JP3301983B2 - Interactive communication device and method using characters - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for converting an electronic mail, an electronic chat, etc., which exchange information only with characters, into an information exchange means appealing graphically.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the rapid expansion of the Internet market in recent years, various services using the Internet have been developed. The most widespread among them is the provision of means for exchanging information between users, such as e-mail and electronic chat.

However, in any information exchange means, only the character information is transmitted as information, and it is necessary to read and interpret the characters and then read the intention and intention of the sender. In addition, it is almost impossible to read intentions hidden behind the text, which are hard to convey only on the letters.

Furthermore, unlike a telephone or the like, an electronic mail has a poor real-time property and cannot be used as a communication means in an emergency or the like. Further, it is not easy to specify the sender only by the e-mail address.

[0005] On the other hand, in the electronic chat, even if the real-time property can be ensured, it is necessary for the sender and the receiver to simultaneously establish a connection to the network. In addition, the login name of the electronic chat is often described with an arbitrary nickname or the like of the sender, and it is almost impossible to specify the sender. Furthermore, the context tends to be broken as compared with the e-mail, so that the talk tends to diverge to various people.

[0006]

That is, in the conventional information transmission means using only character information, a misunderstanding due to character information is likely to occur, and the information is often transmitted to the other party with an intention different from the original purpose. There was a point. In addition, since the information of the sender is limited, it is difficult to understand the backbone of the statement or opinion, and a statement with the same content is judged as "advice", etc., or judged as "slandering", etc. Alternatively, they have to rely only on the subjectivity of the receiver, and have an inaccurate aspect as a means of communicating intentions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an interactive communication device and method that can be visually expressed using characters or the like so that the sender's feelings and intentions, which are difficult to be conveyed by letters alone, can be transmitted accurately. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interactive communication apparatus using characters according to the present invention, comprising: an e-mail transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving an e-mail; A conversation conversion unit that converts data into data, a conversation history database that stores conversation history data converted by the conversation conversion unit, a character database that stores character image data, a balloon image database that stores balloon image data, and e-mail. And a conversation / character display unit that displays the content of the conversation and the character image data, and selects the balloon image data based on the information obtained from the e-mail. It is characterized by being performed.

With this configuration, the content of the e-mail,
Depending on the sender / sender of the e-mail, the form, color, etc. of the character image and the form of the balloon image change,
It is possible to realize an interactive communication device using a character that allows the receiver to visually and intuitively understand what kind of content the electronic mail is.

Further, an interactive communication device using a character according to the present invention has a conversation history transmitting / receiving unit, a conversation history database is arranged on an external network, and the conversation history data is transmitted / received via the conversation history transmitting / receiving unit. Is preferred. Further, it is preferable that the interactive communication device using characters according to the present invention has a character transmitting / receiving unit, arranges a character database on an external network, and transmits / receives character image data via the character transmitting / receiving unit.

By arranging the database on the external network, conversation history data and character image data registered individually by the users in the network can be utilized by other users, and a large amount of data can be used compared with the case where each user constructs the database. This is because an interactive communication device can be constructed based on this data.

Further, the interactive communication apparatus using a character according to the present invention has a balloon image transmitting / receiving section, arranges a balloon image database on an external network, and transmits / receives balloon image data via the balloon image transmitting / receiving section. Is preferred.

By arranging the balloon database on the external network, the balloon image data individually registered by the users in the network can be utilized by other users, and a larger amount of data can be used than when each individual constructs the balloon database. This is because it is possible to construct an interactive communication device based on the information.

Further, in the interactive communication device using the character according to the present invention, it is preferable that the balloon image data is selected based on the sender of the electronic mail. By changing the image of the balloon displayed by the caller, it is possible to easily grasp the position of the other party visually.

[0015] The interactive communication apparatus using characters according to the present invention further has a character-specific information database for storing user information through user-specific character image data, and selects the displayed character image data. It is preferable that the user-specific information is displayed. This is because the information specific to the communication partner can be grasped.

