JP2007257671A - Communication method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To optimize the timing of acquiring information from a server in a communication system for exchanging information via a server. <P>SOLUTION: A communication terminal 1a determines the timing of acquiring from a server 2 information sent by another communication terminal 1b (simply referred to as acquisition timing) according to the following predetermined conditions: (1) character string, (2) awareness information, (3) information amount, (4) information amount change, (5) information input rate, (6) information transmission rate, (7) communication party, (8) user group, and (9) number of user group members. These conditions may be used in combination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for supporting communication between users on a network. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technology that supports communication by sending and receiving text messages.
In the present invention, the chat system includes a chat server and a plurality of chat clients connected to a network. In this system, a plurality of chat clients can transmit and receive text messages in real time by sharing the same virtual space. Examples of the chat system include web chat and IRC (Internet Relay Chat).

  In the present invention, an awareness system is a system in which an awareness server and an awareness client are connected via a network. The awareness server manages detailed information about the user (hereinafter simply referred to as awareness information) and distributes this to the user. The awareness client receives the setting of the awareness information from the user and transmits it to the awareness server, or conversely receives the awareness information from the awareness server.

  The awareness information includes all personal information related to the user such as text data, image data and voice data representing a user's state and feeling, and a telephone number. The buddy list is a list of other users created by the user, so-called buddies. The user registers buddies in the buddy list upon agreement with other users, and refers to the buddy's awareness information.

  Some awareness systems allow the user to start communication not only by referring to the buddy's awareness information but also by using other communication functions with the buddies selected on the buddy list. Examples of other communication functions include, but are not limited to, telephone, e-mail, and chat system. Such an awareness system is sometimes called an instant message system (IM system).

  A mailing list is a system that distributes e-mails sent to a certain user group to members of that group.

  In recent years, with the networking of society, various communication means on the network are provided. Among them, web chat, an awareness system, an IM system, an e-mail system, and the like are examples of communication means for performing two-way communication between users by acquiring information stored on the server on the user side. be able to.

  This type of communication will be described using web chat as an example. In web chat, arbitrary users communicate with each other via a web server. The user can know the remarks of the other user by referring to the web page in which the remarks from the other user are written. However, since the user usually refers to the web page only at a predetermined timing, it is difficult to know the remarks from other users in real time.

  Actually, the user obtains the other party's remarks stored in the web server, that is, the updated web page, by the web browser at an appropriate timing. The timing of web page acquisition is as follows: 1) Set up a timer to acquire at regular time intervals, 2) Get at the end of transmission of your message, 3) When there is an instruction from an explicit user interface One of the acquisitions is common.

  In the above-described type of bidirectional communication, it is difficult to optimize the timing at which the user accumulates information stored on the server. For example, there is a case where information is acquired from the server even if there is no new information from the other party, and a load is imposed on the server to generate useless traffic. On the other hand, the information of the other party is frequently updated, but the information is rarely acquired, and the immediacy of the information may be significantly lost.

  Although it is difficult to fundamentally solve these problems, the frequency of information generation, the presence / absence of a response, and the user's expectation for the time required for the response are dependent on the information content. For example, when a question is transmitted, an answer is generally expected. On the other hand, in the case of monologue, the response is not expected so much. If the question is a short sentence, we expect that the answer to it will be returned in a relatively short time. On the other hand, for questions with long sentences, the time required for answering is expected to be longer.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and optimizes the timing for acquiring information on the user side when performing bidirectional communication between users by acquiring the information accumulated on the server on the user side, The purpose is to reduce the burden on the system and promote smooth and comfortable communication.

The inventor of the present application has come up with the idea of solving the above problem by utilizing the characteristic that the content and amount of communication are related to the frequency of occurrence thereof.
That is, the first invention of the present application is a communication method that is executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
-Accepting a setting input for associating a predetermined character string and an acquisition time interval that can be included in the information, storing the input predetermined character string and the acquisition time interval in association with each other in an acquisition timing table,
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined by determining whether or not the predetermined character string is included in the transmitted / received information, and when the predetermined character string is included, the predetermined character The acquisition time interval stored in association with the column is determined as a new acquisition time interval,
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

Information transmitted and received between users includes text messages exchanged between users, awareness information such as status information, and the like. The timing for acquiring information is determined based on a character string included in the information, information content, information amount, information amount history, information transmission speed, information input speed, and the like.
That is, the timing for acquiring information from the other party is determined based on the information sent by the user. For example, the timing for acquiring information is determined based on the character content input by the user, the input amount, the history of the input amount, the input speed, and the like.

