U.S. patent application number 10/438337 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-03 for communication terminal and information communication system.
Invention is credited to Hasegawa, Osamu, Katagishi, Makoto, Takaki, Taku.
Application Number | 20040104267 10/438337 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32376071 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040104267 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takaki, Taku ; et
al. |
June 3, 2004 |
Communication terminal and information communication system
Abstract
A communication terminal for connecting or mounting an IC card
or the like to examiner a ticket through a non-contact
communication. The communication terminal includes a function for
receiving information stored in the IC card or the like in the
ticket examination process and controlling itself automatically.
The communication terminal can automatically display the validity
of a pass and/or the balance of a prepaid sum in a ticket. Also,
the communication terminal can register a specific station so that
an email in a pre-registered format is created or sent
automatically in the ticket examination process at the registered
station.
Inventors: |
Takaki, Taku; (Fujisawa,
JP) ; Katagishi, Makoto; (Chigasaki, JP) ;
Hasegawa, Osamu; (Mito, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY
600 13th Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3096
US
|
Family ID: |
32376071 |
Appl. No.: |
10/438337 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/382 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07B 15/02 20130101;
G07B 15/063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/382 |
International
Class: |
G06K 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 29, 2002 |
JP |
2002-346774 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication terminal, comprising: a first communication unit
which communicates with a communication device through a network; a
second communication unit which communicates with the communication
device to receive data therefrom; storage which stores
communication device information related to the communication
device and destination information for denoting a destination to
which information is to be sent so that both device information and
destination information correspond to each other; and a controller
for controlling information received from the communication device
in a communication of the second communication unit with the
communication device is sent through the first communication
unit.
2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the
terminal obtains data related to a predetermined installation place
of the communication device through the first or second
communication unit, and wherein the controller controls the
information to send that includes the data related to the
installation place.
3. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein
information to be sent through the first communication unit is an
e-mail.
4. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the
communication device is an automatic ticket examination machine,
the communication device information is information for denoting a
station where the communication device is installed, and the data
includes the name of the station and a time on which an object
passes the station.
5. An information communication system, comprising: a communication
device capable of communicating with a communication terminal; the
communication terminal provided with a first communication unit for
communicating with an object through a network, a second
communication unit capable of receiving data from the communication
device, and storage for storing communication device information
related to the communication device and destination information for
denoting a destination of an e-mail so that both device information
and destination information correspond to each other, wherein when
a communication is made between the communication device and the
second communication unit, the communication terminal creates an
e-mail that includes at least part of data received from the
communication device and sends the e-mail to an object through the
first communication unit.
6. A communication terminal, comprising: a communication unit
capable of communicating with a communication device to receive
data therefrom; storage for storing data received through the
communication unit; a decision unit for deciding whether or not a
communication is made between the communication device and the
communication unit; and a display unit for displaying data that
includes at least part of data received from the communication
unit.
7. A communication terminal, comprising: a communication unit
capable of communicating with a communication device to receive
data therefrom; storage for storing data received through the
communication unit; and a display unit for displaying data that
includes at least part of data received from the communication
device when the communication unit receives information for
denoting that a communication has been done with the communication
device.
8. The communication terminal according to claim 7, wherein the
storage stores a prepaid sum and changes the prepaid sum according
to data received through the communication unit, and wherein the
display unit displays data for denoting that the prepaid sum should
be increased.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to communication terminals
such as portable phones and PDA devices for sending/receiving
information. Such a communication terminal, which connects or
mounts an IC card to be subjected to a ticket examination process
through a non-contact communication, is disclosed in the official
gazette of JP-A No. 83322/2002.
[0002] The communication terminal disclosed in the above official
gazette is capable of displaying gate passing records, as well as
the balance of the prepaid sum stored in the IC card on the display
unit when it functions as a prepaid card. This communication
terminal also makes it possible for the user to update his/her pass
and increase the sum in the prepaid card. To check such information
as balance data, however, the user is requested to select one of
the menus displayed in a hierarchical structure by pressing the
keys of the terminal several times. Therefore, the user cannot
avoid such a troublesome operation to check the balance of the
prepaid card when the user wants to check the balance quickly, for
example, just after passing a ticket examination gate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Under such circumstances, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a communication terminal easy to use and an
information communication system that uses the communication
terminal.
