Two-dimensional code display control method and information processing system using this method

Abstract

To display an interesting two-dimensional code while maintaining a function for accessing a specific web system. [Solution] In a management server system 1A having the function of displaying on a display terminal 3 a two-dimensional code 5A in which a code representing a URL is embedded and a two-dimensional image that is not dependent on code encoding is integrated, display data for multiple two-dimensional codes 5A that have the same range up to the domain name of the URL but each have a different two-dimensional image form is generated, and this display data is transmitted to the display terminal 3, and the display operation of the display terminal 3 is controlled so that two-dimensional codes based on each display data are switched and displayed in sequence within a fixed area on the screen every time a fixed unit time has elapsed. The unit time is determined taking into consideration the length of time required for a user terminal 4 to read information from the two-dimensional code and the length of time required for the human eye to distinguish between each two-dimensional image.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for dynamically changing and displaying a two-dimensional code in which a code representing a URL is embedded so as to be optically readable, and to an information processing system to which the method is applied. [Background technology]

[0002] QR Code (registered trademark), a typical two-dimensional code, has the ability to read information in an extremely short time (see Non-Patent Document 1), and is widely used as a tool for enabling camera-equipped communication terminal devices such as smartphones to access web information. Furthermore, these two-dimensional codes are used for a wide range of purposes, including the provision, management, and analysis of various services. The following three patent documents are cited as documents disclosing information processing for these purposes, and their contents are briefly explained.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system that places a two-dimensional code embedded with information about the event at an event venue, and enables a communication terminal device that reads the information in the two-dimensional code to send a request including the read information to a server, thereby enabling the downloading of an AR (augmented reality) sticker that can be combined with an image taken within the venue from the server. Patent Document 1 further describes that a plurality of AR stickers linked to location information and a distribution period are registered on the server, and from these, stickers that match the location information and current date and time of the communication terminal device that sent the request are extracted and sent to the communication terminal device.

[0004] Patent document 2 describes an electronic ticket system using two-dimensional codes in which, upon completion of ticket sales, a random string of characters (salt value) used in authentication processing is sent to a user terminal device; the user terminal device that accesses the server before the lecture generates a secret value by hashing a code that combines the access date (system date), membership number, and the above salt value; and the user terminal device just before the lecture generates an authentication code by hashing a code that includes the above membership number, secret value, and the current time determined by the system clock of the device itself, and generates a two-dimensional code that includes the membership number, the date and time the two-dimensional code was generated, and the above authentication code as an electronic ticket.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes that in the entrance authentication device that reads the above-mentioned two-dimensional code, a secret value is generated by performing hashing in the same manner as that performed in the user terminal device using the date identified by the device's system clock, the member number in the read information, and the aforementioned salt value, and then a code that combines the member number in the read information, the date and time the two-dimensional code was generated, and the secret value is hashed, and the authenticity of the two-dimensional code is determined by comparing the hashed code with the authentication code in the read information, and that in the user terminal device, if authentication is not completed within a certain period of time (60 seconds) since the generation of the two-dimensional code, a new two-dimensional code is generated again using the same procedure as above and the display is updated.

[0006] Patent Document 3 describes a method of displaying or printing a URL including, as a query string, parameters linked to an electronic advertisement (specifically set for each electronic advertisement to identify an access route), and a server that accepts access from a user terminal device that reads the two-dimensional code stores information (parameter information) in which a unique ID is linked to the parameters, and writes the unique ID to the user terminal as a cookie, and then, in response to a download request for content such as a coupon ticket from the user terminal device, provides the user terminal device with content to which the parameter information corresponding to the ID has been added. Patent Document 3 further describes a method of identifying an access route by analyzing the parameter information in the server in response to the parameter information read from the content by a terminal device of a store or the like where the content is used and being transmitted to the server.

[0007] The form of two-dimensional codes is not limited to those consisting of only general coding patterns; two-dimensional codes that incorporate two-dimensional images such as illustrations and photographs have also been developed. Patent documents 4 and 5 are presented as prior art documents that show examples of such codes.

[0008] Patent Document 4 discloses a technology for generating a two-dimensional code from which information can be read without compromising the design of the base image by processing image data such as a photograph to fit the size of the two-dimensional code, extracting color information from this base image at positions corresponding to each cell of the two-dimensional code, and adjusting the color, brightness, and transparency of each cell based on that color information.

[0009] Patent Document 5 discloses a technology for generating a two-dimensional code in which a data recording area and an error correction code recording area are arranged along the periphery of a rectangular code area (corresponding to the entire area of ​​the two-dimensional code), and the rectangular area surrounded by them is set as an empty area, allowing pictures, symbols, designs, etc. to be freely arranged in the empty area. This two-dimensional code is thought to be a coded pattern code known as Frame QR (registered trademark). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7364757 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7429364 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 4236689 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-95020 [Patent Document 5] Patent No. 6136808 [Non-patent literature]

[0011] [Non-Patent Document 1] Posted on X by the official DENSO WAVE Inc. account (with video), https: / / x.com / DENSOWAVE_Inc / status / 1432901030686121985, published on September 1, 2021 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] Since two-dimensional codes are intended to convey certain information, they must be displayed in a manner that does not hinder the reading of that information. From this perspective, when a two-dimensional code is presented to a user by displaying it on the screen of a display device, the display of the same two-dimensional code is generally maintained for a fairly long time. As described in Patent Document 2, even when the content of the two-dimensional code is updated, the update is performed when the code has not been read, so the display of the same two-dimensional code is maintained for a significantly longer time than the time required for reading (60 seconds in Patent Document 2).

[0013] In this way, the previous display of the 2D code is maintained for a fairly long time, taking into account the time it takes the user to perform the steps to read it (the time from launching the reading app to aligning the camera's field of view with the 2D code), but the way it is displayed does not pose any particular interest.

[0014] Therefore, even if a two-dimensional code with an embedded URL is displayed for the purpose of allowing many users to access detailed information, such as for advertising, promotion, or customer service, it is difficult for users to notice it if it is simply displayed as a fixed monochrome coding pattern, and even if users do notice it, it has little appeal, making it difficult to increase the frequency of access.

[0015] Conventional 2D code displays have the problem that they are only designed to provide users with certain information, and therefore do not sufficiently attract users' attention. Even 2D codes that have an integrated 2D image display only combine a static image with a coded pattern of certain content, and it is difficult to say that they have a high enough attraction to make users scan them multiple times.

[0016] In light of these problems, the first object of the present invention is to display an interesting two-dimensional code while maintaining the function of allowing access to a specific web system.

[0017] Furthermore, a second object of the present invention is to display information sent from the web system to a communication terminal device that has accessed the above-mentioned web system by reading a two-dimensional code in a manner that can be varied depending on the timing at which the two-dimensional code is read. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] The first display control method of the present invention is implemented in an information processing system having a function of displaying, on one or more display devices, two-dimensional codes in which a code representing a URL is embedded and which are integrated with two-dimensional images (such as two-dimensional patterns or photographs drawn by illustrations or characters) that are not based on code encoding, and in which a unit time of a certain length is saved. This display control method generates display data for each of a plurality of two-dimensional codes having the same range up to at least the domain name of the URL but different two-dimensional image forms, transmits this display data to the display device, and controls the display operation of the display device so that the two-dimensional codes based on each display data are displayed in sequence within a certain area of ​​the screen, switching each time the unit time elapses.

[0019] The length of the unit time is determined based on an estimated length of time required for a communication terminal device having a two-dimensional code reading function as configured above to read information from the two-dimensional code.

[0020] The aforementioned Non-Patent Document 1 presents experimental results that show that QR Codes (registered trademarks) can theoretically be read at a maximum speed of 30 times per second (one code can be read in less than 34 milliseconds). Many of the standard reading apps installed on smartphones these days can instantly complete reading of a 2D code once it is in the camera's field of view, and in most cases, it is believed that a 2D code can be read in about several hundred milliseconds.

[0021] Thus, although the actual time required to read a two-dimensional code is extremely short, the unit time of the present invention must be long enough not only to read the two-dimensional code but also to allow the human eye to distinguish the differences in the appearance of the two-dimensional images of each two-dimensional code. The appropriate value for the length of the unit time varies depending on the size of the two-dimensional code and the shape of the two-dimensional image, but a length of, for example, 1 to 2 seconds is sufficient to visually recognize the movement.

[0022] By implementing the first display control method based on the unit time set from the above perspective, it is possible to display a screen in which a two-dimensional image changes frame by frame within the encoding pattern of a two-dimensional code. Even if the display time of each two-dimensional code is much shorter than the general display time, by fixing the area in which they are displayed, the user can easily adjust the camera's field of view to that display area and read the displayed two-dimensional code when the shooting conditions are suitable for reading. Regardless of when the reading is performed, the domain name of the read URL remains the same, so the communication terminal that performed the reading can always access the same web system.

[0023] The above-mentioned web system (the system with the URL embedded in the two-dimensional code) may be a system that controls the display of the two-dimensional code, or may be a different system.

[0024] A second display control method of the present invention is implemented in an information processing system that has a function of displaying a two-dimensional code embedded with a code representing a URL with a query string on the screen of one or more display devices and that stores a certain unit time length. This method generates display data for a plurality of two-dimensional codes, each with a different query string but the same range up to at least the domain name in the portion of the URL before the query string (the actual portion of the URL), transmits this display data to the display device, and controls the display operation of the display device so that the two-dimensional codes based on each display data are displayed in sequence within a certain area on the screen, switching every time a unit time elapses.

[0025] The unit time is determined from the same perspective as in the first display control method. Therefore, the second display control method also allows multiple 2D codes, each with a different coding pattern format depending on the query string, to be switched at a readable and visible speed, allowing the coding patterns to change frame by frame. By adjusting the field of view of the camera of the user's communication terminal device to a position suitable for reading during this display, any of the displayed 2D codes can be read, and regardless of the timing of the reading, the communication terminal device that performed the reading can access the same web system (the system that performed the display control or another system).

[0026] According to the second display control method, by configuring the query string to include a parameter that represents some concept, a web system that accepts access from a communication terminal device that reads a two-dimensional code can perform different information processing depending on the content of the query string sent from the communication terminal device, thereby varying the content of the information sent to the communication terminal device. This processing makes it possible to vary the content of the web system's reaction to the access depending on when the communication terminal device reads the dynamically changing two-dimensional code display.

