JP3916601B2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, SERVER DEVICE, TERMINAL, SERVICE METHOD, TERMINAL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a server device, a terminal, a service method, a terminal method, and a program that implements these on a computer.

  As the Internet always-on connection environment becomes widespread, network games using network communication technology are becoming increasingly popular. In a network game, a game device (also referred to as “terminal”) possessed by a player and a server device possessed by a game provider are connected by a computer communication network called the Internet. Then, the player performs various interactions through the terminal, such as performing various battles in the game world, solving various problems, and exchanging and selling various items.

  For example, in a network battle game, each player's terminal is connected to a server device called a lobby, and receives an introduction of the opponent's terminal from the lobby. Then, a network battle is performed with the introduced opponent terminal. In addition, from the lobby, information on the terminals that are currently in the battle is also provided to the terminals that are not in the battle, and the terminals that are not in the battle can watch the battle. is there.

  Conventionally, when it is desired to observe the history of interaction between terminals, such as the state of such a network battle, from other terminals, a server device that provides the history of interaction by broadcast communication is specially provided, It was common to have the history sent directly from the terminal that is acting.

However, when it is desired to observe the history of interaction between terminals from other terminals, there is a strong demand for a technique for distributing the load as much as possible while increasing the number of terminals that can be observed as much as possible.
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and is suitable for observing the history of interaction between terminals from other terminals, a server device, a terminal, a service method, a terminal method, And it aims at providing the program which implement | achieves these with a computer.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

A communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first terminal and a second terminal that interact with each other, another terminal that receives the progress of the interaction, and a server that is communicably connected thereto. And is configured as follows.
The “interaction” means that the first terminal and the second terminal perform some kind of exchange. In the case of a game or the like, typically, a battle or a chat is performed. Can be considered.

That is, when the number of other terminals that have already received the progress of the interaction is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the server device newly receives the progress of the interaction with respect to the other terminal. Specify to receive the progress of the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal.
Therefore, if the number of terminals watching the state of interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than a certain number, the distribution of the state of interaction is directly received from these terminals.

On the other hand, when the number of other terminals that have already received the progress of the interaction is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the server device can detect the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal. The progress is received, and another terminal that is going to newly receive the progress of the interaction is designated to receive the progress of the interaction from the server device.
Therefore, if the number of terminals watching the state of interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal is equal to or greater than a certain number, a server device having a high distribution capability distributes the state of interaction.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication system suitable for observing the log | history of interaction between terminals from another terminal is realizable.
A communication system according to another aspect of the present invention is a communication system including a plurality of terminals and a server device connected to be communicable with the terminals, and is configured as follows.

  That is, each of the plurality of terminals includes an introduction request sending unit, an introduction response receiving unit, an interaction unit, a progress sending unit, a relay request sending unit, a relay response receiving unit, a progress receiving unit, and a progress display unit.

Then, the introduction request sending unit sends an introduction request for requesting introduction of the interaction partner to the server device.
On the other hand, the introduction response reception unit receives an introduction response sent from the server device.
Further, when the introduction response is accepted, the interaction unit interacts with a terminal specified in the introduction response.

  For example, in a network battle game, an introduction request sending unit, an introduction response receiving unit, and an interaction unit function when finding an opponent and starting a battle. When the first terminal and the second terminal are competing, first, these terminals (hereinafter referred to as “competitive terminals”) make an inquiry to the server apparatus having the lobby function, and the IP address of the opponent terminal The server apparatus requests information such as a port number, a MAC address, and a user ID, and sends them to the server apparatus to introduce the other party. Typically, using these pieces of information, a peer-to-peer communication line with the other party is established, and an interaction called “match” is performed by communication using the line.

And the progress of the said interaction is transmitted to a progress transmission part, another terminal, or the said server apparatus.
In the network battle game of the above example, the state of the battle is transmitted to terminals other than the battle terminal. In a network battle game, a battle with a battle terminal between players with excellent abilities may be watched from another terminal (hereinafter referred to as a “watching terminal”), but the progress transmission unit displays information for the watching game. , Which is transmitted from the battle terminal to the watching terminal.

On the other hand, the relay request sending unit sends a relay request for relaying the progress of interaction between other terminals to the server device.
Further, the relay response accepting unit accepts a relay response sent from the server device.
Then, when the relay response is accepted, the progress reception unit receives the progress of the interaction transmitted from the terminal or server device specified in the relay response.
On the other hand, the progress display unit displays the progress of the received interaction.

In the network battle game of the above example, when each terminal becomes a watching terminal, the relay request sending unit, the relay response receiving unit, the progress receiving unit, and the progress display unit function.
In the case of the network battle game, typically, information indicating which terminals are fighting each other can be checked using the lobby function or the like of the server device. Therefore, when the user wants to watch the game, first, the battle terminals are designated to the server device having the lobby function to notify the user that the game is to be watched. Then, a relay response designating a communication device to be used for watching the game is returned from the server device.

  By causing the terminal to receive and display information on the state of the battle corresponding to “interaction progress” from the communication device designated in the relay response, the user of the watching terminal can play a network battle between the fighting terminals. You will be able to watch the situation. Note that the communication device specified in the relay response is typically the server device or the battle terminal, but as described later, another battle terminal for watching the battle terminal is specified. There is also a possibility.

On the other hand, the server device includes an introduction request receiving unit, an introduction response sending unit, a relay request receiving unit, a relay response sending unit, and a progress relay unit.
The introduction request receiving unit receives an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner from the first terminal among the plurality of terminals.
Furthermore, when the introduction request is accepted, the introduction response sending unit selects a terminal other than the first terminal (hereinafter referred to as “second terminal”) from among the plurality of terminals, and the second response is sent. An introduction response designating the terminal is sent to the first terminal, and an introduction response designating the first terminal is sent to the second terminal.
In the case of the above-mentioned network battle game, the introduction request receiving unit and the introduction response sending unit function to introduce the opponent in the lobby function. That is, when the introduction of the opponent is requested, the opponent is determined by various appropriate algorithms, and the information of the opponent is sent to each opponent terminal.

On the other hand, the relay request accepting unit accepts a relay request for relaying the progress of the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal from the third terminal among the plurality of terminals.
When there is a request from a certain terminal to watch a network battle between the battle terminals, this is accepted as a relay request.

