JP2002099494A - Chat system and server device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device used effectively by the activation of chat with technology playing chat on a computer. SOLUTION: The server device 10 is constituted in that each user of a chat room joins an exclusive conference program (chat mate) on chat.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a chat system capable of chatting, and a server device for constructing such a chat system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in recent years, chat using the Internet (conversation by writing by a plurality of persons; also called online talk, real-time conference, etc.) has become popular. ing.

[0003] There is also a chat room in which a conversation program (also called "artificial incompetence") for causing a computer to have a conversation partner is a chat participant.

[0004]

However, in the conventional chat room, a conversation program is used as an administrator of the chat room, for example, in order to eliminate an unattended chat room. , The conversation program was not very useful for activating chat.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a server device and a chat system in which a conversation program (a technique for causing a computer to have a chat partner) is more effectively used for activating a chat.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a server device connected to a plurality of computers and used by a communication medium is used, and a plurality of users use their own computers. And a chat room providing means for providing a chat room in which a comment made there is notified to each accessing user, and a second handle different from the handle name of the user for each of the plurality of users. A second handle name storing means for storing a name, a log means for logging a comment made in the chat room, and when a conversation satisfying any of the preset speaking conditions is performed in the chat room. Stored in the second handle name storage means for any user currently accessing the chat room at that time. Using the second handle name as the speaker name and a message in the chat room based on the log recorded by the log means, in accordance with the contents of the chat in which the user has participated in the past and the satisfied speech conditions. Means.

[0007] That is, the automatic speech means provided in the server device of the present invention has a function of, using the second handle name associated with a certain user, giving a speech according to the content of a chat in which the user has participated in the past. Have. In other words, the server device of the present invention has a configuration in which each user can have a chat as if they were in a chat room, together with an electronic pet who has the same experience as himself and can talk. Therefore, if this server device is used, what each user forgets will also be remarked by the second handle name associated with each user entering the chat room, and as a result, The chat can be activated.

In implementing the server apparatus of the present invention, a means for executing a plurality of conversation programs each having a second handle name in parallel can be employed as the automatic speech means. A conversation program,
It is also possible to employ means for making the function equivalent to a plurality of conversation programs to which the second handle names are respectively given.

In realizing the server apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of users each corresponding to one of a plurality of users and holding address information on a number of users different from the associated users are stored. A friend list storing means for storing a friend list, and when a predetermined request is received, the information in the friend list stored in the friend list storing means associated with the user who issued the request is output. Request response means for returning to the computer
For two users not associated with any of the friend lists stored in the friend list storage means, when a predetermined condition relating to access to the chat room is satisfied, the computer of each of the two users: It is desirable to add a registration recommendation unit for displaying a message prompting registration of information on the other user to the friend list.

[0010] If the server device is configured by adding such means, each user is given a chance to get to know other users better, so that it is easier to expand friendship. .

Further, when the server device is configured by adding a friend list storage unit, the address information held in the friend list is stored as an e-mail address and stored by a user in the second handle name storage unit. Sending an e-mail addressed to the address information held in the friend list stored in the friend list storage device associated with the user when the received request for deleting the second handle name is received. Means can be added.

If such a configuration is adopted, another user whose e-mail address is stored in the friend list is requested to delete the second handle name stored in the second handle name storage means (in other words, It is expected that the user who has issued the request to stop using the server device) will be advised to withdraw the erasure request, thereby preventing a decrease in the number of users of the server device (automatic speech means). it can.

In implementing the server device of the present invention, when a conversation satisfying any of the preset introduction conditions is performed in a chat room as an automatic speech means, the chat room is set at that time. Means for making a statement in a chat room that introduces a product according to the satisfied introduction condition, using the second handle name stored in the second handle name storage means as a speaker name for any of the accessing users. May be adopted.

If such an automatic speech means is employed, the chat room can be used as an advertising medium.

