WO2004077748A1

WO2004077748A1 - Chat system

Info

Publication number: WO2004077748A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/002131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Satoru Takagi
Original assignee: Fujitsu Limited
Priority date: 2003-02-26
Filing date: 2003-02-26
Publication date: 2004-09-10

Abstract

A chat system including a master unit which forms a Bluetooth piconet and one or more slave units. The master unit comprises a chat information processing means for processing chat information received from a slave unit and chat information inputted to the own unit and a simultaneous transmission means for simultaneously transmitting the received chat information and chat information inputted to the own unit to all the slave units belonging to a piconet managed by the own unit. The slave unit comprises a transmission means for transmitting the chat information inputted to the own unit to the master unit of the piconet to which the own unit belongs and a chat information processing means for processing the chat information received from the master unit.

Description

Description Chat system

Technical field

The present invention relates to a chat system that performs communication through data such as characters, voices, images, and the like, and a chat device that constitutes the chat system. Background art

Conventionally, there is a chat system, which is a system for performing character-based conversation in real time through a computer network. There are two types of chat systems: one-on-one and multiple people at the same time. The chat system was provided as one of the functions of the personal computer communication service. However, recently, there is a chat system such as IRC (Internet Relay Chat) that is used through the Internet.

An example of a chat system is a chat system using a personal computer. Generally, in a chat system, a chat server is installed as a chat server in addition to a personal computer as a user terminal. For example, the server 12 in Patent Document 1 and the network operator 30 and the server 50 in Patent Document 2 correspond to a chat server. In the chat server and the user terminal (client), the user and the server administrator set the environment for chatting. The user terminal starts the chat by connecting to the network where the configured chat server is installed and logging in to the chat server.

As another example of a chat system, there is a Netmeeting system of Microsoft (registered trademark). With Netmeeting, it is possible to construct a chat system without providing a chat server. In this case, the user starts the chat by inputting the IP address and the computer name of the terminal with which the chat is to be performed on the user terminal.

[Patent Document 1] JP 2002-132694A

[Patent Document 2]

JP 2002-007242 A

[Patent Document 3]

JP 2001-148748 A

[Patent Document 4]

JP 2000-167232 A DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Originally, chat should be performed immediately (when convenient) at the request of the user. However, installing a chat server and preliminarily setting the environment between the user terminal and the chat server places a burden on the user and causes a user to be unable to perform a chat when he / she likes.

Also, even if a chat server is installed and the environment is set, the user cannot chat unless connected to the network where the chat server according to the environment is installed. For this reason, in an environment where this network could not be connected, it was not possible to easily perform a chat.

Even in a chat system that does not require a chat server, a chat cannot be performed if the identifier (IP address, telephone number, etc.) of the other party that needs to be recognized in order to perform a chat is not known. For this reason, as in the case of a chat system that requires a chat server, it was not possible to perform a chat easily.

The present invention solves such a problem, and installs and sets up a chat server, connects to an existing network in which a chat server is installed, and identifiers (for example, IP addresses and telephones) required for chatting with a chat partner. It is an object of the present invention to provide a chat system that does not need to recognize a number in advance.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention has the following configuration. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a master unit and one or more slave units forming a piconet of B 1 uetooth are connected to each other. A chat information processing means for processing chat information received from a slave device and chat information input to the own device; and a chat information processing device for processing the received chat information and input to the own device. Broadcasting means for broadcasting the received chat information to all the slaves belonging to the piconet managed by the own machine, wherein the slave transmits the chat information inputted to the own machine. It comprises a transmitting means for transmitting to the parent device of the piconet to which the device belongs, and a chat information processing means for processing the chat information received from the parent device.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the chat system is configured by using a master unit (corresponding to a master terminal) and one or more slave units (corresponding to a slave terminal) forming a B1uetooth piconet. You.

The chat information processing means provided in the master unit processes the chat information received from the slave unit and the chat information input to the own unit. The chat information processing means displays the chat information on a display device, for example. The chat information processing means does not necessarily need to be configured integrally with the broadcast transmission means. For example, the chat information processing means may be provided as a program (upper-level program) that does not include the broadcast transmitting means. The broadcast transmission means provided in the master unit broadcasts chat information received from the slave unit and chat information input to the own unit to all slave units. This broadcast transmission means is realized by providing a broadcast transmission function on a protocol such as L2CAP, RFCOMM or the like in B1e uot oth.

The transmitting means of the slave unit transmits the chat information input to the slave unit to the master unit. The chat information processing means provided in the slave unit is configured in the same manner as the chat information processing means provided in the master unit.

According to the present invention, a chat system is constructed using a piconet of B 1 uet oot h. The master unit transmits the chat information input to the chat system (that is, the chat information input to the slave unit or the master unit) to all the slave units of this piconet by broadcast transmission.

Therefore, the chat system of the present invention does not require a chat server. In addition, there is no need to make environment settings for the chat server in the parent device or child device. In addition, the parent device and child device are connected to the existing network where the chat server is installed. Network does not need to be connected.

Further, in the chat system of the present invention, the child device is searched for by the existing technology of B1 uet o o th. Therefore, when chatting, the user does not need to know the identifiers of other master units and slave units in advance.

Therefore, in the chat system of the present invention, the chat can be easily performed.

Also, since the broadcast technology in the piconet is an existing technology, implementing the chat system using this technology facilitates the implementation of the chat system of the present invention.

Further, the transmitting means of the child device in the present invention may be configured to transmit a service identifier indicating that a chat is performed to the parent device. In this case, the chat information processing means of the master unit recognizes, based on the service identifier received from the slave unit, that the slave unit is the one desiring to participate in the chat system.

In addition, the slave unit according to the present invention may be configured to further include a setting storage unit that stores an identifier that indicates whether or not to perform a chat and that can be set by a user. In this case, when the identifier stored in the setting storage means indicates that the chat is to be performed, the transmitting means of the slave transmits a service identifier indicating that the chat is to be performed to the master.

Further, the transmitting means of the slave unit in the present invention may be configured to transmit the service identifier as a value of Bluetooth scerviceC1ass. Further, the transmitting means of the slave unit in the present invention may be configured to further send a terminal identifier for uniquely identifying the own unit in a chat system in which the own unit participates. In this case, the chat information processing means uses the terminal identifier received from the slave as data indicating the slave.

The parent device of the chat system according to the present invention may further include a piconet managed by the own device if there is a child device that desires to participate in the chat system newly in the piconet managed by the own device. Determining means for deciding whether or not participation of the desired child unit is permitted based on data received from all of the child devices belonging to the subunit, and transmitting data including a result of the determination by the deciding unit to the desired child unit. And transmitting the chat information to the child unit desiring to participate, if the result of the determination by the determining unit is a decision to allow participation. It may be configured to start transmission.

Further, the transmission means of the parent device of the chat system according to the present invention further transmits request data requesting specific data to the child device desiring to participate, and the transmission means of the parent device responds to the request data. The specific data received from the child unit desiring to participate is further transmitted to all the child units belonging to the piconet managed by the own unit, and the chat information processing unit transmits the specific data received from the parent unit. It may be configured to perform the processing according to.

