JP2004054340A - Apparatus, system and method for instant messaging, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for IM (instant message) service allowing a user to have a chat and the like with a friend of a user's friend through an IM. <P>SOLUTION: An apparatus for the IM comprises an area check means for checking the presence or absence of a user's terminal device within an area by using a wireless communication; a user area information update means for updating aria information in the terminal device; a buddy list data transmitting means for generating buddy list data and transmitting for displaying a buddy list of each user on each terminal device, respectively; and a buddy list correction means for correcting one buddy list to add other users in the one buddy list when a certain user in the one buddy list registers other user who is not registered in the one buddy list into the one buddy list, if the other user who is not registered in the one buddy list exists within a predetermined area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an instant messaging device, an instant messaging system, an instant messaging method, a program, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an instant messaging device, an instant messaging system, an instant messaging method, a program, and a recording medium using wireless communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, services of instant messages (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as IM) using the Internet have been spreading. When the IM service is used, a user of the service registers a message on a personal computer of the user (hereinafter, referred to as a buddy list) by registering a plurality of friends in a user registration list for the IM service called a buddy list. PC) can be sent instantaneously. In the case of e-mail, e-mail software in the other party's PC goes to the mail server to retrieve the e-mail, and the message is transmitted by reading the e-mail by the other party, so that a time difference occurs. On the other hand, in the case of the IM service, the message is immediately transmitted directly to the partner PC by the IM service software, so that real-time message exchange, in other words, real-time, so-called chat can be realized.
[0003]
In particular, the IM software is provided with a function for displaying the current situation of the registered user, for example, a situation such as “busy” or “during a meal”, and the like. Can be confirmed immediately and chat can be started after confirmation. Furthermore, when the user wants to chat or does not want to chat, it has a function of notifying the registered user in advance.
[0004]
Therefore, the number of users of the IM service is growing rapidly. Typical IM software includes ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, Windows (R) Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and the like.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
With the current IM service, a user can only chat with a user who has registered with the center device as a partner with whom the user has a chat. That is, a certain user can only chat with a user registered in the buddy list.
[0006]
On the other hand, users generally want not only to enjoy chats using the IM service, but also to communicate in the real world.
[0007]
It would be useful if a user could be able to chat by IM or communicate in the real world with a friend of his friend, but there is no IM service that has a function to satisfy such a desire.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system for an IM service that enables a user to chat with a friend of his or her friend by IM or to communicate in the real world.
[0009]
The instant messaging device of the present invention is an instant messaging device for allowing a user who performs an instant message for each user to transmit and receive an instant message among a plurality of users based on buddy list data registered in advance. Then, the instant messaging device includes an area check unit that uses wireless communication to check for the presence or absence of a terminal device of a user existing in a predetermined area, and based on a check result of the area check unit, User area information updating means for updating area information; buddy list data transmitting means for generating and transmitting buddy list data for displaying a buddy list of the user at a terminal device of each user; When a certain user has registered another user who is not in the one buddy list in the buddy list, and the other user who is not in the one buddy list exists in the predetermined area. , So as to add the other user to the one buddy list. And a buddy list correction means for correcting the Irisuto.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
(First Embodiment)
First, a configuration of a system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an IM service system according to the present embodiment.
[0012]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a web server which is a center device, and is connected to a memory device 2 for storing various data described later such as member status management data, buddy list data of each user, and the like. The center device 1 and a plurality of proxy servers are connected via the Internet 4. Here, three proxy servers 3a, 3b, 3c are shown, but there may be more proxy servers connected to the Internet 4. Each proxy server 3a, 3b, 3c is connected to a wireless base station device 5 provided at a so-called hot spot. The proxy servers 3a, 3b, 3c are connected to wireless base station devices 5a, 5b, 5c provided in areas A, B, C, which are hot spots, respectively.