[0004] In order to achieve the above objects, the communication
terminal of the present invention includes a first communication
unit for communicating with an object through a network, a second
communication unit capable of communicating with a communication
device to receive data therefrom, storage for storing communication
device information related to the communication device and
destination information for denoting a destination to which
information is to be sent so that both information items correspond
to each other, and a control unit for controlling so that
information that includes at least part of the data received from
the communication device is sent through the first communication
unit.
[0005] In another aspect, the communication terminal includes a
communication unit capable of receiving data through communication
with a communication device, storage for storing data received from
the communication unit, and a display unit. When a decision unit
for deciding whether or not communication has been done between the
communication device and the communication unit decides that the
communication is made or receives information for denoting that the
communication unit has communicated with the communication device,
the display unit displays data that includes at least part of the
data received from the communication device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information communication
system in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of processing steps of a communication
terminal;
[0008] FIG. 3 is an example of displaying a message for prompting
the user to increase the prepaid sum;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an example of displaying a balance of a prepaid
card;
[0010] FIG. 5 is another flowchart of processing steps of a
communication terminal;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an example of displaying a message for prompting
the user to update his/her pass;
[0012] FIG. 7 is an example of displaying the validity of a
pass;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a chart for describing processing steps for
sending an e-mail automatically at a station;
[0014] FIG. 9 is another chart for describing processing steps for
sending an e-mail automatically at a station;
[0015] FIG. 10 is still another chart for describing processing
steps for sending an e-mail automatically at a station;
[0016] FIG. 11 is still another chart for describing processing
steps for sending an e-mail automatically at a station;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an information communication
system in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a chart for describing processing steps for
sending an e-mail automatically at an amusement park;
[0019] FIG. 14 is another chart for describing processing steps for
sending an e-mail automatically at an amusement park;
[0020] FIG. 15 is still another chart for describing processing
steps for sending an e-mail automatically at an amusement park;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a chart for describing processing steps for
making an application for a point card; and
[0022] FIG. 17 is another chart for describing processing steps for
making an application for a point card.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Hereunder, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, which
is an information communication system used at a railway station. A
communication terminal 1 is, for example, a portable telephone or
PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) device. A terminal control unit 2
controls the function of each unit of the communication terminal 1.
A network communication unit 3 is controlled by the terminal
control unit 2 to make wireless communicates with a network 16. An
input unit 4 is, for example, a key pad or the like to be used by
the user to input information to the terminal control unit 2. A
display unit 5 is, for example, a liquid crystal display controlled
by the terminal control unit 2 to display character information,
image information, etc. A terminal storage 6 is, for example, a RAM
or the like used to store various types of information to be used
by the terminal control unit 2.
[0025] A ticket examination unit 7 is used as a non-contact ticket
or the like in an automatic ticket examination system that examines
tickets by means of non-contact communication. The ticket
examination unit 7 is configured by a ticket examination control
unit 9 for controlling each unit of unit 7, a non-contact
communication unit 10 for making non-contact communication with an
automatic ticket examination machine 12, and a ticket examination
storage 11 for storing tickets and information of other items
related to ticket examination. The tickets and the information of
other items stored in the ticket examination storage 11 is, for
example, a sum of money information such as the balance of a
prepaid card, as well as pass information.
[0026] The above description is just an example of the embodiment
of the present invention. It does not limit the scope of the
present invention. For example, the ticket examination unit 7 may
be connected to the communication terminal 1 removably. In this
connection, an interface unit is required to enable the
communication between the communication terminal 1 and the ticket
examination unit 7. If the ticket examination unit 7 is separated
from the communication terminal 1 such way, there is no need to
move such ticket examination information as those of a pass and/or
prepaid card even when the communication terminal 1 is replaced
with a newly bought one or when a plurality of communication
terminals are used. It is just required to connect the new
terminal/a plurality of communication terminals to another
communication terminal to continue the use of the communication
terminal 1. The ticket examination control unit 9 and the ticket
examination storage 11 may be included in the terminal control unit
2 and the terminal storage 6 as part of them respectively.
[0027] Next, a description will be made for an embodiment for
displaying data obtained after a ticket examination on the display
unit 5 of the communication terminal 1 automatically. FIG. 2 shows
an operation for displaying information related to the balance of a
prepaid sum.
[0028] In this case, the user inputs a given sum of money to the
terminal storage 6 by operating the keys of the communication
terminal or store a threshold value of a prepaid sum of money
beforehand by selecting one of the plurality of displayed menus.
