
`procedure of a picture contribution process;
`FIG. 9 shows a flowchart representing the execution
`procedure of a comment-writing process;
`FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a typical display screen of
`a notice board;
`FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a typical display screen of
`a top screen of a mobile terminal;
`FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a typical display screen of
`a process to create contributed data; and
`FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a typical display screen of
`a process to create a comment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`In general, the present invention relates to an information
`processing terminal having a communication function and
`relates to a system for displaying information on a notice
`board at a request made by the information-processing
`terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to
`an electronic notice-board system having an information
`processing terminal in addition to a display apparatus.
`Notice boards in the Internet include an electronic notice
`board capable of showing contributed news articles and
`auctions. These news articles and auctions are originated
`from an information-processing terminal and/or a mobile
`terminal, which are connected to the Internet. The electronic
`notice board is disclosed in documents including Japanese
`Patent Laid-open No. 2002-123466. Japanese Patent Laid
`open No. 2002-123466 discloses a notice-board system
`capable of newly putting an item originated from an external
`network on a notice board and referencing as well as
`renewing an item already put on the notice board.
`In the conventional electronic notice-board system, from
`an information-processing terminal and/or a mobile termi
`nal, which are connected to the Internet, it is possible to
`select a specific notice board provided for a desired theme
`among notice boards cataloged on a notice-board list with
`out regard to the physical location of a contributor authoring
`an article of the specific theme. In Such an electronic
`notice-board system, however, it is impossible to specify an
`electronic board targeted at specific users in accordance with
`the location of a specific user. Even in the case of specifying
`a nearby notice board Such as a notice board-installed at a
`train station or a school, the notice board must be specified
`from a menu displayed on a terminal. In addition, since it is
`possible to contribute a notice to the notice board from a
`terminal connectable to the Internet without regard to the
`physical location of the notice-contributing user, an
`40
`improper notice is contributed to the notice board some
`times.
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
`electronic notice-board system that simplifies a command to
`start use of a nearby notice board and allows only users close
`to the notice board to contribute an article to the notice board
`and/or inspect the notice board.
`An information-processing terminal according to the
`present invention comprises an input apparatus for receiving
`an input entered by the user and an output apparatus for
`displaying information to the user. In addition, the informa
`tion-processing terminal also includes a first short-distance
`communication apparatus for carrying out short-distance
`communications with a display apparatus and a second
`communication apparatus for carrying out communications
`with the display apparatus through a network. To be more
`specific, the information-processing terminal carries out a
`processing communication with the display apparatus
`through the first short-distance communication apparatus in
`order to start use of the display apparatus, and exchanges
`data with the display apparatus by way of the second
`communication apparatus. Thus, it is possible to easily
`specify a display apparatus serving as an object with which
`processing is to be carried out.
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Referring to the drawings, the following description
`explains a preferred embodiment implementing an elec
`tronic notice-board system provided by the present inven
`tion. Throughout the description of the embodiment, mem
`bers common to the descriptions are denoted by the same
`reference numerals and the common members are each
`explained only once in order to avoid duplications of expla
`nation.
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 111-4 Filed 10/23/19 Page 14 of 17 PageID #: 4935
`
`US 7,116,438 B2
`
`3
`In the electronic notice-board system implemented by the
`embodiment, by using a mobile terminal 1, the user con
`tributes a picture to a display terminal 2 for implementing an
`electronic notice-board function. By using another mobile
`terminal 1, an inspector can write a comment for a contri
`bution appearing on the display terminal 2.
`FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic notice-board
`system implemented by the embodiment. A mobile terminal
`1 is connected to a display terminal 2 by short-distance
`communication means 6 allowing them to communicate
`with each other. In addition, a mobile terminal 1 and a
`display terminal 2 are capable of communicating with each
`other through a mobile-terminal network 4, a mobile-termi
`nal gateway 5 and a network 3. Data is exchanged between
`the mobile-terminal network.4 and the network 3 by way of
`the mobile-terminal gateway 5.
`Examples of the mobile terminal 1 are information
`processing terminals such as a mobile telephone and a PDA.
