JP2001034547A - Network communication system and computer-readable medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a computer network system which can provide a superior communication environment. SOLUTION: This network communication system wherein a server device defining a virtual space changing with time and client devices used to access the virtual space are connected through a communication medium, is constituted so that image data (step S202) of a picture showing the state of the virtual space displayed on the display screen that a client device has are e-mailed to the user of the client device (step S208).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network communication system in which a user breeds a virtual creature in a virtual space provided by a server when a client terminal accesses the server via a computer network. Regarding the medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art "Interpot (trademark)" which enables communication using a computer network between users by growing trees in a virtual space that anyone can visit by using a Java-compatible browser. The system referred to is operated by the applicant.

[0003]

This interpot system is configured so that information can be exchanged using a signboard built on each user's land. In addition, since users of the interpot system have a common topic, such as growing trees in a virtual space, communication between users of the system uses electronic means such as e-mail using a computer network. It is smoother and more active than before, which was limited.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer network system that can provide a better communication environment. Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable medium that can construct such a system.

[0005]

The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above.

A network communication system according to the present invention is a network communication system in which a server device and a plurality of client devices are connected via a communication medium, wherein the server device defines a virtual space that changes over time, and Each of the two client devices obtains, from the operator, acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the operator, and information defining a part of the virtual space from the server device, and, based on the information, obtains the corresponding part of the virtual space. Display control means for displaying an image representing the image on the screen of the display device, receiving means for receiving a photographing instruction from the operator, and when the photographing instruction is received by the receiving means, the image is displayed on the screen of the display device at that time. Generating means for generating an image data file of a displayed image, and an image generated by the generating means And a mail sending means for sending over datafile and attachments to e-mail, the mail address corresponding to the acquired identification information acquisition means.

[0007] In the network communication system of the present invention configured as described above, image data of a scene seen by the user can be obtained by e-mail in a virtual space that can be commonly accessed by a plurality of users.
Then, by sending the image data to another person by e-mail, the image data can be communicated as a topic. Therefore, according to the system of the present invention, communication using a computer network can be made more active.

In implementing the network communication system of the present invention, a client device receives information necessary to operate as an acquisition unit, a display control unit, a reception unit, and a mail transmission unit from a server device. Can be used. More specifically, the client device may be a device in which a Java-compatible browser is installed, and information for operating as the above-described means may be an applet program.

Further, as the generating means, means for generating an image data file of an image obtained by processing an image displayed on the screen of the display device may be employed.

[0010] When a generating means for performing such processing is employed, the processing performed by the generating means may be processing for adjusting the color of an image. Further, the processing performed by the generation unit may be processing for adding a frame around the image. Further, a means for performing a type of processing specified by the operator on the image may be employed as the generation means.

Further, when realizing the network communication system of the present invention, the virtual space defined by the server device can be a space in which virtual creatures grown by the operator of each client device grow.

[0012] The computer readable medium of the present invention is a computer readable medium recording a program to be installed on a host computer connected via a communication medium to a client computer having a display device and having a Java-compatible browser installed thereon. A program that causes the host computer to define a virtual space that changes over time, and a host computer that operates in accordance with the program converts the client computer from an operator to an acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the operator. Obtaining information defining a part of the virtual space from the host computer, and based on the information, a display control means for displaying an image representing the part of the virtual space on a screen of a display device; Accepting means and accepting means Taken when the instruction is received, a generating means for generating image data file of the image displayed on the screen of the display device at the time I,
A program is recorded that operates as a device including: a mail transmission unit that transmits an e-mail with an image data file generated by the generation unit as an attached file to a mail address corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. .

Therefore, if the program recorded on the computer readable medium is installed in the host computer, the system including the host computer, the client computer, and the communication medium can be operated as the above-described network communication system of the present invention. Become.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a network communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network communication system according to the embodiment. As schematically shown in this figure, the present network communication system comprises one server device 12 and many (two in the figure) client devices 13 interconnected via a communication network 11. Is done. Client device 13
Is a computer that can use a Java-compatible browser. The server device 12 has a client device 13 (Ja
A computer that defines and manages an interpot world, which is a virtual space that can be accessed by anyone using a va-compatible browser). That is, the server device 12 and the client device 13 each include a CPU, a RAM,
A CPU including an M, an auxiliary storage device, and a communication control circuit (for example, a modem) reads out a program installed in the auxiliary storage device onto a RAM and operates. However, the server device 12 is realized by a computer having a higher function than a general personal computer.