When the user brings the communication terminal 1 close to the
automatic ticket examination machine 12 (step A11), the automatic
ticket examination machine 12 begins the ticket examination. At
this time, the ticket examination control unit 9 performs a normal
ticket examination (step A12). If the ticket examination consumes
some of the prepaid sum (step A13-Yes), the balance of the sum
stored in the ticket examination storage 11 is sent to the terminal
control unit 2 together with the station name and the consumed
price (step A14).
[0029] The terminal control unit 2 then compares the received
balance of the prepaid sum with the threshold value of the prepaid
sum stored in the terminal storage 6 (step A15). If the received
balance is under the threshold value (step A15-Yes), the terminal
control unit 2 displays a message for prompting the user to
increase the prepaid sum on the display unit 5 in a format, for
example, as shown in FIG. 3 (step A16), then terminates the
processing (step A18).
[0030] On the other hand, if the received balance is over the
threshold value (step A15-No), the terminal control unit displays
the received balance of the prepaid sum on the display unit 5 in a
format, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 (step A17), then terminates
the processing (step A18). When the prepaid sum is not reduced at
all in the ticket examination (step A13-No), the processing is
terminated (step A18).
[0031] According to this embodiment, therefore, it is possible to
display the balance of each prepaid sum and/or messages on the
display screen of the communication terminal 1 automatically
without requesting the user for any key operation after the user
passes a ticket examination gate. The balance of such a prepaid sum
and other information can thus be confirmed even in a hurry.
[0032] The steps A15 and A16 may be omitted. In this connection,
the step A17 comes after the step A14, so that only the balance is
displayed as shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 are just examples of
display format. They do not limit the display contents. For
example, it is possible to add a prepaid sum adjustment section and
an adjustment fare to the display shown in FIG. 3.
[0033] The threshold value is not limited only to that inputted
according to the user's key operation. It may be preset in the
terminal. In this connection, the troublesome user's setting is
omissible.
[0034] The communication device may also be used to display a
validity term of the user's pass as shown in FIG. 5 in addition to
the balance of a prepaid sum. In this connection, the terminal
storage 6 comes to store a preset threshold value for the number of
remaining dates of the pass inputted by the user with the terminal
keys. If the number of remaining dates is under the threshold value
(step B15-Yes), the terminal control unit 2 displays a message for
prompting the user to update the pass on the display unit 5 in a
format, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (step B16). If the number
of remaining dates is over the threshold value (step B15-No), the
terminal control unit 2 displays the validity of the pass on the
display unit 5 as shown in FIG. 7 (step B17). According to this
embodiment, therefore, the user can confirm the validity of his/her
pass and prevent forgetting of the updating even when the ticket
examination gate is congested, so that there is no time to confirm
the validity on the screen of the ticket examination machine.
[0035] The information communication system of the present
invention is not limited only for the use at stations. It may be
used at gates of amusement parks, highways, etc., so as to display
the consumed sum, the obtained points, the balance, the use
frequency record, and the validity of the user's communication
terminal each time the user passes a gate. For an electronic
account settlement at a shop, the payment and the integrated points
may be displayed automatically on the screen of the terminal.
[0036] According to the embodiments described above, therefore, it
is possible to prompt the user to take notice of the validity of
his/her pass and/or balance of the prepaid sum that are close to
the threshold values by displaying them on the screen of the
communication terminal when the user passes a ticket examination
gate and/or makes an electronic account settlement. Consequently,
the user is prevented from forgetting out-of-the-validity and
insufficient balance of the prepaid sum. In addition, because
information is displayed on the screen of the communication
terminal, the user can confirm information related to the balance
of the prepaid sum, etc. later on the screen leisurely when the
ticket examination gate/cashier is busy.
[0037] Next, a description will be made for an embodiment for
sending an e-mail to a specified address automatically after a
ticket examination at a specified station with reference to FIG. 1
and FIGS. 8 through 10.
[0038] In this embodiment, the communication terminal 1 is provided
with an e-mail sending function for sending e-mails through the
network communication unit 3 and the network 16. The network 16
through which the communication terminal 1 makes communication
includes a time table searching server 17, which outputs an arrival
time of a train at a target getting-off station according to an
input of the entraining station name, the entraining time, and the
getting-off station name.