Further, the broadcast transmission means of the master unit may be configured to transmit the chat information to the master unit of another piconet when the own unit is a slave unit of another piconet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chat apparatus as a master unit forming a piconet of B1uetooth including one or more slave units, the chat information received from the slave unit and the own device. A chat information processing means for processing the chat information input to the slave device; and transmitting the received chat information and the chat information input to the own device to all slave devices belonging to the piconet managed by the own device. Broadcast transmission means for transmitting a broadcast.

A third aspect of the present invention is a chat device as a slave unit forming a piconet of B 1 uetooth, and transmitting means for transmitting chat information input to the own unit to a master unit of the piconet, And a chat information processing means for processing chat information received from the parent device of the piconet.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a program for operating a parent device that forms a B1uetooth piconet including one or more child devices as a chat device, and causes the parent device to execute the following steps. The first step is a step of processing chat information received from the child device and chat information input to the own device. The second step is a step of broadcasting the received chat information and the chat information input to the own device to all the slaves belonging to the piconet managed by the own device. A fifth aspect of the present invention is a program for operating a slave unit forming a piconet of B 1 uetooth as a chat device, and executes the following steps for the slave unit. Let it. The first step is a step of transmitting the chat information input to the own device to the parent device of the piconet. The second step is a step of processing the chat information received from the parent device of the piconet.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, installation of a chat server, environment setting about a chat server, connection to the existing network in which the chat server is installed, and prior recognition of the identifier of the chat partner can be easily performed. It becomes possible to do a chat.

For this reason, for example, even in an environment where connection to the Internet or a pay public network is difficult (impossible), chat can be easily performed without setting up a chat server or the like. It is also possible to chat with an unknown partner without setting up a chat server. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a chat system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a chat terminal,

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware block of a chat terminal, and FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing an operation example of a master terminal.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing an operation example of the master terminal.

FIG. 4C is a flowchart showing an operation example of the master terminal.

FIG. 4D is a flowchart showing an operation example of the master terminal.

FIG.5A is a flowchart showing an operation example of the master terminal.

FIG.5B is a flowchart showing an operation example of the master terminal.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the master terminal.

FIG. 7 shows the format of a packet.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing an operation example of a slave terminal, FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing an operation example of a slave terminal, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a slave terminal. The flow chart shown,

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the slave terminal, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the slave terminal. FI G.12 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the chat system 1, FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the chat system 1, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a chat system. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation sequence example of FIG. 1; FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an outline of a chat system 1 a;

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation sequence of the chat system 1 a. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation sequence of the chat system 1 a. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation sequence example of the chat system 1a. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, the chat system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description of the present embodiment is an exemplification, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the following description.

〔System configuration〕

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the chat system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. The chat system 1 is composed of one piconet 2.

The piconet 2 is a network formed by the ad hoc connection of Bluetooth (blue tooth). The piconet 2 is composed of terminals on which Bluetooth is implemented. More specifically, the piconet 2 includes a master terminal 3 and two slave terminals 4 (4a, 4b). The piconet 2 may be constituted by any number of terminals as long as the number conforms to the B1 uet o o th standard.

The master terminal 3 and the slave terminal 4 differ only in the role of forming the piconet 2, and have the same configuration. For this reason, hereinafter, when referring to both the master terminal 3 and the slave terminal 4, the description of the chat terminals 3 and 4 is used.

The chat terminals 3 and 4 are configured using an information processing device in which B 1 uetooth is mounted. The chat terminals 3 and 4 are, for example, a PDA, a mobile phone, a pocket computer, a personal computer, a workstation, and other devices having a CPU and a RAM (game machine, B 1 uetooth dedicated device, and the chat device of the present invention). Dedicated device, etc.) and the device on which B 1 uetooth is mounted. It is configured using a device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the chat terminals 3 and 4. The chat terminals 3 and 4 are composed of a housing 5, a selection key 6, a numeric keypad 7, a display 8, and an antenna 9.

The selection key 6, numeric keypad 7, display 8, and antenna 9 are provided on the housing 5. Note that the antenna 9 may be built in the housing 5. In addition, the housing 5 may be provided with a microphone or the like as an input device in addition to the selection key 6 and the numeric keypad 7. Further, the housing 5 may be provided with a speaker or the like as an output device in addition to the display 8.

The selection key 6 has a cursor key. The selection key 6 has a decision button and a cancel button. The numeric keypad 7 has buttons for inputting numbers, alphabets, hiragana, katakana, various symbols, and the like (hereinafter, these are collectively expressed as a character string). Instructions for searching for nearby terminals, joining / leaving in chats, allowing participation in applicants, and character strings of chats are input by the user using the select key 6 and numeric keypad 7.

However, the appearance of chat terminals 3 and 4 is not limited to the appearance shown in FIG. 2 and may be configured in any manner. For example, instead of the selection key 6 and the numeric keypad 7, a pointing device such as a trackball or a mouse, a keyboard, or the like may be applied.

The display 8 is configured using a touch panel, a liquid crystal display (see FIG. 1), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like.

FI G. 3 is a block diagram of the chat terminals 3 and 4. The chat terminals 3 and 4 include a CPU, a main memory (RAM), an auxiliary storage device (flash memory), and the like, which are connected via a bus in terms of hardware. The chat terminals 3 and 4 are connected to the main control unit 10, ROIvIl 1 by loading various programs (OS (Operating System), application, etc.) stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main memory and executing them by the CPU. , RAMI 2, a key input detection unit 13, a display control unit 14, and a communication control unit 15. Main control unit 10, ROM1 1, RAMI 2, key input detection unit 13, display control unit 14, communication control unit 15 Is stored inside.

The main control unit 10 is configured using a CPU and the like. The main control unit 10 reads a program from the ROM 11 and executes the program. At this time, the main control unit 10 reads data from the RAMI 2 as necessary, and uses the data for executing a program. Examples of such data include B1uetooth device address, Bluetooth device class (Device Class), variable data (such as status values), and temporary storage data received via the communication control unit 15. (Such as a character string). Further, the main control unit 10 converts the data input (received) from the key input detection unit 13 and the communication control unit 15 into the RAMI 2, the display control unit 14, the communication control unit according to the contents of the program. Pass to 15.

The ROM 11 is configured using a so-called ROM (Read Only Memory). ROM11 stores the program. This program is, for example, a device driver of the OS or B 1 uet o o th of the chat terminals 3 and 4 or a program for operating the chat terminals 3 and 4 as the chat device according to the present invention. Data is read from the ROM 11 by the main control unit 10. Further, the ROM 11 may be configured such that data is written by the main control unit 10 as an update of a stored program.

The RAMI 2 is configured using a so-called RAM (Random Access Memory). The RAM 12 stores B 1 uetooth device address, Bluetooth device class (Device Class), variable data (such as status value), and temporary storage data (such as a character string) received via the communication control unit 15. ) And other data.

The key input detection unit 13 detects a command or a character string input by operating the selection key 6 or the numeric keypad 7 by the user. The key input detection unit 8 passes the detected command or character string to the main control unit 10.

