JP2002259316A - System/method for exchanging message, recording medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily know a special attendee attending chatting in message exchange. SOLUTION: A client system displays a message 905 of received chat room data in a chat window 902 and the attending member table data of the received chat room data in an attending member table 904. In chatting which a special member like a showfolk, etc., attends, the color of the chat name 906 of the special member in the table 904 or the message 905 of the special member in the window 902 is changed so as to show the special member clearly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a message exchange system, a message exchange method, a recording medium, and a program. Media and programs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a network communication tool for exchanging messages in real time between users of client machines connected to a communication network represented by the Internet.

There is a tool for two parties to exchange messages in real time on the Internet by unicast (one-to-one communication). For example, ICQ (Israel
For exchange of messages between two parties in a multi-window environment, such as the display of outgoing messages and received messages on a client machine, as in the case of Milabilis, Inc.) There are tools.

There is also a tool for so-called chat, in which a plurality of persons exchange messages in real time on the Internet by multicasting (communication from one person to a plurality of persons in a specific group) on the Internet. The message sent to the chat room established by the server machine is received by the client machine and displayed as a message log in one screen of the chat tool.

[0005]

However, in a dialogue between two or more people in a communication network in which messages are exchanged, in the case of a dialogue between only two parties, the profile of the other party is often known in advance, but three or more parties are known in advance. In the prior art, there is a problem to be solved in which it is difficult to understand who is a special member even in a dialogue in which a special member such as an entertainer participates.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a message exchange system in which a special participant participating in a dialog can be easily understood.
A message exchange method, a recording medium, and a program are provided.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of client systems exchange messages via at least one server system, and each client system exchanges messages. In a message exchange system that displays a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message in the system, type information indicating a type of a message sender is given to the plurality of client systems, and the client system transmits At the time of transmission, adding means for adding the type information to a transmission message, and at the time of receiving the transmission message from another client system,
Display means for displaying the received message or the identification information of the message sender of the message in association with the type information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the message exchange system according to the first aspect, when the type information indicates a special message sender, the display means displays the identification information of the message sender. It is characterized by changing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the message exchange system according to the first aspect, when the type information indicates a special message sender, the display means displays a message transmitted by the message sender. It is characterized by changing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the message exchange system according to the second or third aspect, the display mode is color.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the message exchange system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the type information includes a flag.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of client systems exchange messages via at least one server system, and each client system transmits a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message. In a client system used in a message exchange system for displaying, type information indicating a type of a message sender is given to the plurality of client systems, and the client system transmits the type information when transmitting a message. And display means for displaying, when the transmission message is received from another client system, the identification information of the received message or the message sender of the message in association with the type information. thing And it features.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the client system according to the sixth aspect, when the type information indicates a special message sender, the display means displays the identification mode of the message sender. A client system characterized by changing.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the client system according to the sixth aspect, when the type information indicates a special message sender, the display means displays a message transmitted by the message sender. It is characterized by changing.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the client system according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the display mode is color.

[0016] The invention of claim 10 is the invention of claims 6 to 9
In the client system described in any one of the above, the type information includes a flag.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of client systems exchange messages via at least one server system, and each client system transmits a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message. In the message exchange method of the message exchange system to be displayed, type information indicating a type of a message sender is given to the plurality of client systems, and the client system adds the type information to a transmission message when transmitting the message. When the transmission message is received from another client system, the identification information of the received message or the message sender of the message is displayed in association with the type information.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of client systems exchange messages through at least one server system, and each client system transmits a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message. In a message exchange method of a client system used in a message exchange system to be displayed, type information indicating a type of a message sender is given to the plurality of client systems,
The client system, when sending a message,
The type information is added to a transmission message, and when the transmission message is received from another client system, identification information of the received message or a message sender of the message is displayed in association with the type information. And

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of client systems exchange messages through at least one server system, and each client system transmits a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message. In a client system used in the message exchange system to display, in a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for performing message exchange, type information indicating a type of a message sender is given to the plurality of client systems. The program adds the type information to the transmission message when transmitting the message, and when receiving the transmission message from another client system, identifies the received message or the message sender of the message. Distribution and, and displaying in association with the type information.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, a message is exchanged between a plurality of client systems via at least one server system, and each client system transmits a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message. In a program for exchanging messages of a client system used in a message exchange system to be displayed, type information indicating a type of a message sender is given to the plurality of client systems, and the program transmits a message. Sometimes, adding the type information to a transmission message, and displaying the received message or the identification information of the message sender of the message in association with the type information when receiving the transmission message from another client system. And it features.

