JP2021185501A - Program, method, and terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide BOT control management technology for actively supporting conversation between users.SOLUTION: A program for assisting conversation in a talk room in which a first user associated with a first information processing terminal and one or more second users associated with one or more second information processing terminals are participating, executes a step in which a first object is displayed on the first information processing terminal according to a message displayed in the talk room, a step in which a second object is displayed in response to the selection of the first object, and a step in which a third object is displayed in response to the selection of the second object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a device or the like for executing a computer program (BOT) that widely performs work or the like on behalf of a human being, and more specifically, to a device, a method, a system, or the like for controlling and managing a BOT.

In recent years, computer programs (BOTs) that operate on computers or online networks and perform work on behalf of humans have become widespread, and various ideas related to BOTs have been made.

As an example, a virtual online robot (BOT) or a security agent is provided (Patent Document 1).

That is, Patent Document 1 allows online conversations to be monitored and meets certain definable criteria indicating that the content of the conversation is inappropriate or, in some cases, potentially harmful or dangerous. A BOT, also known as a "guardian," that acts to intervene in such cases is disclosed. The Guardian is configured to utilize natural language processing techniques to evaluate the context of the conversation over its span and / or the conversation between individual users. The Guardian can use natural language processing techniques to present notifications or warnings to individual users and the like when it is determined that there is a problem with a particular conversation or part of it.

Further, a system for controlling the use of BOT by a computer network user is also provided (Patent Document 2).

That is, Patent Document 2 describes a method of controlling the use of a computer service by a computer user by causing a computer to execute the computer.
In a network device related to a user, a step of receiving a request from an actual computer user related to the network device and a step of identifying a virtual user other than the one or more computer users. Using this identification step to generate information related to the virtual user and the information related to the virtual user, communication from the network device is performed for the actual computer user who provided the request. In the step of transmitting to the computer service of the computer service, the communication is identified as originating from the virtual user, and the computer service is referred to as the communication and the actual computer user who provided the request. In this transmitting step and said network device, which is prevented from being associated with
A method comprising the steps of receiving a communication about the virtual user originating from the computer service, the receiving step of transmitting the communication to the actual computer user who provided the request. It has been disclosed.

Special Table 2010-509679 Gazette Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-149882

However, although Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining or monitoring whether or not the content of an online conversation monitored by a guardian (BOT) is appropriate, it supports and excites conversations between users. is not it. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for managing the use of public BOT by a private computer network user, but actively supports conversation between users through BOT and develops the conversation itself. I'm not trying.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the program executed by the terminal displays the contents of the chat room in which the first user of the first account and the second user of the second account participate in the display unit. A third account that is different from both the first and second accounts and is associated with the first function, based on the first content associated with the first account or the second content associated with the second account. It includes displaying a first object indicating an account on the display unit and displaying a second object on the display unit based on the selection of the first object.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the method executed by the terminal is to display the contents of the chat room in which the first user of the first account and the second user of the second account participate in the display unit. A third account that is different from both the first and second accounts and is associated with the first function, based on the first content associated with the first account or the second content associated with the second account. It includes displaying a first object indicating an account on the display unit and displaying a second object on the display unit based on the selection of the first object.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the terminal comprises a display unit for displaying the contents of a chat room in which the first user of the first account and the second user of the second account participate, and is associated with the first account. A first object that is different from either the first account or the second account and indicates the third account associated with the first function, based on the first content or the second content associated with the second account. Is displayed on the display unit, and the second object is displayed on the display unit based on the fact that the first object is selected.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a BOT control management method or the like that positively supports conversations between users via BOT and develops conversations between users themselves.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the whole structure of the system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structural example of the system, the apparatus, etc. which shows the variation of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the basic operation example in the system, the apparatus, etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example in the system and the like which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example in the system and the like which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the process and the flow of data between a device or a terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example in the system and the like which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example in the system and the like which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display example on the apparatus or terminal in the system etc. which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

<Compliance with confidentiality of communications>
It should be noted that the disclosures described herein are to be carried out in compliance with the legal matters relating to the confidentiality of communications.

An embodiment for implementing the BOT control management system and the like according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a BOT control management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 1, in a communication system, one or more servers (server 110, server 120) and one or more terminals (terminal 151, terminal 152, terminal 153) via network 199.
And are connected. The servers 110 and 120 provide the terminals 151 to 153 owned by the user with a service that realizes transmission and reception of messages between the terminals via the network 199. The number of terminals connected to network 199 is not limited. Further, the number of servers is not limited (a server for expanding the function can be added as needed. The service may be provided by one server).

As shown in FIG. 1, the network 199 is responsible for connecting one or more servers and one or more terminals. That is, in the network 199, the terminals 151 to 153 are the servers 11
It means a communication network that provides a connection route so that data can be transmitted and received after connecting to 0 to 120.

For example, one or more parts of the network 199 may be a wired network or a wireless network. Network 199 is an ad hoc network (ad)
hoc network), intranet, extranet, virtual private network (VPN), local area network (local area)
network: LAN), wireless LAN (WLAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless WAN (wireless WAN: WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), part of the Internet, Part of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), mobile network,
ISDNs (integrated service digital networks), wireless LANs, LTE (long te)
rm evolution) CDMA (code division multiple access), Bluetooth (Bluetoo)
th®), satellite communications, etc., or combinations of two or more of these can be included. However, in the present disclosure, network 199 is not limited to these. Also, network 199 can include one or more networks.

The terminal (terminal 151, terminal 152, terminal 153) may be any terminal as long as it can realize the functions described in each embodiment. The terminals 151 to 153 are typically smartphones, and other mobile phones (for example, feature phones).
, Computers (eg desktops, laptops, tablets, etc.), media computer platforms (eg cables, satellite set-top boxes, digital video recorders), handheld computer devices (eg PDA (personal digit))
Includes al assistants), email clients, etc.), wearable devices (glasses devices, watch devices, etc.), or other types of computers, or communication platforms. However, in the present disclosure, terminals 151 to 153 are not limited thereto. Further, the terminals 151 to 153 may be expressed as an information processing terminal.

Since the configurations of the terminals 151 to 153 are basically the same, the terminal 151 will be described as a representative in the following description, and the terminal 152 and the terminal 153 will be described below as necessary.
Will be described as another terminal. Similarly, for the servers 110 and 120, the server 110 will be described as a representative.

The server 110 has a function of providing a predetermined service to the terminal 151 and the like. The server 110 may be any device as long as it can realize the functions described in each embodiment. The server 110 is typically a server device, as well as a computer (eg, desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), media computer platform (eg, cable, satellite set-top box, digital video recorder), handheld computer device (eg, cable, satellite set-top box, digital video recorder). For example, PDA, e-mail client, etc.), or other types of computers, or communication platforms. However, in the present disclosure, the server 110 is not limited to these. Further, the server 110 may be expressed as an information processing device.

<Hardware (HW) configuration>
The HW configuration of each device included in the communication system will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) HW configuration of the terminal

The terminal 151 includes a control device 1510 (CPU: central processing unit), a storage device 1515, a communication I / F 1516 (interface), and an input / output device 1517.
, A display device 1518, a microphone 1519a, a speaker 1519b, and a camera 1519c. The components of the HW of the terminal 151 are connected to each other via, for example, the bus B2.

The communication I / F 1516 transmits / receives various data via the network 199. The communication may be carried out either by wire or wirelessly, as long as they can communicate with each other.
Any communication protocol may be used. Communication I / F 1516 is network 199
It has a function of executing communication with the server 110 via the server 110. The communication I / F 1516 transmits various data to the server 110 according to the instruction from the control device 1510. Also, communication I
/ F1516 receives various data transmitted from the server 110 and transmits the various data to the control device 1510.

The input / output device 1517 is a device for inputting various operations to the terminal 151, and the terminal 1
Includes a device that outputs the processing result processed in 51. The input / output device 1517 may be integrated with the input device and the output device, or may be separated into the input device and the output device (in the latter case, as an example, the input device 1517a such as a touch panel input sensor). And an output device 1517b such as a touch panel output device and a vibration drive mechanism).

The input device receives an input from the user and outputs information related to the input to the control device 1510.
It is realized by any or a combination of all kinds of devices capable of transmitting to. The input device is typically realized by a touch panel or the like, detects contact with an indicator such as a user's finger or a stylus and the contact position thereof, and transmits the coordinates of the contact position to the control device 1510. On the other hand, the input device may be realized by an input device other than the touch panel. The input device includes, for example, a hardware key typified by a keyboard or the like, a pointing device such as a mouse, a camera (operation input via a moving image), and a microphone (operation input by voice). However, in the present disclosure, the input device is not limited to these.