  Further, the relay response sending unit, when the relay request is accepted, the number of terminals (hereinafter referred to as “relay started terminals”) that have already requested relay between the first terminal and the second terminal. Is less than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as “direct relay condition is satisfied”), it is designated to receive the progress of the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal. A relay response (hereinafter referred to as “direct relay response”) is sent to the third terminal. When the direct relay condition is not satisfied, a relay response (hereinafter referred to as “indirect relay response”) that specifies that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device is sent to the third terminal.

  That is, when the number of watching terminals that have already watched a network battle state between certain battle terminals is less than a predetermined number, a new watching terminal is received so as to receive the battle state directly from the battle terminal. Is notified.

When the indirect relay response is sent, the progress relay unit receives the progress of the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal, and the progress of the received interaction To the third terminal to relay the progress of the interaction.
When the number of watching terminals is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the new watching terminal is notified so as to receive the watching state from the server device, and the server device receives the watching state from the fighting terminal. Is transmitted to the necessary watching terminal.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable when, for example, terminals suitable for peer-to-peer communication are allowed to interact with each other and the interaction is desired to be observed with other similar terminals. For example, in a server device or the like having a lobby function for a network battle game, when a battle terminal is appropriately transmitted from the battle terminal to the watching terminal and the load on the battle terminal is likely to increase, You can relay the state of the battle.

Further, in the communication system of the present invention, the relay response sending unit includes, in the direct relay response sent immediately before the relay of the progress of the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal. It can be configured to designate reception from a terminal different from the designated terminal.
In other words, when there are multiple applications for watching a match between certain fighting terminals, if you specify the direct relay response to receive the fighting situation from one of the fighting terminals for the previous application, In other words, it is designated to receive the state of the battle from the other of the battle terminals.
According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load bias when the battle terminal transmits a watching state as much as possible, and to distribute the load of the playing state distribution.

In the communication system of the present invention, the server device further includes a change request sending unit, and each of the plurality of terminals further includes a change request receiving unit, and can be configured as follows.
That is, in the server device, when the direct condition is not satisfied, the change request sending unit sends a change request specifying that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device to each of the relay-started terminals. .

  On the other hand, each of the plurality of terminals receives a change request transmitted from the change request receiving unit server device, and when the change request is received, the progress receiving unit receives an interaction from the one specified in the relay response. Instead of receiving the progress, it can be configured to receive the progress of the interaction from that specified in the change request.

  For example, in a network battle game, when the number of watching terminals for watching a match between certain fighting terminals is a certain number or more, the number of watching terminals is often extremely large. This is because the number of good players is small, so there are fewer opportunities for good players to play against each other, while such good players have a tendency to watch many players. .

  Therefore, in such a case, the state of the battle terminal is all distributed by the server device, and for the watching terminal set to receive the battle state directly from the battle terminal, the battle state distribution source Is changed to the server device.

  According to the present invention, for example, in a network battle game, a battle state of battle terminals can be collectively delivered by a server device.

The communication system of the present invention can be configured as follows.
That is, in the server device, when the relay response sending unit does not satisfy the direct relay condition, the relay started terminal is selected as a plurality of relay terminals, and the indirect relay response indicates “the progress of the interaction from the server device. Instead of designating “to receive the process of interaction from any of the plurality of relay terminals”, the indirect relay response is sent to the third terminal.

  On the other hand, in each of the plurality of terminals, when a plurality of relay terminals are designated in the relay response, the progress reception unit selects any one of the plurality of relay terminals and transmits from the selected one When the progress of the interaction is received by the progress receiver, the progress transmitter transmits the received progress of the interaction to another terminal.

In the above invention, when the number of watching terminals is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the server device distributes the state of the battle. In the present invention, a new terminal is added to the terminal that is already a watching terminal. It will be distributed to the watching terminal. Therefore, the state of the battle is distributed by communication between terminals.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when distributing a battle state in a network battle game etc., it can prevent that the load of distribution to a server apparatus becomes high, and can distribute a battle state by communication between watching terminals. become.

  Further, in the communication system of the present invention, the progress reception unit can be configured to select any one of the plurality of relay terminals by a random number.

That is, when an indirect relay response is specified so as to receive a battle state from a terminal (relay terminal) that is already a watching terminal, a plurality of relay terminals are specified in the indirect relay response. Accordingly, the terminal that has received the indirect relay response selects any one of a plurality of designated relay terminals by a random number.
According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve load distribution of distribution of a battle state between relay terminals.

  In the communication system of the present invention, each of the plurality of terminals further includes an information request sending unit, an information request receiving unit, an information response sending unit, and an information response receiving unit, and can be configured as follows.

That is, the information request sending unit sends an information request for load information to each of the plurality of relay terminals.
On the other hand, the information request accepting unit accepts an information request sent from another terminal.
The information request sending unit functions when the terminal A intends to become a watching terminal from now on, and the information request receiving unit functions when the terminal B that is already a watching terminal is going to be a relay terminal. That is, the information request is sent from the information request sending unit of terminal A to the information request receiving unit of terminal B.

  Further, when receiving the information request, the information response sending unit sends an information response designating the current load information of the terminal to the sender of the information request.

On the other hand, the information response accepting unit accepts an information response sent from each of the plurality of relay terminals.
That is, the terminal B checks its own load status and sends the information to the information response receiving unit of the terminal A using the information response sending unit.

Then, the progress receiving unit selects the one with the lowest load based on the load information specified in the information response received from the plurality of relay terminals.
Since the load status is collected from a plurality of relay terminal candidates, the terminal B selects the terminal with the lowest load and receives a battle-like distribution from the selected terminal.

Further, in the present invention, in the server device, the relay response sending unit selects “relay request recently among the relay started terminals” instead of “selecting the relay started terminal” as the plurality of relay terminals. Can be configured to “select a predetermined number of items that have been accepted”.
That is, when there is a terminal that has newly applied for watching games, a predetermined number is selected from the terminals that have recently applied for watching games, and these are selected as candidates for relay terminals. .
According to the present invention, in distribution of a battle state, load distribution among relay terminals can be achieved and load can be averaged.

A server device according to another aspect of the present invention is a server device in the communication system.
A terminal according to another aspect of the present invention is a terminal in the communication system.

A service method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by a server device that is communicably connected to a plurality of terminals, and receives an introduction request reception step, an introduction response transmission step, a relay request reception step, a relay response transmission step, a progress A relay process is provided and configured as follows.
That is, in the introduction request receiving step, an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner from the first terminal among the plurality of terminals is received.

