Information processing device, method and system thereof, computer readable recording medium, and program product

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device, a method and a system thereof, and a computer-readable recording medium. The information processing device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires location information about a second user's location; and a notification unit that, when notifying a first user of contact information that is information that uniquely identifies the second user when contact is established with the second user, changes the contact information according to the location information and notifies the first user of the changed contact information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a method and a system thereof, and a computer-readable recording medium. Background Art

[0002] In places where multiple companies or users who are not affiliated with a company work, such as shared offices, there are many cases where users want to communicate with other users for the purpose of developing new business or selling their own technology through cooperation with other users.

[0003] In such a case, in order to find users who are interested in the information they have, or to find and contact users who have the information they need, there are methods such as posting their contact information together with the information on a bulletin board, or if the shared office uses SNS, there are also methods such as sharing the information on SNS. However, the former method informs the contact information to an undefined number of people, including users who are not interested, and many people are reluctant to do so. In addition, the latter method may not be able to provide services due to the high operating costs of the office.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-136332 states that information that may be of interest to a user is provided from information based on a user history generated by analyzing a job document when the multifunction machine is used, information registered in the multifunction machine, or information obtained from outside the multifunction machine. Thus, the contact information of the registrant and information such as business ideas and recruitment can be provided only to interested users, and contact can be sought.

[0005] In addition, when a user (referred to as "first user") wants to contact another user (referred to as "second user"), when the contact information of the second user is notified to the first user, depending on the location of the second user, it may be difficult for the first user to contact the second user using the notified contact information. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that allows a first user to contact a second user more easily than when the contact information of the second user notified to the first user is not changed.

[0007] According to the first scheme of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit which acquires location information about the location of a second user; and a notification unit which, when notifying a first user of contact information that is information uniquely identifying the second user when contact is established with the second user, changes the contact information according to the location information and notifies the first user of the changed contact information.

[0008] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the notification unit changes the contact information based on the location information when the location of the first user is close to the location of the second user and when the location of the second user is far away, and performs notification.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing device further includes an accepting unit for accepting an instruction from the first user, and when the instruction is accepted, the notifying unit changes the contact information and makes a notification.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the receiving unit receives an instruction from the first user to contact the second user as the instruction, and when the instruction to contact is received, the notifying unit changes the contact information and makes the notification.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the location information is usage information of the device.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the notification unit changes the contact information based on a usage history of the device and performs notification.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the notification unit selects at least one of a location of the second user, an address for contacting the second user, and image information for identifying the second user as the changed contact information and performs notification.

[0014] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, when the location information of the second user indicates a specific area, the notification unit notifies that the second user is located in the specific area as the changed contact information.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, when the location information of the second user indicates a specific area, the notification unit does not notify the contact information.

[0016] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the specific area is an area where the first user cannot meet the second user or an area where the first user cannot pass.

[0017] According to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the notification unit changes the output method of the contact information according to the location information and performs notification.

[0018] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the notification unit changes the output method of the contact information based on the location information and the location information of the first user and performs notification.

[0019] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing device further includes a second acquisition unit that acquires group information to which the second user belongs, and the notification unit changes the contact information based on the position information and the group information and performs notification.

[0020] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the notification unit changes the output method of the contact information based on the position information and the group information and performs notification.

[0021] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing device further includes a third acquisition unit that acquires presence information of the second user, and the notification unit changes the contact information based on the position information and the presence information and performs notification.

[0022] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the notification unit changes the output method of the contact information based on the position information and the presence information and performs notification.

[0023] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing apparatus further includes a registration unit for registering the document information provided by the second user, and the notification unit notifies the changed contact information and the document information.

[0024] According to the 18th scheme of the present disclosure, the information processing device also has: a registration unit, which registers the document information provided by the second user; and a comparison unit, which compares the document information provided by the second user and the document information provided by the first user. When the comparison result of the document information provided by the second user and the document information provided by the first user in the comparison unit is consistent, the notification unit notifies the changed contact information.

[0025] According to the 19th scheme of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing system, comprising a first user terminal operated by the first user, a second user terminal operated by the second user, and a server computer connected to the first user terminal and the second user terminal, wherein the server computer comprises an acquisition unit for acquiring location information about the location of the second user, and when either the server computer or the first user terminal notifies the first user of contact information that uniquely identifies the second user when contacting the second user, the contact information is changed according to the location information, and the changed contact information is notified to the first user.

[0026] According to the 20th scheme of the present disclosure, a computer-readable recording medium is provided, which stores a program that causes a computer to execute a process having the following steps: obtaining location information about the location of a second user; and when notifying a first user of contact information that is information that uniquely identifies the second user when contact is established with the second user, changing the contact information based on the location information, and notifying the first user of the changed contact information.

[0027] According to the 21st scheme of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method, which has the following steps: obtaining location information about the location of a second user; and when notifying a first user of contact information that is information that uniquely identifies the second user when contact is established with the second user, changing the contact information according to the location information, and notifying the first user of the changed contact information.

[0028] (Effect)

[0029] According to the first, eleventh to sixteenth, nineteenth, twentyth, and twenty-first aspects, it is easier for the first user to contact the second user than when the contact information of the second user is changed without corresponding to the first user.

[0030] According to the second aspect, the first user can easily contact the second user regardless of whether the first user's location is close to the second user or far away from the second user.

[0031] According to the third and fourth aspects, further, when an instruction from the first user is accepted, the first user can obtain the contact information.

[0032] According to the fifth aspect, it is further possible to obtain contact information corresponding to the usage information of the device.

[0033] According to the sixth aspect, it is further possible to obtain contact information corresponding to the usage history of the device.

[0034] According to the seventh aspect, at least one of the location of the second user, a method for contacting the second user, and image information for identifying the second user can be acquired.

[0035] According to the eighth aspect, it is further possible to understand that the second user is in the specific area.

[0036] According to the ninth aspect, it is further possible to suppress the first user from contacting the second user.

[0037] According to the tenth aspect, further, in an area where the first user cannot meet the second user or an area where the first user cannot pass through, it is possible to suppress the first user from contacting the second user.

[0038] According to the seventeenth and eighteenth aspects, the first user can obtain the document information of the second user in addition to the contact information of the second user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 This is a conceptual explanatory diagram of an implementation method (part 1).

