JP2001051931A - Method and device for recommending conversation space - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To report a conversation space suited to a user. SOLUTION: Inside a channel #CH1 in which a user A is participated, the other channels, in which other users B, C and D are participated, namely, candidate channels are provided with priority. The priority is increased or decreased by a prescribed method and concerning the channel #CH1, the order of priority of candidate channels is displayed. For example, corresponding to the number of messages, the priority is increased or corresponding to the statement of a keyword, the priority is increased. Besides, corresponding to how long a user is in the room, the priority can be increased as well. The more the user likes the channel #CH1 or the more lively a conversation is made by the user inside the channel #CH1, the higher the priority of the candidate channel is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a text-based conversation system in which a plurality of users connected to a network can share a virtual space set up on the network with each other and have a text-based conversation. In the present invention, the conversation system is a system including a plurality of conversation devices. The conversation device is connected to a network and can share a virtual conversation space. By operating the conversation device, users exchange text messages with each other in a conversation style.

[0002] What is IRC (Internet Relay Chat)?
It is a type of conversation system constructed based on the C protocol (RFC1459). The IRC is configured by connecting an IRC server and an IRC client via the Internet. IRC clients share a virtual space called a channel and transmit and receive text messages in real time. The IRC server sends the message from the IRC client to another IRC on the same channel.
Broadcast to C client. In IRC, each IR
The C client is uniquely identified by an identifier called a nickname. Each channel is assigned a channel name that uniquely identifies the channel. Further, each channel is associated with a topic indicating a topic of conversation in the channel.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, communication using a conversation system has become widespread. Above all, with the rapid spread of the Internet, communication using IRC has been remarkably spread. In the IRC, unlike a conventional personal computer communication conversation system, one user can simultaneously participate in a plurality of channels. The user can select a plurality of channels of interest from a large number of channels, and switch between channels for each topic to have a conversation. Therefore, there is an advantage that a user who is familiar with IRC does not need to perform a plurality of topics in a complicated manner on one channel.

[0004]

At present, there are tens of thousands of channels in the IRC, and tens of thousands of people participate in conversations by participating in channels that match their interests and purposes. These tens of thousands of channels exist on a wide variety of topics. The aforementioned advantages are very convenient for those skilled in such a conversation system. However, when a newcomer to IRC participates in a conversation system such as IRC, it is difficult to select a channel suitable for one of the many channels. Even more, it is very difficult for beginners to use channels for each topic.

[0005] Usually, the channel name is set to some extent according to the topic. It is also possible to know the topic in the channel to some extent by the topic. However, the content of a conversation in a channel usually changes over time. For this reason, channel names and topics often differ from actual conversation contents. After all, IRC
Then, unless you actually enter the channel, you can't tell if that channel really suits you. Moreover, it takes too much time and effort to enter the tens of thousands of channels one by one to determine if it suits me, which is not realistic. As a result, there is a problem that the IRC is a high threshold system for beginners.

According to the present invention, when a large number of conversation spaces such as an IRC are used, the burden on the user who seeks a conversation space suitable for himself from among the large number of conversation spaces is reduced, and the convenience of the user is improved. Aim.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has focused on the point that each user can participate in a plurality of conversation spaces via a conversation device. Usually, even when a person talks, it means that the conversation is bouncing,
It is likely that their interests and goals are similar.
Furthermore, if the interests and purposes of each other are similar, there is a high possibility that not only the conversation, but also other things that each person is interested in may be of mutual interest.

[0008] Similarly, in the present invention, 1) a certain user A
However, if the conversation bounces in the participating conversation space, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the interest and purpose are similar to other users participating in the conversation space, and 2) such other users participate. It is determined that the other conversation space that has the interest of the user A is high, and 3) the conversation space in which the other user is participating is a conversation space that should be particularly recommended among a large number of conversation spaces. To the user A.

That is, the first invention of the present application provides a plurality of terminal devices connected to a network and capable of mutually transmitting and receiving messages by sharing one of a plurality of virtual conversation spaces set up on the network. A conversation space recommendation method used in a conversation system configured to include: A: when a terminal device participates in the conversation space, the affinity between the terminal device and the conversation space is measured; and B: the measured affinity. Calculating, based on the degree, the proximity of the other conversation space in which the other terminal device participating in the conversation space participates; and C: the terminal device in accordance with the calculated proximity of each conversation space. A conversation space recommendation method for presenting another conversation space to be recommended to the user is provided.

