Information processing methods, information processing systems, and programs
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SANSAN
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-03
Smart Images
Figure 2026125560000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing system, and a program.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a business card information management device that more efficiently utilizes business card information.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] For users of a business card management service, they can appropriately manage the received business cards and contact the person who gave the business card. However, recipients who are not users of the business card management service are in a situation where they cannot efficiently contact the person who gave the business card.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method executed by an information processing system is provided. The information processing method includes a generation step and a transmission step. In the generation step, when the information processing system captures the business card data of the business card of the person with whom the user has exchanged business cards, a follow-up email including the user's digital business card is generated. The follow-up email is an email regarding the user's business card exchange with the other party. In the transmission step, the information processing system transmits the generated follow-up email to the email address included in the business card data of the other party.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006] [Figure 1]Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a server device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a client device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of a server device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing in an information processing system. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a follow-up email. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing in the information processing system of Modified Example 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a follow-up email addressed to multiple people. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing in the information processing system of Modified Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0007] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The various features shown in the embodiments below can be combined with each other.
[0008] <Embodiment 1> 1. System Configuration Diagram Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the information processing system 1000. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1000 includes a server device 100, a client device 110, and a client device 120 as its system configuration.
[0009] Server device 100, client device 110, and client device 120 are connected to each other via network 150. Network 150 includes a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), and the Internet, or any combination thereof. Network 150 includes a wired network and a wireless network, or both.
[0010] Information Processing System 1000 is a system that provides a service for automatically sending digital business card follow-up emails containing business card information. Information Processing System 1000 can also be described as a business card management service. A business card management service allows for centralized management of digitized business cards on devices such as PCs and smartphones. By using the business card management service, users can search for digitized business cards using various keywords such as name, company name, and department name. Furthermore, because the data is stored in the cloud, it can be accessed from anywhere, regardless of location. Users can also share and collaboratively manage business card data with team members. Additionally, the business card data can be used to improve the efficiency of customer management and sales activities.
[0011] Server device 100 is a server device that provides the main functions of the information processing system 1000. The main processes described below will be explained as being performed by server device 100. In other words, server device 100 also provides the functions of a mail server.
[0012] Client device 110 is a device used by a user of information processing system 1000 who is trying to send a follow-up email to someone with whom they have exchanged business cards. A user of information processing system 1000 refers to a person who uses information processing system 1000, or a person who accesses or operates information processing system 1000 through a client device. For the sake of simplicity, the following explanation assumes that the user belongs to Company A. Company A as a whole, or the department to which the user belongs, can use information processing system 1000 based on the contract. Company A, or the department to which the user belongs within Company A, is an example of the organization to which the user belongs.
[0013] Client device 120 is a device operated by the person with whom the aforementioned user exchanged business cards. For the sake of simplicity, the following explanation will assume that the other party belongs to Company B.
[0014] Here, the information processing system described in the claims may consist of multiple devices or of one device. If the information processing system described in the claims consists of one device, an example of such a device is a server device 100. If the information processing system described in the claims consists of multiple devices, examples of multiple devices include a cloud server composed of multiple server devices that provide the functions of server device 100, or server device 100 and client device 110, etc.
[0015] For simplicity, Figure 1 shows only one client device 110 and one client device 120, but the information processing system 1000 may include multiple client devices 110 and 120. Also, although omitted in Figure 1, the information processing system 1000 may include a scanner as a peripheral device to the client device 110. Peripheral devices are various devices that connect to and are used with a computer (in this example, the client device 110) via wired or wireless connections. Peripheral devices are used to extend the functionality of a computer or to make it easier to operate.
[0016] 2. Hardware Configuration (1) Hardware Configuration of Server Device 100 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of server device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, server device 100 includes, as its hardware configuration, a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, a communication unit 230, and an internal bus 240. The control unit 210, the storage unit 220, and the communication unit 230 are electrically connected via the internal bus 240.
[0017] The control unit 210 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and controls the entire server device 100.
[0018] The storage unit 220 is any one of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an SSD (Solid Sate Drive), or any arbitrary combination thereof, and stores programs, data, etc. that are used when the control unit 210 executes processing based on the programs. The storage unit 220 is an example of a storage medium. Examples of the data used when the control unit 210 executes processing based on the programs include, for example, the business card data of the read counterpart business card, the business card data of the user associated with the user ID, etc., which will be described later. The user ID is identification information for identifying the user. An email address of an email may be used as the user ID.