The display control unit 14 controls the display 8. The display controller 14 displays the data ordered to be output by the main controller 10 on the display 8. The display control unit 14 displays a character string, an image, and the like on the display 8. Examples of such strings include the name of the chat user (handle name, etc.), the content of the chat (conversation Contents), control messages, etc. Examples of such an image include a back (kagami) and an image used in a chat (a user's face, etc.).

The communication control unit 15 controls at least communication based on B1 uet o o th. The communication control unit 15 transmits and receives data to and from the nearby chat terminals 3 and 4. Here, the neighborhood is defined as a specific distance according to the standard of B 1 uet o o th. That is, a distance that allows the formation of a piconet in the B1 uet o o th standard is expressed as a neighborhood. Upon receiving data from the nearby chat terminals 3 and 4, the communication control unit 15 passes the received data to the main control unit 10. Upon receiving the data from the main control unit 10, the communication control unit 15 transmits this data to the designated nearby chat terminals 3 and 4.

The chat information processing means according to the present invention is realized by the main control unit 10 and the display control unit 14. The determining means according to the present invention is realized by the main control unit 10. The broadcast transmitting means and the transmitting means according to the present invention are realized by the main control unit 10 and the communication control unit 15.

[Operation example]

4A to 6 are flowcharts showing an operation example of the master terminal 3. Hereinafter, the operation example of the master terminal 3 is described as follows: the operation when the chat system 1 is started up; the operation to the slave terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a participation-desired terminal) 4 that wants to participate in the second and subsequent units; Each operation will be described.

<<Operation when the chat system is launched>

First, the operation of the master terminal 3 when the chat system 1 is started will be described. 4A to 4D are flowcharts showing an operation example of the master terminal 3 when the chat system 1 is started.

When a command to search for a nearby terminal is input by the user (S01), the master terminal 3 starts searching for a nearby B1uet0oth device (S02). At this time, the master terminal 3 waits for a response transmitted from the B1uetooth device until a certain time has elapsed (SO3). If there is a B1 uetooth device in the vicinity, this B1 uetooth device B 1 uetooth device address (hereinafter referred to as device address), Bluetooth Service Class (hereinafter f, Service and 1 ass), Bluetoothevice Name (Device N ame) to the master terminal 3. That is, the B 1 uetoot li device responds to the master terminal 3 as a slave terminal 4. Then, the master terminal 3 sends a device address from a slave terminal 4 present in the vicinity. At this time, the terminal 4 desiring to join checks whether or not to perform chatting set by the user in advance, and if it is set to chat. At this time, a value indicating the chat is transmitted as Service Class. At this time, the terminal 4 desiring to participate transmits a participant name (real name, handle name, etc.) as Device Name.

It is desirable that D evic N Nam e be set so as not to be duplicated in the chat terminals 3 and 4 participating in the same chat system 1. In this case, it is possible to uniquely identify the chat terminals 3 and 4 within one certain chat system 1 by DeviceN Nam e. That is, DeviceNam e (participant name) can be regarded as an identifier of the chat terminals 3 and 4. The master terminal 3 searches for a value indicating a chat from the received SerVic eC1ass after a predetermined time elapses in the search for the B1e uot oth device (when a response wait timeout occurs: S04). Such a search is made possible by defining a value indicating a chat as a value of SerViceC1asss. The master terminal 3 recognizes the slave terminal 4 that has transmitted the value indicating the chat as ServiceClasss as the terminal 4 desiring to participate. Then, the master terminal 3 displays the information of the terminal 4 desiring to participate on the display 8 (SO5). For example, the master terminal 3 displays a list of DeVic e Nam e (participant names) of the terminals 4 desiring to participate.

Next, the master terminal 3 displays a message prompting to select the participation permission mode on the display 8, and waits until the participation permission mode is selected (SO6). Participation permission mode means that a new terminal 4 that wants to participate wants to participate in the chat system 1. In this case, whether or not to request transmission of self-introduction data to the terminal 4 desiring to participate is shown.

When the participation permission mode is selected by the user using the selection key 6 or the numeric keypad 7 (S07), the master terminal 3 stores the selected participation permission mode in RAMI 2 as internal data (S08). ).

Next, the master terminal 3 waits until the user selects the desired terminal 4 (S09). The user of the master terminal 3 selects a desired terminal 4 (hereinafter, referred to as a connection terminal) desired as a partner of the chat using the selection key 6 or the numeric keypad 7 among the displayed desired terminals 4 for participation. Yes (S10). At this time, the user selects a connection terminal based on the displayed Device Name. The master terminal 3 transmits a request to establish a communication layer such as L2CAP, RF COMM, etc., to the selected desired terminal 4 (S11). Upon receiving the establishment request, the terminal 4 desiring to participate responds to each request. For communication layers such as L2CAP, RFCOMM, etc., use the method established with the existing B1e uot oth technology. When receiving a response from the terminal 4 desiring to participate, that is, when the communication layer with the terminal 4 desiring to join is established, the master terminal 3 checks how the participation permission mode is set (S12).

When the participation permission mode does not require self-introduction (S12: self-introduction is unnecessary), the master terminal 3 executes the processing of S77 and thereafter. The processing after S77 of the master terminal 3 will be described later.

When the participation permission mode is the self-introduction required (S12: self-introduction required), the master terminal 3 requests the participation request terminal 4 newly joining the chat system 1 to participate in the chat system 1 including the self-introduction data. Request 20 transmissions. That is, in this case, the master terminal 3 sends a self-introduction reminder notice 19 to the participation-desired terminal 4 (S 6

9).

Here, the self-introduction reminder notice 19 will be described using FIG. 7. The self-introduction reminder notice 19 is data including a message for prompting the terminal 4 desiring to participate to introduce itself.

Master terminal 3 sends self-introduction reminder notice 19 to participating terminal 4 Then, it waits until the participation permission request 20 is received from the participation requesting terminal 4 (S70).

Here, the participation permission request 20 will be described using FIG. The participation permission request 20 includes a Device Name indicating the terminal 4 desiring to participate, which is the source of the request 20 for participation permission, and self-introduction data input by the user of the terminal 4 desiring to participate. The self-introduction data is composed of, for example, a still image such as a photograph of the face of the user of the terminal 4 desiring to participate, or data such as a self-introduction sentence using a character string.

When receiving the participation permission request 20 (S71), the master terminal 3 displays the self-introduction data included in the received participation permission request 20 on the display 8 (S72).

When the self-introduction data is displayed, the user of the master terminal 3 issues a selection key 6 or a numeric keypad with respect to the user of the terminal 4 who wants to participate, which is the source of the displayed self-introduction data, to participate in the chat system 1. Use 7 to enter a command indicating permission or rejection. The user of the participation requesting terminal 4 which is the transmission source of the self-introduction data can participate in the chat system 1 if all participants of the chat system 1 who are trying to participate are allowed to participate.

The master terminal 3 waits until a command indicating permission or rejection is input from its own user (S73). When the master terminal 3 receives a command indicating permission / refusal from its own user (S74), the master terminal 3 refers to the command indicating permission / refusal input from its own user. If the value indicates that participation is not permitted (S75—No), the master terminal 3 transmits a participation permission notification 16 including a value indicating disapproval as a permission / non-permission identifier to the terminal 4 desiring to participate (S76— ).