The affinity between the terminal device and the conversation space is, in other words, the degree of compatibility between the user and the conversation space. For example, if the user has been in the conversation space for a long time,
It is considered compatible. If a conversation with another user is playing in the conversation space, it is considered to be compatible.
The user's interest in the other second conversation space in which the other users in the first conversation space in which the user is participating is:
It can be estimated that the higher the compatibility between the first conversation space and the user is, the higher the compatibility is. Therefore, the proximity is calculated according to the affinity, and another conversation space is presented to the user according to the proximity.

The second invention of the present application includes a plurality of conversation apparatuses connected to a network and capable of mutually transmitting and receiving messages by sharing one of a plurality of virtual conversation spaces set up on the network. Used for a conversation system to be configured; A: Preparing a predetermined condition and an increase / decrease value of the priority of the conversation space with respect to the condition; Determining whether the condition is satisfied or not based on the acquired information; C: according to the determination, based on the increase / decrease value, another conversation device sharing the first conversation space with the conversation device participates; D: providing a conversation space recommendation method for updating the priority of another second conversation space, and notifying the user of the second conversation space at a predetermined timing based on the priority.

An example will be described in which an IRC is used as a conversation system and an IRC client is used as a conversation device. USER-A is channel #C by the IRC client
Participating in H1. USER-B in channel # CH1
And USER-C are participating. USER-B is channel #
In CH2, USER-C also participates in channel # CH3. The predetermined timing is when a message occurs on channel # CH1.

It is assumed that a condition "when the keyword" USER-A "is transmitted to the channel # CH1" is prepared. Also, the increase / decrease value of the priority with respect to the condition is “+
3 ". When USER-B sends a message to channel # CH1, three points are added to the priority of another channel in which USER-B participates, that is, channel # CH2. In this way, the priority of channels # CH2 and # CH3 in which another user sharing channel # CH1 with USER-A participates is increased or decreased. For example, when an instruction from the user is input, channels # CH2 and # CH3
Are displayed on the screen in order of priority. According to the method of the present invention, a channel suitable for the user can be selected from the channels containing other users who share the channel with the user, and the user can be notified.

The third invention of the present application is used in a plurality of conversation devices connected to a network and capable of mutually transmitting and receiving messages by sharing one of a plurality of virtual conversation spaces set up on the network. , An increase / decrease value table, a priority table, an acquisition unit, a calculation unit, and a notification unit. The increase / decrease value table stores in advance a predetermined condition and an increase / decrease value of the priority of the conversation space with respect to the condition. The priority table stores, in association with each other, the second conversation space in which another conversation device sharing the first conversation space with the conversation device participates, and the priority. The acquisition unit acquires the second conversation space from the conversation device and writes the second conversation space in a priority table.

The calculating means obtains predetermined information from the conversation device at a predetermined timing. Next, the calculating means:
It is determined based on the acquired information whether the condition is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the calculating means calculates a new priority of the second conversation space based on the increase / decrease value, and writes the new priority into the priority table. Notification means
The user is notified of the second conversation space based on the priority table.

[0016] To explain using the same example as the first invention,
The increase / decrease value table stores a keyword “USER-A” and an increase / decrease value “+3”. Acquisition means, other USER-
B, channels # CH2 and #CH in which USER-C participates
3 is obtained from the IRC client. The priority table stores the priorities of channels # CH2 and # CH3, respectively. The calculating means obtains, for example, the message in # CH1 when the message is sent. Next, the calculating unit determines whether the message includes a keyword. If included, the calculation means:
Three points are added to the priorities of the channels # CH2 and # CH3 on the priority table. The notifying unit displays channels # CH2 and # CH3 described in the priority table according to an instruction from the user. For example, the display order may be notified in the order of priority, the order of names of conversation spaces, and the order of higher sharing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect,
The priority table indicates a degree to which another user in the first space shares the second space (hereinafter, referred to as a sharing degree).
Is further stored in addition to the second space and the priority. In this device, the calculation means may determine a second value based on the increase / decrease value and the sharing degree.
Calculate a new priority for the conversation space.

Specifically, a value obtained by multiplying the increase / decrease value by the sharing degree is added to the priority. Other channels that are highly shared
This is because it is considered interesting for the user. As the degree of sharing, the number of users participating in channel # CH2 or channel # CH3 is used. This number of users is not the number of all users in channels # CH2 and # CH3. This number of users indicates the number of users participating in both channel # CH1 and other channels.
In the above example, channel # CH2 and channel # CH3
Is one user.