Before describing the operations of the server device 12 and the client device 13 constituting the network communication system (hereinafter referred to as an interpot system) according to the present embodiment, the server device 12 is defined and managed by the server device 12. Explain the world of the interpot.

FIG. 2 shows a world map which is an entire map of the interpot world. As is apparent from the world map 33, the interpot world includes four regions named "Bayan", "Coltju", "Kecke", and "Jungsai". Each region included in the interpot world consists of plains, mountains, rivers, and the like. Further, each area is divided into a number of sections, and one section located substantially at the center of each area is provided with virtual public facilities named community houses.

Various virtual animals inhabit the interpot world. In other words, various virtual animals whose behavior is controlled by the server device 12 exist in the interpot world.

A person who can use the client device 13 (Java-compatible browser) can own one of a number of sections set in the above four areas through a predetermined procedure. . Then, a user who owns one section in the interpot world becomes a resident of the interpot world (a person who has a direct influence on the interpot world). The section where the community house is installed and the section such as a river and a lake are sections that are not owned by the user of the client device 13.

Hereinafter, a person who owns a section is referred to as an interpot member. The interpot system is configured so that anyone who can use the client device 13 can visit the interpot world even if it is not an interpot member. However, non-interpot members (hereinafter referred to as guests) can only tour the interpot world. In addition, a person who once became an Interpot member shall abandon ownership of the parcel only while leaving the items (details described later) acquired in the Interpot world up to that time in the Interpot world. Can also be. A person who has relinquished ownership of a parcel (hereinafter referred to as a trunk room member) will be able to perform only sightseeing like a guest. That is, there is no operation that the guest and the trunk room member can perform with respect to the interpot system, but the interpot member cannot perform with respect to the interpot system. Therefore, hereinafter, the interpot system will be described focusing on the operation for the interpot member.

In the interpot world, the real world 12
Time passes at twice the speed. That is, when two hours elapse in the real world, one day elapses in the interpot world. When almost four weeks have passed in the real world, one year has passed in the interpot world. The weather in each region of the interpot world changes with the passage of time in the interpot world.

Each person who becomes an interpot member is given a section, a seed, and one roll of five-shot film. When becoming an inter-pot member, the inter-pot member can select the location of the section to be given and the type of seed.

Then, the interpot members plant the seeds in their own section, cultivate them using various items, and convert the cultivated trees into "forein", the currency of the interpot world. be able to. Also,
Interpot members can use their own foreign to use various paid items (feeds to attract virtual animals living in the interpot world, objects to decorate parcels, films, seeds, etc.) ) Can be bought at the shop in the community house. In addition, the interpot member can place his / her own food and objects in his / her compartment. In other words, inviting virtual animals living in the interpot world to their own compartment (the purpose will be described later)
Or, you can decorate your compartment with objects.

Further, an interpot member can communicate with another person by scribbling a "signboard" standing on a section owned by the interpot member or another interpot member. In addition, if an interpot member has a film, he or she can take a picture of any section in the interpot world. Photos taken by the Interpot member are sent to the Interpot member by e-mail.

In order to provide such an interpot world, the server device 12 is configured to operate as follows in cooperation with the client device 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 12
It is configured to function as a device including a world server 21 and a plurality of regional servers 22. The server device 1
The program for causing the server 2 to operate as the world server 21 and the plurality of regional servers 22 is created using a Java servlet.

The world server 21 is a server for managing items that do not depend on the region. As shown in the figure, the inter-pot time information (IP time information) 31 and the member information 32
And the world map 33 already described. Further, the world server 21 holds various HTML sources for performing a procedure for becoming an interpot member, a procedure for leaving an interpot member, and the like.

The interpot time information 31 is information indicating the time in the interpot world having the above-described relationship with the time in the real world. The world server 21 transmits the interpot time information 3 every predetermined time in the real world.
Update 1

The member information 32 is information for managing all interpot members using the interpot system. The member information 32 includes all the inter-pot members, their respective IDs, passwords, e-mail addresses, nicknames, and member level information (whether the member is a regular member who owns the section or a trunk room member who does not own the section). Indicating information).