On the other hand, if the value is a value indicating participation permission (S75-Yes), the master terminal 3 transmits a participation permission notice 16 including a value indicating permission as a permission / non-permission identifier to the terminal 4 desiring to participate (S75-Yes). S 77).

Next, the master terminal 3 displays on the display 8 that the chat can be performed (S78). Next, master terminal 3 creates participant list notification 17. That is, the master terminal 3 creates the participant list notification 17 including the terminal 4 that has participated in the chat system 1. The master terminal 3 displays the created participant list The notification 17 is transmitted to the subordinate terminal (S79). Then, the master terminal 3 displays the contents of the created participant list notification 17 (S80). Thereafter, the master terminal 3 and the subordinate terminal execute a chat (S81).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of a bucket exchanged between the master terminal 3 and the slave terminal 4 on the Bluetooth communication layer. The participation permission notice 16 will be described with reference to FIG. The participation permission notice 16 is composed of a DeVice Name indicating the slave terminal 4 (desired terminal 4) as a transmission destination and permission / non-permission indicating whether the terminal 4 is allowed or not to participate in the chat system 1. And an identifier.

The master terminal 3 sends a participant list notification 17 to the terminal 4a wishing to participate (S13). Here, the participant list notification 17 will be described using FIG. The participant list notification 17 includes the number of participants and the participant names of the chat system 1 managed by the master terminal 3. The contents of the participant list notification 17 (participant list) are displayed by the chat terminals 3 and 4 that have received the participant list notification 17, so that the users of the chat terminals 3 and 4 can participate themselves. It is possible to know the chat participants who are chatting.

Return to the explanation using F I G. 6. The master terminal 3 displays on the display 8 that the terminal 4 desiring to participate can chat (S14). The master terminal 3 displays the contents of the participant list on the display 8 based on the participant list notification 17 (S15).

<<Operation for the second and subsequent participating terminals 4>>

Next, the operation of the master terminal 3 with respect to the second and subsequent participating terminals 4 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the master terminal 3 is already chatting with another slave terminal (ie, a slave terminal different from the terminal desiring to join).

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts illustrating an operation example of the master terminal 3 with respect to the slave terminal 4 that wants to participate in the chat system 1.

First, the master terminal 3 displays, on the display 8, information on the terminal 4 desiring to participate in response to the search for a nearby terminal. Here, the master and the terminal 3 may display the previous search result stored by themselves on the display 8. In this case, the chat Although there is a possibility that the terminal 4 that wants to participate in the system 1 may also be displayed, it is displayed immediately because no search is performed. Further, the master terminal 3 may again search for a nearby terminal and display the information of the slave terminal 4 that has responded again on the display 8. Also, the terminal 4 that has already participated in the chat may not be displayed, or may be configured to display that it is participating.

The user of the master terminal 3 selects the slave terminal 4 (that is, the connection terminal) that desires to perform a chat from the displayed information of the participation desired terminal 4 using the selection key 6 or the numeric keypad 7 ( S16).

The master terminal 3 transmits a request for establishing a communication layer such as L2CAP, RFCOM, etc., to the selected terminal 4 desiring to participate, and attempts to establish a B1e uoooth communication layer (S17).

Next, the master terminal 3 checks the participation permission mode stored in the RAM 7. When the participation permission mode does not require self-introduction, the master terminal 3 transmits a participation permission notification 16 to the participation requesting terminal 4 in which the B 1 uet o o th communication layer is newly established (S18). At this time, the master terminal 3 unconditionally transmits the participation permission notice 16 including a value indicating permission in the permission / non-permission identifier.

Next, the master terminal 3 creates a new participant list notification 17. That is, the master terminal 3 creates a participant list notification 17 including the terminal 4 that desires to participate in the chat system 1 newly. The master terminal 3 transfers the newly created participant list notification 17 to all the slave terminals 4 (hereinafter, referred to as subordinate terminals) in the piconet managed by itself (S19). At this time, all of the slave terminals 4 include the terminal 4 desiring to participate. Then, the master terminal 3 displays the contents of the newly created participant list notification 17 (S20).

On the other hand, if the participation permission mode requires self-introduction, the master terminal 3 sends a self-introduction prompting notification 19 to the participation-desired terminal 4 (S21).

When the master terminal 3 transmits the self-introduction dunning notice 19 to the terminal 4 desiring to participate, the master terminal 3 continues the normal chat and waits until the request 20 for participation permission is received from the terminal 4 desiring to participate (S2). 2). When receiving the participation permission request 20, the master terminal 3 transfers the received participation permission request 20 to all the subordinate terminals (S 24). Then, the master terminal 3 displays the self-introduction data included in the received participation permission request 20 on the display 8 (S25).

Thereafter, the master terminal 3 continues the normal chat, and until all the subordinate terminals have received the participation permission notice 16 for the participation desired terminal 4, and a command indicating whether or not the participation desired terminal 4 is permitted to participate. Is waited for by the user (S26).

When the self-introduction data is displayed, the users of the chat terminals 3 and 4 use the selection key 6 and numeric keys to select that the user of the participation-desiring terminal 4 that is the source of the displayed self-introduction data participates in the chat system 1. Use 7 to enter a command indicating permission or rejection. The user of the terminal 4 desiring to participate, which is the sender of the self-introduction data, can participate in the chat system 1 if all participants of the chat system 1 who are trying to participate are allowed to participate.

When the master terminal 3 receives a command indicating permission or rejection from its own user and receives the participation permission notification 16 from all the subordinate terminals (S27), the master terminal 3 receives the permission Z rejection identifier and the own Reference is made to a command indicating permission or rejection input by the user. In the case where at least one value indicating the non-permission is included (S28-No), the master terminal 3 sends the participation permission notice 16 including the value indicating the non-permission as the permission / non-permission identifier to the terminal desiring to participate. Send to 4 (S29).

On the other hand, if all the values are values indicating participation permission (S28—Yes), the master terminal 3 wishes to participate in the participation permission notice 16 including a value indicating permission as a permission / non-permission identifier. Transmit to terminal 4 (S30).

Next, the master terminal 3 creates a new participant list notification 17. That is, the master terminal 3 creates a participant list notification 17 including the terminal 4 that wants to participate in the chat system 1 newly. The master terminal 3 transmits the newly created participant list notification 17 to all the subordinate terminals (S31). Then, the master terminal 3 displays the contents of the newly created participant list notification 17 (S32).

<< General operation during chat> Next, a general operation of the master terminal 3 during a chat will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a general operation example of the master terminal 3 during a chat. When receiving the chat information notification 18 (S33), the master terminal 3 temporarily stores the received chat information notification 18 in a buffer and then broadcasts it to all the subordinate terminals (S35). Further, when the chat information is input by the user of the master terminal 3 (S34), the master terminal 3 broadcasts a chat information notification 18 including the input chat information to all the subordinate terminals (S35). Here, the notice 18 of the chat information will be described with reference to FIG. The chat information notification 18 includes a DeVice Name indicating the chat terminals 3 and 4 that are the transmission sources, and chat information. The chat information includes a character string and image information that are input when the user of the chat terminals 3 and 4 has a chat. An example of such a string is a conversation string. Such image information includes an icon (eg, facial expression of a user) and a background image.

