JP2000112846A - Information processor and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch the current medium to an optimum medium in communications by retrieving information related to a communication party from history information and estimating the optimum medium from the information. SOLUTION: A communication means 1a transmits/receives information to/from a communication party. A history information storing means 1b stores history information related to the communication party. When a communication request is generated, an optimum medium estimating means 1c retrieves information related to the communication party from the history information and estimates an optimum medium from the information. When the estimated optimum medium is different from a medium being used at present, a medium switching means 1d switches the current medium to the optimum medium if necessary. When the estimated optimum medium is different from the medium being used at present, an informing means 1e informs a user of the state. An information input means 1f receives the input of prescribed information from the user. A user state detection means 1g detects a user's state. An importance judging means 1h judges the importance of communication when the communication is requested and informs the means 1c of the judged result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus for exchanging information with another information processing apparatus connected to a network and such an information processing apparatus. And a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the above is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of information processing technology, non-real-time communication means represented by, for example, e-mail has become widespread.

[0003] By such means, the user can read the message stored in the computer terminal at free time, and can reply to it at free time, so that communication which is not restricted by time is possible.

[0004] However, non-real-time communication (hereinafter abbreviated as non-real-time communication) has a problem that a message does not reach the other party instantly, and it takes a certain amount of time to accurately communicate one's will to the other party. Quality and quantity of messages or materials.

On the other hand, real-time communication typified by telephones and videophones (hereinafter abbreviated as real-time communication) has a time limitation, but can transmit a message directly to the other party. The feature is that it is possible to communicate reliably.

[0006] In addition to the message, it is possible to notify the other party of his / her intention by voice, facial expression, gesture, and the like, so that communication is possible with minimum necessary work.

In order to take advantage of each of these advantages, there are several methods for switching the communication method from real-time communication to non-real-time communication or vice versa depending on the situation. Or has been proposed.

[0008] For example, the most common example of switching the communication method from real-time communication to non-real-time communication is an answering machine function in a telephone. That is, when a communication partner is absent by telephone, the real-time communication is automatically switched to non-real-time communication such as voice mail.

On the other hand, as a method for switching from non-real-time communication to real-time communication, there is a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-314826. In this method, a means for searching for a file storing a network address and a telephone number of a computer equipped with an electronic interactive system, a means for acquiring a header portion, a text, and an attached file in an e-mail, and a means for searching are provided. A method is disclosed in which a telephone number and an electronic conversation address of a conversation partner can be automatically specified by a simple operation such as pressing a button after receiving a mail.

However, in such a method, since the communication method is switched unilaterally without grasping the situation of the other party, there is a problem that a burden is imposed on the communicating party when switching the communication method.

As one method for solving such a problem, there is a switching method using an awareness function for presenting the user's situation to the other party. As an example of using this awareness function, for example, when starting a conversation with a remote party, information about the situation of the other party is exchanged, and based on that information, the conversation is performed by calling the other party. Get a chance to get started.

As a conventional method using the awareness function, there is a method in which a TV conference system or a TV telephone is always connected, and the situation of the other party can be grasped by using video information and audio information.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-140158, when communicating with a user in a remote place, awareness information such as the situation of the communication partner and a call from the partner is presented, and the use information registered in advance is used. A method of calling a partner by a method is disclosed.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-128343 discloses a system in which information registered in a server system can be referred to via a network. A method capable of communicating with a desired partner by presenting a method capable of communicating with the user on a system screen and appropriately selecting such information is disclosed.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a method in which the situation of both parties at that time is determined and communication is performed using an optimal communication method without using such awareness information. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-200552, in a system in which a document is jointly created using a plurality of terminal devices connected by a network, a list of users who are involved in the creation is provided for each document. Means for managing whether or not the document is currently being created, and determining the work situation of the co-workers by the managing means, selecting a method for distributing or outputting data as appropriate, and communicating. Is disclosed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-298544, busyness of a calling party and busyness of a called party are registered in advance, and communication is automatically controlled when both conditions are met. A method for doing so is disclosed.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-228236 discloses a telephone system having communication means for communicating voice and data through a wired or wireless line, data input means, display means, and personal information management means. By having a condition setting means at the time of a call request, a condition setting means at the time of receiving a call, an environment detecting means, and a received message analyzing means, a call request condition received at the time of an incoming call, a reception condition, an environmental condition A method of controlling a line connection in accordance with the method is disclosed.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-46161, a sender adds a degree of urgency to a message, transmits the message, determines the state of the recipient, and determines the urgency of the transmitted message. A method is disclosed in which the importance of a message is determined based on the above, and the message is presented by a medium selected with reference to the importance.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-15533,
A method is disclosed in which, when the "Call Me" button is operated, other subscribers who operate the button before and after the "Call Me" button are called, a simple introduction announcement is transmitted, and these subscribers are connected.