On the other hand, in the introduction response sending process, when the introduction request is accepted, a terminal other than the first terminal (hereinafter referred to as “second terminal”) is selected from the plurality of terminals, and the second An introduction response designating the terminal is sent to the first terminal, and an introduction response designating the first terminal is sent to the second terminal.
Further, in the relay request receiving step, a relay request for relaying the progress of the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal from the third terminal among the plurality of terminals is received.

  In the relay response sending step, when the relay request is accepted, the number of terminals that have already been requested to relay between the first terminal and the second terminal (hereinafter referred to as “relay started terminals”). Is less than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as “direct relay condition is satisfied”), it is designated to receive the progress of the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal. A relay response (hereinafter referred to as “direct relay response”) is sent to the third terminal. When the direct relay condition is not satisfied, a relay response (hereinafter referred to as “indirect relay response”) that specifies that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device is sent to the third terminal.

  On the other hand, in the progress relay process, when the indirect relay response is sent, the progress of the interaction is received from either the first terminal or the second terminal, and the progress of the received interaction is received. To the third terminal to relay the progress of the interaction.

A terminal method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by a server device and a terminal connected to be communicable with another terminal, an introduction request sending step, an introduction response receiving step, an interaction step, a progress transmission step, a relay A request sending process, a relay response receiving process, a progress receiving process, and a progress displaying process are provided and configured as follows.
That is, in the introduction request sending step, an introduction request for requesting introduction of the interaction partner is sent to the server device.
On the other hand, in the introduction response reception step, an introduction response sent from the server device is received.
Further, in the interaction step, when the introduction response is accepted, the interaction process interacts with the terminal specified in the introduction response.

In the progress transmission step, the progress of the interaction is transmitted to another terminal or the server device.
On the other hand, in the relay request sending step, a relay request for relaying the progress of interaction between other terminals is sent to the server device.
Further, in the relay response receiving step, a relay response sent from the server device is received.
In the progress reception step, when the relay response is accepted, the progress of the interaction transmitted from the terminal or the server device designated in the relay response is received.
Further, in the progress display step, the progress of the received interaction is displayed.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each unit of the server device or to cause the computer to execute each step of the service method.
A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each unit of the above terminal or to cause the computer to execute each step of the above terminal method.

  The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information recording medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory. The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information recording medium can be distributed and sold independently from the computer.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication system suitable for observing the log | history of interaction between terminals from another terminal, a server apparatus, a terminal, a service method, a terminal method, and the program which implement | achieves these with a computer are provided. be able to.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game device will be described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to information processing devices such as various computers, PDAs, and mobile phones. it can. That is, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a typical game device in which a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention is realized. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The game apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an interface 104, a controller 105, an external memory 106, an image processing unit 107, and the like. A DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) -ROM drive 108 and a NIC (Network Interface Card) 109.

  When a DVD-ROM storing a game program and data is loaded into the DVD-ROM drive 108 and the game apparatus 100 is turned on, the program is executed and the terminal of this embodiment is realized.

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the game apparatus 100 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data.

  The ROM 102 records an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, the program recorded on the DVD-ROM is read out to the RAM 103 and execution by the CPU 101 is started. The The ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire game apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for game progress and chat communication.

  The controller 105 connected via the interface 104 receives an operation input performed when the user executes the game.

  The external memory 106 detachably connected via the interface 104 stores data indicating the game progress status, chat communication log (record) data, and the like in a rewritable manner. The user can record these data in the external memory 106 as appropriate by inputting an instruction via the controller 105.

  A DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 stores a program for realizing the game and image data and audio data associated with the game. Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 108 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the like.

  The image processing unit 107 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the CPU 101 or the image processing unit 107, and then processes the processed data on a frame memory ( (Not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to a monitor (not shown) connected to the image processing unit 107. Thereby, various image displays are possible.

The image calculation processor can execute a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed.
In addition, the polygon information arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and added with various texture information is rendered by the Z buffer method, and a rendering image obtained by overlooking the polygon arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space from a predetermined viewpoint position is obtained. High speed execution of the obtained operation is also possible.

  Further, the CPU 101 and the image arithmetic processor operate in a coordinated manner, so that a character string can be drawn as a two-dimensional image in a frame memory or drawn on the surface of each polygon according to font information that defines the character shape. is there. The font information is recorded in the ROM 102, but it is also possible to use dedicated font information recorded in the DVD-ROM.

  The NIC 109 is for connecting the game apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet, and conforms to the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network). Therefore, analog modems for connecting to the Internet using telephone lines, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modems, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modems, cables for connecting to the Internet using cable television lines A modem or the like, and an interface (not shown) that mediates between them and the CPU 101 are configured.

  The audio processing unit 110 converts audio data read from the DVD-ROM into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal from a speaker (not shown) connected thereto. Further, under the control of the CPU 101, sound effects and music data to be generated during the progress of the game are generated, and sound corresponding to this is output from the speaker.

  In addition, the game apparatus 100 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk so as to perform the same functions as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106, the DVD-ROM attached to the DVD-ROM drive 108, and the like. It may be configured.

  Similar to the game apparatus 100, a general computer includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, DVD-ROM drive, and NIC, an image processing unit having functions simpler than the game apparatus 100, and external storage. In addition to having a hard disk as a device, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, and the like can be used. In addition, a keyboard, a mouse or the like is used as an input device instead of a controller.

  As described above, in consideration of the fact that network games often use a general computer instead of a dedicated game machine, unless otherwise noted, the terminal will be described with the game device 100 shown in FIG. Add These can be appropriately replaced with general computer elements as necessary, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The server device is realized on a general computer, but a predetermined game device 100 in the group of game devices 100 can be used as the server device. Therefore, the game apparatus 100 and a general computer are not significantly different in configuration and function. Accordingly, the server device of the present invention on the game device 100 can be realized. Therefore, in the following description, a general computer and the game apparatus 100 are handled in the same way.

(Outline of communication)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a communication system when a network battle game is played and watched using a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of terminals 201 in the communication system 200 are connected to each other and to the server device 209 via the Internet 205 so as to be able to communicate with each other. In particular, communication between terminals 201 can be performed by so-called peer-to-peer communication technology. In the following, a situation will be described in which the terminals 201a and 201b battle each other out of the plurality of terminals 201 shown in FIG. 2, and the terminals 201c, 201d, and 201e watch the game.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a state of communication between terminals and server devices in the communication system in the situation. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. In this figure, “one-way communication from OO to XX” is marked with a single arrow. “Bidirectional communication between XX and XX” is marked with a double arrow. In addition, a diagonal line is drawn below the bar of the arrow to indicate that communication is performed appropriately thereafter.