The output device is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices capable of outputting the processing result processed by the control device 1510. The output device is typically
It is realized by a touch panel or the like. On the other hand, the output device may be realized by an output device other than the touch panel. For example, a speaker (audio output), a lens (for example, 3D (three dim))
ensions) output, hologram output), printer, etc. can be included. However, in the present disclosure, the output device is not limited to these.

The display device 1518 is realized by any or a combination of all kinds of devices that can be displayed according to the display data written in the frame buffer (not shown). The display device 1518 is typically a monitor (for example, a liquid crystal display or OELD (orga).
It is realized by nic electroluminescence display)). The display device 1518 may be a head mounted display (HDM). In addition, the display device 1
518 may be realized by a device capable of displaying an image, text information, or the like in projection mapping, a hologram, air (which may be a vacuum), or the like. In addition, these display devices 1518 may be able to display display data in 3D. However, in the present disclosure, the display device 1518 is not limited to these.

When the input / output device 1517 is a touch panel, as an example, the input / output device 1517 and the display device 1518 may be configured to have substantially the same size and shape, and may be arranged so as to face each other.

The control device 1510 has a circuit physically structured to perform a function realized by a code or an instruction contained in the program, and is realized by, for example, a data processing device built in hardware. ..

The control device 1510 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), and also has a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), and an FPG.
It may be A (field programmable gate array). However, in the present disclosure, the control device 1510 is not limited to these.

The storage device 1515 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the terminal 151 to operate. The storage device 1515 is an HDD (hard disk drive), SS.
D (solid state drive), flash memory, RAM (random access memory), RO
It is realized by various storage media such as M (read only memory). However, in the present disclosure, the storage device 1515 is not limited to these.

The terminal 151 stores the program P in the storage device 1515, and by executing the program P, the control device 1510 executes the processing as each part included in the control device 1510. That is, the program P stored in the storage device 1515 is stored in the terminal 151 in the control device 1.
Realize each function executed by 510.

The microphone 1519a is used for inputting voice data. The speaker 1519b is used for outputting audio data. The camera 1519c is used for acquiring moving image data.

(2) HW configuration of the server
The server 110 includes a control device 1110 (CPU), a storage device 1105, and an input / output device 110.
6. A display 1107 and a communication I / F 1108 (interface) are provided. Server 1
Each component of the 10 HWs is interconnected, for example, via bus B1.

The control device 1110 has a circuit physically structured to perform a function realized by a code or an instruction contained in the program, and is realized by, for example, a data processing device built in hardware. ..

The control device 1110 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), and may be a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC, or an FPGA.
However, in the present disclosure, the control device 1110 is not limited to these.

The storage device 1105 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the server to operate. The storage device 1105 is realized by various storage media such as HDD, SSD, and flash memory. However, in the present disclosure, the storage device 1105 is not limited to these.

The input / output device 1106 is realized by a device that inputs various operations to the server 110. The input / output device 1106 is realized by any or a combination of all kinds of devices capable of receiving an input from a user and transmitting information related to the input to the control device 1110. The input / output device 1106 is typically realized by a hardware key typified by a keyboard or the like, or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input / output device 1106 may include, for example, a touch panel, a camera (operation input via a moving image), and a microphone (operation input by voice). However, in the present disclosure, the input / output device 1106 is not limited to these.

The display 1107 is typically a monitor (eg, a liquid crystal display or OELD (orga).
It is realized by nic electroluminescence display)). The display 1107 is
It may be a head-mounted display (HDM) or the like. It should be noted that these displays 1107 may be capable of displaying display data in 3D. However, in the present disclosure, the display 1107 is not limited to these.

The communication I / F 1108 transmits / receives various data via the network 199. The communication may be carried out either by wire or wirelessly, as long as they can communicate with each other.
Any communication protocol may be used. Communication I / F1108 is network 199.
It has a function of executing communication with the terminal 151 via the above. The communication I / F 1108 transmits various data to the terminal 151 according to the instruction from the control device 1110. Also, communication I / F
The 1108 receives various data transmitted from the terminal 151 and transmits the various data to the control device 1110.
The server 110 stores the program P in the storage device 1105, and by executing the program P, the control device 1110 executes the processing as each part included in the control device 1110. That is, the program P stored in the storage device 1105 causes the server 110 to realize each function executed by the control device 1110.

In each embodiment of the present invention, a CPU such as a terminal 151 and / or a server 110
Will be described as being realized by executing the program P.

The control device 1510 of the terminal 151 and / or the control device 11 of the server 110.
Reference numeral 10 is not only a CPU but also an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip) and an LSI (La).
Each process may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in rge Scale Integration)) or the like. Further, these circuits may be realized by one or a plurality of integrated circuits, and a plurality of processes shown in each embodiment may be realized by one integrated circuit. In addition, LSIs include VLSI, super LSI, and ultra L, depending on the degree of integration.
It may also be called SI or the like.

Further, the program P (software program / computer program) of each embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium readable by a computer. The storage medium can store the program in a "non-temporary tangible medium".

When appropriate, the storage medium may be one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs).
) (For example, field programmable gate array (FPGA) or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), hard disk drive (HDD), hybrid.
Hard drive (HHD), optical disk, optical disk drive (ODD), magneto-optical disk, magneto-optical drive, floppy diskette, floppy disk drive (
It can include FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards or drives, any other suitable storage medium, or any suitable combination of two or more thereof. The storage medium may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile, where appropriate. The storage medium is not limited to these examples, and may be any device or medium as long as the program P can be stored.

The server 110 and / or the terminal 151 can realize the functions of the plurality of functional units shown in each embodiment by reading the program P stored in the storage medium and executing the read program P, for example.

Further, the program P according to the embodiment of the present invention may be provided to the server # or the terminal # via an arbitrary transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. The server 110 and / or the terminal 151 realizes the functions of the plurality of functional units shown in each embodiment by executing the program P downloaded via the Internet or the like, for example.

In addition, each embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program P is embodied by electronic transmission.
At least a part of the processing in the server 100 and / or the terminal 151 may be realized by cloud computing composed of one or more computers.
At least a part of the processing in the terminal 151 may be performed by the server 100. In this case, for example, the server 100 may perform at least a part of the processing of each functional unit of the control device 1510 of the terminal 151.
At least a part of the processing in the server 100 may be performed by the terminal 151. In this case, for example, the terminal 151 may perform at least a part of the processing of each functional unit of the control device 1110 of the server 100.
In the present disclosure, the configuration of determination is not essential, and it is natural that a predetermined process may be operated when the determination condition is satisfied, or a predetermined process may be performed when the determination condition is not satisfied.

The program disclosed in the present disclosure can be implemented using, for example, a script language such as ActionScript or JavaScript (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language such as Objective-C or Java (registered trademark), or a markup language such as HTML5. .. However, this disclosure is not limited to these.

<Variations of system configuration>
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a system, an apparatus, or the like showing variations of the embodiment of the present invention. The characteristic processing operation in the configuration shown in the figure (and FIG. 3) is not realized only by the operation in which the present invention cooperates with a server or a terminal via a network, but can also be realized on a terminal alone. It is a point.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system 200 has, as its minimum configuration, an information processing server 210 and various information processing terminals used by a player (in the figure, exemplary as a PC).
220 and 230, mobile phone 240, mobile information terminal or tablet terminal 250-252
It is shown. Hereinafter, it is also collectively referred to as a "terminal"), and between the server and various terminals, as shown in FIG. 2, a dedicated line or a public line such as the Internet (as a wired line, 260, 270, 280, In 290), they are connected so that they can communicate with each other. Further, the line may be wired or wireless, and in the case of wireless, the mobile phone 240 and the mobile information terminal or tablet terminal 250 wirelessly enter the Internet 290 via a base station, a wireless router, or the like (not shown). Further, it is connected to the information processing server 210 via the line 280 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

In addition, mobile phones, personal digital assistants or tablets are personal computers (PCs).
Many of them have processing capabilities (communication processing speed, image processing capability, etc.) comparable to those of other computers, and can be called a small computer.

Further, the program or software necessary for carrying out the present invention is usually installed or stored in an HDD or SSD in the storage unit of a PC or a mobile information terminal, and when the program or software is executed, the memory in the storage unit is necessary. It is read out as all or part of the software module, and the calculation is executed by the CPU.

It should be noted that the calculation execution does not necessarily have to be performed in a central processing unit such as a CPU, and an auxiliary calculation device such as a digital signal processor (DSP) (not shown) can also be used.

Further, as for the hardware configuration of the information processing server 210, a PC can be basically adopted. The present invention is not limited to this, but the information processing server 210 has a plurality of PCs (for example, tens to tens of thousands) in parallel in order to raise the hardware specifications as needed. It is also possible to take a configuration suitable for processing large-scale data by operating the system.