The second invention of the present application is a communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and that transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
-Accepting a setting input for associating the state of the communication device and the acquisition time interval indicated by the information, storing the input communication device state and the acquisition time interval in association with each other in the acquisition timing table,
The timing of acquiring the information from the server is determined based on the state of the communication device indicated by the transmitted / received information, and the acquisition time interval stored in association with the determined state of the communication device is newly acquired. As a time interval,
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The third invention of the present application is a communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
-Accepting a setting input for associating an input amount of arbitrary information and an acquisition time interval in the communication device, storing the input amount of input information and an acquisition time interval in association with each other in an acquisition timing table,
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined by determining the input amount of information, and the acquisition time interval stored in association with the input amount of information is read from the acquisition timing table and determined as a new acquisition time interval. And
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The fourth invention of the present application is a communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and that transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Receiving a setting input of a calculation formula for a new acquisition time interval based on a change in the acquisition amount of the information and a current acquisition time interval, storing the input calculation formula and a history of the acquisition amount of the information,
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined based on the amount of change in the acquisition amount of the information to be transmitted and received, and the change amount of the determined information acquisition amount, the current acquisition time interval, and the arithmetic expression. , Determined as a new acquisition time interval,
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The fifth invention of the present application is a communication method that is executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
-Accepting a setting input of a calculation formula for a new acquisition time interval based on the history of input speed in the communication device, storing the input calculation formula,
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined as an input speed of the information to be transmitted and received, and determined as a new acquisition time interval based on the determined input speed and the arithmetic expression.
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The sixth invention of the present application is a communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and that transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Receiving a setting input of a calculation formula for a new acquisition time interval based on the amount of information acquired by the communication device and the current acquisition time interval, storing the input calculation formula;
-The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined as the new acquisition time interval based on the determined information amount and the arithmetic expression based on the information amount of the received information out of the transmitted / received information. ,
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The seventh invention of the present application is a communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and that transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
-Accepting a setting input of a calculation formula for a new acquisition time interval based on the amount of transmission information of the communication partner of the communication device, storing the input calculation formula,
-The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined as the new acquisition time interval based on the determined information amount and the arithmetic expression based on the information amount of the received information out of the transmitted / received information. ,
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The eighth invention of the present application is a communication method that is executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
-Accept setting input for association between the identifier of the other communication device and the acquisition time interval, store the input identifier of the other communication device and the acquisition time interval in association with each other,
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined by identifying an identifier of another communication device that transmits and receives the information, and the acquisition time interval stored in association with the determined identifier is determined as a new acquisition time interval. ,
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The ninth invention of the present application is a communication method that is executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Receiving a setting input for associating the communication device group on the network with the acquisition time interval, storing the input communication device group and the acquisition time interval in association with each other,
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined for a communication device group to which another communication device that transmits and receives the information belongs, and a new acquisition time interval that is stored in association with the determined communication device group is acquired. As a time interval,
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

  That is, the information acquisition timing is set for each user group to be a communication partner. This setting may be performed on the system side or by designation from the user. The user group can include a group created by the user, for example, a buddy list in an awareness system. Moreover, the user group formed by the user in the same channel in IRC, or the user in the same web page in web chat may be sufficient.

The tenth invention of the present application is a communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
When receiving a setting input for associating the number of communication devices in the virtual space with the acquisition time interval when the virtual space is shared with the other communication device, the number of input communication devices and the acquisition time interval Are stored in association with each other.
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined by determining the number of communication devices in a virtual space shared with other communication devices that have transmitted and received the information, and stored in association with the determined number of communication devices. The acquired acquisition time interval is determined as a new acquisition time interval,
Provided is a communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The eleventh invention of the present application is a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
An acquisition timing table that accepts a setting input for association between a predetermined character string and an acquisition time interval that can be included in the information, and stores the input predetermined character string and the acquisition time interval in association with each other;
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined by determining whether or not the predetermined character string is included in the transmitted / received information, and when the predetermined character string is included, the predetermined character Determining means for determining the acquisition time interval stored in association with the column as a new acquisition time interval;
Provided is a communication device including an acquisition unit that acquires information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The twelfth invention of the present application is a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
An acquisition timing table that accepts a setting input for associating the state of the communication device indicated by the information and the acquisition time interval, and stores the input communication device state and the acquisition time interval in association with each other;
The timing of acquiring the information from the server is determined based on the state of the communication device indicated by the transmitted / received information, and the acquisition time interval stored in association with the determined state of the communication device is newly acquired. A determination means for determining the time interval;
Provided is a communication device including an acquisition unit that acquires information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

A thirteenth invention of the present application is a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
A group-by-group acquisition interval table that accepts a setting input for associating the state of the communication device indicated by the information and the acquisition time interval, and stores the input communication device group and the acquisition time interval in association with each other;
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined for a communication device group to which another communication device that transmits and receives the information belongs, and a new acquisition time interval that is stored in association with the determined communication device group is acquired. A determination means for determining the time interval;
Provided is a communication device including an acquisition unit that acquires information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
When receiving a setting input for associating the number of communication devices in the virtual space with the acquisition time interval when the virtual space is shared with the other communication device, the number of input communication devices and the acquisition time interval And an acquisition interval table according to the number of participants that stores
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined by determining the number of communication devices in a virtual space shared with other communication devices that have transmitted and received the information, and stored in association with the determined number of communication devices. Determining means for determining the acquired acquisition time interval as a new acquisition time interval;
Provided is a communication device including an acquisition unit that acquires information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval.

The fifteenth invention of the present application records a communication program executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits / receives information to / from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device. A computer-readable recording medium,
Receiving a setting input for association between a predetermined character string and an acquisition time interval that can be included in the information, and storing the input predetermined character string and the acquisition time interval in association with each other in an acquisition timing table;
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined by determining whether or not the predetermined character string is included in the transmitted / received information, and when the predetermined character string is included, the predetermined character Determining an acquisition time interval stored in association with the column as a new acquisition time interval;
Providing a computer-readable recording medium in which a communication program for executing the step of acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval is recorded To do.

Here, examples of the recording medium include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a magneto-optical disk (MO), and the like that can be read and written by a computer.
The 16th invention of the present application records a communication program executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device. A computer-readable recording medium,
Receiving a setting input for associating a predetermined character string and an acquisition time interval that can be included in the information, and storing the input communication device state and the acquisition time interval in association with each other in an acquisition timing table;
The timing of acquiring the information from the server is determined based on the state of the communication device indicated by the transmitted / received information, and the acquisition time interval stored in association with the determined state of the communication device is newly acquired. Determining as a time interval;
Providing a computer-readable recording medium in which a communication program for executing the step of acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval is recorded To do.

