JP2015064689A - Notification server, notification system, notification method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove a burden related to notification of the presence or absence of a new message from a user without complicating the structure of a terminal device.SOLUTION: When a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition is received and a new message to a terminal device exists, a new arrival notification unit (19) notifies the terminal device of the presence of the new message if the number of times a notification of the presence of the new message is continuously provided to the terminal device is below a predetermined reference number of times.

Description

  The present invention relates to a notification server, a notification system, a notification method, a program, and a recording medium that notify a terminal device of the presence or absence of a new arrival message for the terminal device.

  With the development of communication technology, message exchange services using various terminal devices are rapidly spreading. In the past, e-mail was a typical example, but recently, services that display a series of messages by each user in time series on the timeline are gaining popularity. In such a terminal device, in order to prompt the user to use a message exchange service, it is common to notify the user of a new message every time a new message arrives at the server.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose examples of techniques for notifying a user of a terminal device whether or not there is a new arrival message. Patent Literature 1 discloses a television that receives a notification corresponding to a content distributed from a notification distribution server and superimposes the notification on a display screen. Based on an instruction from the user, the television can receive the details of the content for the notification being displayed from the web server and display it on the display screen. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a client machine that receives a telop message transmitted from a server machine and displays the received message in a telop. In this client machine, when the user instructs to stop displaying the telop, the client machine transmits a telop read notification to the server machine.

JP 2012-15643 A (published January 19, 2012) JP 2012-216706 A (published November 8, 2012)

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the same notice is displayed endlessly unless the content details for the notice are displayed. Therefore, there is a problem that it is annoying to a user who wants to confirm details later. On the other hand, in the technique of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to manage the read of messages on the client machine side. Therefore, there arises a problem that the configuration of the client machine is complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. The object is to provide a notification server, a notification system, a notification method, a program, and a recording medium that do not complicate the configuration of the terminal device and do not give the user the troublesome notification of the presence / absence of a new message. There is.

In order to solve the above problems, the notification server according to the present invention provides:
Receiving means for periodically receiving a request for inquiring whether there is a new message for the terminal device, which is periodically transmitted from the terminal device;
When the request is received, new message determination means for determining the presence or absence of the new message for the terminal device;
Notification frequency determination means for determining whether or not the number of notifications continuously notified to the terminal device of the presence or absence of the new message is less than a prescribed reference frequency;
When it is determined that there is the new message and the number of notifications is determined to be less than the reference number, the terminal device is notified that there is the new message, while it is determined that there is the new message, And when it determines with the said notification frequency not falling below the said reference frequency, it has the notification means which notifies the said terminal device that there is no said new arrival message, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The notification server according to the present invention is advantageous in that it does not complicate the configuration of the terminal device and does not give the user the trouble of notifying the presence / absence of a new message.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the notification delivery server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the message presentation system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the new arrival notification management record in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the SNS server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the message record which the SNS server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention uses for management of a message. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the television which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the family SNS page in the portable terminal which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen in the television which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the parameter name and value contained in the message acquisition request transmitted from the television which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data format of the new arrival response transmitted from the notification delivery server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the new arrival response for every condition in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the notification process of the presence or absence of the new message which the notification delivery server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the notification process of the presence or absence of a new message with respect to the message acquisition request at the time of a periodical acquisition which the notification delivery server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the notification process of the new message presence with respect to the message acquisition request at the time of on-demand acquisition which the notification delivery server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of the notification delivery server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention determines the presence or absence of a new arrival message. It is a figure which shows the notification content to the television for every time when the notice delivery server received the message acquisition request in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the notification content to the television for every time when the notification delivery server received the message acquisition request in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the notification content to the television for every time when the notification delivery server received the message acquisition request in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

[Embodiment 1]
A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(System overview)
First, an overview of the message presentation system 100 (notification system) according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the message presentation system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the message presentation system 100 includes a notification distribution server 1 (notification server), an SNS server 2, a notification concentration distribution server 4, a television 6 (terminal device), and a portable terminal 8 (terminal device). Yes.

  The SNS server 2 is a server that provides a social networking service (SNS) that allows members of a group to exchange messages. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a group in which a user of the television 6 or a user of the mobile terminal 8 is a family member is set. The SNS server 2 accepts message registration from the television 6 or the mobile terminal 8 and presents the registered message in response to a request from the television 6 or the mobile terminal 8. In addition, when a new message is registered, the SNS server 2 provides information (hereinafter referred to as new information) about the message to the notification distribution server 1 as needed.

  The notification distribution server 1 is a server that notifies the television 6 that there is a new arrival message. In the present embodiment, when the notification distribution server 1 receives data requesting acquisition of a new message from the television 6 (hereinafter, a new message acquisition request), the notification distribution server 1 determines whether there is a new message for the television 6. The notification delivery server 1 uses the new arrival information provided from the SNS server 2 to determine the presence / absence of a new message to the television 6, and based on the result, a predetermined new response (notification) for notifying the presence / absence of a new message. Data) is generated and transmitted to the television 6. As will be described in detail later, the notification distribution server 1 determines whether or not there is a new message to the TV 6 so that the user does not have to worry about the notification about the presence or absence of a new message without complicating the configuration of the TV 6. Notice.

  Note that the notification distribution server 1 can notify the portable terminal 8 of the presence or absence of a new message when receiving a message acquisition request from the portable terminal 8.

  As described above, when the notification distribution server 1 and the SNS server 2 operate in cooperation with each other, a family SNS (message exchange service) capable of exchanging messages in units of groups such as family members is provided on the television 6. And provided to the portable terminal 8.

  Although not particularly illustrated, in the present embodiment, another Internet service different from the family SNS is also provided to the user of the message presentation system 100. The user can use a plurality of Internet services including the family SNS through the television 6 or the mobile terminal 8. Each Internet service is realized by cooperation between a web server responsible for providing a predetermined message such as a message board or an e-mail and a notification distribution server for notifying whether there is a new message.

  The notification concentration distribution server 4 is a server that relays communication between the television 6 and the notification distribution server 1. In the present embodiment, the television 6 does not directly transmit a message acquisition request to any of the notification distribution servers, but first transmits it to the notification concentrated distribution server 4. The notice concentration distribution server 4 specifies to which Internet service the received message acquisition request corresponds. Then, the message acquisition request is transferred to the notice distribution server related to the specified Internet service. For example, when the received message acquisition request is related to the family SNS, the notification concentration distribution server 4 transmits the message acquisition request to the notification distribution server 1 involved in the family SNS.