The invention of claim 31 has a server system and a plurality of client systems, wherein the server system distributes a message transmitted from one client system to another client system, and each of the other client systems Is a teleconference method for displaying a distributed message cumulatively in a message display area every time a distributed message is received, wherein the transmitting client system includes a user's unique number and an identification number indicating a member type. Holds a message, generates a message by the user's operation, generates and transmits a transmission message from the message using the identification number according to the transmission instruction of the user, and receives the transmission message. Via the server system, Based on the identification number included in the transmitted transmission message, determines whether the member type of the sender of the transmission message is a special member, if it is determined that the sender of the transmission message is a special member The received transmission message is displayed in the display area by changing a display mode.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, portions having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same portions will not be repeated.

The message exchange system according to the present embodiment comprises:
This will be described as one function in a communication network service system provided by a network service company. The communication network service system according to the present embodiment provides a communication network service in which a network service company installs and operates a server group to member users via the Internet.

The contents of the communication network service include, for example, a content browsing service; sports, music, comics, shopping information, and various other information providing communication services; Exchange system) and providing a mail service environment. Game service; providing an online game environment that is activated via a communication network.

A member user of the communication network service starts a viewer (data display software) dedicated to the communication network service on a client machine, accesses a group of servers of a network service company, and uses the service.

(System Configuration) FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of the communication network service system of the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a communication network service system includes:
A communication network 101, a server group 102 of a network service company, and a client system connected to the server group 102 via the communication network 101 and used by a plurality of users, for example, 103a, 103b, 104
a, 104b, etc. The server group 102 and the client systems 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b
Each is a computer system.

The client systems 103a, 103b
Is a home video game machine. The client systems 104a and 104b are personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as PCs). Client system 1
03a and 103b store the above viewer program in C
It can be loaded from the DROM and started. The client systems 104a and 104b are equipped with the above-described viewer in advance.

The communication network 101 includes the server group 10
2 and the above-mentioned client systems 103a, 103
b, 104a, 104b, etc. are connected. In this embodiment, the Internet is assumed as the communication network 101. TCP / IP, HTTP for data transmission and reception
(Hypertext transfer protocol), SMTP (simple
mailtransfer protocol), FTP (file transfer pro)
tocol) may be used.

The server group 102 accesses the stored data, processes the data, and provides services to the client systems in response to requests from the client systems. The server group 102 includes an authentication server group 102a,
Content server group 102b, message server group 10
2c, mail server group 102d, game A server group 10
2e, a game B server group 102f, and a profile server group 102g.

The authentication server group 102a includes a plurality of authentication server systems. Each authentication server system manages the account (user ID (identifier)) and password of each member user. In addition, each authentication server system may manage the connection status (online / offline) of the user and the address of the client machine of the user who is online.

The content server group 102b includes a plurality of content server systems. Each content server system provides sports, music, comics, shopping information, and various other information.

The message server group 102c comprises a plurality of message server systems. Each message server system provides an environment for real-time message exchange between users. More specifically, an environment is provided for a messenger application and a chat application (each of which is a component of the message exchange system according to the present embodiment, which will be described later) that a user starts on a client machine. It mainly performs routing (transmission destination, route setting) for delivering exchange messages of the messenger application and chat messages of the chat application.

The mail server group 102d comprises a plurality of mail server systems. Each mail server system provides an environment for e-mail exchange between users.

The game A server group 102e and the game B server group 102f are composed of a plurality of game server systems.
Each game server system provides an online game environment. The user starts the online game in the game server system from the viewer and plays the game. For example, when the online game is a role playing game (a game in which a user plays as a game character), the user can play the role playing game together with other member users.

The profile server group 102g includes a plurality of profile server systems. Each profile server system manages a profile (profile, introduction) of a user corresponding to the account for each account. The user can register his profile from the viewer to the profile server system.

(Client System) In the above-described system configuration, this embodiment will describe a case where the client system is a home video game machine.

FIG. 2 illustrates an environment in which the client systems 103a, 103b and 103c, which are home video game machines, are used. These client systems are connected to a server group 102 via a communication network 101.

The client system 103a includes a game machine main body 201, a television receiver 202, and a controller 20.
3 inclusive. Similarly, the client system 103b includes a game machine main body 204, a television receiver 205, and a controller 206, and the client system 103c includes a game machine main body 207, a television receiver 208, and a controller 209.