[0019] In the specification, the data used when the control unit 210 executes processing based on the programs is described as being stored in the storage unit 220, but it may be stored in the storage unit of another device communicable with the server device 100. The data may be stored in the storage unit of any device as long as the control unit 210 can refer to and / or acquire it.
[0020] The control unit 210 executes processing based on the program stored in the memory unit 220, thereby realizing the functional configuration shown in Figure 4, which will be described later, and the processing shown in the flowcharts in Figures 5, 7, and 9, which will be described later.
[0021] The communications unit 230 connects the server device 100 to the network 150 and manages communication with other devices.
[0022] Note that the hardware configurations of the control unit 210, storage unit 220, and communication unit 230 are not limited to one. For example, multiple control units may be included in the server device 100. The same applies to the client device shown below.
[0023] (2) Hardware configuration of client device 110 Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the client device 110. As shown in Figure 3, the client device 110 includes, as a hardware configuration, a control unit 310, a storage unit 320, an input unit 330, an output unit 340, a communication unit 350, and an internal bus 360. The control unit 310, the storage unit 320, the input unit 330, the output unit 340, and the communication unit 350 are electrically connected via the internal bus 360.
[0024] The control unit 310 is a CPU or the like, and controls the entire client device 110.
[0025] The storage unit 320 is one of the following: HDD, ROM, RAM, SSD, etc., or any combination thereof, and stores programs, data used by the control unit 310 when executing processing based on the programs, etc. The storage unit 320 is an example of a storage medium.
[0026] In this specification, the data used by the control unit 310 when executing processing based on the program is described as being stored in the storage unit 320, but it may also be stored in the storage unit of another device that can communicate with the client device 110. The data may be stored in the storage unit of any device as long as the control unit 310 can access or retrieve it. The functions of the client device 110 are realized when the control unit 310 executes processing based on the program stored in the storage unit 320.
[0027] The input unit 330 is a device that inputs information to the client device 110 in response to the operator's operation. The input unit 330 receives operation input made by the operator. The operation input is transferred to the control unit 310 via the internal bus 360 as a command signal. The control unit 310 can, if necessary, perform predetermined control and / or calculations based on the transferred command signal. The input unit 330 may be included in the housing of the client device 110 or it may be externally mounted. For example, the input unit 330 may be implemented as a touch panel integrated with the output unit 340. When the input unit 330 is implemented as a touch panel, the operator can input tap operations, swipe operations, etc. to the input unit 330. Instead of a touch panel, the input unit 330 can be a switch button, mouse, trackpad, keyboard, etc.
[0028] The output unit 340 is, for example, a display unit, which outputs (displays) information as a screen of a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be operated by an operator. The output unit 340 may be included in the housing of the client device 110 or it may be externally attached. More specifically, the output unit 340 may be implemented as a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electron-Luminescence) display, or a plasma display. It is preferable that these display devices be used according to the type of client device 110.
[0029] The communications unit 350 connects the client device 110 to the network 150 and manages communication with other devices.
[0030] In this specification, a notebook PC (Personal Computer) is used as an example of a client device. However, the client device may be a smartphone, tablet computer, desktop computer, etc. If the client device is a smartphone, the hardware configuration of the client device may include an imaging unit. The imaging unit captures an image of a subject (for example, a paper business card exchanged) and generates an image.
[0031] The hardware configuration of client device 120 is the same as that of client device 110.
[0032] 3. Functional Configuration Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the server device 100. As shown in Figure 4, the server device 100 includes, as its functional configuration, a follow-up email generation unit 410 and an email transmission control unit 420.
[0033] The follow-up email generation unit 410 generates a follow-up email that includes the user's digital business card, triggered by the import of business card data from the person the user exchanged business cards with. Here, importing business card data refers to any of the following (1) to (3). (1) A paper business card is read using a scanner or the like, converted into digital business card data (business card data), and stored in a predetermined storage area such as the storage unit 220, or business card data is extracted from an image of a paper business card and stored in a predetermined storage area such as the storage unit 220. (2) A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is obtained from the captured image, such as a two-dimensional code containing a URL, and the business card data of the online business card stored at the location indicated by the URL is obtained and stored in a predetermined storage area such as the storage unit 220. (3) Business card data is obtained by reading from the other party's NFC (Near Field Communication) card via short-range wireless communication and stored in a predetermined storage area such as the storage unit 220.
