JP2005267437A - Information processing system, information processing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system and an information processing method capable of supporting a user to have an intention of communication and giving an opportunity for starting communication to the user by automatically updating the state of the user. <P>SOLUTION: A task that is the object of the present work is identified from the work content, schedule, and position information of the user, a relevant person or the like, and this is reported as a state to another user. Otherwise, it is discriminated whether the user is in an interruptible state or not from the same information, and it is reported to another user. Each user can know for which task another user performs the work or whether another user is in the interruptible state or not, and obtain a trigger for starting communication with this user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system and information processing method for exchanging messages via a network between users, and a computer program. In particular, the information processing system and information processing method for exchanging messages according to the state of the other party, And a computer program.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to an information processing system and information processing method for controlling automatic update of the status of each user of a message exchange system, and a computer program, and in particular, provides support for having an intention of communication. The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program that give a user an opportunity to start communication.

  In recent years, with advanced development of information processing technology and information communication technology, computer networks such as LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet have deeply penetrated into industrial activities and daily life. According to computer networking, it is possible to smoothly share computer resources, share information, exchange information, distribute information, etc., and favorably support collaborative work among multiple remote users Can do.

  Computer networks have evolved, for example, as a means of communication between organizational members. That is, in the computer network environment, many media for new types of social interaction have been created, including the initial electronic bulletin board system (BBS), e-mail, and chat. For example, electronic mail is sent through a computer that manages transmission and reception of mail called a mail server.

  More recently, instant messaging systems that instantaneously exchange chats and messages between information devices interconnected via a network have become widespread. Although the instant messaging system basically follows the IRC (Internet Relay Chat) mechanism, functions such as displaying the presence status of a communication partner and acquiring real-time information have been enhanced.

  Here, in a real-time information exchange system such as an instant messenger, when a user tries to send a message, is an invisible (remote) communication partner ready to receive the message? In other words, it is important to know whether or not a message can be responded in order to ensure real-time information exchange.

  As already mentioned, most instant messaging systems are basically equipped with a function for displaying the presence status of a user so that other users can know the status.

  However, there is a question as to whether or not his / her state is set or updated in real time each time the user is present and away. That is, the setting operation of such a state is troublesome, the user does not always input his / her state, and whether the user's presence display on the instant messenger screen is at most whether the user is logged in or not It can only be used as information about the degree.

  For example, a server machine that is applied to distributed cooperative work has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This server machine monitors the transmission of data input requests from the server machine to each client machine and the reception of input data from each client machine to the server machine. The input data for the data input request from the server machine. Is not returned by the expected time, the server machine generates proxy input data based on the knowledge accumulated as proxy input knowledge and automatically inputs it. Therefore, when there is no response from the other party who tried to access, the server machine can reply on behalf. However, in this case, since the user cannot accurately know the state of the communication partner, the difficulty of communication is not solved.

  When communicating between users at remote locations, it may be preferable to select a communication means to be used in accordance with each other's state. For example, for a user who is present, a chat or instant messenger with high responsiveness is used. On the other hand, a user who is away from the desk uses a mail or other storage type message exchange system to receive it at an arbitrary time.

  For example, a system for specifying and establishing a priority modality or channel for communication based on the selection and ability of participants has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this case, the communication modality can be automatically selected according to the other party's preference and context.

  In addition, a status display program that realizes display of status information according to the user's situation while suppressing the user's operation burden (for example, see Patent Document 3), and status setting for setting and notifying a status suitable for a channel A system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

  However, in the conventional message exchange system including the instant messenger, it functions on the assumption that at least one of the two parties involved in communication has an intention to communicate.

  In other words, there is no support for having an intention to communicate, and as a result, opportunities for communication are lost. For example, by knowing that the other party is creating a business plan document, you realize that you should discuss how to calculate the budget, but depending on the status display function of the user in the conventional message exchange system, I cannot get enough opportunities to start communication. In other words, the task that is the purpose of the work currently being performed by the user does not trigger communication.

