JP2017187995A - Social media system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve comfortable simultaneous voice communication.SOLUTION: When a request of an avatar to enter a room being a unit of simultaneous voice communication is received from a client computer 3A, a server computer 2A determines the permission or rejection of the room entrance according to whether the number of persons being in the room exceeds the number of limited persons, returns the determination result to the client computer 3A having transmitted the request, and relays voice data obtained by synthesizing voice data transmitted from client computers 3A corresponding to avatars being in the room to client computers 3A corresponding to the whole avatars being in the room. When the determination result is permission, the client computers 3A reproduce voice data received from the server computer 2A while displaying images of the room and the avatars being in the room.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a social media system and a program.

  Social media is a platform that provides a place for members to exchange information using personal computers, tablet terminals, game machines, mobile phones, Internet-compatible televisions, and other communication terminals. Among such social media, those capable of voice chat (simultaneous voice call) using an avatar acting as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system are disclosed (for example, patents) Reference 1).

JP 2009-199198 A

  However, such voice chat has a disadvantage that it becomes difficult to hear who is talking when there are too many speakers.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a social media system and program capable of comfortable simultaneous voice calls.

In order to achieve the above object, a social media system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A social media system that performs a simultaneous voice call using an avatar that operates as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system composed of a server computer and a plurality of client computers,
The server computer
Upon receiving from the client computer a request for entering an avatar into a room that is a unit of the simultaneous voice call, whether or not to enter the room is determined according to whether or not the number of persons entering the room exceeds the limit number, and the determination The result is returned to the client computer that sent the request, and the voice data that is synthesized from the voice data sent from the client computer corresponding to the avatar entering the room is sent to all avatars entering the room. Relay to the corresponding client computer,
The client computer is
When the determination result is permission, the voice data received from the server computer is reproduced while displaying the room and the image of the avatar entering the room.

In this case, the server computer
Managing a plurality of the rooms, sending list information of the rooms to be managed to the client computer,
The client computer is
Display the room list information on the screen, send a request to enter the room specified by the user,
The server computer
For the room specified in the request, whether to enter or not to enter the room,
It is good as well.

The server computer
A user database that stores information for identifying whether or not the user corresponding to the client computer can speak;
Audio data obtained by synthesizing only audio data received from the client computer corresponding to the user stored in the user database among the users corresponding to the client computer permitted to enter the room. Are relayed to client computers corresponding to all avatars entering the room,
It is good as well.

The server computer
Determining that a user registered as a billing target in the user database is a user stored as being able to speak;
It is good as well.

The server computer
An audio database storing audio data files corresponding to the room;
The audio data received from the client computer is synthesized with the audio stream of the audio data file corresponding to the room and relayed to the client computer corresponding to the avatar that has entered the room.
It is good as well.

The client computer is
In response to an operation input to the avatar displayed on the screen, an animation for operating the avatar is executed, and information on the operation of the avatar is transmitted to the server computer.
The server computer
Relay the information about the operation of the avatar received from the client computer to client computers corresponding to other avatars entering the room;
The client computer is
In accordance with information on the operation of the avatar relayed by the server computer, the corresponding avatar is operated.
It is good as well.

The social media system according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
A social media system in which users interact with each other using an avatar that operates as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system composed of a plurality of client computers and server computers,
The client computer is
Sending information related to the avatar part, which is a part image constituting the avatar created by the user, to the server computer,
The server computer
Information on the received avatar part is registered, and information on the registered avatar part is provided in response to a request from the client computer.

In this case, the server computer
When selling the information related to the registered avatar parts to the client computer, the user is charged for the amount corresponding to the provision and stored in a database.
It is good as well.

A part of the charged amount is calculated by the server computer operator as a fee and stored in a database;
It is good as well.

The program according to the third aspect of the present invention is:
Used in social media systems that make simultaneous voice calls using an avatar that operates as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system composed of a server computer and a plurality of client computers,
The server computer;
Upon receiving from the client computer a request for entering an avatar into a room that is a unit of the simultaneous voice call, whether or not to enter the room is determined according to whether or not the number of persons entering the room exceeds the limit number, and the determination All the avatars entering the room with the voice data synthesized from the voice data transmitted from the client computer corresponding to the avatar entering the room are returned to the client computer that sent the request. To relay to a client computer that supports
The client computer;
When the determination result is permission, the audio data received from the server computer is reproduced while displaying the room and the image of the avatar entering the room.