[0040] Figure 2 This is a conceptual explanatory diagram of an implementation method (part 2).

[0041] Figure 3 This is a conceptual illustration of an implementation method (part 3).

[0042] Figure 4 It is an overall structural diagram of an implementation method.

[0043] Figure 5A It is a structural diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0044] Figure 5B It is a structural diagram of another image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0045] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram of a change table of an implementation method.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the process performed by the image forming apparatus on the second user side in the embodiment.

[0047] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a process performed by an image forming apparatus on the first user side in the embodiment.

[0048] Fig. 9 It is a diagram for explaining image output according to the embodiment.

[0049] Fig.10 This is an explanatory diagram of the portable terminal output according to the embodiment.

[0050] Fig.11 It is an explanatory diagram of other modification tables of the implementation mode.

[0051] Fig.12 This is a flowchart of processing by an image forming apparatus on the second user side according to another embodiment.

[0052] Fig.13 This is a flowchart of a process performed by an image forming apparatus on the first user side according to another embodiment.

[0053] Fig.14 It is an explanatory diagram of the output of the display device according to the embodiment.

[0054] Fig.15 This is a diagram illustrating still another modification table of the implementation method.

[0055] Fig.16 This is a diagram illustrating still another modification table of the implementation method.

[0056] Fig.17 It is an explanatory diagram of output of another display device according to an embodiment.

[0057] Fig.18 This is a diagram illustrating still another modification table of the implementation method.

[0058] Fig.19 This is a diagram illustrating still another modification table of the implementation method.

[0059] Fig. 20 This is still another image output explanation diagram of the embodiment.

[0060] Fig.21 This is a diagram illustrating still another modification table of the implementation method.

[0061] Fig. 22 This is still another image output explanation diagram of the embodiment.

[0062] Fig.23 This is yet another portable terminal output illustration diagram according to an implementation manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described based on the drawings.

[0064] Figure 1 The basic conceptual structure of this embodiment is shown. A plurality of users (for example, user A, user B, and user C) are connected to the cloud server 16 via respective user terminals, and transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0065] User A operates the user terminal to upload specific information to the cloud server 16, and the information is registered in the cloud server 16. User B and user C similarly operate their respective user terminals to upload specific information to the cloud server 16, and the information is registered in the cloud server 16.

[0066] When user A registers information in the cloud server 16, the cloud server 16 compares the information registered by user A with the already registered information, and if it is determined that the two are related, the information of the user who registered the related information is notified to user A. This notification is based on the premise that if two pieces of information are related to each other, at least one of the users of the two pieces of information is interested in the other and wants to contact the other.

[0067] For example, when the information registered by user A and the information registered by user B are associated with each other, the cloud server 16 notifies user A of the contact information for contacting user B. Similarly, when the information registered by user A and the information registered by user C are associated with each other, the cloud server 16 notifies user A of the contact information for contacting user C.

[0068] Here, the contact information is information that uniquely identifies the associated user when contacting the associated user is to be made. For example, in the case of contacting the associated user face to face, the facial photo and seat information of the associated user are included in the information that uniquely identifies the associated user. Specifically, it is assumed that a telephone number or an email address is notified by displaying on a fixed medium such as paper or an email, a screen, etc. If the notified contact information is fixed or unified regardless of the location of the associated user, a malfunction may occur. Specifically, in the case of notifying user A of the contact information of user B, if user B is near user A, it is better to illustrate and output on paper the image information or the position of user B, such as a facial photo of user B, a full-body photo, a pattern that reminds user B, etc., which can identify user B, than to notify user B of the telephone number by email. On the other hand, if user B is in a place far away from user A, it is better to notify user B of the telephone number, email address, etc. by email. In addition to this information, the name can also be notified. Furthermore, even if user B is near user A, if user B is in an area where safety is ensured or in a place where it is difficult to meet, a notification method that presupposes a direct meeting is not necessarily preferable.

[0069] Therefore, for example, when notifying user A of the contact information of user B, the cloud server 16 controls the contact information to be adaptively changed according to the location information of user B, and notifies the changed contact information. Similarly, when notifying user A of the contact information of user C, the cloud server 16 controls the contact information to be adaptively changed according to the location information of user C, and notifies the changed contact information.

[0070] Figure 2 and Figure 3The case where user A, which is a first user, is notified of contact information of user B, which is a second user and a related user, is schematically shown.

[0071] exist Figure 2 In the example, it is assumed that user B who has registered information in the cloud server 16 is at position P1, and the cloud server 16 obtains the position P1 of user B by detecting the position of the user terminal operated by user B, for example. When user A accesses the cloud server 16 to register information again, the cloud server 16 determines whether the information of user A is associated with the registered information of user B, and if so, determines to notify user A of the contact information of user B. Then, the contact information B of user B is changed according to the position P1 of user B, and the changed contact information B1 is notified to user A.

[0072] In addition, Figure 3 In the example, it is assumed that user B who has registered information in the cloud server 16 is at position P2. The cloud server 16 obtains the position P2 of user B by detecting the position of the user terminal operated by user B, for example. When user A registers information again and accesses the cloud server 16, the cloud server 16 determines whether the information of user A is associated with the registered information of user B. If so, the cloud server 16 determines to notify user A of the contact information of user B. Then, the contact information B of user B is changed according to the position P2 of user B, and the changed contact information B2 is notified to user A. The contact information B of user B is standard or standard contact information, and the contact information B1 and B2 are contact information obtained by changing the standard or benchmark contact information according to the position information of user B. The change method may use a determined function or a determined change table. If the change function is set to f, the contact information after the change = f (position information, contact information before the change), and the contact information before the change is the standard or benchmark contact information.

[0073] The "change" in this embodiment may include at least one of a change in the content of the contact information and a change in the output method thereof. The change in the content of the contact information includes the selection of information that can function as the contact information, such as name, age, gender, address, facial photo, email address, place of affiliation, position, workplace, etc. In addition, the change in the output method includes the selection of paper medium output, email sending, fax sending, electronic message sending, display on a display device, etc.

[0074] Hereinafter, the processing of this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0075] Figure 41 shows a system configuration in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed in an office or a store are connected to a cloud server 16 .