[0034] A follow-up email is an email sent by a user in response to an exchange of business cards with another party. It can also be described as a thank-you email sent later to someone with whom a business card was exchanged. A digital business card, unlike a paper business card, is an electronic business card that can be managed and shared on devices such as smartphones and computers.
[0035] The email sending control unit 420 sends the generated follow-up email to the email address included in the business card data of the recipient's business card read by the follow-up email generation unit 410. The benefits of sending follow-up emails include building good relationships, making a lasting impression, and leading to further action.
[0036] 4. Information Processing The information processing of Embodiment 1 will be described below.
[0037] (1) Overview of the process The control unit 210 generates a follow-up email containing the user's digital business card data when it receives the business card data of the person the user exchanged business cards with. The control unit 210 then sends the generated follow-up email to the email address included in the business card data of the person the user exchanged business cards with.
[0038] By performing this process, even users who are not users of the business card management service (information processing system 1000 in the example statement) can properly manage the business cards they receive and contact the person who gave them the card.
[0039] (2) Details of the process The details of information processing in the information processing system 1000 will be explained using flowcharts and other diagrams. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing in the information processing system 1000.
[0040] A user of client device 110 logs in to server device 100. Client device 110 sends authentication information (e.g., user ID and password) entered by the user to server device 100. The control unit 210 of server device 100 compares the authentication information with the authentication information of a user that has been registered in advance. If the comparison results in a match, the control unit 210 determines that authentication was successful and grants access to server device 100, and executes the processes related to sending follow-up emails including digital business cards, as shown below. If the comparison results in a match, the control unit 210 determines that authentication failed and denies access to server device 100.
[0041] In step S510, the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines whether or not the authenticated user has read the business card data. The follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that the business card data has been read if the user has imported any of the business card data described in (1) to (3) above. If the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that the business card data has been read (YES in step S510), it proceeds to step S520 in the flowchart process. If it determines that the business card data has not been read (NO in step S510), it repeats the process in step S510.
[0042] In step S520, the follow-up email generation unit 410 generates a follow-up email that includes the user's digital business card. The follow-up email includes a title, body, and digital business card. Either or both of the title and / or body include the user's name and information about the user's organization. Information about the user's organization includes, for example, the name of Company A, or the name of Company A and the department to which the user belongs. By including information about the user's organization in either or both of the title and / or body of the follow-up email, the recipient of the follow-up email and the person with whom the user exchanged business cards can easily and quickly search for and retrieve information about the person with whom they exchanged business cards using email sending, receiving, and management software (hereinafter also referred to as a mailer), using the user's organization information as a search key. A search key is a word and / or phrase used to find specific information from a large amount of data.
[0043] The follow-up email generation unit 410 obtains the user's latest business card data from a business card data management service that is linked to a server device 100 (or information processing system 1000), for example.
[0044] Examples of integration between the server device 100 and the business card data management service include API (Application Programming Interface) integration and Webhook integration. However, the integration is not limited to these. The integration between the server device 100 and the business card data management service may be via file transfer or by directly linking to a database. Any integration method is acceptable as long as the server device 100 can retrieve the business card data of a specified user from the business card data management service.
[0045] A business card data management service is a web service for managing business card data. It can also be described as a business card data management system.
[0046] The follow-up email generation unit 410 generates a digital business card based on the acquired business card data. The follow-up email generation unit 410 then generates a follow-up email containing the generated digital business card of the user.
[0047] Here, business card data refers to the information contained on a business card, stored in digital format. Business card data includes text information such as the user's name, the name of the organization the user belongs to, the user's job title, the user's contact information (telephone number and email address, etc.), the user's qualifications, the company logo, and the user's facial image. A company logo refers to a graphic, character, or symbol that visually represents the company's name, philosophy, brand image, etc. A company logo can also be called a company logo mark. The text information included in the business card data, such as the user's name, the name of the organization the user belongs to, the user's job title, the user's contact information (telephone number and email address, etc.), and the user's qualifications, can also be called business card information.