The fifth invention of the present application is the third invention, wherein
A message table that stores a message amount in the first conversation space; and a monitoring unit that monitors the appearance of a message in the first conversation space and updates the message amount in the message table each time the message occurs. A conversation space recommendation device is further provided. In this device, the increase / decrease value table stores a message amount and an increase / decrease value for the message amount.
Further, when a message occurs in the first conversation space, the calculation means calculates a new priority based on an increase / decrease value for a message amount in the first conversation space.

For example, the message table stores the number of messages of the channel in which the user participates. The monitoring means increments the number of messages in the message table each time a message occurs in channel # CH1. In the increase / decrease table, an increase / decrease value is set for each predetermined range, for example, when the number of messages is 10 or less or 100 or less. The calculating means determines the increase / decrease value based on the new number of messages each time a message occurs, and updates the priority of channel # CH1.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time table for storing the total room time of the conversation device in the first conversation space in which the conversation device participates, and the participation and exit of the conversation device in the first conversation space. And a second monitoring means for monitoring and updating the total occupancy time of the time table. In this device, the increase / decrease value table stores the increase / decrease value with respect to the occupancy time. Further, the calculating means calculates a new priority based on an increase / decrease value with respect to the total occupancy time in the first conversation space.

[0022] Other users who frequently participate in the channel or who are on a channel in which they have participated for a long time are considered to be receptive to the user. Therefore, as the total occupancy time in a channel is longer, the priority of another channel in which another user in that channel is participating is made higher. The seventh invention of the present application is directed to the third invention.
In the invention, the input of the condition and the increase / decrease value is received,
A conversation space recommendation apparatus further comprising a setting unit for writing the input condition and the increase / decrease value in an increase / decrease table.

For example, it is considered that a user who does not speak much wants to increase or decrease the value due to the time in the room rather than the value due to the amount of messages. Therefore, the user can set the condition and the increase / decrease value by himself, so that the priority can be calculated in accordance with the characteristics of the user. The eighth invention of the present application provides the conversation space recommendation device according to the third invention, wherein the notifying unit notifies the second conversation space at a predetermined timing and based on a priority.

The predetermined timing is, for example, when a user gives an instruction, when a list of channels is displayed on the IRC client, or at a predetermined time interval. Of course, the second conversation space may always be notified. The second conversation space is preferably notified in order of priority. This is because a higher priority is considered to be a conversation space suitable for the user.

The ninth invention of the present application is used for a plurality of conversation devices connected to a network and capable of mutually transmitting and receiving messages by sharing one of a plurality of virtual conversation spaces set up on the network. And a computer-readable recording medium storing a conversation space recommendation program for performing the following steps A to F. A: a step of storing a predetermined condition in advance and an increase / decrease value of the priority of the conversation space with respect to the condition; B: the other conversation device in which another conversation device sharing the first conversation space with the conversation device participates Preparing a priority table for storing the second conversation space and the priority in association with each other; C: acquiring the second conversation space from the conversation device and writing the second conversation space in the priority table; D; the conversation Obtaining predetermined information from the device at a predetermined timing, and determining whether or not the condition is satisfied based on the obtained information; and E; when the condition is satisfied, the second control is performed based on the increase / decrease value. Calculating a new priority of the conversation space and writing it in the priority table; and F: notifying the user of the second conversation space based on the priority table.

The same operation and effect as the second invention of the present application are obtained.

[0027]

Next, a conversation space recommendation apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> For ease of explanation, consider the case where USER-A participates in channel # CH1. Channel #C
H1 includes USER-A, USER-B, USER-C, and USER-D
Is participating.

[Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a conversation space recommendation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
The conversation space recommendation device 1 is a user terminal A operated by USER-A.
Is provided with the IRC client. The conversation space recommendation device 1 includes a storage unit 2, a management unit 3, a calculation unit 4, a setting unit 5, and a display unit 6.

The storage unit 2 stores predetermined data. FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the priority table stored in the storage unit 2. A priority table is provided for each channel in which USER-A participates. It is assumed that the priority table shown in FIG. 2 is a priority table for channel # CH1. FIG. 2 shows that USER-A is in channel # CH1
Shows the state of the priority table immediately after joining. In the priority table, candidate channels, users, the number of people, and the priorities are stored in association with each other.

A "candidate channel" is another channel in which another user is participating in the channel in which the user is participating. In this example, channel #CH in which USER-A has joined
1 is another channel in which USER-B, USER-C or USER-D is participating. Since the priority table is provided for each channel in which the user has participated, a candidate channel exists for each channel in which the user has participated. Channel #CH
One candidate channel is #ISLAB, #CHAT, #P
C-AT and #JAVA.