[0027] Furthermore, in the second display control method, the information system can execute the following steps each time the unit time elapses: generating display data for the two-dimensional code using a URL to which a query string including the latest time data obtained by the system is added; and transmitting the display data to the display device and causing the display device to update the display within the area.

[0028] According to the above method, the coding pattern of the two-dimensional code can be changed each time a unit of time elapses using a query string containing time data representing a time close to that time. Furthermore, a web system that accepts access from a communication terminal that reads a two-dimensional code can set a limit on the access period for each two-dimensional code by comparing the time indicated by the time data in the query string received from the communication terminal with the time of acceptance of the access and permitting only access that arrives within a predetermined time period from the time the two-dimensional code is displayed. Furthermore, if the query string contains an identification code representing the display device or the location where the device is installed, and a verification code whose value varies depending on the combination of the identification code and the time data, the web system that accepts access from a communication terminal that reads a two-dimensional code can analyze the query string received from the communication terminal to determine with high accuracy whether the communication terminal directly read the two-dimensional code displayed on the display device to access the system.

[0029] The first and second display control methods described above accept input of URLs that have a common domain name, different directory names, and omit the file name, and can display multiple two-dimensional codes, each containing an embedded code containing these URLs, on a display device. By storing default pages with different information in the directories corresponding to these two-dimensional codes, the information sent to a communication terminal device that reads the two-dimensional code can be varied depending on the timing of the reading. Therefore, with this method, too, the content of the response from the web system to access can be varied depending on when the communication terminal device reads the dynamically changing two-dimensional code.

[0030] By making the URL directory names of the multiple two-dimensional codes to be displayed the same, followed by a sequence of different file names, the information sent to the communication terminal device that reads the two-dimensional code can be varied depending on the timing of the reading.

[0031] For two-dimensional codes with integrated two-dimensional images, instead of the first display control method, a third display control method can be adopted in which display data (such as a GIF format image file or a moving image file containing a still image of each two-dimensional code) is generated to show how multiple two-dimensional codes, each containing a different two-dimensional image, are displayed in sequence within a certain area while being switched every time a unit of time passes, and this display data is sent to the display device to cause it to display based on that data.

[0032] An information processing system for implementing the first and second display control methods includes a code display data generation means for generating display data for the two-dimensional code to be displayed, a display control means for causing a display device within the system or an external display device to display a two-dimensional code that dynamically changes based on the display data, and a storage means for storing the length of the unit time applied to the display.An information processing system for implementing the third display control method includes a display data generation means for generating display data including images of multiple two-dimensional codes, a display control means for transmitting the generated display data to a display device within the system or an external display device to cause the display to be displayed based on the data, and a storage means for storing the length of the unit time applied to switching the display of each two-dimensional code in the display data.Each system can be provided with a means for accepting input of a set value for the length of the unit time and storing the set value in the storage means.

[0033] The above-mentioned information processing system can be configured as a server system consisting of one or more computers, or as a combination of the server system and a terminal device for displaying the two-dimensional code. Also, if software for implementing the above-mentioned display control method is installed in a small computer such as a personal computer, the computer running the software also becomes the above-mentioned information processing system.

[0034] When the above information processing system is used as a web server, by adding a function to accept transmission of the URL that is the original data of the two-dimensional code to be displayed and image data to be integrated into the encoding pattern, it is possible to generate the two-dimensional codes to be displayed in response to orders from various businesses and display how they dynamically change at a speed that is readable and visible. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] According to the present invention, by continuing to display multiple two-dimensional codes, each with an embedded URL containing a specific domain name, within a certain area of ​​the screen, and dynamically changing the form of the two-dimensional image or coding pattern integrated into the two-dimensional code, it is possible to create an interesting display that will attract users and make them want to point their camera at it. This can increase the number of accesses to web systems linked to the domain names commonly embedded in the multiple two-dimensional codes displayed, and can be used for various purposes, including advertising, promotion, and improving customer service.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the content of information sent from the web system to a communication terminal device that reads a two-dimensional code and accesses the web system can be changed depending on the timing at which the two-dimensional code is read. By utilizing this, information including elements such as lotteries and games can be sent to the communication terminal device, which can increase the user's interest and further increase the excitement of the display due to the dynamic changes in the two-dimensional code. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a process performed by a management server according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a display terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the above screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a management server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of main information in a customer database and a management information storage unit in the management server. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management screen displayed on a customer terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the management server of the first embodiment for one customer. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a process performed by a management server according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the process performed by the management server. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a display terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the principle of generating a two-dimensional code used in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of transition of the screen of the display terminal in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a management server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of main information in a management information storage unit in the management server. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by a management server for one customer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing that the management server of the second embodiment executes upon receiving access from a user terminal that has read a two-dimensional code. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] <First Example> 1 shows an overview of the processing performed by a management server system 1A, which is an example of an information processing system according to the present invention. Hereinafter, this management server system 1A will be referred to as the "management server 1A."

[0039] In this embodiment, the management server 1A receives a request from a business operating a service business such as retail, entertainment, or food and beverage, and performs information processing to display a two-dimensional code 5A with an embedded URL of the customer's server system 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "customer server 20") on a display terminal device 3 installed in a service provision area (store, event venue, movie theater, theater, amusement park, etc.) operated by the business (hereinafter referred to as the "customer").

[0040] Both the management server 1 and the customer server 20 are configured with one or more computers and software installed on them. Neither server is necessarily operated directly by the administrator or the customer, and may use an area within a rental server.

[0041] The original information of the two-dimensional code 5A to be displayed on the display terminal device (hereinafter referred to as "display terminal 3") is transmitted to the management server 1A from the communication terminal device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "customer terminal 2") used by the related party on the customer side, and is registered in the management server 1A (Fig. 1(A)). The management server 1A generates the two-dimensional code 5A to be displayed based on the registered information, and displays the two-dimensional code 5A on the display terminal 3 by communicating with the display terminal 3 (Fig. 1(B)).

[0042] For convenience, Figure 1(A) only shows the flow of sending information from the customer terminal 2 to the management server 1A, but in reality, information related to the generation of the two-dimensional code 5A is transmitted to the management server 1A by repeating mutual communication between the customer terminal 2 and the management server 1A a predetermined number of times via the management screen (see Figure 6) described below.

[0043] A user in the service area uses a communication terminal device 4 (hereinafter referred to as "user terminal 4") such as a smartphone that has a photographing function and a 2D code reading function to read the URL of the 2D code 5A displayed on the display terminal 3, and connects the user terminal 4 to the read URL (Figure 1(1)(2)).

[0044] The above URL is an address assigned to the customer server 20. This address stores a web page that has the function of providing special benefit information such as discount coupons, point award tickets, and images of rare characters. When the accessed customer server 20 allows the user terminal 4 to connect to the URL, the information on the web page is sent to the user terminal 4. The special benefit information is sent to the user terminal 4 by displaying this web page or by performing a download operation on the displayed screen (FIG. 1(3)).

[0045] As shown in Fig. 1, the management server 1A in this embodiment communicates with the customer terminal 2 and the display terminal 3, but is not involved with the customer server 20 or the user terminal 4. However, it is also possible for the customer server 20 to provide the management server 1A with the original information of the two-dimensional code 5A, and communication between the customer server 20 and the management server 1A for other purposes is also possible. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 1, some communication also takes place between the customer server 20 and the customer terminal 2 as appropriate.

[0046] 2 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display terminal 3. In this embodiment, a general-purpose tablet-type terminal device is used as the display terminal 3. The screen displays the above-mentioned two-dimensional code 5A in large size, header information at the top of the screen, and logo data of the business entity (customer of management server 1A) that is the entity providing the benefit at the bottom of the screen.

[0047] The two-dimensional code 5A in this embodiment is a two-dimensional code with an image that applies the Frame QR (registered trademark) technology developed by Denso Wave Inc. (The two-dimensional codes shown in Figure 2 and the following Figure 3 are schematic and the information cannot be read.) The encoding pattern of the two-dimensional code 5A is embedded with the URL of the web page related to the above-mentioned special information, and a two-dimensional image IM representing letters or characters is placed in the empty space in the center.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of two-dimensional codes 5A are prepared, each having a different portion of the encoded code and a different form of the two-dimensional image IM, and these two-dimensional codes 5A are displayed one by one in a certain area R of the screen (shown by the dotted frame in Figure 2), with the two-dimensional code 5A to be displayed being switched every time a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0049] Figure 3 shows an example of the transition of the screen caused by the switching display. In this figure, the subscripts 1, 2, and 3 are added to the symbols of the two-dimensional code 5A and the two-dimensional image IM.

[0050] The two-dimensional codes 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 displayed on the three screens shown in Figure 3 contain two-dimensional images IM1, IM2, and IM3, respectively, which are formed by dividing the character string "Otoku" (written in katakana) into individual characters and combining those characters with character images. As will be described later, by using different directory names for the encoded URLs, the encoding patterns of the two-dimensional codes 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 also differ.

[0051] In this embodiment, by repeating the process of switching and displaying the three types of two-dimensional codes 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 every second, a screen is generated in which these two-dimensional codes 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 are repeatedly displayed in a frame-by-frame manner (hereinafter referred to as "dynamic display"). Since one second is sufficient to visually recognize the central two-dimensional images IM1, IM2, and IM3 of each of the two-dimensional codes 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 and the general shape of the coding patterns, a user near the display terminal 3 can see how the characters "O," "T," and "K" are switched in a short time and how the coding patterns around them are also changing.

[0052] A display time of one second is too short to display only one two-dimensional code so that it can be reliably read, but it is long enough to cover the technical time required to read a two-dimensional code (see Non-Patent Document 1). Therefore, if the field of view of the camera of user terminal 4 can be aligned with area R while the dynamic display of the above two-dimensional codes 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 is being performed, the two-dimensional code displayed at that time will be read when the shooting conditions are suitable for reading, and user terminal 4 can be made to access the URL embedded in that two-dimensional code.