<Basic variation of service provision form>
FIG. 3 shows an example of basic operation in a system, an apparatus, or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention exemplified by FIGS. 1 and 2. What is particularly desired to be shown here is that the present invention can be realized independently by a linked operation with a server or a terminal via a network, or even on a terminal alone.

In FIG. 3, the "user terminal" corresponds to the terminals 151 to 153 in FIG. 1, the terminals 220, 230, 240, 250 to 252 in FIG. 2, and the "information processing server" corresponds to the servers 110, 120 in FIG. Corresponds to the information processing server 210 in FIG. In addition, FIG.
Among them, t1 to t10 indicate a time-series flow, and operations and processes described later are performed over time.
The operation or processing time (t1 or the like) exemplified in the embodiment is exemplified for easy understanding of the concept of the present invention, and is an individual time series relationship in which the present invention is exemplified in the embodiment. Is not limited to.

First, at the date and time t1, the user (player) downloads the application software for operating his / her own user terminal as the information processing terminal according to the present invention from the information processing server via the user terminal (step S301). This application software is client software or application software for processing a part or all of the program according to the present invention. Then, the downloaded application software is installed in the user terminal (step S302). At this time, at time t2, the user terminal uploads the user's own e-mail address and profile information as shown in the following table to the information processing server (step S303) as user registration as necessary for registration management. Can also be done (step S304).

The above data items are stored as user data in the storage device on the information processing server (
Step S305). After the time t3, the user (player) can start the application by operating the information processing terminal (the server starts providing the service to the terminal).

Next, the user who has downloaded and installed the application on the user terminal starts the application software at time t4 (step S306). From time t4 to time t5, the user is exemplifying the service provided by the information processing terminal.

At time t5, the user once suspends or terminates the application software according to the embodiment of the present invention. At this time, if necessary, the status information of the application is transferred to the information processing server (step S307), and the server receives this and updates the status information as the user information of the user (step S308) and saves (step S308). S309). In FIG. 3, these processes are completed by time t6.

After installing the application software according to the embodiment of the present invention on the information processing terminal, it is of course possible to execute the application software completely closed on the terminal. In this case, step S304 described above. ~ Step S305 and steps S308 to S309 can be omitted, and if necessary information is available, it is stored and managed in the memory on the terminal.

Next, in FIG. 3, from time t7 to time t10, an example of an embodiment in which at least a part of the application software according to the embodiment of the present invention is implemented in the information processing server is shown. In this case, the user (player) performs two typical user terminal operations, a login operation and a command transmission, and receives necessary data transmission or service provision from the information processing server.

For example, in FIG. 3, when the user logs in to the server via his / her own information processing terminal at time t7 (step S310), the information processing server appropriately performs necessary authentication processing (step S311), and the time. At t8, data for the user to receive the service provision is transmitted (step S312). For example, a top menu screen configured to be able to receive commands from a terminal, an application startup screen, and the like.
At time t9, the user sends some command via the information processing terminal (step S313). This command may be a menu selection displayed on the menu screen.
If it is an application start screen, it may be a start command to start the application. On the server side, the service process is started in response to this command (step S314). Then, at time t10, the server provides a service according to the request of the terminal (step S315).

Although not shown in FIG. 3, commands can be sent from the terminal at any time even after time t10 (for example, a message transmission command or a menu selection command), and the server receives a command from the terminal each time. It can receive and provide services (for example, transfer the received message to another terminal, analyze the message and reply the result, etc.).

Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the user (player) can also send a message from the user terminal to a specific party or a specific number of parties (not shown in FIG. 3). This message is relayed by the information processing server, transferred to a specific partner or a specific number of partners, and received by the other party. You can also check the sent message on your own terminal.
In particular, these message processes are realized by the functional configuration described later implemented in the server or terminal.

<Functional configuration>
(1) Functional Configuration of Terminal In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 151 is a control device 1510.
, And, as a function realized by the program and data stored in the storage device 1515, it has a talk participation unit 1511 and a message processing unit 1512.
The talk participation unit 1511 has a function of performing processing for participation in a desired talk room. You can participate in the talk room on an individual basis as well as on a group basis.
The BOT server (as an example, the servers 110 and 120) can also participate in the talk room in the same manner as an individual user by providing each function illustrated with reference to the terminal 151 (at this time, one user). As for the BOT as a human user, one account of the instant messenger service is given).
It is also possible to create a new talk room. By sending (speaking) a message while participating in the talk room, another participant terminal 2 and / or the BOT server (participating in the talk room) participating in the same talk room via the server 1 A message is sent to the BOT) as one user.

The message processing unit 1512 has a function of generating a message in the talk room, transmitting / receiving, and controlling the display of the transmitted / received message on the own terminal. As a typical and basic example of message processing and display control, the received message is displayed on the left side and the transmitted message is displayed on the right side of the time axis from top to bottom.

The display processing unit 1513 displays the message data processed by the message processing 1512 on the display device 1518. The display processing unit 1513 has a function of converting display data (character code as an example) into pixel information (font, pictogram, etc. as an example) and writing it to a frame buffer (not shown) of the display device 1518.

(2) Functional configuration of the server
In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the server 110 is the control device 111.
0, and the functions realized by the programs and data stored in the storage device 1105 are the talk room management unit 1111, the message processing unit 1112, and the billing information management unit 11.
It has 13, a billing processing unit 1114, a statistical processing unit 1115, and a BOT processing unit 1116.

The talk room management unit 1111 has a function of managing participants and the like of the talk room.
When the message processing unit 1112 receives a message transmitted in a specific talk room from the terminal 151, the message processing unit 1112 may use other participant terminals as destinations (for example, terminals 152, 15).
3) and / or has a function of transmitting (forwarding) the same message to a BOT server (for example, server 120).

The billing information management unit 1113 performs calculation processing and management for, for example, user (including BOT) account billing in response to the provision of a message or the like (described later) to be billed.

The billing processing unit 1114 performs billing processing for each user (including BOT) account, for example, based on the billing information processed and managed by the billing information management unit 1113.

The statistical processing unit 1115 performs statistical processing from various viewpoints based on the data processed by the billing information processing unit 1113 and / or the billing processing unit 1114, and stores and manages the data.

The BOT processing unit 1116 performs processing for performing work, judgment, advice, etc. on behalf of the user (human). The present invention is not limited to these, but more specifically, a search unit 1116a for searching for appropriate data, a language for processing a language (including a voice language) included in a sent / received message. Processing unit 1116b, AI processing unit 1116c that judges the meaning and value of the processed language, etc., and performs learning based on the success or failure of the judgment result, etc. Image processing unit 1116 that performs recognition processing, etc.
Processing modules such as d are included.

As described above, the BOT server (as an example, the servers 110 and 120) can also exhibit the same functions as the individual user by providing each function exemplified with reference to the terminal 151 (at this time, 1). BOT as a user, like a human user,
One account for instant messenger service will be granted). Then, the assistant BOT operated by the BOT server and the human user can establish a predetermined relationship with each other by forming a friendship (linking accounts) in the same way as a human user does. Yes (such predetermined relationships are appropriately described and managed in databases and relationship tables not shown).

<First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, a user who participates in a talk room operated by a server or the like (for example, a "talk server" described later) sends and receives a message via a terminal and exchanges with his / her assistant (BOT). The basic operation flow for performing, the basic operation of the talk server, and the BO who participates in the talk room as one user (one account).
The basic operation of the T server will be described (described later with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5).
In addition, a part or all of the contents described in the first embodiment can be applied to other embodiments except when the features are mutually exclusive.

In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the server that provides the messaging service is a talk server (the server 110 or the like in FIG. 1 corresponds to this). Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, a BOT server that participates in the talk room as one user (one account) like a user terminal (the server 110 or the like in FIG. 1 corresponds to this).
Will be introduced.

FIG. 4 is a basic operation flow mainly shown from the viewpoint of one user.
In step S401 of FIG. 4, when one user (a human user who is not a BOT) enters the talk room by starting the application via the user terminal, the process proceeds to step S402, and is it read from the talk server to the user terminal? Alternatively, the status information such as a talk list for operating the application and / or the information such as a read message are read into the memory in the user terminal by being read from the storage device of the user terminal itself.
The talk list is a list of talk rooms operated by a plurality of talk servers on the talk server. As an example, for a talk room in which a user is a member, the talk room is entered by a selection instruction or the like, and other member users. You can have a group talk with. Group talk proceeds by exchanging messages (sending and receiving each other) among members via a messaging service provided by a talk server.