[0013]
The hot spot is, for example, a coffee shop, in which a wireless base station device is installed, and a terminal device such as a PC having a wireless communication function can perform wireless communication within a predetermined area of the hot spot. Provide a communication environment.
[0014]
In FIG. 1, a wireless base station device 5a is in charge of wireless communication in a hot spot area A, for example, wireless LAN communication. The wireless communication environment is realized by using a technology based on a standard such as IEEE802.11x. Therefore, terminal devices having a wireless communication function such as a personal computer (PC) 6 and personal digital assistants (PDAs) 7 and 8 can communicate via the Internet.
[0015]
Similarly, the wireless base station device 5b controls wireless communication in the hot spot area B, and the wireless base station device 5c controls wireless communication in the hot spot area C.
[0016]
Note that a communication technology based on a standard such as Bluetooth may be used instead of wireless LAN communication. In that case, a PC, a PDA, a mobile phone, or the like having a Bluetooth communication function can communicate with the wireless base station device.
[0017]
As will be described later, each of the wireless base station devices 5a, 5b, and 5c constantly collects information related to the IM service of the terminal device with which communication has been established in the area, and sends the changed information data to the center device 1. It has a function to send.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of member status management data stored in the memory device 2 connected to the center device 1.
[0019]
In FIG. 2, member status management data, which is tabular data, includes various data of all members who are users of the IM service. Reference numeral 11 denotes a member ID item which is identification data of a member registered as an IM service user. Reference numeral 12 denotes an item indicating an on / offline state indicating whether the terminal device of the member is in an online state or an offline state. If the user is online, a message can be sent to the member. If the user is offline, no message can be sent to the member. 13 is an item of the area where the member is. Area information is transmitted from each wireless base station device. 14 is an item of the member's name. Reference numeral 15 denotes a terminal ID item which is identification data of a terminal device held by the member. Reference numeral 16 denotes a status data item indicating the status of the member. Reference numeral 17 denotes a status character string item in which the status of the member is described by a character string.
[0020]
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the member whose member ID is “0000000010001” is in the “online” state, the area is in “Shibuya AA”, the name is “taro”, and the ID of the terminal device is Is "AA000001", the situation is "2", and the situation character string is "mealing".
[0021]
The wireless base station devices 5a, 5b, and 5c as area check means check whether or not there is a member terminal device in each of the areas A, B, and C, and transmit information of the check result to the center device 1. I do. For example, the radio base station apparatus 5a periodically polls all terminal apparatuses existing in the area A to transmit information on the terminal apparatuses in the area A to the center apparatus 1. When the member's PC 6 enters the area A, the PC 6 transmits information indicating that the PC 6 exists in the area A to the center apparatus 1. When the PC 6 existing in the area A no longer exists in the area A, the PC 6 transmits information to the effect that the PC 6 no longer exists in the area A to the center apparatus 1.
[0022]
Note that a method of not performing polling from the wireless base station device may be used. For example, by transmitting transmission request data of information about an area from a terminal device to a radio base station device, receiving the transmission request data by the radio base station device, and starting a communication session, the radio base station device May check whether there is a terminal device of the member in the area. Hereinafter, such a method is referred to as a push type method.
[0023]
When using the IM service, a member of the IM service can use the IM service by accessing the center device 1 via the Internet 4. When the member uses the IM service, data for switching from the online state to the offline state, buddy list data change data, status data, and the like are transmitted from the member terminal device to the center device 1.
[0024]
Therefore, the center device 1 receives the member area data from the wireless base station device 5 and various data from each terminal device, and sequentially updates the member status management data in FIG.
[0025]
For example, when there is a terminal that has entered the area A of the wireless base station device 5, the center device 1 as the user area information updating means updates the item data of the area in the management data of the member holding the terminal device. I do.
[0026]
The center device 1 further stores buddy list data (FIG. 4) of each member in the memory device 2. The center device 1 also stores the access control management data (FIG. 3) for the members in the buddy list in the memory device 2 for each buddy list of each member. First, the access control management data will be described.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of access control management data for each member. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing access control management data for members in the buddy list registered by “taro” whose member ID is “0000000010001”.