[0076] The image forming devices 10, 12, and 14 are, for example, arranged in the same shared office and connected to the cloud server 16 via a communication network such as a company LAN or the Internet. The image forming devices 10, 12, and 14 are, for example, multifunction machines having multiple functions such as scanning, copying, printing, and faxing. The user uses any one of the image forming devices 10, 12, and 14 to scan a document and upload the document data to the cloud server 16. When uploading, the keywords contained in the document data are extracted and uploaded together with the ID that identifies the user. The document is not limited to using text or symbols, but may also be composed of images or photos.

[0077] The cloud server 16 includes a control device 16a, a program memory 16b such as a ROM, a communication interface (I / F) 16c, and a storage device 16d.

[0078] The storage device 16d stores document data uploaded from the image forming devices 10, 12, and 14, as well as extracted keywords and user information. The user information includes the name, image information such as facial photos, email addresses, workplaces, and seat locations in the office of registered users with system usage rights.

[0079] The control device 16a is composed of one or more processors, and each process is implemented by reading out and executing the processing program stored in the program memory 16b. A part of the function of the control device 16a can also be implemented by hardware processing instead of software processing, and the software processing is implemented by executing the program. Hardware processing can be performed using circuits such as ASIC or FPGA (field programmable gate array). In order to perform each process, the control device 16a has an acquisition module, a change module and a notification module as functional modules. Here, "module" refers to a component such as software and hardware that can be separated logically. The module can correspond 1:1 to the function, but it can also be composed of one program to form one module, or it can be composed of multiple modules by one program. In addition, multiple modules can be executed by one processor or by multiple processors in a distributed or parallel environment. In the processing based on each module, the information as the object is read in, and after being processed by a processor such as a CPU, the processing result is output.

[0080] The acquisition module acquires location information about the location of the user in the shared office. The location information may be acquired from location information of a portable terminal carried by the user or location information of an image forming device operated by the user.

[0081] In the change module, the keywords of the document data newly registered in any one of the image forming devices 10, 12, and 14 are compared with the keywords of the document data already stored in the storage device 16d to determine whether the two are consistent, thereby determining whether there is document data associated with the newly registered document data. In addition, when there is document data associated with the newly registered document data, the change module changes the contact information of the second user associated with the associated document data according to the location information of the second user obtained by the acquisition module, corresponding to the first user associated with the newly registered document data. The change module refers to the change table stored in the storage device 16d, and according to the change table, changes the contact information of the second user according to the location information of the second user. For example, when the first user uploads the first document data associated with the second document data from the image forming device 10 after the second user uploads the second document data from the image forming device 14 and registers it in the storage device 16d of the cloud server 16, the change module determines that the first document data and the second document data are associated, reads out the contact information of the second user stored as user information in the storage device 16d, and changes the contact information of the second user based on the location information of the second user acquired by the acquisition module.

[0082] The notification module notifies the first user of the contact information of the second user changed in the change module via the communication I / F 16c.

[0083] Figure 5A 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatuses 12 and 14 also have the same structure as that of the image forming apparatus.

[0084] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 10 a , a display unit 10 b , a storage unit 10 c , a printer control unit 10 d , a printer engine 10 e , a scanner control unit 10 f , a scanner 10 g , and a communication I / F 10 h .

[0085] The control unit 10a controls the overall operation of the device. The control unit 10a is composed of one or more processors, and controls each process by reading and executing a processing program stored in a program memory such as a ROM, that is, controlling each process of scanning, printing, copying, and faxing of a document corresponding to a user operation. The control unit 10a scans a document according to a user operation and converts it into document data, and extracts keywords from the document data. In addition, the control unit 10a obtains the user ID of the user who performed the operation. The user ID means that if user authentication is required when performing an operation, the user ID can be used as the authentication information. The control unit 10a uploads the document data, keywords, and user ID to the cloud server 16 via the communication I / F 10h. In addition, the control unit 10a uploads the user's operation history stored in the storage unit 10c to the cloud server 16. In addition, when the user's contact information is sent from the cloud server 16, the control unit 10a receives the contact information via the communication I / F 10h, and outputs the received contact information in an output method specified by the cloud server 16. The output forms include image output from a printer and display output from the display unit 10b.

[0086] The display unit 10 b is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, receives user operations, and displays contact information in accordance with instructions from the control unit 10 a , thereby notifying the first user of the contact information.

[0087] The communication I / F 10 h controls communication with the cloud server 16 .

[0088] The storage unit 10c stores document data scanned by the scanner 10g. In addition, the storage unit 10c stores keywords of the document data extracted by the control unit 10a in association with the document data. Then, the storage unit 10c stores the user's operation history and stores the date of use of the image forming apparatus in association with the user.

[0089] The printer control unit 10d drives the printer engine 10e and outputs an image based on the user operation received by the display unit 10b. In particular, the printer control unit 10d prints the contact information received from the cloud server 16 and outputs an image based on the instruction from the control unit 10a, thereby notifying the first user of the contact information.

[0090] The scanner control unit 10 f drives the scanner 10 g and executes scanning processing in accordance with a user operation received by the display unit 10 b .

[0091] Figure 6 An example of a change table stored in the storage device 16 d of the cloud server 16 is shown.

[0092] The change table defines the second user's email address, the date when the second user last used the image forming apparatus, the second user's location information, and the contact information to be notified to the first user in association with their provision methods (output methods).

[0093] If the second user is a registered user of the system, the email address is a registered email address. If the second user is an unregistered user of the system, there is no registered email address.

[0094] The last use date is the operation history of the image forming apparatus of the second user, and is classified into any one of "today", "within a week", and "more than a week". "Today" is the same date as the date when the contact information is changed in the change module of the control device 16a and the date when the contact information changed by the module is notified.

[0095] The location information is the location information of the second user, and is estimated based on the operation history of the second user. That is, if the last use date is today, it is estimated that the second user is in the same office as the first user, and the probability is estimated to be relatively high. If the last use date is within a week, it is estimated that the second user is in the same office as the first user, and the probability is estimated to be relatively medium. In the case where the last use date is more than a week, it is estimated that the second user is in the same office as the first user, but the probability is estimated to be relatively low. This is because the image forming devices 10, 12, and 14 are all set in the same shared office. When the second user uses any of the image forming devices, the closer the use date is, the higher the probability that the user is currently in the same office. In addition, if the second user is an unregistered user, regardless of the last use date, it is estimated that the second user is in the same office as the first user, but the probability is estimated to be relatively low.