[0020]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, in the above-described example, since the purpose is to give a trigger for communication with the other party, the communication method is selected according to the importance of the transmitted message at a certain point in time or the situation of the message recipient. ing. Therefore, after the communication has been started, it has not been possible to flexibly select a communication method in consideration of the work situation of the communication which the two have performed or will perform in the future.

As a result, in spite of, for example, communication in which the time interval for exchanging messages is very long (for example, when silence continues for a long time in a video conference system), real-time communication is continued and wasteful. In spite of monopolizing the line and conversely exchanging messages almost in real time in a short period of time (for example, frequent e-mail exchanges), inefficient non-real-time communication There was a problem of continuing.

Further, the awareness function of the prior art presents the work status of each worker at a certain point on a shared screen, makes a one-way call from a worker, and makes a one-way call from a partner. The problem is that it is not possible to judge the current work status of both parties, select appropriate communication means, present them at the appropriate time, and prompt switching of communication. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and selects an optimal communication method in consideration of a communication work situation which a communication party has jointly performed or will perform in the future. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus capable of performing the information processing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of presenting the selected communication method at an appropriate time and prompting the user to switch the communication method.

[0025]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in an information processing apparatus for exchanging information with another information processing apparatus connected via a network, another information processing apparatus is provided. Communication means for performing communication by closing a line between the communication means and history information storage means for storing information on a communication partner as history information when communication is performed with another information processing apparatus by the communication means; An optimal media estimating means for searching for information on the communication partner from the history information when a request for communication using a predetermined medium is issued from another information processing apparatus, and estimating an optimal media from the information; Media switching means for switching the media when the optimal media estimated by the optimal media estimating means is different from the currently used media. The information processing apparatus characterized by having a are provided.

Here, the communication means performs communication by closing a line with another information processing apparatus. When communication with another information processing device is performed by the communication unit, the history information storage unit stores information on the communication partner as history information. The optimum media estimating means searches for information about the communication partner from the history information when a request for communication using a predetermined medium is generated from another information processing apparatus,
From the information, the optimum media is estimated. The media switching unit switches the media when the optimum media estimated by the optimal media estimation unit is different from the currently used media.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, an information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention is connected to a network 2, and another information processing apparatus 1 is connected via the network 2.
-1 to 1-3 are interconnected.

The information processing apparatuses 1-1 to 1-3 have the same configuration as the information processing apparatus 1, and a description thereof will be omitted. The information processing apparatus 1 includes a communication unit 1a, a history information storage unit 1b, an optimum media estimation unit 1c, a media switching unit 1d, a notification unit 1e, an information input unit 1f,
User status detecting means 1g and importance determining means 1h
It is constituted by.

The communication means 1a is connected to another information processing apparatus 1-1.
To perform communication by closing the line. When the communication unit 1a communicates with the other information processing apparatuses 1-1 to 1-4, the history information storage unit 1b stores information about the communication partner as history information.

The optimum media estimating means 1c searches for information on the communication partner from the history information when another information processing apparatus 1-1 to 1-3 requests a communication using a predetermined medium, and searches for the information. To estimate the optimal media.

In the present embodiment, “media” means “communication means”, specifically, e-mail,
It shows application software for realizing an Internet telephone or a video conference.

The medium switching means 1d includes the optimum medium estimated by the optimum medium estimating means 1c,
If the currently used medium is different, the medium is switched as necessary.

The notifying means 1e is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tu)
be) If the optimum medium estimated by the optimum medium estimating means 1c is different from the currently used medium, the user is notified of the fact.