Next, the master terminal 3 displays the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18 or the chat information input to the own device on the display 8 (S36).

On the other hand, upon receiving the leave notification 21 (S37), the master terminal 3 disconnects the B1 uet o o th communication layer based on the received leave notification 21 (S38). Here, the leaving notification 21 will be described using FIG. 7. The leave notification 21 includes DeviceNam e indicating the chat terminals 3 and 4 that are the transmission sources. For this reason, the master terminal 3 refers to the Device Name included in the received leave notification 21 and sends the slave terminal 4 to be disconnected from the B 1 ue o o o th communication layer s′—?

When the master terminal 3 disconnects the B1 uetooth communication layer, the master terminal 3 determines whether or not the slave terminal 4 of the disconnected B1 uetooth communication layer is the last slave terminal 4 in the chat system 1 (S39). If the slave terminal 4 is not the last slave terminal 4 (S39—No), the master terminal 3 transfers the received leave notification 21 to all the terminals at the lower end of the network. On the other hand, if it is the last slave terminal 4 (S39—Yes), the master terminal 3 manages the channel managed by itself. The cut system 1 is stopped (S40).

FI G. 3 A to 1 1 are, _c or less is a flowchart showing an operation example of the slave terminal 4, an example of the operation of the slave terminal 4, operation at the time of participating in the chat system 1, common in chat The operation, the operation when the participation permission request 20 is received, and the operation when the user leaves the chat system 1 will be described.

(<Operations when participating in the chat system>>

First, the operation of the slave terminal 4 when participating in the chat system 1 will be described. FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing an operation example when the slave terminal 4 participates in the chat system 1. Note that the slave terminal 4 performing this operation operates as the terminal 4 desiring to participate.

If the slave terminal 4 wishing to participate in the chat system 1 does not need to introduce itself in the participation permission mode of the master terminal 3 of the chat system 1, the slave terminal 4 first receives the participation permission notification 16 from the master terminal 3 ( S 4 1). Upon receiving the participation permission notice 16, the slave terminal 4 displays on the display 8 that chat with the chat terminals 3 and 4 participating in the chat system 1 is possible (S 42). Further, upon receiving the participant list notification 17 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminal 4 displays the content of the received participant list notification 17 on the display 8. Thus, the slave terminal 4 participates in the chat system 1 (S43).

On the other hand, if the slave terminal 4 wishing to participate in the chat system 1 requires the self-introduction mode in the master terminal 3 of the chat system 1, the slave terminal 4 first sends a self-introduction reminder notice 19 from the master terminal 3. Receive (S44). When the slave terminal 4 receives the self-introduction reminder notice 19, the slave terminal 4 displays a message prompting the user to input self-introduction data on the display 8 (S45), and waits until the self-introduction data is input by the user. Wait (S4 6).

The user of the slave terminal 4 inputs (submits) self-introduction data using the selection key 6 and the ten key 7 in accordance with the displayed message. When the self-introduction data is input (S47), the slave terminal 4 transmits a participation permission request 20 including the input self-introduction data to the master terminal 3 (S48). And the slave terminal 4 The process waits until the participation permission notice 16 is received from the master terminal 3 (S49).

When receiving the participation permission notification 16 (S50), the slave terminal 4 refers to the value of the permission Z non-permission identifier included in the received participation permission notification 16. If the value of the permission Z non-permission identifier is a value indicating non-permission (S51—No), the slave terminal 4 displays on the display 8 that participation in the chat system 1 is not permitted (S51). 52).

On the other hand, if the permission / rejection identifier is a value indicating permission (S51-Yes), the slave terminal 4 displays on the display 8 that participation in the chat system 1 has been permitted (S51). 53) The chat is started (S54).

<< General operation during chat>

Next, a general operation of the slave terminal 4 during a chat will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a general operation example of the slave terminal 4 during a chat.

When the slave terminal 4 receives the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3 (S55), the slave terminal 4 displays the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18 on the display 8 (S56).

When the chat information is input from the user itself (S57), the slave terminal 4 creates a chat information notification 18 including the input chat information. Then, the slave terminal 4 transmits the created chat information notification 18 to the master terminal 3 (S58).

When the slave terminal 4 receives the participant list notification 1 # from the master terminal 3 (S59), the slave terminal 4 displays the content of the received participant list notification 17 on the display 8 (S60).

<〈Operation when the participation permission request 20 is received〉〉

Next, the operation of the slave terminal 4 when the participation permission request 20 is received will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the slave terminal 4 when the participation permission request 20 is received.

When the slave terminal 4 receives the participation permission request 20 from the master terminal 3 (S61), the slave terminal 4 displays the self-introduction data included in the received participation permission request 20 on the display 8. (S62).

The slave terminal 4 operates in a normal manner until its own user inputs a command indicating permission or rejection of the user of the sender (terminal desiring to participate) of the received participation permission request 20 to participate in the chat system 1. Continue chatting and wait (S63). In consideration of the displayed self-introduction data, the user of the slave terminal 4 uses the select key 6 or the numeric keypad 7 to input a command indicating permission or rejection of participation.

When a command indicating permission or rejection of participation is input by the user of the slave terminal 4 (S64), the slave terminal 4 creates a participation permission notification 16 including a permission / rejection identifier based on the input command. Then, the slave terminal 4 transmits the created participation permission notice 16 to the master terminal 3 (S65), and returns to the chat operation (S66).

〈〈Operation when leaving the chat system 〉〉

Next, the operation when the slave terminal 4 leaves the chat system 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the slave terminal 4 when leaving the chat system 1.

When the user of the slave terminal 4 inputs a command to withdraw from the chat system 1 using the selection key 6 or the numeric keypad 7 (S67), the slave terminal 4 transmits a withdrawal notification 21 to the master terminal 3 (S68).

FIGS. 12, 13 A, and 13 B are diagrams showing an operation sequence example of the chat system 1 shown in FIG. The operation sequence of the chat system 1 shown in FIG.1 will be described using FIG.12, 13A, and 13B as the first operation sequence.

<<Steps 1 and 2)>

First, an operation sequence from when the master terminal 3 starts the chat system 1 to when the slave terminal 4a joins the chat system 1 will be described (corresponding to steps 1 and 2 of FI.G.12). Here, the slave terminal 4a operates as a terminal desiring to participate.

When the user issues a command to search for a nearby terminal, the master terminal 3 executes a B1uetooth device search in the vicinity (seq 01). This search The slave terminals 4 a and 4 b located in the vicinity of the master terminal 3 respond to the search by transmitting the device address, the Service Class, the Device Name, and the master terminal 3. Then, the master terminal 3 acquires these three pieces of information (seq 0 2) and displays the responding slave terminals 4a and 4b (the above is the procedure 1). Here, it is assumed that the slave terminals 4 a and 4 b have transmitted a value indicating chat as Service C 1 ass.