[0053] 1 using the dynamic display described above, in this embodiment, a URL containing the same domain name is embedded in each of the multiple two-dimensional codes 5A to be displayed. In other words, the range from the beginning of each URL to the top-level domain (for example, the range from "https" to "com" in https: / / www.example.com / part...) is the same character string. Therefore, regardless of when the user terminal 4 reads the two-dimensional code 5A, the user terminal 4 can access a web system of a specific domain managed by the customer (service provider), and benefit information stored in that system can be provided to the user.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management server 1A that performs the above-mentioned display control. The management server 1A of this embodiment is provided with functions such as communication control units 101, 102, customer information management unit 103, management information registration unit 104, URL acquisition unit 105, image data acquisition unit 106, base code generation unit 107, image data editing unit 108, synthesis processing unit 109, and display control unit 110 for each of the customer terminal 2 and the display terminal 3, as well as storage units such as a management information storage unit 10, a customer database 11, and a code image storage unit 12.

[0055] 5(A) and (B) show examples of the main information registered in the customer database 11 and the management information storage unit 10. FIG. 6 shows an example of a management screen 100 presented on a customer terminal 2 that has logged into the management server 1A using information registered in the customer database 11. In addition to these figures, the following describes the processes performed by the various functions 101-110 shown in FIG. 4 and the information stored in the respective storage units 10-12. In the following description of the first embodiment, the assignment of codes to two-dimensional codes and two-dimensional images will be omitted.

[0056] Various pieces of information for identifying a customer are registered in the customer database 11. Of these, only the information required for login authentication to the management server 1A (customer name, customer ID, password) is shown in Fig. 5(A). Furthermore, the customer database 11 also registers a management code generated for each case applied for by a customer, linked to the customer ID.

[0057] The management information storage unit 10 also stores the above management codes, and registers, for each management code, information related to the screen to be displayed on the display terminal 3 (hereinafter referred to as "management information"). Fig. 5(B) shows a table in which this management information is registered, and in this example, for each management code, the following are stored: (a) the file name of the image data representing the generated two-dimensional code, (b) the URL embedded in the two-dimensional code, (c) the file name of the original image data of the two-dimensional image incorporated into the two-dimensional code, (d) text data representing header information to be fixedly displayed on the screen (specific characters are not shown in Fig. 5(B)), (e) the image file name of the logo data to be displayed at the bottom of the screen, and (f) the URL for displaying the screen.

[0058] Image files of the two-dimensional codes are stored in the code information storage unit 12, and image files of logo data and original images are stored in folders (not shown) provided for each customer in the management information storage unit 10. Although not shown in Fig. 5(B), the management information related to these image files in the management table includes path information indicating the storage destination of the files.

[0059] When the communication control unit 101 for the customer terminal accepts a login from the customer terminal 2, it connects the customer terminal 2 to the management screen shown in Fig. 6 and accepts data transmission from the customer terminal 2 via this management screen. The login acceptance process is performed in cooperation with the customer information management unit 103. Even when a registration request is accessed from a business not registered in the customer database 11, new customer information is registered in the customer database 11 through the cooperative process between the communication control unit 101 and the customer information management unit 103.

[0060] 6, the management screen 100 has header information input fields Bx1 and Bx2, a logo data file attachment button BT1, and multiple combinations (10 in the illustrated example) of input fields IF and file attachment buttons BT2. The management screen 100 also has a code generation button BTp, a temporary save button BTs, and a registration button BTr.

[0061] The information entered on the management screen 100 of the customer terminal 2 is transmitted to the management server 1A by operating the code generation button BTp or the temporary save button BTs. Until the transmission is performed, the display on the management screen 100 is updated in response to the information input operation by a program (JavaScript) incorporated in the display data of the management screen 100 and a function of the browser of the customer terminal 2 that executes the program.

[0062] Figure 6 shows, as an input example, the management screen 100 in a state where information for displaying the three two-dimensional codes 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 shown in Figure 3 has been entered. This information also corresponds to the information in the management code kozo-code001 field in Figure 5(B).

[0063] The header information is text data displayed at the top of the screen of the display terminal 3, and is provided with a box Bx1 for inputting a "headline" and a box Bx2 for inputting a "description." The logo data is image data that is displayed at the bottom of the screen and shows the name of the business, etc., and the file name is displayed once attachment is complete. Text data that shows a URL is entered into the input field IF, and the file attachment button BT2 on the right is activated in response to that input. Once attachment of the image data is complete, the file name of the image data is displayed between the attachment button BT2 and the URL display.

[0064] When two or more combinations of URL and image data are entered, the buttons BTp, BTs, and BTr are enabled. When the code generation button BTp is operated on the customer terminal 2, a code generation request is sent from the customer terminal 2 to the management server 1A. In response to this request, the information displayed on the management screen 100 (including the attached image data) is sent to the management server 1A.

[0065] Referring back to Figure 4. Upon receiving the code generation request, the communication control unit 101 of the management server 1A stores the information received from the customer terminal 2 in a working memory (not shown). Upon completion of this storage, the URL acquisition unit 105 and the image data acquisition unit 106 become active, the URL acquisition unit 105 acquires URLs from the working memory, and the image data acquisition unit 106 acquires image data corresponding to each URL.

[0066] The base code generation unit 107 generates a base code having a rectangular blank area in the center by converting the URL acquired by the URL acquisition unit 105 into an encoding pattern that conforms to the two-dimensional code having the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 3. The image data editing unit 108 changes the size of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 106 so that it is suitable for placement in the blank area, and also performs editing such as adjusting the color tone.

[0067] When the processing by the base code generation unit 107 and the image editing unit 108 is completed, the synthesis processing unit 109 becomes active. For each combination of a URL and image data, the synthesis processing unit 109 executes synthesis processing to place an image edited by the image data editing unit 108 in the blank area of ​​the base code generated from the URL. The image data generated by this synthesis is saved in the code image storage unit 12 as an image file for displaying the two-dimensional code.

[0068] When the communication control unit 101 receives a registration request from the customer terminal 2 after the processing by the synthesis processing unit 109 is completed, the management information registration unit 104 becomes active. The management information registration unit 104 generates a new management code and display URL, and also accesses the working memory and code image storage unit 12 to acquire the various pieces of information shown in Fig. 5(B), and registers the management information linked to these pieces of information in the management information storage unit 10. The management code is passed from the management information registration unit 104 to the customer information management unit 103, and is also registered in the customer database 11 (see Fig. 5(A)).

[0069] The display URL is applied to a web page that constitutes a screen displayed on the display terminal 3. In response to the completion of registration of the management information in the management information storage unit 10, the communication control unit 101 generates a registration completion notification screen including the management code and the display URL and transmits this to the customer terminal 2.

[0070] When the customer receives the notification and sets a display URL on the display terminal 3, and the display terminal 3 accesses the display URL using its browser function, a cooperative process between the communication control unit 102, which accepts the access, and the display control unit 110 begins. The display control unit 110 searches the management information storage unit 10 using the display URL passed from the communication control unit 102, identifies the data to be displayed (the image file of the two-dimensional code, header information, and logo data), and generates screen data for displaying this data. The communication control unit 102 saves this screen data in the display URL, and by connecting the display terminal 3 to the display URL, causes the display terminal 3 to display a screen based on the screen data.

[0071] The above screen data is data constituting a web page including a program for dynamic display using JavaScript. The program for dynamic display commands the acquisition of new image data and updating of the display every time a certain unit time (1 second in this embodiment) elapses, and template data for the screen data including this program is included in the program constituting the display control unit 110. The display control unit 110 applies management information linked to the display URL to this template data to generate screen data to be displayed, and transmits the screen data and a group of image files of the two-dimensional code applied to the screen (a collection of image files generated by the synthesis processing unit 109 and stored in the code image storage unit 12) to the display terminal 3.

[0072] The browser on the display terminal 3 that receives the above transmission saves the group of image files in its working memory and begins displaying the screen based on the screen data. According to the dynamic display program, the browser sends a request to the management server 1A every time a unit of time passes, requesting the management server 1A to specify the display target. In response to this request, the communications control unit 102 of the management server 1A sends a command specifying one of the transmitted image files and instructing the display of the image in that image file. In response to this command, the display terminal 3 reads the specified image file from its working memory and updates the display of area R on the screen with the image data. This series of processes is repeated, resulting in the dynamic display of the two-dimensional code on the display terminal 3.

[0073] According to the above process, the management server 1A can respond quickly to each request, and the image data to be displayed can be easily read on the display terminal 3, so that the display of area R can be switched at the time interval specified by the dynamic display program.

[0074] Immediately after a two-dimensional code is generated in response to operation of the code generation button BTp, screen data for dynamic display of the two-dimensional code is generated in the same manner as above through cooperative processing between the communication control unit 101 and display control unit 110 for the customer terminal 2. This screen data is temporarily saved in the working memory of the management server 1A, and when the communication control unit 101 connects the customer terminal 2 to the URL of the saved data, a preview screen showing how the two-dimensional code will dynamically change is displayed on the customer terminal 2. The customer can check the appearance of the dynamic display on the preview screen and operate the registration button BTr only after deciding that it is OK to make it public.

[0075] When the temporary save button BTs on the management screen is operated, the data (including attached image files) displayed on the management screen at that time is also sent from the customer terminal 2 to the management server 1A. This data is linked to the customer ID by the management information registration unit 104 and saved in the temporary registration area of ​​the management information storage unit 10. Therefore, when the customer terminal 2 logs out and then logs in again, a management screen based on the temporarily registered information can be displayed on the customer terminal 2, and editing of the screen can be performed.

[0076] 7 is a sequence diagram showing the main flow of processing performed by the management server 1A for one customer, along with the relationship between the customer terminal 2 and the display terminal 3. Below, we will explain the flow of processing from when a new customer is registered, to when information is received from the customer, a two-dimensional code and screen data to be displayed are generated, and dynamic display using these is started, following the flow of FIG.

[0077] First, when a registration application is received from a customer terminal 2 of an unregistered business (step S1), the communication control unit 101 transmits screen data of a form (not shown) for transmitting information for registration in the customer database 11 to the customer terminal 2. The communication control unit 101 accepts the information required for registration transmitted from the customer terminal 2 via this form. The accepted information is registered in the customer database 11 by the customer information management unit 103 (step S2), and the communication control unit 101 transmits a registration completion notification to the customer terminal 2 (step S3).