JP-A-10-187606 JP 2002-374318 A JP 2003-196243 A JP 2002-249875 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent information processing system, information processing method, and computer program capable of suitably exchanging messages according to the other party's state.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent information processing system, information processing method, and computer program capable of suitably controlling the automatic update of the status of each user of the message exchange system.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent information processing system, information processing method, and computer program capable of providing support for having an intention of communication and giving a user an opportunity to start communication. There is.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing system for exchanging messages according to the state of the other party, and judging the status by monitoring messages between users. An information processing system comprising: status control means for monitoring message notification for each user, and message control means for judging the necessity of user status change based on the monitoring result.

  The information processing system according to the present invention can be applied to an instant messaging system that performs real-time information exchange. In this case, the instant messenger system needs to change the means for determining the status of the user by monitoring messages between the users, the means for determining whether the currently set status needs to be changed, and the necessity for the change. Means for notifying a user of a message are provided. Then, when it is determined that the status is different from the current status of the user as a result of the message monitoring, the status of each user is managed by notifying the corresponding user of a message indicating that the status needs to be changed.

  Further, when it is possible to have two or more statuses in the instant messaging system, means for holding the users at the access source and the access destination, and switching control for each logged-in user with the same user status And a means for performing. As a result of message monitoring, when it is determined that the user who tried to access cannot be accessed for some reason, taking into account the state that the access source user state could not be accessed only for the access destination user, The status display is controlled. Further, when it is determined that a user who has been inaccessible has accessed, the state display indicating inaccessibility is erased.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to set a plurality of groups such as a friend list and have different statuses for each group. In this case, as an instant messaging system, means for preliminarily storing an association between statuses, and means for performing state change control for changing the status of another group when the status presented to a group is changed Is further provided. Then, when the status of a certain group is changed according to the association stored in advance, the status of the other group is changed.

  In such an instant messaging system, even if the user always forgets to change the state consciously by himself / herself, the user can be given a chance to change the state when necessary. Can be increased. In addition, it is easy to confirm who wants to access, and communication is facilitated. Further, even when there are a plurality of statuses, it is possible to appropriately switch all the statuses with a single input.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the task that is the purpose of the current work is identified from the user's work content, schedule, position information, related person, and the like, and the status is notified to other users. be able to. Alternatively, it is possible to determine whether or not the user is in an interruptible state from similar information, and notify other users of this.

  Therefore, each user in the system knows what tasks other users are working on and whether they are in an interruptible state, and gets an opportunity to start communication with that user. Can do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute a process for exchanging messages according to the other party's state on a computer system. A status control step for determining a status by monitoring a message of the message, and a message control step for monitoring a message notification to each user and determining the necessity of a user status change based on the monitoring result. It is a computer program.

  The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention defines a computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to realize predetermined processing on a computer system. In other words, by installing the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention in the computer system, a cooperative action is exhibited on the computer system, and the information processing according to the first aspect of the present invention is performed. The same effect as the system can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent information processing system, information processing method, and computer program capable of suitably exchanging messages according to the state of the other party.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent information processing system, information processing method, and computer program that can suitably control automatic update of the status of each user of the message exchange system.

  Further, according to the present invention, there are provided an excellent information processing system, information processing method, and computer program capable of providing support for having an intention of communication and giving a user an opportunity to start communication. can do.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The present invention is an information processing system for exchanging messages according to the state of a partner, and is configured by connecting a server device and a plurality of client devices via a network.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a server device 10 applied in an instant messaging system according to the present invention. The server device 10 is realized, for example, by installing a predetermined server application in a general computer system such as a personal computer.

  The server device 10 shown in the figure includes a communication control unit 11, a status change control unit 12, a user / status management unit 13, and a message control unit 14.

  The communication control unit 11 performs message communication with a client device according to a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The status change control unit 12 controls the status change for each user. Specifically, when the status change request message is received from the client device, the status managed by the user / status management unit 13 is rewritten, and among the users registered in the buddy list, the user who is logged in (not logged off) Notify the changed status.