  First, the terminal 201a and the terminal 201b connect to the server device 209 that provides the lobby function of the network competitive game, respectively, and send an introduction request for introducing an opponent to the server device 209 (301, 302).

  Then, the server device 209 sends a referral response for designating the opponent to each of the terminals 201a and 201b as a match between the currently connected terminals 201 (303 and 304).

  The terminals 201a and 201b that have received the introduction response connect to each other and start a network battle (305).

  On the other hand, the terminals 201c, 201d, and 201e respectively send a relay request for watching the battle between the terminals 201a and 201b to the server device 209 (306, 307, and 308).

  Here, the number of other terminals 201 to which the terminals 201a and 201b can directly distribute the state of the battle is assumed to be one.

  First, in response to the relay request 306 from the terminal 201c, the server device 209 returns a direct relay response indicating that the terminal 201a should receive a battle-like distribution to the terminal 201c (309). Then, the terminal 201c receives distribution of the battle state from the terminal 201a (310).

  In response to the relay request 307 from the terminal 201d, the server device 209 returns, to the terminal 201d, a direct relay response to the effect that the terminal 201b should receive the battle state distribution (311). Then, the terminal 201d receives distribution of the battle state from the terminal 201b (312).

  As a result, the number of terminals to which the terminals 201a and 201b can directly deliver the state of the battle is satisfied, so that the server device 209 responds to the relay request 308 from the terminal 201e from the server device 209. An indirect relay response indicating that the state distribution should be received is returned to the terminal 201e (313). Also, the server device 209 selects one of the terminals 201a and 201b (assuming that the selected one is the terminal 201a), and receives a battle state distribution from the selected terminal 201a (314). The terminal 201e further receives the distribution of the battle state from the server device 209 (315).

  In this way, when the number of terminals that the battle terminals 201a and 201b directly deliver the state of the battle is less than a predetermined threshold (1 in the above description), the server device 209 battles the battle terminals 201a and 201b. When the situation is directly distributed and is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, the competition situation is received from the competition terminals 201a and 201b, and this is delivered to a new watching terminal.

  As a result, when the load of the battle terminals 201a and 201b is low, the battle terminal 201a and 201b efficiently distributes the state of the battle to the watching terminal 201, while when the load is high, the distribution capability is increased. The state of the battle is distributed to the watching terminal 201 using the excellent server device 209 so that a great load is not applied to the fighting terminals 201a and 201b.

(Terminal configuration)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control flow of a terminal method executed by the terminal. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to these drawings.

  The terminal 201 includes an introduction request sending unit 401, an introduction response receiving unit 402, an interaction unit 403, a progress sending unit 404, a relay request sending unit 405, a relay response receiving unit 406, a progress receiving unit 407, and a progress display unit 408.

  The terminal 201 receives an instruction input from the player and checks the content (step S501). When the instruction input specifies that a battle with another terminal 201 is to be performed (step S501; battle), the referral request sending unit 401 sends a referral request for introducing the opponent to the server device 209. (Step S502).

  Then, the introduction response receiving unit 402 receives an introduction response sent from the server device 209 (step S503).

  Then, the interaction unit 403 establishes a connection for starting a battle with the terminal 201 specified in the introduction response (step S504), receives an operation input from the player (step S505), and receives the operation input. The progress process of the corresponding network battle game is performed (step S506), the result of the progress process is transmitted to the opponent (step S507), and the result of the progress process in the opponent is received from the opponent (step S508). ) Update the status of the network battle game (step S509), and proceed to step S551.

  On the other hand, when the instruction input from the player specifies that the battle between the other terminals 201 is to be watched (step S501; watching), the relay request sending unit 405 sends the other terminals 201 to the server device 209. A relay request for relaying the progress of the match is sent (step S531).

  Then, the relay response receiving unit 406 receives the relay response sent from the server device 209 (step S532).

  Next, the progress receiving unit 407 issues a connection request to the terminal 201 or server device 209 specified in the relay response (step S534), and receives the progress of the transmitted battle from the destination from which the connection request is issued. (Step S535).

  Further, the progress display unit 408 displays the progress of the received battle (step S536).

  And it is judged whether the said battle | competition was complete | finished (step S537), and when the battle | competition is not complete | finished (step S537; No), it returns to step S535. If it has been completed (step S537; Yes), the process returns to step S501.

  As described above, when the terminal 201 functions as a watching terminal, the processes in steps S531 to S537 are executed.

  On the other hand, when the terminal 201 functions as a battle terminal, the following processing is performed after executing the processing of steps S502 to S509 as described above.

  That is, it is checked whether or not a connection request indicating that a new battle is to be distributed from another terminal or server device (step S551). If so (step S551; Yes), the connection request is made. Is registered as a “watching terminal” (step S552). If not (step S551; No), the process proceeds to step S553.

  Then, the progress transmission unit 404 transmits the status of the current network battle game to the registered watching terminal (step S553).

  Further, it is determined whether or not the battle has ended (step S554). If it has not ended (step S554; No), the process returns to step S505. If it has been completed (step S554; Yes), the process returns to step S501.

  If the instruction input from the player is another instruction (step S501; other), the corresponding process is executed (step S571), and the process returns to step S501.

(Configuration of server device)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the server apparatus according to the present embodiment. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a control flow of the terminal management method executed by the server device. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to these drawings.

  In addition to the storage unit 600 that stores the state of the terminal 201, the server device 209 includes an introduction request receiving unit 601, an introduction response sending unit 602, a relay request receiving unit 603, a relay response sending unit 604, and a progress relay unit 605.

  First, the server device 209 receives a request from any of the terminals 201 via the NIC 109 (Step S701). When the request is an introduction request (step S701; introduction request), the NIC 109 functions as the introduction request reception unit 601. In addition, in the introduction request, information of the terminal 201 that seeks an opponent is specified.

  Next, the server device 209 checks the storage unit 600 to determine whether there is already another terminal 201 waiting for introduction as an opponent (step S702). Selection is made according to the algorithm (step S703).

  Then, the introduction response sending unit 602 is caused to send an introduction response designating the other terminal 201 to one terminal 201 as an opponent (step S704), and the introduction designating one terminal 201 to the other terminal 201. A response is sent (step S705).