`However, the mobile terminal 1 is not limited to these
`examples. That is to say, the mobile terminal 1 can be any
`information-processing terminal as long as the terminal is
`capable of communicating information. An example of the
`network 3 is the Internet even though any communication
`means can be used as the network 3 as long as the commu
`nication means is capable of carrying out communications.
`25
`Examples of the mobile-terminal network 4 are a radio
`network of mobile telephones and a PHS radio network.
`However, the mobile-terminal network 4 can be any com
`munication means as long as the communication means is
`capable of carrying out radio mutual communications.
`Examples of the short-distance communication means 6 are
`an infrared ray and a radio LAN. However, the short
`distance communication means 6 can be any communication
`means as long as the communication means is a short
`distance communication means capable of carrying out
`short-distance communications.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the mobile terminal
`1.
`The mobile terminal 1 comprises an input/output unit 103.
`a processor 106, a storage unit 107, a transmission/reception
`unit 104, a camera unit 101 and a short-distance communi
`cation unit 102, which are connected to each other by an
`internal bus 105 so that the input/output unit 103, the
`processor 106, the storage unit 107, the transmission/recep
`tion unit 104, the camera unit 101 and the short-distance
`communication unit 102 are capable of exchanging infor
`mation Such as control signals and data with each other. The
`input/output unit 103, the processor 106, the storage unit
`107, the transmission/reception unit 104, the camera unit
`101 and the short-distance communication unit 102 are
`connected to a battery or a power Supply for providing
`necessary electric power. Neither the battery nor the power
`Supply is shown in the figure though.
`The camera unit 101 is a component for taking a picture.
`The short-distance communication unit 102 is a component
`for carrying out a short-distance communication with an
`external apparatus. Used as a unit for storing information,
`the storage unit 107 is typically implemented by a hard disc
`or the like. The input/output unit 103 is a component for
`displaying information to the user and receiving data entered
`by the user. The input/output unit 103 typically includes a
`liquid crystal display device and a ten-keyboard. However,
`the input/output unit 103 is not limited to the liquid crystal
`display device and the ten-key board. That is to say, the
`input/output unit 103 can be any component as long as the
`component is capable of receiving an input entered by the
`user and displaying an output to the user. The input/output
`
`55
`
`4
`unit 103 can also have a configuration comprising an input
`unit and an output unit physically separated from the input
`unit. The transmission/reception unit 104 is a component for
`controlling a communication with the mobile-terminal net
`work 4 in order to receive data from the mobile-terminal
`network 4 and pass on the data to the processor 106. The
`transmission/reception unit 104 also receives data from the
`processor 106 to be transmitted to the mobile-terminal
`network 4. It is to be noted that the transmission/reception
`unit 104 shown in the figure as a unit for transmitting and
`receiving data to and from the mobile-terminal network 4
`can also have a configuration comprising a reception unit
`and a transmission unit physically separated from the recep
`tion unit.
`The storage unit 107 employed in the mobile terminal 1
`is used for storing a program DB 108, a picture DB 109 and
`a terminal-owner-information DB 110. The program DB 108
`of the mobile terminal 1 includes a contribution inspection
`program 119 for implementing a contribution inspection
`function. The picture DB 109 is a database for preserving a
`picture taken by the camera unit 101 or a picture down
`loaded from the display terminal 2. The terminal-owner
`information DB 110 is a database for storing a user ID 111
`and a password 112, which are required when the user starts
`use of the mobile terminal 1 in the electronic notice-board
`system.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the display
`terminal 2.
`The display terminal 2 comprises a display unit 212, a
`processor 106, a storage unit 107, a transmission/reception
`unit 104 and a short-distance communication init 102, which
`are connected to each other by an internal bus 105 allowing
`the display unit 212, the processor 106, the storage unit 107.
`the transmission/reception unit 104 and the short-distance
`communication init 102 to exchange information Such as
`control signals and data with each other. The display unit
`212, the processor 106, the storage unit 107, the transmis
`sion/reception unit 104 and the short-distance communica
`tion init 102 are connected to a battery or a power supply for
`providing necessary electric power. Neither the battery nor
`the power Supply is shown in the figure though.