The 17th invention of the present application records a communication program executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits / receives information to / from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device. A computer-readable recording medium,
Receiving a setting input for associating a predetermined character string that can be included in the information with an acquisition time interval, and storing the input communication device group and the acquisition time interval in association with each other;
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined for a communication device group to which another communication device that transmits and receives the information belongs, and a new acquisition time interval that is stored in association with the determined communication device group is acquired. Determining as a time interval;
Providing a computer-readable recording medium in which a communication program for executing the step of acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval is recorded To do.

The eighteenth invention of the present application is recorded with a communication program executed by a communication device connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmitting and receiving information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device. A computer-readable recording medium,
When receiving a setting input for associating the number of communication devices in the virtual space with the acquisition time interval when the virtual space is shared with the other communication device, the number of input communication devices and the acquisition time interval And associating and storing,
The timing for acquiring the information from the server is determined by determining the number of communication devices in a virtual space shared with other communication devices that have transmitted and received the information, and stored in association with the determined number of communication devices. Determining the acquired acquisition time interval as a new acquisition time interval;
Providing a computer-readable recording medium in which a communication program for executing the step of acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval is recorded To do.

  According to the present invention, in a communication system that transmits and receives information via a server, the timing for acquiring information from the server can be optimized, and communication can be performed smoothly and with a low system load.

<Summary of invention>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a communication system to which the present invention is applied. In this communication system, a plurality of communication terminals 1 a, b... And a server 2 are connected by a network 3. Examples of the communication system having such a configuration include a web chat, an awareness system, an IM system, and a mailing list.

  The server 2 is provided with a DB that accumulates information transmitted and received between communication terminals. The communication terminals 1a and 1b acquire information from other terminals by acquiring information stored in the information DB. Conversely, the communication terminals 1 a and b transmit information by transmitting information to be sent to other terminals to the server 2. However, the communication terminal 1a determines a timing (hereinafter simply referred to as an acquisition timing) for acquiring information transmitted from the other communication terminal 1b from the server 2 based on the following predetermined condition.

(1) Character string (2) Awareness information (3) Amount of information (4) Change in information amount (5) Input speed (6) Transmission speed (7) Communication partner (8) User group (9) Number of users < First Embodiment>
[Constitution]
Next, the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. In the present embodiment, the acquisition timing is determined based on a character string included in information input to the communication terminal. This system can be suitably used for web chat, IM system, mailing system, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram illustrating functions of the communication terminal 1. The communication terminal 1 includes an input unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, an acquisition interval determination unit 14, and an information acquisition timer 15. The input unit 11 receives input from the user. The communication unit 12 transmits input information to the server 2 or acquires information from the server 2. The display unit 13 displays the input information or information acquired from the server 2 on a display (not shown).

The acquisition interval determination unit 14 displays a screen for setting acquisition interval determination conditions and accepts settings from the user. The time interval T for acquiring information from the server 2 is determined based on the predetermined condition, in this case, the input character string. The information acquisition timer 15 instructs the communication unit 12 to acquire information at each determined time interval.
FIG. 3 is a configuration example of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the present embodiment. The acquisition interval determination unit 14 has an acquisition timing table. This table stores a predetermined character string and an acquisition interval when the character string is included. The character string matching unit 31 stores the candidate value of the acquisition interval in the candidate value buffer 32 based on the input information and the acquisition timing table.

[Process flow]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of acquisition interval determination processing performed by the acquisition interval determination unit 14 in the present embodiment.
Step S1: The acquisition interval determination unit 14 waits for an event to occur. Here, an event is an input of information by a user. When an event occurs, the process proceeds to step S2.

  Step S2: The acquisition interval determination unit 14 stores the acquisition interval candidate values in the candidate value buffer 32 based on the input information and the acquisition timing table. That is, when the input information includes a character string defined in the acquisition timing table, the value of the acquisition interval corresponding to the character string is stored in the candidate value buffer 32. The buffer 32 always accommodates only one value, and when stored, the old value may be discarded and updated with a new value, or the past history may be set in a predetermined range (for example, five). ) May be used as a FIFO buffer. If the input information includes a plurality of character strings, a plurality of candidate values may be stored in the candidate value buffer 32.

Step S3: The acquisition interval determination unit 14 sets a new acquisition interval T _new in the information acquisition timer 15. When a plurality of values are stored in the candidate value buffer 32, the new acquisition interval T _new may be, for example, the smallest value or the latest value. Thereafter, at each set acquisition interval T _new , _the communication terminal 1 accesses the server 2 and acquires information from other communication terminals.

Thus, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, by registering a character string representing a question such as “?” Or “?” In the acquisition timing table, when a question is input or input, Therefore, it is possible to shorten the acquisition time interval and acquire the answer sentence in a shorter time.
<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a configuration example of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the second embodiment. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, the acquisition interval is determined based on user awareness information. This communication system can be suitably applied to an awareness system and an IM system. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of the communication terminal is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the timing determination method of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 is different from that in the first embodiment.

The acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the present embodiment includes an acquisition timing table and a state information matching unit 51. In this acquisition timing table, an acquisition interval is stored for each piece of awareness information that can be set by the user. The state information matching unit 51 refers to the acquisition timing table every time the user's awareness information is changed, and sets the acquisition interval T _new corresponding to the new awareness information in the information acquisition timer 15.