It is preferable that the interactive communication device using characters according to the present invention selects character image data based on the content of the conversation.
This is for expressing intentions and emotions that cannot be expressed only by the content of the conversation based on the expression of the character.

It is preferable that the interactive communication device using characters according to the present invention further includes a voice recognition unit for recognizing a voice of a speaker and a voice synthesis unit. This is because an electronic conversation system using voice can be supported.

Further, the interactive communication device using the character according to the present invention comprises a chat communication unit capable of performing an electronic chat, and a chat capable of switching between using an e-mail, using an electronic chat, and the like. The communication unit further includes a communication unit / email transmission / reception unit switching unit. The conversation conversion unit converts the content of the electronic chat or e-mail into conversation history data, and the character conversion unit converts the content of the electronic chat or e-mail into character image data. It is preferable to convert the request into a request. It is designed to support not only e-mail but also e-chat.

Further, in the interactive communication apparatus using characters according to the present invention, when the sender and the receiver of the electronic mail are both connected to the network, the chat communication unit and the electronic mail transmission / reception are provided. It is preferable that the section switching unit switches to the electronic chat. This is because real-time properties should be emphasized when network connection is established for both parties.

Further, in the interactive communication device using the character according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication history of the electronic chat be transmitted collectively as electronic mail at a specific timing. This is because it is convenient for notifying the contents of the examination in the electronic chat to a third party.

Further, the interactive communication device using the character according to the present invention is capable of converting the character image data or the balloon image data based on the contents of the electronic chat or the electronic mail or the sender of the electronic chat or the electronic mail. It is preferable to select. This is because the content of the conversation, the position of the other party, and the like can be easily grasped visually similarly to the electronic mail.

Next, in order to achieve the above object, an interactive communication method using characters according to the present invention comprises the steps of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail, and converting information obtained from the electronic mail into conversation history data. Converting the information obtained from the e-mail into character image data, converting the information obtained from the e-mail into balloon image data, and displaying the contents of the conversation in the balloon image data displayed together with the character image data It is characterized by having a process.

With this configuration, the contents of the e-mail,
Depending on the sender / sender of the e-mail, the form, color, etc. of the character image and the form of the balloon image change,
This makes it possible for the recipient to visually and intuitively grasp what kind of content the electronic mail is.

Next, a computer-readable recording medium storing a program to be executed by a computer according to the present invention includes a step of transmitting and receiving an e-mail, a step of converting information obtained from the e-mail into conversation history data, Converting information obtained from the e-mail into character image data, and converting information obtained from the e-mail into speech balloon image data,
The content of the conversation is displayed in the balloon image data displayed together with the character image data.