The "user" describes the nickname of another user in channel # CH1 who is participating in the corresponding candidate channel. "Number of people"
The number of other users participating in both the corresponding candidate channel and channel # CH1 is described. "priority"
Describes a priority obtained by a predetermined method. Immediately after USER-A has joined channel # CH1, the priority of each candidate channel is set to a predetermined default value, for example, 0.

The priority table of FIG. 2 includes USER-B and USER
-C is channel #ISLAB and channel # PC-AT
Shows that they are also participating. Therefore, the number of both candidate channels is “2”. USER-C also participates in channel #JAVA. USER-D is channel #C
I participate in HAT. Therefore, candidate channel #JAV
The number of A and #CHAT is “1”.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the increase / decrease value table stored in the storage unit 2. In the increase / decrease value table, the condition and the increase / decrease value are stored in association with each other. The "condition" describes a predetermined case of increasing or decreasing the priority. The “increase / decrease value” describes a value to be assigned to the priority of a candidate channel satisfying the corresponding condition. In the present embodiment, the conditions are (1) the number of messages, (2) the speaker is participating, (3) the appearance of a keyword, (4) the keyword is participating, and (5) the occupancy time. One is set.

The "number of messages" is a condition for assigning the priority of a candidate channel of a channel according to the number of messages of the channel in which the user participates. Here, the number of messages is the number of messages sent to the channel since the user joined. The message includes both a message from USER-A itself and a message from another user.

In this embodiment, four levels are set for the number of messages, and an increase / decrease value is provided for each level. The priority of the candidate channel increases or decreases based on what level the number of messages on the channel in which the user is participating. For example, if the number of messages on channel # CH1 is 50, the increase / decrease value is “+2”.

"Speaker is participating" means that, when there is a speech on the channel in which USER-A is participating, a condition for assigning priority to a candidate channel in which another user who is speaking participates. It is. For example, when USER-B speaks on channel # CH1, candidate channel #IS in which USER-B is participating
The priority of LAB and # PC-AT is increased. The increase / decrease value is “+2”. In the present invention, "speech" refers to sending a text message in a channel.

The “appearance of keyword” is a condition for increasing the priority of a candidate channel of a given keyword when a given keyword is uttered in a channel in which USER-A participates. The predetermined keyword may be set in advance by a user. The user's nickname or name may be automatically set as a keyword.
In the present embodiment, “USER-A” and “IRC” are specified as keywords. For example, when USER-D utters the keyword “IRC” in channel # CH1, the priority of all candidate channels of channel # CH1 is increased based on the increase / decrease value “+4”.

"The keyword speaker is participating" is a condition for increasing the priority of a candidate channel in which another user who has said the predetermined keyword is participating. For example, if USER-D says the keyword "IRC",
The priority of the candidate channel #CHAT in which USER-D participates is increased based on the increase / decrease value “+5”. The “occupancy time” is a condition for increasing the priority of a candidate channel of a channel as the user is longer on the channel. The occupancy time refers to the total occupancy time when the user has participated in the channel. In the present embodiment, three levels are provided for the occupancy time, and increase / decrease values are set according to each level. For example, it is assumed that the occupancy time of the USER-A in the channel # CH1 is 7 minutes at the time of joining the channel # CH1, and then 12 minutes. In that case, the increase / decrease value of the candidate channel of channel # CH1 is changed from “+1” to “+
2 ”.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the message number table stored in the storage unit 2. In the message number table, the participating channels and the message numbers are recorded in association with each other. In the “participation channel”, a channel name of a channel in which the user has participated or has participated in the past is described. FIG. 4 shows that USER-A is currently participating in channels # CH1 and # CH2. The “number of messages” describes the number of messages in the currently participating channel and after the user has joined. For channels not currently participating, the number of messages is not described.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the time table stored in the storage unit 2. In the time table, participation channels and in-room times are stored in association with each other.
In “participation channel”, the same channel name as the participation channel in the message number table is described. The “room occupancy time” describes the total occupancy time of the user in the participation channel. This table is not cleared when leaving the channel or terminating the IRC client. The occupancy time is incremented each time the user participates in each participating channel.