[0039] In this connection, the user is requested to store the
following information items in the terminal storage 6 beforehand
(step H11): information of a station from which an e-mail is to be
sent automatically, information for specifying either of entry time
or leaving time on which the e-mail is to be sent, information for
enabling a getting-off station to be identified, an approximate
time required to move from the getting-off station to a target
station, a format of the e-mail to be sent, and an address to which
the e-mail is to be sent. The e-mail format includes blank fields
for describing an entraining station name, an e-mail sending time,
a target place name, and an estimated arrival time at the target
place.
[0040] When the user brings the communication terminal close to the
automatic ticket examination machine 12, the control unit 13 of the
ticket examination machine 12 detects the ticket examination unit 7
(step K11). The ticket examination control unit 9 and the ticket
examination machine control unit 13 communicate with each other
through the ticket examination communication unit 10 and the ticket
examination machine communication unit 14 while the ticket
examination machine control unit 13 decides whether to pass the
user through the gate (Yes/No)(steps J11 and J12). If the decision
result is "Yes" (step K13-Yes), the ticket examination machine
control unit 13 opens the gate (step K14) and terminates the
processing (step K15). If the decision result is "No" (step
K13-No), the ticket examination machine control unit 13 terminates
the processing (step K15) immediately.
[0041] The data received by the ticket examination control unit 9
from the ticket examination machine control unit 13 in steps J11
and K12 includes ticket examined time information for enabling a
ticket examined time to be identified, ticket examined station
information for enabling a ticket examined station to be
identified, entrance/leaving identification information for
distinguishing between entry and leaving, and the gate passing
decision result decided in step K12. If the received gate passing
decision result is "Yes" (step J12-Yes), the ticket examined
station information and the entrance/leaving identification
information are sent to the terminal control unit 2 through the
interface unit 8 (step J13), then the ticket examination control
unit 9 terminates the processing (step J14). If the gate passing
decision result received in step F11 is "No" (step J12-No), the
ticket examination control unit 9 terminates the processing
immediately (step J14).
[0042] The terminal control unit 2, when receiving ticket examined
station information and entry/leaving information from the ticket
examination control unit 9 (step H12), compares the received ticket
examined station information with the e-mail sending station
information (1) stored in the terminal storage 6, as well as the
received entry/leaving identification information with the
entry/leaving specification information (2) (step H13).
[0043] If both are identical in contents (step H13-Yes) and
communication with the network 16 is allowed (step H14-Yes), the
terminal control unit 2 sends the information of the ticket
examined time and the ticket examined station received from the
ticket examination control unit 9 in step H12, as well as the
getting-off station stored in the terminal storage 6 to the time
table searching server 17 (step H15). If the communication with the
network 12 is not allowed in step H14 (step H14-No), the terminal
control unit 2 waits until the communication is allowed, then goes
to step H15.
[0044] The time table server 17, when receiving the information of
the ticket examined station, the ticket examined time, and the
getting-off station from the terminal control unit 2 (step L11),
calculates the arrival time at the getting-off station and sends
the result to the terminal control unit 2 (step L12), then
terminates the processing (step L13).
[0045] The terminal control unit 2, when receiving the arrival time
at the getting-off station from the time table server 17 (step
H16), estimates the arrival time at the target place stored in the
terminal storage 6 according to the received arrival time at the
getting-off station and the estimated time required to reach the
target place from the getting-off station (step H17) to fill the
blank fields of the entraining station name, the mail sending time,
the target place name, and the estimated arrival time at the target
place in the e-mail format stored in the terminal storage 6 to
create an e-mail (step H18). After that, if the terminal control
unit 2 is allowed to communicate with a network through the network
communication unit 3 (step H19-Yes), the terminal control unit 2
sends the e-mail created in step H18 to the e-mail address stored
in the terminal storage 6 (step H20), then terminates the
processing (step H21).
[0046] If the terminal control unit 2 is not allowed to communicate
with the network in step H19 (step H19-No), the terminal control
unit 2 waits until the communication is allowed, then sends an
e-mail to the network and terminates the processing. If either of
(1) and (2) is decided not to be identical in step H13 (step
H13-No), the terminal control unit 2 terminates the processing
(step H21).