The game machine main unit 201 starts a viewer and accesses the server group 102. The television receiver 202 outputs image and sound data from the game machine main body 201. The controller 203 inputs a user's instruction to the game machine main body 201.

In this embodiment, the user Maehiro uses the client system 103a, the user Junko uses the client system 103b, and another user accesses the server group 102 using the client system 103c and the like. I do.

FIG. 3 shows a system configuration of the game machine main body 201. In FIG. 3, a game machine main body 201 includes a CPU.
(Central processing unit) 201a, system memory 201b, VRAM (video ram) 201c, image control module 201d, sound control module 201e, memory card slot 201f, I / O (input / output)
Interface 201g, communication interface 201
h, including the CDROM drive 201i.

The CPU 201a includes a system memory 201
According to the control procedure of the program loaded or stored in b, the entire game machine main body 201 is controlled.

The system memory 201b has a ROM (read o
nly memory), RAM (random access memory) and the like. ROM is BIOS (basic input / output system)
The program is stored, and the RAM temporarily stores control data and a viewer program loaded from the CDROM of the CDROM drive 201i.

The VRAM 201c expands and temporarily stores image data to be displayed on the television receiver 208. The image control module 201d controls image data to be displayed on the television receiver 208. Sound control module 2
01e controls sound data to be output by the television receiver 208.

The memory card slot 201f has a CPU
Reference numeral 201a denotes an interface for inserting a memory card storing data to be referred to when starting the viewer.

The I / O interface 201g inputs and outputs data between the game machine main body 201 and external devices such as the television receiver 202 or the controller 203. The communication interface 201h controls communication with the communication network 101.

The CDROM drive 201i drives a CDROM storing a program and reads the program. In the present embodiment, the CDROM storing the viewer program is read by the CDROM drive 201i, and the viewer program is loaded into the RAM of the system memory 201b.

FIG. 4 shows the controller 203. 203
a, 203b, 203c, 203d are upper, lower, left,
Right arrow key. 203e is a circle button and 203f is a cross button. The user presses these keys and buttons to give instructions to the game machine main body 201.

The direction keys 203a, 203b, 203c,
203d moves, for example, the focus (highlight for specifying an item) on the screen of the viewer displayed on the television receiver 202 in the corresponding direction.

The o button 203e is a button for performing a determination operation on an item having focus. The X button 203f is a button for canceling the determination operation or returning to the immediately preceding operation step.

(Message Exchange) Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, Maehiro, a celebrity user, uses the client system 103a to send a message to the client system 10a.
A case where a message is exchanged with Junko using 3b and a user using another client system will be described.

When the user Maehiro sets the CDROM storing the viewer program in the game machine main body 201, the game machine main body 201 activates the viewer.

Since the initial screen of the viewer prompts for an account and password for login, the user inputs his / her account and password using a software keyboard (not shown) (or a keyboard not shown). Input from the keyboard) and ○ button 203
Perform a decision operation in e and log in to the viewer.

The viewer of this embodiment can use a total of four accounts, one master account and three sub-accounts, as accounts for login. It is assumed that Maehiro of the above user has logged in with the master account "maehiro".

FIG. 5 shows a viewer screen immediately after login in this case. In FIG. 5, a viewer menu screen 5
01 is account 502, navigator command button 5
03, a game command button 504, a sports command button 505, a music command button 506, a cartoon command button 507, and the like. At this point, the viewer is offline with the server group 102.

The user moves the focus to a desired button and performs a decision operation with the O button 203e, whereby
Activate the function associated with the button that was operated. As described above, the user can perform a determination operation on an item having focus and activate a function related to the item.

When the user performs a determination operation on the game command button 504, the game A server group 102e and the game B
A game tool for accessing the server group 102f and playing a game is activated.

The user inputs a sport command button 505,
When a determination operation is performed on the music command button 506, the comics command button 507, or the like, the content server group 1
A content browsing tool for accessing various content information by accessing the content 02b is activated.

When the user operates the navigator command button 503
Is performed, the message server group 102c, the mail server group 102d, and the profile server group 10
A communication tool “navigator (tentative name)” for accessing 2g and providing a communication service is activated. The navigator is a communication tool integrating functions of a messenger application (hereinafter, simply referred to as a messenger), a chat application, a mail application, and the like.