When a procedure for becoming an interpot member is requested by a certain person using the client device 13 (Java browser), the world server 21 uses a Web for inputting an ID, a password, an e-mail address, a nickname, and the like. The page (HTML source) is sent to the client device 13 that issued the request. When a procedure to become a trunk room member or a procedure to stop an interpot member is requested, a Web page for the procedure is transmitted to the request source. Then, by acquiring various information from the person who requested the procedure, the member information 32 is updated (addition of information on a new interpot member, change of an interpot member to a trunk room member, deletion of information on an interpot member) Etc.).

The interpot service, which provides an interpot world, is provided to members of the content service (hereinafter, referred to as “content service members”) as a part of the content service. I have. For this reason, as the ID, password, and e-mail address of the interpot member included in the member information 32, the one assigned to the interpot member for the content service is used as it is. However, since the nickname is identification information given only to the interpot member among the content service members, this information is obtained from a person who is going to become an interpot member completely new.

When a predetermined request is given from the client device 13, the world server 21 displays the world map 33 held by the world server 21.
The ML source is returned to the client device 13.

Each regional server 2 included in the server device 12
Reference numeral 2 denotes a server that defines and manages one region constituting the interpot world. The area server 22 holds a zone map 221, a weather file 222, a plurality of tree condition lists 223, a plurality of section information 224, and a plurality of signboard images 225. In addition, the regional server 22
Holds various HTML sources and applet programs (not shown).

The zone map 221 held by the area server 22 is a map showing the topography of the area managed by the area server 22. For example, the area server relating to the area “Kecke” holds a zone map 221 as shown in FIG. The weather file 222 is a file in which probability information defining the weather related to the area managed by the area server 22 is stored for one year in the interpot time in a form associated with the time of use.
The tree condition list 223 is information (in other words, electronic genetic information) that defines in a list format how the “tree” grown by the interpot member grows with respect to the environment (eg, sunlight). This tree condition list 223 is
It is prepared for each type of tree that can be grown in the area managed by the area server 22. The signboard image 225 is image data indicating the content of each page of a signboard (details will be described later) set in a section.

The section information 224 is information indicating the state of the section. The section information 224 is used by being called from an applet program supplied from the regional server 22 to the client device 13. The section information 224 is information that is partially updated by the regional server 22 every predetermined time (every time the IP time information 31 is updated by the world server 21). Further, the section information 46 is also updated by the regional server 22 when a predetermined operation is performed on the client device 13 (Java-compatible browser) using the information.

Hereinafter, the section information 224 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown, the section information 22
4 includes section identification information including a zone name and x and y coordinate values. The zone name is a name of an area including a section whose section information indicates the state (hereinafter, referred to as a corresponding section), and the x and y coordinate values are identified by the zone name of the corresponding section. This is information indicating the position (the coordinates of the upper left corner of the section) on the zone map 221 (see FIG. 3). That is, the section information 224 is obtained by the section identification information.
It is associated with a block.

The section information 224 includes “owner nickname” and “time when the section was owned”.
“Owner's nickname” is identification information that the member has given to himself / herself when he / she performed a procedure to become an interpot member. The “time when the section is owned” is information indicating the date and time when the procedure for becoming an interpot member was performed. As the “time when the section is owned”, the time indicated by the IP time is used.

The section information 224 includes weather information. The weather information is information representing the current weather of the corresponding section, and includes temperature, weather (clear, cloudy, rain, or snow), precipitation, wind direction, wind power, and the like. The regional server 22 updates the weather information each time the world server 21 updates the IP time information 31. During this update,
The regional server 22 refers to the contents of the weather file 222 described above.

The section information 224 includes environmental state information indicating the amount of water, the degree of sunshine, and the amount of fertilizer. The regional server 22 transmits the environmental status information to the IP time information 3
Each time 1 is updated, it is updated with reference to the weather information. When the local server 22 recognizes that some care has been performed on the tree (details will be described later), it changes the environmental state information to information corresponding to the contents of the care.

The tree information in the section information 224 is information indicating the state of the seed or tree planted in the corresponding section. The tree information includes planting time, last update time, last access time, tree state, total yield, grim reaper level, and the like. The tree state, which is an element of the tree information, includes information necessary for displaying an overview of the tree. More specifically, in the present system, a tree is displayed as a combination of a plurality of parts. The tree condition is
It is information indicating what kind of parts can be displayed by combining trees (or seeds) at the present time. The total harvest amount, which is an element of the tree information, is information indicating the total number of seeds harvested from each tree fruit (also one of the parts).