In FIG. 4, the loop from step S403 to step S411 is a basic operation loop, and unless the application is terminated (that is, exits from the talk room) in step S411, transmission / reception of messages with other members can be continued. can. Further, in the basic dynamic operation loop, an assistant BOT (an advisor program having a so-called AI function, and this BOT itself can be made to participate in the talk room as a user having one account) is associated with the user. In some cases, this assistant BO
It is possible to have T give advice to the user, or to forward at least a part of the received message from another user to a talk server or the like.
The relationship between the user and the assistant BOT in this case is the same as the relationship between human users.

In step S403, if there is a message or the like transmitted from the user by an operation (not shown) (Yes), the process proceeds to step S404 and the message or the like transmission process to the talk server is performed (in step S403, if No, the process proceeds to step S405). Although not shown in FIG. 4, the following (1) to (3) are examples of basic operations processed by the content of the message or the like transmitted in step S404.

(1) When the user's own message is sent from the user terminal to the talk server The talk server sends (forwards) the received message to other members in the talk room.
At the same time, one or more BOT candidates related to the received message (that is, an appropriate response to the received message is possible) are extracted and returned to the user who sent the message.
In one embodiment, these BOT candidates are the BOT_ID associated with the BOT and each B.
It includes a character image representing an OT and / or a message indicating that it is a statement of a BOT.

(2) When the BOT_ID (described above) is transmitted from the user terminal to the talk server The talk server makes a request to the corresponding BOT (BOT server) based on the specified BOT_ID. In one embodiment, the talk server requests the BOT server for content candidates that the BOT server currently prepares (that is, can be provided along the flow of conversation in the talk room at that time). Will be.
In one embodiment, the BOT_ID may be transmitted together with the user's message.

(3) When content is sent or specified from the user terminal to the talk server In the talk server, the content sent or specified by the user (including image information and links to specific sites, etc.) is sent to others in the group. Send (transfer) to members.

In step S405, when there is a reception of a message or the like to the user (Yes),
Proceed to step S406 to the user (or the talk group in which the user participates).
Whether or not an assistant BOT exists (that is, is associated with it) is determined, and
In the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S407a, and a part or all of the messages (received in step S405) are selected. Then, the process proceeds to step S407b, and assistant B
It is transferred to the talk server via the OT and proceeds to step S408 (if No in step S405, the process directly proceeds to step S408).
In steps S407a to S407b, how many of the received messages are transferred to the talk server via the assistant BOT is determined by the permission setting by the user.

Further, the timing of the transfer is as follows: (1) every time a message is received, at least a part of the message is transferred to the talk server, and (2) at least a part of the message is displayed every time the received message is displayed on the terminal. Variations such as transferring to a talk server can be applied.

Further, at the timing of the above transfer, when transferring at least a part of the received message to the talk server, the received message and the message not displayed on the terminal are transferred to the talk server together with the part of the message. It can also be controlled to cause.

In step S408, the received message or the like is displayed on the user terminal.

In step S409, there is a reception of an object display (described later) for the user (described later).
Yes), the process proceeds to step S410, and appropriate processing is performed regarding how the received object is displayed on the terminal (described later). Then, the process proceeds to step S411 (if No in step S409, the process directly proceeds to step S411).

In step S411, when a user operation (not shown) gives an instruction to leave the talk room, the flow ends (step S412).

FIG. 5 is a basic operation flow mainly shown from the viewpoint of the talk server.
In step S501 of FIG. 5, when the talk server starts processing, step S50
Proceeding to 2, various status information for operating the talk room is read into the memory in the server.

In FIG. 5, the loop from step S503 to step S511 is a basic operation loop, and the talk server is not included as a message or the like (typically, a message including BOT_ID) unless the process is completed in step S511. There is a message.
It also waits for the arrival of the BOT_ID-only message) or the content (including the content itself or a designated message for designating the content).

In step S503, it is determined whether or not a message or the like has been received, and if No, the process proceeds to step S509, but if Yes, the process further proceeds to step S504, and whether or not the received message or the like contains BOT_ID. Judged. If No in step S504, a message or the like is received from another user. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S507 to extract or specify a BOT (which may be plural) capable of responding according to the received message content. Processing is done. In one embodiment, the extraction or identification process of this BOT is realized by an inquiry and a response from the talk server to the BOT server (group).
Then, in step S508, the BOT candidate extracted or specified in the previous step is transmitted to another user in the talk group, and the process proceeds to step SS509.

On the other hand, in the case of Yes in step S504, the received message is typically (
Since it is a designation for the (already presented) BOT candidate, the process proceeds to step S505, and the content or the content candidate request is transmitted to the designated specific BOT (server). Next, when the content candidate is transmitted from a specific BOT (server), the content candidate received in step S506 is transmitted to the user terminal of the message transmission source, and also via this user terminal (or this user). The above-mentioned content candidates are also transmitted to other users' terminals (without going through a terminal) to realize real-time sharing of content.
Then, the process proceeds to step S509.

In step S509, it is determined whether or not the content itself or the specified message has been received for the content, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S510, and the content is transmitted to other users in the group (in step S509, if No, the case is No). Step S511). At this time, if the received message is a designated message for the content (for example, content information that can be obtained by specifying the URL), the content is acquired by the talk server as necessary and this is used by other members in the group. Send to the user. Then, the process proceeds to step S511.

In step S511, it is determined whether or not to end the operation as the talk server, and the operation of the talk server is ended by an operation (not shown) (Yes in step S511).
In that case, the process proceeds to step S512 and the flow ends, but if No in step S511, the process returns to step S503.

<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment describes the exchange of messages and the like between a plurality of user terminals (for example, terminals 1 and 2) and a talk server and a BOT server as an operation scene of the entire system. Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to FIG.
In addition, a part or all of the contents described in the second embodiment can be applied to other embodiments except when the features are mutually exclusive.
Further, the operation or processing time (t1 etc.) exemplified in the embodiment is exemplified for easy understanding of the concept of the present invention, and the individual time series relations in which the present invention is exemplified in the embodiment are exemplified. (Hereinafter, the same applies to the embodiment in which the time is explicitly exemplified).

In one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, user 1 is at terminal 1 (601) at time t0.
Creates a message in, and sends it to the talk server 603. From time t1 to t2, the talk server 603 analyzes the received message and is a BOT that can handle this message.
Perform the process to specify. Although not shown in FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the BOT specifying process is realized by inquiry processing to a plurality of BOT servers that can be inquired from the talk server.

At time t1, the talk server 603 refers to the terminal 1 (601) with respect to the terminal 2 (602) of another user (typically, another user participating in the same talk group as the user of the terminal 1). The message received from is forwarded.

At time t1, at terminal 2 (604), terminal 1 transferred from the talk server 603.
Upon receiving the message from (601), for example, the user is notified of the reception and enters the talk room of the terminal 2 to confirm the received message. At this time, among the messages received from the terminal 1 (601), the message to be transferred to the talk server can be determined (in one embodiment of the present invention, the determination process causes the terminal 2 (604) to determine the terminal 1 (601). ) Can be processed as if consent was obtained to receive the message from the assistant BOT associated with the terminal 1 (601).)
..
At time t3, the message determined to be transferred is transmitted (transferred) from the terminal 2 (604) to the talk server 603.

During this time, at time t2, the talk server 603 finishes the analysis of the message received from the terminal 1 (601) at time t0, and transmits the BOT candidate data corresponding to the received message to the terminal 1 (601) (note that, at time t2). The candidate data of this BOT is discarded by a user operation described later with reference to FIG. 7A as an example).
The timing of sending a BOT candidate from the talk server 603 to the terminal 1 (601) at time t2 and the timing of sending a message from the terminal 2 (604) to the talk server 603 at time t3 are interchanged depending on the implementation status. There is.

Next, at times t3 to t4, in the talk server 603, the terminal 1 (601) has been used so far.
And the message received from the terminal 2 (604) is comprehensively analyzed, and a process for identifying a BOT candidate corresponding to these messages is performed.

At time t4, the BOT candidate specified by the talk server 603 is transmitted to the terminal 2 (604).
At this time, by the consent process at time t3, the BOT associated with the terminal 1 (601) (in a friendship) can be included in the BOT candidate. Then, at time t4, when displaying these BOT candidates on the terminal 2 (604), the BOT directly associated with the terminal 2 (604) and the terminal 2 (604) are directly associated with the terminal 2 (604). The former BOT can be displayed separately from the BOT that is not associated with the terminal 1 (601) but is directly associated with the terminal 1 (601) (as an embodiment, the former BOT is a normal object). And display the latter BOT with mosaic processing etc.).

It should be noted that the method of showing the BOT candidate presented to the terminal 2 (604) at time t4 is also referred to as a “flickering UI” (more details will be described later with reference to FIG. 7A and the like).