[0096] The contact information / providing method is set based on the location information. That is, if the location information is in the same office and the probability is relatively "high", the seat information and facial photo of the second user are selected as the content of the contact information, and image output is selected as the output method. If the location information is in the same office and the probability is relatively "medium", the seat information and facial photo of the second user are selected as the content of the contact information, and image output is selected as the output method. If the location information is in the same office and the probability is relatively "low", the email address of the second user is selected as the content of the contact information, and email sending is selected as the output method.

[0097] Change module according to Figure 6The change table shown changes the contact information of the second user and provides it to the notification module. The notification module notifies the image forming device 10 of the changed contact information. The changed contact information includes the content of the contact information and its output method. The control unit 10a of the image forming device 10 controls the printer control unit 10d or the display unit 10b according to the changed contact information from the cloud server 16, and notifies the first user through image output or display output. When the seat information and facial photo of the second user are selected as the content of the contact information and image output is selected as the output method, the control unit 10a of the image forming device 10 controls the printer control unit 10d to print the seat information and facial photo of the second user and output the image. In addition, when the email address of the second user is selected as the content of the contact information and email sending is selected as the output method, the control unit 10a sends an email to the portable terminal of the first user via the communication I / F 10h.

[0098] Furthermore, when the output method is email transmission, the notification module may send an email to the portable terminal of the first user instead of sending the notification to the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0099] In addition, Figure 6 In the change table, the last use date can also be classified in more detail, and the probability of the location information can be digitized in more detail. Generally, the closer the last use date is to the current date, the higher the probability of being in the same office can be evaluated, and the older the last use date is, the lower the probability of being in the same office can be evaluated. In addition, if the probability that the second user is in the same office is higher, the image is output. The reason for doing this is that when the first user is more likely to meet the second user directly, it is easier to search for the second user by printing the contact information on paper and holding the paper. When the probability that the second user is in the same office is lower, it is difficult for the first user to meet the second user directly, so it is considered easier to get in touch by email.

[0100] In addition, Figure 6 In the change table, when the probability of being in the same office is "high" or "medium", the seat information and facial photo of the second user are selected, but in addition, the name or place of residence of the second user can also be selected, and if there is schedule data of the second user, information on whether the second user is currently out can also be added based on the schedule data. The content of the contact information can be selected according to the output method.

[0101] exist Figure 1 to Figure 6In the present invention, the following structure is adopted: the control device 16a in the cloud server 16 has an acquisition module, a change module and a notification module. In the cloud server 16, the contact information is changed according to the location information of the second user and notified to the first user, but at least part of the functions of the cloud server 16 can also be implemented by the image forming devices 10, 12, 14.

[0102] Figure 5B The structural block diagram of the image forming device 10 in this case is shown. The control unit 10a of the image forming device 10 includes an acquisition module, a change module and a notification module, and the storage unit 10c stores document data, user information and a change table. The acquisition module of the control unit 10a receives and acquires the location information of the second user sent from the cloud server 16. The change module changes the contact information of the second user according to the change table stored in the storage unit 10c, and controls the printer control unit 10d or the display unit 10b to notify the first user. Although the change module of the control device 16a in the cloud server 16 performs a keyword comparison process, the change module of the control unit 10a of the image forming device 10 may not perform a keyword comparison process, but may receive a keyword comparison result performed by the cloud server 16 and perform a change process using the comparison result.

[0103] When the acquisition module, the change module, and the notification module are installed in the cloud server 16, the cloud server 16 functions as an information processing device, and when the acquisition module, the change module, and the notification module are installed in the image forming devices 10, 12, and 14, the image forming devices 10, 12, and 14 can function as information processing devices. Of course, the acquisition process, the change process, and the notification process may be performed in a distributed manner in the cloud server 16 and the image forming devices 10, 12, and 14.

[0104] Regardless of which of the cloud server 16 and the image forming devices 10, 12, 14 functions as the information processing device, the second user uses one of the image forming devices 10, 12, 14 to register the document data in the cloud server 16, which has the following advantages. That is, when the document is a paper medium, it is easy to register. In addition, since the registration to the cloud server 16 is automatically performed by the image forming devices 10, 12, 14, the second user does not need to input the information every time. In addition, since the second user registers through the operation of the image forming devices 10, 12, 14 (including the operation from the user terminal connected to the same communication network), it is basically the information from the user who is registered in the system and the source is clear, so a certain degree of credibility can be guaranteed. However, if Figure 6 As shown, the second user in this embodiment is not limited to the user registered in the system.

[0105] The processing of this embodiment will be described in more detail below by taking as an example a case where the image forming apparatuses 10 , 12 , 14 include an acquisition module, a change module, and a notification module, and a first user operates the image forming apparatus 10 and a second user operates the image forming apparatus 14 .

[0106] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the process of the image forming apparatus 14 operated by the second user.

[0107] When the control unit of the image forming device 14 authenticates the second user by inputting an ID or password based on a touch panel operation, facial authentication based on a camera, or biometric authentication (S101), it accepts the operation of the second user, scans the document, converts it into document data, and registers it in the storage unit (S102). In addition, the document data is analyzed and keywords are extracted (S103), and the document data, keywords, and the email address of the second user are sent as a set to the cloud server 16 (S104).

[0108] Furthermore, the usage history of the second user, that is, the date and time when the second user used the image forming device 14 is transmitted to the cloud server 16 .

[0109] In the process of extracting keywords from document data, a known extraction method can be used, such as assigning a semantic tag to an inherent expression in a document, and extracting an element of the tag with a specified semantic tag from the tagged document as a keyword. In addition, if the second user is a registered user, the email address of the second user is pre-stored in the storage unit as user information, and the control unit reads the email address of the second user determined by user authentication from the storage unit and sends it to the cloud server 16. In addition, if the second user is an unregistered user, the unregistered status is sent instead of the email address.

[0110] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing a process of the image forming apparatus 10 operated by a first user.