The program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is:
Used in social media systems where users interact with each other using an avatar that operates as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system composed of a plurality of client computers and server computers,
The client computer;
Operate to send information about avatar parts, which are part images that constitute the avatar created by the user, to the server computer;
The server computer;
The received information related to the avatar part is registered, and the information related to the registered avatar part is operated in response to a request from the client computer.

  According to the present invention, only client computers corresponding to avatars (users) allowed to enter a room as a virtual space can be simultaneously talked, and the number of people entering the room is limited. As a result, the number of speakers in the simultaneous voice call can be prevented from being increased excessively, and a comfortable simultaneous voice call can be realized.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the social media system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of an avatar image. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of an image of an avatar part. FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of an image of a room where an avatar enters the room. It is a figure which shows the data format of a room information database. It is a figure which shows the data format of a user information database. It is a figure which shows the data format of an avatar information database. It is a figure which shows the data format of an image database. It is a figure which shows the data format of a sound database. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the flow of data of simultaneous voice call. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the flow of the data which relays an event. It is the sequence flow of the process which enters a room. It is a figure which shows an example of the list image of a room. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the social media system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the sequence flow of the process which registers an avatar part. It is a figure which shows an example of a parts upload page. It is a figure which shows the data format of a store database. It is the sequence flow of the process which sells an avatar part. FIG. 17A shows an example of an avatar part image purchase screen (store information). FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen immediately before purchase of an avatar part image.

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

Embodiment 1 FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the social media system 1A is a computer system that includes a server computer 2A and a plurality of client computers 3A that are communicably connected to the server computer 2A via a network. In the social media system 1A, a virtual world imitating the real world is realized.

  On the virtual space, an avatar which is an animation image imitating a human and is a user's alternation as shown in FIG. In the social media system 1A, users can interact with each other by operating each avatar in the virtual space in accordance with an instruction from the client computer 3A. As shown in FIG. 2B, the avatar is composed of a plurality of partial images such as a head, clothes, and ornaments, that is, an avatar part image. Each partial image (component image) is called an avatar part image. An avatar image is created by combining images of a plurality of avatar parts. The movement (animation) of the avatar is realized by changing the relative position or the rotation angle of the image of the avatar part. Such movement of the avatar is typified into several patterns by the animation ID.

  The virtual world is partitioned into multiple rooms. Exchange between users by avatar is performed for each room. A room here is a unit of a virtual space in which an avatar is displayed. In the social media system 1A, as shown in FIG. 2C, a user group for communication is formed by avatars (users) who enter the room. By enabling simultaneous voice calls on a room-by-room basis, users can interact with each other using avatars and voice.

  Details of the social media system 1A will be described below. First, the configuration of the server computer 2A will be described. The server computer 2A is, for example, a Web server connected to the Internet, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a storage device, and a communication interface as hardware. The program stored in the storage device is read into the memory as necessary, and the function of the server computer 2A is realized by the CPU executing the program read into the memory and operating the communication interface and the like. The virtual world described above is constructed by executing such a program.

  In the server computer 2A, the number of CPUs does not have to be one, and a plurality of CPUs may execute a program in cooperation with each other and exhibit their functions. The server computer 2A may be a distributed processing type computer that exhibits its function by connecting a plurality of computers to each other and performing a cooperative operation.

  First, the functional configuration of the server computer 2A will be described. This functional configuration is a collection of functions realized by executing the above-described program according to the application. As shown in FIG. 1, the server computer 2A includes a room management module 20, a voice relay module 21, and an event relay module 22. In addition to this configuration, the server computer 2A includes a room information database 23, a user information database 24, an avatar information database 25, an image database 26, and a sound database 27.

  The room management module 20 manages information about a room that is a unit of user interaction in the virtual world and into which an avatar can enter. A plurality of rooms are provided, and information is managed for each room. As shown in FIG. 3, in the room information database 23, the room ID of each constructed room, the room name, the user ID (owner ID) that becomes the owner of the room, and the BGM (background music) that flows in the room are stored. An ID (sound ID) and the current number of people entering the room are stored in association with each other. With reference to the room information database 23, the room name, owner ID, background image ID, sound ID, and current number of people entering the room can be read using the room ID as a key.

  The room management module 20 manages each room while updating and referring to data stored in the room information database 23. For example, when the number of people entering a room having a certain room ID increases or decreases, the room management module 20 increases or decreases the number of people registered in the room information database 23 using the room ID as a key. Further, the room management module 20 can transmit the list information of the rooms registered in the room information database 23 to the client computer 3A.