[0078] After registration is complete, upon receiving a request for new display data from the customer terminal 2 (step S4), the communication control unit 101 transmits data for a blank management screen 100 to the customer terminal 2 and accepts transmission of data to be displayed via the management screen 100 (step S5). This transmission corresponds to the code generation request described above, and upon receiving this request, the URL acquisition unit 105, base code generation unit 107, image data acquisition unit 106, and image data editing unit 108 operate to convert the URL in the received information into a base code and edit the image data (step S6). Furthermore, the synthesis processing unit 109 synthesizes the base code and image data for each combination of URL and image data, generating multiple image files of the two-dimensional code to be displayed, which are stored in the code image storage unit 12 (step S7).

[0079] When the generation of the two-dimensional codes to be dynamically displayed is thus completed, the display control unit 110 generates preview screen data for confirming the resulting dynamic display (step S8). The communication control unit 101 temporarily saves this screen data, connects the customer terminal 2 to the URL of the saved location, and transmits the screen data and image data of each two-dimensional code, thereby displaying the preview screen on the customer terminal 2 (step S9). Although not shown due to space limitations, the display control of the preview screen involves communication between the management server 1A and the customer terminal 2 similar to steps S13 to S19, which will be described later.

[0080] When a customer who has checked the preview screen operates the registration button BTr and sends a registration request from the customer terminal 2 (step S10), the management information registration unit 104 generates a new management code and display URL, and also generates management information linking these with display data such as an image file of the two-dimensional code, and registers the management information in the management information storage unit 10 (step S11). In response to this registration, the communication control unit 101 notifies the customer terminal 2 of the management code and display URL (step S12).

[0081] After this, when the customer accesses the display terminal 3 to the display URL (step S13), the display control unit 110 generates screen data for dynamic display, and a group of image files of the two-dimensional code to be applied to the screen are read from the code image storage unit 12, and these are sent to the display terminal 3 by the communication control unit 102 (steps S14, S15).

[0082] The display terminal 3 stores the received image file group in its working memory, and displays an initial screen based on the above screen data (step S16), and sends a request to the management server 1A requesting specification of a display target based on the dynamic display program included in the screen data (step S17). In response to this request, the management server 1A sends an initial response specifying the image file to be displayed (step S18), and the display terminal 3 receiving this initially displays a two-dimensional code based on the specified image file (step S19). Thereafter, the same process is repeated, and the display terminal 3 dynamically displays a two-dimensional code.

[0083] On the customer terminal 2 on which the preview screen generated in step S8 is displayed, the management screen 100 can be re-edited without operating the registration button BTr, and the code generation request including the information on the changed management screen can be re-sent by operating the code generation button BTp again. When the management server 1A receives this request, it discards the image file of the two-dimensional code generated in step S7 and other information stored in the working memory, returns to step S6, and re-generates the two-dimensional code and screen data based on the information newly transmitted from the customer terminal 2.

[0084] Therefore, while checking the preview screen, the customer can replace or add data to be applied to the two-dimensional code as necessary, and finally, by agreeing to the contents of the preview screen and operating the registration button BTr, a dynamic display screen with the agreed contents can be displayed on the display terminal 3.

[0085] According to the above series of steps, a business operator wishing to use dynamic display of two-dimensional codes to send information with bonus services can register customer information in management server 1A, set up multiple combinations of URLs and image data, send these to management server 1A, and then connect display terminal 3 to the display URL notified by management server 1A after processing the transmission, thereby enabling dynamic display of two-dimensional codes with images that have a link function to a system managed by the company to be performed at the desired location.

[0086] By connecting multiple display terminals 3 to the display URL as long as there is no delay in communication with the management server 1A, it is possible to simultaneously perform dynamic display based on the same information at multiple locations (however, it is not necessary to synchronize the displays at each location). The display terminal 3 is not limited to a tablet terminal, and by using a communication terminal device integrated with a large display, it is also possible to have multiple users read two-dimensional codes at the same time.

[0087] As shown in Figures 5(B) and 6, the URLs embedded in the two-dimensional codes to be dynamically displayed in this embodiment are the same up to the domain name, but the directory names thereafter are different for each two-dimensional code. These differences in directory names can also result in differences in the encoding patterns of each two-dimensional code (see Figure 3).

[0088] Furthermore, by storing different information contents in the default files (files displayed by sending a URL that does not include a file name) of the subdirectories with each directory name in the customer server 20, it is possible to vary the information sent to the user terminal 4 that read the two-dimensional code depending on when the two-dimensional code was read during the period when the two-dimensional code was dynamically displayed. For example, by preparing multiple pieces of bonus information with different values ​​or contents, such as multiple electronic tickets with different points, images of multiple exchange tickets each assigned a different prize, or images of multiple types of characters, and displaying each of these pieces of bonus information on the default page of a separate subdirectory, and dynamically displaying the two-dimensional code by embedding a URL including the name of each subdirectory in the two-dimensional code configured as described above, it is possible to send bonus information corresponding to the two-dimensional code read by the user terminal 4 while the two-dimensional code is being dynamically displayed to the user terminal.

[0089] This method provides an interesting and entertaining display that cannot be obtained with conventional displays that simply display a fixed form of two-dimensional code, and makes users excited to read the two-dimensional code in order to obtain the desired special offer information, thereby increasing the number of accesses to the customer server 20. Furthermore, by making the special offer information obtained through this access usable within the service area or for services operated by the same operator, the number of users of the operator's services can be increased.

[0090] <Modification of the first embodiment> The two-dimensional code that can be used for the dynamic display in the first embodiment is not limited to Frame QR (registered trademark). For example, by applying the technology disclosed in Patent Document 4, it is also possible to generate a two-dimensional code in which an image adjusted to a size that fits the coding pattern is superimposed on the coding pattern.

[0091] Although the two-dimensional image will be smaller, the first embodiment can also use a configuration in which the center of a two-dimensional code obtained by encoding a URL using a conventional method is missing to the extent that it does not interfere with reading, and a two-dimensional image is placed in the missing part.

[0092] In the first embodiment, by making the directory names of the URLs embedded in multiple two-dimensional codes different, the encoding pattern of each two-dimensional code is changed and different information content can be sent to the user terminal 4 that reads the two-dimensional code depending on the timing of the read. However, the same effect can be achieved by making the range from the beginning of each URL to the directory name the same and then adding the file names of the files in which different information content is saved.

[0093] Instead of a directory name or a file name, a plurality of query strings with different parameter contents can be concatenated after a URL with a fixed content (which may or may not include a directory name or a file name), and this can be encoded, and a different form of two-dimensional image can be integrated into the generated encoding pattern to generate a two-dimensional code for dynamic display. With these two-dimensional codes, it is possible to vary the information displayed on a web page accessed by a user terminal 4 by setting up a program in the management server 1A that varies the information sent to the user terminal 4 based on the content of the parameter of the query string received from the accessing user terminal 4, without setting up multiple subdirectories in the same domain and individually linking them to special information.

[0094] In the first embodiment, dynamic display of a two-dimensional code on the display terminal 3 is realized by generating multiple pieces of image data in which the encoding pattern of the URL and a two-dimensional image are integrated, transmitting these pieces of image data together with basic screen data to the display terminal 3, storing each piece of image data in the working memory of the display terminal 3, and switching the display within the screen area R in response to a designation of the image file to be displayed from the management server 1A at regular intervals, but similar dynamic display can also be realized by other methods.

[0095] For example, if the number and display order of two-dimensional codes are fixed, the order can be written into a dynamic display program, and screen data including the program and a group of image files for each two-dimensional code can be sent from management server 1A to display terminal 3, thereby enabling dynamic display through processing by display terminal 3 alone, without further instructions from management server 1A. Even if the display order is not written into the dynamic display program, by sending a command specifying the display order from management server 1A along with the screen data and group of image files, two-dimensional codes can be dynamically displayed in a predetermined order, without further instructions from management server 1A.

[0096] Dynamic display of a two-dimensional code can also be achieved by a method in which the size of the image file of the two-dimensional code is adjusted to fall within a predetermined value, and then, in response to the first request from the display terminal 3, only basic screen data including a program for dynamic display is sent, and then the display terminal 3, which displays this screen data, sends a request to the management server 1A to send an image, the management server 1A sends an image file of the two-dimensional code to be displayed in response to this request, and the display terminal 3 updates the screen display based on the image file received, all of which are repeated at regular intervals.

[0097] Dynamic display of two-dimensional codes can also be achieved by generating a GIF format data file in the management server 1A that is configured to display multiple still images of two-dimensional codes with two-dimensional images that are switched at regular intervals, or a moving image file that shows how two-dimensional codes with two-dimensional images are dynamically displayed, and then sending this data file to the display terminal 3 that displays basic screen data to display the image.

[0098] The explanation up to this point has been based on the assumption that URLs containing the same domain name are embedded in multiple two-dimensional codes to be dynamically displayed, but this is not limited to this. It is also possible to generate multiple two-dimensional codes with different domain names (including those with a subdomain attached before a common domain name) provided that there is business relevance, such as domains managed by the same business operator or domains managed by an affiliated company, and use these to perform information processing similar to that of the first embodiment and the modified examples described above.

[0099] Conversely, the URLs embedded in each 2D code may be identical. In this case, multiple 2D codes are generated by integrating different 2D images into the coding pattern. Using these codes, a screen showing the changing 2D images within a fixedly displayed coding pattern can be displayed by performing the same display control as in the first embodiment. However, if the URL remains unchanged, a method can be adopted in which the image of the coding pattern with the embedded URL is continuously displayed in a fixed area on the screen, and a process of overlaying the 2D image on the image is performed by switching the 2D image at regular intervals. Even with this method, the management server 1A transmits the basic screen data, the image data of the coding pattern, and the image data of various 2D images collectively to the display terminal 3. Then, the display of the 2D images can be switched according to the order specified in the dynamic display program in the screen data or according to instructions from the management server 1A.

[0100] <Second Example> 8 and 9 show the basic processing flow performed by an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the management server system (management server) and the two-dimensional code, which have different configurations from those in the first embodiment, are indicated by the reference numerals 1B and 5B, and the internal components of the management server 1B are also indicated by new reference numerals (see FIG. 13). However, the same reference numerals 2, 3, 4, and 20 as in the first embodiment are used for the customer terminal, display terminal, user terminal, and customer server.