[0048] The business card data management service updates the business card data of a user if at least one of the following is updated: the user's business card information, company logo, or user's facial image. The business card data management service may update the user's business card information and / or company logo and / or user's facial image based on manual input, or it may automatically update the user's business card information and / or company logo and / or user's facial image based on differences detected in the image of the user's paper business card. In addition, the business card data management service may obtain information from internal systems linked to the business card data management service and update the user's business card information if the name of the organization to which the user belongs, the user's job title, the user's contact information, etc., are changed.
[0049] In other words, the business card data management service updates the user's business card information and / or company logo and / or user's face image based on manual updates of business card information and / or company logo and / or user's face image, or based on the detection of differences in business card information and / or company logo and / or user's face image, or based on notifications of changes in the organization name to which the user belongs, the user's job title, the user's contact information, etc., obtained from internal systems, etc. Manual updates to business card information and / or company logos and / or user profile pictures are examples of specified events. Detection of differences in business card information and / or company logos and / or user profile pictures is also an example of a specified event. Notifications received from internal systems, etc., regarding changes to the organization name of the user's affiliated organization, the user's job title, the user's contact information, etc., are also examples of specified events.
[0050] The follow-up email generation unit 410, when generating follow-up emails, obtains the user's latest business card data from the business card data management service and generates digital business cards and follow-up emails based on the latest business card data. Therefore, the follow-up email generation unit 410 can generate follow-up emails that include the latest digital business cards.
[0051] The title and / or body of the follow-up email will include the business card information. By including the business card information in the title and / or body of the follow-up email, the recipient of the follow-up email and the person with whom they exchanged business cards can easily and quickly search for and retrieve the follow-up email within their email in their mail client, using the business card as a search key.
[0052] Follow-up emails include a photo of the user's face. Including a photo of the user's face in follow-up emails allows the recipient of the business card to remember the name and face associated with the user. Furthermore, seeing the user's face can help the recipient feel a greater sense of familiarity and make it easier to initiate communication.
[0053] Figure 6 shows an example of a follow-up email 600. The follow-up email 600 includes a title 610, body text 620, image 630, and digital business card 640. Title 610 is the title of follow-up email 600. In the example of Title 610, the title includes the user's name, "Shishitaro". In the example of Title 610, the title includes the user's organization information, "XX Construction Co., Ltd." In the example of Title 610, the title includes the word "business card".
[0054] Text 620 is the body of follow-up email 600. In the example of Text 620, the body includes "XX Construction Co., Ltd." as information about the user's organization. In the example of Text 620, the body includes the word "business card". In the example of Text 620, the body includes information about the organization (company name) and name of the person the user exchanged business cards with (name in the example of Figure 8).
[0055] Image 630 is a user's face image. Digital business card 640 is the user's digital business card. As shown in Figure 6, the information contained in digital business card 640 is also included in follow-up email 600. The information contained in digital business card 640 includes the company logo, name, company name, department name, job title, TEL (telephone number), Email (email address), URL (company URL), country, postal code, address, name in katakana, company name in katakana, etc. Image 630 may also be included within digital business card 640.
[0056] Returning to the explanation of Figure 5, after the processing in step S520, the flowchart proceeds to step S530. In step S530, the email sending control unit 420 sends the follow-up email generated in step S520 to the email address included in the business card data of the recipient's business card read by the follow-up email generation unit 410. The email sending control unit 420 controls the sending of the follow-up email to be sent at 8:00 a.m. on the nearest business day after the business card data of the recipient with whom the user exchanged business cards has been imported. As another example, the email sending control unit 420 may switch whether or not to automatically send the follow-up email at a date and time set based on the job title information of the recipient with whom the business card was exchanged, as included in the business card data. For example, if the job title information of the recipient with whom the business card was exchanged, as included in the business card data, is a predetermined job title (e.g., director) or higher, the email sending control unit 420 stops the automatic sending of the follow-up email and sends the follow-up email based on a predetermined instruction, such as a sending instruction via the screen by the user. If the job title information of the recipient with whom the business card was exchanged, as included in the business card data, is below a predetermined job title (e.g., director), the email sending control unit 420 automatically sends the follow-up email at the set date and time.