  The user status management unit 13 manages the current status and buddy list of each user.

  The message control unit 14 controls the status change based on the user's message. Specifically, the message monitoring unit 15 monitors the message of the client device, and the state determination control unit 16 controls the state determination. Then, the current status of the user status management unit 13 is compared with the status based on the monitoring result, and if a change is necessary, the message notification unit 17 notifies the client device of a message.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of the client device 20 applied in the instant messaging system according to the present invention. The client device 20 is realized in the form of installing a predetermined client application in a general computer system such as a personal computer, for example, and a small information processing terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) or a mobile phone Can also be configured.

  The illustrated client device 20 includes a buddy list display unit 21, a buddy list management unit 22, a status input unit 23, a message input unit 24, a message display unit 25, a status control unit 26, and a data transmission / reception unit 27. It has.

  The data transmitter / receiver 27 performs message communication with the server device 10 according to a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

  The buddy list display unit 21 displays a list of opponents to be communicated. The list displays the name for identifying the opponent and the status of the opponent. The other party's status may be expressed in text, such as “working”, “on the phone”, “going out”, etc., and icons such as icons, animations, videos of the other party, You may express it with a portrait.

  The buddy list management unit 22 holds and manages the partner displayed on the buddy list and its state. The content to be stored is acquired from the server using the function of the data transmission / reception unit. The name and state of the held partner are displayed using the function of the buddy list display section.

  The status input unit 23 receives an input of a state change from a user using this client. The input state is processed by the status control unit 26, and the result is transmitted to the server device 10 using the function 27 of the data transmission / reception unit.

  The message input unit 24 receives an input of a message sent from the user using the client to another user. The input message is transmitted to the server device 10 using the function of the data transmission / reception unit 27.

  The message display unit 25 displays a message received from the server by the function of the data transmission / reception unit 10.

  The status control unit 26 performs processing in a state input by the user using the client. In the present embodiment, the status control unit 26 provides the following functions.

(1) Task Identification The status control unit 26 identifies the task that is the object of the current work. The identified task is set as the current user state using the function of the status change control unit 12.

  Here, the following information can be used for task identification.

(1-1) Information attached to the document such as the title, contents, storage location, creator, creation date and time of the document used for the work. For example, the task is searched from the database using the word included in the title. To do. Also, documents are managed by task in the document database, a document similar to the target document is searched from the document database, and the task to which the document belongs is selected. Further, the association between the storage location of a document such as a folder created in the file server and the task is managed, and the task is specified from the storage location of the folder from which the document to be worked is taken out. In addition, the task to which the original creator of the document to be worked belongs is selected. Also, the task in progress at that time is selected from the work date and time.

(1-2) A schedule input to a calendar such as PDA, PIM (Personal Information Manager), groupware, etc. For example, a task is specified from items input to the calendar with respect to a working time.

(1-3) Location information that can be acquired from a GPS or mobile phone, or that can be measured by infrared rays or radio waves. For example, by managing the activity location for each task, the activity location can be determined from the acquired user location information. The closest task can be detected. Alternatively, a calendar for storing an activity schedule for each task is prepared. By using this, it is possible to accurately detect a task even in a task whose activity place varies from time to time.

(1-4) Persons performing the same work together Manage the persons involved in each task. When working with multiple people, the most suitable task to which the person participating in the work belongs is detected.

(2) Automatic determination of user's context information The status control unit 26 automatically determines a state indicating whether or not the user is currently able to interrupt from the user's context information.

  Here, information on whether or not to determine the state can be used.

(2-1) Schedules entered in calendars such as PDA, PIM, and groupware For example, the current state is determined from the contents, importance, and priority of items entered in the calendar for the time during work. judge.