The flow of processing in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). However, the event is an update of the user's awareness information.
Note that it is also possible to determine the acquisition interval T _new according to the status of buddies registered in the buddy list of the awareness system, instead of the user's own awareness information. It is also possible to determine the acquisition interval T _new by combining the user himself and the buddy state.

  Accordingly, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, if the user's state is set to “busy”, 1) the user automatically lengthens the acquisition time interval to minimize interruption of work due to message reception. 2) For the other user who is having a conversation, the user automatically recognizes that the user's status is “busy” and immediately decides that he / she will not receive a response. It is possible to acquire a message in anticipation of the reply, and 3) it is possible to reduce the load on the network and server due to the sub-congestion of the message acquisition request. On the other hand, if the state is “conversation OK”, it is possible to shorten the acquisition time interval and advance the conversation in real time. It is more effective for users of “conversation OK”.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the function of the acquisition interval determination unit according to the third embodiment. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, the acquisition interval is determined based on the change in the input amount at the communication terminal. This communication system can be suitably applied to a web chat or a mailing system. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of the communication terminal is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the timing determination method of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 is different from that in the first embodiment.

  The acquisition interval determination unit 14 in the present embodiment includes an acquisition timing table and an information amount matching unit 61. The acquisition timing table stores an acquisition interval for the input information amount. The information amount matching unit 61 newly sets the acquisition interval T according to the amount of input information. The flow of processing in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). Similarly, the event is an input of information by the user.

Note that the information amount and the acquisition interval input as described above are not stored in a table in advance, but a new acquisition interval T _new may be obtained by calculation based on the input information amount. The configuration of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 in that case is shown in FIG. For example, a new acquisition interval T _new is calculated as follows.
T _new = (T × R) / X
Where, T _new ; new acquisition interval, T; current acquisition interval,
X: input information amount, R: conversion coefficient.

According to this equation, the more inputs, the shorter the acquisition interval.
Furthermore, instead of the input information amount, the acquisition interval T _new can be determined based on the acquired information amount.
<Example of Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a configuration example of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the fourth embodiment. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, the acquisition interval is determined based on the acquired information amount history in the communication terminal. This communication system can be suitably applied to a web chat or a mailing system. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of the communication terminal is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the timing determination method of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 is different from that in the first embodiment.

The acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the present embodiment includes an acquisition information amount table, an information storage unit 71, and a calculation unit 72. The acquired information amount table stores the time when information is acquired from the server 2 and the amount of acquired information. The information storage unit 71 updates the acquired information amount table each time new information is acquired. The calculation unit 72 calculates a _new acquisition interval T _new according to a predetermined calculation formula every time information is newly acquired. For example, T _new is calculated based on the following equation.

T _new = T− (X ₂ −X ₁ ) × R
Where, T _new ; new acquisition interval, T; current acquisition interval, R; conversion coefficient
X _1, X ₂ : Amounts of acquired information at certain times T 1 and T ₂ .
By doing in this way, an acquisition interval can be changed according to the change tendency of the amount of acquisition information.

The flow of processing in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). However, the event is acquisition of information when the timing is determined based on the acquired information amount. Note that the input information amount may be used instead of the acquired information amount.
As a result, if the amount of acquired information tends to increase gradually, it can be determined that information is being actively input, and the acquisition time interval can be shortened to acquire information frequently. On the other hand, if the amount of acquired information tends to decrease gradually, it can be determined that the input of information is stagnant, and the acquisition time interval can be increased.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a configuration example of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the fifth embodiment. In the communication system according to this embodiment, the acquisition interval is determined based on the input speed at the communication terminal. This communication system is preferably applicable to web chat. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of the communication terminal is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the timing determination method of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 is different from that in the first embodiment.

The acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the present embodiment includes an information accumulation unit 81, a speed calculation unit 82, and an acquisition interval calculation unit 83 in addition to the input information amount history table. The input information amount history table stores the input time when the user inputs information and the input information amount. The information storage unit 81 updates this table every time information is input.
The speed calculator 82 calculates the input speed based on this table. For example, every 5 minutes, the total number of characters input in the past 5 minutes is obtained, and the average number of input characters per minute is calculated as the input speed. Further, for example, the input speed v is calculated according to the following formula based on the latest input information and the information input before that.

v = x ₂ / (t ₂ −t ₁ ) = x ₂ / Δt
Here, t ₁ , t ₂ ; time, x ₂ ; input information amount at time t ₂ The acquisition interval calculation unit 83 multiplies the reciprocal of the obtained input speed v by a predetermined conversion coefficient R to obtain a new acquisition interval T. _Let it be _new . That is, T _new = R / v. As a result, the faster the input speed, the shorter the acquisition interval, making it possible to acquire an active response to an active input.

The flow of processing in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). An event is an input of information when the timing is determined based on the amount of input information. In this embodiment, the acquired information amount may be used instead of the input information amount.
<Sixth embodiment>
In the communication system according to the present embodiment, the acquisition interval is determined based on the transmission speed of the partner communication terminal. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of the communication terminal is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the timing determination method of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 is different from that in the first embodiment.

(1) When the transmission rate estimation data of the communication partner cannot be obtained from the server [Configuration]
FIG. 9A is a configuration example of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 in the sixth embodiment. This communication system temporarily stores information transmitted from a sender in a server and clears the contents when the receiver acquires it, such as a one-to-one web chat, an instant message system short message, It can be suitably applied to a mailing list.

The acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the present embodiment includes an acquisition information amount history table, an information storage unit 91, and an acquisition interval calculation unit 92. The acquired information amount history table stores information acquisition time and acquired information amount. The information storage unit 91 updates the acquired information amount history table every time information is acquired. The acquisition interval calculation unit 92 calculates a _new acquisition interval T _new based on this table.

[Process flow]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the communication terminal 1 having the configuration of FIG.
Step S11: The acquisition interval determination unit 14 determines whether the acquisition time interval T has elapsed (S11), and if it has elapsed, accesses the server 2 to acquire information. The acquisition time and the acquisition information amount are written in the acquisition information amount history table (S12).

Steps S12 and S13: The acquisition interval determination unit 14 reads the acquisition information history table (S12), and calculates a _new acquisition interval T _new based on a predetermined arithmetic expression (S13). Here, T _new = (T / X) × R. Here, T _new is a new acquisition interval, T is a current acquisition interval, X is an acquired amount of information, and R is a conversion coefficient. As a result, the larger the acquisition amount, the shorter the acquisition interval, and the more active the response, the more frequently the server is accessed.

Step S14: The acquisition interval determination unit 14 sets a new acquisition interval T _new in the information acquisition timer 15.
(2) When the transmission rate estimation data of the communication partner can be acquired from the server [Configuration]
FIG. 9B is another configuration example of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the present embodiment. This communication system can be suitably applied to a system in which information transmitted from a sender is stored in a server and held in the server for a predetermined period after the receiver obtains it, for example, a web chat. In this example, the acquisition interval determination unit 14 includes an acquisition information amount table, an information decomposition unit 94, and an acquisition interval calculation unit 96. The acquired information amount table stores the time when other communication terminals transmit information and the amount of information transmitted. The contents of the acquired information amount table are acquired from the server 2 at predetermined time intervals. The information decomposition unit 94 decomposes the contents of the acquired information amount table into transmission units. That is, it is decomposed into a set of combinations of the transmission time and the amount of information. The acquisition interval calculation unit 96 calculates a new acquisition interval T _new from this set based on a predetermined formula.

  This example is used when the server 2 stores all the information and transmission time transmitted by the communication terminal 1 and retains the information after the information is acquired. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of information stored in the server 2. When the communication terminal 1 on the transmission side transmits the transmission time, the amount of information, and the information content to the server 2, all the contents are accumulated in the server 2. Each communication terminal 1 acquires this information addressed to itself from the server 2 at predetermined time intervals, for example, and creates an acquired information amount table.

[Process flow]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the communication terminal 1 having the configuration of FIG.
Steps S21 and S22: The acquisition interval determination unit 14 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S21). If it has elapsed, the contents of the acquired information amount table are acquired from the server 2 and this table is updated (S22). The acquired content is divided into transmission units. As a result, n sets of transmission time and transmission information amount are obtained.

Steps S23 and S24: The acquisition interval determination unit 14 calculates a _new acquisition interval T _new based on the acquisition information history divided into transmission units (S23). Here, the following formula (1) is used.

ここで、ｘ_k；時刻ｔ_kにおける送信情報量
これにより、通信相手の送信速度を考慮に入れて取得間隔を決定することが可能となる。算出された取得間隔Ｔ_newは、情報取得タイマ１５に設定される（Ｓ２４）。なお、この例では、ｎ個全ての送信単位についての平均から新たな取得間隔Ｔ_newを求めたが、他の算出方法も考えられる。例えば、最新の送信単位のみを用いたり、いくつかの送信単位を抽出して計算に用いても良い。

Here, x _k ; amount of transmission information at time t _k This makes it possible to determine the acquisition interval in consideration of the transmission speed of the communication partner. The calculated acquisition interval T _new is set in the information acquisition timer 15 (S24). In this example, the new acquisition interval T _new is obtained from the average of all n transmission units, but other calculation methods are also conceivable. For example, only the latest transmission unit may be used, or some transmission units may be extracted and used for calculation.

<Seventh embodiment>
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the function of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the seventh embodiment. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, the acquisition interval is determined according to the communication partner. This communication system can be suitably applied to an awareness system and an IM system. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of the communication terminal is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the timing determination method of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 is different from that in the first embodiment.

  The acquisition interval determination unit 14 in the present exemplary embodiment includes a user acquisition interval table and an address matching unit 131. The user-specific acquisition interval table stores an identifier for identifying a user, for example, an e-mail address and an acquisition interval for each user. When there is input information addressed to a certain user, the address matching unit 131 sets the acquisition interval set for the user in the information acquisition timer 15.

The flow of processing in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). An event is an input of information. When information is acquired from a certain user, a new acquisition interval for the user may be set.
As a result, it is possible to frequently acquire the state of the user or the content of the remarks that the user wants to communicate particularly closely and to update information quickly. On the other hand, for users who do not need to communicate so closely, the load on the network can be reduced by increasing the update interval. Necessary charges can be reduced.

<Eighth embodiment>
FIG. 14A is a block configuration diagram showing the configuration of the acquisition interval determination unit according to the eighth embodiment. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, an acquisition interval is determined for each user group. This communication system is preferably used for an awareness system, for example. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of the communication terminal is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the timing determination method of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 is different from that in the first embodiment.

  The acquisition interval determination unit 14 includes a user group correspondence table, a group-specific acquisition interval table, a belonging group determination unit 141, and an address matching unit 142. The user group correspondence table stores an identifier for identifying a user and a group name. In the acquisition interval table for each group, an acquisition time interval is set for each group. When there is an input for any of the users, the affiliation group determination unit 141 calculates the group to which the partner user belongs from the user group correspondence table. The address matching unit 142 acquires the time interval set for the group to which the user to speak belongs from the acquisition interval table for each group, and sets it in the information acquisition timer 15.