[0057] The email sending control unit 420 sends the follow-up email from the mail server of the domain name of the email address listed on the user's business card. This also means that the follow-up email is sent from the company to which the user belongs. For example, the email sending control unit 420 uses SMTP relay technology to send the follow-up email from the mail server of the domain name of the email address listed on the user's business card to the person with whom the business card was exchanged. After the processing in step S530, the flowchart process ends.
[0058] According to the processing in Embodiment 1, even recipients of business cards who are not users of the business card management service can receive follow-up emails containing digital business cards. This allows them to easily and quickly search for and retrieve information about the person with whom they exchanged business cards, using the user's organization information, the user's name, or the phrase "business card" as search keys via an email client or similar device. As a result, they can communicate with the person with whom they exchanged business cards.
[0059] (Variation 1) Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 will now be described. Configurations and processes not described in Modification 1 are the same as those in Embodiment 1. Modification 1 is included in Embodiment 1 and is not a different embodiment from Embodiment 1.
[0060] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing in the information processing system 1000 of Modified Example 1.
[0061] In step S710, the follow-up email generation unit 410 of the modified example 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the follow-up email generation unit 410) determines whether or not the authenticated user has read the business card data. The follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that the business card data has been read when the user has imported any of the business card data described in (1) to (3) above. If the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that the business card data has been read (YES in step S710), it proceeds to step S720 in the flowchart process. If it determines that the business card data has not been read (NO in step S710), it repeats the process in step S710.
[0062] In step S720, the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines whether multiple business card data entries were read by the same user within a predetermined period (for example, within 30 minutes). The follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that multiple business card data entries were read by the same user within a predetermined period if the process of storing multiple business card data entries in a predetermined memory area is performed by the same user within a predetermined period. If the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that multiple business card data entries were read (YES in step S720), it proceeds to step S730 in the flowchart process. If it determines that multiple business card data entries were not read (NO in step S720), it proceeds to step S750 in the flowchart process.
[0063] The process in step S750 is the same as the process in step S520. After the process in step S750, the flowchart proceeds to step S760. The process in step S760 is the same as the process in step S530. After the process in step S760, the flowchart process ends.
[0064] In step S730, the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines whether the organizations belong to the same organization or have a parent-child relationship based on the organizational information contained in each of the multiple business card data entries that have been read (multiple business card data entries of people with whom the user has exchanged business cards). Organizations that belong to the same organization or have a parent-child relationship are examples of corresponding organizations. If the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that the organization indicated by the organizational information of each of the multiple business card data entries is a corresponding organization (YES in step S730), it proceeds to step S740 in the flowchart process. If it determines that the organization indicated by the organizational information of each of the multiple business card data entries is not a corresponding organization (NO in step S730), it proceeds to step S750 in the flowchart process.
[0065] In step S740, the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines whether the number of business card data entries (number of business cards) is equal to or greater than a threshold (threshold number). The threshold is stored in a predetermined storage area, such as the storage unit 220. An example of a threshold is 5. The threshold may also vary depending on the attributes of the organization to which the user and the person with whom they exchanged business cards belong. Attributes of the organization include, for example, the size of the company (large company, small and medium-sized enterprise, venture company, startup), industry, etc.
[0066] If the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that the number of business card data entries (number of business cards) is equal to or greater than a threshold (threshold number) (YES in step S740), it proceeds to step S770 in the flowchart process. If it determines that the number of business card data entries (number of business cards) is not equal to or greater than a threshold (threshold number) (NO in step S740), it proceeds to step S750 in the flowchart process.
[0067] In step S770, the follow-up email generation unit 410 generates a single follow-up email for multiple people. The process in step S770 is an example of a process that generates a follow-up email when business card data from multiple business cards exchanged by a user within a predetermined period has been imported, and the organization names contained in each of the business card data correspond to the same organization names. Step S770 is an example of a process that determines whether multiple business cards are equal to or exceed a threshold number, and if they are equal to or exceed the threshold number, and the organization names contained in each of the business card data match the corresponding organization names, then generates a follow-up email.
[0068] Figure 8 shows an example of a follow-up email 800 addressed to multiple recipients. The follow-up email 800 includes a title 810, body text 820, image 830, and digital business card 840. Title 810 is the title of follow-up email 800, and is the same as title 610.