Hereinafter, a case where the navigator is activated will be described. When the navigator is started, access to the server group 102 is authenticated with the above-described account and password required for login of the viewer, and the viewer is brought online with the server group 102.

FIG. 6 shows a screen of the viewer when the navigator command button 503 is determined and the navigator is activated. In FIG. 6, navigator top screen 6
01 is a messenger main window 602, a chat command button 603, and a mail command button 604.
Etc.

Immediately after the navigator is started, the messenger is automatically started, the viewer goes online with the message server group 102c, and the main window 602 of the messenger is displayed. The messenger accesses the message server group 102c, and the member user's server group 1
02 is a communication tool that constantly monitors the status of connection to 02 and exchanges messages in real time between two users who are online.

When the user performs a determination operation on the mail command button 604, a mail application for accessing the mail server group 102d and exchanging electronic mails is started.

When the user performs a decision operation on the chat command button 603, a chat application for accessing the message server group 102c and chatting is started. FIG. 7 shows a viewer screen in this case.

FIG. 7 shows a chat room selection screen 701. The user selects, for example, the Roomno. The user moves the focus to the chat room 703 of 008 to perform a decision operation, and enters the chat room 703. When a new chat room is opened, the user performs a determination operation on the chat room opening button 702 to perform a predetermined procedure for newly establishing a chat room in the message server system of the message server group 102c.

FIG. 8 shows a screen 701 for selecting a chat room shown in FIG. 13 shows a screen of a viewer when a chat room 704 of 001 is selected. 8, a chat screen 801 has a chat window 802, a message input window 803, a participating member table 804, and the like.

The message server system stores the participating member table data of the established chat room, and a message log storing the messages sent to the chat room and the autonomous messages generated by the system in chronological order. Managing. When a message is sent to an established chat room (or an autonomous message is generated), the message server system adds the message to a message log and a chat room including the message and participating member table data. The data is transmitted by multicast to the user of the account in the participating member table data.

The client system transmits the received chat room data message to the chat window 80.
2, the participating member table data of the received chat room data is displayed in the participating member table 804. Participating member table 8
Numeral 04 indicates the chat names and statuses (entrance / exit status, etc.) of each member participating in the chat room. In the present embodiment, the member's account is used as the chat name for convenience.

Here, in a chat in which a special member such as an entertainer participates, for example, a message in the participating member table 804 or a message in the chat window 802 includes
There is a feature of the message exchange system of the present embodiment in that the special member is specified.

Hereinafter, the chat in this embodiment will be described in detail. When the user Maehiro displays the chat room selection screen 701 in FIG. The user selects the chat room 704 of 001 and enters the room. Then, the message server system multicasts the chat room data including the autonomous message indicating that Maehiro has entered the room and the participating member table data to which Maehiro, a special member who is an entertainer, has been added to the user whose chat name is in the participating member table data. To send.

When the user Maehiro receives the chat room data, as shown in FIG.
In 4, the chat name of Maehiro, a special member, is displayed in a different color from other chat names. In the present embodiment, the chat name of the special member is displayed as shaded as indicated by reference numeral 806. Room no. Participating member table 804 of other users participating in the chat room 001
Similarly, the chat name of the special member Maehiro is displayed in a shaded manner.

Thereafter, the special member Maehiro moves the focus to the message input window 803, inputs a message, performs an operation of deciding the send command button 805, and transfers the message to the Ro of the message server system.
om no. 001 to the chat room.

In this case, the message server system transmits the chat room data including the message of Maehiro and the participating member table data having the special member Maehiro to the user having the chat name in the participating member table data by multicast.

FIG. 9 shows that Junko whose account is “Junko” is in the Room no. 11 shows a screen of a viewer when participating in a chat room 001. In FIG. 9, a chat screen 901 includes a chat window 902,
Message input window 903, participating member table 904
Etc.

When Junko of the user receives the chat room data, the member list 904 in FIG.
Has a special member Maehiro's chat name 9
As shown in FIG. Further, in the chat window 902, the message of the special member Maehiro is displayed in a different color from other messages. In the present embodiment, the message of the special member is shaded as indicated by reference numeral 905.

According to the above-described embodiment, in a chat in which a special member such as an entertainer participates, it is possible to clearly indicate who is the special member in the chat name in the participating member table or the message in the chat window.

