JP2002163222A - Server for managing virtual character, client computer and synchronizing method for virtual character data between server and client - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server and a client connected to the server on a network with software for moving a virtual character, and attain consistency between the virtual characters of the server and the client. SOLUTION: A client computer and the server are provided with software for moving the virtual character, and the user attribute information recording the operation of a user or agent history information recording the operation of the virtual character is recorded in both of them, whereby when the server and the client computer are connected, the storage contents of both are synchronized with each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for managing virtual characters on a computer network, and more particularly, to a case where the same virtual character exists between a server and a client. Related to data processing of virtual characters.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many software programs for operating a virtual character in response to a user operation on a computer are known. For example, software in which a virtual character is displayed on a display screen of a computer and words and sentences are input and the virtual character responds by a dictionary database and a conversation program in the computer is typical. In addition to the one executed by such a stand-alone computer, there is also one that causes a virtual character to perform an operation on a network. To do this, for example, a virtual character can deliver an e-mail and memorize the actions performed by the destination user on the virtual character, and this virtual character can be sent to the destination by the sender. There is an operation that performs an operation of notifying what has happened.

In addition, a virtual character exists on a server on the Internet to have a conversation with one user, and the contents of the conversation and the identification information of the user are stored, and one user is stored in the server. There is also software that notifies the user of words or the like stored in a conversation with another user. These software can be in one computer or
A virtual character is moved between a server connected to a server via a network or a computer connected via the server in accordance with a user operation.

[0004]

However, since these virtual characters are personified for the user, if they can perform their own actions, they will have the independence of the user. It is thought that it can give a real feeling. It is considered that if this unique action of the virtual character is performed on the network, it will be related to other users and the like, and a more realistic feeling can be obtained. On the other hand, when a user talks with a virtual character, it is desirable not to connect to a network. Such a method cannot be realized by executing software only in one computer as in the related art, or executing software only on a network. In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides software for moving a virtual character to both a server on a network and a client connected to the server, and provides a virtual character for both the server and the client. The goal is to ensure the consistency of

[0005]