[0111] When the control unit 10a of the image forming apparatus 10 receives a document and a print execution instruction through the operation of the first user (S201), the document is converted into document data and keywords are extracted (S202). In addition, user authentication of the first user is performed (S203), and when the authentication is successful, the document is printed according to the operation of the first user (S204). Here, the document may be sent from the PC (personal computer) of the first user, or may be supplied from a document supply device as a copy source document.

[0112] When printing is executed, the control unit 10a sends the keywords extracted in S202 to the cloud server 16 (S205). It should be noted here that the first user only instructs to execute the printing job of the document, and the control unit 10a automatically sends the keywords of the document related to the first user to the cloud server 16. The control unit 10a does not receive any special instructions, and the first user does not input the document keywords for retrieval to the control unit 10a, and does not perform operations such as requesting comparison based on the data of the document.

[0113] The control device 16a of the cloud server 16 compares the keywords sent from the image forming device 10 with the keywords sent from the image forming device 14. When the two are consistent, it is considered that the document related to the first user and the document sent from the image forming device 14 by the second user are associated with each other, and the document data of the second user with the consistent keywords and the email address of the second user are sent to the image forming device 10.

[0114] When the control unit 10a receives the document data and the email address from the cloud server (S206), it determines whether the second user associated with the email address is registered and the location information corresponding to the date when the second user last used the image forming device 14 and its probability (S207). This determination is performed by referring to the change table stored in the storage unit 10c. In addition, the contact information of the second user and its provision method (output method) are determined based on the determined location information of the second user (S207). This determination is also performed by referring to the change table stored in the storage unit 10c. The control unit 10a notifies and provides the contact information of the second user to the first user based on the determined contact information and its provision method (S209). That is, if the provision method (output method) is image output, the control unit 10a controls the printer control unit 10d to output the contact information in the form of printing on paper. If the provision method is email transmission, the contact information is sent to the portable terminal of the first user via the communication I / F 10h. The email address of the first user can be obtained from the user information stored in the storage unit 10c. If the providing method is "display", the display unit 10b is controlled to display the contact information.

[0115] Fig. 9 An example of the case where the contact information of the second user is output as an image is shown. This is a case where the probability that the second user is present in the same office is relatively high.

[0116] The second user's name, facial photo, and seat information in the office are printed on a sheet of paper together with a message such as "The user who registered the associated information is here." The first user can carry the sheet of paper and refer to the facial photo and seat information printed on the sheet to meet and contact the second user.

[0117] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown in the process of S206 of the image forming device 10, since the control unit 10a of the image forming device 10 receives the document data of the second user from the cloud server 16 and stores it in the storage unit 10c, the control unit 10a can output not only the contact information of the second user as an image, but also the document data of the second user as the related information obtained by comparison as an image. When the image is output, the output can be in the same page, or the contact information can be added at the end or the beginning of the document data. As a result, the first user can grasp the contents of the contact information and related information of the second user at the same time.

[0118] Fig.10 An example of a case where the contact information of the second user is sent by e-mail is shown. This is a case where the probability that the second user exists in the same office is relatively low.

[0119] The name and email address of the second user are output together with a message such as “The user who registered the related information is here.” The first user can use the email address to contact the second user as appropriate.

[0120] In this case, if Figure 8 As shown in the process of S206 of the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 10a receives the document data of the second user from the cloud server 16 and stores it in the storage unit 10c, so the control unit 10a can output not only the contact information of the second user but also the document data of the second user as the associated information obtained by comparison. At this time, the document data can be displayed as a thumbnail or can be output for accessing the document data.

[0121] A message such as "Click here for related information." is displayed, and a link is set in the "here" part. Therefore, the first user can understand the contact information of the second user and the content of the related information at the same time.

[0122] Fig.11 This shows another example of a change list.

[0123] The change table is a table that defines the detection result, the distance to the mobile terminal, the position information, and the contact information and the provision method (output method) thereof in association with each other.

[0124] The detection result is a result of whether the portable terminal of the second user has been successfully detected in the image forming device 14 or the cloud server 16 , and is classified according to whether the ID identical to the ID of the portable terminal of the second user registered in advance has been successfully detected.

[0125] When the same ID is detected, the distance to the mobile terminal is classified according to whether the detected mobile terminal and the first user are on the same floor.

[0126] The location information is estimated based on the distance from the portable terminal, and is classified into on the same floor, on another floor of the same office, and outside the office. If the distance from the portable terminal is on the same floor, the location information is also estimated to be on the same floor. If the distance from the portable terminal is on another floor, the location information is also estimated to be on another floor of the same office. If the same ID cannot be detected, the distance from the portable terminal is unclear, and the location information is estimated to be outside the office.

[0127] The contact information and the method of providing it are set according to the location information. If the location information is on the same floor, the seat information and the facial photo are selected as the content of the contact information, and display is selected as the method of providing (output method). If the location information is on another floor of the same office, the number of the detected floor and the facial photo are selected as the content of the contact information, and image output is selected as the method of providing (output method). If the location information is outside the office, the email address is selected as the content of the contact information, and email sending is selected as the method of providing (output method).

[0128] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing another process of the image forming apparatus 14 operated by the second user.

[0129] When the control unit of the image forming device 14 authenticates the second user by inputting an ID or password based on a touch panel operation, facial recognition based on a camera, liveness recognition, etc. (S301), it accepts the operation of the second user, scans the document and converts it into document data and registers it in the storage unit (S302). In addition, the document data is analyzed and keywords are extracted (S303), and the document data, keywords, the email address of the second user and the ID of the second user's portable terminal are sent as a group to the cloud server 16 (S304). In the case where the second user uses the ID of the portable terminal as user authentication, the ID at the time of authentication can be sent to the cloud server 16 in its original state. In addition, the image forming device 14 can detect the ID of the portable terminal using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0130] Fig.13This is a flowchart showing a process of the image forming apparatus 10 operated by a first user.

[0131] When the control unit 10a of the image forming device 10 receives a document and a print instruction through the operation of the first user (S401), the document is converted into document data and keywords are extracted (S402). In addition, the user authentication of the first user is performed (S403), and when the authentication is successful, the document is printed according to the operation of the first user (S404).

[0132] When printing is executed, the control unit 10 a transmits the keyword extracted in S402 to the cloud server 16 ( S405 ).