  The television 6 is a television receiver that receives a broadcast program and outputs video and audio. The television 6 also has a browser function for accessing a network such as the Internet and displaying content on the network. With this browser function, the television 6 displays a message registered in the family SNS.

  The portable terminal 8 is a portable terminal device having a browser function for accessing a network such as the Internet and displaying content on the network. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 8 displays a message registered in the family SNS using this browser function. The mobile terminal 8 only needs to be a device that can register a message to the family SNS and view the registered message, and may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, or the like, for example.

(Configuration of Notification Distribution Server 1)
A more detailed configuration of the notification delivery server 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a notice distribution server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the notification distribution server 1 includes a control unit 10 that controls and controls the functions of the notification distribution server 1, a communication unit 11 for communicating with other devices, and presence / absence of a new message to the television 6. Is provided with a notification management DB 12 that is a database including data necessary for managing the notification. The notification management DB 12 includes a new arrival notification management record 13. The control unit 10 includes a message acquisition request reception unit 14 (reception unit, second reception unit), a request analysis unit 15, a new arrival determination unit 16 (new arrival message determination unit, second new message determination unit), and a notification count management unit. 17 (notification number determination means, initialization means), a response generation unit 18, and a new arrival notification unit 19 (notification means).

  The message acquisition request receiving unit 14 receives a message acquisition request periodically transmitted from the television 6. Details of the message acquisition request will be described later. The message acquisition request receiving unit 14 also receives a message acquisition request transmitted from the television 6 on an irregular basis based on a user instruction.

  The request analysis unit 15 analyzes the received message acquisition request to determine whether the message acquisition request is based on periodic acquisition or on-demand acquisition. Details of periodic acquisition and on-demand acquisition will be described later.

  The new arrival determination unit 16 determines whether an unread new arrival message for the television 6 is registered in the family SNS in which the television 6 participates.

  The notification count management unit 17 manages the number of times that the television 6 is continuously notified of the presence or absence of a new message.

  The response generation unit 18 generates a predetermined new arrival response for notifying whether there is a new arrival message. Details of the new arrival response will be described later.

  The new arrival notification unit 19 notifies the television 6 of the presence or absence of a new arrival message by transmitting the generated new arrival response to the television 6.

(Configuration of New Arrival Notification Management Record 13)
The new arrival notification management record 13 is a record for managing data used when notifying each terminal device participating in the family SNS of the presence or absence of a new arrival message. The new arrival notification management record 13 is, for example, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the new arrival notification management record 13 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in this figure, the new arrival notification management record 13 is a record in which a terminal ID, a final message, a message update time, a final browsing time, a final notification time, and a notification count are associated with each other.

  The “terminal ID” is an identifier that identifies a terminal device such as the television 6. When the terminal device newly joins the family SNS, a unique terminal ID is assigned to the terminal device. When a new terminal device is registered in the family SNS, the SNS server 2 provides the notification delivery server 1 with the terminal ID of the terminal device. The notification distribution server 1 registers the provided terminal ID in the new arrival notification management record 13.

  The “final message” is a new message for the terminal device registered last for the family SNS in which the corresponding terminal device participates.

  “Message update time” is the time when a new message (final message) for the corresponding terminal device is updated. More specifically, it is the registration time of the new message last registered in the family SNS in which the corresponding terminal device participates.

  “Last browsing time” is the time when the corresponding terminal device last downloaded the new arrival message from the SNS server 2.

  “Number of notifications” is the number of times that the corresponding terminal device is continuously notified of the presence or absence of a new message.

(Configuration of SNS server 2)
A more detailed configuration of the SNS server 2 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the SNS server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in this figure, the SNS server 2 includes a control unit 20 that controls and controls the functions of the SNS server 2, a communication unit 21 for communicating with other devices, and data necessary for providing a family SNS. SNS management DB22 which is a database is provided. The SNS management DB 22 includes a message record 23. Furthermore, the SNS management DB 22 includes a terminal record (not shown). The control unit 20 includes an authentication unit 24, a page transmission unit 25, a message registration unit 26, and a new arrival management unit 27.

  The authentication unit 24 performs login authentication to the family SNS. Specifically, when a login request is received from the television 6 or the portable terminal 8, the user ID and password received together with the request are collated with a user ID and password registered in advance. When the match is confirmed, the family ID associated with the user ID is specified, and the television 6 or the portable terminal 8 is notified that the authentication is successful. On the other hand, if the match is not confirmed, the television 6 or the portable terminal 8 is notified that the authentication has failed.

  The page transmission unit 25 reads a message corresponding to the family ID specified by the authentication unit 24 from the SNS management DB 22 and includes a web page (input content) that includes the read message and receives a message input by the user of the mobile terminal 8. Generate. Then, the generated web page is transmitted to the mobile terminal 8.

  The page transmission unit 25 also generates and transmits a web page when a request is received from the television 6. Specifically, when the page transmission unit 25 receives a family SNS page request including a terminal ID (terminal ID of the television 6) from the television 6, the received terminal ID belongs to a terminal record (not shown). Specify family ID. Then, the message of the family ID is acquired from the message record 23, a web page that can refer to the acquired message is generated, and transmitted to the television 6 via the communication unit 21. Details of the message record 23 will be described later.

  The message registration unit 26 performs processing for registering a message in the SNS management DB 22. Specifically, when the message registration unit 26 receives a message write request from the mobile terminal 8, the message registration unit 26 registers this message in the message record 23 of the SNS management DB 22 as a message of the family ID to which the user belongs. Then, after registering the message, the mobile terminal 8 is notified of the successful writing.

  Similarly, when a message writing request is received from the television 6, it is registered in the message record 23 of the SNS management DB 22 as a family ID message corresponding to the terminal ID of the television 6. Then, after registering the message, the television 6 is notified of the successful writing. The message writing request from the television 6 includes the terminal ID of the television 6, and the family ID corresponding to this can be specified by referring to the terminal record.

  When a new arrival message is registered for the family SNS, the new arrival management unit 27 provides information (new arrival information) about the new arrival message to the notification distribution server 1. Specifically, the terminal ID of the terminal device that is the destination of the registered new arrival message is associated with the body text of the new arrival message and the registration time of the registered new arrival message, and provided to the notification distribution server 1. The notification distribution server 1 registers the text and registration time of the provided new arrival message in the new arrival notification management record 13 as the final message and the message update time, respectively.