At time t5, the BOT candidate specified by the talk server 603 is transmitted to the terminal 1 (601) (in the figure, the terminal 1 (601) is the second flickering UI). Terminal 1 (
On 601), these BOT candidates are displayed as a flickering UI.
At this time, the BOT associated with the terminal 2 (604) can be included in the BOT candidate by the consent process at the time t3. Then, at time t5, when displaying these BOT candidates on the terminal 1 (601), the BOT directly associated with the terminal 1 (601) and the terminal 1 (601) are directly associated with the terminal 1 (601). The former BOT can be displayed separately from the BOT that is not associated with the terminal 2 (604) but is directly associated with the terminal 2 (604) (as an embodiment, the former BOT is a normal object). And display the latter BOT with mosaic processing etc.).

It should be noted that the timing and time t5 of the flickering UI for the terminal 2 (604) at time t4.
The timing of the flickering UI for the terminal 1 (601) in the above may be changed depending on the implementation status.

At time t6, one of the BOT candidates presented via the flickering UI on the terminal 1 (601) is selected (that is, the user of the terminal 1 requests further information provision from the selected BOT). .. At this time, the selected BOT identifier (BOT_ID) is transmitted from the terminal 1 (601) to the talk server 603. It should be noted that the transmission of BOT_ID can also be included in the message and transmitted.

At times t6 to t7, the talk server identifies the BOT from the received BOT_ID and identifies the BOT.
Request a message from the specified BOT (server) (time t7). The request message includes further content, related content, or a request for these candidates (content candidates).

At time t8, the content candidates are returned from the BOT server 602 to the talk server 603, and at time t9, these content candidates are transferred from the talk server 603 to the terminal 1 (601).

In one implementation, the talk server 603 transfers the content candidate from the talk server 603 to the terminal 1 (601) at time t9, or instead of transferring the content candidate from the talk server 603 to the terminal 1 (601). It is also possible to broadcast the content candidate to the members in the talk room and share the content candidate information in real time (this is an event at time t10 in FIG. 6).

At time t11, one of the content candidates is selected by the terminal 1 (601) and transmitted to the talk server 603. After that, this content is transmitted to the terminal 2 (604) at time t12 with a slight time difference.
At this point, the above-mentioned content is shared on the terminal 1 (601) and the terminal 2 (604) (for example, when the shared content is video content, substantial real-time playback is performed on both terminals. Will be done).

At time 13, one of the one or more BOTs displayed on the terminal 2 is selected, and the identifier (BOT_ID) of the BOT selected at time t13 is transmitted to the talk server 603.

At time t14, a content candidate request message is transmitted from the talk server 603 to the BOT server 602, a content candidate is returned from the BOT server 602 to the talk server 603 at time t15, and transferred to the terminal 2 (604) at time t16. ..

In one implementation, the talk server 603 transfers the content candidate from the talk server 603 to the terminal 2 (604) at time t16, or instead of transferring the content candidate from the talk server 603 to the terminal 2 (604). Content candidates can be broadcast to members in the talk room, and content candidate information can be shared in real time (this is an event at time t17 in FIG. 6).

At time t18, one of the content candidates is selected by the terminal 2 (604) and transmitted to the talk server 603. Then, at time t19 with a slight time difference, this content is transmitted to the terminal 1 (601).
At this point, the above-mentioned content is shared on the terminal 1 (601) and the terminal 2 (604) (for example, when the shared content is video content, substantial real-time playback is performed on both terminals. Will be done).

<Third Embodiment>
The third embodiment focuses on a display example on a user terminal to explain the features of the third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7E.
In addition, a part or all of the contents described in the third embodiment can be applied to other embodiments except when the features are mutually exclusive.

In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7A, a user talk room is entered on the display screen of the terminal 700 (the housing portion and the like are not shown) to exchange messages with other users in the talk group. It is shown that it is doing. The display screen of the terminal 700 is roughly divided into a status information display area 701 of the terminal, a messaging service providing area (hereinafter referred to as "talk room") 702, and a transmission message input and transmission area 703 from the terminal 700. ing.

Further, in FIGS. 7A to 7E, as described above, with respect to the time axis from top to bottom.
Received messages from other users (and BOTs associated with other users) in the talk group are displayed on the left side, and sent messages from themselves (and BOTs associated with themselves) are displayed on the right side. Is displayed in chronological order.

In FIG. 7A, a message 7021a with "Ginza" transmitted from another user at time 14:00 is displayed on the talk room 702. Further, in the vicinity of the message 7021a, the assistant BOT7021b associated with the own user is displayed.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the BOT7021b may be displayed so as to be superimposed on at least a part of the message 7021a, the same applies hereinafter).

In FIG. A, the BOT7021b appears as a BOT capable of providing information related to the word "Ginza" (broken line portion) in the message 7021a. Then, if the user using the terminal 700 wants to extract the related information from the BOT7021b, further information can be provided by an operation (for example, clicking or tapping the BOT7021b) (not shown).

Here, the user using the terminal 700 does not need the information from the BOT7021b, and therefore wants to leave the area 702. In that case, as an example, BO
The T7021b can be moved out by flicking or swiping to the outside (edge direction) of the screen with its own hand or finger 7021c (BOT7021b disappears from the screen).

In one embodiment of the present invention, with the above-mentioned retreat to BOT7021b,
If there is a relationship (such as a direct or indirect friendship) between the user using the terminal 700 and this BOT7021b, it is possible to control the relationship to be canceled. In this case, the user who uses the terminal 700 and the BOT7021 from a friend relationship table (not shown)
The relationship flag with b is reset.

On the other hand, the user using the terminal 700 sends the message 7022a at 14:30. As a result, BOT70 is added to the word "Roppongi" in the broken line in message 7022a.
22b (which may be the same as or different from BOT7021b) reacts and is displayed in the vicinity of message 7022a.
The BOT7022b is waiting for a user's instruction as being able to provide related information of the keyword "Roppongi" in the message 7022a.

Here, the user using the terminal 700 wants to receive further information about "Roppongi" from BOT7022b, and as an example, BOT7 with his / her own hand or finger.
Click or tap the position 7022c that indicates 022b.

Then, in one embodiment, as the next step, "Roppongi" is located in the vicinity of BOT7022b.
The selection buttons 7023a to 7023c, which are themes related to the above, are displayed. That is, the button 7023a is a selection button for obtaining further information about "rice", and the button 70
23b is a selection button for obtaining more information about "liquor", button 7023c.
Is a selection button for more information about "night".

Next, the user using the terminal 700 presses the option button 7023c with his / her hand or finger 7021d.

Then, in one embodiment, the candidates 7024a to 7024c of the facility or store with the theme of "night" are displayed as the next step. The user is interested in 7024b and clicks or taps position 7024d with his or her hand or finger.

Then, 7025a is sent as a message to other members in the talk group, and
Other members can know the content 7025b by receiving the message. Although not shown, each member can obtain detailed information on this facility or store by tapping the content 7025b or the like.

FIG. 7B exemplifies how other users look on their own terminal 710 with the use of the terminal 700 described with reference to FIG. 7A.

In FIG. 7B, a message 711a (corresponding to 7021a) and a message 712a (corresponding to 7022a) of another user are shown on the left side of the talk room of the terminal 710 (the housing portion and the like are not shown), and their vicinity thereof. The keyword "" in these messages is on the (bottom) side.
Assistants BOT712b, 712c, 712d are displayed in response to "Roppongi". Each is a BOT with a different personality (BOT712d can be associated with BOT7021b and / or 7022b).

[Characteristics of target message to display BOT]
Here, regarding what kind of message in the talk room the BOT appears for, in one embodiment, the time associated with the talk room (upload time to the talk room) is 1 for the newest message. The above BOT can be displayed.
[Order when multiple BOTs appear]
Further, in the case of appearing in the vicinity of a specific message as a group of BOTs in response to the same or similar keywords such as BOT712b, 712c, 712d, in one embodiment, the order extracted or specified in the talk server ( It can be arranged in chronological order) or in order of the degree of relevance to the keyword.

In FIG. 7B, in the area 713 of the talk room, the option buttons 7131a to 7131c displayed by selecting any BOT of BOT712b to 712d on another user's terminal (for example, terminal 700), and Content candidates 7132a to be displayed when the option button 7131c is selected on the terminal (for example, terminal 700).
It is 7132c. These are not due to the operation of the user who is using the terminal 710, but the object that appears by the operation of another user (for example, the user who is using the terminal 700) is the terminal 710 which is another member in the talk room. It is controlled so that it can be viewed by users who are using.

That is, in one embodiment, the BOT 7022b is the BOT 712d, the option buttons 7023a to 7023c are the option buttons 7131a to 7131c, and the content candidate 70.
24a to 7024c can be associated with the content candidates 7132a to 7132c, respectively.