To solve the above problems, the present invention has the following arrangement. The invention according to claim 1 is a server which is connected to a client computer satisfying the following requirements by a communication network, and satisfies the following requirements. The client computer incorporates a client agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation according to a predetermined input operation performed by the user on the client computer. c) The contents of at least a part of the user's input operation are stored as user attribute information. The client computer stores the user attribute information in association with the user identification information of the user.
There is a user attribute storage area. The server connects to the client computer and receives the user attribute information associated with the user identification information. The server has a second user attribute storage area for storing the user attribute information in association with the user identification information. The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing the virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a virtual operation using at least a part of the user attribute information. With such a configuration, the server receives at least a part of the user attribute information on the specific user obtained by the user operating the client agent program of the client computer, and the server obtains the obtained user attribute information. It will be used by the agent program.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the server compares the received user attribute information with the user attribute information stored in the second user attribute storage area and stores the user attribute information in the second user attribute storage area. It performs a synchronization process of the obtained user attribute information. Here, the “synchronization process” refers to matching specific information stored in each of the server and the client computer to the same content. By such an operation, the user attribute information stored in the server and the client computer are unified, and the client agent program and the server agent program respectively perform operations using the unified user attribute information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server which is connected to a client computer satisfying the following requirements by a communication network, and which satisfies the following requirements. The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined virtual operation. c) storing at least a part of the predetermined virtual action of the virtual character as agent history information. The server has a second agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information of the user. The server connects to the client computer, receives the user identification information, and transmits the agent history information associated with the user identification information. The client computer has a first agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information. The client computer incorporates a client agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing the virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined operation using the agent history information. With such a configuration, at least a part of the agent history information corresponding to a specific user generated by the server agent program in the server is transmitted to the client computer of the user, and the agent transmitted by the client agent program of the client computer History information will be used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the server receives, from the client computer, agent history information associated with the user identification information,
The synchronization processing of the agent history information stored in the second agent history storage area is performed by comparing with the agent history information stored in the agent history storage area. By such an operation, the agent history information of the server and the agent history information of the client are unified, and the unified agent history information is used by the server agent program and the client agent program.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a client computer connected to a server satisfying the following requirements by a communication network, and a client computer satisfying the following requirements. The client computer incorporates a client agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation according to a predetermined input operation performed by the user on the client computer. c) The contents of at least a part of the user's input operation are stored as user attribute information. The client computer stores the user attribute information in association with the user identification information of the user.
There is a user attribute storage area. The client computer connects to the server and sends the user attribute information associated with the user identification information. The server has a second user attribute storage area for storing the user attribute information in association with the user identification information. The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing the virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a virtual operation using at least a part of the user attribute information. With such a configuration, at least a part of the user attribute information on the specific user obtained by the user operating the client agent program of the client computer is transmitted to the server, and the obtained user attribute information is transmitted to the server. It will be used in the server agent program.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a client computer connected to a server satisfying the following requirements by a communication network, wherein the client computer satisfies the following requirements. The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined virtual operation. c) storing at least a part of the predetermined virtual action of the virtual character as agent history information. The server has a second agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information of the user. The client computer connects to the server, transmits the user identification information, and receives the agent history information associated with the user identification information. The client computer has a first agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information. The client computer incorporates a client agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing the virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined operation using the agent history information. With this configuration, the client computer of the user receives at least a part of the agent history information corresponding to a specific user generated by the server agent program in the server, and the client computer receives the agent received by the client agent program. History information will be used.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the client computer, the received agent history information is compared with the agent history information stored in the first agent history storage area, and the received agent history information is stored in the first agent history storage area. This is for synchronizing the stored agent history information. By such an operation, the agent history information of the server and the agent history information of the client are unified, and the unified agent history information is used by the server agent program and the client agent program.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program for causing a client computer connected to a server via a communication network to perform the following operations A) to C). A) Express a virtual character. B) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation according to a predetermined input operation performed on the client computer by the user. C) Store at least a part of the input operation of the user as user attribute information. D) Connect to the server and transmit the user attribute information. With such a configuration, if a program for expressing a virtual character using user attribute information is incorporated in the server, the user attribute information obtained by the client computer can be used in the server.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program for causing a client computer connected to a server which satisfies the requirements of the following to perform the following operations A) to C). The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined virtual operation. c) storing at least a part of the predetermined virtual action of the virtual character as agent history information. A) Express the virtual character. B) connecting to a server, transmitting the user identification information, and receiving the agent history information associated with the user identification information; C) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation using the agent history information. By such an operation, the agent history information on the specific user obtained from the operation of the server agent program of the server is received by the client computer of the specific user, and the agent history information is used to operate the virtual character. Will be used.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium, the program stores at least a part of a predetermined virtual operation of the virtual character in a client computer as agent history information, The received agent history information is compared with the stored agent history information, and the stored agent history information is synchronized. With such a configuration, the agent history information is also stored on the client computer side, and the agent history information is accumulated even when the client computer is not connected to the server. Then, when connecting to the server, the agent history information on the client computer side and the server side are unified, and the operation of the virtual character is performed by the unified agent history information.

[0015] The invention described in claim 11 provides the following (1):
A client computer satisfying the requirements of (2),
After connecting to a server that satisfies the following requirements (3) to (5), the server synchronizes the contents of the first user attribute storage area and the contents of the second user attribute storage area by the following procedures (1) to (4). How to do it. (1) The client computers are the following a) to c)
Includes a client agent program that meets the requirements of a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation according to a predetermined input operation performed by the user on the client computer. c) The contents of at least a part of the user's input operation are stored as user attribute information. (2) The client computer has a first user attribute storage area for storing the user attribute information in association with the user identification information of the user. (3) The server is connected to the client computer via a communication network. (4) The server has a second user attribute storage area for storing the user attribute information in association with the user identification information. (5) The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a virtual action using the predetermined user attribute information. Receive a connection request from a client computer. Requests user identification information from the client computer. When user identification information is sent from the client computer, user authentication processing is performed, and when authentication is completed, connection with the client computer is permitted. After connecting to the client computer, the user computer accesses user attribute information recorded in the first user attribute storage area of the client computer. User attribute information recorded in a first user attribute storage area of a client computer associated with the user identification information is recorded in a second user attribute storage area of a server associated with the user identification information. When there is a difference in the user attribute information, a synchronization process of the user attribute information recorded in the second user attribute storage area associated with the user identification information is performed. By such an operation, the user attribute information obtained by the user operation on the client agent program of the client computer and the user attribute information in the server are unified, and the unified user attribute information is used by the client agent program and the server agent program. Will be done.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention provides the following (1):
Servers that meet the requirements of (3) and the following (4)
In this method, after connection with a client computer satisfying the requirement (5), the server synchronizes the contents of the first agent history storage area and the contents of the second agent history storage area by the following procedures (1) to (4). (1) The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined virtual operation. c) storing at least a part of the predetermined virtual action of the virtual character as agent history information. (2) The server has a second agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information of the user. (3) The server is connected to the client computer via a communication network. (4) The client computer has a first agent history storage area for storing the agent history information of the character in association with the user identification information. (5) The client computer has the following a) and b)
Includes a client agent program that meets the requirements of a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined operation using the agent history information. Receive a connection request from a client computer. Requests user identification information from the client computer. When user identification information and information are sent from the client computer, user authentication processing is performed, and when authentication is completed, connection with the client computer is permitted. After connecting to the client computer, the client computer accesses the agent history information recorded in the first agent history storage area of the client computer. It is checked whether or not the agent history information recorded in the first agent history storage area associated with the user identification information of the client computer has changed from the last connection. When there is a change in the agent history information recorded in the first agent history information, the agent history information recorded in the second agent history storage area associated with the user identification information of the server in response to the change. Perform synchronous processing. It is checked whether the agent history information recorded in the second agent history storage area associated with the user identification information of the server has changed from the previous connection. When there is a change in the agent history information recorded in the second agent history storage area, at least this changed portion is transmitted to the client computer. By such an operation, the agent history information separately stored in each of the client agent program of the client computer and the server agent program of the server is unified in each of the client computer and the server. It will be used by the agent program and the server agent program.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1. 1. System Configuration 1.1 Hardware Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the present system, a plurality of client computers A are connected to a server B via a communication network. Here, the Internet is used as a communication network. The client computer A is constituted by a general computer, and includes a hard disk 10, an external storage device 20, an input device including a mouse 30 and a keyboard 40, a network interface for connecting to a network, and a main body including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. Terminal adapter and data service unit 50 are connected. Similarly, the server B is also configured by a general computer, and a hard disk 80, a router 90 serving as a network interface, and the like are connected to a main body including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