Next, the master terminal 3 selects the participation permission mode and the connection terminal by the user (in this case, the slave terminal 4a is selected as the connection terminal). The master terminal 3 transmits a request for establishing a communication layer such as L2CAP and RFCOMM to the selected slave terminal 4a (seq03). The slave terminal 4a responds to the establishment request for each request (seq 04). When receiving the response from the slave terminal 4a, the master terminal 3 transmits a participation permission notice 16 and a participant list notice 17 to the slave terminal 4a (seq 05, 06). At this time, the master terminal 3 indicates that it is possible to chat with the slave terminal 4a. Further, upon receiving the participation permission notice 16, the slave terminal 4 a displays that chat is enabled (the above is the procedure 2).

<<Step 3>>

Next, the operation sequence of the chat between the slave terminal 4a and the master terminal 3 will be described (corresponding to step 3 of FIG. 12).

When the slave terminal 4 _a user to input chat information, the slave terminal 4 a transmits the chat information notification 1 8 comprising chat information input to the master terminal 3 (seq 0 7). When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the slave terminal 4 a, the master terminal 3 displays the chat information included in the chat information notification 18. Also, the master terminal 3 broadcasts the received chat information notification 18 to all the subordinate terminals (3eq08). When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminal 4a displays the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18.

When the user of the master terminal 3 inputs the chat information, the master terminal 3 broadcasts the chat information notification 18 including the input chat information to all the subordinate terminals (s eq 0 9). The master terminal 3 displays the input chat information. When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminal 4a displays the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18.

<<Steps 4 and 5>)

Next, an operation sequence when the slave terminal 4b joins the chat system 1 will be described (corresponding to steps 4 and 5 of FIG. 13A). However, in the following description, it is assumed that self-introduction is required as the participation permission mode. Here, slave terminal 4b operates as a terminal desiring to participate.

First, the master terminal 3 displays information of the slave terminal 4 that has responded to the search for a nearby terminal. When the slave terminal 4 (in this case, the slave terminal 4 b) to which the chat is to be performed is selected from the displayed slave terminals 4, the master terminal 3 sets the L to the selected slave terminal 4 b. 2 Send a request to establish a communication layer such as CAP or RF COMM (seq 10).

When receiving the establishment request, the slave terminal 4b responds to each request (seq 11). When receiving the response from the slave terminal 4b, the master terminal 3 transmits a self-introduction prompting notification 19 to the slave terminal 4b (seq 1 2). When the slave terminal 4b receives the self-introduction reminder notice 19 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminal 4b displays a message prompting the user to input the self-introduction (input of self-introduction data) (the above is the procedure 4).

The user of the slave terminal 4b inputs self-introduction data according to the displayed message (self-introduction input). Slave terminal 4 b transmits a participation permission request 20 containing the self-introduction data input to the master terminal 3 (s _e ql 3).

Upon receiving the participation permission request 20, the master terminal 3 transfers the received participation permission request 20 to the slave terminal 4a (seq 14). Further, the master terminal 3 and the slave terminal 4a display the self-introduction data included in the received participation permission request 20.

When the self-introduction data is displayed, the user of the master terminal 3 and the user of the slave terminal 4a input an instruction indicating whether or not the user of the slave terminal 4b is allowed to participate. When a command indicating permission or rejection is input by the user, the slave terminal 4a sends a participation permission notification 16 including a permission Z rejection identifier corresponding to the input command to the master terminal 3a. Send to (seq 15). Here, it is assumed that the user of the slave terminal 4b has been permitted to participate by the user of the master terminal 3 and the user of the slave terminal 4a. In this case, the master terminal 3 transmits a participation permission notification 16 including a permission / non-permission identifier indicating permission to the slave terminal 4b (seq 16).

When receiving the participation permission notification 16, the slave terminal 4 b refers to the permission / non-permission identifier and indicates that chat is possible. Further, the master terminal 3 transmits a participant list notification 17 including the user of the slave terminal 4b as a participant to the slave terminals 4a and 4b (seq 17). When receiving the participant list notification 17, the slave terminals 4 a and 4 b display the participant list based on the received participant list notification 17 (the above is step 5).

(<Step 6>>

Next, the operation sequence of the chat between the slave terminals 4a and 4b and the master terminal 3 will be described (corresponding to step 6 of FIG. 13B).

First, the processing when the chat information is input by the slave terminal 4b will be described. When the user of the slave terminal 4b inputs the chat information, the slave terminal 4b transmits a chat information notification 18 including the input chat information to the master terminal 3 (seq 18). When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the slave terminal 4b, the master terminal 3 displays the chat information included in the chat information notification 18. Also, the master terminal 3 broadcasts the received chat information notification 18 to all the subordinate terminals (slave terminals 4a and 4b) (seql9, 20). Upon receiving the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminals 4a and 4b display the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18.

The processing when the chat information is input by the slave terminal 4a is the same as the processing when the chat information is input by the slave terminal 4b. Also, the processing when the chat information is input by the master terminal 3 is the same as that described above, except that the chat information notification 18 is transmitted from the master terminal 3 to the slave terminal 4b in addition to the slave terminal 4a. The processing is the same as step 3.

<<Step 7>>

Next, the operation sequence when the slave terminal 4a leaves the chat system 1 will be described. (Equivalent to step 7 in Fig. 13B).

When the user of the slave terminal 4a inputs a command to leave the chat system 1, the slave terminal 4a transmits a leave notification 21 to the master terminal 3 (seq 21). Upon receiving the leave notification 21, the master terminal 3 determines that the slave terminal 4a will leave based on the Device Name included in the received leave notification 21. The master terminal 3 transmits a new participant list notification 17 excluding the slave terminal 4a to the slave terminal 4b (seq 22). Further, the master terminal 3 transmits a communication layer disconnection request such as L2CAP, RFCOMM or the like to the slave terminal 4a (seq 23).

When receiving the disconnection request from the master terminal 3, the slave terminal 4a responds to each request (seq 24). Thus, the slave terminal 4a leaves the chat system 1.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an outline of the chat system 1a in the embodiment of the present invention. The chat system 1a is composed of a plurality of piconets 2a and 2b. The piconet 2a includes a master terminal 3 and two slave terminals 4 (4c, 4d). The piconet 2b is composed of a slave terminal 4d operating as a slave terminal of the piconet 2a and operating as a master terminal of the piconet 2b, and a slave terminal 4 (4e, 4f) of the piconet 2b. Be composed.

FIGS. 15A to 16 are diagrams showing an operation sequence example of the chat system 1 a shown in FIG. The operation sequence of the chat system 1 a shown in FIG. 14 will be described as a second operation sequence using FIGS. 15A to 16. In the second operation sequence, only operations different from the first operation sequence will be described.

<<Steps 8 to 10>>

First, an operation sequence when the slave terminal 4e participates in the chat system 1a will be described (corresponding to steps 8 to 10 of FIG. 15A and 15B). Here, the slave terminal 4e operates as a terminal desiring to participate.

The slave terminal 4e is the slave terminal 4d that is already Join the chat system 1a as a slave terminal of the operating piconet 2b. .

In step 8, if the slave terminals 4d and 4e are considered to operate as the master terminal 3 and the slave terminal 4a in step 1, the operation sequence is the same as that in step 1 (see FIG. 12). Become. At this time, the slave terminal 4d shifts to another piconet creation mode, and the process of step 1 is executed.

Step 9 is the same as step 4 (see FIG. A13), assuming that slave terminal 4 d and slave terminal 4 e operate as master terminal 3 and slave terminal 4 b in step 4. This is an operation sequence.