The information input means 1f is constituted by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and receives predetermined information input by the user according to the contents of notification by the notification means 1e.

The user status detecting means 1g detects the status of the user by referring to information input from a keyboard, a microphone, a temperature sensor or the like (not shown). For example, in the case of a keyboard, the status of the user (for example, “working”) is detected by referring to information input from the keyboard, and the status is notified to the optimum media estimating unit 1c.

When the communication partner requests communication, the importance determining means 1h determines the importance of the communication,
The determination result is notified to the optimum media estimating means 1c. Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

First, a user activates predetermined application software and creates a message using the software. For example, the user of the information processing apparatus 1-1 creates a message using a display screen as shown in FIG. 2 displayed by activating application software for creating an e-mail.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, a window 10 entitled "Create message" is displayed, and in the upper right part, when the window 10 is minimized, maximized, and terminated, respectively. Buttons 10a to 10c are displayed.

Below that, a text box 10d for inputting the destination of the communication partner is displayed. In this example, "abc@def.ghi.co.jp" is input as the destination. Below the text box 10d, a text box 10e for inputting the destination (CC: Carbon Copy) of the broadcast partner is displayed. In this example, no particular input is made. Below the text box 10e,
A text box 10f for inputting a subject is displayed. In this example, "solution of pending issue" is input. Below the text box 10f, a text box 10g for inputting a message is displayed. In this example, "A is pending"
This is an optimization method, but it seems that it can be done as follows. Please reply as soon as possible. Has been entered.

At the bottom of the window 10, a transmission button 10h operated when transmitting the created message is displayed.
And a cancel button 10i operated when the created message is discarded.

When the transmission button 10h is operated in the window 10 as described above, the importance determining means 1h (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 1-1 determines the importance of the created message, and determines the determination result. Is appended to the message.
The importance of the message can be determined by referring to information directly input by the user, referring to a keyword (for example, “secret” or “urgent”) included in the message, This is performed by referring to the situation of the user detected by the situation detecting means 1g and acquiring the corresponding importance level from the table shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the user directly inputs the importance by operating the keyboard or the like, the importance level is set to "5". When a message such as "urgent" or "urgent" is input from a keyboard or the like, the importance level is set to "4". Furthermore, when the same application software has been running for a long time and the keyboard or the like is continuously operated, it is considered that the same work is being performed for a long time, and the importance level is “3”. " Furthermore, when a character such as "confidential" or the like is input from a keyboard or the like, the importance level is set to "2" because the user is performing a highly confidential job. Furthermore,
When it is estimated that the user is not doing anything, the importance level is set to “1”.

The method of determining the importance described above is an example, and the present invention is not limited only to such a case. The message to which the importance has been added as described above is added with a message ID next. This message ID is generated when a message is exchanged with the communication partner for the first time, and thereafter, the same ID is used.

The message to which the importance and the message ID are added is transmitted to a communication partner by a communication means 1a (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 1-1. In the following, a description will be given assuming that the transmission destination is the information processing device 1.

The transmitted message is transmitted to the network 2
The data is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1 via a server (not shown). The communication unit 1a of the information processing device 1 receives the transmitted message.

In the present example, the transmitted message is
Since it is an electronic mail, the message transmitted from the information processing device 1-1 is temporarily stored in the server. And
When the user of the information processing device 1 performs an operation of receiving an e-mail, the message stored in the server is acquired by the communication unit 1a.

Subsequently, when the user performs an operation of opening the received message, a CRT (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 1
A screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the monitor or the like, and it is possible to refer to the received message.

In the display example shown in FIG. 4, a window 20 entitled "Receive Message" is displayed. At the upper right of the window 20, when the window 20 is minimized, maximized, and terminated. Buttons 20a to 20c to be operated are displayed.

Below that, a sender 20d is displayed. In this example, the sender is "abc@def.ghi.co.jp"
Is displayed. Below the sender 20d, the transmission date and time 2
0e is displayed. In this example, “April 10, 1998” is displayed as the transmission date and time. Also, below the transmission date and time 20e, the destination 20f of the broadcast partner is displayed. In this example, the broadcast partner is not displayed.
The subject 20g is displayed below the destination 20f of the broadcast partner. In this example, “Solution of pending issue” is displayed. A message 20h is displayed below the subject 20g. In this example, "It is a method of optimizing the pending A means, but it is thought that it can be performed as follows. Please reply immediately."