[0028]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 denotes an item of a member ID. Reference numeral 22 denotes a control status item indicating the status of the access control. The control state is information for designating whether or not to receive a message in response to access from a member in the buddy list, that is, message transmission from the member.
[0029]
The access control state includes states such as "permitted", "rejected call", and "not permitted". "Allow" means accepting messages from the other party, "Reject call" means rejecting messages from the other party, and "Unauthorized" means the same through friends. By registering the other party who is found to be in the area in your own buddy list, even if a friend leaves the area, as long as the friend is in the area, the other party's permission will not be obtained However, this means that messages can be sent unilaterally.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of buddy list data. The buddy list is generated based on the data shown in FIGS. Here, the buddy list data is tabular data. 31 is an item of a member ID, and 32 is an item of a terminal ID. An item 33 indicates an on / off-line state. Reference numeral 34 denotes an item of a status display icon, and reference numeral 35 denotes an item of a status character string. 36 is an access control item, and 37 is an area item.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a data example of the buddy list of the member “taro” of “0000010001” in FIG.
[0032]
The member "taro" has registered a member "jiro" of "0000010002", a member "hanako" of "0000010003", a member "ichiro" of "0000010004", and the like in its own buddy list.
[0033]
In FIG. 4, the terminal device of the member “jiro” of “0000010002” is “offline” and the status is unknown, and therefore, the status display icon includes code data of an icon indicating “offline”. 001 ”is stored, and no data is written in the items of the status character string and the area. Further, since the access control state is “call rejection”, the message from the member “jiro” is set so that the call is rejected.
[0034]
Also, the terminal device of the member “hanako” of “00000130003” is “online” and the status is “mealing”, so the status display icon includes code data of an icon indicating “mealing”. “002” is stored, and “mealing” data is stored in the item of the status character string. Since the access control state is “permitted,” the message from the member “hanako” is set so that the incoming call is permitted. Further, data that the member “hanako” is in the hot spot area “Shibuya AA” is stored.
[0035]
Similarly, the buddy list of the member “taro” also stores various data and the like regarding the member “ichiro” of “0000010004”.
[0036]
Other examples of the situation data include “during a call”, “during a break”, and “during a meal”. The status data in the buddy list is generated, for example, based on the member status management data in FIG. 2, but the members can arbitrarily set the status and create an icon for that.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of buddy list data of the member “hanako”. The buddy list of the member "hanako" stores various data related to the member "taro" of "0000010001", the member "jiro" of "0000010002", and the member "ichiro" of "0000010004".
[0038]
As described above, the center device 1 also updates the buddy list data (FIG. 4, etc.) of each member based on the latest member status management data (FIG. 2) and access control management data (FIG. 3). . The center device 1 has data of an area where each terminal device exists, and online or offline status data.
[0039]
Next, a specific case will be described.
[0040]
Now, the PC 6 of “taro”, which is a terminal device with a member ID of “0000000010001”, is in the hot spot area A, accesses the Internet 4 using the wireless base station device 5a, and receives the IM service. Let's say Further, when the member inputs and transmits to the PC 6 that “Mealing is being performed”, the data indicating that “Mealing is being performed” is received by the center device 1.
[0041]
Based on the access to the Internet 4 and the reception of data related to the IM service, the center device 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the PC 6 having the terminal device with the member ID “0000000011” (the terminal ID is “AA000001”). That is, in the area of "Shibuya AA", the status is "online" and the status is "mealing", and the member status management data is updated. In other words, by checking the other terminal devices existing in the area A by the wireless base station device 5a and transmitting various data from each terminal device to the center device 1 via the Internet 4, the center device 1 becomes a member. Status management data can be updated.