  When the room management module 20 receives a request to enter a room, the room management module 20 reads the number of people entering the room from the room information database 23 and determines whether the number of people entering the room exceeds the limit. The room management module 20 returns the determination result (permitted / impossible) to the client computer 3A. Furthermore, when the determination result is permission, the room management module 20 transmits information about the room to the client computer 3A.

  The room management module 20 can also access a user information database 24, an avatar information database 25, an image database 26, and a sound database 27.

  The user information database 24 stores information about users who use the social media system 1A. As shown in FIG. 4, in the user information database 24, a user ID, a user name, a billing state (whether a billed user or a user who uses it for free), profile text, icon image ID, and which room is entered. The room ID indicating whether or not, the virtual currency amount in the social media system 1A possessed, and the like are stored in association with each other.

  The avatar information database 25 stores information related to the avatar corresponding to the user. In the avatar information database 25, as shown in FIG. 5, a user ID and a plurality of avatar IDs can be stored in association with each other. A plurality of avatar IDs registered in association with the user ID are referred to as an avatar ID list.

  In the avatar information database 25, image IDs for a plurality of avatar parts are registered in association with each avatar ID in the list of avatar IDs. The user can customize the avatar by selecting a preferred avatar part. The avatar information database 25 stores image IDs for a plurality of avatar parts selected by customization. In addition, in the avatar information database 25, a sound ID, which is an ID of a voice file when an avatar is tapped, is also registered in association with each avatar ID.

  The image database 26 stores image data for displaying the virtual space. In the image database 26, an image ID and an image file are recorded in association with each other. In this database, for example, various image files such as a room background image file (background image), a user icon image, and an avatar part image file (avatar part image) are stored.

  The sound database 27 stores an audio file reproduced by the client computer 3A. In this database, a sound ID and a sound file are stored in association with each other, and a specific sound file can be read using the sound ID as a key. This database stores various audio files such as room audio (audio files associated with sound IDs), audio files when avatars are tapped (audio files associated with sound IDs when avatars are tapped), and the like.

  The room management module 20 manages and updates the various databases described above.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the voice relay module 21 performs a simultaneous voice call. A simultaneous voice call is a full-duplex call such as a call made by two or more people. Realization of this call is a real-time voice call such as VoIP (Voice over IP) or SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). Technology is used. The voice relay module 21 synthesizes voice data obtained by synthesizing voice data transmitted from the client computer 3A corresponding to the avatar entering the same room for each room, and corresponds to all avatars entering the room. Relay to 3A.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that users U1, U2, and U3 have entered the room A and the BGM audio stream B1 is flowing. It is assumed that the users U4 and U5 have entered the room B and the BGM audio stream B2 is flowing.

  In this case, the voice relay module 21 inputs four channels of voice data S1, S2, S3 and BGM voice stream B1 that are input to the microphones of the client computers 3A of the users U1, U2, U3 for the room A and sent from the voice call module 32. Are synthesized to generate one-channel audio data MXA. The BGM audio stream B1 is acquired from the music file in the sound database 27. Further, the voice relay module 21 encodes the voice data MXA and transmits it to the voice call module 32 of the client computer 3A of the users U1, U2, U3. In the client computer 3A of the users U1, U2, U3, the sound corresponding to the sound data MXA is reproduced from the speaker.

  Similarly, the voice relay module 21 synthesizes the voice signals of the three channels of the voice data S4 and S5 and the BGM voice stream B2 sent from the voice call module 32 of the client computer 3A of the users U4 and U5 for the room B. The audio data MXB of the channel is generated. The BGM audio stream B2 is acquired from the music file in the sound database 27. Further, the voice relay module 21 encodes the voice data MXB and transmits it to the voice call module 32 of the client computer 3A of the users U4 and U5. On the client computers 3A of the users U4 and U5, the sound corresponding to the sound data MXA is reproduced from the speaker.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the event relay module 22 sends the information related to the avatar operation received from the control module 30 of the client computer 3 </ b> A to the avatar display module 33 of the client computer 3 </ b> A corresponding to another avatar that has entered the same room. Relay. The information related to the avatar operation includes event information (room ID, user ID, avatar ID, animation ID) transmitted from the client computer 3A.