(Client System Processing) In the above system configuration, as described above with reference to FIGS.
When Maehiro of a user who is an entertainer exchanges messages with Junko using the client system 103b and a user using another client system using the client system 103a, the processing procedure of the client system is as follows. 10 to 16
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 shows data stored in the memory card of the game machine main body of the client system. FIG.
Indicates a database of a chat room established in the message server system 1101 having the message server group 102c. FIG. 12 shows a data format of a message transmission request that is data for transmitting a chat message to the message server system 1101 by the user of the client system. FIG. 13 shows a data format of chat room data, which is data used by the message server system 1101 to transmit a chat message to the client system. 14 to 16
9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the client system performs message exchange according to the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the processing procedure shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is performed by the CPU 201a of the game machine main unit 201 of the client system 103a executing the viewer program loaded from the CDROM into the RAM of the system memory 201b. Done. At the same time, the CPU 201a refers to the data stored in the memory card 1001 in FIG. 10 inserted into the memory card slot 201f. In the present embodiment, the processing procedure shown in FIG. 16 is performed by the CPU of the game machine main body 204 of the client system 103b executing the viewer program loaded from the CDROM into the RAM of the system memory.

In FIG. 10, a memory card 1001
Stores authentication data 1002 and other data. The authentication data 1002 includes a master account which is an account for logging in to the viewer and accessing the server group 102, three sub-accounts, and a password and a special member flag corresponding to each account.

The special member flag is a flag indicating whether or not the member is a special member when participating in the chat.
Default is OFF for general member users (non-special member)
It is. This is because information of a special member flag ON (special member) is given in advance when an account and a password are given to a member user such as an entertainer from a network service company that operates a communication network service.

In FIG. 11, the message server system 1101 includes a server engine 1106 and a chat room database 1107. Server Engine 1
Reference numeral 106 denotes a control program for the message server system 1101, which performs a reception process of various requests transmitted from each client system, a database process, and other controls.

The chat room database 1107 is
Participating member table data of the established chat room,
The message sent to the chat room and the message log storing the autonomous messages generated by the system in time series are managed for each chat room. In addition, it holds a chat room list (not shown).

For example, chat room data 1110 of Room No. 001 has participation member table data 1112 and message log 1113. Participating member table data 1112 includes chat names of members participating in the chat room of Room No. 001, information flags of statuses (entrance / exit status, etc.) corresponding to each chat name, and special member flags. Note that the special member flag here is also a flag having the same meaning as described in FIG.
In the present embodiment, for convenience, the account of the member participating in the chat room is used as the chat name.

In FIG. 14, the CPU 201a stores the account “maehiro” and the password of the master account entered by the user on the initial screen of the viewer, in the authentication data 1002 stored in the memory card 1001.
Check against the account and password pair in. If the collation is successful, login to the viewer is permitted, and the viewer menu screen 501 is displayed on the television receiver 202.

Further, when the CPU 201a detects the operation of determining the navigator command button 503, the CPU 201a activates the navigator. Then, authentication of access to the server group 102 is queried using the account and password required for login of the viewer. When the authentication is obtained and the online state is established with the server group 102, the CPU 201a displays the main window 602 of the messenger on the viewer as shown in FIG. 6, and starts the messenger (step S40).
0).

Next, when the CPU 201a detects a decision operation of the chat command button 603, the chat application is activated and the message server system 110 is activated.
1 to get the chat room list,
Is displayed on the television receiver 202 (step S410).

Subsequently, the CPU 201a displays the Room No. on the chat room selection screen 701. When the operation of determining the selection of the chat room 704 of 001 is detected, the entry request to which the sender chat name and the special member flag are added is edited and transmitted to the message server system 1101 (steps S420 to S430).

In this case, the account “maehiro” is used as the sender chat name, and the memory card 1001
The special member flag (ON) corresponding to the account “maehiro” in the authentication data 1002 stored in
Added to entry request.

When the CPU 201a transmits the entry request,
The message server system 1101 stores the chat name “maehiro” and its special member flag in the Room no. 00
1 is added to the participating member table data 1112, and chat room data composed of the participating member table data 1112 and an autonomous message indicating that Maehiro has entered the room is transmitted by multicast to the user having the chat name in the participating member table data 1112.

In FIG. 13, the chat room data includes a chat room data header 1301 in which System is set in the sender chat name, a message 1302 in which Maehiro has entered, and participating member table data 1112. It has set participating member table data 1303.