The local server 22 sends the tree status and the total harvest
The IP time information 31 is referred to by referring to the environmental condition information and the tree condition list 223 according to the type of tree growing there.
Update every time is updated.

The reaper level included in the section information 224 is
When the area server 224 updates the section information 224, the area server 22 determines the level based on the change over time of the environmental state information. There are five levels of “Grim Reaper”, from 0 to 4, and the area server 22 increases the “Grim Reaper Level” when the tree is grown in a bad environment for a predetermined period. When the “reaper level” becomes “5”, it is assumed that the tree has died.

The animation list included in the section information 224 includes information indicating the virtual animals existing in the corresponding section (the type and number of the virtual
3). The regional server 22
Based on the situation of the surrounding section of the corresponding section, what kind of food is placed on the corresponding section (this can be determined from the figurine information described later), what the grim reaper level is, etc. Determine the type and number of virtual animals to appear. Then, information necessary for displaying them is stored in the section information 224 as an animation list.

The signboard management information included in the section information 224 includes information indicating the position of the signboard in the section. further,
The signboard management information includes the signboard pages and the signboard image 225.
Indicating the correspondence relationship with the signboard image 22 of each page
5 includes information (such as a mail address) indicating who wrote the information. The regional server 22 updates the signboard management information when the client device 13 notifies that the signboard has been written.

The property information is owned by the owner of the corresponding section without using it (having it in the property box).
Information indicating the type and number of various items (feed, object, film, foreign, etc.). The figurine information is information indicating the type and position of an object or food placed in the corresponding section. The regional server 22 updates the contents of the property information when the client device 13 notifies the purchase of the item in the shop in the community house. Also, when notified that the food or object in the belongings box has been placed on the section, the personal information and the figurine information are updated.

Here, the purpose of arranging the food in the section will be briefly described. In this system, items for watering, items for fertilizer, and items for increasing the amount of light are prepared as items for caring for trees. However, there are no items available to take care of the opposite direction (drying, removing fertilizer, reducing light), instead of virtual animals sucking water out of the soil or gnawing the ground ( Virtual animals that eat fertilizers) and virtual animals that emit smoke and reduce the amount of light that hits trees live in the interpot world. Also,
These virtual animals are animals with different feeding preferences. As is evident from these facts, the bait is arranged on the section in order to take care of the tree that cannot be directly performed by the prepared items. Therefore, if it is decided that the food is eaten by the virtual animal, the local server 2
2 updates the figurine information and the environment information.

The local server 22 sends an operator ID, an ID of the operator from the client device 13 (Java-compatible browser).
When information including a password requesting entry to the interpot world is given, the client device 1
3 returns information (HTML source and applet) to be operated according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 to the client device 13. In other words, when a predetermined operation is performed by the operator, the client device 13
The above request information is transmitted to the regional server 22, and the following operation is performed according to the information transmitted from the regional server 22 in response to the request information.

First, the client device 13 obtains section information corresponding to the ID input to itself, that is, section information on the section of the operator from the regional server 22 (step S101). Then, based on the acquired section information, a display provided on the client device 13 includes:
A screen (hereinafter, referred to as a main screen) representing the state of the section owned by the operator is displayed (step S10).
2).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the main screen displayed in step S102. As illustrated, the main screen 4 includes a view area 41, a status area 42, a command area 43, an information area 44, and a map area 45.

The view area 41 is an area in which the state of a section to be displayed (hereinafter referred to as a display target section) is three-dimensionally displayed. In the illustrated view area 41, a tree 411 grows in a display target section 410, and 3
It is displayed that two ornaments 412 and a signboard 413 are arranged. In step S102, the client device 13 displays a tree 411 based on the tree information in the acquired section information, and displays three trees 4 based on the figurine information.
12 is displayed. Also, the signboard 413 is displayed based on the signboard information.

The status area 42 contains a seasonal clock 4
21 and the condition meter 422 are displayed. The season clock 421 is a clock that indicates the season (interpot time) at that time in the interpot world by one hand (one cycle is one year). In the seasonal clock 421, marks indicating the germination time, flowering time, fruiting time, and the like of the tree 411 grown in the section 410 are also displayed.
The condition meter 422 is an area in which “sunlight”, “water”, and “fertilizer”, which are three elements of the growing environment of the tree 411, are displayed in an analog manner. Step S102
In, the client device 13 displays the status area 42 based on the tree information and the environment information.