(Configuration of message record 23)
The message record 23 is data that manages a message that is registered in the family SNS and that is to be browsed. The message record 23 is, for example, as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message record used for message management by the SNS server 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The message record 23 shown in this figure is data in which a message ID, a family ID, a registered member, a registration date and time, contents, and details are associated with each other.

  “Message ID” is identification information that identifies a registered message. When a message is registered, a unique message ID is assigned to the message.

  “Family ID” is identification information for identifying a group registered in the family SNS, whereby messages can be managed in units of groups. In the example of FIG. 5, all family IDs are the same. By management using this family ID, the SNS server 2 can provide a service to each of a plurality of groups.

  “Registered member” indicates a member who registered the message among the members of the group registered in the family SNS. In the example of FIG. 5, members are indicated by character strings such as “dad” and “mother”, but may be indicated by numbers, symbols, or the like.

  “Registration date / time” indicates the registration date / time of the message, and “Content” indicates the content of the registered message (data in a format such as text of the input message). “Details” is information for browsing the contents, and in the example of FIG. 5, the address (URL) of a website for browsing the message is described. Note that the URL may be different for each message, or one URL may be associated with a plurality of messages.

(Configuration of TV 6)
The main configuration of the television 6 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the television 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the television 6 includes a message acquisition request transmission unit 60 (transmission unit), a response reception unit 61, and a display unit 62 (user notification unit). In addition to these members, the television 6 also includes various members relating to the broadcast program playback function, but the illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.

  The message acquisition request transmission unit 60 transmits the message acquisition request to the notification distribution server 1 periodically or irregularly via the notification concentration distribution server 4.

  The response receiving unit 61 receives a new arrival response transmitted from the notification distribution server 1 via the notification concentration distribution server 4.

  The display unit 62 notifies the user of the television 6 of the presence or absence of a new message by displaying the presence or absence of a new message for the television 6 on a predetermined display panel (not shown) based on the content of the received new arrival response.

(Example of display screen in portable terminal 8)
An example of a display screen on the portable terminal 8 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the family SNS page in the mobile terminal 8 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the example shown in this figure, three messages M1 to M3 are displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 8. In addition to the new message M4, a write key K1 for writing a new message is also displayed. Messages M1 to M3 are messages registered in the family SNS, and are displayed together with information indicating the registration date and time of the message and registered members (persons who registered the message).

  The message M4 is a message that the user intends to input from the mobile terminal 8. A message can be created / edited by touching the field in which this message M4 is displayed, and the message created by touching the write key K1 can be registered in the family SNS.

(Example of display screen on TV 6)
An example of a display screen on the television 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen example of the television 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the example screen shown in FIG. 5A, a broadcast program is displayed on the television 6. Since the television 6 exchanges messages while a broadcast program is being displayed, if the received message is displayed immediately, there is a risk that viewing of the broadcast program may be hindered. For this reason, as shown in (b) of the figure, when a new message is registered in the family SNS, not all new messages are suddenly displayed, but first a notification that there is a new message is displayed. At this time, a small window including the beginning of the registered message as a telop is displayed on the screen so as to be superimposed on the broadcast program. In this small window, a key described as “view” is also displayed. When this key is selected, the television 6 starts a web browser, downloads a web page including the message from the SNS server 2 and displays it as shown in FIG. As a result, the SNS server 2 detects that the message has been browsed by the user.

(Message acquisition request)
Details of the message acquisition request will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of parameter names and values included in the message acquisition request transmitted from the television 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The message acquisition request is predetermined data for requesting the notification distribution server 1 to transmit a new message to the television 6 to the television 6. In this embodiment, the message acquisition request also serves as a request for inquiring whether there is a new message to the television 6. That is, the television 6 sends a new message to the notification distribution server 1 so that when there is no new message, the television 6 does not notify the television 6 of anything, but notifies the television 6 to that effect. Request to 1.

  The television 6 periodically transmits a message acquisition request to the notification distribution server 1. The term “regular” as used herein means that the television 6 automatically transmits a message acquisition request when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the television 6 regardless of a user instruction. Thus, being periodic includes both being periodic and not being regular. Hereinafter, this type of message acquisition request is referred to as a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition.

  In the present embodiment, the message acquisition request transmission unit 60 of the television 6 transmits a message acquisition request at regular intervals of 5 minutes while the television 6 is powered on. On the other hand, while the TV 6 is turned off, the message acquisition request transmission unit 60 does not transmit a message acquisition request.

  When the user wants to know the presence or absence of a new message on the television 6, the user performs an operation to instruct the television 6 to display the presence or absence of a new message on the television 6. In response to this operation, the television 6 transmits an aperiodic message acquisition request based on a user instruction to the notification distribution server 1 separately from the message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition. Such a message acquisition request is hereinafter referred to as a message acquisition request based on on-demand acquisition.

  In the present embodiment, the message acquisition request includes at least two types of values related to predetermined parameters. One is a terminal ID (term_id), which is an identifier of the television 6, and the other is a parameter (regular) indicating whether the message acquisition request is based on periodic acquisition. When the value of the parameter “regular” is “1”, as shown in FIG. 9A, the message acquisition request is based on periodic acquisition. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the value of the parameter “regular” is “0”, the message acquisition request is based on on-demand acquisition.

(New response)
Details of the new arrival response will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of a new arrival response transmitted from the notice delivery server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the notification distribution server 1 receives a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition, the notification distribution server 1 transmits a new arrival response in the data format shown in (a) or (b) of FIG. When notifying the television 6 that there is a new message, the notification distribution server 1 transmits a new arrival response in the data format shown in FIG. On the other hand, when notifying the television 6 that there is no new message, a new arrival response in the data format shown in FIG.

  The data format shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is the XML Atom format (RFC4287). However, the data format of the new arrival response is not limited to this format, and may be any format as long as it can notify the television 6 of the presence or absence of a new arrival message.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the new arrival response for notifying that there is a new message includes various information in a format surrounded by corresponding tags. Specifically, new message title (title tag), service provider name (author tag), identifier (id tag), update time (updated tag), new message body (summary tag), and bulletin board web page address (Link tag). These pieces of information are all enclosed in an entry tag that is a parent tag of each tag in the new arrival response. When the TV 6 receives a new arrival response in the data format shown in FIG. 10A, a small window for notifying that there is a new message to the TV 6 as shown in FIG. Display on the screen.

  Here, when the “view” button in the small window is selected, the TV 6 downloads the web page including the new message from the SNS server 2 by accessing the address surrounded by the link tag in the new response. Then, it is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG.