The management unit 3 acquires predetermined information from the IRC client, and writes the information into the table and updates the table. First, the management unit 3 sends the nickname of another user in channel # CH1 in which USER-A has joined to the IRC
Obtain from client. Next, the management unit 3 acquires a candidate channel of the channel # CH1 from the IRC server via the IRC client. The acquisition of a candidate channel is performed using a "WHOIS" command. The "WHOIS" command is a command prepared by the IRC. By specifying a nickname using this command, information on other users can be obtained. Management unit 3
Updates the priority table based on the acquired candidate channels. The management unit 3 monitors the entry and exit of the user to the channel # CH1, and also updates the priority table according to the change of the user.

The management unit 3 counts the number of messages on the channel in which USER-A is participating, and writes the counted number in the message number table. Further, the management unit 3 acquires the time at which USER-A entered the channel # CH1 from the IRC client, and updates the occupancy time in the time table. Calculator 4
Updates the priority of the priority table based on the information obtained from the IRC client and the increase / decrease value table. Specifically, the calculation unit 4 adds a value obtained by multiplying the number of candidate channels by the increase / decrease value to the priority to obtain a new priority. For example, it is assumed that a utterance occurs on channel # CH1 and the number of messages reaches 51. In this case, the calculation unit 4 determines the increase / decrease value as “+2” with reference to the increase / decrease value table.
Next, the calculation unit 4 adds a value obtained by multiplying the increase / decrease value by the “number of people” to the priority of each candidate channel. For example, the priority of the channel #ISLAB in FIG. 2 is 2 × 2 + 0 = 4.

It is conceivable that the calculation unit 4 updates the priority every time there is a comment on the channel in which the user participates, or at a predetermined time interval. In the present embodiment, the priority is updated each time a utterance occurs on the channel in which the user is participating. The setting unit 5 receives the setting of the increase / decrease value table from the user,
Write to. For example, the setting unit 5 displays a setting button or the like on the screen in advance. When the setting button is pressed, the setting unit 5 displays a predetermined setting window (not shown) on an input / output unit such as a display. Further, the setting unit 5
Writes the condition and the increase / decrease value input on the setting window in the increase / decrease value table. By allowing the user to set the increase / decrease value table, it is possible to reflect the conditions that the user places importance on the calculation of the priority.

The display section 6 displays the priority based on the priority table.
Notify the user of candidate channels. The notification timing may be such that a list of candidate channels is displayed in a predetermined window (FIG. 8) according to an instruction from the user. FIG. 8 shows an example of the “your recommended channel” window displayed by the display unit 6. For example, a recommendation button for displaying a list of recommended channels is displayed on the screen in advance. When this button is pressed, the display unit 6 displays the candidate channels in the window in order of priority. When displaying a list of channels using the function of the IRC client, candidate channels may be displayed together. Further, a list of candidate channels may be displayed at predetermined time intervals.

The display order of the candidate channels is preferably in the order of priority. This is because it is easy to understand which channel is most suitable for the user. In addition, the display may be performed in the order of the channel name or in the descending order of the number of candidate channels. When the user participates in a plurality of channels, the display unit 6 displays all the candidate channels of the participating channels. For example, assume that USER-A is now participating in channels # CH1 and # CH2. The display unit 6 sorts and displays the candidate channel of the channel # CH1 and the candidate channel of the channel # CH2 in order of priority. When the candidate channel of the channel # CH1 and the candidate channel of the channel # CH2 overlap, it is conceivable that the average priority is set as the priority of the overlapping candidate channel. It is also conceivable that the highest priority is set as the priority of the candidate channel. Furthermore, the sum of the priorities of the respective channels may be used as the priority of the candidate channel.

[Processing Flow] Next, the processing performed by the conversation space recommending apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be specifically described. (1) Main Processing FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the main processing performed by the conversation space recommendation device 1. The following processing is started when the IRC client joins one of the channels. Note that, for ease of explanation, a case where USER-A participates in channel # CH1 will be described as an example. The increase / decrease value table, message table and time table are shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the state shown in FIGS.

In step S1, the management unit 3 determines whether there is another user in the channel in which the IRC client has participated. Now, it is assumed that the IRC client has joined channel # CH1. The management unit 3 acquires the user list in the channel # CH1 from the IRC client. The user list describes the nicknames of the users in channel # CH1. If there is another user, the process proceeds to step S2. If there is no other user, the process proceeds to step S4 described below. Now, in addition to USER-A, USER-B, USER-C, and USER-D are participating in channel # CH1, so that the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the management unit 3 acquires another channel in which another user described in the user list is participating from the IRC client. In other words, a candidate channel for channel # CH1 is obtained. Specifically, the management unit 3 sends a “WHOIS USER-B” message via the IRC client. Upon receiving this message, the IRC server sends information on USER-B to the user terminal A as much as possible. This information includes information such as the channel, real name, and connection server name in which USER-B participates. The same message is transmitted to other users in the same manner, and a candidate channel name is obtained for channel # CH1.