  FIG. 14B is another configuration example of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the present embodiment. The acquisition interval determination unit 14 includes an acquisition interval table for each web and an address matching unit 143. In the web-based acquisition interval table, an identifier of a web page corresponding to the group name and an acquisition interval set for each web page are set. For example, when an input from the user is input to any web page, the address matching unit 143 acquires an acquisition interval set for the web page from the table, and sets a new time interval.

  FIG. 14B shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a web chat, but it can also be applied to an awareness system and an IRC. When the communication terminal is a WWW browser, the web page corresponds to a user group. When the communication terminal is an awareness client, each buddy list is a user group. When the communication terminal is an IRC client, the channel is a user group.

The flow of processing in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). An event is an input of information to a group or a user belonging to a group, and conversely, acquisition of information.
Thus, for example, in a buddy list, if you create a group that gathers users you want to communicate closely with, and shorten the acquisition interval of that group, you can save time and effort to set the acquisition interval for each user. It is possible to keep a good communication. In addition, in the case of Web chat, it is possible to quickly update information by shortening the acquisition interval for a chat community in which the user wants to communicate closely.

<Ninth embodiment>
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the function of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 according to the ninth embodiment. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, the acquisition interval is determined according to the number of people in the user group. This communication system can be suitably applied to a web chat, an awareness system, a mailing list, and the like. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of the communication terminal is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the timing determination method of the acquisition interval determination unit 14 is different from that in the first embodiment.

  The acquisition interval determination unit 14 includes an acquisition interval table classified by the number of participants and a participant number matching unit 151. In the acquisition interval table by number of participants, the number of users in each user group and the acquisition interval for the number of users are set. When there is an input for the above-described user group, the participant number matching unit 151 determines an acquisition interval for the user group from the number of people in each user group and the set acquisition interval.

The flow of processing in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). An event is an input of information for any group or users belonging to a group.
As a result, chat messages with a large number of participants are frequently acquired, and conversely, chat messages with a small number of people can be acquired at long intervals. In general, the chat channel's speech frequency tends to be proportional to the number of participants. In this case, the above-mentioned effects result in the acquisition of information according to the actual speech interval and the generation of traffic for useless information acquisition. I can hold it down.

<Screen example>
16 to 19 are examples of acquisition interval setting screens displayed by the acquisition interval determination unit 14. FIG. 16 is an example of a setting screen displayed when the seventh embodiment is applied to an awareness system. When the communication partner “Sano” is selected on the buddy list and double-clicked, a time interval selection screen for acquiring “Sano” 's awareness information is displayed.

FIG. 17 is an example of a setting screen displayed when the eighth embodiment is applied to an awareness system. Select the buddy list “Circle” and double-click to display the screen for selecting the time interval. On this screen, the user selects a time interval for acquiring awareness information of buddies included in the “circle”.
FIG. 18 is a setting screen example displayed when the eighth embodiment is applied to a web chat. Select one of the web pages and double-click to display a screen for selecting the time interval. On this screen, the user selects a time interval for acquiring the community, ie, the web page.

  FIG. 19 is an example of a setting screen displayed when the ninth embodiment is applied to a web chat. FIG. 6A shows a case where a “setting” button is provided in advance and the same setting is performed for all web pages. FIG. 4B shows a case where the setting is changed for each web page. In either case, a screen example for setting a time interval according to the number of people included in the web page is displayed. On this screen, the user sets the time interval and the number of participants in the web page.

<Other embodiment examples>
(A) The acquisition interval determination conditions described in the above-described embodiment can be used in appropriate combination.
(B) A recording medium on which a program for executing the above-described method of the present invention is recorded is included in the present invention. Here, examples of the recording medium include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a magneto-optical disk (MO), and the like that can be read and written by a computer.
(Appendix)
(Appendix 1)
A communication method in which first and second users on a network transmit and receive information via a server,
The timing at which the first user acquires the information from the server is determined based on information transmitted / received between the users,
In accordance with the determined timing, the first user obtains information transmitted from the second user from the server.
Communication method.

(Appendix 2)
The communication method according to appendix 1, wherein the timing at which the first user acquires the information from the server is determined based on information transmitted to the second user.
(Appendix 3)
The communication method according to appendix 1, wherein a timing at which the first user acquires the information from the server is determined based on information transmitted from the second user.

That is, the timing for acquiring information from the partner is determined based on the information acquired from the partner. For example, the timing for acquiring information is determined based on the content of acquired information, the amount of acquired information, the history of acquired information amount, the acquisition speed, and the like.
(Appendix 4)
The timing at which the first user acquires the information from the server is set for each partner user who communicates with the first user,
The communication method according to appendix 1, wherein the first user acquires the information from each partner user from the server according to the set timing for each partner user.

That is, the information acquisition timing is set according to the communication partner. This setting may be performed on the system side or by designation from the user.
(Appendix 5)
The timing at which the first user acquires the information from the server is set for each partner user group communicating with the first user,
The communication method according to supplementary note 1, wherein the first user acquires the information from the partner user group from the server according to the set timing.

(Appendix 6)
The timing at which the first user acquires the information from the server is set based on the number of users in the other user group communicating with the first user,
The communication method according to supplementary note 1, wherein the first user acquires the information from the partner user group from the server according to the set timing.