  In the new arrival response for notifying that there is no new arrival message, the content of the entry tag is empty as shown in FIG. That is, the title of the new message, the service provider name, the identifier, the update time, the text of the new message, and the address of the web page are not included in the new response shown in FIG. When receiving a new arrival response as shown in FIG. 10B, the television 6 displays nothing on the screen as shown in FIG. 8A. That is, only the broadcast program is continuously displayed on the screen without notifying the user that there is no new message.

  When the message acquisition request is based on on-demand acquisition and there is a new message for the television 6, the notification distribution server 1 transmits a new arrival response as shown in FIG. This is the same as when the message acquisition request is based on periodic acquisition.

  On the other hand, when notifying the television 6 that there is no new message, the notification distribution server 1 transmits a new arrival response with different contents depending on whether the message acquisition request is based on periodic acquisition. Specifically, when the message acquisition request is based on on-demand acquisition and there is no new message for the television 6, the notification distribution server 1 summarizes a predetermined message for notifying that there is no new message. A new arrival response (not shown) included in the tag is transmitted to the television 6. This predetermined message is a character string explaining that there is no new message such as “no new message”. The television 6 notifies the user that there is no new message by displaying a predetermined message included in the received new arrival response on the screen.

  In the present embodiment, when the notification distribution server 1 receives a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition, even if there is a new message, the notification distribution server 1 does not necessarily transmit a new response that notifies that there is a new message. That is, the notification delivery server 1 determines that the number of times the message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition is continuously received while the new message is unread is less than the predetermined reference number (upper limit number), the TV 6 A new response is sent to notify that there is a new message. On the other hand, if the number of times the message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition is continuously received exceeds the specified reference number while the new message continues to be unread, there is no new message for the television 6. Send a new response to notify you. That is, the TV 6 is notified that there is no new message even though there is actually a new message.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the new message from being repeatedly displayed on the television 6 so that there is no need to bother the user who wants to check the new message later. In particular, for users who want to confirm the presence or absence of a new message while watching a broadcast program through the TV 6, the notification of the presence or absence of a new message stays within the reference count, so that viewing of the broadcast program is unnecessary. There is an advantage that it is not disturbed.

  On the other hand, when receiving a message acquisition request based on on-demand acquisition, the notification delivery server 1 always transmits a new arrival response for notifying that there is a new arrival message to the television 6 if there is a new arrival message. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably notify the user who wants to actively know whether there is a new message or not.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the content of the new arrival response includes whether the message acquisition request is based on the periodic acquisition, whether there is a new arrival message for the television 6, and the same new arrival message continues to exist. In the meantime, it is determined based on three conditions: whether or not the number of continuous message acquisition requests based on periodic acquisition is less than the prescribed reference number. These are collectively shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of a new arrival response for each condition in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(New message notification process)
Details of the new message presence / absence notification processing executed by the notification delivery server 1 in the message presentation system 100 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the notification process for the presence / absence of a new message executed by the notice distribution server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As described above, the message acquisition request transmission unit 60 of the television 6 transmits a message acquisition request to the notification distribution server 1 via the notification concentrated distribution server 4. In the notification delivery server 1, the message acquisition request receiving unit 14 receives this message acquisition request (step S1, reception step). The message acquisition request reception unit 14 outputs the received message acquisition request to the request analysis unit 15.

  The request analysis unit 15 determines whether or not the input message acquisition request is based on periodic acquisition (step S2). At this time, if the value of the parameter regular included in the received new arrival message is “1”, the request analysis unit 15 determines that the message acquisition request is based on periodic acquisition (YES). On the other hand, when the value of the parameter regular is “0”, it is determined that the message acquisition request is not based on periodic acquisition (that is, based on on-demand acquisition) (No).

  When the result of the determination in step S2 is “true” (Yes), the notification distribution server 1 executes a notification process for the presence / absence of a new message with respect to a new arrival response based on periodic acquisition (step S3). Details of this notification processing will be described later. On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S2 is “false” (No), the notification distribution server 1 executes a notification process of the presence / absence of a new message for a new arrival response based on on-demand acquisition (step S4). Details of this notification processing will be described later.

  After the notification process in step S3 or S4 is completed, the notification count management unit 17 acquires the terminal ID of the television 6 included in the received message acquisition request, and is associated with the terminal ID in the new arrival notification management record 13. The number of notifications of whether there is a new message to the television 6 is increased by one (step S5).

  After the increase in the number of notifications, the new arrival notification unit 19 sets the final notification time associated with the terminal ID of the television 6 in the new arrival notification management record 13 to notify the television 6 of the presence or absence of a new message as the current time. Change (step S6). Thereby, a series of processes shown in FIG.

(Notification processing at the time of periodic acquisition)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of notification processing for presence / absence of a new message in response to a message acquisition request at the time of periodic acquisition, which is executed by the notification distribution server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the example shown in this figure, the notification count management unit 17 first acquires the current time. In addition, by referring to the new arrival notification management record 13, the final notification time when the television 6 is notified of the presence or absence of a new arrival message is also acquired. Then, it is determined whether or not the time obtained by subtracting the final notification time from the current time is equal to or longer than a specified reference time interval (30 minutes in the present embodiment) (step S11). This reference time interval is merely an example, and another reference time interval may be set in the notification distribution server 1.

  When the result of the determination in step S12 is “true” (Yes), the notification count management unit 17 initializes the notification count of the presence or absence of a new message to the television 6 (step S12). In the present embodiment, the number of notifications associated with the terminal ID of the television 6 in the new arrival notification management record 13 is set to zero. The initialization is not necessarily limited to setting the number of notifications to zero, and may be, for example, setting the number of notifications to an indefinite value or a predetermined start value. The effect produced by this initialization will be described later. On the other hand, when the determination result in step S11 is “false” (No), the notification count management unit 17 does not initialize the notification count.

  After the process of step S11 or S12 is completed, the new arrival determination unit 16 determines whether there is a new arrival message for the television 6 (step S13, new arrival message determination step). Details of the processing at that time will be described later. When the result of determination in step S <b> 14 is “false” (No), the response generation unit 18 generates a new arrival response that does not include a new arrival message. And the new arrival notification part 19 notifies this to the television 6 that there is no new arrival message by transmitting this new arrival response to the notification delivery server 1 (step S14). Thereby, a series of processes shown in FIG. 13 is completed.