(2-2) Current location that can be obtained from GPS, mobile phone, etc., or measured by infrared rays or radio waves, etc. You are in a room, in a conference room, or in transit, or in a customer building The current state is judged from information such as

(2-3) Information representing the contents of the work currently being performed For example, information such as browsing the Web or materials, creating materials, or collaborating with other people Determine the state.

  The status control unit 26 predicts whether or not the current communication can be performed and how many minutes later the state will change based on the past behavior pattern for the state and the response to the communication request. The result is set using the function of the status change control unit 12 together with the current user status.

  Here, the degree of detail of the contents to be notified is determined by the strength of the relationship between the current state (expressed by time, schedule, whereabouts, work, etc.) and the partner. In addition, the strength of the relationship with the partner is defined by a function that receives the state (time, schedule, whereabouts, work, etc.) and the partner to be notified. In addition, in order to facilitate the definition of the function, the strength is set in advance for each instance of the parameter, such as the time, schedule, whereabouts, and work, and the notification partner, and the result of the function is weighted. It is the sum of the latter. In addition, in order to facilitate the definition of the function, every time there is a request for status acquisition from the other party, the function is automatically displayed by repeatedly showing the candidate of the status to be displayed and selecting from among them. Define.

  Combining the above-described two determination methods, that is, a state determination method based on a task and a determination method based on context information, can provide an opportunity for communication with higher accuracy.

  In a general messaging system, the status for each registered user is managed on the server device side. Then, in response to the change notification transmitted from the client device to which the user has logged in, the server device changes the corresponding status, and at that time, the user who is viewing the state of the user logs into the client device to which the user is logged in. The status change notification is sent to the user.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the server device 10 includes a message control unit 14 that controls a status change based on a user message. The message control unit 14 provides the following mechanism.

(1) Message notification monitoring for each user (2) Determination of necessity of user status change (3) Message notification for user who needs status change

  However, the message referred to here may be a message body to be transmitted in the messaging system, or may be a predetermined message or another communication means.

  In the following, some operation examples of the messaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Operation example 1:
After confirming that the state of the user B is “attended” in the client device a operated by the user A, a message for contacting the user B is transmitted. At this time, a message is transmitted from the client device a. However, since the user B is actually busy (even if the status is not set to “contact rejection”), there is a case where the user B wants to reject the contact.

  In such a case, the server device side considers an operation of transmitting an access refusal message to the user A even if the user B does not set the status to “contact refusal”. However, the user interface may be text or a button format such as OK or NG.

  In the server device 10, the message control unit 14 determines reception of a rejection message by a function of monitoring message notification for each user, and notifies the client device a of the user A of the message. At the same time, it is determined that the status of the user B's client device b needs to be changed to “contact rejection” by the function of determining the necessity of the user's state change. Then, from this determination result, a message is notified by a function for notifying a user who needs a state change.

  Here, there are various methods for determining the necessity of the user's state change. For example, there may be an access permission mechanism, and a mechanism that allows the client side to notify permission before sending the message body may be used. In addition, it may be determined that the response is rejected when there is no response for a certain period of time.

  Further, when refusal is determined based on the message text, a fixed sentence may be defined in advance in the messaging system, and determination may be made from the fixed sentence.

  Further, the message control unit 14 automatically detects the necessity of the user status change based on the monitoring of the message notification, even if there is no explicit status change notification from the user, such as a contact rejection notification or a contact permission notification. Change state automatically. For example, it is determined that the message transmission is started when the user who is in the “contact impossible” state accesses someone. Alternatively, it may be determined that a user who is in a contact-disabled state for exchanging messages with somebody's user has finished the message exchange, and is in a “contact allowed” state.

  As a result, the user is given an opportunity to change the status when the status needs to be changed. Therefore, the user can reduce the number of users who forget to change the status and access by mistake, leading to support for smooth communication.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the message control unit 14 may include a mechanism for automatically changing the user status based on the determination result on the server device 10 as described above.

(4) Automatic change of user status based on determination result in server device

  Furthermore, in an environment where a management application such as a scheduler is executed, the message control unit 14 may further include the following mechanism.