[0069] Body 820 is the body of follow-up email 800. In the example of Body 820, the body includes "XX Construction Co., Ltd." as information about the user's affiliated organization. In the example of Body 820, the body includes the word "business card". Unlike Body 620, in the example of Body 820, the user has exchanged business cards with someone and the example includes information about the other party's affiliated organization (company name) and multiple names of that person (names in the example of Figure 8). In other words, one follow-up email addressed to multiple people includes either the surname or given name of the person with whom the business card was exchanged, as contained in each of the multiple business card data entries.
[0070] Here, the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines the order of the surnames or given names of the multiple recipients based on the job title information of the recipients contained in each of the multiple business card data, and generates a follow-up email in which the surnames or given names of the recipients are arranged in the determined order. In the example of the main body 820, the names of the multiple recipients are arranged in order of job title, from highest to lowest: department head, section chief, and supervisor.
[0071] Image 830 is a user's face image and is the same as image 630. Digital Business Card 840 is the user's digital business card and is similar to Digital Business Card 640.
[0072] Returning to the explanation of Figure 7, after the processing in step S770, the flowchart proceeds to step S780. In step S780, the email transmission control unit 420 of the modified example 1 sends the follow-up email generated in step S770 to the email address contained in each of the business card data of the multiple business cards of the recipient read by the follow-up email generation unit 410. Step S780 is an example of a process that sends a single follow-up email to the email address contained in each of multiple business card data. After the processing in step S780, the flowchart process ends.
[0073] According to the process of Modified Example 1, even if a user exchanges business cards with multiple people at once, if the person with whom the business card was exchanged belongs to the corresponding organization, communication with the person with whom the business card was exchanged can be facilitated by creating and sending only one follow-up email. Furthermore, according to the process of Modified Example 1, it is not necessary to generate and send multiple follow-up emails. Therefore, the hardware resources of the server device 100 can be used effectively. In addition, the hardware cost of the server device 100 can be reduced. Furthermore, the security of the information processing system 1000 can be improved.
[0074] (Modification 2) Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 will now be described. Configurations and processes not described in Modification 2 are the same as in Embodiment 1. Modification 2 is included in Embodiment 1 and is not a different embodiment from Embodiment 1.
[0075] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing in the information processing system 1000 of modified example 2.
[0076] The processes in steps S710, S720, S730, S740, S750, and S760 in Figure 9 are the same as the processes in steps S710, S720, S730, S740, S750, and S760 in Figure 7, respectively.
[0077] In step S910, the follow-up email generation unit 410 of the modified example 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as the follow-up email generation unit 410) controls the output unit 340 of the client device 110 to display a screen for selecting recipients to send a single follow-up email to multiple people (hereinafter referred to as the selection screen). The selection screen is a screen for the user to select recipients from multiple people with whom they have exchanged business cards to send a follow-up email to, and includes the business card information (name, position, email address, etc.) of each of the multiple people with whom they have exchanged business cards. The selection screen also includes a GUI (Graphical User Interface) component that allows the user to select whether or not to send a follow-up email in association with the business card information of each of the multiple recipients. The user selects the recipients to send the follow-up email to via the GUI component. An example of a GUI component is, for example, a checkbox.
[0078] As another example, the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines, based on the information on each of the business cards exchanged with multiple recipients, whether or not any of the recipients hold a position of a predetermined rank or higher. The email sending control unit 420 then proceeds to step S910, the flowchart process, if it determines that any of the recipients hold a position of a predetermined rank or higher. If the follow-up email generation unit 410 determines that no of the recipients hold a position of a predetermined rank or higher, it may proceed to step S770 in Figure 7, the flowchart process.
[0079] The selection screen may be generated by the follow-up email generation unit 410 and sent to the client device 110, or the control unit 310 of the client device 110, which receives data related to the selection screen from the follow-up email generation unit 410, may generate and display the selection screen. The selection screen may be displayed in a web browser or the like, or it may be displayed via a predetermined application.
[0080] Step S910 is an example of a process that controls the display of a screen to select the recipient of a follow-up email when business card data for multiple business cards exchanged by the user within a predetermined period has been imported, and the organization names contained in each of the business card data match the corresponding organization names.
[0081] In step S920, the follow-up email generation unit 410 receives information about the recipient of the follow-up email (such as the recipient's name, job title, and email address) selected via the screen from the client device 110 as selected information.