  And the information of these terminals 201 memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 600 is updated during a battle | competition, the information of an opponent is recorded (step S706), and it returns to step S701.

  On the other hand, if there is no other terminal 201 that can be introduced, the information of the terminal 201 that issued the introduction request stored in the storage unit 600 is stored as “waiting for introduction” (step S707), and the process returns to step S701.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of information stored in the storage unit 600. As shown in the figure, information of the terminal 201 connected to the server device 209 is managed in a table format.

  Each record in the table 801 (corresponding to each row in the table 801) corresponds to each terminal 201 on a one-to-one basis. In the identification number column 802, the identification number of the terminal 201 currently connected to the server device 209 is recorded. As the identification number, a user ID of a player who uses the terminal 201, an IP address of the terminal 201, a combination of an IP address and a port number, a MAC address of the terminal 201, or the like can be used.

  In the status column 803, the current status of the terminal 201 is recorded. In this figure, states of “waiting for introduction”, “matching”, “watching”, and “waiting” are recorded. “Waiting for introduction” and “during battle” are as described above.

  When the status field 803 is “matching”, the opponent field 804 records the identification number of the opponent, and the remarks field 805 shows the state of the watching terminal 201 that delivers the state of the battle. In addition to being recorded with an identification number of zero or more and the number of predetermined thresholds as an upper limit, if the upper limit is likely to be exceeded, the identification number of the server device 209 is also recorded.

  When the request received by the server device 209 is a relay request (step S701; relay request), the NIC 109 functions as the relay request receiving unit 603. Then, both of the battle terminals 201 are specified in the relay request.

  Therefore, the server device 209 checks the storage unit 600 for the battle terminal 201 specified in the relay request, and determines the number of the identification numbers of the game terminal 201 stored in the remarks column 805 for the two battle terminals 201. Obtain (step S711).

  Then, out of the two fighting terminals 201, the one with the smaller identification number (if the number is equal, the one stored in the table 801 first) is selected as a distribution source candidate (step S712). It is checked whether or not the number of identification numbers of the watching terminal 201 in the candidate is less than a predetermined threshold (step S713).

  When the number is small (step S713; Yes), the relay response sending unit 604 sends a direct relay response designating the candidate to the requesting terminal 201 (step S714), and the candidate remarks column 805 in the table 801. In addition, the identification number of the requesting terminal 201 is added (step S715), and the status column 803 of the requesting terminal 201 in the table 801 is updated to “watching” (step S716), and the remarks column 805 is displayed. The identification number of the candidate is recorded in (Step S717), and the process returns to Step S701.

  On the other hand, if the number of identification numbers of the watching terminal 201 in the candidate is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S713; No), an indirect relay response designating the server device 209 is sent to the relay response sending unit 604 as a request source. (Step S721), the identification number of the server device 201 is added to the candidate remarks column 805 in the table 801 (step S722), and a connection request is issued to the candidate (step S722). S723), the status column 803 of the requesting terminal 201 in the table 801 is updated to “watching” (step S724), and both the server device identification number and the candidate identification number are stored in the remarks column 805. Record (step S725) and return to step S701.

  If there is no request from any of the terminals 201 (step S701; no request), each record in the table 801 is examined in order from the top (step S731), and if there is an unprocessed record (step S731; unprocessed) ), It is checked whether the status column 803 of the record is “matching” and the identification number of the server device 209 is recorded in the remarks column 805 (step S732). In other words, this corresponds to the server device 209 determining whether or not the terminal 201 of the record should be relayed to the watching terminal 201.

  If so (step S732; Yes), the progress relay unit 605 receives the progress of the battle from the terminal 201 (hereinafter referred to as “relay source terminal”) recorded in the identification number field 802 of the record (step S733). ).

  Next, as seen from the progress of the battle, it is checked whether or not the battle has ended (step S734). If the battle has not ended (step S734; No), the following processing is performed.

  That is, each record in the table 801 is examined in order from the top (step S735). If there is an unprocessed record (step S735; unprocessed), the status column 803 of the record is “watching” and the remarks column 805 is displayed. It is checked whether the server device 209 and the distribution source terminal are recorded (step S736). That is, this corresponds to determining whether or not the terminal 201 of the record is a terminal that should relay the battle progress of the relay source terminal.

  If so (step S736; Yes), the progress relay unit 605 transmits the progress of the battle received in step S733 to the terminal 201 of the record (hereinafter referred to as “relay destination terminal”) (step S737). ).

  When necessary relaying is completed in this way, the process returns to step S701.

  On the other hand, when the battle is over (step S734; Yes), the record that records the identification number recorded in the status column 803 of the record in the table 801 and the opponent column 804 of the record in the identification number column 802 The status column 803 is updated to “standby” (step S741), the opponent column 804 of both records is deleted (step S742), and the remarks column 805 is deleted (step S743).

  This is also the record of the spectator terminal that was watching the battle of both records, that is, the record in which the status column 803 is “watching” and the identification number corresponding to both records is recorded in the remarks column 805 from all records Is searched (step S744).

  Then, the status column 803 of these records is updated to “waiting” (step S745), the remarks column 805 is deleted (step S746), and the process returns to step S701.

Thus, in the table 801 managed by the server device 209, when the terminal 201 corresponding to a certain record is a battle terminal, the following information is recorded.
(A) Status column 803 ... “In battle”
(B) Opponent field 804 ... Identification number of the opponent's terminal 201 (c) Remarks field 805 ... The identification number of the watching terminal 201 that is receiving the distribution of the state of the battle from the terminal 201. When the server device 209 receives the state of the battle from the terminal 201 and relays it, the identification number of the server device 209 is further provided.

On the other hand, when the terminal 201 corresponding to a certain record is a watching terminal, the following information is recorded.
(A) State column 803 “watching”
(B) Opponent field 804 ... Identification number of the opponent's terminal 201 (c) Remarks field 805 ... When receiving a direct match state from the opponent terminal, the identification number of the opponent terminal. When receiving the distribution of the state of the battle by relaying the server device 209 from the battle terminal, the identification number of the battle device and the identification number of the server device 209.

  Further, when the terminal 201 corresponding to a certain record is neither playing a game nor watching, the status column 803 is “standby” or “waiting for introduction”. In this case, the opponent column 804 and the remarks column 805 are blank.