Next, the communication means 1a supplies the received message to the importance determination means 1h and the history information storage means 1b, respectively. The history information storage unit 1b includes the communication unit 1
From the message supplied from a, the address of the message sender, the creator, the reception date and time, and the message ID
After extracting such information, the information is stored in chronological order.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of history information stored in the history information storage means 1b. In this example, the history information includes the message sender address (terminal address), the message ID, the title, the creator, the creation start date and time,
It consists of a transmission date and time, a reception date and time, and an opening date and time.

The creation start date and time, transmission date and time, reception date and time, and opening date and time are the date and time when the creation of the message was started, the date and time when the creator transmitted the message, and the message sent from the creator, respectively. It shows the date and time when the recipient received it, and the date and time when the recipient opened the message. Therefore, in the case of synchronous communication (real-time communication), the creation start date and time and the transmission date and time, and the reception date and time and the opening date and time are the same.

For the “title”, for example, in the case of asynchronous communication (non-real-time communication) such as electronic mail, the “subject” is extracted and used.
On the other hand, in the case of synchronous communication such as Internet telephone and videophone, since there is often no specific title, a morphological analysis is performed on a message such as voice, and the frequency of appearance is high among the words obtained. Extract keywords or just the beginning of the message and use it as the title.

The importance determining means 1h extracts the importance added on the transmitting side from the message together with the message ID and supplies the extracted importance to the optimum media estimating means 1c.

The optimum media estimating means 1c inputs the importance supplied from the importance determining means 1h and the message ID. Then, the optimum media estimating means 1c acquires history information having the same message ID (history information of the same transmission partner) from the history information storage means 1b. In the present example, history information corresponding to the user A on the transmission side is acquired.

When there are a lot of related history information, a predetermined number may be extracted, or only similar information may be selected by referring to a title or the like. Alternatively, since a message opened immediately after being received can be estimated to be important, the difference between the reception date and time and the opening date and time of each history information is calculated, and only those whose difference is smaller than a predetermined value are extracted. You may do so. Further, the above methods may be appropriately combined.

Next, the optimum media estimating means 1c determines the activity of communication between the user and the other party up to the present time from the history information extracted as described above. As a determination method, for example, a method of referring to the response time and the number of responses of a message can be cited.

For example, in the case of an electronic mail, an example in which the determination is made based on the response time will be described below. In asynchronous communication such as e-mail, the time relationship between various actions taken between a user receiving a message from another user and sending a reply message to it is shown in FIG. it can.

That is, first, when another user transmits a message, the message is received by the transmission partner user after time t1. The received message is opened by the transmission partner user after the time t2, the creation of a reply message is started after the time t3, and the reply message created after the time t4 is transmitted to another user.

Here, the time t1 is determined by the distance between another user and the user on the network. The time t3 is a time from opening of the message to starting creation of a reply message,
Shows how long the user responds to the message. Therefore, it can be estimated that the shorter the time, the higher the activity of the user.

In this embodiment, the time t3 and the time t1 extracted from the history information and the data amount of the newly transmitted message are substituted into the following equation (1), whereby the response of the message is The prediction time Te is obtained.
The reason why the data amount of the message is taken into consideration is that the larger the data amount, the longer it takes to decode the message.

[0062]

(Equation 1) The predicted response time Te and the actual response time T
(The sum of the time t1 and the time t3 of the transmitted message), and sets the activity according to the comparison result.
That is, when the response time T is shorter than the response prediction time Te, it can be estimated that the activity of the user on the transmitting side is improving. Therefore, the activity is set to a large value. Is set to a small value.

At this time, in order to obtain the predicted response time Te, the information to be extracted from the history information storage means 1b satisfies the above-mentioned conditions, and furthermore, "the reply operation is performed without interruption. Is also considered as a condition. That is, it is desirable to exclude a message that has been opened and then closed or otherwise operated as an exception.

In the above embodiment, the description has been given by taking the time t1 and the time t3 as an example. However, it is also possible to use t1 to t4 alone or to combine them appropriately. .