After step 9, the user of the slave terminal 4e inputs self-introduction data according to the displayed message. The slave terminal 4e transmits the participation permission request 20 including the input self-introduction data to the slave terminal 4d which is the master terminal of the piconet 2b (seq 30). When receiving the participation permission request 20, the slave terminal 4d transmits the received participation permission request 20 to the master terminal 3 which is the master terminal of the piconet 2a (seq 31). At this time, the slave terminal 4d transmits the received participation permission request 20 to the slave terminal 4f.

Upon receiving the participation permission request 20, the master terminal 3 transfers the received participation permission request 20 to the slave terminals 4c4d (seq 32). The master terminal 3 is the device name included in the received participation permission request 20 (in this case, the device name of the slave terminal 4 e) and the direct source of the participation permission request 20. It is determined whether the slave terminal (slave terminal 4d in this case) is compatible. This determination is made, for example, based on the device address. If the master terminal 3 determines that these are not compatible, the message (bucket) for the slave terminal indicated by the Device Name (in this case, the slave terminal 4e) is sent to the slave terminal (the In the case, the transmission to the slave terminal 4 d) is stored in RAMI 2. That is, the master terminal 3 stores the correspondence between the slave terminal 4 and the terminal under the slave terminal 4.

The master terminal 3 and the slave terminals 4c, 4d, and 4f display the self-introduction data included in the received participation permission request 20. When the self-introduction data is displayed, the user of the master terminal 3 and the users of the slave terminals 4c4d and 4f input commands indicating permission or rejection of the user of the slave terminal 4e. When a command indicating permission or rejection is input by the user, the slave terminals 4c and 4d transmit a participation permission notification 16 including a permission / non-permission identifier corresponding to the input command to the master terminal 3 (seq 33). . Also, when a command indicating permission or rejection is input by the user, the slave terminal 4f sends a participation permission notification 16 including a permission / rejection identifier corresponding to the input command to its own master terminal. and transmits to a slave terminal ⁴ d. Here, it is assumed that the user of the slave terminal 4e has been permitted to participate by the user of the master terminal 3 and the users of the slave terminals 4c, 4d, and 4f. In this case, the master terminal 3 transmits a participation permission notification 16 including a permission / non-permission identifier indicating permission to the slave terminal 4d (seq 34). At this time, the participation permission notice 16 transmitted includes a value indicating the slave terminal 4 e as the Device Name. The master terminal 3 compares the device name with the contents stored in the RAM 12 and selects the slave terminal 4 d as the destination of the participation permission notification 16.

Normally, when there is a change in the participants, the master terminal ₃ transmits a new participant list notification 17 to all the subordinate terminals (all the slave terminals 4) at this timing. However, as in this case, when the participation permission request 20 is received via the chatting slave terminal 4 (specifically, the slave terminal 4 d), the master terminal 3 receives the new participant list notification 17. It is not transmitted at this timing (seq 35).

The slave terminal 4d determines whether or not to permit the slave terminal 4e to participate based on the participation permission notification 16 received from the master terminal 3 and the participation permission notification 16 received from the slave terminal 4f. I do. In this case, the slave terminal 4d determines that the participation of the slave terminal 4e has been permitted. Then, the slave terminal 4d transmits a participation permission notice 16 including a permission / non-permission identifier indicating permission to the slave terminal 4e (seq 36). Also, the slave terminal 4 d transmits a new participant list notification 17 to the master terminal 3 as its own master terminal and the slave terminals 4 e and 4 f as its own slave terminals (seq 37 ).

Upon receiving the new participant list notification 17, the master terminal 3 It sends the user list notification 17 to all its subordinate terminals (slave terminals 4c and 4d) (seq 38). Then, the master terminal 3 and the slave terminals 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f display the participant list based on the received participant list notification 17 (the above is the procedure 10).

<<Step 1 1>>

Next, the operation sequence of the chat between the slave terminals 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f and the master terminal 3 will be described (corresponding to step 11 of FIG. 16).

First, the processing when the chat information is input by the slave terminal 4e will be described. When the user of the slave terminal 4e inputs the chat information, the slave terminal 4e transmits a chat information notification 18 including the input chat information to the slave terminal 4d which is its own master terminal ( seq 39). When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the slave terminal 4 e, the slave terminal 4 d transmits the received chat information notification 18 to the master terminal 3 as its own master terminal and all of its subordinate terminals. Send information (seq 40, seq 41). Upon receiving the chat information notification 18 from the slave terminal 4d, the slave terminals 4e and 4f display the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18. '

Upon receiving the chat information notification 18 from the slave terminal 4d, the master terminal 3 displays the chat information included in the chat information notification 18. Further, the master terminal 3 broadcasts the received chat information notification 18 to all the subordinate terminals (seq 42). When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminals 4c and 4d display the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18. The process when chat information is input by the slave terminal 4f is similar.

Next, a description will be given of a process when chat information is input by the slave terminals 4c and 4d. When the users of the slave terminals 4c and 4d enter the chat information, the slave terminals 4c and 4d send the chat information notification 18 including the input chat information to the master terminal 3 which is their own master terminal. Send to

When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the slave terminals 4c and 4d, the master terminal 3 displays the chat information included in the chat information notification 18. Also, The master terminal 3 broadcasts the received chat information notification 18 to all the subordinate terminals (slave terminals 4c and 4d).

When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminals 4 c and 4 d display the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18. Further, upon receiving the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminal 4d broadcasts the received chat information notification 18 to all its subordinate terminals (slave terminals 4e and 4f). I do. When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the slave terminal 4 d, the slave terminals 4 e and 4 f display the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18.

Next, a process when the chat terminal information is input by the master terminal 3 will be described. When the user of the master terminal 3 inputs the chat information, the master terminal ³ broadcasts a chat information notification 18 including the input chat information to all of its subordinate terminals (slave terminals 4c and 4d). (Seq 43). The master terminal 3 displays the input chat information.

When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminals 4c and 4d display the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18. When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the master terminal 3, the slave terminal 4d broadcasts the received chat information notification 18 to all the terminals under its control (slave terminals 4e and 4f). You (seq 4 4). When receiving the chat information notification 18 from the slave terminal 4 d, the slave terminals 4 e and 4 f display the chat information included in the received chat information notification 18.

<<Step 1 2>>

Next, an operation sequence when the slave terminal 4e leaves the chat system 1a will be described (corresponding to step 12 of FIG. 16).

When the user of the slave terminal 4e inputs a command to leave the chat system 1a, the slave terminal 4e sends a leave notification 21 to its own master terminal, the slave terminal 4d (seq 4 Five ) .

When the slave terminal 4 d receives the departure notification 21 from the slave terminal 4 e, the slave terminal 4 d uses the D e V ice Name included in the Judge that e will leave. The slave terminal 4d is a master terminal 3 which is its own master terminal, and all slave terminals 4 (except for the slave terminal 4e (slave terminal 4 which transmitted the leave notification 21) among its subordinate terminals). Specifically, a new participant list notification 17 excluding the slave terminal 4 e is transmitted to the slave terminal 4 f) (seq 4 o).