[0101] Like the management server 1A of the first embodiment, the management server 1B constituting the information processing system of the second embodiment generates a dynamic display screen of a two-dimensional code linked to some kind of special offer information in response to requests from service providers in various fields as its customers, and displays the screen on a display terminal 3 within the service area (FIGS. 8(A)(B)). However, the two-dimensional code 5B displayed in the second embodiment has the URL of the management server 1B embedded therein, not the URL of the customer server 20, and when accessed by a user terminal 4 that reads the two-dimensional code 5B, the management server 1B transmits the URL of the customer server 20 to the user terminal 4 (FIGS. 8(1)(2)(3)). The user terminal 4 can receive special offer information from the customer server 20 by accessing the received URL (FIGS. 8(4)(5)).

[0102] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 9(1) to (4), if a user in the service area photographs or reads the two-dimensional code 5B displayed on the display terminal 3 and sends the image or read code obtained by this process to another user outside the service area, and the user terminal 4a of that external user accesses the management server 1B, the management server 1B sends a denial notice to the user terminal 4a without sending the URL.

[0103] 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display terminal 3 of the second embodiment. The two-dimensional code 5B displayed in the second embodiment is a common QR code (registered trademark), but multiple two-dimensional codes 5B with partially different codes are displayed in a fixed area R on the screen, switching between them at regular intervals. Header information is displayed at the top of the screen, and time data indicating the current time and the name of the service area in which the display terminal 3 is installed are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

[0104] 8 and 9, in the second embodiment, even though two-dimensional code 5B of the same configuration is read and management server 1B is accessed based on the read information, access made by directly reading two-dimensional code 5B displayed on display terminal 3 is approved, and access made using transferred information is denied. The reason why the locations from which access to management server 1B is approved are limited in this way is because a verification code that changes over time is incorporated into the part of two-dimensional code 5B in this embodiment where changes occur.

[0105] FIG. 11 shows the principle of generating the two-dimensional code 5B in the second embodiment. In the two-dimensional code 5B of the second embodiment, a code is embedded after the URL for accessing the management server 1B (hereinafter referred to as the "access URL"), with a query string including an area code, time data, and confirmation code added. Specifically, the area code, time data, and confirmation code are used as parameters, and each is combined with the variable names "area," "time," and "code." These parameter descriptions are connected with "&" to generate a query string, which is then added after the access URL, and this code is encoded to generate the two-dimensional code 5B. Hereinafter, the code to be encoded as described above will be referred to as the "code to be encoded."

[0106] The access URL is a specific address (fixed data) within the management server 1B and is commonly applied to each area. The area code is an identification code that differs for each area, but the area code is also fixed data and is commonly applied to the two-dimensional code 5B displayed within the same area.

[0107] The time data and the confirmation code are variable data that change at regular intervals. The time data is data obtained from the clock function of the management server 1B immediately before the query string of the code to be encoded is generated. The confirmation code is generated by hashing a code configured by adding a common passcode as a salt to a combination of the time data and area code incorporated into the same query string. The common passcode is fixed data registered in the management server 1B, and in this embodiment, this common passcode is applied to all two-dimensional codes generated by the management server 1B.

[0108] Of the three elements that form the basis of the confirmation code, the area code and time data appear directly in the two-dimensional code and can be easily read, but these data do not appear at all in the confirmation code. The common passcode is also a secret code managed by the management server 1B and does not appear in the confirmation code, so there is no risk that a general user will learn how the confirmation code was generated. Even if someone were to realize that the confirmation code may have been generated by hashing, it would be impossible to identify the common passcode, which is a secret code, unless they illegally access the management server 1B. If the common passcode cannot be identified, it would also be impossible to derive a code identical to the confirmation code read from the two-dimensional code by an information processing device other than the management server 1B.

[0109] Fig. 12 shows an example of the transition of the screen while the two-dimensional code 5B is being dynamically displayed on the display terminal 3 in the second embodiment. In Fig. 12, the two-dimensional codes 5B in the three screens are also assigned sub-numbers and are represented as 5B1, 5B2, and 5B3.

[0110] In this embodiment, a new two-dimensional code 5B is generated every second using the method shown in Figure 11, and each time a new two-dimensional code 5B is generated, the display area R of the two-dimensional code 5B is updated to the new two-dimensional code 5B, thereby changing the display of the two-dimensional code 5B every second.

[0111] 12 shows the screen displayed for three seconds during the above display, along with the time data and confirmation code embedded in each of two-dimensional codes 5B1, 5B2, and 5B3. Thereafter, the dynamic display of two-dimensional code 5B continues, with different two-dimensional code 5B displayed each time, until the screen of display terminal 3 is shut down.

[0112] As in the first embodiment, the dynamic display of the two-dimensional codes 5B in the second embodiment is performed within a certain area R at a speed that allows each two-dimensional code 5B to be read and viewed. Therefore, a user near the screen of the display terminal 3 can read the displayed two-dimensional code when the camera's field of view is adjusted to a position suitable for reading by aligning the field of view of the camera of the user terminal 4 with the dynamic display area R while the two-dimensional code 5B is being dynamically displayed, and can access the management server 1B immediately after reading.

[0113] If a user within the service area directly photographs the screen of the display terminal 3, reads the two-dimensional code 5B, and quickly transmits the read URL to the Internet, current communication technology suggests that the management server 1B can be accessed within 2 to 3 seconds at the latest from the time the two-dimensional code 5B is read.

[0114] The time data included in the query string embedded in two-dimensional code 5B represents the time immediately before the query string is generated, but because the time from the generation of the query string to the display of two-dimensional code 5B is extremely short, the time data is thought to be close to the time when two-dimensional code 5B was displayed. Based on this interpretation and the fact that one two-dimensional code 5B is only displayed for one second, if a two-dimensional code displayed in a service area is read by a user terminal 4 located in the same area and management server 1B is immediately accessed, the difference between the time when the access was accepted and the time represented by the time data included in the query string sent from user terminal 4 is thought to be within the range of a few seconds.

[0115] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9, when a captured image or read code of a two-dimensional code is sent from a user terminal 4 within the service area to an external user terminal 4a, a communication means such as SNS or e-mail must be used for the transmission, and it is thought that it will take a considerable amount of time for the receiving user to check the received content and access the management server 1B. Therefore, it is difficult to keep the difference between the time when access from a user terminal 4a outside the service area is accepted and the time represented by the time data included in the query string sent from that user terminal 4a to within a few seconds.

[0116] In light of the above considerations, in the second embodiment, the length of time from when the two-dimensional code 5B is read until the access is accepted by the management server 1B is estimated, assuming that the user accesses immediately after the reading is completed, and a value obtained by adding a slight adjustment to this length is registered in the management server 1B as an acceptable value. This management server 1B compares the difference between the time when the access from the user terminal 4 is accepted and the time indicated by the time data in the query string received from the user terminal 4 upon that access with the above-mentioned acceptable value, and only approves accesses for which the difference is within the acceptable value. This comparison method, combined with the dynamic display of the two-dimensional code described above, makes it possible to distinguish with a high degree of accuracy between accesses from within the service provision area and accesses from outside.

[0117] However, if a malicious person who realizes that the two-dimensional code contains time data and that this time data is related to changes in the two-dimensional code changes the time data in the query string to a future time to create a fake two-dimensional code, and then accesses management server 1B using that fake two-dimensional code when the changed time arrives, it is impossible to detect the unauthorized access by simply verifying the time data. Therefore, in addition to the discrimination process using the time data, management server 1B performs a second discrimination process to confirm the validity of the confirmation code, whose value changes depending on the combination of the area code and the time data.

[0118] The second determination process is performed by hashing a code that combines the area code and time data in the query string acquired from the user terminal 4 that accessed the management server 1B with the common passcode registered in the management server 1B, and then comparing the hashed code with the confirmation code included in the query string. That is, using the area code and time data included in the query string received from the user terminal 4 and the common passcode registered in the management server 1B, it is confirmed whether a code that matches the confirmation code included in the query string can be reproduced.

[0119] If the time data in the query string is changed even slightly, the hash value obtained by calculation using the changed time data will be different from the verification code. Similarly, if the area code is changed, the calculation result will be different from the correct verification code. If the verification code in the query string can be changed so that it matches the calculation result using the changed data, the second discrimination process will not be able to detect tampering, but such tampering is impossible unless the contents of the common passcode are known.

[0120] Therefore, the second discrimination process can almost certainly detect tampering with the query string, including changes to time data, and can prevent access from a location other than the service area using a tampered two-dimensional code. The common passcode can be applied to any area, and by generating a confirmation code by hashing and including it in the query string, the verification process can be performed without storing the confirmation code in the management server 1B. Therefore, even if a large number of two-dimensional codes are generated, there is no need to store the verification codes embedded in them in the management server 1B for verification, and verification can be performed in a short time.

[0121] The data that forms the basis of the verification code is not limited to the three types mentioned above; it can also include the name and address of each area, or variable data such as a serial number or a random code made from random numbers. If the proportion of variable data in the query string is increased, it will reflect this and produce a more noticeable difference in the coding pattern of the 2D code 5B, making it possible to generate a dynamic display screen that is sufficiently noticeable even without a 2D image.

[0122] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the management server 1B of the second embodiment. The management server 1B of the second embodiment is provided with functions such as communication control units 111, 112, and 113, customer information management unit 114, management information registration unit 115, time data acquisition unit 116, display control unit 117, code generation unit 118, code analysis unit 119, authentication determination unit 120, and response information generation unit 121 for the customer terminal 2, display terminal 3, and user terminal 4, respectively, as well as storage means such as a customer database 13, passcode storage unit 14, and management information storage unit 15. Of these, the data configuration of the customer database 13 and the functions of the customer information management unit 114 are not significantly different from the customer database 11 and customer information management unit 103 of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted. Also, the symbols for the two-dimensional codes will be omitted from this description.