The command area 43 is an area where a plurality of icons corresponding to various commands are displayed.
The icon 434 is an icon for displaying the zone map 221. The icon 445 is an icon for displaying the section where the community house exists in the view area 41. The icon 431 is an icon for displaying an item held in the possession box. Icon 432 is a camera icon for taking a picture. The icon 446 is an icon for displaying the section of the operator in the view area 41. The icon 433 is an icon for harvesting fruits and changing them to foreign. When the operator does not have the film, the client device 13 displays the camera icon 432 in a display form (light color) indicating that the function does not work. Also, when the main screen 4 is displayed in step S102, the client device 13 displays the icon 446 in a display form indicating that it does not function. That is, since the main screen 4 displayed in step S102 shows the section of the operator, the icon 446 is displayed.
Is displayed in a display form indicating that it does not function.

The information area 44 is cultivated into a display target section, a nickname of the owner, an address (coordinate value) of the display target section, an elapsed date (interpot time) since the owner purchased the section. This is an area in which the tree age (interpot time elapsed after planting the seed) and the total amount of fruits harvested from the tree are displayed. That is, the client device 13 displays such information included in the section information in the information area 44. The map area 45 is an area where a part of the zone map is enlarged and displayed. The client device 13 displays one area centered on the section indicated by the section identification information in the map area 45.

In step S102, the client device 13 displays an animation of a creature moving on the ground or an animation of a creature moving in the air such as a bird based on the animation list acquired in step S101. Note that the client device 13 performs this animation display processing in parallel with the processing of the subsequent steps.

After displaying the main screen, the client device 13 shifts to a state of monitoring the occurrence of various events (step S103).

The events monitored for occurrence in step S103 are broadly classified into the fact that a predetermined time has elapsed since the acquisition of the section information and the instruction input using the mouse of the operator. When the former event occurs (step S10
4: the predetermined time has elapsed), the client device 13 acquires the section information again from the regional server 22 (step S10).
5). Then, the display content of the main screen 14 (mainly, the display content of the view area 41) is changed to one according to the acquired section information (step S106). After that, the process returns to step S103 to monitor various events (and display animations).

On the other hand, when the operator gives any instruction using the mouse (step S104; instruction input),
A process according to the instruction is executed (step S10).
7). In this step S107, processing of various contents is performed.

For example, if it is recognized in step S104 that the mouse button has been clicked while the mouse cursor (not shown) is positioned on the sign 413 (FIG. 6), the client device 13 proceeds to step S107.
Performs the following processing.

First, a signboard image 225 relating to the first page (cover) is obtained from the regional server 22, and a signboard detailed image as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed in the view area 41. Then, the state shifts to a state of waiting (monitoring) for the operator to select one of the icons, and the next page icon 4133 is displayed.
Is detected, the signboard image 225 of the next page is obtained from the regional server 22 and displayed in the signboard 4130. When detecting that the previous page icon 4132 has been selected, the display content of the signboard 4130 is returned to that of the previous page. When it is detected that the icon 4144 has been selected, the display content of the view area 41 is returned to the original one representing the entire section, and step S107 is performed.
To end.

The icon 4131 shown in FIG.
Is detected, the client device 1
No. 3 changes the display contents of the view area 41 to those shown in FIG. After that, the moving trajectory of the mouse cursor is
A process for drawing in 130 is executed. When detecting that the save icon 4146 has been selected,
At that time, the image drawn on the signboard 4130, the nickname of the person who performed the drawing, the mail address, and the like are transmitted to the regional server 22. Regional server 22
Saves such information in the form already described.

After transmitting the image or the like, the client device 1
No. 3 returns the display content of the view area 41 to that for displaying the entire section, and executes the processing from step S103 again. When the cancel button 4145 is selected, the client device 13 returns the display content of the view area 41 to the original one without transmitting the signboard image or the like to the local server 22, and performs the processing from step S103. Execute.

When it is detected on the main screen 4 shown in FIG. 6 that the mouse button has been clicked while the mouse cursor is located within the map area 45, the client apparatus 13 proceeds to step S107. The area server 22 requests the area server 22 for the area information of the area indicated by the mouse cursor. Then, based on the section information obtained from the regional server 22, a main screen indicating the state of the specified section is displayed.

If the selected section is a section where a community house is present, or if the community house icon 445 is selected, the client device 13 determines in step S107 that the section related to a section where a community house is present. Information is obtained from the regional server 22. Then, based on the obtained section information, as shown in FIG.
The main screen 4 on which an image in which the community house 414 exists is displayed on the screen 10.