In step S3, the management unit 3 provides an entry of the obtained candidate channel name in the priority table. More specifically, the management unit 3 writes the acquired channel name, user, and number of candidate channels in the priority table, and sets the priority to a default value. FIG. 2 shows the state of the priority table of channel # CH1 in this step.

In step S4, management unit 3 waits for a message to be sent to channel # CH1 in which the IRC client has joined. When a message is sent from any of the IRC clients, the process proceeds to step S5. Here, "any IRC client"
Both the IRC client on the own terminal and the other terminal are included.

In step S5, the priority updating process described later is executed by the calculating unit 4. That is, the priority of each candidate channel is increased or decreased based on the increase / decrease value table. In step S6, the management unit 3 sets the IR
It is determined whether or not the C client is participating in channel # CH1. If "Yes" is determined, the process moves to step S7. If "No" is determined, the priority table for channel # CH1 is cleared, and the process ends.

In step S7, management unit 3 determines whether the user in channel # CH1 has changed.
The management unit 3 acquires the user list in the channel # CH1 again from the IRC client, and compares it with the previously acquired user list. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S1. If "No" is determined, the step S
Move to 4.

More specifically, the management unit 3 sets the channel #CH
When the number of users within 1 increases, a channel in which the new user participates other than channel # CH1 is acquired, and an entry of a new candidate channel is provided in the priority table. If a user who has newly joined channel # CH1 is already in a candidate channel on the priority table, a new user is added to the user of the candidate channel to increase the number of users. When the number of users in the channel # CH1 has decreased, the management unit 3 deletes the user from the entry of the candidate channel in which the leaving user has participated, and reduces the number of users. If there is a candidate channel in which only the leaving user participates, the entry is deleted. If the user has not changed, a process of updating the priority is performed after the next message is sent.

The management unit 3 of the conversation space recommendation device 1
The time table is updated independently of the main processing. For example, the management unit 3 checks the participation status of the participating channels on the time table every minute and increases the room time by one minute. Further, the setting unit 5 of the conversation space device performs a process of accepting the setting of the increase / decrease value table in accordance with a user's instruction, independently of the main process. The display unit 6
Performs a process of displaying a candidate channel list according to a user's instruction.

(2) Priority Update Process FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of a priority update subroutine. When the process proceeds to step S5 in the main process, the following process is started. First, in step S11, the calculation unit 4 increases the number of messages of the channel to which the message has been transmitted among the participating channels on the message number table by one. In this example, the number of messages on channel # CH1 increases by one and becomes “51”.

In step S12, the calculation unit 4 acquires an increase / decrease value corresponding to the number of messages increased in step S11 from the increase / decrease value table. Number of messages "5
The increase / decrease value for “1” is +2. In step S13, the calculation unit 4 updates the priority of the candidate channel of the channel # CH1 based on the increase / decrease value and the number of people. Specifically, the calculation unit 4 determines that the candidate channels #ISLAB, #ISLAB
The priority of CHAT, # PC-AT and #JAVA is set to (2
(Points) x (number of people). When considering the number of people,
For the following reasons. “Number of people” indicates the degree to which other users in channel # CH1 share the candidate channel. This is because a candidate channel having a higher degree of sharing is considered to be a more interesting channel for USER-A.

In step S14, the calculation unit 4 specifies a candidate channel in which the user who transmitted the message in step S4 of the main process participates. For example, when USER-D utters in step S4, the specified candidate channel is channel #CHAT. In step S15, the calculation unit 4 acquires from the increase / decrease value table the increase / decrease value to be assigned to the candidate channel in which the user who has sent the message is participating. In this example, the increase / decrease value is +2.

In step S16, the calculation unit 4 updates only the priority of the specified candidate channel among the candidate channels based on the obtained increase / decrease value (2) and the number of persons (1). That is, 2 × 1 = 2 points are added only to the priority of channel #CHAT. USER-D is channel # CH1
This is because if the user is actively speaking, the candidate channel in which USER-D is participating is also considered interesting to the user himself.