[0133] The control device 16a of the cloud server 16 compares the keywords sent from the image forming device 10 with the keywords sent from the image forming device 14. When the two are consistent, the document related to the first user and the document sent by the second user from the image forming device 14 are associated with each other, and the document data of the second user with the consistent keywords, the email address of the second user and the ID of the portable terminal of the second user are sent to the image forming device 10.

[0134] When the control unit 10a receives the document data, the email address and the ID of the portable terminal from the cloud server (S406), the detection result of the portable terminal ID of the second user associated with the email address and the distance between the portable terminal and the second user are determined (S407). Then, the location information is determined based on the determined distance, and the contact information and its provision method (output method) are determined based on the location information (S408). The control unit 10a then provides the contact information notification of the second user to the first user based on the determined contact information and its provision method (S409). If the provision method (output method) is display output, the control unit 10a controls the display unit 10b to output the contact information in a manner that displays the contact information. If the provision method is email sending, the contact information is sent to the portable terminal of the first user via the communication I / F 10h.

[0135] Fig.14 An example of a case where the contact information of the second user is displayed on the display unit 10b is shown. This is a case where the second user is present on the same floor.

[0136] The second user's name, facial photo, and seat information on the same floor are displayed together with a message such as "The user who registered the related information is here." The first user can recognize that the second user is on the same floor by visually confirming the display, and can meet and contact the second user.

[0137] In addition, when the user operates the "OK" button, the control unit 10a can display the document data of the second user as related information on the display unit 10b. In addition, the document data of the second user can also be output as an image according to the operation from the first user. That is, the output method of the contact information of the second user and the document data can be the same or different.

[0138] Fig.15 Still another example of the change table is shown.

[0139] The change table is a table that defines the mail address, the location of the mobile terminal, the location information, and the contact information and the provision method (output method) thereof in association with each other.

[0140] The email address is the email address of the second user, and is classified into registered and unregistered.

[0141] The position of the portable terminal is the position of the portable terminal of the second user, and is detected by the image forming device 14. The position of the portable terminal is classified into an open area, a secure area, and outside the same office.

[0142] The location information is estimated based on the location of the portable terminal, and is classified into an open area within the same office, a secure area within the same office, and outside the same office. The location of the portable terminal and the location information roughly correspond one to one. Here, the open area is an area that an uncertain user can enter, and the secure area is an area that only a certain user can enter.

[0143] The contact information and the method for providing the same are set based on the location information. If the location information is an open area within the same office, a facial photo is selected as the content of the contact information, and image output is selected as the method for providing (output method). If the location information is a safe area within the same office, the second user cannot be contacted without notifying the contact information, and the location information of the second user is detected again when the first user logs in next time and uses the image forming device 10. If the location information is outside the same office, the second user cannot be contacted either, and the contact information is not notified. When the first user logs in next time and uses the image forming device 10, the location information of the second user is detected again. In addition, if the email address is unregistered and the location information is outside the same office, the email address is selected as the content of the contact information, and email sending is selected as the method for providing (output method).

[0144] Fig.15The change table is a case where the image forming device 10 is set in an open area in the same office, and the image forming device 14 is set in an open area, a secure area, and outside the office in the same office. Even in the same office, it is difficult to contact the second user when the second user is not in the open area, so basically the contact information is notified when the second user is in the open area. In addition, when the second user is outside the office, the content and output method of the contact information are different depending on whether the email address is registered or not registered. This is because it is assumed that the second user should be contacted by email because it is impossible to meet the second user when the email address is not registered.

[0145] Fig.16 Another example of a change table is shown below. Fig.15 The change table is obtained by partial deformation.

[0146] and Fig.15 The difference in the change table is that there are the following cases: the second user's location information is within the safe zone in the same office and the second user's email address is a registered email address and the location information is outside the same office. In the former case, "within the safe zone" is selected as the content of the contact information, and display is selected as the provision method (output method). In the latter case, "outside the office" is selected as the contact information, and display is selected as the provision method (output method).

[0147] Fig.17 An example of a case where the contact information of the second user is displayed on the display unit 10b is shown. This is a case where the second user is in a safe area in the same office.

[0148] The name of the second user is output together with a message such as "The user with the associated information is here." In addition, a message such as "Location: In the safe area. Cannot be contacted at the moment." is also displayed. By visually checking these messages, the first user can understand that the second user with the associated information is in the safe area and cannot be contacted at the moment.

[0149] In addition, Fig.17 In the display, a message such as "Operating the send button will send the email address." is also displayed. When the first user operates the send button, the registered email address of the second user is displayed on the display unit 10b or on the portable terminal 11 of the first user. If the first user wants to contact the second user urgently, for example, the email address can be used to contact the second user. The email address can be a forwarding email address specified by the second user or the email address of the second user himself.

[0150] In the above embodiment, the first user and the second user use the image forming apparatuses 10, 12, and 14 installed in a shared office or the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can also be applied to any facility or store installed in a school, a nursing home, a hospital, or the like.

[0151] The following describes the processing when the system is installed in a university, a nursing home, or a hospital.

[0152] Fig.18 An example of a change table when applied in a university is shown.

[0153] The change table is a table that defines the campus, registrant category, elective registration information, course schedule, current status information, and contact information in association with the provision method (output method).

[0154] The belonging campus is the location information of the second user, and is classified into the same campus and other campuses. When the campus is composed of a plurality of buildings, the campus may be classified according to these buildings.

[0155] The registrant category is the category (classification) of the second user on campus, and is classified into students and professors. Of course, other categories may also be classified into teaching assistants, staff, clerical staff, etc. The registrant category may be referred to as group information of the registrant.

[0156] The elective registration information is the elective registration information of the second user when the first user is a student. When the second user is a student, it is classified into "taking the same course" and "taking other courses". When the second user is a professor, it is classified into "taking the professor's course" and "taking other professors' courses".

[0157] The course schedule is the course schedule of the first user, and is classified into "course of the day" and "course of other days" when the second user is a student, and is also classified into "course of the day" and "course of other days" when the second user is a professor.