1.2 Configuration of Client Computer A client agent program 11 is stored in a hard disk 10 of the client computer.
A first user attribute storage area 12 and a first agent history storage area 13 are provided. The client agent program 11 is a virtual character (hereinafter, referred to as a virtual character).
Called "agent". ) Which causes the agent to perform a predetermined operation in response to a predetermined input operation performed by the user on the client computer. Specifically, the agent is displayed on the monitor of the client computer A as an image,
An operation program that moves an agent image on a monitor in response to an input operation such as a mouse click, and a conversation program that prompts a user of the client computer A to input characters from a keyboard through the agent image and responds to the input. Is done. The conversation program will be described later in detail.

The first user attribute storage area stores user attribute information indicating an attribute of a user of the client computer A in association with user identification information for specifying the user. The user attribute information is further divided into profile information and action information. FIG. 2 shows the record contents of the profile information. FIG. 2A shows the items of the record, and FIG. 2B shows the contents of each item. The profile information indicates an attribute of the user. As shown in the figure, the profile information includes a user ID serving as user identification information assigned to each user, a password for connecting to a server, a handle name used for a conversation with an agent, a user name, a name, and a user name. The postal code of the address, the user's address, the e-mail address, the telephone number, the date and time when the user was registered in the server, the date and time when the user last logged in to the server, and the date and time when he last logged off to the server.

FIG. 3 shows the record contents of the action information. FIG. 3A schematically shows an example in which record items are recorded, and FIG. 3B shows the contents of the record items. The action information stores a conversation that the user has made with the agent program. A conversation program for realizing a conversation between a user and an agent program is made up of a plurality of conversation programs as described later, and each conversation program is given a conversation ID. The action information records the content of the conversation for each conversation program to which the conversation ID is assigned. Specific recording contents include user ID, conversation I
D, the date and time when the conversation took place, the contents of the answer in the conversation, and the like. The first agent history storage area stores agent history information indicating the operation history of the agent in association with the user identification information. FIG. 4 shows the record contents of the agent history information. FIG. 4A schematically shows an example in which record items are recorded, and FIG. 4B shows the contents of the record items. As shown in the figure, the agent history information includes an agent ID for specifying an agent, a conversation I of a conversation program performed by the agent.
D, a user ID for identifying a partner with whom the conversation was conducted by the conversation program, the contents of the conversation, and the like.