In addition to the times t1 to t4, for example,
The number of messages exchanged in the past may be used. Next, the optimum media estimating means 1c inputs the user's situation from the user situation detecting means 1g.

Here, the user status detecting means 1g detects the current status of the user by referring to information input from a keyboard, a microphone, a heat sensor, or the like. For example, in the case of a keyboard, the busy level of the user can be detected by referring to the operation frequency of the keyboard. The same purpose can be achieved by referring to the type of application software currently activated (for example, word processor, game, etc.) and referring to the number of keyboard operations.

Further, the input text information is subjected to morphological analysis and the like, for example, “urgent” or “secret”.
If such information is included, it can be estimated that the user is currently in an urgent or highly confidential job.

In the case of a microphone, by referring to the user's utterance frequency and voice pitch, if the utterance frequency is high for a long period of time, it is determined that the same work has been performed for a long time. In addition, when the voice pitch is high, it can be estimated that the user is in an urgent job.

Further, in the case of the heat sensor, it is detected whether or not the user is present in front of the information processing apparatus based on heat radiation from the user, and the heat radiation amount is increased and the radiation spectrum is changed. It is possible to detect the user's nervous state or the like and estimate the urgency or the like of the work being performed.

The optimum media estimating means 1c calculates the activity of the transmitting user calculated from the history information supplied from the history information storing means 1b, the importance of the message supplied from the importance determining means 1h, Comprehensively judge the situation of the user supplied from the user situation detecting means 1g,
The communication activity (hereinafter, abbreviated as communication activity) is determined.

As a method of determining the communication activity, for example, a table showing the correspondence between the activity of the transmitting user, the importance of the message, and the situation of the user and the activity of the communication is prepared. In advance, the communication activity is acquired by referring to this table.

Next, the optimum media estimating means 1 c
The application software that can be used by both the communication partner and the user is specified by referring to a table indicating applications that can be used by individual users as shown in FIG.
Then, by referring to the previously calculated communication activity, the optimum application software is estimated.

As the estimation method, for example, by referring to a table such as that shown in FIG. 8, the application software which can be used by the transmission partner and the user and the range of the activity (optimum activity) Select the one that matches.

For example, assuming that the transmission partner is A and the communication activity level is “8”, first, the application software which can be used by both the communication partner and itself is obtained from the table shown in FIG. Is
It is specified that they are AP1, AP3, and AP10. Next, among these, it is specified from the table shown in FIG. 8 that the communication activity “8” becomes the optimum activity from the AP 10, so the optimum media estimating means 1 c sets the AP 10 to the optimum media. It is estimated that there is, and the result is notified to the media switching means 1d.

When there are a plurality of optimum media, the corresponding application software names may be displayed in a list and a desired candidate may be selected. The media switching means 1d is provided with an optimum media estimation means 1c.
It is determined whether or not the optimum medium notified from the above and the medium currently being used are the same. As a result, if the currently used medium and the optimum medium are the same, no special processing is performed. If they are different,
The predetermined information is supplied to the notifying means 1e, and a message as shown in FIG. 9 is presented.

That is, in FIG.
Is displayed, and a message indicating that it is more convenient to communicate with the message shown in FIG. 4 by using a videophone than by e-mail is displayed. When the user performs communication using a videophone, the YES button 30 is used.
NO if a is operated and videophone is not used
The button 30b is operated.

If the user operates the YES button 30d (instructs to switch the medium), this information is input from the information input means 1f and is notified to the medium switching means 1d.

The media switching means 1d transmits a request to the user at the other end of the communication and inquires whether to switch the media. In the present example, the medium used by the user A is an e-mail, and when the user of the information processing apparatus 1 operates the YES button 30d,
Since it is conceivable that the user A is not near the information processing apparatus 1-1, the information processing apparatus 1 first calls the user A, and when there is a response from the user A,
The screen illustrated in FIG. 9 is displayed on the not-shown notifying unit 1e of the information processing apparatus 1-1.

As a result, if the user A also agrees to switch the media, the information indicating that fact is returned from the information processing apparatus 1-1, and the information processing apparatus 1 transmits this information to the communication unit 1a. It receives and notifies the media switching means 1d.