[0042]
Similarly, the center device 1 obtains various data of the terminal devices of the members from the other wireless base station devices 5b, 5c, and the like via the proxy servers 3b, 3c and the Internet 4, thereby obtaining the member status of the related members. Update management data.
[0043]
Each time the center device 1 updates the member status management data, the center device 1 also updates the data of the buddy list of the changed member. By this data update, the buddy list of each member always shows the latest state.
[0044]
The PDA 7 which is a terminal device of the member “hanako” (member ID “0000000010003”) registered in the “taro” buddy list enters the area A, and receives the IM service via the wireless base station device 5a. In this state, the center device 1 updates the member status management data in FIG. At this time, since the PDA 7 of the member “hanako” is registered in the buddy list of “taro”, the buddy list of “taro” (FIG. 4) is updated.
[0045]
FIG. 6 shows a display example of the "taro" buddy list in the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a buddy list displayed on a screen that is a display device of the PC 6. FIG. 6 shows a display example of only the buddy list portion, and does not show buttons such as “add”, “delete”, and “prohibit” for editing the buddy list.
[0046]
The screen of FIG. 6 is generated based on the buddy list data of FIG. The data of the buddy list is transmitted from the center device 1 to the PC 6 which is a terminal device, and the PC 6 generates the screen of FIG. 6 based on the received buddy list data.
[0047]
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 41 denotes a screen frame. The screen 41 has an online display section 42 for displaying online members and the like, and an offline display section 43 for displaying offline members and the like.
[0048]
The online display section 42 includes a character string display section 51 indicating “online”, an on-site display section 61 for displaying members and the like who are online and at hot spots, and an online and not at hot spot. And an off-site display section 62 for displaying members and the like.
[0049]
The offline display section 43 includes a character string display section 52 indicating “offline” and an offline member display section 63.
[0050]
The on-site display unit 61 and the off-site display unit 62 in the online display unit 42 are displayed on the character string display unit 51 by changing paragraphs and providing a space for one character on the left side of the screen. It is easy to distinguish the character string display unit 51 from the character string display unit 51, and the visibility is good.
[0051]
The on-site display section 61 includes a character string 71 indicating “on-site”, an area name display section 72 indicating the area where the user is located, and an on-site member display section 73 on the right side.
[0052]
The on-site member display unit 73 includes a status icon display unit 81 that displays the status of members by icons, a member name display unit 82, and a status character string display unit 83 that displays the status of members by character strings. If there are a plurality of members in the area indicated by the area name display section 72, the on-site member display section 73 displays the plurality of members in a list format.
[0053]
The off-site display section 62 includes a character string display section 74 indicating “off-site” and an off-site member display section 75.
[0054]
The off-site member display unit 75, like the above-described on-site member display unit 73, displays a status icon display unit 81 that displays the status of members by icons, a member name display unit 82, and displays the status of members by character strings. And a status character string display unit 83.
[0055]
Offline member display unit 63 includes a status icon display unit 81 that displays an icon indicating the status of the member, that is, an icon indicating that the member is offline, and a member name display unit 82.
[0056]
FIG. 6 is an example of a buddy list displayed when “taro” of “0000000010001” in FIG. 2 is in area A (Shibuya AA), so “hanako” in “online” and in “Shibuya AA” Is displayed on the on-site member display section 73. As for “hanako”, the character “hanako” is displayed on the member name display part 82, the icon indicating “mealing” is displayed on the icon display part 81, and the character “mealing” is displayed on the status character string display part. 83, it is displayed.
[0057]
Also, “ichiro” which is “online” but is not in any hot spot is displayed on the off-site member display section 75. For "ichiro", the character "ichiro" is displayed on the member name display portion 82, the icon indicating "during one break" is displayed on the icon display portion 81, and the character "during one stop" is displayed on the status character string display portion. 83, it is displayed.