  Next, the functional configuration of the client computer 3A will be described. The client computer 3A is, for example, a computer connected to the Internet, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. The client computer 3A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a storage device, a communication interface, a display display (screen), a microphone, a speaker, and the like as hardware. In the client computer 3A, the program stored in the storage device is read into the memory as necessary, the CPU executes the program read into the memory, and other components operate according to the execution result. Realize its function.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the client computer 3 </ b> A includes a control module 30, a room display module 31, a voice call module 32, and an avatar display module 33.

  The control module 30 mainly has the following three functions (functions 1 to 3).

(Function 1: Entrance processing)
The control module 30 receives the room list information transmitted from the server computer 2A and displays it on the screen. The control module 30 transmits a room entry request to the server computer 2A, and receives a determination result transmitted from the server computer 2A. When entering the room is impossible, the control module 30 displays that fact on the screen of the client computer 3A. When the entry into the room is permitted, the control module 30 controls the room display module 31 and the avatar display module 33 to perform image display processing and also controls the voice call module 32 to perform voice call processing.

(Function 2: Avatar operation)
When the entering avatar is tapped, the control module 30 sends event information corresponding to the tap to the avatar display module 33. Further, the control module 30 sends the tapped event information to the event relay module 22 of the server computer 2A.

(Function 3: Exit processing)
The control module 30 transmits an exit request to the server computer 2 </ b> A when the user inputs an exit from the operation input. Thereafter, the control module 30 returns the image displayed on the screen of the client computer 3A to the display image of the room list.

  The room display module 31 receives an image of the room from the server computer 2A under the control of the control module 30, and displays this image on the screen.

  Under the control of the control module 30, the voice call module 32 implements simultaneous calls on the network using a real-time voice call technology such as VoIP (Voice over IP) or SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). The voice call module 32 compresses voice data input using the microphone of the client computer 3A by voice codec processing and transmits the compressed voice data (voice stream) to the server computer 2A. Further, the voice call module 32 decodes the voice data (voice stream) received from the server computer 2A by a decoder and outputs the voice from a speaker provided in the client computer 3A.

  The avatar display module 33 acquires images of all avatars entering the room from the server computer 2A under the control of the control module 30, and synthesizes them with the room images on the screen and displays them. Specifically, the avatar display module 33 downloads and acquires all the avatar part images of each user who has entered the room displayed by the room display module 31, synthesizes the images of the outer parts, Display as an image.

  The avatar display module 33 can animate each displayed avatar. Possible animation operations are associated with the animation ID and stored in the avatar display module 33. The avatar display module 33 receives event information (room ID, user ID, avatar ID, animation ID) from the event relay module 22 or the control module 30. When the event information is received, the avatar display module 33 changes the relative position or rotation angle of the image of the avatar part to the animation ID by changing the avatar corresponding to the received event information (user ID, avatar ID). Operate to achieve animation.

  Next, room entry processing in the social media system 1A will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the room management module 20 first transmits room list information to the client computer 3A (step S20). The control module 30 displays the room list information on the screen of the client computer 3A (step S10). FIG. 11 shows an example of this image. The room management module 20 waits to receive an entry permission request (step S21; No), and the control module 30 waits for a banner tap of a specific room (step S11; No).

  When the user taps a banner of a specific room on the image of the room list information (step S11; Yes), the control module 30 requests the room management module 20 of the server computer 2A to enter the room. A request is transmitted (step S12).

  When the room management module 20 receives the room entry request (step S21; Yes), the room management module 20 calculates the number of people who enter the room when it is permitted (step S22). The room management module 20 determines permission when the calculated number of people entering the room does not exceed the limit number of people, and determines that the number is not acceptable when the number exceeds the limit number. The room management module 20 transmits this determination result (permitted / impossible) as a response to the control module 30 (step S23). The room management module 20 updates various databases such as updating the number of people entering the room information database 23 and updating the room entry room ID in the user information database 24 (step S24).

  When the content of the response is permission (step S13; Yes), the control module 30 instructs the room display module 31 to display the room image (room display instruction: step S14). Here, the room display module 31 requests the room management module 20 for an image of a room permitted to enter. The room management module 20 transmits the image of the corresponding room to the room display module 31 (step S25). The room display module 31 displays the received room image on the client computer 3A.