Further, in FIG. 7B, the terminal of another user (for example, the terminal 70) is in the lower left of the talk room.
0) Message 714a containing the content 714b displayed by being selected above
Is displayed. In one embodiment, the transmitted message 7025a is the received message 7.
The transmitted content 7025b can be associated with the received content 714b at 14a, respectively.

FIG. 7C shows other operation examples and display examples associated with operations and the like on the terminal 720.

In FIG. 7C, messages 7211 and messages 7212a of other users are displayed on the left side of the talk room of the terminal 720 (the housing and the like are not shown), and a plurality of BOTs are displayed in response to these message groups 721. It is displayed in the vicinity. Among them, BOT7212
b and 7212c are also involved in the remarks (messages on the right side of the talk room) of the user using the terminal 720 (described later).
The characteristic point here is that the BOT7212c (and BOT722b) are exemplifiedly translucently treated on the talk room of the terminal 720 as shown in the figure. That is, these BOTs are not directly associated with the user who is using the terminal 720. In one embodiment, the BOT7212c (and BOT722b) is directly associated with another user (as an example, a user using the terminal 700) who has a friendship with the user using the terminal 720. be.
Even in this case, the user using the terminal 720 is not directly associated with itself (that is, indirectly associated via a friend user) BOT7212c.
Information can also be provided from (and BOT722b) (described later).

Next, when the user using the terminal 720 sends the message 722a, BOT722b and 722c are displayed in response to a part of the message 722a (“DANCE” in the figure), but the BOT722b is directly associated with itself. Since it has not been treated, it has been translucently treated (however, as mentioned above, advice can also be sought for this BOT722b).
The user using the terminal 720 taps the BOT722c at position 722d and asks for the provision of relevant information about the dance.

Next, the user using the terminal 720 sends the message 723, and after a while (as shown in the figure, about 30 minutes as an example), sends the message 724.
At this time, the BOT of the same character as the BOT722c is displayed in the vicinity of the message 724 (in the figure, the lower left corner of the message), but as shown in the figure, the appearance is slightly different from the BOT722c displayed about 30 minutes ago. It is expressed (as an example, it seems to be busy).
It is also possible to give a facial expression to the BOT displayed in this way and express that it takes a little time to collect information and the degree thereof.

Next, the user using the terminal 720 transmits the message 725a without waiting for the advice information from the BOT722c. Then, this time, B in the lower left corner of message 725a
The OT725b is displayed (for example, this BOT is the same as the BOT722b and is not directly tied to itself), and the user can use his or her hand or finger 725c to display the BOT725b.
Tap to ask for advice.

FIG. 7D shows the terminal 730 (this terminal may be the same as or different from the terminal 720, but for convenience of explanation, the terminal, etc., following the operation and the like associated with the operation on the terminal 720 described with reference to FIG. 7C. It is an operation example and a display example accompanying the operation on (the same as 720).
That is, the messages 731, 732, 733a, 735 correspond to the messages 7211, 7212a, 722a, 724 in FIG. 7C, respectively.

In FIG. 7D, the talk room area 734 is an overlay display, which is displayed in response to a tap of the BOT722c in FIG. 7C (DANCE related information request).

On the overlay 734, the choice buttons 7341a, 7341b regarding DANCE,
7341c is displayed, and when the user using the terminal 730 presses the button 7341a (for example, tapping the position 7341d), the content candidates 7342a, 7342b, 7342c related to the dance moving image are displayed.

Further, the user using the terminal 730 positions the content candidate 7342b at 734.
Select by tapping 2d, etc., and content 736 in a playable state in the lower right corner of the talk room
Is displayed.

FIG. 7E is a screen example on the terminal 720 after a series of operations described with reference to FIGS. 7C and 7D (in this figure, it will be described as a display example on the terminal 740).

In FIG. 7E, the message 741 displayed in the talk room is the message 7211.
In 731, message 742 is in messages 7212a, 732, message 743 is in messages 722a, 733a, message 744 is in message 723 (in FIG. 7D, the corresponding message is hidden in the overlay), and message 745 is in message 72.
In 4, 735, the message 746 corresponds to the message 725a (in FIG. 7D, the corresponding message is hidden in the overlay), and the content 747 corresponds to the content 736.

The message group shown in FIG. 7E is also a history of exchanges so far, and the BOT displayed in each message corner is still displayed in the vicinity of the corresponding message, but the present invention is limited to these. BOTs that have been displayed for a certain period of time are not automatically deleted, or BOTs that have been displayed for a certain period of time have been automatically deleted.
Even if it is T, the BOT once requested by the user can be left displayed or various variations can be adopted.

<First modification>
8A (A) to 8C (C) exemplify variations in the display method when the assistant BOT is displayed as a character. Shields 801a, 801b, 80 in the figure
1c may be a physical shield such as a corner on the screen, or a software shield such as a message or a display on the screen.

8A (A) to 8C (C) exemplify variations in the display method when the assistant BOT is displayed as a character. Shields 801a, 801b, 80 in the figure
1c may be a physical shield such as a corner on the screen, or a software shield such as a message or a display on the screen.

The BOT810a shown in FIG. 8A is an exemplary character object with a chick motif, and its face is only half seen from the shield 801a.
That is, in FIG. A (A), only a part of the object image representing the BOT 810a is controlled so as to be visible to the user.

The BOT810b (the same character object as the BOT810a) shown in FIG. 8A (B) allows almost all of its face to be seen from the shield 801b. That is, in FIG. A (B), a part of the object image representing the BOT 810a (however, FIG. 8A).
(More than (A)) is controlled to be visible to the user.

The BOT810c (the same character object as the BOT810a and 810b) shown in FIG. 8A (C) has all of them peeked out from the shield 801c. That is, in FIG. A (C), the entire object image representing the BOT 810a is controlled so as to be visible to the user.

In such an embodiment, the following technical significance can be given as an example depending on how much of the object image representing the BOT is exposed to the user's eyes (object display ratio).

つまり、ＢＯＴから提供可能な情報の質の高低とオブジェクトの表出割合とを比例関係
に対応付けたり、提供可能な情報の多少とオブジェクトの表出割合とを比例関係に対応付
けたりすることができる。
あるいは、ＢＯＴへ情報提供をリクエストしてから回答までの時間の目安を表現するた
めに上記表示態様を適用することもできる。この場合は、情報の提供時間の時間とオブジ
ェクトの表示割合とを反比例に対応付けることが考えられる（つまり、オブジェクト表出
割合が１００％の場合は迅速に回答可能でＢＯＴに自身が有る様を示し、オブジェクト表
出割合が２０％の場合は回答までに時間がかかる見込みでＢＯＴとしては多少自信がない
様子を示す）。この時間はサーバの負荷を計算することで反映させることができる。

In other words, it is possible to associate the quality of information that can be provided from the BOT with the expression ratio of the object in a proportional relationship, and the amount of information that can be provided and the expression ratio of the object in a proportional relationship. can.
Alternatively, the above display mode can be applied in order to express an estimate of the time from the request for information provision to the BOT to the response. In this case, it is conceivable to associate the information provision time with the object display ratio in inverse proportion (that is, if the object display ratio is 100%, it is possible to respond quickly and indicate that the BOT has itself. , If the object display ratio is 20%, it is expected that it will take some time to respond, and it seems that BOT is not confident.) This time can be reflected by calculating the load on the server.

<Second modification>
The second variant illustrated with reference to FIG. 8B is still another variation of the first variant.

8B (A) to 8B (C) exemplify variations in the display method when the assistant BOT is displayed as a message box in the same manner as a human user. The shields 802a, 802b, and 802c in the figure may be physical shields such as corners on the screen, or may be software shields such as messages and display objects on the screen.

The message box 820a shown in FIG. 8B (A) covers about one-third of the message box 8 as a shield 8.
It's just a peek from 02a. That is, in FIG. B (A), only a part of the object image representing the message box is controlled so as to be visible to the user.

The message box 820b shown in FIG. 8B (B) covers about two-thirds of the message box 8 as a shield 8.
It's just a peek from 02b. That is, in FIG. B (B), only a part of the object image representing the message box (but more than in FIG. B (A)) is controlled so as to be visible to the user.

The message box 820c shown in FIG. 8B (C) is controlled so that the entire message box 820c can be seen from the shield 802c.

In such an embodiment, various technical significances can be given to the expression ratio of the message object (as an example, as described in the above table and the like).

<Third modification example>
The third modification exemplified with reference to FIG. 8C is still another variation of the first modification to the second modification.