[0058]
Further, “jiro” which is “offline” is displayed on the offline member display section 63. As for “jiro”, the character “jiro” is displayed on the member name display section 82, and an icon indicating “offline” is displayed on the icon display section 81.
[0059]
Now, “maruko” which is not included in the buddy list of “taro” in the area A, but is included in the buddy list of “hanako” enters the area A, and is transmitted to the IM service via the wireless base station device 5a. When receiving the status, the center device 1 updates the member status management data. At this time, since the terminal device 8 with the member ID “000000010005” is a member registered in the buddy list with the member ID “0000000010003”, the buddy list with the member ID “0000000010003” is updated. As a result, when “hanako” displays the buddy list on the screen of the terminal device 7, a screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a buddy list displayed on the screen of the terminal device of “hanako”.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 7, as a result of updating the buddy list of “hanako”, “maruko” in “Shibuya AA” “online” is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 7 of “hanako” as in FIG. 6. , "Taro" and the on-site member display section 73.
[0061]
At the same time, the display of the buddy list on the “taro” PC 6 changes as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the display screen of the buddy list displayed on the screen of the “taro” terminal device. That is, the information of “maruko” is displayed below the place where “hanako” in “Shibuya AA” in “online” is displayed on the on-site member display section 73. As for “maruko”, the character “maruko” is displayed on the member name display section 92, the icon indicating “during meal” is displayed on the icon display section 91, and the character “during meal” is displayed on the status character string display section. 93 is displayed.
[0062]
In FIG. 8 as well, under the place where “hanako” is displayed on the on-site member display section 73, a paragraph is changed and a space for one character is provided on the left side of the screen, and the information of “maruko” is displayed. Therefore, the information of “maruko” is easily distinguishable from “hanako” and has good visibility.
[0063]
Therefore, even if “maruko” is not in the buddy list of “taro”, “taro” can know that “maruko”, a friend of “hanako”, is in the area A. As a result, "taro" can recognize that there is an opportunity to chat with "maruko" who is a friend of "hanako" or to have an actual conversation with "maruko" with "hanako" on the spot. .
[0064]
Processing contents for realizing the above contents will be described.
[0065]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of the wireless base station device. The wireless base station device periodically executes the processing of FIG.
[0066]
First, the wireless base station device checks data from a terminal device in the area (step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1). The check checks whether or not the terminal device of the member is in a predetermined space in the hot spot. Each terminal device transmits a response signal when receiving a predetermined signal wirelessly. For example, the radio base station apparatus always transmits a constant global signal in its own area, and determines whether or not the terminal apparatus is present in the area based on a response signal to the global signal from the terminal apparatus. be able to. Here, the presence or absence of the terminal device in the area may be determined using the above-described push-type method.
[0067]
When the terminal device connects to the Internet via the wireless base station device in the hot spot, the wireless base station device may recognize the presence of the terminal device according to the connection. As described above, communication between the wireless base station device and the terminal device in the area can be realized by using a technology such as a wireless LAN and Bluetooth.
[0068]
The wireless base station device transmits data on the terminal device existing in the corresponding area to the center device 1 (S2). The data includes the data of the terminal ID of the terminal device.
[0069]
The center device 1 updates the member status management data of FIG. 2 based on the data of the terminal device from each wireless base station device. Further, when each terminal device uses the IM service, the center device 1 updates the member status management data in FIG. 2 based on data transmitted from each terminal device via the Internet 4. For example, if a member inputs data relating to a situation of "mealing", the data is transmitted to the center device 1, and the center device 1 updates the member status management data based on the data. .
[0070]
The center device 1 executes the processing of FIG. 10 every time the member status management data is updated. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the buddy list update process in the center device 1. Note that the update process in FIG. 10 is executed for the buddy lists of all members to which the updated data in the member status management data relates.