[0047] According to this embodiment, therefore, it is possible to
send an e-mail automatically after the user passes the ticket
examination gate without requesting the user to make any key
operation. For example, if the user's home is set as the e-mail
address, the e-mail sending station is set at the nearest station
to the screen or company, and the entry/leaving specification
information is set at the entry time, the user is allowed to
communicate with his/her family about his/her returning home
without fail automatically. The user is not requested to do any
operation at this time. In addition, because an estimated arrival
time is included in the e-mail such way, it is easy for the mail
receiver to know the homecoming time of the mail sender.
[0048] It is also possible to display the mail contents, address,
and message for sending the e-mail on the communication terminal
screen at this time so that the user's confirmation is confirmed
before the e-mail is sent. Consequently, it is prevented that
e-mails are sent regardless of the user's will.
[0049] It is also possible to send the e-mail that includes the
ticket examined station and the ticket examined time just like the
step shown in FIG. 11. Because the communication with the time
table server is omissible, the communication fee can be saved. It
is also possible to download the time table data from the time
table server 17 to the communication terminal 1 periodically so
that the arrival time is estimated at the communication terminal
1.
[0050] Next, a description will be made for an embodiment for
creating an e-mail that includes information related to an
institution automatically at the communication terminal 1 so that
the e-mail is sent to the institution gate when the user enters the
institution.
[0051] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of an information communication
system. In FIG. 12, the same reference numerals are used for the
same components as those shown in FIG. 1, avoiding redundant
description. A communication terminal 21 in this embodiment
includes a first communication unit 22 for making wireless
communication with a network 16, for example, through a telephone
line and a second communication unit 23 used for Bluetooth
(trademark) communication, non-contact IC card communication, or
the like. The second communication unit 23 communicates with a
communication device 24 attached at, for example, an entry/leaving
gate.
[0052] The above configuration is just an example. It does not
limit the scope of the present invention. For example, each of the
second communication unit, the control unit, and the storage may be
provided independently in a communication terminal just like the
ticket examination unit shown in FIG. 1. Each of those independent
components may be connected to the communication terminal 21
removably.
[0053] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the communication
device 24 is installed, for example, at an amusement park. This
amusement park is assumed to have a mascot character and an
original song thereof.
[0054] At first, a description will be made for various types of
setting for creating and sending e-mails automatically. Admission
tickets are issued electronically and the information of each
purchased admission ticket is stored in the terminal storage 6 of
the communication terminal 21. The communication terminal 21
obtains an e-mail format from the first communication unit 22 or
second communication unit 23 when the user purchases an admission
ticket or passes an entry gate. The e-mail format may be stored in
the terminal storage 6. This e-mail format is assumed to include
the name and the picture data of the amusement park, as well as the
control code for inserting voice data to be heard as the BGM of the
amusement park in the corresponding field of the format. Different
control codes are used for different types of such information to
be inserted. The terminal control unit 2 inserts obtained
information (to be described later) in the field of the
corresponding control code. The user is allowed to edit any field
except for those of the control codes freely.
[0055] The e-mail format is not limited only to that obtained from
the first communication unit 22 or second communication unit 23. It
may be a regular one preset in the terminal storage 6 or created
newly by the user.
[0056] User inputted addresses are stored beforehand in the
terminal storage 6 so as to enable e-mails to be sent automatically
without user's specification. However, address input by the user is
not always needed when any of created e-mails is not sent
automatically and to be retained in the communication terminal 21.
It is also possible for the user to decide whether to create and
send e-mails automatically and store the decision in the terminal
storage 6. Because the user can decide necessary items as needed
such way, the user comes to be able to use the communication
terminal 21 more easily. The terminal control unit 2 is also
allowed to set some of those decisions automatically. For example,
it is possible to set "Yes" for whether to create an e-mail
automatically when an e-mail format is downloaded and "Yes" for
whether to send an e-mail automatically when the user inputs an
e-mail address. This makes it possible for the user to save his/her
labor for making those decisions.
[0057] Hereunder, a description will be made for an embodiment of
processes for enabling the user to enter an amusement park with
reference to FIGS. 13 through 15.
[0058] In this connection, the user is requested first to store the
e-mail format in which the text is to be edited, as well as the
target mail address in the terminal storage 6 and set for creating
and sending the e-mail automatically (step L11). When the user goes
close to the entrance gate of the amusement park (step L12), the
communication terminal 21 begins communicating with the
communication device 24 attached to the entrance gate through the
second communication unit 23 (step L13). The terminal control unit
2 then sends the admission ticket information required for the
admission to the communication device 24 (step L14). The
communication device 24, receiving the information, checks if the
ticket is valid to decide whether to allow the user to pass the
gate (step M12).