The media switching means 1d switches the application software to the AP 10 when both the communication partner and the user agree on the media switching. At the same time, a request for switching the application software is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1-1.

As a result, the application software is also switched to the AP 10 on the information processing apparatus 1-1 side, so that the information processing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 1-1 are switched.
Can communicate with a new media, the videophone (AP10).

Finally, an example of a process enabling the above operation will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for estimating an optimum medium. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed. [S1] The optimum media estimating means 1c acquires the importance of the message from the importance determining means 1h. [S2] The optimum media estimation unit 1c acquires history information corresponding to the received message from the history information storage unit 1b. [S3] The optimum media estimating means 1c calculates a response prediction time by extracting time information from the acquired history information and substituting it into the equation (1). [S4] The optimum media estimating means 1c compares the actual response time with the predicted response time to calculate the activity of the transmitting user. [S5] The optimum media estimating means 1c acquires the status of its own user from the user status detecting means 1g. [S6] The optimum media estimating means 1c calculates the communication activity from the importance of the message, the activity of the transmitting user, and the situation of the user. [S7] The optimum media estimating means 1c refers to the table shown in FIG. 7 and specifies an application software name that can be used by both the user and the communication partner user. [S8] The optimal media estimating means 1c refers to the table shown in FIG. 8 and determines an application software name (optimal media name) that can be used by both itself and the communication partner and that has a range of communication activity. get.

Next, an example of the application switching process will be described with reference to FIG. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed. [S10] The media switching unit 1d acquires an optimal application software name from the optimal media estimating unit 1c. [S11] The media switching unit 1d determines whether the application software supplied from the optimal media estimation unit 1c is the same as the application software currently used. As a result, if it is determined that they are the same, the process ends, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S12. [S12] The media switching unit 1d sends the notification unit 1e
And sends a request to the communication partner via the communication means 1a to determine whether or not to switch the application. Contact [S13] The media switching unit 1d receives information indicating that the user himself / herself agrees to the switching from the information input unit 1f, and receives information indicating that the communication partner also agrees to the switching via the communication unit 1a. If it is returned, the process proceeds to step S14; otherwise, the process ends. [S14] The media switching unit 1d switches application software.

According to the above-described embodiment, at the timing of receiving a message, an optimum medium is estimated according to the past history, the situation of the user, and the importance of the message, and both users are estimated. When the estimated media is presented and both parties agree to switch, the communication is continued by the new media, so that the communication can be performed by the optimal media according to the time. .

In the above embodiment, the case where communication is started by e-mail has been described as an example. However, for example, the case where communication is started by an Internet telephone or a videophone is also described. Needless to say, similar processing is possible.

Further, according to the present invention, it is sufficient to add a simple process to each information processing apparatus. Therefore, there is no need to modify a system such as a server, and the present invention can be easily realized on an existing system. It is.

Finally, the above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In this case, the processing contents of the functions that the information processing apparatus should have are described in a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the above processing is realized by the computer by executing the program on the computer. Is done. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic recording device and a semiconductor memory.

For distribution to the market, a CD-ROM
(Compact Disk Read Only Memory) or a program stored in a portable recording medium such as a floppy disk and distributed, or stored in a storage device of a computer connected via a network and transferred to another computer via the network You can also. When the program is executed by the computer, the program may be stored in a hard disk device or the like in the computer, loaded into the main memory, and executed.

[0089]

As described above, in the electronic dialogue system according to the present invention, the communication means for performing communication by closing the line with another information processing apparatus, and the other information processing apparatus is communicated with the other information processing apparatus by the communication means. When communication is performed, history information storage means for storing information about the communication partner as history information, and when a request for communication by a predetermined medium is generated from another information processing apparatus, the communication partner Media searching means for retrieving information about the media and estimating the optimal media from the information, and switching the media when the media currently used is different from the optimal media estimated by the optimal media estimating means. Media switching means, so that the communication between the own information processing apparatus and another information processing apparatus via the network is possible. When performing Interview Nikeshon, it is possible to select an optimum media according to the situation.