  In the above description, the identification number of the terminal 201 or the server device 209 is recorded in each column in the table 801. Instead, the number of the terminal 201 corresponding to the record 201 in the table 801 is recorded. The index number indicating, may be recorded. In this case, a value that does not appear as an index number of the record in the table 801 (for example, a negative integer or an integer larger than the upper limit of the number of records that can be registered in the table 801) is used instead of the identification number of the server device 209. Can do.

  In the embodiment by the combination of the terminal device 201 and the server device 209 as described above, when the load of the battle terminal is low, the state of the battle is directly distributed to the battle terminal, and when the load is high, the battle is Is once received by the server device 209, and then distributed to a necessary watching terminal and relayed, so that the state of the battle can be distributed appropriately.

  In addition, by performing the selection as in step S712, for a new watching terminal, a battle terminal different from the battle terminal that was delivered last time becomes a distribution source, so that the battle state distribution of the battle terminal is performed. It is possible to reduce the load bias as much as possible to achieve load distribution.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, after the number of watching terminals that are directly distributed from the fighting terminal reaches a predetermined number, the terminal that is to be a new watching terminal is It was supposed to receive the distribution of the state of the battle.

  In the present embodiment, after the number of the watching terminals reaches a predetermined number, the setting is changed so as to receive the distribution from the server for the previous watching terminals as well.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server device in the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of processing executed here. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to these drawings. In these drawings, elements having the same functions as those in the above-described drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, in order to facilitate understanding, description of overlapping functions will be omitted as appropriate.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the server device 209 further includes a change request sending unit 901. Then, when the direct condition is not satisfied, the change request sending unit 901 sends a change request specifying that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device 209 to each of the relay-started terminals. That is, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the following processing is performed between step S725 and step S701.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 shows the flow of control of the processing. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  That is, after step S725, each record in the table 801 is examined in order from the top (step S1201). If there is an unprocessed record (step S1201; unprocessed), the status column 803 of the record indicates “watching” In step S1202, it is checked whether only one of the battle terminals is recorded in the remarks column 805. That is, for the terminal 201 of the return record, it is checked whether or not the battle progress is directly received from the battle terminal.

  When receiving the direct distribution (step S1202; Yes), the identification number of the server device 209 is added to the remarks column 805 (step S1203), and the source of the distribution is sent from the battle terminal to the server device 209. A change request indicating that the change should be made is sent to the terminal 201 of the record (step S1204), and the process returns to step S1201. If direct distribution has not been received, the process directly returns to step S1201.

  On the other hand, if all records have been processed (step S1201; all processed), the process proceeds to step S701.

  With this process, the contents of the table 801 are updated so that the server device 209 distributes the progress of the battle.

  On the other hand, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the terminal 201 further includes a change request accepting unit 911. In the present embodiment, the NIC 109 functions as the change request receiving unit 911.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the following new process is added between step S553 and step S554.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of processing added in the terminal. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  That is, after step S553, the change request receiving unit 911 checks whether a change request from the server device 209 has arrived via the NIC 109 (step S1301). If it has not arrived (step S1301; No), the process proceeds to step S554.

  On the other hand, if it has arrived (step S1301; Yes), according to the received change request, the registration of the watching terminal registered so far is deleted (step S1302), and instead, the server device 209 is replaced. Only “watching terminal” is registered (step S1303), and the process proceeds to step S554.

  In this way, if only the server device 209 is registered as the “watching terminal” in the battle terminal, the progress transmission unit 404 transmits the current network battle game status to the registered “watching terminal” (step S40). S553), the state of the battle is transmitted to the server device 209 in a lump and distributed from the server device 209.

  In the present embodiment, in the network battle game, the battle state of the battle terminals can be collectively delivered by the server device 209.

  In this embodiment, an ad hoc distribution network is configured between terminals, and distribution of a battle state is performed using the network.

  In the present embodiment, the server device 209 performs the following processing in place of the processing in steps S721 to S725 in the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the process.

  First, each record in the table 801 is examined to search for a terminal 201 that has already watched the battle (step S1401). That is, a record in which the status column 803 is “watching” and at least one identification number of the battle terminal is recorded in the remarks column 805 is searched.

  Then, the relay response sending unit 604 sends an indirect relay response specifying the identification number recorded in the identification number column 802 of the found record to the requesting terminal 201 (step S1402).

Next, the following information is recorded in the remarks column 805 (step S1403).
Identification number of both opponent terminals.
Current time (registration time).

  That is, for a record in which the status column 803 is “watching”, if an identification number of only one of the battle terminals is recorded, it means that the record is received directly from the battle terminal, If the terminal identification number and the registration time are recorded, it means that distribution has been received from any of the watching terminals.

  If such information is used, it is possible to assist the configuration of an ad hoc distribution network when an upper limit is set for the number of identification numbers of the terminal 201 designated in the indirect relay response in step S1402.

In other words, if a plurality of records are found in step S1401, first, those in which the identification numbers and registration times of the opponent terminals are recorded in the remarks column 805 are sorted in the order of the registration times. Then, records are selected in order from the closest to the current time until the upper limit is reached. When the upper limit is not reached, a record is randomly selected from records having the identification number of one of the battle terminals, and the record is selected until the upper limit is reached. Information recorded in the plurality of record identification number fields 802 selected in this way may be designated as an indirect relay response.
Then, the process returns to step S701.

  On the other hand, when the terminal 201 is described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of terminals 201 are designated in the relay response received in step S532. Therefore, in step S534, a random number is generated, The terminal 201 is selected, a connection request is issued from the progress receiving unit 407 to the selected terminal 201 (step S534), and thereafter, the same processing may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, when a battle state is distributed in a network battle game or the like, it is possible to prevent an increase in the load of distribution to the server device 209, and it is possible to distribute the battle state through communication between watching terminals. Thus, it is possible to distribute the distribution load of the battle state even between the terminals 201 specified in the relay response.

  In addition, an embodiment in which an inquiry about the state of load between terminals may be adopted. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal that performs such processing. Note that elements having the same functions as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  That is, the terminal 201 further includes an information request sending unit 1501, an information request receiving unit 1502, an information response sending unit 1503, and an information response receiving unit 1504.

  These function when performing selection processing of the terminal 201 that issues a connection request in step S534. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram corresponding to the processing.

  First, when the terminal 201A receives the relay response, the information request sending unit 1501 obtains load information for each of the terminals specified in the relay response (hereinafter referred to as “terminal 201B,..., 201Z”). An information request is sent (1601).