  On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S13 is “true” (Yes), the notification frequency management unit 17 notifies the television 6 of the presence / absence of a new message as the specified reference frequency (this embodiment). Is determined to be smaller than (2)) (step S15, notification count determination step). When the result of the determination in step S15 is “false” (No), the response generation unit 18 generates a new arrival response that does not include a new arrival message. The new arrival notification unit 19 notifies the television 6 that there is no new arrival message by transmitting this new arrival response to the television 6 (step S14). Thereby, a series of processes shown in FIG. 13 is completed.

  When the result of determination in step S15 is “true” (Yes), the response generation unit 18 generates a new arrival response including the text of the new arrival message. The new arrival notification unit 19 notifies the television 6 that there is a new arrival message by transmitting this new arrival response to the television 6 (step S16, notification step). Thereby, a series of processes shown in FIG. 13 is completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even if a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition is repeatedly transmitted to the notification distribution server 1 while there are unread new messages for the television 6, there is a new message for the television 6. Notifications remain within the specified reference number. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from being notified of a new arrival message too many times on the television 6. In addition, the mechanism for realizing such prevention is not in the television 6 but in the notification distribution server 1. That is, the television 6 does not need to include any member for limiting the number of continuous notifications with new messages. Therefore, according to the message presentation system 100 of the present embodiment, the user does not have to worry about the notification of the presence / absence of a new message without complicating the configuration of the television 6. In particular, for a user who wants to confirm the presence or absence of a new message as a supplement during viewing of a broadcast program through the television 6, the notification of the new message remains within the reference number of times. The advantage is that it is not necessary to be disturbed unnecessarily.

  Further, the notification delivery server 1 initializes the number of notifications in step S12, so that the following advantages can be obtained. The current time is not significantly different from the time when the television 6 transmits the latest message acquisition request. On the other hand, the final notification time is not significantly different from the time when the previous message acquisition request is transmitted. Therefore, the value obtained by subtracting the final notification time from the current time approximately matches the time interval between the message acquisition request transmitted last time and the message acquisition request transmitted this time. As described above, in the present embodiment, the television 6 transmits a message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition to the notification distribution server 1 every 5 minutes while the power is on. Therefore, the value obtained by subtracting the final notification time from the current time does not greatly exceed 5 minutes as long as the power of the television 6 is turned on. In other words, when the value obtained by subtracting the last notification time from the current time is equal to or longer than a specified reference time (30 minutes in the present embodiment), the TV 6 has transmitted a message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition last time, A situation is assumed in which the power is turned off for a while, the power is turned on again, and a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition is transmitted this time.

  In such a situation, when the notification frequency management unit 17 initializes the notification frequency, the notification distribution server 1 receives a message acquisition request based on the current periodic acquisition, and if there is a new message, that fact. Is notified to the television 6. That is, the notification distribution server 1 turns off the power of the TV 6 for a predetermined time or more even after the notification count reaches the reference count, even though there is a new message and no notification to the TV 6 is made. Then, the television 6 is notified again that there is a new message up to a predetermined number of notifications. Therefore, even if the user misses the notification that there is a new message, the user can receive the notification that there is a new message again by turning the television 6 off after turning it off for a predetermined time. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from missing the notification.

(New message presence / absence judgment processing)
Details of processing when the new arrival determination unit 16 determines whether there is a new arrival message will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the notification distribution server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention determines whether or not there is a new arrival message.

  As shown in this figure, first, the new arrival determination unit 16 refers to the new arrival notification management record 13 so that the update time of the new arrival message for the television 6 has finally notified the television 6 of the presence or absence of the new arrival message. It is determined whether it is later than the time (step S21). When the determination result in step S21 is “true” (Yes), the notification count management unit 17 initializes the notification count to the television 6 (step S22). Then, the new arrival determination unit 16 determines that there is a new arrival message for the television 6 (step S23). Thereby, a series of processing shown in FIG. 14 is completed.

  The fact that the message update time is later than the last notification time indicates that after the last notification to the TV 6 of the presence or absence of a new message, a new new message is registered in the family SNS in which the TV 6 is participating. Means that At this time, the notification delivery server 1 can prevent the situation in which the television 6 is not notified at all even though there is a new incoming message by setting the number of notifications to zero.

  On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S21 is “false” (No), the new arrival determination unit 16 refers to the new arrival notification management record 13 so that the update time of the new arrival message for the television 6 is the last. It is determined whether or not it is later than the last browsing time, which is the time at which a new message is downloaded (step S24). When the result of the determination in step S24 is “true” (Yes), the new arrival determination unit 16 determines that there is a new arrival message for the television 6. Thereby, a series of processing shown in FIG. 14 is completed. On the other hand, when the result of determination in step S24 is “false” (No), the new arrival determination unit 16 determines that there is no new arrival message for the television 6 (step S25). Thereby, a series of processing shown in FIG. 14 is completed.

  That the message update time is later than the last viewing time means that the new message has not yet been downloaded to the television 6. This is also a situation where a new message is not read by the user. Therefore, the new arrival determination unit 16 determines that there is a new arrival message for the television 6 if the message update time is later than the last viewing time, and determines that there is no new arrival message for the television 6 otherwise.

(On-demand acquisition notification process)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of notification processing for presence / absence of a new message in response to a message acquisition request at the time of on-demand acquisition, which is executed by the notification distribution server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in this figure, first, the new arrival determination unit 16 determines whether or not there is a new arrival message for the television 6 (step S31). The details of this process are the same as the series of processes shown in FIG. When the result of the determination in step S31 is “true” (Yes), the response generation unit 18 generates a new arrival response including a new arrival message. The new arrival notification unit 19 notifies the television 6 that there is a new arrival message for the television 6 by transmitting the new arrival response to the television 6 (step S32). Thereby, a series of processes shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the determination result in step S31 is “false” (No), the response generation unit 18 generates a new arrival response including a predetermined message notifying that there is no new arrival message for the television 6. The new arrival notification unit 19 notifies the television 6 that there is no new arrival message for the television 6 by transmitting this new arrival response to the television 6 (step S33). Thereby, a series of processes shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the notification distribution server 1 receives a message acquisition request based on on-demand acquisition, it always indicates that there is a new message regardless of the number of continuous notifications of the presence or absence of a new message to the television 6. In addition to notifying the television 6, if there is no new message, the television 6 is surely notified to that effect. That is, the television 6 is not notified that there is no new message even though there is actually a new message.