With this configuration, by loading the program on a computer and executing the program, the form and color of the character image, the form of the balloon image, etc., depending on the contents of the e-mail and the sender / sender of the e-mail Is changed, and an interactive communication device using a character can be realized in which the recipient can visually and intuitively understand what kind of content the electronic mail is.
Next, in order to achieve the above object, an interactive communication device using a character according to the present invention includes an e-mail transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving an e-mail, a character database storing character image data, and storing a balloon image data. A balloon image database
A character conversion unit that converts the information of the received e-mail into character image data selected according to the content of the information; and a speech image data selected according to the content of the received e-mail. And a conversation / character display unit for displaying the content of the conversation in the balloon image data displayed together with the character image data. With this configuration, the form and color of the character image, the form of the balloon image, and the like change depending on the contents of the e-mail, the sender / sender of the e-mail, and the receiver visually recognizes the contents of the e-mail. It is possible to intuitively grasp whether the message is an email.
Next, in order to achieve the above object, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer for realizing an interactive communication device using a character according to the present invention includes the steps of: receiving an e-mail; Inputting information of the received e-mail, selecting and associating character image data stored in advance in accordance with the content of the input information, and a balloon image stored in advance in accordance with the content of the input information The method includes the steps of selecting and associating data, and displaying the received content on the screen together with the selected character image data and speech balloon image data. Next, in order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to the present invention includes a character conversion unit that selects and outputs corresponding character image data from a plurality of character image data based on information obtained from an electronic mail, A display unit for selecting and outputting the corresponding balloon image data from the plurality of balloon image data based on information obtained from the electronic mail, inputting the content of the e-mail and the character image data, and displaying the content of the e-mail and the character image data And the content of the e-mail is displayed in the balloon image data displayed together with the character image data. With this configuration, depending on the content of the e-mail, the sender and the sender of the e-mail, the form and color of the character image, etc.
In addition, the form of the balloon image changes, and the recipient can visually and intuitively understand what kind of content the electronic mail is. Further, in the communication device according to the present invention, the information obtained from the e-mail indicates information indicating the contents of the e-mail, information indicating the sender of the e-mail, or character image data added to the e-mail. It is preferably information. This is so that the content of the conversation, the position of the other party, and the like can be easily grasped similarly to the electronic mail. Further, the present invention is characterized by software that executes the function of the communication device as a processing step of a computer as described above, and specifically, from a plurality of character image data based on information obtained from an e-mail. A step of selecting corresponding character image data, a step of selecting corresponding balloon image data from the plurality of balloon image data based on information obtained from the email, the content of the email, the selected character image data, and the selection. And a computer-readable recording medium recording such a step as a program. With such a configuration, by loading and executing the program on a computer,
Depending on the content of the e-mail, the form and color of the character image, and the form of the balloon image, etc., depending on the sender and sender of the e-mail, what kind of e-mail the recipient visually sees Can be realized intuitively.

[0026]

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, an interactive communication apparatus using a character according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to the present invention. In FIG.
11 is an e-mail transmission / reception unit, 12 is a conversation conversion unit, 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a character conversion unit, 14 denotes a conversation history database, 15 denotes a character database, 16 denotes a conversation / character display unit, 17 denotes an input / output unit, and 18 denotes a network such as the Internet.

In FIG. 1, when an e-mail is transmitted through a network 18 such as the Internet, the e-mail transmission / reception unit 11 receives the e-mail at once. Then, based on the received content, it passes to the conversation conversion unit 12 and the character conversion unit 13.

The conversation conversion unit 12 converts the received conversation contents into conversation history data in order to store it as a history. The conversation history data is stored in the conversation history database 14. The received content is the conversation / character display section 1
Hand over to 6.

The character conversion unit 13 checks the character database 15 based on the received content, and if character image data matching the received content exists in the character database 15, the character image data is converted into the conversation / character data. Hand over to display unit 16.

Specifically, a user ID such as an electronic mail
And the corresponding character image data are registered in the character database 15, and the character database 15 is collated based on the user ID of the sender of the received e-mail or the like to extract the corresponding character image data.

The method of selecting character image data is not limited to this. For example, information indicating character image data to be used is added to outgoing data such as e-mail and transmitted. Any method that can limit the character image data to be used may be used.

The conversation / character display section 16 displays the received content and also displays character image data corresponding to the content on the screen at the same time. With such a display method, the recipient of the e-mail can decode the received content from the character image data displayed at the same time as the approximate content, in addition to the content of the text-based e-mail. It is to be noted that printing of received contents and input of a reply can be performed by the input / output unit 17.

In FIG. 1, the databases are all located locally, that is, in the receiving terminal used by the receiver. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the conversation history database 14 is located on an external network. It may be arranged. That is, by arranging the external conversation history database 22 on the network and transmitting / receiving the conversation history via the conversation history transmitting / receiving unit 21, the conversation history of another user can be accumulated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the character database 15 may be arranged on an external network. That is, by arranging the external character database 32 on the network and transmitting / receiving character image data via the character transmitting / receiving unit 31, characters created by other users can be stored.