1.3 Configuration of Server A client agent program 81 is stored in a hard disk 80 of the server, and a second user attribute storage area 82 and a second agent history storage area 83 are provided. The server agent program realizes the same function as the above-described client agent program with respect to conversation with the user. The server agent program further has a random conversation with a user of another client computer connected to the server in the server or an agent realized by another server agent program in the server. . For this reason, even when the client computer of the user corresponding to the agent is not connected to the server, the agent program independently performs a conversation or the like in the server. Further, the server agent program also performs a synchronous processing operation of the first user attribute storage area and the second user attribute storage area, and the first agent history storage area and the second agent history storage area, which will be described later. Second user attribute storage area 8
The contents of the second and second agent history storage areas 83 are the same as those of the first user attribute storage area 12 and the first agent history storage area 13, respectively, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

1.4 Conversation Program Hereinafter, the conversation program will be described in detail. First, conversation programs can be classified into three types. These are referred to as a conversation program I, a conversation program II, and a conversation program III, respectively. The conversation program I is for a server operator to have a conversation with a user connected to the server through an agent, and is used when presenting information to the user at the will of the server operator. The conversation program III is realized by a server agent program or a client agent program, and in principle, presents a predetermined question sentence to a conversation target person until completion processing is performed. The conversation program II interrupts the conversation program III when a predetermined operation condition is met, and presents a predetermined conversation sentence to the subject. For example, when a word about a beverage is input by a user, an operation of presenting an advertisement about a new beverage product in advance as a conversation sentence is performed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a presentation sentence executed by each conversation program. FIG. 5A shows a presentation sentence executed by the conversation program I, and shows an example in which a server administrator notifies a user of an earthquake through an agent. FIG. 5B shows a conversation program II.
Shows an example of presenting a sentence selectively inquiring whether or not to take a break when a predetermined time has elapsed since the user logged in to the server. FIG.
(C) is an example in which a predetermined question executed by the conversation program III is presented according to the user's answer. At first, a sentence asking whether or not there is a hobby is presented, and the response to this is " In the case of "Yes", a sentence asking what the hobby is is presented. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the conversation program and the conversation program database. The conversation program database is provided as a part of the server agent program and the client agent program. As shown, conversation programs II and III are executed based on a conversation program database. On the other hand, the conversation program I can be executed without using the conversation program database because the operator of the server can return a response in response to the response of the other party. It is also possible to operate the conversation program I so that a specific conversation program in the conversation program database is executed intentionally.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the contents of the conversation program database. FIG. 7A shows the record structure of the conversation program database, and the conversation program is executed based on this record. FIG. 7B shows the contents of each item of the record. The record items of the conversation program database include a conversation ID for specifying one of the conversation programs, a type of the conversation program, a condition for activating the conversation program, a presentation sentence that is the first action, and an action content for a response to this presentation sentence. It is.
7A, the conversation ID “1001”, the conversation program “II”, and the condition “R” will be described.
ANDAM ", and the sentence" Do you have a hobby? "Is recorded as the first presentation sentence. Then, as an action for a response to the presentation sentence, “B: 2;
end ". "B" is "Do you have a hobby?"
Is a sentence requesting a selection-type answer of "Yes" or "No", which indicates that a judgment B, which will be described later, is made in response to this. Also, "B:"
Indicates the action in the event that there is a response of “Yes” to the numerical value after “”, and “No” after the next “;”.
Action when there is a response of In other words, “B: 2; end” indicates that the process proceeds to action 2 when a response of “Yes” is given to the presentation sentence, and ends when there is a response of “No”. Is shown. The conversation programs II and III are executed according to the action specified by the conversation ID stored in such a conversation program database.

In FIG. 7A, the response is "Yes" or "N".
Although the action to the presentation sentence represented by “o” is illustrated, the presentation sentence includes a presentation sentence that requires a free sentence. For example, the conversation partner can freely respond to the presentation sentence "What kind of hobby?"
Actions on such presentations can be broadly divided into either continuing the response or ending the conversation. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates criteria for determining whether to continue the response in the conversation and to terminate the response. As shown in the figure, the determination to continue the response is made when a sentence is input as a free keyword-type response to a presentation that can freely return a response (determination A).
This is a case where “Yes” or “No” is selected for a selectable response to a presentation sentence that returns a response of “Yes” or “No” (decision B). Note that "Ye
The response may be continued only when either "s" or "No" is selected. On the other hand, when ending the conversation, if there is no reaction to the presentation sentence for a certain period of time (determination C),
This is a case where a predetermined word (“goodbye” in the figure) is input to the presentation sentence (decision D) and a case where there is an interruption from another user or another agent (decision E).