[0071]
First, the data of the buddy list (BL) relating to the changed data in the member status management data is updated (S11). For example, when “maruko” enters into area A, the area data of “maruko” is updated to “Shibuya AA” in FIG. 2, so that the buddy list (BL) of “maruko” is updated. , "Maruko", the buddy list (BL) data of other members is updated. For example, as a result of updating the data of “maruko”, “maruko” changes to the on-site state of “Shibuya AA” in the buddy list (BL) of the other member “hanako” (FIG. 7).
[0072]
Next, it is determined whether the on-site members in the buddy list (BL) have changed in the data update in S11 (S12). That is, it is determined whether or not the on-site state has changed (change to the on-site state or change to the off-site state). Then, when there is a change in the on-site members, YES is determined in S12, and the process proceeds to S13. In S13, the on-site data in the buddy list (BL) of the other members is corrected based on the data of the changed member. In the case where S12 is NO, the process proceeds to S14.
[0073]
For example, when "taro" and "hanako" are in the same area and "maruko" enters area A, the buddy list (BL) of "maruko" and "hanako" is updated (S11). When the “hanako” buddy list (BL) is updated, “maruko” is present on-site in the “hanako” buddy list (BL), so the result of S12 is YES. Then, on-site data in the buddy list (BL) of the other member “taro” is corrected based on the data of the changed member “maruko”.
[0074]
Here, the correction of the data in the on-site of the “taro” buddy list (BL) is performed by changing the paragraph under “hanako” in the on-site of the “taro” buddy list (BL) and changing one character. The data of "maruko" is combined with the buddy list (BL) of "taro" so that "maruko" is displayed with a space for minutes (FIG. 8).
[0075]
Similarly, when the member “maruko” who was in the on-site state changes to the off-site state, “taro” under “hanako” in the on-site disappears from the buddy list display so that “taro” Is corrected in the buddy list (BL).
[0076]
Next, buddy list (BL) data is transmitted to the member (S14). In the case of the above example, buddy list (BL) data of “maruko”, “hanako”, and “taro” is transmitted to each member.
[0077]
As described above, if a member of the buddy list (BL) of another member in the own buddy list (BL) has a change in the on-site state (change to the on-site state or change to the off-site state). The data of the member whose on-site state has changed together with the other members of the on-site in the own buddy list (BL) are combined into the own buddy list (BL).
[0078]
In addition, if “taro” sets the access control state of “maruko” in his / her buddy list to “not permitted”, “maruko” exists in area A even if “hanako” leaves area A. As long as you do so, you can unilaterally send messages to "maruko" without obtaining permission from "maruko".
[0079]
Therefore, if this system is used, the member can receive an IM service which enables chatting by IM or a real-world communication with a friend of his friend.
[0080]
In the example described above, the data of the buddy list is managed by the center device 1, but the center device 1 holds and manages data indicating which area each terminal device is in or not, and However, the buddy list data may be held and managed.
[0081]
In that case, the center device 1 transmits the data of the member whose on-site state has changed to each terminal device, and each terminal device corrects its own buddy list based on the data. By communicating the corrected buddy list data between the terminal devices via the wireless base station device or directly between the terminal devices without passing through the wireless base station device, each terminal device can The buddy list of another member who is not in the buddy list of the other person can be obtained by changing the on-site status of the member, and the buddy list can be modified. In a case where direct communication is performed between the terminal devices without passing through the wireless base station device, for example, a technology such as Bluetooth may be used.
[0082]
Still further, in the above-described example, the wireless base station device transmits a predetermined signal to the terminal device using wireless communication, and transmits the terminal device to the terminal device in response to the signal. I was checking for the presence. Based on the check result, the member status management data and the buddy list data of each member are updated and transmitted from the center device to each terminal device.
[0083]
However, the presence of the terminal device may be confirmed using communication middleware that constructs a network autonomously. One such communication middleware is the "DECENTRA" program from Skyley Networks.
[0084]
If such communication middleware is used, in response to a message asking for the presence of a terminal device from the wireless base station device, each terminal device sequentially hops the message to surrounding terminal devices, and as a result, It is possible to check the terminal devices existing in the area.