[0158] Current status information is information that is used as material for estimating the current status of a user. For example, information indicating the current status of the first user estimated based on the course schedule is consistent with the current information. If the first user and the second user are both students and the course schedule is a course for the day, it is classified as "attending the same course as the registrant (second user) on the day", and if the first user and the second user are both students and the course schedule is a course for another day, it is classified as "attending the same course as the registrant (second user) on another day". In addition, if the first user is a student and the second user is a professor and does not have a course schedule, it is classified as "not attending the course of the registrant (second user)".

[0159] Contact information / providing method (output method) is the contact information corresponding to the location information to the current situation information and its providing method (output method). If the location information is the same campus and the category is student, and the current situation information is "attending the same course as the registrant on the same day", the name, facial photo, and course name are selected as the content of the contact information, and image output is selected as the providing method (output method). This is because, assuming that the first user can meet in the course on the same day, he can greet the second user at the beginning or end of the course. In addition, if the location information is the same campus and the category is professor, and the current situation information is "attending the course of the registrant on the same day", the name and course name are selected as the content of the contact information, and image output is selected as the providing method (output method). There is no facial photo as the content of the contact information because if the second user is a professor, it can be determined even without a facial photo. In addition, if the location information is the same campus and the category is student, and the current situation information is "attending the same course as the registrant on another day", the name, facial photo, course name, and email address are selected as the content of the contact information, and email sending is selected as the providing method (output method). Furthermore, if the location information is the same campus and the category is professor, and the status information is "attending a registrant's class on another day", name, course name, residence, and seat information are selected as the content of the contact information, and image output is selected as the providing method (output method). This is because, when the second user is a professor, unlike a student, he can be seen by simply going to his residence, so if there is residence and seat information, it is considered to be effective as contact information.

[0160] In this example, it can be said that the contact information is changed based on the position information, group information, and presence information of the second user.

[0161] Fig.19 This is a change table when applied to a nursing home. This is the case where the first user and the second user are residents. In addition, when there is a responsible caregiver among the second users, since the communication is made through the responsible caregiver, the second user also includes the responsible caregiver.

[0162] The change table is a table that defines the registration information, the registrant's health status, the registrant's caregiver ID, the current status information, and the contact information / providing method (output method) in association with each other.

[0163] The login information is login information of the second user, and is classified into authenticated users (caregivers) and guest users (residents).

[0164] The registrant status is the health status of the second user who is a resident, and is classified into good or bad.

[0165] The registered person caregiver is the position information of the caregiver of the second user who is the resident, and when the registered information is the guest user (resident), it is classified as "within a radius of 3 meters" and "exceeding a radius of 3 meters".

[0166] The current status information is the current status information of the second user estimated based on the registrant's health status and the registrant's responsible caregiver ID, and is classified into "registrant can be contacted", "registrant cannot be contacted", "registrant's responsible caregiver is nearby", and "registrant's responsible caregiver is not nearby".

[0167] The contact information / providing method (output method) is the contact information and providing method (output method) corresponding to the login information to the current status information. If the registrant (the second user as the occupant) is in a state where he can be contacted, the name is selected as the contact information, and the image output is selected as the providing method (output method). In addition, if the registrant (the second user as the occupant) is in a state where he cannot be contacted, the name and the name of the responsible caregiver are selected as the contact information, and the image output is selected as the providing method (output method). This is because the first user cannot directly contact the second user and needs to contact the responsible caregiver. In addition, if the responsible caregiver of the registrant (the second user as the occupant) is nearby, the name, the name of the responsible caregiver, and the facial photo of the responsible caregiver are selected as the contact information, and the image output is selected as the providing method (output method). Furthermore, if the responsible caregiver of the registrant (the second user as the occupant) is not nearby, the name is selected as the contact information, and the image output is selected as the providing method (output method). This is because it is difficult to contact the responsible nursing staff, so the name of the second user is output as an image and given to the responsible nursing staff of the first user for contact.

[0168] Fig. 20 An example of image output is shown. This is a case where a second user who is a resident has logged in and a caregiver is nearby.

[0169] A message such as "The resident whose related information is registered is here." is printed, and the resident's name is printed. In addition, the name and facial photo of the person in charge of care are also printed.

[0170] The first user can meet with the caregiver in charge of the second user by taking the paper, and can communicate with the second user through the caregiver in charge.

[0171] In this example, the contact information may also be changed based on the location information and current status information of the second user.

[0172] Fig.21This shows an example of a change table when applied to a hospital.

[0173] The change table is a table that specifies the affiliated hospital, attendance status, busy status, current information, and contact information / providing method (output method) in association. The first user and the second user are both doctors or medical personnel. The second user registers the diagnosis of the patient's disease name, condition, etc. in the cloud server 16. The first user scans medical records, etc. through the image forming device 10. When the first user scans the medical record, etc., the image forming device 10 refers to the change table to change the contact information of the second user and notifies the first user.

[0174] The affiliated hospital is a hospital to which the second user belongs, and is classified into the same hospital or another hospital.

[0175] The attendance status is the attendance status of the second user, and is classified into being present and not present.

[0176] The busy status is the busy status of the second user, and when the user is on duty, the status is classified into busy / emergency response and non-busy / non-emergency response. Whether the user is on emergency response may be replaced by whether the user is in an intensive care unit (ICU) or an operating room.

[0177] The presence information is the second user's presence information estimated from the affiliated hospital to the busy status, and is classified into same hospital / on duty / busy, same hospital / on duty / not busy, same hospital / off, other hospital.

[0178] The contact information / providing method is the content of the contact information corresponding to the current status and its providing method (output method). If it is the same hospital / on duty / busy, select the name, department in charge, and email address as the content of the contact information, and select email sending as the providing method (output method). This is because it is difficult to get in touch with the second user when he is busy (emergency response). In addition, if it is the same hospital / on duty / not busy, select the name, department in charge, and extension number as the content of the contact information, and select image output as the providing method (output method). This is because it is considered that if the second user is on duty and not busy, he can meet directly or use an extension phone to get in touch. If it is the same hospital / off, select the name, department in charge, and email address as the content of the contact information, and select email sending as the providing method (output method). If it is another hospital, it is impossible to meet directly and get in touch, so select the name, hospital name, department in charge, and phone number (representative) as the content of the contact information, and select image output as the providing method (output method).

[0179] Fig. 22 An example of image output is shown. This is a case where the second user is in the same hospital, is on duty, and is not busy.