In step S17, the calculation unit 4 determines whether the keyword set in the increase / decrease value table is included in the message. If it is determined that it is included, the process proceeds to step S18. If it is determined that it is not included, the process proceeds to step S22 described later. In step S18, the calculation unit 4 acquires an increase / decrease value for each keyword from the increase / decrease value table. For example, the keywords "USER-A" and "IRC"
Are both included. In this case, the calculation unit 4
An increase / decrease value “+3” for “USER-A” and an increase / decrease value “+4” for “IRC” are acquired, and the sum of the respective increase / decrease values is set as the increase / decrease value.

In step S19, the calculation unit 4 updates the priorities of all the candidate channels of the channel # CH1.
That is, (sum of increase / decrease values for the generated keyword) ×
(Number of people) is added to the priority of each candidate channel. Candidate channels where your keywords are frequently mentioned are:
This is because it is considered interesting for the user. For example, the priority of channel #ISLAB is 7 × 2 = 14
Points are added.

In step S20, the calculation unit 4 acquires from the increase / decrease value table the increase / decrease value to be given to the candidate channel in which the user who has made the keyword participates. In this example, this increase / decrease value is “+5”. In step S21, the calculation unit 4 updates the priority of the candidate channel specified in step S14. That is, since the candidate channel in which the user who sent the keyword is participating is the same as the candidate channel specified in step S14, the priority of the candidate channel is updated. When the specified candidate channel is the channel #CHAT, the calculation unit 4 adds 5 × 1 = 5 points to the priority.

In step S22, the calculation unit 4 acquires the total occupancy time in the participating channel from the time table. In this example, the total room occupancy time on channel # CH1 is obtained. If there is a room in channel # CH1 in the past, the acquired time includes the past room time. For example, if the occupancy time in the past is one hour,
Even if only 5 minutes have passed since joining channel # CH1 this time, the total occupancy time is 65 minutes.

In step S23, the calculation unit 4 acquires the increase / decrease value for the occupancy time acquired in step S22 from the increase / decrease value table. Since the in-room time of channel # CH1 is 65 minutes, the increase / decrease value is “+3”. In step S24, the calculation unit 4 updates the priority of the candidate channel on the priority table based on the obtained increase / decrease value and the number of people. For example, for channel #JAVA, 3 × 2
= 6 points are added. Thereafter, the process returns to the main processing.
The longer the occupancy is, the higher the priority is,
For the following reasons. A longer occupancy time indicates that the user liked the channel. This is because a candidate channel in which another user sharing the favorite channel participates is considered to be of interest to the user.

<Other Embodiments> (A) In the first embodiment, the priority of the candidate channel is changed according to the number of messages in the participating channel # CH1. The number of messages is
This is the total number of messages from the client and messages from the own IRC client. Therefore, if another user frequently sends a message to channel # CH1, even if the user himself does not send the message,
The priority of the candidate channel for channel # CH1 increases.

However, there is a need not only for a large number of messages but also for a need to reflect whether or not a conversation between the user himself and another user is playing in the priority change. One way to determine the momentum of a conversation is to
It is conceivable to use the ratio of messages from the user himself to the number of messages. For example, channel #CH
It is assumed that there are four users in 1 including USER-A.
In this case, if the ratio of the number of messages from USER-A is 1 / (total number of users), that is, a predetermined range including 25%, the increase / decrease value is set to +4, and the increase / decrease value decreases as the distance from the range increases. Can be

(B) In the first embodiment, the US
The candidate channels of the channels # CH1 and # CH2 in which the ER-A participates are also displayed. However, it is possible that the topics of channel # CH1 and channel # CH2 are completely different. For example, channel # CH1 is a channel for IRC, and channel # CH2 is a channel for patent. In this case, it is also preferable to display candidate channels for each channel. Specifically, candidate channels that are current channels are displayed in a priority order at a predetermined timing.

The current channel is a channel to which the user can send a message when the IRC client participates in a plurality of channels. The user
Although messages cannot be sent to channels other than the current channel, messages sent by other users can be viewed.

[0068]

According to the present invention, the user is notified of a conversation space that is likely to be suitable for the user from a large number of conversation spaces, so that the effort for searching the conversation space can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a mechanism configuration of a conversation space recommendation device.

FIG. 2 is a priority table for channel # CH1.

FIG. 3 is an increase / decrease value table.