[0085]
(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the wireless base station apparatus does not check for the presence or absence of a terminal device in the area, but performs the check using an agent program, and exchanges buddy list data between the terminal devices. It is characterized in that.
[0086]
Only different points from the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the agent program. The agent program exists in, for example, a wireless base station device or a terminal device. Communication between the wireless base station device and the terminal device and between the terminal device and the terminal device are performed based on standards such as wireless LAN and Bluetooth.
[0087]
First, as a premise, an agent program exists for each area. Further, each agent program receives data of a terminal device in another area from an agent program in another area, that is, data on which terminal device exists in which area. Further, each terminal device generates and updates its own buddy list based on the data of the area information of the terminal device received from the agent program.
[0088]
In FIG. 11, the agent program first checks the terminal devices in the area (S21). The agent program transmits a predetermined global signal to a terminal device existing in the area, and causes the terminal device to transmit a response signal to the signal, thereby detecting the presence of the terminal device in the area. Confirm. Here, the presence or absence of a terminal device in the area may be confirmed using the above-described push-type method.
[0089]
The agent program transmits the data of all the terminal devices existing in the responded area to all the terminal devices that have responded to the response signal (S22). This allows each terminal device existing in the area to know other terminal devices existing in the area.
[0090]
On the other hand, when receiving the data of all the terminal devices existing in the area from the agent program, the terminal device executes the processing shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed when the terminal device receives data of the terminal device existing in the area from the agent program.
[0091]
First, each terminal device generates or updates its own buddy list data based on the data of the terminal devices in the area transmitted from the agent program (S31). Further, the generated or updated own buddy list is transmitted to all terminal devices (S32).
[0092]
Then, each terminal device executes the processing of S12 and S13 in FIG. 10, that is, determines whether or not there is a change in the on-site state (change to the on-site state or change to the off-site state). Based on the data of the existing member, the on-site data in the buddy list (BL) of other members is corrected.
[0093]
Then, each terminal device adds the terminal device data in another area transmitted from the agent program separately from the terminal device data in the area transmitted in S22 of FIG. 11 to the corrected buddy list data. Thus, a buddy list display similar to that of FIG. 8 can be performed. In this case, the data of the offline and off-site terminal devices cannot be displayed separately, but the data of the online and off-site terminal devices are separately managed by the center device, and the data of the online and off-site terminal devices are managed. Is transmitted from the center device and received by the terminal device, the same display as in FIG. 8 can be performed.
[0094]
According to the above, unlike the first embodiment, the member can use the IM service that enables chatting by IM or communication in the real world with his / her friend's friend without providing the center device. Can receive.
[0095]
In the first and second embodiments, when a buddy list is displayed, when a friend of the buddy list is in the same area, and when a friend of the friend is in the same area, the friend of the buddy list is displayed. A friend of a friend is displayed below (FIG. 8). However, when the buddy list is displayed, even if there is no friend of the buddy list in the same area, and the friend of the friend is in the same area, the friend of the friend is similarly displayed under the friend. You may make it. In that case, the friend is displayed so as to know that the friend is off-site.
[0096]
Note that the program for executing the above-described operation is recorded in whole or in part or in a portable medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk. I have. The program is read by the computer, and all or a part of the operation is executed. Alternatively, the whole or a part of the program can be distributed or provided via a communication network. The user can easily realize the IM service system of the present invention by downloading the program via a communication network and installing the program on a computer, or installing the program on a computer from a recording medium.