[0123] The management information registration unit 115 of this embodiment receives, via the communication control unit 111, information such as the name, address, and destination URL of the area (the URL shown in FIG. 8(3), i.e., the address sent to the user terminal 4 by reading the two-dimensional code 5B) from the customer terminal 2 for each service area (hereinafter simply referred to as "area") in which the display terminal 3 is installed, and links this information to a management code (area code) set for each area and registers it in the management information storage unit 15. Figure 14 shows an example of the configuration of a management table in the management information storage unit 15, and each record (management information) shown includes a display URL in addition to the four types of information described above.

[0124] If multiple display terminals 3 are installed in the same area, different area codes can be set for each display terminal 3. Also, instead of defining the area code in the management server 1B, the entire or part of the character string representing the area name or address transmitted from the customer terminal 2 can be used as the area code.

[0125] The passcode storage unit 14 stores a common passcode that is applied to all areas registered in the management information storage unit 15. The common passcode is a secret code used to generate a verification code to be embedded in a two-dimensional code, and is read and used by both the code generation unit 118 and the authentication determination unit 120.

[0126] The time data acquisition unit 116 acquires the latest time data (data in seconds with year, month, and date) from the clock function in the computer that constitutes the management server 1B. Hereinafter, for convenience, this time data will be referred to as "current time data." The current time data is also used by both the code generation unit 118 and the authentication assessment unit 120.

[0127] The code generation unit 118 generates a confirmation code for each area using the current time data, the area code stored in the management information storage unit 15, and the common passcode by the method shown in Fig. 11. Furthermore, the code generation unit 118 generates an encoding target code in which a query string including the area code, time data, and confirmation code is added to the access URL, and converts this into a two-dimensional code.

[0128] The display control unit 117 generates screen data for dynamic display of a two-dimensional code in response to the display terminal communication control unit 112 receiving a request from the display terminal 3 to start transmitting screen data. This screen data also includes a program for dynamic display using JavaScript, as in the first embodiment, and after the screen data is transmitted from the communication control unit 112 to the display terminal 3, the display control unit 117 operates the code generation unit 118 to generate image data for the two-dimensional code each time it receives a request to transmit image data from the display terminal 3, which has received the screen data and displayed a basic screen. The generated image data is transmitted from the communication control unit 112 to the display terminal 3.

[0129] In the second embodiment, the transfer of the two-dimensional code image is performed by transmitting a converted code obtained by converting the two-dimensional code image file into Base64 format from the management server 1A, and then decoding the code into the original image file on the display terminal 3 side. However, this method is not limited to this, and a method can also be adopted in which the management server 1B transmits a code including a description of the URL of the destination where the two-dimensional code image file is saved, and the image file in binary code is sent to the display terminal 3 that accesses the URL. In either method, the image data of the two-dimensional code is only saved temporarily in the management server 1B, and the image data is deleted when transmission is complete.

[0130] The user terminal communication control unit 113 acquires the two-dimensional code from the user terminal 4 that has accessed the management server 1B by reading the code. The code analysis unit 119 extracts three types of parameters (area code, time data, and confirmation code) included in the query string of this code. The authentication determination unit 120, in conjunction with the processing of the code analysis unit 119, acquires the latest current time data from the time data acquisition unit 116 and executes a process (hereinafter referred to as "authentication determination") to determine whether the accessing user terminal 4 has legitimate access authority using this current time data and the common passcode registered in the passcode storage unit 14. This authentication determination includes the first determination process by comparing the time data described above and the second determination process to determine whether the confirmation code can be reproduced. The tolerance value to be compared with the difference in time data in the first determination process is stored by a method described in the program constituting the authentication determination unit 120.

[0131] In response to the result of the authentication determination, the response information generation unit 121 generates response information for the accessed user terminal 4. This response information is transmitted to the user terminal 4 by the communication control unit 113.

[0132] 15 is a sequence diagram showing the main flow of processing performed by the management server 1B of the second embodiment for one customer, along with the relationship between the customer terminal 2 and the display terminal 3. In the second embodiment, the same procedure as in the first embodiment is used to receive a registration application from the customer terminal 2 of an unregistered business, register the customer information in the customer database (steps S21, S22), and send a registration completion notification to the customer terminal 2 (step S23).

[0133] After that, when an application request for registration of a new case is received from the customer terminal 2 (step S24), the communication control unit 111 transmits data of a blank management screen (not shown) to the customer terminal 2, and receives transmission of information such as area name, address, destination URL, etc. via this management screen (step S25). This information is saved in the working memory of the management server 1B, and the management information registration unit 115 provisionally sets an area code (step S26).

[0134] Here, the display control unit 117, code generation unit 118, and time data acquisition unit 116 operate to generate two-dimensional codes having the configuration shown in Fig. 11 at regular intervals, and generate preview screen data that switches the display based on the generated two-dimensional codes (step S27). The communication control unit 111 saves this screen data in a temporary display URL and connects the customer terminal 2 to the URL, thereby transmitting the screen data and image data of the two-dimensional code to the customer terminal 2 and displaying the preview screen (step S28). As in the first embodiment, the process flow related to displaying the preview screen is omitted in Fig. 15, but the process flow is the same as steps S34 to S38, which will be described later.

[0135] When a customer who has checked the preview screen performs a registration operation and a registration request is sent from the customer terminal 2 (step S29), the management information registration unit 115 confirms the provisional area code and generates a new display URL, creates management information by combining these with the information received from the customer terminal 2, and registers the management information in the management information storage unit 15 (step S30). In response to this registration, the communication control unit 111 notifies the customer terminal 2 of the area code and the display URL (step S31).

[0136] Thereafter, when the customer causes the display terminal 3 to access the display URL, screen data for dynamic display of the two-dimensional code is generated in the management server 1B (steps S32, S33), this screen data is transmitted to the display terminal 3 (step S34), and an initial screen based on the screen data is displayed on the display terminal 3 (step S35). Furthermore, in response to a request to transmit image data from the display terminal 3, the management server 1B generates a two-dimensional code including a new query string by the method shown in Fig. 11, transmits the image data to the display terminal 3, and the display terminal 3 displays an image based on the received image data on its screen (steps S36, S37, S38). These processes are repeated thereafter to dynamically display the two-dimensional code.

[0137] In addition, in this embodiment, the management server 1B transmits time data with the same value as that embedded in the two-dimensional code along with the image data of the two-dimensional code, and the time display at the bottom of the screen of the display terminal 3 is also updated based on that time data.

[0138] 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed when the management server 1B receives access from a user terminal 4 that has read a two-dimensional code. Below, a series of processing performed in response to access from the user terminal 4 will be described with reference to this flowchart.

[0139] When the communication control unit 113 for the user terminal receives a read code from the user terminal 4, the code analysis unit 119 operates to extract the area code, time data, and confirmation code parameters from the query string in the code (step S41).

[0140] Next, authentication assessment unit 120 accesses time data acquisition unit 116 to acquire current time data, and temporarily stores this as data representing the access acceptance time (step S42). Furthermore, authentication assessment unit 120 calculates the difference between the time represented by the time data extracted in step S41 (hereinafter referred to as the "matching time") and the access acceptance time, and compares the value of this difference with an allowable value stored in authentication assessment unit 120 (steps S43 and S44).

[0141] If the time difference is less than the allowable value (step S44 is "YES"), the authentication assessment unit 120 checks whether the area code extracted in step S41 is registered in the management information storage unit 15 (step S45), and if it is confirmed that the area code is registered, proceeds to the processing of step S46 and thereafter.

[0142] In step S46, the common passcode is added to the area code and time data extracted in step S41 to create a code for verification against the confirmation code, and this code is hashed. Then, in the next step S47, the hashed code is verified against the confirmation code extracted in step S41 (sent from the user terminal 4).

[0143] If the above comparison confirms that the two codes match (if "YES" in step S48), the process proceeds to step S49, where the response information generation unit 121 reads out the transition destination URL associated with the area code from the management information storage unit 15, and creates response information including this transition destination URL. This response information is passed to the communication control unit 113, and is transmitted from the communication control unit 113 to the user terminal 4 (step S51).

[0144] On the other hand, if the difference between the time to be compared and the access time exceeds the allowable value (if step S44 is "NO"), if the area code is not registered in the management information storage unit 15 (if step S45 is "NO"), or if the hashed code does not match the confirmation code in the query string (if step S48 is "NO"), access from the user terminal 4 is not permitted, and a denial notice is created by the response information creation unit 121 (step S50), and this is sent to the user terminal 4 as response information (step S51).

[0145] To summarize the explanation so far, the management server 1B of the second embodiment is considered to include the following functions.

[0146] (A) A function for generating display data for a two-dimensional code in which a code is embedded in a URL to which a query string containing the latest time data acquired by the system (device) itself, an identification code representing the display device or the location where the display device is located, and a confirmation code whose content changes depending on the combination of the time data and the identification code is added. (Consists of a code generation unit 118, a time data acquisition unit 116, etc.)

[0147] (B) A function that dynamically changes the display of the two-dimensional code in a certain area of ​​the screen at a speed that allows the information to be read by repeating the generation of display data using the function (A) above and the control of displaying the two-dimensional code in a certain area of ​​the screen of the display device at predetermined time intervals. (Consists of a display control unit 117, a communication control unit 112, etc.)

[0148] (C) A function that, in response to receiving a transmission of a code read from a two-dimensional code by a communication terminal device having the above-described two-dimensional code reading function, determines whether or not the following essential conditions are met in order to determine that the communication terminal device has legitimate access authority: a first condition that the difference between the time represented by the time data included in the code and the time the transmission was received is within a predetermined tolerance; and a second condition that the confirmation code in the received code matches the confirmation code derived from the combination of the time data and the identification code in the same code. (This function is composed of a code analysis unit 119, an authentication determination unit 120, a time data acquisition unit 116, etc.)

[0149] The function (A) may include a storage means (passcode storage unit 14) in which a secret code to be used in generating the confirmation code is registered. In this case, the confirmation code is generated by performing an operation according to a predetermined rule using at least the identification code and time data, which are data other than the confirmation code included in the query string, and the secret code. In the process of determining whether the code received from the communication terminal device of function (C) satisfies the second condition, an operation is performed using the code contained in the query string in the code and the secret code according to the same rules as those performed by function (A), and it is determined whether the code generated by the operation matches the confirmation code in the received code.