Upon receiving the chat room data, the CPU 201a displays a chat screen 801 shown in FIG.
System and message 13 of the sender's chat name
02, the message server system 1101
Is displayed in the chat window 802 (steps S440 to S450).

The CPU 201a displays the participating member table 804 according to the contents of the participating member table data 1303,
The special member flag in the participating member table data 1303 is checked, and if the flag is ON (there is a special member), the chat name of the special member in the participating member table 804 is specified. In this case, the chat name of the special member Maehiro is displayed as shaded as indicated by reference numeral 806 (steps S455 to S470).

Next, when the special member Maehiro moves the focus to the message input window 803 and inputs a message, the CPU 201a buffers the message input in the message input window 803 to the RAM of the system memory 201b (temporarily). (Step S480).

When the CPU 201a detects the determination operation of the transmission command button 805, the CPU 201a edits the message transmission request to which the sender's chat name, the special member flag and the buffered message are added, and transmits the message to the message server system 1101. (Step S4
85-S490).

In this case, the account “maehiro” is used as the sender chat name, and the memory card 1001
The special member flag (ON) corresponding to the account “maehiro” in the authentication data 1002 stored in
It is added to the message transmission request.

Here, in FIG. 12, the message transmission request includes a message transmission request header 1201 in which maehiro is set in the sender chat name and ON is set in the special member flag, and a buffered message 1202. Have.

When the CPU 201a transmits a message transmission request, the message server system 1101 transmits a chat room data header 1301, which is a copy of the message transmission request header 1201, and a chat name "maehir".
o "and its special member flag, the participating member table data 1302 in which the participating member table data 1112 is set.
3 and the message 1302 of Maehiro are transmitted to the user of the chat name in the participating member table data 1112 by multicast.

Junko's client system 103b
When the above-mentioned chat room data is received, the CPU of the game machine main body 204 displays the chat screen 901 shown in FIG.
A participating member table 904 is displayed in accordance with the contents of step 3 (steps S500 to S510). And participating member table data 1
Check the special member flag in 303 and if the flag is ON (there is a special member), the participating member table 90
4, the chat name of the special member is specified. In this case, the chat name of the special member, Maehiro, is shaded as indicated by reference numeral 906 (step S52).
0 to S530).

Further, the CPU of the game machine main body 204 of the client system 103b transmits the sender chat name maehiro of the chat room data header 1301.
And message 1302 according to the content of message 9
05 is displayed in the chat window 902 (step S540). And the chat room data header 130
1 is checked, and if the flag is ON (special member message), it is specified that the message 905 in the chat window 902 is a special member message. In this case, the message of the special member Maehiro is displayed as shaded as indicated by reference numeral 905 (steps S550 to S560).

When the CPU 201a and other CPUs of the game machine main body of the client system detect a decision operation to return to the previous screen or a decision operation to log out during a chat in the chat application, the chat application ends.

(Other Embodiments) In addition to the above-described embodiments, the following embodiments can be implemented. 1) In the above embodiment, the client system is a home video game machine, but a PC may be used as the client system. In this case, the viewer is not limited to being loaded from the CDROM, but may be mounted on a hard disk in advance. In addition, memory card 1
Instead of 401, data for authentication or the like may be stored on the hard disk. Further, a mouse or a keyboard may be used instead of the controller. 2) In the above-described embodiment, the client system is a home video game machine. However, the client system may be a terminal or a game machine installed in a game center. In this case, the viewer is CDRO
Not limited to loading from M, it may be mounted in a built-in storage device in advance. Further, the authentication data or the like may be stored in a built-in storage device instead of the memory card 1401. As the input device corresponding to the controller, any known device may be used. 3) In the above embodiment, the client system is a video game machine for home use, but the client system may be a mobile phone, a PDA (personal digital assista).
nt) may be used. In this case, the viewer may be mounted in a built-in ROM in advance. Further, the authentication data or the like may be stored in a built-in flash memory instead of the memory card 1401. The input device corresponding to the controller may use an input key or the like. 4) In the above-described embodiment, the chat name of the special member is displayed by shading to distinguish it from other chat names. However, the chat name of the special member is displayed in various colors or highlighted. Alternatively, the chat name may be distinguished from other chat names by changing the font, or changing the font, and changing the display mode in various other ways. 5) In the above-described embodiment, the special member flag in the message header is checked for whether or not the message is a special member, and when the flag is ON, the color of the message is changed. The checking method is not limited to this. For example, it is assumed that the message header includes a unique ID (for example, an account) without providing a special member flag. Upon receiving this message, the client system of a certain user transmits the I
It is determined whether D is a predetermined number indicating a special member. In this determination method, for example, if a predetermined operation is performed on the ID on the client system side, the ID may be assigned so that the special member can be determined. Alternatively, the ID of a predetermined numerical range (10,000, 50,000, etc.) may be determined in advance as the ID of the special member, and the client system may determine based on the predetermined numerical range. In this case, it may be determined whether or not the ID is within a predetermined numerical range by determining whether a predetermined number of higher-order bits are ON or OFF with respect to the bit string of the ID. Is substantially the same as the above embodiment. If the ID is a predetermined special member, the client system changes the display mode such as the color of the message having the ID. 6) In the above embodiment, the authentication data 1002 and the like are stored in the memory card 1001. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication data may be stored in a RAM separately provided in the game machine. OK, or the operator may input.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one client system can be connected between a plurality of client systems.
In a message exchange system for exchanging messages through one server system and displaying the received message and the identification information of the message sender of each message in each client system, type information indicating the type of message sender is transmitted to a plurality of clients. Give it to the system.