(5) means for referring to the contents of the scheduler of each user (6) means for searching for the same person from the schedule;
(7) Means for detecting the correct status of the user corresponding to the schedule (8) Means for comparing the status determined from the scheduler with the current status

  When the message control unit 14 further includes a mechanism related to the above (5) to (8), the following operation example is also possible.

Operation example 2:
There is a conference in which user A and user B participate, and user A changes the status to “in conference”. At this time, the server implements status change control for user A. Further, the function of referring to the contents of the user's scheduler goes to the user A's schedule to the scheduler.
Based on the reference result, it is determined that the user B also participates in the user A meeting by means of searching for the same person from the schedule. Then, the user B status is compared with the user B status by the function of detecting the correct status of the user corresponding to the schedule and the function of comparing the status determined from the scheduler with the current status.

  If the user B is not “meeting”, the server device notifies the client device that the status of the user B needs to be changed. The client device that has received the message notification receives a message indicating that “status change is necessary” from the server by the same mechanism as that for normal message reception.

  Again, users are given the opportunity to change status when it becomes necessary, so it is possible to reduce the number of users who have forgotten to change status and accidentally access it, thus facilitating smooth communication. Become.

  On the client device side, it can be used for other purposes by using a status change notification from the server device. In the messaging system capable of displaying a status of a dimension different from the normal status, the message control unit 14 described above is (1) monitoring of message notification to each user, and (2) necessity of user status change. Each mechanism of determination and (3) message notification to a user who needs to change the state may be provided, and further the following mechanism may be provided.

(9) Retention of access source and access destination (10) Control of switching the status of the same user for each logged-in user

  When the message control unit 14 further includes a mechanism related to the above (9) to (10), the following operation example is also possible.

Operation example 3:
After confirming that the state of the user B is “conference” in the client device a operated by the user A, a message for contacting the user B is transmitted.

  At this time, in the server device 10, the message control unit 14 first holds that the user B could not contact the user A by the function of holding the access source and the access destination. Next, the status information of the user A viewed from the user B is displayed with the information desired to be contacted added by the function of switching and controlling the status of the same user for each logged-in user in the message control unit 14. It can be said that this status information is a status of another dimension.

  As a result, users who are unable to contact or users who are actually in contact but have not changed their status can see the user who wants to be contacted, which facilitates smooth communication. .

  In addition, it is possible to specify a time for displaying information desired to be contacted by determination based on timer control such as designation of time-up time. Here, the designation of time may be direct in real time or indirect in stages.

  As a result, it is possible to avoid displaying information that is desired to be contacted indefinitely. This makes it possible for a user who wants to be contacted to clearly cancel the state by a method such as message notification using a similar mechanism.

  Similarly to the above, in a messaging system capable of displaying a status of a dimension different from the normal status, the user can have a status for each buddy list such as a friend list. In such a case, the message control unit 14, as described above, (1) monitoring of message notification for each user, (2) determination of necessity of user status change, and (3) message for user who needs status change. Each mechanism of notification may be provided, and further the following mechanism may be provided.

(11) Function for storing relations between statuses in advance (12) Control function for changing the status to be shown to other groups when the status to be shown to a certain group is changed

  When the message control unit 14 further includes a mechanism related to the above (11) to (12), the following operation example is also possible.

Operation example 4:
For example, assume that user A has group X and group Y in his friend list. Here, it is assumed that the friend B is registered in the group X, and the status to be presented to the friend B includes “commuting”, “going out”, and “at home”. On the other hand, the company colleague C is registered in the group Y, and the status to be presented to the company colleague C includes “present”, “meeting”, and “return home”. “Attendance” is associated with the status “at present” and “meeting” of the group Y, the status “at home” is associated with the status “return home”, and the association between the statuses of each group is stored in the server device 10 in advance. Remember.

  For example, suppose that when user A goes to work, the status for group Y is set to “present”. In response to this, the server apparatus 10 side automatically changes the status of the user A to the group X to “attendance” by the association stored in advance.