(Time transition of notification content to TV 6)
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the content of notification to the television 6 for each time when the notification distribution server 1 receives a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition in the first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, each time when the notice distribution server 1 receives a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition is indicated by a black circle. On the other hand, the contents of notification to the television 6 at each time are indicated by white circles or pique marks. A white circle is a notification that there is a new message, and a pique mark is a notification that there is no new message. “New writing” means registration of a new message to the family SNS in which the television 6 participates.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, a new message unread by the user is not registered before time t0. That is, all messages for the television 6 have been read. Therefore, at time t0, the notification content to the television 6 is “no new message”.

  The time between time t0 and time t1 is 5 minutes. That is, the television 6 is in a power-on state from time t0 to time t1. During this time, since a new message is not registered, the notification content at time t1 is “no new message” as at time t0.

  After time t1, the power of the television 6 is turned off for a while. Meanwhile, a new message to the television 6 is registered in the family SNS. Some time after the registration, the power of the television 6 is turned on again, and the television 6 again transmits a message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition. As a result, a message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition arrives at the notification distribution server 1 at time t2. At this point, the television 6 has not yet downloaded a new message. That is, the new message is in an unread state. Also, since the new message is registered after the time t1 at which the presence / absence of the new message was last notified, the number of notifications of the presence / absence of the new message to the television 6 is initialized at the time t2, and the value is set to “0”. Is set. This is smaller than the prescribed reference number (2 times). Therefore, the notification content to the television 6 at time t2 is “There is a new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “1”.

  The television 6 maintains a power-on state for a while after the time t2. Therefore, at time t3, which is five minutes after time t2, a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition reaches the notification distribution server 1 anew. Even at this point, new messages are still unread. The number of notifications is set to “1”. This is smaller than the prescribed reference number (2 times). Therefore, the notification content to the television 6 at time t3 is “There is a new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “2”.

  At time t4, which is 5 minutes after time t3, a new message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition arrives at the notification distribution server 1. Even at this point, new messages are still unread. The number of notifications is set to “2”. This is not less than the prescribed reference number (2 times). Therefore, the notification content to the television 6 at time t3 is “no new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “3”.

  As described above, in this embodiment, after the notification of the presence of a new message is received twice continuously at time t2 and time t3, the new message is still displayed unless the number of notifications is initialized. Even if there is, the television 6 is notified that there is no new message. In the example of FIG. 16, the power of the television 6 remains on, and this situation continues from time t4 to t7 when a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition is transmitted every 5 minutes.

  After time t7, the power of the television 6 is turned off for a while. This state lasts for more than 30 minutes. Thereafter, the power supply of the television 6 is turned on again, and a message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition arrives at the notification distribution server 1 at time t8. Even at this point, new messages are still unread. Here, since the interval between the time t8 and the time t7 exceeds the specified time (30 minutes), the number of notifications of the presence / absence of a new message to the television 6 is initialized at the time t8, and the value is set to “0”. The This is smaller than the prescribed reference number (2 times). Therefore, the notification content to the television 6 at time t8 is “There is a new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “1”.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when there is a new message, the number of notifications reaches the reference number, so that the TV 6 is turned on even after notification that there is no new message. If the message is continuously turned off for a predetermined reference time or more, if there is a new message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition, the television 6 is again notified that there is a new message.

  From time t9 to time t11, the power of the television 6 remains on. Accordingly, the notification contents at these times are the same as the notification contents at times t3 to t5. That is, even when there is a new notification that there is a new message, the number of continuous notifications is still up to the upper limit of two.

[Embodiment 2]
A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to each member which is common in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the content of notification to the television 6 for each time when the notification distribution server 1 receives a message acquisition request in the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the message presentation system 100 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the situation and notification contents from time t0 to time t4 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, a new new message is registered in the family SNS in which the television 6 participates after time t4. As a result, at time t5, the time when a new new message is registered (between t4 and t5) is later than the time when the new arrival response was last notified to the television 6 (t4). ing. That is, the message update time is later than the last notification time. As a result, the number of notifications of the presence or absence of a new message to the television 6 is initialized at time t5, and the value is set to “0”. This is smaller than the prescribed reference number (2 times). Further, newer new messages are unread at time t5. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the notification content to the television 6 at time t5 is “There is a new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “1”.

  The television 6 maintains a power-on state for a while after the time t2. Therefore, at time t6, which is five minutes after time t5, a new message acquisition request based on regular acquisition reaches the notification distribution server 1. Even at this point in time, new incoming messages are still unread. The number of notifications is set to “1”. This is smaller than the prescribed reference number (2 times). Therefore, the notification content to the television 6 at the time t6 is “There is a new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “2”.

  At time t7, which is five minutes after time t6, a new message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition arrives at the notification distribution server 1. Even at this point, new messages are still unread. The number of notifications is set to “2”. This is not less than the prescribed reference number (2 times). Therefore, the notification content to the television 6 at time t7 is “no new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “3”. The situation and notification contents from time t8 to time t11 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even when there is a new message, the number of notifications has reached the reference number, so that even after a new message is notified that there is no new message, Is registered in the family SNS, if there is a new message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition, the television 6 is again notified that there is a new message. Thereby, when a new arrival message is updated, the fact can be reliably notified to the user. In other words, it is possible to prevent the user from being notified of the fact that a new incoming message has been registered.

[Embodiment 3]
A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to each member which is common in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the content of notification to the television 6 for each time when the notification distribution server 1 receives a message acquisition request in the third embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the message presentation system 100 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, the situation and notification contents from time t0 to time t4 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the television 6 downloads a new message between time t4 and time t5. As a result, the new message is viewed by the user and is in a read state, so that there is no unread message for the television 6. As a result, at the time t5, the time when the new message was last viewed is later than the time when the new message was updated. That is, the last browsing time is later than the message update time. As a result, it is determined that there is no new message at time t5. Therefore, the notification content to the television 6 at time t5 is “no new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “1”.

  The television 6 maintains a power-on state for a while after the time t2. For this reason, a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition arrives at the notification distribution server 1 every 5 minutes between time t5 and time t7. There is no new message at each of these times. Therefore, the notification content from time t5 to time t7 is “no new message”.