The client system adds the type information to the transmission message when transmitting the message, and when receiving the transmission message from another client system, identifies the received message or the identification information of the message sender of the message. It is displayed in association with the type information.

Therefore, in a conversation in which a plurality of persons exchange messages, it is possible to clearly indicate who is a special member in a conversation in which a special message sender participates.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system configuration of a communication network service system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a use environment of the home video game machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system configuration of the game machine main body of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a controller according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a screen of a viewer immediately after login according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a navigator top screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a chat room selection screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a chat screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a chat screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a memory card according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a chat room database according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a data format of a message transmission request according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a data format of chat room data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a viewer program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a viewer program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a viewer program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Communication network 102 Server group 103a, 103b Video game machine 104a, 104b PC 201, 204, 207 Game machine body 202, 205, 208 TV receiver 203, 206, 209 Controller 203a, 203b, 203c, 203d Direction key 203e ○ button 203f × button 501 Viewer menu screen 502 Account 503 Navigator command button 601 Navigator top screen 602 Messenger main window 603 Chat command button 701 Chat room selection screen 702 Chat room opening button 801 Chat screen 802 Chat window 803 Message input window 804 Participation Member table 805 Send command button 806 Special member chatnet 901 Chat screen 902 Chat window 903 Message input window 904 Participating member table 905 Special member's message 906 Special member's chat name 1001 Memory card 1002 Authentication data 1101 Message server system 1106 Server engine 1107 Chat room database 1110 Room no.001 Chat room data 1112 Participating member table data 1113 Message log 1201 Message transmission request header 1202 Message 1301 Chat room data header 1302 Message 1303 Participating member table data

Claims (31)