As described above, by arranging the database on the external network, conversation history data and character image data registered individually by users in the network can be used by other users, and each user can use the database alone. An interactive communication device can be constructed based on a larger amount of data than constructing a database.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, in addition to the external conversation history database 22 and the external character database 32 arranged on the network, the conversation history database 23 and the character database 33 are also provided on the terminal side of the user. The conversation history database 23 and the character database 33 in FIGS. 2 and 3 exist only as replicas for storing data created by the user or frequently used data. The database itself is an external conversation history database 22 and an external character database 32.

This configuration is such that, once the conversation history data and character image data of the user are registered in an external database on the network, the database in the terminal of the user is accessed and the network associated with the data reference is accessed. This is to reduce the load and secure a response for frequently used data.
Of course, if the network load is small or the response to the external database is sufficiently ensured, the conversation history database 23 and the character database 33 can be omitted.
Note that FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 does not describe the data flow at the time of replica creation.

Next, there is a case where the intention of the e-mail is not sufficiently transmitted by the character image alone.
As shown in (1), a speech image database 41 is added, and the received content is displayed on the conversation / character display unit 16 in the speech image displayed together with the character image. By doing so, it is possible to visually grasp the received content also by elements such as the form and color of the balloon image.

As with other databases, the balloon image database 41 may be arranged on an external network as shown in FIG. That is,
By arranging an external balloon image database 52 on the network and transmitting and receiving balloon image data via the balloon image transmitting / receiving unit 51, balloon image data created by another user can also be used.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when there is a mail communication as in (1), the character images representing A and B who are parties to the mail exchange as shown in (2) indicate the transmission contents. It is displayed in the balloon image displayed together with each character image. Note that the character image may be displayed on the screen at all times, or may be displayed only at the time of mail exchange.

In FIG. 5, in addition to the external balloon image database 52 arranged on the network,
A balloon image database 53 is also provided to the user's terminal device side.
Is arranged for the same reason as in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. If the network load is small or the response to the external database can be sufficiently secured, the balloon is displayed. Image database 53
Can also be omitted.

Next, it is conceivable to add character-specific information to the character image. That is, since the information of the character itself cannot be obtained only by the form of the character image or the like, if the mouse pointer is moved over the character displayed on the screen on the condition that the character is unique to each user, for example, By displaying the user-specific information possessed by the character, for example, the name, age, mail address, etc., it is possible to know information about the other party of the conversation.

Also, provided that the user-specific information of the character is linked to the character image, when the character image is clicked, the mailer software is transmitted to send an e-mail to the user corresponding to the character. It is also possible to start.

[0044] In addition, in the case of routine conversation and expressions, for example, "Hello", "Goodbye", "sad",
For "angry" etc., one-on-one with standard conversations and expressions
By registering in advance the form of speech balloons corresponding to the word, when the standard conversation or expression is detected in the context of the e-mail, the form of the balloon image displayed together with the character image changes accordingly. It is possible to do.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, by changing the form of the balloon image displayed on the screen according to the content of the conversation, the intention and emotion of the sender can be expressed.
Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the same effect can be expected by changing the size of the balloon and the size of the font displayed on the screen according to the content of the conversation. Note that the present invention is not limited to these methods, and a free expression form combining colors and the like can be used.

A display method for changing not only the balloon image but also the character image itself can be considered. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the expression of the character displayed on the screen is registered in accordance with the content of the conversation, and laughs when the content is “happy” and tears when the content is “sad”.
Also, when it is "scary", it turns blue, and when it is "angry", it becomes possible to express such things as blood rising on its head.

Next, it is conceivable to change the form and the like of the balloon image depending on the sender of the mail. For example,
As shown in FIG. 10, when the sender of the e-mail is a company employee or the like, it is represented by a square balloon image to indicate a business card, and when the sender of the e-mail is a student or the like, a normal balloon image is used. It is a device such as expressing.