[0180] The doctor's name, department, extension number, and facial photo are printed together with a message such as "The doctor who registered the related information is here." Here, the document data registered by the second user, specifically the patient's medical record, etc., can also be output as the related information together with the contact information.

[0181] Fig.23 This shows an example of sending an email to the first user's mobile terminal 11. This is a case where the second user is in the same hospital, is on duty, and is busy.

[0182] The doctor's name, department in charge, and email address are displayed together with a message such as "The doctor who registered the related information is here. He is currently responding to the emergency." The first user can use the email address to send an email to contact the second user. In addition, a link for accessing the medical record of the patient registered by the second user can be further displayed as related information.

[0183] In addition, of course, if the second user is busy and responding to an emergency, no notification may be made, but the second user's current status information may be detected again when the first user logs in next time and the contact information may be changed. In the case where the second user is a doctor or medical staff, there are many cases where they are busy responding to emergency patients in addition to the pre-set schedule, so it is effective to appropriately change the content of the contact information and its output method according to the current status information.

[0184] In this example as well, the contact information can be changed based on the location information and current status information of the second user, in particular, the busyness (urgency) of the second user.

[0185] <Variation 1>

[0186] In the present embodiment, the case where the first user uses the image forming device 10 and the second user uses the image forming device 14 is described, but there may be a case where the first user and the second user use the same image forming device 10 at different times. In this case as well, the contact information of the second user can be changed and notified based on the location information of the second user at the time when the first user operates the image forming device 10.

[0187] In addition, when comparing the document data of the first user and the document data of the second user to determine whether there is a correlation, the creation date and time of the document data may also be considered. This is because, for document data that is older than a certain time, even if the keywords are the same, its validity is doubtful, and it is not necessary to contact the second user who is related to the document data that is older than a certain time. In addition, as an example of considering the creation date and time of the document data, if the first user registers multiple document data, it can be used as a basis for the document data to be presented when the creation date is different.

[0188] <Variation 2>

[0189] In the embodiment, when the first user is notified of the contact information of the second user, the second user may also be notified that the first user has been notified. Thus, the second user can know in advance the contact from the first user, so the first user can contact the second user more smoothly. When the second user is notified that the first user has been notified, it is also preferable to notify in an output method corresponding to the location information of the second user.

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: an acquisition unit that estimates whether the second user is at a location where the second user last used the device based on the second user's operation history on the device, thereby acquiring location information about the second user's location; and A notification unit that, when notifying a first user of contact information that is information that uniquely identifies the second user when contact is established with the second user, changes the contact information based on information related to whether the second user is at the location included in the location information, and notifies the first user of the changed contact information.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The notification unit changes the contact information and makes notification based on the location information when the location of the first user is close to or far from the location of the second user.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing device further includes a receiving unit for receiving an instruction to execute a job from the first user. When the instruction is received, the notification unit changes the contact information and makes a notification.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein: The receiving unit receives, as the instruction, an instruction from the first user to contact the second user, When receiving the instruction to make the contact, the notification unit changes the contact method information and makes the notification.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The notification unit selects at least one of a location of the second user, an address for contacting the second user, and image information for identifying the second user as the changed contact information and performs notification.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: When the location information of the second user indicates a specific area, the notification unit notifies that the second user is located in the specific area as the changed contact information.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: When the location information of the second user indicates a specific area, the notification unit does not notify the contact information.

8. The information processing device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The specific area is an area where the first user cannot meet the second user or an area where the first user cannot pass.

9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The notification unit changes the output method of the contact information according to the location information and performs notification.

10. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The notification unit changes the output method of the contact information based on the location information and the location information of the first user and performs notification.

11. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing device further comprises a second acquisition unit for acquiring information of a group to which the second user belongs. The notification unit changes the contact information according to the location information and the group information and performs notification.

12. The information processing device according to claim 11, wherein: The notification unit changes the output method of the contact information according to the position information and the group information and performs notification.

13. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing device further comprises a third acquisition unit for acquiring the current status information of the second user. The notification unit changes the contact information based on the location information and the presence information and performs notification.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13, wherein: The notification unit changes the output method of the contact information according to the position information and the presence information and performs notification.

15. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing device further includes a registration unit for registering document information provided by the second user. The notification unit notifies the changed contact information and the document information.

16. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing device also has: a registering unit that registers the document information provided by the second user; as well as a comparing unit that compares the document information provided by the second user with the document information provided by the first user, The notification unit notifies the changed contact information when the document information provided by the second user and the document information provided by the first user match as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit.

17. An information processing system comprising: A first user terminal, which is operated by a first user; a second user terminal operated by a second user; and a server computer connected to the first user terminal and the second user terminal, The server computer includes an acquisition unit that estimates whether the second user is at a location where the second user last used the device based on the second user's operation history on the device, thereby acquiring location information about the second user's location. Any one of the server computer and the first user terminal includes a notification unit, and when the notification unit notifies the first user of contact information that is information uniquely identifying the second user when contact is established with the second user, the notification unit changes the contact information based on information related to whether the second user is at the location included in the location information, and notifies the first user of the changed contact information.

18. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process having the following steps: estimating whether the second user is at the location where the second user last used the device based on the second user's operation history on the device, thereby acquiring location information about the second user's location; and When notifying the first user of contact information that is information uniquely identifying the second user when contact is established with the second user, the contact information is changed based on information related to whether the second user is at the location included in the location information, and the changed contact information is notified to the first user.

19. A program product, the program included in the program product causing a computer to execute a process having the following steps: estimating whether the second user is at the location where the second user last used the device based on the second user's operation history on the device, thereby acquiring location information about the second user's location; and When notifying the first user of contact information that is information uniquely identifying the second user when contact is established with the second user, the contact information is changed based on information related to whether the second user is at the location included in the location information, and the changed contact information is notified to the first user.

20. An information processing method comprising the following steps: estimating whether the second user is at the location where the second user last used the device based on the second user's operation history on the device, thereby acquiring location information about the second user's location; and When notifying the first user of contact information that is information uniquely identifying the second user when contact is established with the second user, the contact information is changed based on information related to whether the second user is at the location included in the location information, and the changed contact information is notified to the first user.

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