  In such a case, the user can change one status automatically and appropriately change a plurality of statuses across a plurality of groups. Effective to forget to change.

  In order to provide a mechanism for displaying an appropriate state in accordance with the other party or group as described above, the message control unit 14 is responsible for objects such as a person using the messaging system and a task related to the person. It has a mechanism to judge groups with a certain relationship.

  Here, the group can be determined from a directory service or a friend list. Further, it is assumed that the group has an inclusive relationship of the group by a hierarchical structure or the like. In addition, the group may be able to be changed dynamically according to the user's work state. Moreover, the rule regarding the change may be registered.

  For the sake of explanation, it is expressed as follows.

Person to be contacted: p1
Person trying to contact: p2
Object related to P1: o1 Object is, for example, a person or a work task Object related to P2: o2

Part 1: The system has a mechanism that shows what each person is doing.
In this system, when two objects ox and oy with a group G are represented by the following relational expression P (G represented here is the largest group that includes ox but does not include oy):

Relational expression P (G, ox, oy) = (
oxεG: ox is an element of G ∧oyεnotG: and oy is not an element of G ∧not (∃Gx) (G⊂Gx∧oyεnotGx): and G includes oy as an element No Gx does not exist)

  Here, a rule when p1 is related to the object o1 is shown below.

(1) For p2 looking at the state of p1, the state of p1 is determined as follows.
Here, when not (∃G) (P (G, o1, p2)), that is, there is no G satisfying P, the state of p1 is “working on o1”. That is, since p2 is also a person related to o1, the state is directly shown. On the other hand, if (） G) (P (G, o1, p2)), that is, there is a G satisfying P, the state of p1 is “working on G”. That is, it shows the state of working in the group G to which p2 is not directly related.

(2) When p2 is related to o2, the following judgment is added to the state of p1 that can be seen from p2, and by comparison with the result judged in (1) above, the working status regarding the group closest to o1 select.
Here, when not (∃G) (P (G, o1, o2)), that is, there is no G satisfying P, the state of p1 is “working on o1”. Moreover, since p2 is also a person related to o, it shows the state directly. On the other hand, if (） G) (P (G, o1, o2)), that is, there is a G satisfying P, the state of p1 is “working on G”.

(3) As a result of these determinations, whenever the object o1 related to p1 or the object o2 related to p2 is changed, the state of p1 displayed in p2 is automatically changed.
For example, in the case where not all groups are actually represented by one hierarchical structure and two groups cannot be represented by a simple inclusion relationship, a plurality of groups represented by G may appear. In such a case, which group is closer to the group to which p2 belongs may be determined based on the inclusion relationship.

Part 2: Each person's status can be represented by three types: “attended” (contact permitted), “absent”, “busy” (contact not permitted). Since this is an example of the embodiment, no matter what kind of state name or state, there is a corresponding state, if any.

  When two objects ox and oy with groups G1 and G2 are expressed by the following relational expressions Q1 and Q2, (G1 represented here is the largest group that includes ox and does not include oy, and G2 Is the smallest group that contains ox, oy)

Relational expression Q1 (G1, ox, oy) = (
ox∈G1: ox is an element of G1 ∧oy∈notG1: and oy is not an element of G1 ∧not (∃Gx) (G1⊂Gx∧oy∈notGx)
: And there is no Gx that includes G1 and does not have oy as an element)

Relational expression Q2 (G2, ox, oy) = (
ox∈G2: ox is an element of G2 ∧oy∈G2: and oy is not an element of G2 ∧not (∃Gx) (Gx⊂G2∧ox∈Gx∧oy∈Gx)
: And there is no Gx included in G2 with ox and oy as elements)

  Here, a rule when p1 is not particularly involved (a case where p2 tries to contact p1) is shown below.