[0082] In step S930, the follow-up email generation unit 410 generates a single follow-up email for the selected group of people.
[0083] In step S940, the email sending control unit 420 of the modified example 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as the email sending control unit 420) sends the follow-up email generated in step S930 to multiple recipient email addresses selected via the selection screen. Step S940 is an example of a process that sends a follow-up email to the recipient's email address selected via the screen. After the processing in step S940, the flowchart process ends.
[0084] According to the processing in Modification 2, if a user exchanges business cards with multiple people at once, they can select one person from among those multiple people to whom they want to send a follow-up email via a selection screen or similar, and then send the email.
[0085] As another example of the modified form 2, for individuals excluded from the selection screen for sending a follow-up email, the follow-up email generation unit 410 may generate a follow-up email for those individuals that includes the user's digital business card, as shown in Embodiment 1. The email transmission control unit 420 then sends the follow-up email generated in step S520 to the email address included in the business card data of the business card of the individual excluded by the follow-up email generation unit 410 from the selection screen for sending a follow-up email. In this way, you can separate the target audience into those to whom one follow-up email is sent (to multiple people) and those to whom one follow-up email is sent (to just one person), and send separate follow-up emails to each group.
[0086] (Variation 3) Modification 3 of Embodiment 1 will now be described. Configurations and processes not described in Modification 3 are the same as in Embodiment 1. Modification 3 is included in Embodiment 1 and is not a different embodiment from Embodiment 1.
[0087] The business card data management service may operate on the server device 100 shown in Modification 3. The same effects as those of Embodiment 1 can be achieved by Modification 3.
[0088] <Note> The product may be provided in any of the following embodiments. (Note 1) An information processing method performed by an information processing system, When a user imports business card data from someone they have exchanged business cards with, a follow-up email containing the user's digital business card is generated. The aforementioned follow-up email is an email in response to the user exchanging business cards with the other party. Send the generated follow-up email to the email address included in the business card data of the other party. Information processing methods. (Note 2) The information processing method described in Appendix 1, The aforementioned follow-up email is sent from the user's company. Information processing methods. (Note 3) The information processing method described in Appendix 2, The aforementioned follow-up email will be sent from the mail server of the domain name of the email address listed on the user's business card. Information processing methods. (Note 4) An information processing method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, The aforementioned follow-up email includes a title, body text, and the aforementioned digital business card. Information processing methods. (Note 5) The information processing method described in Appendix 4, Either or both of the aforementioned title and / or body text include the user's name and information about the user's affiliated organization. Information processing methods. (Note 6) The information processing method described in Appendix 4, Either or both of the aforementioned title and / or body text include the wording of a business card. Information processing methods. (Note 7) An information processing method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6, The aforementioned follow-up email includes the user's face image. Information processing methods. (Note 8) An information processing method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 7, If the business card data of multiple business cards exchanged by the user within a predetermined period is imported, and the organization names contained in each of the business card data are corresponding organization names, then one follow-up email is generated. Send one of the generated follow-up emails to the email addresses included in each of the aforementioned multiple business card data. Information processing methods. (Note 9) An information processing method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 8, If the business card data of multiple business cards exchanged by the user within a predetermined period is imported, and the organization names contained in each of the business card data are corresponding organization names, the system will control the display to show a screen for selecting the recipient of one of the follow-up emails. A follow-up email is sent to the recipient's email address selected via the aforementioned screen. Information processing methods. (Note 10) The information processing method described in Appendix 8, The system determines whether the number of business cards exceeds a threshold, and if the number of business cards exceeds the threshold and the organization names contained in each of the business card data match the corresponding organization names, it generates one follow-up email. Information processing methods. (Note 11) The information processing method described in Appendix 8, Each of the aforementioned follow-up emails includes either the surname or given name of the person with whom the business card was exchanged, as contained in each of the aforementioned multiple business card data. Information processing methods. (Note 12) The information processing method described in Appendix 11, Based on the job title information of the person with whom the business card was exchanged, contained in each of the aforementioned multiple business card data, the order in which the surnames or given names of the multiple individuals is determined. Information processing methods. (Note 13) An information processing method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 12, The follow-up email will be sent at the scheduled date and time. Information processing methods. (Note 14) An information processing method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 13, The system switches whether or not to automatically send the follow-up email at a date and time set based on the job title information of the person with whom the business card was exchanged, as included in the aforementioned business card data. Information processing methods. (Note 15) The information processing method described in Appendix 7, The digital business card includes the user's business card information. The business card information of the user and / or the user's facial image included in the digital business card are updated in the business card data management service based on a predetermined event. Information processing methods. (Note 16) An information processing system, Having at least one control unit, The control unit, When a user imports business card data from someone they have exchanged business cards with, a follow-up email containing the user's digital business card is generated. The aforementioned follow-up email is an email in response to the user exchanging business cards with the other party. Send the generated follow-up email to the email address included in the business card data of the other party. Information processing system. (Note 17) It is a program, On the computer, A program for executing the information processing method described in any one of the appendices 1 through 15.