Similarly, it is conceivable to change the character font in the balloon image depending on the sender of the mail. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the sender of the mail is a manager such as a boss, the mail is displayed on the screen using a large font so that the e-mail from the manager can be seen at a glance. You can understand.

Further, in order to identify by the voice of the caller,
As shown in FIG. 12, the speech recognition unit 121 and the speech synthesis unit 12
When 2 is provided as an input / output unit, it is possible to communicate with the other party by voice as in a normal telephone.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the form and color of the character image or the form and color of the balloon image, and the form of the balloon are determined by the contents of the electronic mail and the sender / sender of the electronic mail. The character font or the like of the image changes, and the recipient can visually and intuitively understand what kind of content the electronic mail is.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using characters according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 131 denotes a chat communication unit, and 132 denotes a mail transmission / reception unit / chat communication unit switching unit.

In FIG. 13, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit 11
In addition to the above, by providing the chat communication unit 131, it is possible to perform the same processing for electronic chat as for electronic mail.

That is, when electronic chat is performed through a network such as the Internet, the chat communication unit 131 receives the transmitted messages in a lump. Then, based on the received content, it passes to the conversation conversion unit 12 and the character conversion unit 13.

The conversation conversion section 12 converts the received chat contents into conversation history data in order to store the contents as a history. The conversation history data is stored in the conversation history database 14. The received content is passed to the conversation / character display unit 16 as it is.

The character conversion unit 13 checks the character database 15 based on the received content, and if character image data that matches the received content exists in the character database 15, the character image data is converted to the conversation / character. Hand over to display unit 16.

The conversation / character display section 16 displays the received contents and also displays character image data corresponding to the contents on the screen at the same time. With this display method, the recipient of the electronic chat can decode the received content from the character image data displayed at the same time as the approximate content, in addition to the content of the text-based electronic chat. It is to be noted that printing of received contents and input of a reply can be performed by the input / output unit 17.

In FIG. 13, the databases are all located locally, that is, in the receiving terminal used by the receiver. However, as in FIG. 2, the conversation history database 14 is located on an external network. May be. Further, similarly to FIG.
5 may be arranged on an external network.

Next, it is conceivable that the intention of the sender in the electronic chat may not be sufficiently transmitted by the character image alone. Therefore, as in FIG.
It is also conceivable to add 1 and display the received content on the conversation / character display unit 16 in a balloon image displaying the received content together with the character image. By doing this,
Visual recognition of the received content is also possible depending on factors such as the form and color of the balloon image. In addition, similarly to FIG.
The balloon image database 41 may also be arranged on an external network.

[0059] In addition, in the case of routine conversation and expressions, for example, "Hello", "Goodbye", "sad",
For "angry" etc., one-on-one with standard conversations and expressions
By registering the form and the like of the balloon image corresponding to in advance, when the standard conversation or expression is detected in the context of the electronic chat, the form and the like of the balloon image displayed together with the character image are changed accordingly. It is possible to change.

For example, as in FIG. 7, by changing the form of the balloon image displayed on the screen depending on the content of the conversation, the intention and emotion of the sender can be expressed. Similar effects can be expected by changing the size of the balloon image and the size of the font displayed on the screen according to the content of the conversation, as in FIG. Note that the present invention is not limited to these methods, and a free expression form combining colors and the like can be used.

A display method for changing not only the balloon image but also the character image itself is conceivable. That is, as in FIG. 9, the expression of the character displayed on the screen is registered in accordance with the content of the conversation,
Expressions such as laughing at the time of content and tearing at the time of "sad" content are also possible.

Next, it is conceivable to change the form and the like of the balloon image depending on the sender in the electronic chat. For example, similarly to FIG. 10, when the sender in the electronic chat is a company employee or the like, it is represented by a square balloon image so as to mean a business card. It is a device such as expressing with a balloon image.