  Furthermore, the control module 30 instructs the avatar display module 33 to display the avatar that has entered the room (step S15). Here, when the avatar display module 33 requests the avatar information, the room management module 20 refers to the user information database 24, the avatar information database 25, and the image database 26, and displays the avatar part images constituting the corresponding avatar as an avatar. It transmits to the module 33 (step S26). The avatar display module 33 creates an avatar image by combining the avatar part images obtained from the room management module 20, and displays the avatar image on the screen of the client computer 3A.

  Further, the control module 30 instructs the voice call module 32 to connect to the voice relay module 21 and start a simultaneous voice call (step S16). Upon receiving this instruction, the voice call module 32 establishes a voice data transmission / reception line with the voice relay module 21 and starts a simultaneous voice call.

  On the other hand, when the content of the response is not possible (step S13; No), the control module 30 displays that the room cannot be entered on the screen of the client computer 3A (step S17).

  When the room entry is permitted and the room entry process is completed, communication by avatar operation and simultaneous voice call is performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the voice relay module 21 uses the voice data (S1 to S5) input to the microphone of the client computer 3A and received from the voice call module 32 in the voice data file corresponding to the rooms A and B. The synthesized audio data MXA and MXB are synthesized together with the audio streams B1 and B2, and transmitted to the client computer 3A corresponding to the avatar who entered the rooms A and B. These processes are performed by referring to the user who has entered the room registered in the user information database 24 or the like.

  Of course, it is not necessary to play BGM in the room, and only the voice data S1 to S3 transmitted from the client computer 3A are synthesized and relayed to the client computer 3A corresponding to the avatar entering the same room. Good.

  The voice relay module 21 received from the client computer 3A corresponding to the user stored in the user information database 24 among the users corresponding to the client computer 3A permitted to enter the room. Only audio data may be synthesized and distributed. In this case, for example, only a user (billing user) registered as “charging” in the charging state of the user information database 24 shown in FIG. 4 is determined as a user who can speak, and a user registered as “free”. The user can be determined by setting the user only to listen to the synthesized voices MXA and MXB.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the control module 30 causes the avatar display module 33 to execute an animation for operating the avatar by an operation input on the avatar displayed on the screen of the client computer 3A. Furthermore, the control module 30 transmits information (event information) related to the operation of the avatar to the server computer 2A. The event relay module 22 relays this event information to the avatar display module 33 of the client computer 3A corresponding to the avatar in the same room. The avatar display module 33 operates the corresponding avatar according to information (event information) regarding the operation of the avatar relayed by the event relay module 22. If it does in this way, a plurality of avatars can be interlocked, that is, the same movement can be made according to BGM and a song, while carrying out a simultaneous voice call. These processes are performed by referring to a user (avatar) who has entered the room registered in the user information database 24, the avatar information database 25, or the like.

(Leave processing)
When the user operates to leave the room, the control module 30 transmits a room leaving request to the room management module 20. The room management module 20 performs a process of deleting the user ID included in the leaving request from the avatar that enters the room. Specifically, the number of people entering the room information database 23, the room ID of the user information database, and the like are updated. Thereby, the avatar leaving process from the room is completed.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, only the client computer 3A corresponding to the avatar (user) permitted to enter the room can be simultaneously talked, and the number of people who can talk at the same time is limited. . As a result, the number of speakers in the simultaneous voice call can be prevented from being increased excessively, and a comfortable simultaneous voice call can be realized. That is, it is possible to prevent the conversation from becoming difficult due to the simultaneous conversation of a large number of people. That is, a comfortable simultaneous voice call can be realized.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the server computer 2A by limiting the number of people who make simultaneous voice calls.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the room management module 20 manages information such as who is in the room, who is the owner of the room, and what is the topic of the room, and the range in which simultaneous voice calls can be made depending on the room. Are divided. Also, the voice relay module 21 synthesizes a plurality of voice data sent from each voice call module 32 for each room, and transmits the synthesized voice data to each voice call module 32 so that simultaneous calls by a plurality of people can be made for each room. It becomes possible. For this reason, it is possible to limit the number of people who make simultaneous voice calls.