The chat system according to the present invention is a chat system including a plurality of computers and a server device for providing a chat room for users of the plurality of computers to chat with each other. The content of the chat performed by the user is stored, and the content of the stored chat is referred to, and a comment is made in the chat room according to the conversation content in the chat room in which the user is currently entering. The conversation program is configured to be executed for each of the plurality of users.

Therefore, according to the chat system of the present invention, the same effect as when the server device of the present invention is used can be obtained. In implementing the chat system of the present invention, a plurality of conversation programs for each of a plurality of users may be respectively executed by a plurality of computers, and the plurality of conversation programs may be executed by a server device. You may make it.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a chat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a chat system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 2 that can use a Java-compatible Web browser.
0 and the server device 10 are connected via the Internet 100.

The server device 10 allows a user of each PC 20 to participate in a chat program (hereinafter referred to as a chat mate) for chatting with another PC 20 user (hereinafter, referred to as a chat mate). (Referred to as a chat mate service). In addition,
The server device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as a device operated by an ISP (Internet service provider) performing a dial-up connection service,
The chat mate service is provided to a person who contracts with the ISP (hereinafter, referred to as a member) for a fee. Further, the chat mate service is an additional service of a chat service provided free (or charged) to members who have performed predetermined procedures. In other words, the procedure for receiving the chat mate service (details will be described later) is performed after performing the procedure for receiving the chat service (or simultaneously with the procedure).

The server device 10 is a kind of Web server, and has a function of supplying various Web pages using various applets (hereinafter, referred to as a server function). With this server function, a web page for procedures for starting the use of the chat mate service, a room list window for allowing members to select a chat room, and a chat room window for members to actually chat are displayed. The supplied Web page is supplied to each PC 20. The server device 10
Is also a device on which a chat management program and some chatmates are executed. The server device 10 has a chat management database and a chat information database 12 that is referenced and updated by each chatmate, and is referenced by each chatmate. And a meeting topic material database 14.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the server device 10 (configuration of each database, chat management program, contents of chat mate) will be specifically described.

The meeting topic material database 14 defines, when a chat is being performed, a plurality of pieces of content definition information that defines the content to be made to be spoken by a chat mate participating in the chat, and conditions for making the speech. This is a database that is stored in association with condition definition information (a word or a combination of two or more words). The content of the meeting topic material database 14 is periodically updated by the chat mate service operator so that information on another service provided (or sponsored) by the chat mate service operator or recent news is stored. Will be updated to

The chat information database 12 includes a plurality of use environment information associated with each of a plurality of members who have already performed a procedure for using the chat service, and a plurality of use environment information associated with each of a plurality of chat mates. Is a database that functions as a set of log information and a list of friends associated with each of a plurality of chatmates.

The usage environment information included in the chat information database 12 includes the member ID, handle name, e-mail address, etc. of the corresponding member, and chat mate information (type information, handle name) related to the chat mate selected by the member. , A call spell, a kick-out spell, information including an e-mail address, etc.). The usage environment information for members who have performed the procedure for using the chat service but have not performed the procedure for using the chat mate service do not have significant chat mate information. .

Hereinafter, details of each information stored in the chat information database 12 and the contents of control by the chat management program and the chat mate will be described.

When starting to use the chat mate service, the member operates the PC 20 (Web browser) to access a web page for use start procedure of the chat mate service held by the server device 10. In accordance with the description on the web page displayed on the PC 20, the member selects one chat mate used by the member from among various types of chat mate prepared in the server device 10 (details will be described later). The task of selecting (work of setting the type information of the chat mate) and the work of setting the handle name, the calling spell, and the kicking spell for the chat mate are performed. Note that a calling spell is a command that members must enter when their own chat mate appears in a chat room (joins a conversation), and an expelling spell is to leave their chat mate from the chat room. This is the command that the member must enter to make it work.

When the use start procedure involving the above-mentioned work is performed, the chat management program applies a predetermined transformation to the e-mail address of the member who has performed the procedure, thereby obtaining the chat mate for the member. Determine your email address. Then, the determined e-mail address is put together with various information set by the member.
A process of registering in the chat information database 12 in association with the member ID of the member (a process of setting type information, a handle name, an e-mail address, etc. relating to the chat mate in the use status information including the member ID) is performed.