  After time t7, the power of the television 6 is turned off for a while. This state lasts for more than 30 minutes. Thereafter, the power supply of the television 6 is turned on again, and a message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition arrives at the notification distribution server 1 at time t8. Since the time between the time t8 and the time t7 exceeds a specified reference time (30 minutes), the number of notifications of the presence / absence of a new message to the television 6 is initialized, and the value is set to “0”. This is smaller than the prescribed reference number (2 times). However, there is no new message at time t8. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, the notification content to the television 6 at time t8 is “no new message”. As a result, the number of notifications increases by one, and the value becomes “1”.

  From time t9 to time t11, the power of the television 6 remains on, and there is no new message. Therefore, the notification content at these times is “no new message” as is the notification content at time t8.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after the newly arrived message is once read and is in the read state, the power of the television 6 is turned off for a predetermined time or more, and as a result, the number of notifications is initialized. Even so, unless a new new message is registered, the television 6 is notified that there is no new message. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the user from being notified of the fact that there is a new message after viewing the new message.

[Embodiment 4]
Each block of the notice distribution server 1, particularly the control unit 10, may be realized in hardware by a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip), or may be implemented by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). It may be realized.

  In the latter case, the notice distribution server 1 includes a CPU that executes instructions of programs that realize each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the programs, the programs, A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing various data is provided. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the notice distribution server 1 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the notice distribution server 1 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tangible media with fixed data (non-transitory tangible medium), such as tapes such as magnetic tape and cassette tape, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and CD-ROM / Discs including optical disks such as MO / MD / DVD / CD-R, cards such as IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM (registered trademark) / flash ROM Or logic circuits such as PLD (Programmable Logic Device) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) can be used.

  The notification distribution server 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the program code. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and the like can be used. The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even with wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 wireless, HDR ( It can also be used by radio such as High Data Rate (NFC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), mobile phone network, satellite line, and digital terrestrial network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
The notification server (notification distribution server 1) according to aspect 1 of the present invention is:
Receiving means (message acquisition request receiving unit 14) that receives a request (message acquisition request) that is periodically transmitted from the terminal device and inquires about the presence or absence of a new message to the terminal device;
When the request is received, a new message determination unit (new arrival determination unit 16) that determines the presence or absence of the new message for the terminal device;
Notification number determination means (notification number management unit 17) for determining whether or not the number of notifications continuously notified to the terminal device of the presence or absence of the new message is less than a prescribed reference number;
When it is determined that there is the new message and the number of notifications is determined to be less than the reference number, the terminal device is notified that there is the new message, while it is determined that there is the new message, And when it determines with the said notification frequency not falling below the said reference frequency, it has the notification means (new arrival notification part 19) which notifies the said terminal device that there is no said new arrival message, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the above configuration, even when a message acquisition request based on periodic acquisition is repeatedly sent to the notification server while there are unread new messages for the terminal device, the notification of the new message to the terminal device is specified. Stay up to the standard number of times. As a result, the terminal device can be prevented from being repeatedly notified to the user that there are new messages. Further, the mechanism for realizing such prevention is not the terminal device but the notification server. That is, the terminal device does not need to have any member for limiting the number of continuous notifications with new messages. Therefore, according to the notification server having the above configuration, there is an effect that it is not necessary to give the user the troublesome notification regarding the presence / absence of a new message without complicating the configuration of the terminal device.

In the notification server which concerns on aspect 2 of this invention, in the said aspect 1,
When the time interval between the time when the request is received last time and the time when the request is received this time exceeds a specified reference time interval, the device may further include an initialization unit that initializes the number of notifications. preferable.

  According to the above configuration, the notification server determines that there is a new message when a request is received again after a situation in which the user does not use the terminal device continues for a certain period of time, such as when the terminal device is turned off. Then, the terminal device is notified that there is a new message. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from missing the notification.

In the notification server which concerns on aspect 3 of this invention, in the said aspect 1 or 2,
In addition, when a new new message is registered in a message exchange service in which the terminal device participates, it is preferable to further include initialization means (notification count management unit 17) for initializing the notification count. .

  According to the above configuration, the notification server notifies the terminal device that there is no new message even though there is actually a new message in response to a request received periodically. Even in this case, if the latest new message is registered in the message exchange service, the terminal device is notified that there is a new message for the next received request. Therefore, when the latest new arrival message is registered, it can be surely notified to the terminal device.

In the notification server according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any one of the aspects 1 to 3,
When the notification means notifies the terminal device that there is the new arrival message, it is preferable that predetermined notification data (new arrival response) including the new arrival message is transmitted to the terminal device.

  According to the above configuration, the terminal device can easily notify the user that there is a new message by displaying at least a part of the new messages included in the notification data.

In the notification server according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any of the above aspects 1 to 4,
When the notification means notifies the terminal device that there is no new arrival message, it is preferable that predetermined notification data (new arrival response) not including the new arrival message is transmitted to the terminal device.

  According to said structure, the terminal device can know easily that there is no new message by confirming that the new message is not contained in notification data.

In the notification server according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in any one of the above aspects 1 to 5,
Second receiving means (message acquisition request receiving unit 14) for receiving a second request transmitted from the terminal device based on a user's instruction to inquire about the presence or absence of the new message;
When the second request is received, the apparatus further comprises second new message determination means (new arrival determination unit 16) for determining the presence or absence of the new message.
When the second request is received and it is determined that there is the new message, the notification means determines that there is the new message regardless of whether the number of notifications is less than the reference number. It is preferable to notify the terminal device.

  According to said structure, with respect to the request based on the explicit instruction | indication from a user, if there exists a new arrival message, a terminal device will notify that fact to a terminal device. Thereby, in a situation where the user wants to know the presence or absence of a new message, it is possible to prevent the user from being notified that there is actually a new message.

A notification system according to aspect 7 of the present invention includes:
In a notification system (message presentation system 100) including a terminal device (TV 6) and a notification server (notification distribution server 1),
The terminal device is
A transmission means (message acquisition request transmission unit 60) for periodically transmitting a request for inquiring whether there is a new message to the terminal device to the notification server;
User notification means (display unit 62) for notifying the user of the presence or absence of the new message based on the notification from the notification server;
The notification server
Receiving means (message acquisition request receiving unit 14) for receiving the request;
When the request is received, a new message determination unit (new arrival determination unit 16) that determines the presence or absence of the new message for the terminal device;
Notification number determination means (notification number management unit 17) for determining whether or not the number of notifications continuously notified to the terminal device of the presence or absence of the new message is less than a prescribed reference number;
When it is determined that there is the new message and the number of notifications is determined to be less than the reference number, the terminal device is notified that there is the new message, while it is determined that there is the new message, And when it determines with the said notification frequency not falling below the said reference frequency, it has the notification means (new arrival notification part 19) which notifies the said terminal device that there is no said new arrival message, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the notification server which concerns on aspect 1 mentioned above.