`The short-distance communication unit 102 is a compo
`nent for carrying out a short-distance communication with
`an external apparatus. Used as a unit for storing information,
`the storage unit 107 is typically implemented by a hard disc
`or the like. The display unit 212 is a component serving as
`a notice board for displaying information. An example of the
`display unit 212 is a liquid crystal display device with a large
`size. However, the display unit 212 does not have to be such
`a liquid crystal display device. That is to say, the display unit
`212 can be any display device as long as the display device
`is capable of displaying information. The transmission/
`reception unit 104 is a component for controlling a com
`munication with the network 3 in order to receive data from
`the network 3 and pass on the data to the processor 106. The
`transmission/reception unit 104 also receives data from the
`processor 106 to be transmitted to the network 3. It is to be
`noted that the transmission/reception unit 104 shown in the
`figure as a unit for transmitting and receiving data to and
`from the network 3 can also have a configuration comprising
`a reception unit and a transmission unit physically separated
`from the reception unit.
`The storage unit 107 employed in the display terminal 2
`is used for storing a program DB 108, a content DB 202, a
`session-information DB 203 and a user-information DB 204.
`The program DB 108 of the display terminal 2 includes an
`electronic notice-board program 201 for implementing an
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`electronic notice-board function. The content DB 202 is a
`database for storing a picture content contributed from a
`mobile terminal 1, a comment made by an inspector and a
`content management table 501. The session-information DB
`203 is a database for storing session information for a mobile
`terminal 1, which is presently in a login state. The user
`information DB 204 is a database for storing a list of users
`utilizing the electronic notice-board system.
`By using a read unit shown in none of the figures, the
`contribution inspection program 119 is stored in the storage
`unit 107 employed in the mobile terminal 1 when the mobile
`terminal 1 is made. Similarly, by using a read unit shown in
`none of the figures, the electronic notice-board program 201
`is stored in the storage unit 107 employed in the display
`terminal 2 when the display terminal 2 is made. The con
`tribution inspection program 119 and/or the electronic
`notice-board program 201 may each be traded as a program
`stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM. In this case,
`the contribution inspection program 119 and/or the elec
`tronic notice-board program 201 are transferred from the
`storage medium to the storage unit 107 by using read unit
`shown in none of the figures. As another alternative, the
`contribution inspection program 119 and/or the electronic
`notice-board program 201 may each be traded as a program
`available in the network 3 or the mobile-terminal network 4.
`In this case, the contribution inspection program 119 and/or
`the electronic notice-board program 201 are downloaded
`from the network 3 or the mobile-terminal network 4 to the
`storage unit 107 by using read unit shown in none of the
`figures. The contribution inspection program 119 or the
`electronic notice-board program 201 is the loaded serially
`from the storage unit 107 to a work memory to be executed
`by the processor 106.
`The contribution inspection program 119 is divided into
`the following functional blocks. A mail reception module
`113 is a module for receiving an email from the display
`terminal 2. A picture acquisition module 114 is a module for
`controlling the camera unit 101, acquiring a picture and
`storing data of the picture into the picture DB 109. A
`contribution inspection processing module 120 comprises a
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`contribution module 115 and a comment write module 116.
`The contribution module 115 is a module for contributing a
`picture to a notice board. The comment write module 116 is
`a module for writing a comment into a notice board. A login
`request module 117 is a module for carrying out a process to
`log in the mobile terminal 1 into the display terminal 2
`through the short-distance communication unit 102. A ter
`minal-owner-information management module 118 is a
`module for cataloging information on a terminal owner in
`the terminal-owner-information DB 110 and updating the
`terminal-owner-information DB 110.
`The electronic notice-board program 201 is divided into
`the following functional blocks. A session management
`module 208 is a module for managing login states of mobile
`terminals 1. A login-processing module 209 is a module for
`processing a login request received from a mobile terminal
`1. A content management module 205 comprises a contri
`bution reception module 206, a comment reception module
`207 and a time-limit management module 213. The contri
`bution reception module 206 is a module for processing a
`contribution request received from the mobile terminal 1.