For example, it is conceivable to shorten the information acquisition interval as the number of users in the user group increases.
(Appendix 7)
A communication device connected to each other via a network and a server for transmitting and receiving information,
Determining means for determining a timing for acquiring the information from the server based on the transmitted and received information;
According to the determined timing, the information transmitted from another communication device, the acquisition means for acquiring from the server,
A communication device comprising:

(Appendix 8)
A computer-readable recording medium that records a communication program that is connected to each other via a network and a server and is used in a communication device for transmitting and receiving information,
A; determining a timing for acquiring the information from the server based on the transmitted / received information;
B; obtaining the information transmitted from another communication device from the server according to the determined timing;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the communication program for performing this.

  The present invention can be applied to a technology that supports communication by sending and receiving text messages.

The block diagram of a communication system. The function block diagram of the communication terminal which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment. The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the acquisition space | interval determination process of 1st Embodiment. The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. (A), (b) The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on 5th Embodiment. The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on 6th Embodiment. (A) When the transmission speed of the other party is estimated from the acquired information (b) When the transmission speed of the other party can be acquired from the server The flowchart which shows the flow of the acquisition interval determination process of 6th Embodiment (a). Explanatory drawing of the information transmitted and accumulate | stored in a server. The flowchart which shows the flow of the acquisition interval determination process of 6th Embodiment (b). The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on 7th Embodiment. The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on the example of 8th Embodiment. (A) The acquisition interval is determined by the group to which the user belongs. (B) When an acquisition interval is determined by group. The structural example of the acquisition space | interval determination part which concerns on 9th Embodiment. An example of an acquisition interval setting screen when the seventh embodiment is applied to an awareness system. An example of an acquisition interval setting screen when the eighth embodiment is applied to an awareness system. An example of an acquisition interval setting screen when the eighth embodiment is applied to a web chat. An example of an acquisition interval setting screen when the ninth embodiment is applied to a web chat. (A) When the same setting is made for all web pages. (B) When changing settings for each web page.

Explanation of symbols

1; Communication terminal 2; Server

Claims (18)