  Further, the room management module 20 uses the user information database 24 to identify user attribute information, for example, whether the user is a charged user or an uncharged user, and permits the charged user to speak. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the conversation from becoming difficult to hear due to simultaneous utterances by a large number of people while enjoying many people listening to the conversation. In addition, the billing user and the free user can be differentiated.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the voice relay module 21 acquires a voice file (BGM) corresponding to each room from the sound database 27, and the voice data sent from the user is the voice stream of the voice file. Synthesize. Therefore, the BGM is not reproduced by the client computer 3A. Thereby, BGM and the voice of each user can be reproduced at the same timing on the client computer 3A. Thereby, a user can sing according to BGM or move an avatar. The social media system 1A can provide the user with such a new way of enjoying.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The social media system 1B according to the present embodiment includes a server computer 2B and a plurality of client computers 3B, similarly to the social media system 1A according to the first embodiment. The server computer 2B has the same components as shown in FIG. 12 in addition to the same components as the server computer 2A. The client computer 3B has the components shown in FIG. 12 in addition to the same components as the client computer 3A.

  The server computer 2B includes an avatar parts sales module 40 and a store database 41. The avatar parts sales module 40 registers and provides (sells) an avatar part image created by the user. The store database 41 stores information on avatar parts created by the user. The server computer 2B includes the user information database 24, the avatar information database 25, and the image database 26, which is the same as the server computer 2A in the first embodiment.

  The client computer 3B includes an avatar part transmission module 35 and an avatar part store module 36. The avatar part transmission module 35 transmits the avatar part image etc. which the user created to the server computer 2B. The avatar part store module 36 sells the avatar part image provided from the avatar parts sales module 40.

  An operation of social media system 1B according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the avatar pearl transmission module 35 displays the avatar part upload page shown in FIG. 14 on the screen of the client computer 3 </ b> A. Is input by the user (step S30). As shown in FIG. 14, such parts information includes an upload image, a part, a name, a sound effect, a price, and the like. When the input is completed, the avatar part transmission module 35 determines whether the avatar part image resolution and aspect ratio, the lower limit / upper limit of the price, etc. are satisfied with respect to the information related to the avatar part produced by the user. When satisfy | filling, the input parts information is transmitted (upload) to the avatar parts sales module 40 (step S31).

  The avatar parts sales module 40 receives from the avatar parts transmission module 35 (step S40), and registers the received information on the avatar parts in the store database 41 or the like (step S41). In the store database 41, as shown in FIG. 15, the product ID, the product name, the avatar ID, the seller user ID, the price, the operation fee, the total sales, and the sales quantity are registered in association with each other. In the store database 41, the ranking ranking of the number of sales and the product ID are registered in association with each other. Furthermore, the avatar parts sales module 40 updates the avatar information database 25, the image database 26, etc. as needed according to part information. When registration to the database is completed, the user-created avatar parts are ready for sale.

  In response to a request from the avatar parts store module 36, the avatar parts sales module 40 provides information on registered avatar parts.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the avatar parts store module 36 transmits user information to the avatar parts sales module 40 (step S50). The avatar parts sales module 40 prepares store information (step S60) and transmits store information (step S61). The store information is a list of avatar part images for sale created based on information registered in the user information database 24, the avatar information database 25, the image database 26, and the store database 41. The avatar parts store module 36 receives the store information (step S51) and displays it (step S52).

  The avatar parts store module 36 displays store information as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17A, in the store information, some avatar part images are displayed together with the sales ranking (ranking ranking in the store database 41) and the like. When the user selects an avatar part image to be purchased (step S53), an image as shown in FIG. 17B is displayed, and when “Yes” is selected, information about the selected avatar part is displayed as an avatar part sales module. 40. The avatar part sales module 40 updates the database according to the information related to the selected avatar part. Specifically, the possessed avatar part image ID is added to the user information database 24, the ranking of the avatar information database 25 is updated, and the sales amount of the author in the user information database 24 is updated.

  Furthermore, the avatar parts sales module 40 transmits purchase information (avatar parts image) (step S63). The avatar parts store module 36 receives purchase information (step S54). Based on the received purchase information, the avatar parts store module 36 charges the user. This completes the sale and purchase of the avatar part image.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the user creates the avatar part image, the cost of creating all the avatar parts by the operating company can be saved. In addition, since the user can create an original avatar part image and sell it to others, the user can obtain virtual currency in the game, so that the user can make a profit and game characteristics in social media , Increase interest. Moreover, the self-approval desire of the user who created the avatar part can be satisfied by others using the avatar part image created by the user.

  The avatar part image is usually a texture attached to a 3D model, but its creation requires cost and know-how. The threshold will be very high. However, in the social media system 1A according to the present embodiment, the avatar part image created by the user is a two-dimensional image. For this reason, a general user can also create easily.