  Then, the information request receiving unit 1502 of the terminals 201B,..., 201Z receives information requests sent from other terminals (1602).

  Then, the information response sending unit 1503 of the terminals 201B,..., 201Z sends an information response specifying the current load information of the terminal to the terminal 201A that sent the information request (1603).

  Then, the information response receiving unit 1504 of the terminal 201A receives the information response sent from each of the plurality of relay terminals (1604).

  Then, the progress receiving unit 407 selects the one with the lowest load from the load information specified in the information response received from the terminals 201B,..., 201Z (1605), for example, when the terminal 201B is selected, A connection request is issued to the terminal 201B (1606), and the progress of the battle is received from the terminal 201B (1607).

  According to the present invention, in the distribution of the battle situation, it is possible to achieve load balancing among terminals and to average the load.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a communication system, a server device, a terminal, a service method, a terminal method, and these that are suitable for observing the history of interaction between terminals from other terminals, and these are realized by a computer Can be provided, and can be applied to various network battle games.

It is a mimetic diagram showing an outline composition of a typical game device with which a terminal etc. concerning an embodiment of the present invention are realized. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a terminal, the internet, and a server apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the message exchanged between a terminal and a server apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary structure of a terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the process performed with a terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a server apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the process performed with a server apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the process performed with a server apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of a server apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a server apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the process performed in a server apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary structure of a terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the process performed in a terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the process in a server apparatus in case the mode of a battle is relayed to other watching terminals. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary structure of a terminal. It is a sequence diagram which shows the mode of communication when selecting the terminal which relays the mode of a battle.

Explanation of symbols

100 game machine 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface 105 Controller 106 External Memory 107 Image Processing Unit 108 DVD-ROM Drive 109 NIC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Audio | voice processing part 200 Communication system 201 Terminal 205 Internet 209 Server apparatus 401 Introduction request transmission part 402 Introduction response reception part 403 Interaction part 404 Progress transmission part 405 Relay request transmission part 406 Relay response reception part 407 Progress reception part 408 Progress display part 600 storage unit 601 introduction request receiving unit 602 introduction response sending unit 603 relay request receiving unit 604 relay response sending unit 605 progress relay unit 801 table 802 identification number column 803 status column 804 opponent column 805 remarks column 901 change request sending unit 911 change Request reception unit 1501 Information request transmission unit 1502 Information request reception unit 1503 Information response transmission unit 1504 Information response reception unit

Claims (14)