Similarly, it is conceivable to change the character font in the balloon image depending on the sender in the electronic chat. For example, as in FIG. 11, when the sender in the electronic chat is a manager such as a boss, by displaying on the screen using a large font, it can be understood at a glance that the comment is from the manager. I can do it.

Further, in order to identify by the voice of the caller,
When the voice recognition unit 121 and the voice synthesis unit 122 are provided as input / output units in the same manner as in FIG. 12, it is possible to communicate with the other party by voice like a normal telephone.

One of the major differences between electronic mail and electronic chat is that the former does not require the sender and receiver to simultaneously establish a connection to the network.
The latter is that the caller and the recipient need to establish a connection to the network at the same time. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether or not the connection to the network has been established. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit / chat communication unit switching unit 132 determines whether the two have established the connection to the network. It is determined whether or not the communication has been established, and if both have established a connection to the network, the communication may be automatically switched to chat communication even if the communication is by e-mail. In this way, when real-time communication can be ensured between the two, by selecting a chat, it is possible to smoothly continue the conversation by the communication.

The timing of detecting whether or not the user is connected to the network may be the time when the created electronic mail is transmitted. In this case, the connection to the network is confirmed by a method as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 141 denotes an e-mail transmitting / receiving unit of a sender, 142 denotes an e-mail transmitting / receiving unit of a receiver, 143 denotes a network connection confirming unit, 144-1 denotes a mail server on the transmitting side, and 144 denotes a mail server of the sender. -2 indicates a mail server on the receiver side.

In FIG. 14, when the sender sends an e-mail via the e-mail transmission / reception unit 141, the e-mail is sent to the mail server 144-1 and sent to the network connection confirmation unit 143. Usually, sender information and receiver information are added to the e-mail together with the contents of the e-mail. Therefore, the network connection check unit 143 checks the receiver (e-mail destination). Verify whether a connection has been established to -2.

In the network connection confirmation unit 143,
If it is detected that the recipient has established a connection to the network at the time of sending the e-mail, the electronic chat function can be used by automatically connecting to the chat server. Of course, the same applies to a case where there are a plurality of transmission partners. Further, it may be at the time of receiving an e-mail.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the form and color of the character image or the form and color of the balloon image are determined not only by the electronic mail but also by the contents of the electronic chat and the speaker of the electronic chat. And so on, and the character font and the like of the balloon image are changed, so that the receiver can visually and intuitively understand what kind of content the electronic chat is.

Next, the flow of processing of a program for realizing an interactive communication device using characters according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 shows a configuration diagram of a program for realizing an interactive communication device using characters according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 151 denotes an operating system; 152, a network connection unit;
Denotes a mailer unit, 154 denotes a mailer / chat switching function unit, 155 denotes a chat unit, and 156 denotes a character display unit.

As shown by the colored portions in FIG. 15, the program according to the present invention comprises a mailer section / chat section switching function section 154 and a character display section 156.
The mailer unit 153 for providing other e-mail functions, the chat unit 155 for providing an electronic chat function, the network connection unit 152 for providing a network connection program, and the operating system are not particularly limited.

FIG. 16 shows a processing flow chart of a program for realizing an interactive communication device using characters according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, mailer section 1
When 53 receives the e-mail (step S161),
Based on the received content, it is registered in the database as conversation history data (step S162), and character image data corresponding to the received content is queried (step S16).
3) Inquire balloon image data according to the received content (step S164).

Then, the received contents are displayed on the screen together with the inquired character image data and the balloon image data (step S165). This makes it easier to visually understand emotions and the like of the other party that are difficult to understand only with character data.