[0097]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an IM service system that enables a user to chat with a friend of his or her friend by IM or to communicate in the real world.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an IM service system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of member status management data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of access control management data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of buddy list data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of buddy list data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen example of a buddy list according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a buddy list display screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing still another example of a buddy list display screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the radio base station apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a buddy list update process in the center device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by an agent program according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Center device
2 ... Memory device
3a, 3b, 3c ... proxy server
4 Internet
5a, 5b, 5c ... unrelated base station device
6 PC
7, 8 ... PDA

Claims (16)

An instant messaging device for transmitting and receiving an instant message among a plurality of users based on buddy list data in which a user who performs an instant message for each user is registered in advance,
Area check means for checking the presence or absence of a user terminal device existing in a predetermined area using wireless communication,
User area information updating means for updating area information of the terminal device based on a check result of the area checking means,
Buddy list data transmission means for generating and transmitting buddy list data to display the buddy list of the user at the terminal device of each user,
A case in which a user in one buddy list has registered another user not in the one buddy list in the buddy list, and the other user not in the one buddy list is the predetermined user. Buddy list modifying means for modifying the one buddy list so as to add the other user to the one buddy list when present in the area. 2. The instant messaging device according to claim 1, wherein the area check unit is an agent program. The said agent program receives the data of the presence or absence of the terminal device of the user who exists in said another predetermined area from another agent program which checks another predetermined area. The instant messaging device according to claim 1 or 2. The instant messaging device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the terminal device has data of the buddy list. An instant messaging system for transmitting and receiving an instant message among a plurality of users based on buddy list data in which a user who performs an instant message for each user is registered in advance,
User area information updating means for checking the presence or absence of a terminal device of a user present in a predetermined area using wireless communication, and updating area information of the terminal device;
Buddy list data transmission means for generating and transmitting buddy list data to display the buddy list of the user at the terminal device of each user,
Based on the area information, a user in one buddy list has registered another user not in the one buddy list in the buddy list, and the other user not in the one buddy list Buddy list display means for adding the other user to the one buddy list and displaying the one buddy list when the user is determined to be present in the predetermined area. The instant messaging system according to claim 5, wherein said user area information updating means is an agent program. The said agent program receives the data of the presence or absence of the terminal device of the user who exists in said another predetermined area from another agent program which checks another predetermined area. The instant messaging system according to claim 5 or 6. 8. The instant messaging system according to claim 5, wherein the terminal device has the buddy list display unit. 9. The instant messaging system according to claim 5, wherein the terminal device has data of the buddy list. 10. The instant messaging according to claim 9, wherein the terminal device has the buddy list data transmitting means, and the buddy list is transmitted by wireless communication from one terminal device to another terminal device. system. An instant messaging method for allowing a user performing an instant message for each user to transmit and receive an instant message among a plurality of users based on buddy list data registered in advance,
A first step of checking the presence or absence of a terminal device of a user present in a predetermined area using wireless communication, and updating user area information for updating area information of the terminal device;
A second step of generating and transmitting buddy list data to display the user's buddy list on each user's terminal device;
Based on the area information, a user in one buddy list has registered another user not in the one buddy list in the buddy list, and the other user not in the one buddy list And a third step of adding and displaying the other user to the one buddy list when it is determined that the user is present in the predetermined area. The method of claim 11, wherein the first step is performed by an agent program. 13. The instant messaging method according to claim 11, wherein the terminal device has the buddy list data. 14. The instant messaging method according to claim 13, wherein the buddy list is transmitted from one terminal device to another terminal device by wireless communication. A program that implements an instant messaging method for transmitting and receiving an instant message among a plurality of users based on buddy list data in which a user who performs an instant message for each user is registered in advance.
On the computer,
A function of checking the presence or absence of a terminal device of a user existing in a predetermined area using wireless communication, and updating user area information for updating area information of the terminal device,
A function of generating and transmitting buddy list data to display the buddy list of the user at the terminal device of each user,
Based on the area information, a user in one buddy list has registered another user not in the one buddy list in the buddy list, and the other user not in the one buddy list A program for realizing a function of adding the other user to the one buddy list and displaying the same when the user is determined to be present in the predetermined area. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 15 is recorded.

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