  In addition, if the server computer 2B provides the information regarding the registered avatar part to the client computer 3B, the operator of the server computer 2B may collect a part of the charged amount as a fee. Thereby, it becomes possible for the trader who operates the social media system 1A to make a profit.

  Various embodiments and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. In other words, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

  Two or more simultaneous voice calls are possible on social media that provides a place for members to exchange information using personal computers, tablet terminals, game machines, mobile phones, Internet-compatible TVs, and other communication terminals. .

1A, 1B social media system, 2A, 2B server computer, 3A, 3B client computer, 20 room management module, 21 voice relay module, 22 event relay module, 23 room information database, 24 user information database, 25 avatar information database, 26 Image database, 27 Sound database, 30 Control module, 31 Room display module, 32 Voice call module, 33 Avatar display module, 35 Avatar parts transmission module, 36 Avatar parts store module, 40 Avatar parts sales module, 41 Store database

Claims (11)

A social media system that performs a simultaneous voice call using an avatar that operates as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system composed of a server computer and a plurality of client computers,
The server computer
Upon receiving from the client computer a request for entering an avatar into a room that is a unit of the simultaneous voice call, whether or not to enter the room is determined according to whether or not the number of persons entering the room exceeds the limit number, and the determination The result is returned to the client computer that sent the request, and the voice data that is synthesized from the voice data sent from the client computer corresponding to the avatar entering the room is sent to all avatars entering the room. Relay to the corresponding client computer,
The client computer is
When the determination result is permission, the voice data received from the server computer is reproduced while displaying the room and the image of the avatar entering the room.
Social media system. The server computer
Managing a plurality of the rooms, sending list information of the rooms to be managed to the client computer,
The client computer is
Display the room list information on the screen, send a request to enter the room specified by the user,
The server computer
For the room specified in the request, whether to enter or not to enter the room,
The social media system according to claim 1. The server computer
A user database that stores information for identifying whether or not the user corresponding to the client computer can speak;
Audio data obtained by synthesizing only audio data received from the client computer corresponding to the user stored in the user database among the users corresponding to the client computer permitted to enter the room. Are relayed to client computers corresponding to all avatars entering the room,
The social media system according to claim 1 or 2. The server computer
Determining that a user registered as a billing target in the user database is a user stored as being able to speak;
The social media system according to claim 3. The server computer
An audio database storing audio data files corresponding to the room;
The audio data received from the client computer is synthesized with the audio stream of the audio data file corresponding to the room and relayed to the client computer corresponding to the avatar that has entered the room.
The social media system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The client computer is
In response to an operation input to the avatar displayed on the screen, an animation for operating the avatar is executed, and information on the operation of the avatar is transmitted to the server computer.
The server computer
Relay the information about the operation of the avatar received from the client computer to client computers corresponding to other avatars entering the room;
The client computer is
In accordance with information on the operation of the avatar relayed by the server computer, the corresponding avatar is operated.
The social media system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A social media system in which users interact with each other using an avatar that operates as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system composed of a plurality of client computers and server computers,
The client computer is
Sending information related to the avatar part, which is a part image constituting the avatar created by the user, to the server computer,
The server computer
Registering the received information on the avatar part and providing information on the registered avatar part in response to a request from the client computer.
Social media system. When selling the information related to the registered avatar parts to the client computer, the user is charged for the amount corresponding to the provision and stored in a database.
The social media system according to claim 7. A part of the charged amount is calculated by the server computer operator as a fee and stored in a database;
The social media system according to claim 8. Used in social media systems that make simultaneous voice calls using an avatar that operates as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system composed of a server computer and a plurality of client computers,
The server computer;
Upon receiving from the client computer a request for entering an avatar into a room that is a unit of the simultaneous voice call, whether or not to enter the room is determined according to whether or not the number of persons entering the room exceeds the limit number, and the determination All the avatars entering the room with the voice data synthesized from the voice data transmitted from the client computer corresponding to the avatar entering the room are returned to the client computer that sent the request. To relay to a client computer that supports
The client computer;
When the determination result is permission, while the image of the room and the avatar entering the room is displayed, the voice data received from the server computer is played back.
program. Used in social media systems where users interact with each other using an avatar that operates as a user's alternation in a virtual world realized on a computer system composed of a plurality of client computers and server computers,
The client computer;
Operate to send information about avatar parts, which are part images that constitute the avatar created by the user, to the server computer;
The server computer;
Registering the received information related to the avatar part and operating to provide information related to the registered avatar part in response to a request from the client computer.
program.

Images