FIG. 9 is a diagram specifically showing the flow of a conversation. The flow of the conversation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 corresponds to FIGS. 3A and 4A. FIG.
(P) presents a sentence for selecting whether or not the agent has a hobby. Here, it is assumed that the conversation partner is a user having the user ID “taro”. When the user selects “Yes” to the presentation sentence, the response continues, and when the user selects “No”, a termination procedure is performed.
Further, no response (judgment C), input of "good-bye" which is a termination command type response (judgment D), interrupt processing (judgment E)
If there is, the process ends. Whether to continue for "Yes" or "No" depends on the conversation program database. Here, if there is a response “Yes”, a sentence asking, for example, what kind of hobbies are presented, as shown in FIG. In response to this, if there is no response (judgment C), the input of "good-bye" which is an end command type response (judgment D), and the interruption process (judgment E), the end procedure is performed. On the other hand, when a word other than the command-type response is input, the processing is continued assuming that there is a response (judgment A). Here, “drive” is illustrated as a response. The action information as the user attribute information shown in FIG. 3A and the agent history information shown in FIG. 4A respond with “Yes” to the presentation sentence in FIG. 4) shows the recorded contents when a response of "drive" is made to the presentation sentence of ()).

FIG. 9 (r) shows another user (user ID: tadash) after the agent once completes the end processing.
This shows a state in which a sentence is asked to ask what kind of hobbies he has for i). In this presentation sentence, in addition to a sentence asking a hobby, a word “drive”, which is information about a hobby recorded for a user ID “taro” in user attribute information, is presented. As described above, the agent performs an operation such as a conversation using a part of the user attribute information. The contents recorded as the agent history information are also used for the conversation. Here, if “tadashi” responds to “reading”, FIG.
The agent history information shown in FIG.
The word "reading" is recorded as the action information of "tadashi".

2. Program Operation 2.2 Conversation Processing The conversation processing operation will be described below. There are six patterns of conversation depending on the subject. FIG. 10 shows the types of patterns according to the subject of the conversation. FIG. 10 shows a conversation pattern centered on Mr. A, and shows a conversation pattern between Mr. A, an agent set in Mr. A's server and client, and Mr. B and Mr. B's agent. The patterns shown in the figure are the agent of Mr. A in the server and the agent of Mr. B in the server, the agent of Mr. A in the server and Mr. B, the agent of Mr. A and the agent of Mr. B in the server, and the name of Mr. A. There are six patterns: Mr. B, Mr. A and Mr. A's agent in the server, Mr. A and Mr. A's agent in the client.

The conversation operation differs according to the six patterns. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the conversation operation in the above case. These are operations centered on Mr. A's agent in the server. Mr. A's agent in the server acquires the user attribute information and the agent history information of the partner before conducting a conversation with the partner. That is, in the case of, since the other party is Mr. B and Mr. B's agent, the user attribute information and the agent history information of Mr. B are acquired from the second user attribute storage area (s101). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction from the server operator (s102). Here, if there is no instruction from the server operator, it is determined whether or not the operation condition for shifting to the conversation program II is met (s10).
3). If the operation condition is not met, the conversation program III is executed, and one sentence is presented via the agent (s104). In the case of agents, sentences are virtually presented, but are not presented on the screen. When it is determined that a termination procedure such as no response is made to this sentence, the conversation process is temporarily terminated.

When an instruction is given from the server operator in s102, the conversation program I is executed, and one sentence is presented via the agent (s105). Also in this case, when a response or the like for which an end procedure is made is made, the conversation process is temporarily ended. If it is determined in step s103 that the operation condition is satisfied, the conversation program II is executed, and one sentence is presented via the agent (s106). Also in this case, the conversation process is terminated once when a response for completing the termination procedure is made. s105, s106, s104
When it is determined that the response is to be continued, in the case of a conversation between the agent A in the server and the agent B in the server,
In the case of the conversation between Mr. A agent and Mr. B in the server, the agent history information is recorded in the second agent history storage area (s107). Further, in the case of a conversation between Mr. A agent and Mr. A in the server, user attribute information (action information portion) is recorded in the second user attribute storage area, and agent history is recorded in the second agent history storage area. (S107). S10 above
The processes from 2 to s107 are repeated until a termination procedure is performed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the conversation operation in the above case. This is an operation centered on Mr. A. Here, Mr. A makes a judgment and makes a question or answers a question of the other party. That is, the conversation program of Mr. A's agent program does not operate. Therefore, Mr. A talks according to Mr. B's agent program and the message from Mr. B (s201). Also in this conversation, each time Mr. A responds, it is determined whether to proceed to the termination procedure or to continue the response, and if it is determined that the termination procedure should be performed, the conversation processing ends once. On the other hand, when it is determined that the response should be continued, the content of the conversation is recorded as action information in the second user attribute storage area (s)
202). The above processing is repeated until the end processing is performed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the conversation operation in the above case. This is an operation performed offline in Mr. A's client computer. Here, first, it is determined whether or not an operation condition for shifting to the conversation program II is met (s301). Here, if the operation condition is not met, the conversation program III is executed, and one sentence is presented via the agent (s302). When it is determined that a termination procedure such as no response is made to this sentence, the conversation process is temporarily terminated. If it is determined in step s301 that the operation condition is satisfied, the conversation program II is executed, and one sentence is presented via the agent (s303). Also in this case, the conversation process ends once a response to the end procedure is made.
When it is determined that the response is continued in s302 and s303, the conversation content is stored in the first user attribute storage area as action information as user attribute information, and the conversation content is also stored in the first agent history storage area. Is done. S3 above
The process is repeated until the procedure from 01 to s304 is completed.