In particular, in order to determine the activity level in consideration of not only the importance of the message and the state of the receiver receiving the message, but also the history information relating to the communication between the sender and the receiver up to that point, for example, In the case of communication with a long conversation interval, switching to asynchronous communication can reduce the waste of the line. In the case of communication with a short conversation interval, switching to synchronous communication can always provide the optimal communication environment. Becomes

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a display example of a screen displayed when a message is sent.

FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a message importance level;

FIG. 4 is a display example of a screen displayed when a message is received.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of history information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between each action and time from message transmission to reply message transmission.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the correspondence between each user and available application software.

FIG. 8 is an example of a table showing a correspondence between application software and an optimum activity;

FIG. 9 is a display example of a screen displayed when asking the user whether to switch application software.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of estimating an optimum medium.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process when switching application software.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 1a Communication means 1b History information storage means 1c Optimum media estimation means 1d Media switching means 1e Notification means 1f Information input means 1g User situation detection means 1h Importance determination means 1h 1-1 to 1-3 Information processing apparatus 2 network

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 11/00 302 (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Takenobu, Nakai-cho, Kanagawa Prefecture 430 Green Tech Nakai Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B089 GA21 GB04 HA01 JA16 JA31 KA04 KB06 KC23 KC27 KC37 KC39 KC44 KC49 LB04 LB14 5K024 AA00 AA52 BB04 CC07 CC12 DD06 EE06 FF03 FF04 FF05 GG03 5K030 GA03 GA14 GA16 LE08 A07 KA04 GA16 LE08 A07 KA04 KK04 KK07 NN03 NN18 NN21 PP03 PP05 QQ08 TT06

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for transmitting and receiving information to and from another information processing apparatus connected to a network, wherein communication means for performing communication by closing a line with the other information processing apparatus. And history information storage means for storing information about the communication partner as history information when communication has been made with the other information processing apparatus by the communication means; and requesting communication from the other information processing apparatus by a predetermined medium. When an occurrence occurs, the history information on the communication partner is searched for from the history information, and the optimum media estimating means for estimating the optimum media from the history information; Media switching means for switching the media when the media currently being used is different from the current media. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the optimal media estimating unit acquires, from history information, the number of times of communication performed with the communication partner within a predetermined period, and estimates the optimal media according to the number of times of communication. The information processing device according to claim 1. 3. The optimum media estimating means obtains, from the history information, information related to asynchronous communication performed with the communication partner within a predetermined period, and performs a second action after the first action is performed. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an optimum medium is estimated according to a time until the processing is performed. 4. The first action is transmission of a message, and the second action is one of opening a message of a communication partner, starting creation of a reply message, or transmitting a reply message. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first action is to receive a message of the communication partner, and the second action is to open a message of the communication partner, start creating a reply message, or send a reply message. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first action is opening of a message of the communication partner, and the second action is one of starting creation of a reply message of the communication partner or sending of the reply message. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optimum media estimating means is configured to:
2. The information according to claim 1, wherein an optimum medium is estimated according to a time from when the second action is performed to when the second action is performed and an information amount of a message created at that time. Processing equipment. 8. A notifying means for notifying a user that the optimum medium estimated by the optimum media estimating means is different from a currently used medium, and an information input receiving predetermined information input from the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a medium switching unit that switches the medium only when a predetermined input is made from the information input unit. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user status detecting unit for detecting a user status, wherein said optimum media estimating unit selects an optimum media according to said history information and said user status. The information processing device according to claim 1. 10. When there is a request for communication from a communication partner, the communication apparatus further comprises importance determination means for determining the importance of the communication, wherein the optimum media estimating means includes the history information and the importance. 2. The information processing means according to claim 1, wherein an optimum medium is selected according to the condition. 11. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform a process of transmitting and receiving information to and from another information processing apparatus connected via a network. Communication means for performing communication by closing a line with the apparatus; history information storage means for storing information on a communication partner as history information when communication with another information processing apparatus is performed by the communication means; When a request for communication using a predetermined medium is issued from another information processing apparatus, an optimum media estimating unit that searches history information about the communication partner from the history information and estimates an optimum media from the history information, When the optimal media estimated by the optimal media estimator and the media currently used are different The computer readable recording medium recording a program for making a media switching unit functions as, for switching the media.