8C (A) to 8C (C) exemplify variations in the display method when the assistant BOT is displayed as a message box in the same manner as a human user. The messages 830a, 830b, and 830c in the figure have different sizes. In such an embodiment, various technical significances can be given to the size of the message object (as an example, as described in the above table and the like).

For example, the quality of information that can be provided from the BOT can be associated with the size of the message object in a proportional relationship, and the amount of information that can be provided can be associated with the size of the message object in a proportional relationship.

Alternatively, the above display mode can be applied in order to express an estimate of the time from the request for information provision to the BOT to the response. In this case, it is conceivable to associate the time of information provision time with the size of the message object in inverse proportion (that is, if the message object is large, it can be answered quickly, indicating that the BOT has itself, and the message object is If it is small, it will take some time to answer, and it seems that the BOT is not confident.)

<Fourth modification>
The fourth modification exemplified with reference to FIG. 8D is still another variation of the first modification to the third modification.

8D (A) to 8D (C) exemplify variations in the display method when the assistant BOT is displayed as a message box in the same manner as a human user. The messages 840a, 840b, and 840c in the figure are exemplified by different line densities. In such an embodiment, various technical significances can be given to the line density, background color, and the like of the message object (as an example, as described in the above table and the like).

<Fifth variant>
The fifth modification illustrated with reference to FIG. 9 shows a variation in the case where a plurality of assistant BOTs specifically described with reference to FIGS. 7B to 7E are displayed in the vicinity of a specific message or the like. In particular, a variation in the case where the display mode is different depending on the relationship between the user and the BOT is shown.

The assistants BOT901a, 902a, 903a shown in FIG. 9A are, for example,
It is displayed side by side in the vicinity of a specific message such as BOT712b, 712c, 712d. Then, it is assumed that the BOT901a, 902a, and 903a are directly associated with the terminal user displaying them. In that case, the display is controlled so as not to make a distinction in the display method (display mode) of the assistant BOT901a, 902a, 903a as shown in the figure.

On the other hand, regarding the assistants BOT901b, 902b, and 903b shown in FIG. 9B, the BOT901b and 902b are directly linked to the terminal user displaying them, but the BOT903b is indirectly linked. Relationship (eg BOT903b)
Is directly linked to other users in the talk room). In that case, as shown in the figure, a distinction is made in the display method (display mode) of the assistant BOT901b, 902b, 903b, and the display is controlled so that the BOT903b is translucent.

Further, regarding the assistant BOT901c, 902c, and 903c shown in FIG. 9C, the BOT901c is directly associated with the terminal user displaying them, but the BOT902c and 903c are indirectly related. Shall stay at. Also in this case, as shown in the figure, the assistant BOT901c, 902c, and 903c are displayed in a distinctive manner (display mode), and the BOT902c and 903c are displayed and controlled so as to be translucent.

Regarding the assistant BOT901d, 902d, 903d shown in FIG. 9 (D),
Corresponding to BOT901c, 902c, and 903c, respectively, it shows a further variation of how to provide the distinction of the display mode. That is, the BOT902c and 903c are displayed and controlled so as to be translucent, but the BOT902d and 903d are displayed and controlled so as to be subjected to mosaic processing based on the same purpose.

<Sixth modification>
The sixth modification illustrated with reference to FIG. 10 displays the busyness of the assistant BOT722c specifically described with reference to FIG. 7C (prolonged response time based on a large amount of processing and the like). It shows the variation of the case.

That is, the BOT shown in FIG. 10A is a display mode in which a normal response time can be expected. The BOT shown in FIG. 10B is a display mode in which a longer response time is expected than in the case shown in FIG. 10A. Then, the BOT shown in FIG. 10 (B)
Is a display mode in which a longer response time is expected than in the case shown in FIG.

Further, the BOT shown in FIG. 10 (D) expresses a state of being remotely controlled as shown in the figure, and is exemplified by a human (human) rather than an automatic response by a computer program.
This is an example of a display mode for showing the user that the manual is being handled by.

As described above, various display modes according to the situation of the BOT can be applied to the expression method of the BOT.

<Fourth embodiment>
The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which the billing process is introduced in the first to third embodiments. The basic concept will be described with reference to FIGS. 11-12.
As a matter of course, some or all of the contents described in the fourth embodiment can be applied to other embodiments as long as the features are mutually exclusive.

[Billing timing]
The typical timing of billing based on the embodiments so far is, in one embodiment of the present invention, when (B1) the assistant BOT is presented or provided, (B2) a plurality of rough themes for the assistant BOT. When requesting / providing selectable information or menu, (B3) requesting / providing content candidates according to one or more themes according to the theme, (B4) requesting the content of one of the content candidates / When provided, etc.

[Billing target]
For the above (B1), it is typically preferable to charge the assistant BOT provider. Further, regarding (B2) to (B4), it seems that the assistant BOT provider, the terminal user, or both of them can be charged (that is, the terminal user can be charged to the assistant BOT provider from the viewpoint of listening to the advertisement fee. From the perspective of providing services).
Hereinafter, for the sake of easy understanding of the present invention, the description will be made on the premise of charging the assistant BOT provider for convenience, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the assistant BOT as illustrated in (B1) is the first object or the first information, the selectable information or menu as illustrated in (B2), or the content candidate as illustrated in (B3) is the second object. The provided content as illustrated in the second information or (B4) is referred to as a third object or the second information.

FIG. 11 shows a basic flow of billing processing in a system or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S1101 of FIG. 11, it is assumed that the application (typically, the messaging service) has already been started. Next, in step S1102, the assistant BOT presents the first information (presentation of the first object) at various timings shown in the above-described embodiment, and the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S1103, the weight counting process for charging due to the first information presentation by the BOT in the previous step is performed. The point of processing here is that the billing process can be performed each time the first information is presented, but in some cases, as an example, the process is performed so as to perform a stepwise billing process according to the number of times the first information is presented. The point is that it will be done.
For example, in step S1103, the number of times the first information is presented by the BOT based on the previous step is counted, and when a certain period (for example, one week or one month) has elapsed, or a certain number of times (for example, 1000 times or 10,000 times) have passed. The billing process can be performed when the count of (times) is recorded.
It should be noted that known technology can be appropriately applied to the billing process itself.

In step S1104, it is determined whether or not there is a second information presentation (second object presentation) request to the assistant BOT by the user through various scenes shown in the above-described embodiment, and if No, skip to step S1110. However, the double of Yes proceeds to step S1105, and the second information presentation by the BOT is made to the user terminal.

In step S1106, the weight counting process for charging due to the second information presentation by the user in the previous step is performed. The point of processing here is that the billing process can be performed each time the second information is presented, but in some cases, as an example, the process is performed so as to perform a stepwise billing process according to the number of times the second information is presented. The point is that it will be done.

In step S1107, it is determined whether or not there is a third information presentation (third object presentation) request to the assistant BOT by the user through various scenes shown in the above-described embodiment, and if No, skip to step S1110. However, the double of Yes proceeds to step S1108, and the third information presentation by the BOT is made to the user terminal.

In step S1109, the weight counting process for charging due to the presentation of the third information by the user in the previous step is performed. The point of processing here is that the billing process can be performed each time the third information is presented, but in some cases, as an example, the process is performed so as to perform a stepwise billing process according to the number of times the third information is presented. The point is that it will be done.

Although step S1110 is the end of this flow, as long as the application is operating, the above-mentioned processes from step S1102 to step S1109 are repeated.

<7th modification>
The seventh modification described with reference to FIG. 12 is an extension of the conventional count processing of step S1103, step S1106, and step S1109 in FIG. 11, in which a plurality of members in the talk group charge for the same content and the like. The adjustment logic is implemented.

When the metered count process associated with the provision of information is started in step S1201 of FIG. 12, the process proceeds to step S1202, the (user) account to which the information is presented is specified, and further to step S1203, the account group to which the account belongs is assigned. Be identified.
Here, step S1202 may be omitted depending on the mounting mode.

Next, the process proceeds to step S1204, and it is determined whether the information related to the information provision, etc., which is the basis for starting this flow, is the information already requested or provided in the account group specified in the previous step.
If No in step S1204, the process skips to step S1206, but if Yes, the process proceeds to step S1205 and the duplicate flag is turned on (this duplicate flag has been initialized at an appropriate timing (not shown).

In step S1206, it is determined whether or not the duplicate flag is on, and if Yes, the process skips to step S1208, but if No, the process proceeds to step S1207, and the metered count process is performed.
A specific example of the metered count process is as described with reference to FIG.

Although step S1208 is the end of this flow, as long as the application is operating, the processes from step S1202 to step S1207 described above are carried out in the extended metered count process.

The meaning of the operation flow in FIG. 12 is that, as an example, the assistant BOT object is displayed in response to a certain message, and after being selected by the first user in the talk group, the assistant BOT is the second in the talk group. When selected by two users, the billing information for the BOT provider due to the selection by the second user is not generated (control to avoid duplicate billing within the group).