2.2 Synchronous Processing Finally, the synchronous processing operation will be described. Synchronization processing includes storing contents in the first user attribute storage area of the client computer and the second user attribute storage area of the server;
This is a process for matching the storage contents in the first agent history storage area of the client computer with the second agent history storage area of the server. That is, as described above, when the client agent program talks with the user offline, the first user attribute storage area and the first agent history storage area change, and when the server agent program is executed online, Since the second user attribute storage area and the second agent history storage area change, the contents differ between the user attribute storage areas of the server and the client computer and between the agent history storage areas. Will be needed.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a synchronization process when a client computer and a server are connected. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing a synchronization process when the client computer disconnects from the server. First, when the client computer connects to the server, a connection request is made from the client computer (), and the server receives the request and requests user identification information (). In response to this, the client computer transmits a user ID and a password as user identification information (). The server performs user authentication using the user identification information and the like, and determines whether or not the user is a proper user (s401). Here, if it is determined that the user is not an appropriate user, the server requests the user identification information again. On the other hand, if the server is determined to be an appropriate user, the server permits connection to the client computer (). At the same time, the server accesses the user attribute information stored in the first user attribute storage area of the client computer (). The server determines whether or not the accessed user attribute information has changed compared to the previous connection (s402). Here, when it is determined that there is a change, the user attribute information stored in the first user attribute storage area is synchronized with the user attribute information stored in the second user attribute storage area (). Specifically, the synchronization process is performed by adding a change sentence of the user attribute information stored in the first user attribute storage area to the second user attribute storage area according to the recording date and time.

Next, the server accesses the agent history information stored in the first agent history storage area of the client computer (). The server also determines whether the accessed agent history information has changed compared to the previous connection (s40).
3). Here, if it is determined that there is a change, synchronization processing of the agent history information stored in the first agent history storage area and the agent history information stored in the second user attribute storage area is performed (). The specific synchronization processing is also performed by adding a change sentence of the agent history information stored in the first agent history storage area to the second agent history storage area according to the recording date and time. When the above processing ends, the conversation program is executed.

Next, the synchronization processing operation at the disconnection point shown in FIG. 15 will be described. When the client computer intends to terminate the connection with the server, first, information to log off is transmitted to the server as a termination procedure (). Then, the server accesses the user attribute information recorded in the first user attribute storage area ([10]). Then, it is determined whether the accessed user attribute information has changed by comparing with the contents of the second user attribute storage area (s501). If there is a change in the contents, a synchronization process is performed between the user attribute information stored in the first user attribute storage area and the user attribute information stored in the second user attribute storage area ([11]). ).
Specifically, a change in the user attribute information stored in the second user attribute storage area is transmitted to the client computer, and this information is added to the contents of the first user attribute storage area of the client computer according to the recording date and time. I do.
Subsequently, the server accesses the agent history information stored in the first agent history storage area of the client computer ((12)). Then, the accessed agent history information is compared with the contents of the second agent history storage area to determine whether there is any change (s502). If there is a change in the contents, a synchronization process is performed between the agent history information stored in the first agent history storage area and the agent history information stored in the second agent history storage area ([13]). ). Also in this case, the synchronization process is performed by transmitting a change in the agent history information from the server to the client computer and adding this to the first agent history storage area.

As described above, in this embodiment, the server agent program talks with other users and other agents besides the corresponding user, and talks with the corresponding user using the data obtained therefrom. It is possible to give an impression as if the agent exists on the net independently. In addition, by using the attribute information of the user by the agent and using the attribute information in a conversation with another user, the information of the user can be given to the other user and the variation of communication can be expanded.