FIG. 4 Message number table

FIG. 5 is a time table

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of a priority update process.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a “your recommended channel” window.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1; conversation space recommendation device 2; storage unit 23; management unit 34; calculation unit 45; setting unit 56;

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hideto Kihara 4-1-1, Kamidadanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term in Fujitsu Limited (Reference) 5B089 GA11 GA21 HA10 JA17 KC15

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A conversation comprising a plurality of terminal devices connected to a network and sharing one of a plurality of virtual conversation spaces established on the network and capable of transmitting and receiving messages to and from each other. A conversation space recommendation method used in a system, wherein when a terminal device participates in a conversation space, an affinity between the terminal device and the conversation space is measured, and the terminal device participates in the conversation space based on the measured affinity. A conversation space that calculates the proximity of other conversation spaces in which other terminal devices that are participating in, and presents another conversation space recommended to the terminal device according to the calculated proximity of each conversation space Recommendation method. 2. A conversation which is connected to a network and includes a plurality of conversation devices capable of mutually transmitting and receiving messages by sharing one of a plurality of virtual conversation spaces established on the network. Used in the system, a predetermined condition and an increase / decrease value of the priority of the conversation space with respect to the condition are prepared in advance, and predetermined information is obtained at a predetermined timing from the conversation device, and whether or not the condition is satisfied Is determined based on the acquired information. According to the determination, based on the increase / decrease value, the priority is set for another second conversation space in which another conversation device sharing the first conversation space with the conversation device participates. Updating the second conversation space at a predetermined timing to the user based on the priority. 3. A plurality of conversation devices that are connected to a network and that can share one of a plurality of virtual conversation spaces established on the network and can transmit and receive messages to and from each other. An increase / decrease value table storing a condition and an increase / decrease value of the priority of the conversation space with respect to the condition; and the other second conversation space in which another conversation device sharing the first conversation space with the conversation device participates. And a priority table that stores priority in association with each other; an acquiring unit that acquires the second conversation space from the conversation device and writes the second conversation space into the priority table; And determines whether the condition is satisfied based on the obtained information. If the condition is satisfied, calculates a new priority of the second conversation space based on the increase / decrease value. A conversation space recommendation device, comprising: calculation means for writing the priority table; and notification means for notifying a user of the second conversation space based on the priority table. 4. The priority table further stores, in addition to the second space and the priority, the degree to which another user in the first space shares the second space (hereinafter referred to as the sharing degree). 4. The conversation space recommendation device according to claim 3, wherein the calculation unit calculates a new priority of the second conversation space based on the increase / decrease value and the sharing degree. 5. A message table for storing an amount of messages in the first conversation space, monitoring the appearance of messages in the first conversation space, and updating the amount of messages in the message table each time the message occurs. And a monitoring unit, wherein the increase / decrease value table stores a message amount and an increase / decrease value for the message amount, and wherein the calculating unit determines a first message when a message occurs in the first conversation space. The conversation space recommendation device according to claim 3, wherein a new priority is calculated based on an increase / decrease value for a message amount in the conversation space. 6. A time table for storing the total occupancy time of a conversation device in a first conversation space in which the conversation device participates, and a time table for monitoring participation and exit of the conversation device in and from the first conversation space. A second monitoring means for updating the total occupancy time of the table, wherein the increase / decrease value table stores an increase / decrease value with respect to the occupancy time, and wherein the calculation means comprises: The conversation space recommendation device according to claim 3, wherein a new priority is calculated based on an increase / decrease value with respect to the occupancy time. 7. The conversation space recommending apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a setting unit that receives the input of the condition and the increase / decrease value and writes the input condition and the increase / decrease value in an increase / decrease table. 8. The conversation space recommendation device according to claim 3, wherein said notification means notifies the second conversation space at a predetermined timing and based on priority. 9. A conversation space recommendation used in a plurality of conversation devices connected to a network and sharing one of a plurality of virtual conversation spaces set up on the network and capable of transmitting and receiving messages to and from each other. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, wherein: A: a step of storing a predetermined condition in advance and an increase / decrease value of a priority of the conversation space with respect to the condition; and B: the conversation device and the first conversation space. Preparing a priority table for storing the other second conversation spaces in which other conversation devices sharing the same are participating and the priorities in association with each other; and C: communicating the second conversation space with the second conversation space. Acquiring from the device and writing to the priority table; D: acquiring predetermined information from the conversation device at a predetermined timing, and determining whether the condition is satisfied based on the acquired information. E; calculating the new priority of the second conversation space based on the increase / decrease value if the condition is satisfied, and writing the new priority to the priority table; and F; the priority table. Notifying the user of the second conversation space based on the conversation space recommendation program for executing
Computer readable recording medium.