The chat management program also controls to manage and operate a plurality of chat rooms. Specifically, the chat management program grasps and manages who is in each chat room based on information from each PC 20 to which the Web page is supplied by the server function, and based on the management result, a room list window Recognize the information displayed within (the number of people in each chat room). In addition, the chat management program transmits information indicating the content of the utterance of a member in a chat room transmitted by the PC 20 of the member (operation of inputting text and instructing transmission of the text in the chat room window is performed). Is received, the message content indicated by the information is displayed in a chat room window opened on the PC 20 of another member in the chat room. Processing (processing of transmitting the information to the PC 20 of another member) is performed. Further, even when a chat mate in any chat room speaks, the chat management program performs a process of transmitting information indicating the content of the comment to the PC 20 of another member in the chat room.

When a member enters a chat room and calls a chat mate, the chat management program activates the chat mate for the member based on the use environment information on the member in the chat information database 12. .

The activated chat mate adds the contents of the chat in the chat room in which the owner (hereinafter, referred to as the master) participates to log information relating to itself in the chat information database 12. With
Start the process of monitoring the occurrence of the statement trigger event. Here, the statement trigger event is an event that is defined as an event that should make a statement.
A chat mate is used when a certain type of remark (a remark including a specific word) is made by another person, when a remark is made to itself, when no participant has made a remark for a predetermined time, etc. It recognizes that a statement trigger event has occurred. Note that various types of chat mates prepared for the user to select differ in the probability of making a statement when a statement trigger event occurs, the content of the statement (wording), and the event considered as the statement trigger event. (A conversation program with different personalities).

The chat mate that has detected the occurrence of the comment trigger event and decides to make a comment refers to the log information relating to itself in the chat information database 12 and the meeting topic material database 14, and detects the detected statement trigger event. Is made using the handle name given to the user (corresponding to the second handle name).

For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, in a chat room in which members A to C and chatmates A to C (in the figure, mates A to C) enter, When a chat-related conversation has been performed (when a chat participant has made a statement that includes a word that is assumed to have such a conversation), chatmate C (or another chatmate) Refers to the log information on the member C managed by itself, and makes a comment on the date and time when the chat was performed and the topic of the chat. Also,
When a comment including a word or a combination of words constituting the condition definition information stored in the meeting topic material database 14 is made, the chatmate B (or another chatmate) is associated with the condition definition information. Make a statement based on the content definition information. That is, when a service-related conversation starts, the chat mate B (or another chat mate) makes a remark such as "It seems that the service such as has started, but do you know?" When a conversation about an accident or crime that has occurred has begun, he makes a statement such as "The follow-up news has appeared in the newspaper!"

When each chatmate entering a certain chat room decides to speak, a waiting time is determined at random, and during the waiting time, the same type of speech is made by another chatmate. It is configured to make a statement after confirming that there is no such message. In other words,
The present chat system is configured so that a plurality of chatmates participating in a chat do not continuously make similar remarks.

Next, the operations related to the chat management program and the friend list of the chat mate will be described.

The friend list for a certain chatmate stored in the chat information database 12 includes information (type information, handle name,
This is information including some friend information including an e-mail address) and information on the master (handle name, e-mail address). When a certain member performs a predetermined operation on the chat room list window, the friend list is stored in the friend list by the chat management program.
It is investigated whether or not each member in which D is stored participates in the chat.
It is a list to be displayed on C20. The friend list can also be used as a kind of address book, and each member can add friend information to his / her own friend list by operating a chat Web page. However, in order to add friend information to the friend list, the consent of the other party is required, and chatmate α
Is added to the friend list of the chat mate β, the friend information about the chat mate α is always added to the friend list of the chat mate β.

The present system is configured so that the addition of friend information to the friend list may be performed in response to a request from a chat mate.