[Claims] 1. A message exchange system for exchanging messages among a plurality of client systems via at least one server system, and displaying, in each client system, a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message. In the above, type information indicating a type of a message sender is given to the plurality of client systems, and the client system adds, when transmitting a message, the type information to a transmission message; A message exchange system for displaying, when receiving the transmission message, identification information of the received message or the message sender of the message in association with the type information. 2. The message exchange system according to claim 1, wherein the display means changes a display mode of the identification information of the message sender when the type information indicates a special message sender. Message exchange system. 3. The message exchange system according to claim 1, wherein said display means changes a display mode of a message transmitted by said message sender when said type information indicates a special message sender. Message exchange system. 4. The message exchange system according to claim 2, wherein the display mode is a color. 5. The message exchange system according to claim 1, wherein said type information includes a flag. 6. A message exchange system for exchanging messages among a plurality of client systems via at least one server system, and in each client system, displaying a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message. Wherein the type information indicating the type of the message sender is given to the plurality of client systems, and the client system adds the type information to the transmission message when transmitting the message. And display means for displaying, when the transmission message is received from another client system, identification information of the received message or the message sender of the message in association with the type information. K Ian door system. 7. The client system according to claim 6, wherein when the type information indicates a special message sender, the display unit changes the display mode of the identification information of the message sender. Client system. 8. The client system according to claim 6, wherein when the type information indicates a special message sender, the display unit changes a display mode of the message transmitted by the message sender. Client system to do. 9. The client system according to claim 7, wherein the display mode is a color. 10. The client system according to claim 6, wherein the type information includes a flag. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of client systems include:
In a message exchange method of a message exchange system for exchanging a message via at least one server system and displaying a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message in each client system, a type of a message sender is indicated. The type information is provided to the plurality of client systems, the client system adds the type information to a transmission message when transmitting the message, and the received message is received when the transmission message is received from another client system. Alternatively, a message exchange method characterized by displaying identification information of a message sender of the message in association with the type information. 12. The message exchange method according to claim 11, wherein the displaying in association with the type information includes displaying the identification information of the message sender when the type information indicates a special message sender. A message exchange method characterized by changing an aspect. 13. The message exchange method according to claim 11, wherein displaying in association with the type information includes displaying the transmission message of the message sender when the type information indicates a special message sender. A message exchange method characterized by changing an aspect. 14. The message exchange method according to claim 12, wherein the display mode is a color. 15. The message exchange method according to claim 11, wherein said type information includes a flag. 16. A method according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of client systems include:
A message exchange method for a client system used in a message exchange system for exchanging a message via at least one server system and displaying, in each client system, a received message and identification information of a message sender of the message. Type information indicating the type of sender is provided to the plurality of client systems. The client system adds the type information to a transmission message when transmitting the message, and transmits the transmission information from another client system. A method for exchanging messages in a client system, comprising displaying, at the time of reception, identification information of the received message or the message sender of the message in association with the type information. 17. The message exchange method of a client system according to claim 16, wherein displaying in association with the type information includes identifying the message sender when the type information indicates a special message sender. A message exchange method for a client system, characterized by changing a display mode of information. 18. The message exchange method for a client system according to claim 16, wherein displaying in association with the type information includes transmitting the message when the type information indicates a special message sender. A message exchange method for a client system, wherein a message display mode is changed. 19. The message exchange method for a client system according to claim 17, wherein
The message exchange method of a client system, wherein the display mode is a color. 20. The message exchange method for a client system according to claim 16, wherein said type information includes a flag. 21. A method according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of client systems include:
Message exchange via at least one server system, and in each client system message exchange of a client system used in the message exchange system for displaying the received message and the identity of the message sender of the message. In a computer-readable recording medium recording the program, the type information indicating the type of message sender is given to the plurality of client systems, and the program transmits the type information to a transmission message when transmitting the message. A compiling means for displaying, when receiving the transmission message from another client system, identification information of the received message or the message sender of the message in association with the type information. Over data-readable recording medium. 22. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 21, wherein displaying in association with the type information includes identifying the message sender when the type information indicates a special message sender. A computer-readable recording medium for changing a display mode of information. 23. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 21, wherein the display in association with the type information is performed when the type information indicates a special message sender. A computer-readable recording medium for changing a display mode of a message. 24. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 22, wherein the display mode is a color. 25. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 21, wherein:
A computer-readable recording medium, wherein the type information includes a flag. 26. A method according to claim 26, wherein the plurality of client systems include:
Message exchange via at least one server system, and in each client system message exchange of a client system used in the message exchange system for displaying the received message and the identity of the message sender of the message. Wherein the type information indicating the type of the message sender is given to the plurality of client systems, and the program adds the type information to the transmission message when transmitting the message, and transmits the type information from another client system. A program for displaying, when receiving a transmission message, identification information of the received message or a message sender of the message in association with the type information. 27. The program according to claim 26, wherein displaying in association with the type information includes displaying the identification information of the message sender when the type information indicates a special message sender. A program characterized by changing. 28. The program according to claim 26, wherein displaying in association with the type information includes displaying the message transmitted by the message sender when the type information indicates a special message sender. A program characterized by changing. 29. The program according to claim 27, wherein the display mode is a color. 30. The program according to claim 26, wherein the type information includes a flag. 31. A system comprising a server system and a plurality of client systems, wherein the server system delivers a message sent from one client system to other client systems, each of the other client systems delivering the message. Each time the received message is received, the distributed message is cumulatively displayed in a message display area, wherein the transmitting client system holds a unique number of the user and an identification number indicating a member type. Creating a message by the user's operation, generating and transmitting a transmission message from the message using the identification number in accordance with the transmission instruction of the user, and transmitting the transmission message to the server system. Received via the said received transmission Based on the identification number included in the message, it is determined whether the member type of the sender of the transmission message is a special member, and when it is determined that the sender of the transmission message is a special member, the An electronic conference method, wherein the transmission message is displayed in the display area by changing a display mode.