When it is detected that an operation for selecting the entrance 414a has been performed, a screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display. Then, when detecting that an operation for instructing "entering a community house" is performed at the time of displaying this screen, a screen showing a state inside the community house is displayed on the display. Although illustration of this screen is omitted, the screen allows the operator to select to enter the shop.

When the client device 13 detects that it is selected to enter the shop, the client device 13
Then, as shown in FIG. 11, a screen in which icons representing various items (feeds and films) that can be purchased in foreign countries are arranged is displayed on the display. When the operator selects one of the icons (items) using the mouse, the operator obtains necessary information from the regional server 22 and specifies how many units the icon indicates. Display the screen of. For example,
When the film is selected, the client device 13
A screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. Then, the display content of the number input area 80 is changed in accordance with the operation content of the operator using the mouse, and when the “buy” button 81 is selected, the numerical value displayed in the number input area 80 and the purchase value are displayed. Type (in this case, film) to the local server 2
Send to 2. The regional server 22 updates the property information of the operator based on the information (reduces the foreign quantity by the purchase quantity × the unit price and increases the number of film windings by the purchase quantity). Then, the update result is transmitted to the client device 13.
Notify.

The client device 13 receiving the notification
Displays on the display a screen indicating that the purchase has been completed, as shown in FIG. And back button 8
When 5 is selected, the display contents on the display are returned to those shown in FIG. When the exit 86 is selected, a screen showing the exit of the community house similar to FIG. 10 is displayed. Then, when "return to section" is selected, the display contents on the display are returned to those shown in FIG. At this time, if the camera icon is displayed in a display form indicating that it cannot be used, the display mode is changed to one that indicates that the display form can be used.

Hereinafter, the processing performed by the client device 13 in step S107 when it is detected in step S104 that the camera icon 445 has been selected will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this case, the client device 13 first determines whether or not the camera is usable (whether the camera icon is valid and whether the operator has a film) (step). S201). If the camera is not usable (step S201; N
O) The client device 13 ends the processing shown in the figure without doing anything (return to step S103 in FIG. 5). On the other hand, if the camera is usable (step S201; YES), the client device 13 creates image data of the image displayed in the view area 41 at that time (step S202). And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the display content of the display is changed to a display of a confirmation dialog box 90 on the main screen 4 asking whether to retake a picture (step S20).
3). Then, when it is instructed to retake the image (step S204; YES), the confirmation dialog box 90 is erased, and the illustrated processing ends. On the other hand, if it is instructed not to retake ("develop") (step S204; NO), the client device 13 displays a processing content selection dialog box on the main screen 4 to allow the user to select a photo processing method. Is displayed, and the display content in the dialog box is updated according to the operation content of the operator (step S205).

As shown in FIG. 16, the processing content selection dialog box 91 (applet window) displayed in this step includes three types of processing methods (photo processing into black and white or processing into sepia) relating to the photograph itself. Or no processing) and select whether to attach a frame (picture frame) to the photo and, if so, whether the frame should be wood, metal, art deco, or romantic It has become. In step S205, the client device 13 displays a black dot in the selected radio button, and executes a process of deleting the black dot in the radio button selected so far. Then, when either the “OK” button 92 or the “Cancel” button 93 is selected, the step S205 ends. Step S by selecting the “Cancel” button 93
205 is ended (step S206; YE
S), the client device 13 ends the illustrated processing. On the other hand, when the “OK” button 92 is selected, step S
If step 205 has been completed (step S206; NO), image data created by processing the image data created in step S202 with the specified content is created, and a file holding the image data is created ( Step S207).

Then, an e-mail addressed to the operator with the file as an attached file is transmitted (step S).
208). Also, the contents of the belongings information (number of films)
Server that the photo was taken to update
2 is notified (step S209). Further, the information of the number of films included in the property information held by the user is updated (decreased by one), and a processing completion notification dialog box 95 as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the main screen 4 (step S210). ). Then, when the end button 96 is pressed, the step S210 ends, and the illustrated processing ends.

As described above in detail, in the network communication system according to the present embodiment,
It is possible to receive, by e-mail, image data of a scene seen by the user in a virtual space that can be commonly accessed by a plurality of users. If the received image data is sent to another interpot member or the like by e-mail, the image data can be communicated as a topic. Therefore, according to this system, communication using a computer network can be made more active.