As shown in the example of the recording medium shown in FIG. 17, the recording medium storing the program for realizing the interactive communication device using the character according to the embodiment of the present invention is a CD-ROM or a floppy (registered). Trademark)
Not only a portable recording medium such as a disk, but also any other storage device provided at the end of a communication line, or a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM of a computer may be used. Run on

A recording medium for recording transmission history data and the like generated by an interactive communication device using characters according to the embodiment of the present invention is also shown in FIG.
As shown in the example of the recording medium shown in FIG. 1, not only a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and a floppy disk, but also another storage device provided at the end of a communication line, and a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM of a computer. Any of
For example, it is read by a computer when using the interactive communication device using the character according to the present invention.

[0078]

As described above, according to the interactive communication apparatus using a character according to the present invention, the form, color, etc., of a character image, or a balloon, depending on the contents of an e-mail and the sender / sender of the e-mail. The form and color of the image, the character font of the balloon image, and the like change, and the receiver can visually and intuitively understand what kind of content the electronic mail is.

Further, according to the interactive communication apparatus using the character according to the present invention, depending on the content of the electronic chat and the speaker of the electronic chat, the form and color of the character image or the form and color of the balloon image can be changed.
Then, the character font and the like of the balloon image are changed, and the receiver can visually and intuitively understand what kind of content the electronic chat is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image display image in the interactive communication device using the character according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image display image in the interactive communication device using the character according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image display image in the interactive communication device using the character according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image display image in the interactive communication device using the character according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image display image in the interactive communication device using the character according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an image display image in the interactive communication device using the character according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a network connection confirmation method.

FIG. 15 is a software configuration diagram of an interactive communication device using a character according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of processing in an interactive communication device using a character according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an exemplary diagram of a recording medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 e-mail transmission / reception unit 12 conversation conversion unit 13 character conversion unit 14 conversation history database 15 character database 16 conversation / character display unit 17 input / output unit 18 21 conversation history transmission / reception unit 22 conversation history database (external) 23 conversation history database (replica) 31 character transmitting / receiving unit 32 character database (external) 33 character database (replica) 41 balloon image database 51 balloon image transmitting / receiving unit 52 balloon image database (external) 53 balloon image database (replica) 121 voice recognition unit 122 voice synthesizing unit 131 electronic chat Communication unit 132 E-mail transmission / reception unit / E-chat communication unit switching unit 141 Sender terminal 142 Receiver terminal 143 Network connection confirmation unit 144 -1 Mail server (sender side) 144-2 Mail server (recipient side) 151 Operating system 152 Network connection unit 153 Mailer unit 154 Mailer / chat switching function unit 155 Chat unit 156 Character display unit 171 Line destination storage Apparatus 172 Portable recording medium such as CD-ROM or floppy disk 172-1 CD-ROM 172-2 Floppy disk 173 Computer 174 Recording medium such as RAM / hard disk on computer

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-9-138767 (JP, A) JP-A-9-81353 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 13/00 H04L 12/54

Claims (20)