On the other hand, if the logic for avoiding duplicate charges within the group shown in FIG. 12 is not applied, the assistant BOT is displayed in response to a certain message and is selected by the first user in the talk group. When the assistant BOT is selected by a second user in the same talk group, the charge to the BOT provider due to the selection by the second user is the charge due to the selection by the first user. Is done separately (control that emphasizes billing for each account).

<Fifth Embodiment>
The fifth embodiment focuses on a display example on a user terminal (particularly, a BOT provider terminal) based on the fourth embodiment, and explains the features in one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to FIG.
It should be noted that some or all of the contents described in the fifth embodiment can be applied to other embodiments except when the features are mutually exclusive.

In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, on the display screen of the terminal 1300 (the housing portion and the like are not shown), for example, for viewing the billing information for the BOT of the BOT provider user. The browsing screen is displayed, and the terminal status information display area 1301, the BOT information display area 1302, the charge charge confirmation / change area 1303 by presenting the first information, and the second
It includes a billing charge confirmation / change area 1304 by presenting information and the like, a billing charge confirmation / change area 1305 by presenting a third information and the like, and a guidance area 1306 such as payment means.

The target BOT name and the BOT character image are displayed in the BOT information display area 1302, and the BOT can be identified at a glance.

In the charge charge confirmation / change area 1303 by presenting the first information or the like, the number of points per view is displayed as the charge charge unit price by presenting the first information or the like. The point is the virtual currency value when the number of views (number of presentations) is cumulatively calculated. Further, when the setting change button 1303b is pressed, the screen transitions to another screen (not shown) as an example, and the billing conditions (default billing conditions at the time of application) can be changed as appropriate.

The charge charge confirmation / change area 1304 by presenting the second information and the like, and the charge charge confirmation / change area 1305 by presenting the third information have the same configuration as the area 1303, for example, the setting change buttons 1304b and 1305c. When pressed, the screen transitions to another screen (not shown) as an example, and the billing conditions for each information presentation (default is the billing conditions at the time of application) can be changed as appropriate.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In the sixth embodiment, when the above-mentioned first information to the third information are requested (or when the request is made and the information is provided), the requesting user is notified of the execution of the billing process. Regarding the display example for This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the user makes an information provision request to the assistant BOT1401 or receives the information provision request, a coin is inserted into the coin slot 1401b drawn on the head of the BOT1401a. It is shown that 1402 is thrown in (
Such a situation may be expressed by animation).

With such a display mode, the user can easily recognize that he / she has been charged (or points for charging processing have been added).

<7th Embodiment>
The seventh embodiment is based on the fourth embodiment and focuses on a display example on a user terminal (particularly, a BOT provider terminal) to explain the features of one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to FIG.
It should be noted that some or all of the contents described in the seventh embodiment can be applied to other embodiments except when the features are mutually exclusive.

In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 15, on the display screen of the terminal 1500 (the housing portion and the like are not shown), for example, for viewing the billing information for the BOT of the BOT provider user. The browsing screen is displayed. More specifically, the terminal status information display area 150
1, BOT information display area 1502, current billing information (subtotal column) 1503, same (tax) 1504, same (total) 1505 are displayed, and further, a breakdown column (detailed display button) by presenting the first information etc. (Includes 1506a), breakdown column by second information presentation (including detail display button 1506b), and breakdown column by third information presentation (detail display button 1506c)
Includes), a statistical information field 1506, a payment instrument guidance area 1507, and a payment page transition button 1508.

The target BOT name and the BOT character image are displayed in the BOT information display area 1502, and the BOT can be identified at a glance.

In the billing information (subtotal column) 1503 at the present time, as an example, the billing amount (display excluding tax) at the present time of the billing month is displayed. Similarly, current billing information (tax) 150
As an example, the billing amount (tax display) at the present time of the billing month is displayed in 4. Then, in the billing information (total) 1505 at the present time, as an example, the total billing amount (display including tax) at the present time of the billing month is displayed.

In FIG. 15, in the breakdown column by the first information presentation, etc., it is shown that the first information presentation, etc. has occurred 8089 times at the present time in the billing month. In the figure, the detail display button 15
When 06a is pressed, as an example, the screen transitions to another screen (not shown) and the statistical breakdown can be viewed.

Further, in the breakdown column by the second information presentation, etc., it is shown that the second information presentation, etc. has occurred 1607 times at the present time in the billing month. In the figure, when the detail display button 1506b is pressed, as an example, the screen transitions to another screen (not shown) and the statistical breakdown can be viewed.

Further, in the breakdown column by the third information presentation, etc., it is shown that the third information presentation, etc. has occurred 1008 times at the present time in the billing month. In the figure, when the detail display button 1506c is pressed, as an example, the screen transitions to another screen (not shown) and the statistical breakdown can be viewed.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and modifications are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and a plurality of means, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one. .. Further, the configurations shown in each embodiment may be appropriately combined.

100, 200 BOT control management system 110, 120 Information processing terminal 151, 152, 153 Information processing device (server)
199 Network 210 Information processing server 220, 230 PC (information processing terminal)
240 Mobile phone (information processing terminal)
250, 251, 252 tablets (information processing terminals)
260, 270, 280, 290 networks

Claims (16)

A program executed by a terminal that displays the contents of a chat room in which the first user of the first account and the second user of the second account participate in the display unit.
An account that is different from either the first account or the second account based on the first content associated with the first account or the second content associated with the second account and associated with the first function. Displaying the first object indicating the created third account on the display unit, and
Displaying the second object on the display unit based on the selection of the first object
Programs that include. The program of claim 1
The first object is a program in a mode related to the first function. The program according to claim 1 or 2.
The second object is a program that is an object related to the first function. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A program including displaying a third object on the display unit based on the selection of the second object. The program of claim 4
The third object is a program that is content based on the execution of the first function. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A program that displays the first object and a fourth object indicating a fourth account associated with a second function different from the first function on the display unit based on the first content or the second content. .. The program of claim 6
The first object is an aspect related to the first function.
The fourth object is a program in a mode related to the second function. The program of claim 7.
Based on the selection of the first object, the content based on the execution of the first function is displayed on the display unit, and the second function is based on the selection of the fourth object. A program including displaying content based on the execution of the above display unit. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The terminal is the terminal of the first user, and is the terminal of the first user.
When the first account and the third account have a friendship in SNS (Social Networking Service), the first object is displayed on the display unit, and the first account and the third account are the friends. A program that displays the first object on the display unit when the second account and the third account are in the friendship relationship regardless of the relationship. The program of claim 9.
The terminal is the terminal of the first user, and is the terminal of the first user.
When the first account and the third account are in the friendship relationship, the first object of the first aspect is displayed on the display unit, and the first account and the third account are in the friendship relationship. A program that displays the first object of the second aspect on the display unit when the second account and the third account are in a friendship relationship. The program of claim 9 or claim 10.
A program in which the first user can use the first function when the first account and the third account are not in the friendship relationship and the second account and the third account are in the friendship relationship. The program according to any one of claims 6 to 8.
The terminal is the terminal of the first user, and is the terminal of the first user.
The first account and the third account are in a friendship relationship by SNS (Social Networking Service), the first account and the fourth account are not in the friendship relationship, and the second account and the fourth account are used. Is a program that displays the first object and the four objects on the display unit when the above-mentioned friendship is established. The program of claim 12
The terminal is the terminal of the first user, and is the terminal of the first user.
The first account and the third account are in the friendship relationship, the first account and the fourth account are not in the friendship relationship, and the second account and the fourth account are in the friendship relationship. In this case, a program that displays the first object and the fourth object, which has lower visibility than the first object, on the display unit. The program of claim 12 or claim 13.
The first account and the third account are in the friendship relationship, the first account and the fourth account are not in the friendship relationship, and the second account and the fourth account are in the friendship relationship. In this case, the program in which the first user can use the first function and the second function. It is a method executed by a terminal that displays the contents of a chat room in which the first user of the first account and the second user of the second account participate in the display unit.
An account that is different from either the first account or the second account based on the first content associated with the first account or the second content associated with the second account and associated with the first function. Displaying the first object indicating the created third account on the display unit, and
Displaying the second object on the display unit based on the selection of the first object
How to include. A terminal provided with a display unit for displaying the contents of a chat room in which the first user of the first account and the second user of the second account participate.
An account that is different from either the first account or the second account based on the first content associated with the first account or the second content associated with the second account and associated with the first function. The first object indicating the created third account is displayed on the display unit, and the third object is displayed.
A terminal that displays a second object on the display unit based on the selection of the first object.

Images