Hereinafter, a procedure for adding friend information to the friend list performed in response to a request from a chat mate will be specifically described. Note that, for convenience of explanation, a relationship between a chat mate and a chat mate whose handle name is stored in a friend list relating to the chat mate is referred to as a friend relationship.

As described above, the chat management program grasps and manages the members participating in the chat and the chat mate for each chat room.

In parallel with such management, the chat management program refers to the chat information database 12 (friend list) to determine whether two (two) unrelated friends have entered the room. Is periodically performed for each chat room. Then, if it is found that two chatmates who have no friendship are in a certain chat room, the chat management program refers to the chat information database 12 (log information) and refers to the two chatmates. But in the past,
Have participated in the same chat more than a predetermined number of times, or
It is determined whether or not a condition (hereinafter, referred to as a friend condition) that two members who are the masters of the two chatmates have similar remarks is satisfied. Then, if the friend condition is satisfied for those two chatmates, the chat management program assigns each of the two chatmates:
The information about the other chatmate and its master is given to order execution of the friend addition process.

Each chatmate ordered to perform the friend addition process has a message such as "I want to be a friend because I became friends with ~ (handle name of the other chatmate)" and the master of the other chatmate. Dialog box with information about
A process for displaying the information on C20 is performed.

That is, in the server device 10, FIG.
The state schematically shown in (1), that is, members A to C and chatmates A to C
(In the figure, mate A to mate C) have entered a certain chat room, and the friend list 16 of chat mate A
A and the friend list 16B of the chat mate B store only friend information about the member C (and the chat mate C), respectively. The friend information 16A of the chat mate C and the friend information about the member A are stored in the friend list 16C of the chat mate C, respectively.
If the friend information regarding the chat mate A and the chat mate B is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the friend condition is satisfied. And
If the friend condition is met, chat mate A
Gives the intention to the member A who is the master, "I want to be a friend with the chatmate B", and the chatmate B tells the member A who is the master, "I want to be a friend with the chatmate A."".

The dialog box used by each chat mate to express his / her intention has a "YES" button and a "NO" button. When any one of the buttons is pressed, each chat mate is pressed. Notify the other chatmate of the type of button (reply from the master). Then, when each chatmate can confirm that the "OK" button has been pressed by both masters,
Add friend information including information about other chatmates and their master to their own friend list.

For example, in the case shown in FIG. 3A, if both masters press the "OK" button, as shown in FIG. 3B, the member B is added to the friend list 16A. Friend information about the friend list 16
B is added with friend information on member A.

If the "NO" button is pressed by one or both of the masters, each chatmate will respond to the message (NO.fwdarw. "It is unfortunate") and YES.fwdarw. "Reject."") The master's PC 20
And the friend addition process ends without adding friend information to the friend list.

As described above, the friend list is a list for storing information on other members (close other members) whose status is to be checked. In this system, a certain member uses the chat mate service. When a procedure for canceling (hereinafter, referred to as a cancellation procedure) is performed, processing using a friend list regarding the member (hereinafter, referred to as a cancellation procedure person) is performed.

Specifically, when the cancellation procedure is performed,
That fact is stored in the chat information database 12 by the chat management program. In addition, the chat mate of the cancellation procedure person will send an “Don't Stop!” E-mail to the owner instructing the cancellation of the cancellation procedure, and will also send a message to each chat mate that is a friend (handle name etc. in the friend list) For each chat mate whose is remembered), with its master designated as a broadcaster,
A "goodbye" email will be sent stating that you have stopped using the service. "Goodbye"
An email is sent to each friend's chatmate and his or her friend,
It is expected that an e-mail or the like will be issued to the cancellation procedure person to deter the end of the use of the chat mate service.

The cancellation procedure is canceled before the last day of the month in which the cancellation procedure is performed (charging for the chatmate service is performed on a monthly basis and the end of the month is the end of one billing period). In the event that a chat has been made, the chat management program stores that fact in the chat information database 12. In addition, the chat mate of the cancellation procedure will send a "Hello again" email stating that,
To each chatmate who is a friend, the master is sent in a form designated as a broadcaster.