In the above embodiment, the content of the conversation is recorded in each of the action information and the agent history information of the user attribute information. However, the conversation is stored by attaching an identifier to another storage area. Aside
This identifier may be stored in the action information and the agent history information. Further, in the above embodiment, the server performs the synchronization processing mainly, but the synchronization processing may be performed mainly by the client computer.

[0039]

From the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first, fifth, and eighth aspects of the present invention, at least a part of the user attribute information on the specific user obtained by the user operation of the client computer can be used in the server. As a result, user attribute information is collected by the client computer in a state where the line is disconnected, and this is used by the server program, so that communication cost is reduced and the server and the client computer use the same user attribute information. Character movements can be realized.

According to the second and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the user attribute information stored in the server and the client computer are unified, and each of the client computer and the server uses the unified user attribute information to create a virtual character. Can be performed, the behavior of the virtual character is less likely to be inconsistent between the client computer and the server, and the presence of the virtual character can be enhanced.

According to the third, sixth, and ninth aspects of the present invention, at least a part of the agent history information corresponding to a specific user generated by the server agent program in the server is used by the client computer. Therefore, the virtual character operates independently in the server, and when connected to the server, the client computer obtains agent history information based on the operation independently performed by the virtual character, and obtains the virtual character. Since it is possible to cause a typical character to perform an operation, it is possible to give the user an impression as if the virtual character exists uniquely on the net.

According to the present invention, the agent history information of the server and the agent history information of the client are unified, and the unified agent history information is used in the server and the client computer. Again, inconsistencies in the behavior of the virtual character between the client computer and the server are reduced, and the presence of the virtual character can be enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing record items of profile information, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing contents of record items of profile information.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example in which record items of action information are recorded, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the contents of record items of action information;

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example in which record items of agent history information are recorded, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the contents of record items of agent history information.

5A is a diagram showing a presentation sentence executed by a conversation program I, FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a presentation sentence executed by a conversation program II, and FIG. It is a figure showing a presentation sentence performed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a relationship between a conversation program and a conversation program database.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a record structure of a conversation program database, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing contents of each item of a record in the conversation program database.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of criteria for determining whether to continue a response in a conversation and to terminate the response.

FIG. 9 is a diagram specifically showing a flow of a conversation by a conversation program.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing types of patterns according to a subject of a conversation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a conversation operation centered on an agent in a server.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a conversation operation centered on a user.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a conversation operation between a user and an agent in a client computer.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating a synchronization process when a client computer and a server are connected.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating a synchronization process when the client computer disconnects from the server.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A client computer B server 10, 80 hard disk 11 client agent program 12 first user attribute storage area 13 first agent history storage area 81 server agent program 82 second user attribute storage area 83 second agent history storage area