[0059] The communication device 24 then sends the decision result
to the terminal control unit 2 (step M13 and L15). If the received
decision result is, "Yes" (step L16-Yes), the terminal control unit
2 sends the decision for the e-mail automatic creation stored in
the terminal storage 6 to the communication device 24 (steps L17
and M15).
[0060] The communication device 24, if the received decision for
the automatic e-mail creation is "Yes" (step M16-Yes), sends the
information related to the amusement park to the communication
terminal 21 (step M17). The information related to the amusement
park mentioned here means, for example, an admission time, the
name, picture data, mascot character of the amusement park, well as
the voice data of the original song of the amusement park. After
sending the information related to the amusement park, the
communication device 29 opens the gate (step M18) and terminates
the series of the processes (step M19). If the decision for the
automatic e-mail creation in step M16 is "No," the communication
device 24 opens the gate (step M16-No) and terminates the
processing (step M19).
[0061] If the decision for the automatic e-mail creation is "Yes"
(step L18-Yes), the terminal control unit 2 of the communication
terminal 21 inserts the received information related to the
amusement park in the field of the corresponding control code in
the e-mail format stored in the terminal storage 6 so as to create
an e-mail and stores the mail in the terminal storage 6 (step
L19).
[0062] Furthermore, if the decision for the automatic e-mail
sending stored in the terminal storage 6 is "Yes" (step L20-Yes)
and the communication with the network 16 through the first
communication unit 22 is allowed (step L21-Yes), the terminal
control unit 2 sends the created e-mail to the address stored in
the terminal storage 6 (step L22), then terminates the series of
the processes (step L23). On the other hand, if the communication
with the network 16 through the first communication means is not
allowed (step L21 -No), the terminal control unit 2 waits until the
communication is allowed, then goes to step L22.
[0063] If the decision of whether to pass the user is "No" (step
L16-No), if the decision for the automatic mail creation is "No"
(step L18-No), or if the decision for the automatic mail sending is
"No" (step L20-No), the terminal control unit 2 terminates the
series of the processes (step L23).
[0064] According to this embodiment, therefore, the user can
transmit the atmosphere of the amusement park not only by a text
message, but also by the picture of the mascot character and the
original song of the amusement park. When the user receives mails
from his/her friends about the atmosphere of the amusement part
such way, the mail receiver (user) comes to have a favorable
impression about the amusement park. This embodiment will thus be
very effective in advertisement.
[0065] For example, if a control code that is not transferable is
added to each e-mail so that the receiver cannot transfer the
e-mail, the copyrights of the mascot character and the original
song are protectable. In addition, if the amusement park contents
are changed according to such various periodical conditions as the
spring/summer/fall/winter season, Christmas, and the like, as well
as special events such as "the 1,000th visitor" today while
unexpected special contents are distributed to the terminals of the
users, it will keep the user's interest in the amusement park
effectively, thereby the added value of the amusement park will be
improved.
[0066] It is also possible to enable each e-mail that includes the
mascot character and the original song of the amusement park to be
sent only when the user passes an entry/leaving gate and/or an
attraction gate in the amusement park and add an e-mail sending
inhibiting code to the e-mail format after the user leaves the
amusement park. Because the e-mail sending inhibiting code can also
be set so that e-mails that include specific characters cannot be
sent from any place other than limited places such way, the
amusement park value added is improved more.
[0067] While the e-mail format is stored beforehand in the terminal
storage 6 in this embodiment, the format may also be sent to the
communication terminal 21 from the communication device 24 together
with pictures and voice files when, through the second
communication unit 23, the communication terminal 21 begins
communication with the communication device 24 for allowing the
user to pass the gate.
[0068] Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited only to such
amusement parks. It may apply to tollbooths of stations and toll
roads in sightseeing places. When an electronic account settlement
is done at a shop in a sightseeing place, the communication
terminal may obtain an e-mail format that includes the picture of
the sightseeing place to be included in the e-mail to be sent.