The computer network system described as the embodiment can be variously modified. For example, if you are instructed to take a photo,
Instead of the image data, information capable of reproducing the display content at that time (mainly, virtual animal position information) is transmitted to the server device 12, and the server device 12 creates image data indicating the display content from the information. ,
The system may be configured to be delivered to the operator by e-mail. In addition, it goes without saying that the virtual space may be for raising virtual creatures other than “trees”.

[0073]

According to the network communication system of the present invention, it is possible to receive, by e-mail, image data of a scene seen by a user in a virtual space accessible by a plurality of users. If the received image data is sent by e-mail to another person using the present system, the image data can be used as a topic for communication. According to this system, communication using a computer network can be made more active. Also,
According to the computer readable medium of the present invention, such a system can be easily realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network communication system (interpot system) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a world map which is a map of an interpot world.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a zone map held by a regional server.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of section information held by a regional server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the client device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a main screen displayed by the client device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a signboard detailed image displayed in a view area.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a signboard detailed image displayed in a view area.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a main screen displayed by the client device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed when entering a community house.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed when entering a shop in a community tea house.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed when purchasing a film.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed when purchase of a film is completed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the client device 13 when a camera icon is selected.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a confirmation dialog box displayed by the client device 13 during the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a processing content selection dialog box displayed by the client device 13 during the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a processing completion notification dialog box displayed by the client device 13 during the processing shown in the flowchart in FIG. 14;

[Description of Signs] 11 Communication network 12 Server device 13 Client device 21 World server 22 Regional server 31 Interpot time information (IP time information) 32 Member information 33 World map 221 Zone map 222 Weather file 223 Tree condition list 224 Section information 225 Signboard image

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Nakaizumi Nifty Co., Ltd. 6-26-1, Minamioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Osamu Sato 656-1 Tsuruma, Machida-shi, Tokyo P Inside FFU (72) Inventor Tsutomu Kobayashi 1st floor of Kimura Bldg. 3-58-2 Sasazuka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term (in reference) 5B050 AA08 BA06 BA10 BA11 CA07 CA08 FA02 FA12 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB01 GB04 JA17 JA31 JB03 JB07 KA18 KB06 LA02 LA06 LA18 LB10 LB14 LB20 5K030 HA06 JT04 KA02

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A network communication system in which a server device and a plurality of client devices are connected via a communication medium, wherein the server device defines a virtual space that changes over time, and the plurality of client devices. Acquiring, from an operator, acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the operator; acquiring information defining a part of the virtual space from the server device; and acquiring the part of the virtual space based on the information. Display control means for displaying an image to be displayed on the screen of the display device; receiving means for receiving a shooting instruction from an operator; Generating means for generating an image data file of the image displayed above; and an image data file generated by the generating means. Network communication system characterized in that it comprises a mail transmitting means for transmitting the attachment and the email yl, to the email address corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the client device receives, from the server device, information necessary to operate as the acquisition unit, the display control unit, the reception unit, and the mail transmission unit. 2. The network communication system according to 1. 3. The network communication system according to claim 2, wherein the client device is a device on which a Java-compatible browser is installed, and the information is an applet program. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates an image data file of an image obtained by processing an image displayed on a screen of the display device. Network communication system. 5. The network communication system according to claim 4, wherein the processing performed by said generating means is processing for adjusting a color of said image. 6. The network communication system according to claim 4, wherein the processing performed by said generating means is processing for adding a frame around the image. 7. The network communication system according to claim 4, wherein said generation means performs processing of a type designated by said operator on said image. 8. The network communication system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual space is a space in which a virtual creature grown by an operator of each client device grows. 9. A computer-readable medium recording a program installed on a host computer connected via a communication medium to a client computer having a display device, on which a Java-compatible browser is installed, wherein the program comprises: The host computer defines a virtual space that changes over time, the host computer operated according to the program, the client computer obtains identification information of the operator from an operator, Display control means for obtaining information defining a part of the virtual space and displaying an image representing the part of the virtual space on a screen of the display device based on the information; and accepting a photographing instruction from an operator Means, by said receiving means Generating means for generating an image data file of an image displayed on the screen of the display device at the time when a shooting instruction is received; and the image data file generated by the generating means as an attached file. A computer-readable medium operable as an apparatus including: a mail transmitting unit that transmits an electronic mail to a mail address corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquiring unit.