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A server connected to a client computer satisfying the following requirements (1) through a communication network, and satisfying the following requirements (1): The client computer incorporates a client agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation according to a predetermined input operation performed by the user on the client computer. c) The contents of at least a part of the user's input operation are stored as user attribute information. The client computer stores the user attribute information in association with the user identification information of the user.
There is a user attribute storage area. The server connects to the client computer and receives the user attribute information associated with the user identification information. The server has a user attribute storage area for storing the user attribute information in association with the user identification information. The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing the virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a virtual operation using at least a part of the user attribute information. 2. The received user attribute information and the second
2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server compares the user attribute information stored in the user attribute storage area with the user attribute information stored in the second user attribute storage area. 3. 3. A server that is connected to a client computer satisfying the following requirements (1) through a communication network, and that satisfies the following requirements (1) to (3). The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined virtual operation. c) storing at least a part of the predetermined virtual action of the virtual character as agent history information. The server has a second agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information of the user. The server connects to the client computer, receives the user identification information, and transmits the agent history information associated with the user identification information. The client computer has a first agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information. The client computer incorporates a client agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing the virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined operation using the agent history information. 4. Receiving agent history information associated with the user identification information from a client computer, comparing the received agent history information with agent history information stored in a second agent history storage area, and storing the agent history information in the second agent history storage area. 4. The server according to claim 3, wherein the server performs synchronization processing of the agent history information. 5. A client computer connected to a server satisfying the following requirement (1) through a communication network, and satisfying the following requirement (1). The client computer incorporates a client agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation according to a predetermined input operation performed by the user on the client computer. c) The contents of at least a part of the user's input operation are stored as user attribute information. The client computer stores the user attribute information in association with the user identification information of the user.
There is a user attribute storage area. The client computer connects to the server and sends the user attribute information associated with the user identification information. The server has a second user attribute storage area for storing the user attribute information in association with the user identification information. The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing the virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a virtual operation using at least a part of the user attribute information. 6. A client computer which is connected to a server satisfying the following requirements (1) through a communication network, and satisfies the following requirements (1). The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined virtual operation. c) storing at least a part of the predetermined virtual action of the virtual character as agent history information. The server has a second agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information of the user. The client computer connects to the server, transmits the user identification information, and receives the agent history information associated with the user identification information. The client computer has a first agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information. The client computer incorporates a client agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing the virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined operation using the agent history information. 7. A synchronization process of the agent history information stored in the first agent history storage area by comparing the received agent history information with the agent history information stored in the first agent history storage area. The client computer according to claim 6. 8. A recording medium storing a program for causing a client computer connected to a server via a communication network to perform the following operations A) to C). A) Express a virtual character. B) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation according to a predetermined input operation performed on the client computer by the user. C) Store at least a part of the input operation of the user as user attribute information. D) Connect to the server and transmit the user attribute information. 9. A recording medium storing a program for causing a client computer connected to a server satisfying the above-mentioned requirements to perform the following operations A) to C) by a client computer. The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined virtual operation. c) storing at least a part of the predetermined virtual action of the virtual character as agent history information. A) Express the virtual character. B) connecting to a server, transmitting the user identification information, and receiving the agent history information associated with the user identification information; C) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation using the agent history information. 10. The program stores at least a part of a predetermined virtual operation of the virtual character in a client computer as agent history information, and stores the received agent history information and the stored agent history information. 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the storage medium is compared with the agent history information and the stored agent history information is synchronized. 11. After connecting a client computer satisfying the following requirements (1) and (2) with a server satisfying the following requirements (3) to (5), the server performs the following procedures (1) to (5). Performing a synchronization process between the contents of the first user attribute storage area and the contents of the second user attribute storage area. (1) The client computers are the following a) to c)
Includes a client agent program that meets the requirements of a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a predetermined operation according to a predetermined input operation performed by the user on the client computer. c) The contents of at least a part of the user's input operation are stored as user attribute information. (2) The client computer has a first user attribute storage area for storing the user attribute information in association with the user identification information of the user. (3) The server is connected to the client computer via a communication network. (4) The server has a second user attribute storage area for storing the user attribute information in association with the user identification information. (5) The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) and b). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) The virtual character performs a virtual action using the predetermined user attribute information. Receive a connection request from a client computer. Requests user identification information from the client computer. When user identification information is sent from the client computer, user authentication processing is performed, and when authentication is completed, connection with the client computer is permitted. After connecting to the client computer, the user computer accesses user attribute information recorded in the first user attribute storage area of the client computer. User attribute information recorded in a first user attribute storage area of a client computer associated with the user identification information is recorded in a second user attribute storage area of a server associated with the user identification information. When there is a difference in the user attribute information, a synchronization process of the user attribute information recorded in the second user attribute storage area associated with the user identification information is performed. 12. After connecting a server satisfying the following requirements (1) to (3) and a client computer satisfying the following requirements (4) to (5), the server performs the following steps (1) to (5). A method of synchronizing the contents of the first agent history storage area and the contents of the second agent history storage area. (1) The server incorporates a server agent program that satisfies the following requirements a) to c). a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined virtual operation. c) storing at least a part of the predetermined virtual action of the virtual character as agent history information. (2) The server has a second agent history storage area for storing the agent history information in association with the user identification information of the user. (3) The server is connected to the client computer via a communication network. (4) The client computer has a first agent history storage area for storing the agent history information of the character in association with the user identification information. (5) The client computer has the following a) and b)
Includes a client agent program that meets the requirements of a) A program for expressing a virtual character. b) causing the virtual character to perform a predetermined operation using the agent history information. Receive a connection request from a client computer. Requests user identification information from the client computer. When user identification information and information are sent from the client computer, user authentication processing is performed, and when authentication is completed, connection with the client computer is permitted. After connecting to the client computer, the client computer accesses the agent history information recorded in the first agent history storage area of the client computer. It is checked whether or not the agent history information recorded in the first agent history storage area associated with the user identification information of the client computer has changed from the last connection. When there is a change in the agent history information recorded in the first agent history information, the agent history information recorded in the second agent history storage area associated with the user identification information of the server in response to the change. Perform synchronous processing. It is checked whether the agent history information recorded in the second agent history storage area associated with the user identification information of the server has changed from the previous connection. When there is a change in the agent history information recorded in the second agent history storage area, at least this changed portion is transmitted to the client computer.