(57) [Claims] An e-mail transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving an e-mail; a conversation conversion unit for converting information obtained from the e-mail into conversation history data; and a conversation history for storing the conversation history data converted by the conversation conversion unit. A character database for storing character image data, a balloon image database for storing balloon image data, a character conversion unit for converting information obtained from an e-mail into character image data, and a conversation content and character image data. Conversations to display
And a character display unit, wherein the balloon image data is selected based on information obtained from the electronic mail. 2. The interactive type using characters according to claim 1, further comprising a conversation history transmitting / receiving unit, arranging the conversation history database on an external network, and transmitting / receiving conversation history data via the conversation history transmitting / receiving unit. Communication device. 3. The interactive communication device using characters according to claim 1, further comprising a character transmitting / receiving unit, arranging the character database on an external network, and transmitting / receiving the character image data via the character transmitting / receiving unit. . 4. A balloon image transmitting / receiving unit, wherein the balloon image database is arranged on an external network,
The interactive communication device using a character according to claim 1, wherein the balloon image data is transmitted and received via the balloon image transmitting / receiving unit. 5. The interactive communication device using a character according to claim 1, wherein the balloon image data is selected based on a sender of the electronic mail. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a character-specific information database for storing user information through user-specific character image data, wherein when the displayed character image data is selected, the corresponding user-specific information is displayed. Interactive communication device using different characters. 7. The interactive communication device using a character according to claim 1, wherein the character image data is selected based on the content of the conversation. 8. A voice recognition unit for recognizing a voice of a speaker,
The interactive communication device using a character according to claim 1, further comprising a voice synthesis unit. 9. A chat communication unit capable of performing an electronic chat, and whether to use an electronic mail, an electronic chat,
A chat communication unit / e-mail transmission / reception unit switching unit that can be switched, wherein the conversation conversion unit converts the content of the electronic chat or e-mail into conversation history data; 2. The interactive communication device using characters according to claim 1, wherein the contents of the mail are converted into character image data. 10. When both the sender and the receiver of the e-mail have established a connection to the network,
10. The interactive communication device using characters according to claim 9, wherein the chat communication unit / email transmission / reception unit switching unit can switch to an electronic chat. 11. The interactive communication device using characters according to claim 9, wherein the communication history of the electronic chat is transmitted as an electronic mail at a specific timing. 12. Content of electronic chat or electronic mail,
11. The interactive communication device using a character according to claim 9, wherein the character image data or the balloon image data is selected based on a sender of an electronic chat or an electronic mail. 13. An electronic mail transmission / reception step; a step of converting information obtained from the electronic mail into conversation history data; a step of converting information obtained from the electronic mail into character image data; An interactive communication method using a character, comprising: a step of converting information into balloon image data; and a step of displaying the content of a conversation in the balloon image data displayed together with the character image data. 14. An electronic mail transmitting / receiving step, converting information obtained from the electronic mail into conversation history data, converting information obtained from the electronic mail into character image data, and obtaining from the electronic mail. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, comprising: a step of converting information into balloon image data; and a step of displaying the contents of a conversation in balloon image data displayed together with character image data. . 15. An e-mail transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving an e-mail, a character database for storing character image data, a balloon image database for storing balloon image data, and information of the received electronic mail as contents of the information. A character conversion unit that converts the received e-mail information into speech image data selected in accordance with the content of the information, and the speech image data displayed together with the character image data An interactive communication device using a character, comprising a conversation / character display unit for displaying the content of a conversation inside. 16. A step of receiving an electronic mail, a step of inputting information of the received electronic mail, a step of selecting and correlating character image data stored in advance in accordance with the content of the input information, A step of selecting and correlating balloon image data stored in advance in accordance with the content of the received information, and a step of displaying the received content on the screen together with the selected character image data and balloon image data. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed. 17. A character conversion unit for selecting and outputting corresponding character image data from a plurality of character image data based on information obtained from an e-mail, and a character conversion unit corresponding to a plurality of speech balloon image data based on information obtained from an e-mail. And selecting and outputting the balloon image data to be output, inputting the contents of the e-mail and the character image data, and displaying the contents of the e-mail and the character image data. Is displayed in the balloon image data displayed together with the character image data. 18. The information obtained from the electronic mail,
18. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein the communication device is information indicating the content of the electronic mail, information indicating a sender of the electronic mail, or information indicating character image data added to the electronic mail. 19. A method of selecting corresponding character image data from a plurality of character image data based on information obtained from an electronic mail, and forming corresponding balloon image data from the plurality of balloon image data based on the information obtained from the electronic mail. A communication method comprising: selecting and displaying the content of the e-mail, the selected character image data, and the selected balloon image data. 20. A step of selecting corresponding character image data from a plurality of character image data based on information obtained from the electronic mail, and a corresponding balloon image from the plurality of balloon image data based on the information obtained from the electronic mail. Selecting a data, and displaying the contents of the e-mail, the selected character image data, and the selected balloon image data. Storage media.