(1) Judgment is made as follows based on the result of p2 trying contact and returning by p1.
If contact is not allowed and not (∃G) (Q1 (G, p1, p2)), that is, there is no G that satisfies Q1, all people are not allowed to contact and want to be interrupted by anyone. No state. On the other hand, (） G) (Q1 (G, p1, p2)), that is, if there is a G that satisfies Q1, ∀ (notG) is not allowed to contact, and at least to people other than group G Does not want to be interrupted.
On the other hand, in the case of contact permission, if not (∃G) (Q2 (G, p1, p2)), that is, there is no G satisfying Q2, all persons are contact permitted, and anyone can interrupt. It becomes the state of. On the other hand, (∃G) (Q1 (G, p1, p2)), that is, if there is a G that satisfies Q1, ∀ (G) is a contact permission, and at least it is interrupted by people in group G It will be in a good state.
Also, if there is no response, the absence is confirmed. Since there is no reaction, it can be judged that it is absent.

(2) For those who belong to a group that has been determined to be absent, contact permitted, or not permitted, the state display of p1 is automatically determined according to the result determined (not present as the display). Or “busy” or “present”.

  Next, a rule when p1 is involved in something (a case where p2 tries to contact in a state where p1 is related to o1) will be described.

(1) When p2 attempts to contact p1, the following determination is made.
If contact is not allowed and not (∃G) (Q1 (G, o1, p2)), that is, no G that satisfies Q1, there is no contact, and everyone wants to be interrupted. No state. On the other hand, (∃G) (Q1 (G, o1, p2)), that is, if there is a G that satisfies Q1, ∀ (notG) is not allowed contact, and at least for people other than group G You don't want to be interrupted.
On the other hand, in the case of contact permission, if there is no not (（G) (Q2 (G, o1, p2)), that is, G satisfying Q2, all persons are permitted to contact, and anyone is in an interrupt OK state. It becomes. On the other hand, (∃G) (Q1 (G, o1, p2)), that is, if there is a G that satisfies Q1, ∀ (G) is allowed to contact and is interrupted at least by the person in group G It will be in good condition.
If there is no response, follow the case where contact is not allowed.

(2) For those who belong to a group that has been determined to be permitted or not allowed to contact, the status display of p1 is automatically determined according to the result of determining the status of p1 (display is “busy” or “present” ")Be changed. Also, in this case, if there is no response, it can be said that it is usually in the middle of some work, so it is a rule that it is not judged as “absent”, but there may be cases where you want to stay away without answering, etc. Because there is no response, it may be determined that the absence has been confirmed.

  Next, a rule when p2 is involved in something (a case where p2 tries to contact in a state where p1 is related to o1 and p2 is related to o2) will be described.

(1) When p2 attempts to contact p1, the following determination is made.
If contact is not allowed and not (∃G) (Q1 (G, o1, o2)), that is, no G that satisfies Q1, there is no contact, and everyone wants to be interrupted. No state. On the other hand, when (∃G) (Q1 (G, o1, o2)), that is, there is a G satisfying Q1, ∀ (notG) is not allowed to contact and at least interrupts people other than the group G. I do not want to be.
On the other hand, in the case of contact permission, if not (∃G) (Q2 (G, o1, o2)), that is, there is no G that satisfies Q2, all persons are permitted to contact, and anyone can accept the interruption. It becomes the state of. In addition, (∃G) (Q1 (G, o1, o2)), that is, if there is a G that satisfies Q1, ∀ (G) is allowed to contact, and at least can be interrupted by a person in group G It becomes.
If there is no response, follow the case where contact is not allowed.

(2) For those who belong to a group that has been determined to accept or reject contact, the status display of p1 is automatically determined according to the result of determining the status display ("busy" or "present" as the display). ")Be changed.
Also, in this case, if there is no response, it can be said that it is usually in the middle of work, so it is a rule that it is not judged as “absent”, but there may be cases where you want to stay away without answering Therefore, since there is no response, it may be determined that the absence is confirmed.

  When not all groups are represented by one hierarchical structure and two groups cannot be represented by a simple inclusion relationship, a plurality of groups represented by G may appear. In such a case, it can be applied to any group.