[0069] Next, a description will be made for an embodiment of a
terminal for sending a point card used in an electronic account
settlement from a communication terminal to its destination
automatically with reference to FIG. 12 and FIGS. 16 and 17. In
this embodiment, it is assumed that a point card is sent to company
A automatically when the accumulated points reach a predetermined
value in a system that uses the terminal. The system adds up points
in the point card each time the user purchases a product, for
example, of the company A. In this embodiment, an electronic
account settlement method is employed so that a prepaid account is
adjusted by reducing the balance of the account stored in the
terminal storage. This method may be replaced with any other
account settlement method, such as settlement by credit cards.
[0070] In this embodiment, the terminal storage 6 shown in FIG. 12
stores such data as the balance information of a prepaid sum. The
communication device 24 is usually provided at electronic account
settlement terminals installed in shops.
[0071] Each point card used in this system includes a sequence of
data. It includes areas for storing accumulated points, a threshold
value for denoting the number of accumulated points at which the
user can receive a point card, and information for denoting the
user's address to which the point card is to be sent. The point
card may be stored in the terminal storage 6. The user may decide
whether to send e-mails automatically with use of the input unit 4.
The decision may be stored in the terminal storage 6.
[0072] Next, a description will be made with reference to FIGS. 16
and 17 for how points are added up at each settlement of the user's
electronic account and for how a point card is to be set to the
user automatically.
[0073] At this time, the user is required to download a point card,
for example, from the home page of the company A beforehand and
store it in the terminal storage 6 (step N11). When the user brings
the communication terminal 21 close to the electronic account
settlement terminal (step N12), the terminal control unit 2 of the
communication terminal 21 communicates with the communication
device through the second communication unit 23. Through this
communication, the terminal control unit 2 reduces the payment from
the balance of the prepaid sum stored in the terminal storage 6,
thereby the payment is settled (step N13, P11).
[0074] At this time, if any product purchased by the user is an
object of the point card of the company A, the communication device
24 sends point addition information to the communication terminal
22 according to the price of the purchased product through the
second communication unit 23 (step P12), then terminates the
processing (step P13).
[0075] The terminal control unit 2 then adds up the point in the
point storage area of the point card stored in the terminal storage
6 according to the received point addition information (step N14).
After that, the terminal control unit 2 refers to the number of
points accumulated in the point storage area and the threshold
value of the accumulated points. If the number of accumulated
points is over the threshold value (step N15-Yes) and the decision
for the automatic e-mail sending stored in the terminal storage 6
is "Yes" (step N16-Yes), and the communication with the network 16
through the first communication unit 22 is allowed, the terminal
control unit 2 sends a point card to the point card sending address
described in the point card (step N18), then terminates the series
of operations (step N19).
[0076] On the other hand, if it is not allowed to communicate with
the network 16 through the first communication unit 22 (step
N11-No), the terminal control unit 2 waits until the communication
is allowed, then goes to step N18. If the number of accumulated
points is under the threshold value (step N15-No) and the decision
for the automatic mail sending is "No" (step L16-No), the terminal
control unit 2 terminates the series of processes (step N19).
[0077] According to this embodiment, therefore, the user is
prevented from forgetting his/her request for a point card, since
the request is done automatically when the number of accumulated
points reaches the threshold value. It is also possible to display
a message:
"Points are now ( ). Do you request for a point card? Yes/No"
[0078] so as to prompt the user to make confirmation for sending
such a request e-mail. The user will thus be prevented from
requesting a point card without his/her notice while the user still
wants to accumulate points.
[0079] While a point card is downloaded beforehand through the
first communication unit 22 and stored in the terminal storage 6 in
this embodiment, it is also possible to obtain the point card
through the first communication unit 22 or second communication
unit 23 when the terminal control unit 2 receives point addition
information from the communication device 24. According to this
method, the user can obtain a point card even at a shop the user
visits for the first time, so that the user's convenience is more
improved. In addition, when the second communication unit 23 can
use any of the infrared ray communication and the Bluetooth
communication, the user can download a point card without
charge.
[0080] In this embodiment, the user may input mail destinations by
key operations. The user may also obtain a mail address to which
the user is to send a point card request, together with a point
card so that the request is registered automatically in the mail
destination. Consequently, the user can save his/her labor for
inputting the destination address.
[0081] This embodiment is not limited only to electronic account
settlements. For example, it may apply to the point request, for
example, at each admission to an amusement park according to the
number of admission times.
[0082] According to the present invention as described above, it is
possible to provide a communication terminal easy to operate and an
information communication system that uses this communication
terminal.
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