[0089] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, these are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Novel embodiments can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]
[0090] 100: Server device 110: Client device 120: Client device 150: Network 210: Control Unit 220: Storage section 230: Communications Department 1000: Information Processing System
Claims
1. An information processing method performed by an information processing system, When a user imports business card data from someone they have exchanged business cards with, a follow-up email containing the user's digital business card is generated. The aforementioned follow-up email is an email in response to the user exchanging business cards with the other party. Send the generated follow-up email to the email address included in the business card data of the other party. Information processing methods.
2. The information processing method according to claim 1, The aforementioned follow-up email is sent from the user's company. Information processing methods.
3. The information processing method according to claim 2, The aforementioned follow-up email will be sent from the mail server of the domain name of the email address listed on the user's business card. Information processing methods.
4. The information processing method according to claim 1, The aforementioned follow-up email includes a title, body text, and the aforementioned digital business card. Information processing methods.
5. The information processing method according to claim 4, Either or both of the aforementioned title and / or body text include the user's name and information about the user's affiliated organization. Information processing methods.
6. The information processing method according to claim 4, Either or both of the aforementioned title and / or body text include the wording of a business card. Information processing methods.
7. The information processing method according to claim 1, The aforementioned follow-up email includes the user's face image. Information processing methods.
8. The information processing method according to claim 1, If the business card data of multiple business cards exchanged by the user within a predetermined period is imported, and the organization names contained in each of the business card data are corresponding organization names, then one follow-up email is generated. Send one of the generated follow-up emails to the email addresses included in each of the aforementioned multiple business card data. Information processing methods.
9. The information processing method according to claim 1, If the business card data of multiple business cards exchanged by the user within a predetermined period is imported, and the organization names contained in each of the business card data are corresponding organization names, the system will control the display to show a screen for selecting the recipient of one of the follow-up emails. A follow-up email is sent to the recipient's email address selected via the aforementioned screen. Information processing methods.
10. The information processing method according to claim 8, The system determines whether the number of business cards exceeds a threshold, and if the number of business cards exceeds the threshold and the organization names contained in each of the business card data match the corresponding organization names, it generates one follow-up email. Information processing methods.
11. The information processing method according to claim 8, Each of the aforementioned follow-up emails includes either the surname or given name of the person with whom the business card was exchanged, as contained in each of the aforementioned multiple business card data. Information processing methods.
12. The information processing method according to claim 11, Based on the job title information of the person with whom the business card was exchanged, contained in each of the aforementioned multiple business card data, the order in which the surnames or given names of the multiple individuals is determined. Information processing methods.
13. The information processing method according to claim 1, The follow-up email will be sent at the scheduled date and time. Information processing methods.
14. The information processing method according to claim 1, The system switches whether or not to automatically send the follow-up email at a date and time set based on the job title information of the person with whom the business card was exchanged, as included in the aforementioned business card data. Information processing methods.
15. The information processing method according to claim 7, The digital business card includes the user's business card information. The business card information of the user and / or the user's facial image included in the digital business card are updated in the business card data management service based on a predetermined event. Information processing methods.
16. An information processing system, Having at least one control unit, The control unit, When a user imports business card data from someone they have exchanged business cards with, a follow-up email containing the user's digital business card is generated. The aforementioned follow-up email is an email in response to the user exchanging business cards with the other party. Send the generated follow-up email to the email address included in the business card data of the other party. Information processing system.
17. It is a program, On the computer, A program for causing the information processing method described in any one of claims 1 to 15.