On the other hand, if the end of the month is reached without cancellation of the cancellation procedure, the chatmate of the cancellation procedure will send a testimony e-mail indicating that the cancellation procedure has been completed to a friend. Send to each chatmate in the form of specifying the master as a broadcaster. Then, the information regarding the chat mate regarding the cancellation procedure person is deleted from the chat information database 12 by the chat management program.

As described above, according to the present chat system, each member can have a chat with a dedicated chat mate participating. The chat mate of each member stores the contents of the chat in which the master has participated in the past, and speaks based on the memory. Therefore, the conversation of the chat mate is triggered by the chat mate's remark. In the present chat system, each member can also chat using his or her own chat mate as a kind of memorandum. Furthermore, each member who is chatting using the present chat system is given an opportunity to get to know other members better from the system side (own chat mate). Therefore, according to the present chat system, It will be easier to expand friendship. Also, since the chat mate can be introduced to the service, the present chat system also functions as an advertising medium.

<Modifications> The chat system according to the embodiment can perform various modifications. For example, management of log information (collection and storage of data) may be performed by another program, and each chat mate may operate by referring to log information managed by the different program. Further, the system may be configured so that the addition of friend information to the friend list is performed without obtaining the consent of the other party.

Further, instead of using a plurality of chatmates (conversation programs), the server device 10 is configured by using a conversation program (conversation program having the same function as a plurality of chatmates) that can speak for a plurality of names. Alternatively, the system may be configured so that chat mate is executed in each PC 20.

[0053]

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a server device and a chat system in which a technique for causing a computer to make a chat partner is more effectively used for activating a chat.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a chat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the chat system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the chat system according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 server apparatus 12 chat information database 14 meeting topic material database 16 friend list 20 personal computer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A server device connected to a plurality of computers by a communication medium, wherein each of the plurality of users can access using their own computer, and a comment made there is provided to each of the accessing users. A chat room providing means for providing a chat room notified to: a second handle name storage means for storing, for each of the plurality of users, a second handle name different from the handle name of the user; A log means for logging a comment made in the chat room, and when a conversation satisfying any of the preset speech conditions is performed in the chat room, any one of the chat rooms being accessed at that time. The second handle name stored in the second handle name storage means for the user An automatic utterance means for making an utterance in the chat room in accordance with the contents of the chat in which the user has participated in the past and the satisfied utterance conditions based on the log recorded by the log means. Server device. 2. A friend list storage means for storing a plurality of friend lists each associated with one of the plurality of users and holding address information on a number of users different from the associated users. Request responding means for, when receiving a predetermined request, returning information in the friend list stored in the friend list storage means associated with the user who issued the request to the computer which issued the request; Regarding two users not associated with any of the friend lists stored in the friend list storage means,
Registration recommendation means for displaying, on a computer of each of the two users, a message prompting registration of information on the other user to the friend list when predetermined conditions relating to access to the chat room are satisfied; The server device according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The address information held in the friend list is an e-mail address, and when a request for erasing the second handle name stored in the second handle name storage unit from a user is received. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a mail transmitting unit that transmits an electronic mail addressed to the address information stored in the friend list stored in the friend list storage unit in association with the user. Server device. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein when the conversation satisfying any one of the preset introduction conditions is performed in the chat room, the automatic commenting means selects any user accessing the chat room at that time. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second handle name stored in the second handle name storage means is used as a speaker name, and a statement for introducing a product according to the satisfied introduction condition is made in the chat room. The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A chat system comprising: a plurality of computers; and a server device for providing a chat room for chatting to users of the plurality of computers, wherein a chat performed by a user who is associated in advance is provided. A conversation program that refers to the stored chat contents and makes a comment in the chat room corresponding to the conversation contents in the chat room in which the user has entered at that time refers to a plurality of conversation programs. A chat system that is executed for each of the users.