A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
A setting input for associating the user state of the communication device and the acquisition time interval is received, the input user state of the communication device and the acquisition time interval are associated with each other and stored in advance in the storage unit,
When receiving the input of the user status of the communication device, the acquisition time interval stored in association with the input user status of the communication device is determined as a new acquisition time interval,
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Accepting a setting input for associating the input amount of arbitrary information with the acquisition time interval in the communication device, storing the input amount of the input information and the acquisition time interval in advance in association with each other,
Accepting input of information to be transmitted to another communication device, sending the input information to be transmitted to the server,
Determining an input amount of the input information to be transmitted, determining an acquisition time interval stored in association with the determined input amount of information as a new acquisition time interval;
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Accepting a setting input of a calculation formula for a new acquisition time interval based on the change in the acquisition amount of the information and the current acquisition time interval, storing the input calculation formula in the storage unit in advance,
While acquiring information from the server, the acquired amount of acquired information and the acquired time are stored in association with each other,
Based on the stored information amount history, the change amount of the information acquisition amount is determined, based on the determined change amount of information acquisition amount, the current acquisition time interval, and the stored arithmetic expression, As a new acquisition time interval,
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Accepting a setting input of a calculation formula for a new acquisition time interval based on a history of input speed in the communication device, storing the input calculation formula in advance,
Accepts input of information to be transmitted to other communication terminals, stores the amount of input information and the input time in association with each other,
Based on the input speed calculated based on the history of the stored information amount and the stored arithmetic expression, it is determined as a new acquisition time interval,
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Accepting a setting input of a calculation formula for a new acquisition time interval based on the information amount acquired by the communication device and the current acquisition time interval, storing the input calculation formula in advance,
Acquire information transmitted from other communication devices from the server, store the acquired time and the information amount of the acquired information in association with each other,
Based on the stored history of information amount and the calculation formula, determine as a new acquisition time interval,
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Accepting a setting input of a calculation formula for a new acquisition time interval based on the transmission information amount of the communication partner of the communication device, storing the input calculation formula in advance,
Acquire information transmitted from the communication partner from the server, store the acquired time and the information amount of the acquired information in association with each other,
Based on the stored information amount of the communication partner and the stored arithmetic expression, determined as a new acquisition time interval,
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Accepting a setting input for association between the identifier of the other communication device and the acquisition time interval, storing the identifier of the other communication device input and the acquisition time interval in association with each other,
Accepts input of information to be transmitted to other communication devices,
Determining an acquisition time interval stored in association with an identifier of another communication device as a communication partner of the input information as a new acquisition time interval;
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
Accepting a setting input for associating the communication device group on the network with the acquisition time interval, storing the input communication device group and the acquisition time interval in association with each other,
Accepts input of information to be transmitted to other communication devices, or collects information transmitted from other communication devices from the server,
A communication device group to which another communication device that transmits / receives the input information belongs, or a communication device group to which another communication terminal associated with the acquired information belongs is determined and corresponds to the determined communication device group The acquired acquisition time interval is determined as a new acquisition time interval,
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication method executed by a communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
In the case where the virtual space is shared with the other communication device, the setting input of the correspondence between the number of communication devices in the virtual space and the acquisition time interval is accepted, and the number of input communication devices and the acquisition time interval Are stored in advance in association with each other.
Accepts input of information to be transmitted to other communication devices,
The number of communication devices in a virtual space shared with other communication devices that transmit the input information is determined, and the acquisition time interval stored in association with the determined number of communication devices is newly set. As the acquisition time interval,
A communication method for acquiring information transmitted from another communication apparatus from the server based on a newly determined acquisition time interval. A communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
A setting unit that accepts a setting input for associating a user state of the communication device indicated by the information with an acquisition time interval, and stores the input state of the user of the communication device in association with the acquisition time interval in a storage unit; ,
Accepting means for accepting an input of a user status of the communication device;
Determining means for determining an acquisition time interval stored in association with the input user state of the communication device as a new acquisition time interval;
Based on the newly determined acquisition time interval, acquisition means for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server;
A communication device comprising: A communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
A setting unit that accepts a setting input for associating the communication device group on the network with the acquisition time interval, and stores the input communication device group and the acquisition time interval in association in a storage unit;
Receiving means for receiving input of information to be transmitted to another communication device;
First acquisition means for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server;
An acquisition time interval stored in association with a communication device group to which another communication device that transmits and receives the input information belongs, or a communication device group to which another communication terminal associated with the acquired information belongs. Determining means for determining as a new acquisition time interval;
Based on a newly determined acquisition time interval, second acquisition means for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server;
A communication device comprising: A communication device that is connected to another communication device via a network and a server, and transmits and receives information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device,
In the case where the virtual space is shared with the other communication device, the setting input of the correspondence between the number of communication devices in the virtual space and the acquisition time interval is accepted, and the number of input communication devices and the acquisition time interval Setting means for associating and storing them in the storage unit,
Receiving means for receiving input of information to be transmitted to another communication device;
The number of communication devices in a virtual space shared with other communication devices that have transmitted the input information is determined, and the acquisition time interval stored in association with the determined number of communication devices is newly set. Determining means for determining as an acquisition time interval;
Based on the newly determined acquisition time interval, acquisition means for acquiring information transmitted from another communication device from the server;
A communication device comprising: A computer-readable recording medium that records a communication program executed by a communication device connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmitting and receiving information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device Because
Receiving a setting input for associating the user state of the communication device indicated by the information and the acquisition time interval, and storing the input communication device state and the acquisition time interval in association in a storage unit;
Receiving an input of a user status of the communication device;
Determining an acquisition time interval stored in association with the user state of the input communication device as a new acquisition time interval;
Based on the newly determined acquisition time interval, acquiring information transmitted from other communication devices from the server;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the communication program for performing this. A computer-readable recording medium that records a communication program executed by a communication device connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmitting and receiving information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device Because
Receiving a setting input for associating a communication device group on the network with an acquisition time interval, and storing the input communication device group and the acquisition time interval in association with each other in a storage unit;
Receiving an input of information to be transmitted to another communication device;
Obtaining information transmitted from another communication device from the server;
An acquisition time interval stored in association with a communication device group to which another communication device that transmits and receives the input information belongs, or a communication device group to which another communication terminal associated with the acquired information belongs. Determining as a new acquisition time interval;
Based on the newly determined acquisition time interval, acquiring information transmitted from other communication devices from the server;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the communication program for performing this. A computer-readable recording medium that records a communication program executed by a communication device connected to another communication device via a network and a server and transmitting and receiving information to and from each other by sharing a virtual space with the other communication device Because
In the case where the virtual space is shared with the other communication device, the setting input of the correspondence between the number of communication devices in the virtual space and the acquisition time interval is accepted, and the number of input communication devices and the acquisition time interval Associating and storing,
Receiving an input of information to be transmitted to another communication device;
The number of communication devices in a virtual space shared with other communication devices that transmit the input information is determined, and the acquisition time interval stored in association with the determined number of communication devices is newly set. Determining the acquisition time interval;
Based on the newly determined acquisition time interval, acquiring information transmitted from other communication devices from the server;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the communication program for performing this. An information acquisition control method used in a communication system in which a terminal on a network transmits and receives information via a server,
Based on the content of information input from the terminal and transmitted to other terminals via the server, refer to the storage unit in which the timing at which the terminal acquires information from the server and the content that can be included in the information are stored in association with each other And determining whether the content of the transmitted information includes content that can be included in the information stored in the storage unit,
If it is determined that the content of the transmitted information includes content that can be included in the information stored in the storage unit, the information stored in association with the content of the information is acquired. An information acquisition control method in which the timing to perform is set as a timing at which the terminal acquires information from the server. An information acquisition control device used in a communication system in which a terminal on a network transmits and receives information via a server,
Based on the content of information input from the terminal and transmitted to other terminals via the server, refer to the storage unit in which the timing at which the terminal acquires information from the server and the content that can be included in the information are stored in association with each other Determining means for determining whether the content of the transmitted information includes content that can be included in the information stored in the storage unit;
If it is determined that the content of the transmitted information includes content that can be included in the information stored in the storage unit, the information stored in association with the content of the information is acquired. Setting means for setting the timing to perform as the timing at which the terminal acquires information from the server;
An information acquisition control method comprising: An information acquisition control program used in a communication system in which a terminal on a network transmits and receives information via a server,
Based on the content of information input from the terminal and transmitted to other terminals via the server, refer to the storage unit in which the timing at which the terminal acquires information from the server and the content that can be included in the information are stored in association with each other A determination step of determining whether or not the content of the transmitted information includes content that can be included in the information stored in the storage unit;
If it is determined that the content of the transmitted information includes content that can be included in the information stored in the storage unit, the information stored in association with the content of the information is acquired. A setting step for setting the timing to perform as the timing at which the terminal acquires information from the server;
An information acquisition control program that causes a computer to execute.

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