`The comment reception module 207 is a module for pro
`cessing a comment write request received from the mobile
`terminal 1. The time-limit management module 213 is a
`module for monitoring the time limit of each content and
`erasing a content reaching its time limit from a display
`screen. A user-information-cataloging module 210 is a mod
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`ule for cataloging information on a user in the user-infor
`mation DB 204 and updating the user-information DB 204.
`A time acquisition module 211 is a module for acquiring the
`present time and providing the present time to the other
`functional modules of the electronic notice-board program
`201.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a user
`information table 401 stored in the user-information DB
`204. A mail address 401 is a destination address used in
`sending an email to the user of the mobile terminal 1.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of a content
`management table 501 stored in the content DB 202. A
`content ID 502 is an ID for uniquely identifying a content
`displayed on the display unit 212. A user ID 111 is an ID for
`identifying a user contributing the content. A display time
`limit 503 is a time at which the content is to be erased from
`the display unit 212.
`FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of a session
`management table 601 stored in the session-information DB
`203. A session ID 602 is a temporary ID, which is assigned
`to the mobile terminal 1 when the mobile terminal 1 is
`authenticated successfully. A web session ID 604 is a
`temporary ID, which is assigned to the mobile terminal 1 as
`an ID for making access to the display terminal 2 through the
`network 3. A no-access lapsing time 603 is a period of time
`lapsing since the last access made by the mobile terminal 1
`corresponding to the session ID 602 or the web session ID
`604.
`Prior to use of the electronic notice-board system, the
`terminal-owner-information DB 110 and the user-informa
`tion DB 204 are initialized. The terminal-owner-information
`management module 118 initializes the terminal-owner
`information DB 110 by cataloging information on users in
`the terminal-owner-information DB 110. The user-informa
`tion-cataloging module 210 initializes the user-information
`DB 204 by cataloging information on users in the user
`information DB 204. The information on users is received
`from the user-information-cataloging module 210 through a
`communication by way of the network 3 and the mobile
`terminal network 4. As an alternative, a person in charge of
`the management of the display terminal 2 initializes the
`display terminal 2 by cataloging information on users in
`advance in the display terminal 2 by using another means.
`Similarly, a person in charge of the management of the
`mobile terminal 1 initializes the mobile terminal 1 by
`cataloging information on users in advance in the mobile
`terminal 1 by using another means.
`Referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the following
`description explains a login procedure of a contributor/
`inspector using the electronic notice board.
`At a step S702, the login-processing module 209
`employed in a display terminal 2 controls the short-distance
`communication unit 102, waiting for a request for a login to
`arrive from a mobile terminal 1. The user issues a request for
`a login through the short-distance communication unit 102
`employed in a mobile terminal 1 close to a notice board
`provided by the display terminal 2 as a notice board, which
`the user wants to use. At a step S704, the login request
`module 117 employed in the mobile terminal 1 retrieves the
`user ID 111 and password 112 of the user from the terminal
`owner-information DB 110 and transmits the user ID 111
`and the password 112 to the display terminal 2 as a request
`for a login. At a step S706, the login-processing module 209
`employed in the display terminal 2 receives the request for
`a login and collates the user ID 111 and password 112
`included in the request with the user-information DB 204 in
`order to authenticate the user as a registered user. If the user
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`from the transmission/reception unit 104. The request to
`display a contribution comprises data of the selected picture,
`the message, the display time limit and the web session ID
`604. The data of the selected picture, the message and the
`display time limit are inputs entered by the user as described
`above. At a step S804, the contribution reception module
`206 employed in the display terminal 2 receives the request
`to display a contribution from the transmission/reception
`unit 104 of the display terminal 2, and passes on the request
`to the session management module 208. The session man
`agement module 208 collates the web session ID 604
`included in the request to display a contribution with the
`session management table 601. If the web session ID 604 is
`found valid, the no-access lapsing time 603 is reset back to
`0. The contribution reception module 206 preserves the
`picture data in the content DB 202, updating the content
`management table 501. At that time, a random ID is gener
`ated as a content ID 502 whereas the user ID 111 is acquired
`from the session management table 601. The display time
`limit included in the request to display a contribution