A notification method according to aspect 8 of the present invention includes:
A reception step (step S1) of receiving a request for inquiring whether there is a new message for the terminal device, which is periodically transmitted from the terminal device;
When the request is received, a new message determination step (step S13) for determining whether or not there is a new message for the terminal device;
A notification count determination step (step S15) for determining whether or not the number of notifications continuously notified to the terminal device of the presence or absence of the new message is less than a prescribed reference count;
When it is determined that there is the new message and the number of notifications is determined to be less than the reference number, the terminal device is notified that there is the new message, while it is determined that there is the new message, And when it determines with the said notification frequency not falling below the said reference frequency, the notification step (step S16) of notifying the said terminal device that there is no said new arrival message is included, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the notification server which concerns on aspect 1 mentioned above.

  The notification server according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a notification server that realizes the notification server by a computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit included in the notification server. A program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Further, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the message presentation system 100, the notice concentration distribution server 4 may not be provided. That is, the television 6 may directly transmit a message acquisition request to the notification distribution server 1. In addition, the notification distribution server 1 may directly transmit a new arrival response to the television 6.

  Furthermore, in the message presentation system 100, the notification delivery server 1 and the SNS server 2 may be integrated. That is, one server may serve as the functions of the notification distribution server 1 and the SNS server 2.

  In the message presentation system 100, the television 6 does not necessarily need to transmit a message acquisition request based on on-demand acquisition. That is, the television 6 may transmit only the message acquisition request based on the periodic acquisition to the notification distribution server 1. In this case, the message acquisition request does not include information indicating whether the request is based on periodic acquisition. Further, the notification distribution server 1 handles all received message acquisition requests as being based on regular acquisition.

  In the message presentation system 100, the television 6 may transmit, to the notification distribution server 1, a request for periodically inquiring the notification distribution server 1 about the presence or absence of a new message instead of the message acquisition request. When the notice distribution server 1 receives a periodically transmitted request, if there is a new message for the television 6, the new message does not include a new message, but includes predetermined information (such as a flag) indicating that there is a new message. A new arrival response may be transmitted to the television 6. The television 6 notifies the user that there is a new message based on the received new arrival response. For example, a predetermined new message such as “There is a new message” is displayed on the screen. This message may be included in the new arrival response in advance. When the user selects the “view” button displayed on the screen of the television 6, the television 6 accesses the web page containing the new message by accessing the address to the web page included in the new arrival response. Download from. Thus, the television 6 does not necessarily need to acquire a new arrival message from the notification distribution server 1.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for various services that present messages received from a certain terminal device to other terminal devices.

1 Notification distribution server (notification server)
2 SNS server 4 Concentrated distribution server 8 Mobile terminal 6 Television (terminal device)
10 Control Unit 11 Communication Unit 12 Notification Management DB
13 New arrival notification management record 14 Message acquisition request reception unit (reception means, second reception means)
15 Request Analysis Unit 16 New Arrival Determination Unit (New Arrival Message Determination Unit, Second New Arrival Message Determination Unit)
17 Notification count management unit (notification count determination means)
18 Response generation part 19 New arrival notification part (notification means)
60 Message acquisition request transmission unit (transmission means)
61 Response reception unit 62 Display unit (user notification means)
100 Message presentation system (notification system)

Claims (10)

Receiving means for periodically receiving a request for inquiring whether there is a new message for the terminal device, which is periodically transmitted from the terminal device;
When the request is received, new message determination means for determining the presence or absence of the new message for the terminal device;
Notification frequency determination means for determining whether or not the number of notifications continuously notified to the terminal device of the presence or absence of the new message is less than a prescribed reference frequency;
When it is determined that there is the new message and the number of notifications is determined to be less than the reference number, the terminal device is notified that there is the new message, while it is determined that there is the new message, And a notification server for notifying the terminal device that there is no new message when it is determined that the number of notifications does not fall below the reference number.   When the time interval between the time when the request was received last time and the time when the request was received this time exceeds a specified reference time interval, the device further comprises an initialization means for initializing the number of notifications. The notification server according to claim 1, wherein:   3. An initializing means for initializing the number of notifications when the new message is registered in a message exchange service in which the terminal device participates. Notification server described in.   The notification means transmits predetermined notification data including the new arrival message to the terminal device when notifying the terminal device that the new arrival message is present. Notification server described in the section.   The notification means, when notifying the terminal device that there is no new arrival message, transmits predetermined notification data not including the new arrival message to the terminal device. The notification server according to item 1. Second receiving means for receiving a second request transmitted from the terminal device based on a user's instruction to inquire about the presence or absence of the new message;
When the second request is received, further comprising second new message determining means for determining whether or not there is a new message,
When the second request is received and it is determined that there is the new message, the notification means determines that there is the new message regardless of whether the number of notifications is less than the reference number. The notification server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the notification is made to the terminal device. In a notification system comprising a terminal device and a notification server,
The terminal device is
A transmission means for periodically sending a request for inquiring whether there is a new message to the terminal device to the notification server;
User notification means for notifying the user of the presence or absence of the new message based on the notification from the notification server,
The notification server
Receiving means for receiving the request;
When the request is received, new message determination means for determining the presence or absence of the new message for the terminal device;
Notification frequency determination means for determining whether or not the number of notifications continuously notified to the terminal device of the presence or absence of the new message is less than a prescribed reference frequency;
When it is determined that there is the new message and the number of notifications is determined to be less than the reference number, the terminal device is notified that there is the new message, while it is determined that there is the new message, A notification system comprising: notification means for notifying the terminal device that there is no new message when it is determined that the notification count does not fall below the reference count. A reception step of receiving a request for inquiring whether or not there is a new message for the terminal device, which is periodically transmitted from the terminal device;
When the request is received, a new message determination step for determining whether or not there is a new message for the terminal device;
A notification count determination step for determining whether or not the number of notifications continuously notified to the terminal device of the presence or absence of the new message is less than a prescribed reference count;
When it is determined that there is the new message and the number of notifications is determined to be less than the reference number, the terminal device is notified that there is the new message, while it is determined that there is the new message, And a notification step of notifying the terminal device that there is no new message when it is determined that the notification count does not fall below the reference count.   The program for functioning a computer as a notification server of any one of Claims 1-6, Comprising: The program for functioning a computer as said each means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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