[0150] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to authenticate with a high degree of accuracy a user terminal 4 that reads a two-dimensional code displayed on a display terminal 3 installed in a specific area, and provide special benefit information only to the authenticated user terminal 4. Therefore, a customer who uses the management server 1B can provide special benefit information only to users who visit a store or event venue operated by the customer, and by increasing the value of the special benefit information, it is possible to encourage many users to visit.

[0151] <Modification of the second embodiment> In the second embodiment, the same common passcode is applied to all areas registered in the management server 1B, but it is also possible to set a common passcode individually for each area, associate them with area codes, and register them in the passcode storage unit 14, and when generating a confirmation code, select the common passcode associated with the area code to be calculated. In this case, the algorithm for accepting access from the user terminal 4 (FIG. 16) includes, after the process of confirming the area code registration in step S45, a process of reading the common passcode associated with the area code from the passcode storage unit 14, and a code including this passcode is hashed to generate a code to be compared with the confirmation code.

[0152] The method of generating the confirmation code is not limited to hashing, and for example, a code consisting of an area code and time data may be used as the original code, and the original code may be encrypted using the common passcode as an encryption key, and the encrypted code may be used as the confirmation code. In this case, too, when the management server 1B receives access from the user terminal 4, it performs encryption in the same manner as above using the area code, time data, and common passcode received from the user terminal 4, and can determine whether the confirmation code is correct or not based on whether the result matches the confirmation code received from the user terminal 4.

[0153] Instead of a code generated by hashing or encryption, a series of random numbers may be acquired each time a code to be encoded is generated, and the resulting string may be incorporated into the query string as a confirmation code. In this case, the combination of the time data and confirmation code included in the hourly query string is linked to an area code and registered in the management server 1B, and the second verification process for authentication is performed by comparing the confirmation code in the query string received from the user terminal 3 with the confirmation code that is linked to the area code and time data in the same query string and registered.

[0154] If dedicated software, rather than a general-purpose browser, is used for display on the display terminal 3, a two-dimensional code generation function can be incorporated into the software, allowing the management server 1B to send the code to be encoded to the display terminal 3, which then receives the code, encodes it, and updates the display screen with the generated two-dimensional code, thereby enabling dynamic display of the two-dimensional code.

[0155] If a common passcode, access URL, and area code are also registered in the display terminal 3, the display terminal 3 can generate and display a two-dimensional code whose query string changes at regular intervals on its own, thereby realizing dynamic display of the two-dimensional code. In this case, too, the management server 1B can perform authentication judgment for an access from the user terminal 4 by executing the same procedure as in Fig. 15 in response to the access, without being provided with information on the two-dimensional code generated by the display terminal 3.

[0156] In the second embodiment, the query string can also include information for varying the bonus information sent to the user terminal 4. For example, a different identification code (hereinafter referred to as "bonus code") can be linked to each of multiple types of bonus information, and each time it is time to generate a two-dimensional code, one of these bonus codes can be selected by lottery or the like and included in the query string. Furthermore, when access from the user terminal 4 is accepted, a URL for bonus information linked to the bonus code included in the query string received from the user terminal 4, or a URL with a query string including the bonus code, can be sent to the user terminal 4, thereby transmitting the bonus information linked to the URL.

[0157] The above URL can be sent after authentication using time data and an authentication code, but it is also possible to perform only the process related to the change in the bonus information without including the elements for authentication (time data, confirmation code) in the query string. If the management server 1B does not perform authentication, it is also possible to change the URL embedded in the two-dimensional code to the URL of the customer server 20, and the customer server 20 can change the information to be sent to the user terminal 4 based on the parameters in the query string received from the user terminal 4.

[0158] If the customer server 20 is configured with a function for making an authentication decision using time data or an authentication code, or if the management server 1B is used to transmit information on behalf of the customer, two-dimensional codes based on multiple URLs with the same domain name but different directory names or file names may be displayed in sequence, and each time a two-dimensional code encoded by adding a query string generated by the method shown in Fig. 11 to the URL to be displayed may be displayed. In this way, it is possible to identify with a high degree of accuracy the user terminal 4 that has accessed the customer server 20 by reading the two-dimensional code displayed on the screen of the display terminal 3, and to vary the information sent to the user terminal 4 depending on which two-dimensional code from the dynamic display that the user terminal 4 reads.

[0159] Instead of assigning a specific meaning to the query string, a code derived by reverse conversion from the desired dot pattern can be set as the query string so that when encoded, it appears as a dot pattern resembling a simple mark or character. In this case, too, by setting the URL of the customer server 20 as the access URL and generating multiple 2D codes for the access URL, each containing a query string converted into a different dot pattern, a dynamic display with a changing 2D image can be achieved, as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, by setting multiple access URLs with different directory names or file names and varying the combinations of these access URLs and the query strings, a 2D code can be generated for each combination and used to dynamically display the resulting 2D image. This allows the information sent to the user terminal 4 to vary depending on when the 2D code is read, along with the display of a changing 2D image.

[0160] A query string including an area code, time data, and a confirmation code may be included in the URL of a two-dimensional code having the same configuration as in the first embodiment, i.e., a two-dimensional code having an integrated, non-encoded two-dimensional image, and the query string may be changed every fixed time in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and the display of the two-dimensional image may be switched at the same time. For example, when the display terminal 3 accesses the display URL, the management server 1B transmits basic screen data and a group of image files of the two-dimensional image together. Thereafter, in response to a request from the display terminal 3 every fixed time, the management server 1B generates image data of an encoding pattern of the URL including a new query string, and transmits the image data together with a response specifying the two-dimensional image to be displayed in accordance with this image data. Based on this response, the display terminal 3 displays the encoding pattern and the image data of the two-dimensional image superimposed on each other, thereby realizing a dynamic display in which both the query string and the two-dimensional image are switched every fixed time.

[0161] <Application examples of each embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, some kind of bonus information is sent to the user terminal 4 by reading the two-dimensional code, but the information sent to the user terminal 4 is not limited to bonus information and can be freely determined by the customer, such as advertising and promotional information.

[0162] Even when special information is transmitted, communication for another purpose may be performed before the transmission. For example, screen data of a questionnaire form (installed in the customer server 20) may be first transmitted to the user terminal 4 that has accessed the customer server 20 by reading a two-dimensional code, and special information may be transmitted as a "thank you" in response to the transmission of the questionnaire response.

[0163] The dynamic display of two-dimensional codes in each embodiment is likely to provoke high interest in users who see them and encourage them to read the two-dimensional codes, which can lead to a large number of responses to the questionnaire and be utilized in business.

[0164] When performing authentication judgment in the second embodiment, access from locations other than where the display terminal 3 is installed can be rejected with a high degree of certainty, so responses can be collected from users who are actually using the service within the service area, enabling more reliable analysis processing.

[0165] The display control of the second embodiment can also be used to link the display terminal 3 with a cash register system and to give reward points to users who shop or eat at a store. An application example of this will be described in the following paragraphs 0166 to 0169.

[0166] In this application example, a query string including the identification code of the terminal 3 is added to the two-dimensional codes 5A, 5B displayed on the display terminal 3, and upon completion of payment at the register, the display terminal 3 starts dynamic display of the two-dimensional code, and the management server 1B, which is accessed by the user terminal 4 that reads the two-dimensional code being displayed, performs the authentication decision described in the second embodiment. If this access is approved, the management server 1B transmits the URL of the points-granting system in the customer server 20 to the user terminal 4, and also sends a read completion notification to the display terminal 3 based on the identification code in the received query string.

[0167] Upon receiving the notification that the reading has been completed, the display terminal 3 stops dynamic display of the two-dimensional code and instead displays a two-dimensional code with the amount paid embedded in it. Meanwhile, the user terminal 4 is connected to the point-giving system by accessing the URL notified by the management server 1B, and by reading the two-dimensional code on the display terminal 3 in this connected state, the user terminal 4 can transmit the amount paid to the point-giving system, and the point-giving system can transmit service points corresponding to that amount to the user terminal 4.

[0168] According to the above-mentioned example of application to a points-granting system, authentication is performed using a two-dimensional code containing the time data immediately after payment, the location of payment, and a confirmation code uniquely linked to these, and only access immediately after payment by a user who actually made a payment at the cash register is accepted, and service points according to the amount paid can be awarded.

[0169] When dedicated software for the point-granting system is installed in the display terminal 3, the two-dimensional code may be dynamically displayed by transmitting the encoding target code to be embedded in the two-dimensional code from the management server 2 to the display terminal 3, and encoding and displaying the code obtained by adding the payment amount to the query string of the encoding target code on the display terminal 3. In this way, the payment amount can be transmitted from the user terminal 4 that reads the two-dimensional code to the management server 1A, and the management server 1A, having completed authentication, can transmit a URL to the user terminal 4 with a query string including the payment amount added, so that the user can receive service points simply by connecting the user terminal 4 to the URL (there is no need to read the two-dimensional code with the payment amount embedded in it).

[0170] The authentication determination in the second embodiment can also be used for the purpose of providing a service or permitting participation in an event on the condition that the user enters a specific area. For example, a display terminal with a large display can be installed in an appropriate location within or near a tourist spot, a complex, a theme park, etc., and a dynamic display screen using a two-dimensional code generated by the method shown in Fig. 11 can be displayed on the display. When a user terminal 4 reads the two-dimensional code and accesses the management server 1B, authentication determination is performed using time data and a confirmation code, and information such as guide information for areas not open to the public or service tickets can be transmitted.

[0171] Regarding participation in an event, a dynamic display screen of a two-dimensional code is displayed on a display terminal installed on-site, and information such as an event participation certificate and digital tools to be used for the event can be sent only to user terminals 4 that have been authorized by authentication. Also, if user registration or answering a questionnaire is a condition for participation in the event, a form for inputting information can be sent to the user terminal 4 after authentication, and then the information for the event can be sent after receiving the information entered in the form.

[0172] The two-dimensional code of the second embodiment can be used to determine the frequency of two-dimensional code readings for each time period at each location where the display terminal 3 is installed by compiling the time data and area code received from the user terminal 4. Therefore, for example, by installing display terminals at each checkpoint of a stamp rally requiring participants to visit multiple locations within an area or at information corners located at multiple locations in a tourist destination, and assigning different area codes to each display terminal and applying individual display control using the second embodiment, it is possible to aggregate the frequency of access for each area and time period based on the area code and time data received from each user terminal. This allows the number of participants and the level of concentration for each time period to be determined. Furthermore, tracking using cookies can also be used to determine the location, time, and route of each user's access to the web system.