When receiving the new participant list notification 17 from the slave terminal 4 d, the master terminal 3 sends the received participant list notification 17 to all its subordinate terminals (slave terminals 4 c and 4 d). Send to (seq 4 7). The master terminal 3 and the slave terminals 4 c, 4 d, and 4 f display the participant list based on the received participant list notification 17.

Also, the slave terminal 4d transmits a request for disconnecting the communication layer such as L2CAP, RFCOMM to the slave terminal 4e (seq 48).

When receiving the disconnection request from the slave terminal 4d, the slave terminal 4e responds to each request (seq 49). Thus, the slave terminal 4e leaves the chat system 1a.

[Action and effect]

According to the present embodiment, a chat system is constructed using the piconet of B 1 uet oot h. Then, the master terminal 3 transmits the chat information input to the chat system to all subordinate terminals by broadcast transmission. For this reason, there is no need to install a chat server, and there is no need to set up the chat server environment for the chat terminals 3 and 4. Therefore, the chat terminals 3 and 4 do not need to be connected to the existing network where the chat server is installed. Further, since the broadcast technology in the piconet is an existing technology, mounting the chat system using this technology facilitates the implementation of the chat system of the present invention.

Also, the piconet can construct a scat- net by being connected in a daisy chain like the piconets 2a and 2b. For this reason, the user can chat without substantially worrying about the number of users of the chat terminals 3 and 4 participating in the chat system. Further, according to the present embodiment, a desired B 1 uetooth device is searched by the existing technology of B 1 uetooth. Then, only the B1uetooth devices that transmitted the value indicating the chat as the Service Class are displayed as a list. Therefore, when chatting with the other chat terminals 3 and 4, the user does not need to recognize the identifiers of the chat terminals 3 and 4 in advance. Also, since the value indicating the chat is transmitted from the terminal 4 desiring to participate as Service Class, it is possible to distinguish between other services of Bluetooth and the service of the chat according to the present invention.

Also, Device Name is a free area where characters can be set, so by arranging to set the owner name, if the name that can be seen by searching for a partner when forming a piconet is explicit, the chat It becomes possible to identify the other party. For this reason, there is no need to know in advance the numbers or the like for identifying the parties to chat with.

Also, according to the present embodiment, by setting the participation permission mode to self-introduction required, the self-introduction of the user of the terminal 4 who wants to participate in each of the chat terminals 3 and 4 already participating in the chat system. Is displayed. Based on the displayed self-introduction, the user of each of the chat terminals 3 and 4 determines whether to permit the user of the terminal 4 who wants to participate to participate in the chat. For this reason, it is possible to maintain security such as maintaining the confidentiality of chat contents.

In recent years, the use of mobile systems using mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) has been increasing. The construction of a chat system in such a mopile system is realized, for example, on a paid mobile communication service such as a mobile phone. In this case, the chat is carried out by a mobile communication service provider (service provider) via a chat server installed for chat. For this reason, in the mopile system, it was possible for a user to construct a chat system by subscribing to a pay public network in advance. However, in this case, it was not possible to build a chat system in an environment where it was not possible to connect to the paid public network for mobile communication services, such as an environment where radio waves could not reach. In this way, a chat system can be easily constructed in the mopile system, as in the case of a personal computer. I couldn't. However, according to the present embodiment, a chat system is constructed using the piconet of B 1 uetooth as described above. For this reason, chat can be performed even in an environment where the chat terminals 3 and 4 are portable terminals and cannot be connected to the pay public network of the mobile communication service. Also, even in an environment where a connection can be made to a pay public network, the chat can be performed without connecting to such a communication network, so that the cost of implementing the chat can be reduced. Industrial applicability

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to an industry that provides a chat service which is one of user communication services.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A chat system including a master unit and one or more slave units forming a piconet of B 1 uet o o t h,

The master unit is

A chat information processing means for processing the chat information received from the slave unit and the chat information input to the own unit;

Broadcast transmission means for broadcasting the received chat information and the chat information input to the own device to all the slaves belonging to the piconet managed by the own device,

The slave unit is

Transmitting means for transmitting the chat information input to the own device to the parent device of the piconet to which the own device belongs;

A chat information processing means for processing the chat information received from the master unit.

2. The transmitting unit of the slave unit further sends a service identifier indicating that a chat is performed to the master unit,

The chat information processing means of the master unit recognizes, based on the service identifier received from the slave unit, that the slave unit is a child unit desiring to participate in the chat system.

The chat system according to claim 1.

3. The transmission means of the slave unit transmits the service identifier as a value of Blu e t o o t h S e r v i c e C l a s s

The chat system according to claim 2.

4. The transmitting means of the slave unit further transmits a terminal identifier for uniquely identifying the slave unit in the chat system in which the slave unit participates,

The chat information processing means uses the terminal identifier received from the slave as data indicating the slave.

The chat system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The master unit is If there is a child unit that wishes to participate in the chat system newly in the piconet managed by the own device, and is a child device that wants to participate, based on data received from all the slave devices belonging to the piconet managed by the own device. Deciding means for deciding whether or not the child unit desiring to participate is allowed to participate,

Transmitting means for transmitting data including a result of the determination by the determining means to the child unit desiring to participate,

If the result of the decision by the decision means is a decision to allow participation, the broadcast transmission means starts broadcasting the chat information to the child unit which desires to participate thereafter.

A chat system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The transmitting means of the master unit further transmits request data requesting specific data to the slave unit desiring to participate,

The transmitting means of the master unit further transmits specific data received from the slave unit desiring to participate in response to the request data to all slave units belonging to the piconet managed by the own unit,

The chat information processing means performs processing according to the specific data received from the master unit.

6. The chat system according to claim 5.

7. The broadcast transmission means of the master unit, wherein the own device is a slave unit of another piconet, wherein the chat information is transmitted to the master unit of the other piconet. A chat system according to any of the above.

8. A chat device as a master unit that forms a piconet of B 1 uet o o th including one or more slave units,

A chat information processing means for processing chat information received from the slave unit and chat information input to the slave unit;

A broadcast transmitting unit configured to broadcast the received chat information and the chat information input to the own device to all the slaves belonging to the piconet managed by the own device.

9. A chat device as a slave unit forming a piconet of B1uetooth And

Transmitting means for transmitting the chat information input to the own device to the master device of the piconet;

Chat information processing means for processing chat information received from the parent device of the piconet;

A chat device comprising:

10. A program for operating a parent device forming a piconet of B 1 uet o o th including one or more child devices as a chat device,

Processing the chat information received from the slave unit and the chat information input to the own unit;

Broadcasting the received chat information and the chat information input to the own device to all the slaves belonging to the piconet managed by the own device.

1 1. B 1 uet o o t h is a program for operating a slave unit forming a piconet as a chat device,

Transmitting the chat information input to the own device to the parent device of the piconet;

And processing the chat information received from the parent device of the piconet.

12. The slave unit further includes setting storage means for storing an identifier indicating whether or not to perform a chat, the identifier being settable by a user.

When the identifier stored in the setting storage unit indicates that a chat is to be performed, the transmitting unit of the slave unit transmits a service identifier indicating that a chat is performed to the master unit.

The chat system according to claim 2.