  The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention. That is, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and the contents described in the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims section described at the beginning should be considered.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a server device 10 applied in an instant messaging system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the client device 20 applied in the instant messaging system according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Server apparatus 11 ... Communication control part 12 ... Status change control part 13 ... User status management part 14 ... Message control part 15 ... Message monitoring part 16 ... State judgment control part 17 ... Message notification part 20 ... Client apparatus 21 ... Buddy List display unit 22 ... Buddy list management unit 23 ... Status input unit 24 ... Message input unit 25 ... Message display unit 26 ... Status control unit 27 ... Data transmission / reception unit

Claims (21)

An information processing system for exchanging messages according to the state of the other party,
Status control means for judging status by monitoring messages between users;
Message control means for monitoring message notification to each user and determining the necessity of user status change based on the monitoring result;
An information processing system comprising: The status control means determines a status based on identification of a task which is a purpose of a user's current work;
The information processing system according to claim 1. The status control means is input to the information used by the user, such as the title, contents, storage location, creator, creation date and time of the document used by the user, or other information attached to the document. Determine status based on schedule, or user location information, or task type determined from the person with whom the user is working together,
The information processing system according to claim 2. The status control means determines the status based on a state indicating whether the user is currently interruptible, which is determined from the context information of the user.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The status control means determines a status based on a schedule input to an information device used by a user, or user position information, or information representing a content of work currently performed by the user.
The information processing system according to claim 4. The message control means performs message notification for a user who needs to change the state.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The message control means automatically changes the user status in response to determining that the user status change is necessary.
The information processing system according to claim 1. In an environment where the scheduler is executed, the message control means determines the state of the user based on the contents of the scheduler.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The message control means retains the access source and the access destination, and controls to switch the status of the same user for each logged-in user.
The information processing system according to claim 1. In the case where the user is allowed to have a plurality of statuses and the status can be set for each user group, the message control means stores the relationship between the statuses in advance and displays the status to be presented to a certain group. In response to the change, the control to change the status presented to other groups,
The information processing system according to claim 1. An information processing method for exchanging messages according to the state of the other party,
A status control step that determines the status by monitoring messages between users;
A message control step of monitoring a message notification to each user and determining the necessity of a user status change based on the monitoring result;
An information processing method comprising: In the status control step, the status is determined based on the identification of the task that is the purpose of the user's current work.
The information processing method according to claim 11. In the status control step, the title, content, storage location, creator, creation date / time and other information attached to the document used by the user for the work, or information input by the user is input. Determine status based on schedule, or user location information, or task type determined from the person with whom the user is working together,
The information processing method according to claim 12. In the status control step, a status is determined based on a state that indicates whether or not the user is currently interruptible, which is determined from the context information of the user.
The information processing method according to claim 11. In the status control step, the status is determined based on the schedule input to the information device used by the user, the position information of the user, or information indicating the contents of the work currently performed by the user.
The information processing method according to claim 14. In the message control step, a message is notified to a user who needs to change the state.
The information processing method according to claim 11. In the message control step, the user status is automatically changed in response to determining that the user status change is necessary.
The information processing method according to claim 11. In an environment where the scheduler is executed, in the message control step, the state of the user is determined based on the contents of the scheduler.
The information processing method according to claim 11. In the message control step, the access source and the access destination are held, and the status of the same user is switched and controlled for each logged-in user.
The information processing method according to claim 11. In the case where the user is allowed to have a plurality of statuses and the status can be set for each user group, the message control step stores the relationship between the statuses in advance and presents the status to a certain group. In response to the change, the control to change the status presented to other groups,
The information processing method according to claim 11. A computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute a process for exchanging messages according to the state of the other party on the computer system,
A status control step that determines the status by monitoring messages between users;
A message control step of monitoring message notification to each user and determining the necessity of changing the state of the user based on the monitoring result;
A computer program comprising:

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