[0173] When using the two-dimensional code of the second embodiment to provide event or advertising information, the number of accesses can be increased by generating a two-dimensional code that combines the encoding pattern of a URL with a query string that includes an area code, time data, and confirmation code, and a two-dimensional image that does not depend on encoding, and by providing an interesting dynamic display that varies both the query string and the two-dimensional image.

[0174] The display control of the second embodiment can be used not only in service businesses but also in web systems that require access from a specific location, such as a time attendance management system or a system for reporting work from a work site. For example, a dynamic display screen using a two-dimensional code with a URL including time data and a confirmation code embedded therein can be displayed on the display terminal 3 at the site, and a user terminal 4 that reads the two-dimensional code and accesses the management server 1B can be authenticated using the same procedure as shown in Fig. 16. If the authentication is successful, the user terminal 4 can be connected to the customer's system and can transmit information such as arrival and departure times and work report information.

[0175] According to the above application example, by taking all possible measures to prevent the display terminal 3 from being moved, it is possible to determine more accurately than using GPS information whether the user (employee or contracted worker) who owns the user terminal 4 is at the site. Furthermore, this method can perform highly accurate authentication even in places where GPS information cannot reach, such as underground, or where the exact location cannot be determined using GPS information (such as a specific floor of a high-rise building).

[0176] The management servers 1A and 1B shown in the first and second embodiments are intended to perform information processing to allow users to access the server system 20 (customer server 20) operated by various businesses as customers, but the functions of the management servers 1A and 1B can also be included in the server system 20.

[0177] The generation and dynamic display of the two-dimensional code 5A of the first embodiment can be performed by a stand-alone computer (such as a personal computer or tablet terminal) to which a URL and image data of a two-dimensional image are input, without relying on management by a server system. Similarly, the two-dimensional code 5B of the second embodiment can be generated and dynamically displayed by a stand-alone computer if it is configured not to undergo authentication determination.

[0178] Furthermore, the dynamic display of the two-dimensional code according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and their modifications can be performed not only on communication terminal devices installed at a specific site, but also on an unlimited number of communication terminal devices. For example, when displaying a two-dimensional code with an embedded URL for a posting site or a prize entry form during a live television program or real-time video distribution over the Internet, the display control according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment can be used to present a dynamically changing two-dimensional code on the screen of the television or monitor on which the program is being displayed, thereby enhancing viewer interest. Furthermore, when the second embodiment is applied, by including an identification code for the program or distributor in the query string instead of the area code, it is possible to determine the number of viewers who accessed the actual program by reading the two-dimensional code displayed therein.

[0179] It is also possible to dynamically display a two-dimensional code that combines the functions of the two types of two-dimensional codes 5A and 5B shown in the first and second embodiments, including various modifications and applications, that is, a two-dimensional code that combines a two-dimensional image with an encoding pattern that embeds a URL with an added query string whose content changes over time. With this display, a two-dimensional code that is only valid in the location where it is displayed can be displayed in a manner that attracts users who are in that location.

[0180] The time interval for switching the display of the 2D code is not limited to one second, but can be set to any length of time, provided that it is longer than the theoretical length of time required to read the information of each 2D code and that the general shape of these 2D codes can be confirmed by the human eye.

[0181] Regarding the theoretical length of time required to read the information in a two-dimensional code, a more accurate theoretical value can be obtained by actually performing a dynamic display using the two-dimensional code of each embodiment and then repeating a test in which the displayed two-dimensional code is read using a general-purpose communication terminal device while changing the time interval for switching the display.

[0182] It is not necessary to maintain a constant speed for dynamic display, but rather it is possible to set multiple control modes with different lengths of time for which each 2D code is maintained on display, and to select one of these modes while controlling the display using the selected control mode, while interposing appropriate processes. It is also possible to gradually lengthen or shorten the length of time for which each 2D code is maintained on display within a range of lengths of time that do not interfere with reading or visibility.

[0183] The unit time, which indicates the length of time for switching the display of the two-dimensional code, may not be fixed data but may be a variable that can vary within a predetermined numerical range, allowing the length of the unit time to be changed by the administrator or customer (the minimum value of the numerical range is determined based on the length of time it takes to read the two-dimensional code). If the customer wishes to make the change, a field for inputting the set value of the unit time can be provided on the management screen, and the time length entered in this field can be sent to management server 1A, 1B along with the display data, and management server 1A, 1B can then return preview screen data, in which the display is switched according to the set unit time, to customer terminal 2. In this way, the customer can check the speed of the dynamic display on the preview screen and set and confirm the value they deem optimal for the unit time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0184] 1A, 1B Management server system (management server) 3 Display terminal 4. User terminal 5A, 5B 2D code 20 Customer Server System (Customer Server) 10,15 Management information storage unit 12 Code image storage unit 102,112 Communication control unit (for display terminal) 104,115 Management Information Registration Department 105 URL acquisition part 106 Image data acquisition unit 107 Base Code Generator 108 Image Data Editorial Department 109 Synthesis Processing Unit 110,117 Display control unit 118 Code Generation Unit

Claims

1. A method executed by an information processing system having a function of displaying a two-dimensional code on the screen of one or more display devices, the two-dimensional code having a configuration in which a code representing a URL is embedded and a two-dimensional image that is not based on code encoding is integrated, In the information processing system in which a unit time of a certain length determined based on an estimated length of time required for a communication terminal device having a two-dimensional code reading function of the above configuration to read information from the two-dimensional code is stored, display data for each of a plurality of two-dimensional codes having the same range up to at least the domain name of the URL and each having a different form of the two-dimensional image is generated, and this display data is transmitted to the display device, and the display operation of the display device is controlled so that the two-dimensional codes based on each display data are displayed in sequence within a certain area of ​​the screen while being switched every time the unit time elapses, thereby causing the display device to display a screen in which the display of the two-dimensional code dynamically changes at a speed at which the information can be read. A method for controlling the display of a two-dimensional code.

2. A method executed by an information processing system having a function of displaying a two-dimensional code, into which a code representing a URL with a query string is embedded, on the screen of one or more display devices, comprising: In the information processing system in which a unit time of a certain length determined based on an estimated length of time required for a communication terminal device having a two-dimensional code reading function as configured above to read information from the two-dimensional code is stored, display data for each of a plurality of two-dimensional codes in which the range up to at least the domain name in the portion preceding the query string of the URL is the same but the query strings are different is generated, and this display data is transmitted to the display device, and the display operation of the display device is controlled so that the two-dimensional codes based on each display data are displayed in sequence within a certain area of ​​the screen while being switched every time the unit time elapses, thereby causing the display device to display a screen in which the display of the two-dimensional code dynamically changes at a speed at which the information can be read. A method for controlling the display of a two-dimensional code.

3. In the information processing system, input of a plurality of URLs each having a common domain name followed by different directory names and file names omitted is accepted, and display data of a plurality of two-dimensional codes each having a code including these URLs embedded therein is generated.

3. A display control method for a two-dimensional code according to claim 1.

4. In the information processing system, input of a plurality of URLs each having a common domain name and directory name and a string of different file names is accepted, and display data of a plurality of two-dimensional codes each having a code including these URLs embedded therein is generated.

3. A display control method for a two-dimensional code according to claim 1.

5. 3. The display control method for a two-dimensional code according to claim 2, wherein the information processing system executes the following steps every time the unit time elapses: generating display data for the two-dimensional code using a URL to which a query string including the latest time data acquired by the system has been added; and transmitting the display data to the display device to cause the display device to update the display within the area.

6. A method executed by an information processing system having a function of generating a two-dimensional code in which a code representing a URL is embedded and a two-dimensional image that is not based on code encoding is integrated, and a function of controlling display operations of one or more display devices, In the information processing system in which a unit time of a certain length determined based on an estimated length of time required for a communication terminal device having a two-dimensional code reading function of the above configuration to read information from the two-dimensional code is stored, display data is generated that shows how a plurality of two-dimensional codes, each having the same range up to at least the domain name of the URL but different two-dimensional image forms, are displayed in sequence within a certain area while being switched every time the unit time elapses, and this display data is sent to the display device to cause it to display based on the data, thereby causing the display device to display a screen in which the display of the two-dimensional code dynamically changes at a speed at which the information can be read. A method for controlling the display of a two-dimensional code.

7. a code display data generating means for generating display data for a two-dimensional code in which a code representing a URL is embedded and a two-dimensional image that is not based on code encoding is integrated; a display control means for controlling one or more display devices to display the two-dimensional code based on the display data generated by the code display data generation means; and a storage means for storing a certain length of unit time determined based on the estimated length of time required for a communication terminal device having a two-dimensional code reading function as described above to read information from the two-dimensional code, The display control means, on the condition that the code display data generation means generates display data for a plurality of two-dimensional codes having the same range up to at least the domain name of the URL but different forms of the two-dimensional image, transmits the display data to the display device, and controls the display operation of the display device so that the two-dimensional codes based on each display data are displayed in sequence within a certain area of ​​the screen while being switched every time the unit time elapses, thereby dynamically changing the display of the two-dimensional code at a speed at which the information can be read. Information processing system.

8. a code display data generating means for generating display data of a two-dimensional code in which a code representing a URL with a query string is embedded; a display control means for controlling the display of a two-dimensional code based on the display data generated by the code display data generation means on the screen of one or more display devices; and a storage means for storing a certain length of unit time determined based on the estimated length of time required for a communication terminal device having a two-dimensional code reading function as described above to read information from the two-dimensional code, the display control means, on the condition that the code display data generation means generates display data for a plurality of two-dimensional codes each having the same range up to at least the domain name in the portion preceding the query string of the URL but each having a different query string, transmits the display data to the display device, and controls the display operation of the display device so that the two-dimensional codes based on each display data are displayed in sequence within a fixed area of ​​the screen while being switched every time the unit time elapses, thereby dynamically changing the display of the two-dimensional code at a speed at which the information can be read; Information processing system.

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