A first terminal and a second terminal interacting with each other;
With other terminals receiving the progress of the interaction,
A server device communicably connected to these,
A communication system comprising:
Other terminals that are newly trying to receive the progress of the interaction acquire information on the terminals that are currently interacting with each other from the server device, and either one of the acquired terminals is selected. Specify the terminals of each other, and send a message to the server device that the process of interaction between the specified terminals is to be received,
The server device
(A) If the number of other terminals that the course of the interaction already received is less than the predetermined threshold value, to the other terminal which has sent the instruction to attempt to receive a course of the newly the interaction To receive the interaction progress from either the first terminal or the second terminal,
(B) When the number of other terminals that have already received the progress of the interaction is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the progress of the interaction is received from either the first terminal or the second terminal. Then , the communication system is configured to specify that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device to another terminal that has transmitted that the progress of the interaction is newly received. . A communication system comprising a plurality of terminals and a server device that is communicably connected to these terminals,
(A) Each of the plurality of terminals is
An introduction request sending unit for sending an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner to the server device;
An introduction response reception unit for receiving an introduction response sent from the server device;
When the introduction response is accepted, an interaction unit that interacts with the terminal specified in the introduction response,
A progress transmitter for transmitting the progress of the interaction to another terminal or the server device;
From the server device acquires information between terminals that are currently interacting, from among the acquired terminal, the relay request for relaying the course of the interaction of one of the terminals to each other, the Relay request sending section to send to the server device ,
A relay response receiving unit for receiving a relay response sent from the server device;
When the relay response is accepted, a progress receiving unit that receives the progress of the interaction transmitted from the terminal or server device specified in the relay response, and
A progress display unit for displaying the progress of the received interaction;
(B) The server device
An introduction request receiving unit that receives an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner from a first terminal among the plurality of terminals;
When the introduction request is accepted, a terminal other than the first terminal (hereinafter referred to as “second terminal”) is selected from the plurality of terminals, and an introduction response designating the second terminal is sent. An introduction response sending unit for sending to the first terminal and sending an introduction response designating the first terminal to the second terminal;
A relay request accepting unit that accepts a relay request for relaying the progress of the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal from a third terminal among the plurality of terminals;
If the relay request is accepted,
(1) The number of terminals that have already requested relay between the first terminal and the second terminal (hereinafter referred to as “relay started terminal”) is less than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter, “direct relay condition is ”Is satisfied”), a relay response (hereinafter referred to as “direct relay response”) that specifies to receive the progress of the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal.
(2) When the direct relay condition is not satisfied, a relay response (hereinafter referred to as an “indirect relay response”) that specifies that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device,
A relay response sending unit to send to the third terminal, and
When the indirect relay response is sent, the progress of the interaction is received from either the first terminal or the second terminal, and the progress of the received interaction is received from the third terminal. communication system transmitting, characterized by having a lapse relay unit for relaying the course of the interaction. A communication system according to claim 2,
The relay response sending unit is a terminal different from the terminal specified in the direct relay response sent immediately before relaying the progress of the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal in the direct relay response. A communication system , characterized in that it is designated to receive data from a network . A communication system according to claim 2,
The server device
When the direct condition is not satisfied, each of the relay-started terminals further includes a change request sending unit that sends a change request specifying that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device,
Each of the plurality of terminals is
A change request receiving unit that receives a change request transmitted from the server device;
In each of the plurality of terminals,
When the change request is accepted, the progress receiving unit receives the progress of the interaction from the one specified in the relay response and receives the progress of the interaction from the one specified in the change request. A communication system characterized by receiving. A communication system according to claim 2,
In the server device,
When the direct relay condition is not satisfied, the relay response sending unit selects the relay-started terminal as a plurality of relay terminals, and receives “the progress of the interaction from the server device” as the indirect relay response. "Instead of specifying" to receive the progress of the interaction from any of the plurality of relay terminals ", the indirect relay response is sent to the third terminal,
In each of the plurality of terminals,
When a plurality of relay terminals are specified in the relay response, the progress reception unit selects any one of the plurality of relay terminals and receives the progress of the interaction transmitted from the selected one. And
Communication system the elapsed transmission unit, when the course of the interaction by the history receiving part is received, characterized by transmitting the course of the received interaction to other terminals. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein
Communication system in each of the plurality of terminals, the history receiving unit, characterized in that for selecting one by the random number from the plurality of relay terminals. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein
Each of the plurality of terminals is
An information request sending unit for sending an information request for load information to each of the plurality of relay terminals;
An information request accepting unit that accepts information requests sent from other terminals,
When receiving the information request, an information response sending unit that sends an information response specifying the current load information of the terminal to the source that sent the information request;
An information response receiving unit for receiving an information response sent from each of the plurality of relay terminals;
Communication system wherein history receiving unit, which the load information specified in the information response received from the plurality of relay terminals, and selects the one load is lowest. The communication system according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
In the server device,
The relay response sending unit, instead of “selecting the relay started terminal” as the plurality of relay terminals, “a predetermined number of relay start terminals that have recently received a relay request” A communication system characterized by “selection”. A server device communicably connected to a plurality of terminals,
An introduction request receiving unit that receives an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner from a first terminal among the plurality of terminals;
When the introduction request is accepted, a terminal other than the first terminal (hereinafter referred to as “second terminal”) is selected from the plurality of terminals, and an introduction response designating the second terminal is sent. An introduction response sending unit for sending to the first terminal and sending an introduction response designating the first terminal to the second terminal;
The third terminal is sent to the third terminal among the plurality of terminals by transmitting information on the terminals that are currently interacting with each other, including the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal. A relay request accepting unit that accepts a relay request for relaying the progress of the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal from
If the relay request is accepted,
(1) The number of terminals that have already requested relay between the first terminal and the second terminal (hereinafter referred to as “relay started terminal”) is less than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter, “direct relay condition is ”Is satisfied”), a relay response (hereinafter referred to as “direct relay response”) that specifies to receive the progress of the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal.
(2) When the direct relay condition is not satisfied, a relay response (hereinafter referred to as an “indirect relay response”) that specifies that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device,
A relay response sending unit to send to the third terminal, and
When the indirect relay response is sent, the progress of the interaction is received from either the first terminal or the second terminal, and the progress of the received interaction is received from the third terminal. send to the server apparatus characterized by having a lapse relay unit for relaying the course of the interaction. A terminal that is communicably connected to the server device and another terminal,
An introduction request sending unit for sending an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner to the server device;
An introduction response reception unit for receiving an introduction response sent from the server device;
When the introduction response is accepted, an interaction unit that interacts with the terminal specified in the introduction response,
A progress transmitter for transmitting the progress of the interaction to another terminal or the server device;
From the server device acquires information between terminals that are currently interacting, from among the acquired terminal, the relay request for relaying the course of the interaction of one of the terminals to each other, the Relay request sending section to send to the server device ,
A relay response receiving unit for receiving a relay response sent from the server device;
When the relay response is accepted, a progress receiving unit that receives the progress of the interaction transmitted from the terminal or server device specified in the relay response, and
A terminal having a progress display unit for displaying the progress of the received interaction. A service method executed by a server device that is communicably connected to a plurality of terminals,
An introduction request receiving step for receiving an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner from a first terminal among the plurality of terminals;
When the introduction request is accepted, a terminal other than the first terminal (hereinafter referred to as “second terminal”) is selected from the plurality of terminals, and an introduction response designating the second terminal is sent. An introduction response sending step of sending to the second terminal and sending an introduction response designating the first terminal to the second terminal;
The third terminal is sent to the third terminal among the plurality of terminals by transmitting information on the terminals that are currently interacting with each other, including the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal. A relay request receiving step for receiving a relay request for relaying the progress of the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal from
If the relay request is accepted,
(1) The number of terminals that have already requested relay between the first terminal and the second terminal (hereinafter referred to as “relay started terminal”) is less than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter, “direct relay condition is ”Is satisfied”), a relay response (hereinafter referred to as “direct relay response”) that specifies to receive the progress of the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal.
(2) When the direct relay condition is not satisfied, a relay response (hereinafter referred to as an “indirect relay response”) that specifies that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device,
Relay response sending step to send to the third terminal, and
When the indirect relay response is sent, the progress of the interaction is received from either the first terminal or the second terminal, and the progress of the received interaction is received from the third terminal. And a progress relay step for relaying the progress of the interaction. A terminal method that is executed by a terminal that is communicably connected to a server device and another terminal,
An introduction request sending process for sending an introduction request for an introduction of an interaction partner to the server device;
An introduction response reception step for receiving an introduction response sent from the server device;
If the referral response is accepted, an interaction process that interacts with the terminal specified in the referral response,
A progress transmission step of transmitting the progress of the interaction to another terminal or the server device;
From the server device acquires information between terminals that are currently interacting, from among the acquired terminal, the relay request for relaying the course of the interaction of one of the terminals to each other, the Relay request sending process to send to the server device ,
A relay response receiving step for receiving a relay response sent from the server device;
When the relay response is accepted, a progress reception step of receiving the progress of the interaction transmitted from the terminal or server device specified in the relay response, and
A method comprising the step of displaying a progress of the received interaction. A computer that is communicably connected to multiple terminals.
An introduction request receiving unit that receives an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner from a first terminal among the plurality of terminals;
When the introduction request is accepted, a terminal other than the first terminal (hereinafter referred to as “second terminal”) is selected from the plurality of terminals, and an introduction response designating the second terminal is sent. An introduction response sending unit for sending to the first terminal and sending an introduction response designating the first terminal to the second terminal;
The third terminal is sent to the third terminal among the plurality of terminals by transmitting information on the terminals that are currently interacting with each other, including the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal. A relay request accepting unit that accepts a relay request for relaying the progress of the interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal from
If the relay request is accepted,
(1) The number of terminals that have already requested relay between the first terminal and the second terminal (hereinafter referred to as “relay started terminal”) is less than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter, “direct relay condition is ”Is satisfied”), a relay response (hereinafter referred to as “direct relay response”) that specifies to receive the progress of the interaction from either the first terminal or the second terminal.
(2) When the direct relay condition is not satisfied, a relay response (hereinafter referred to as an “indirect relay response”) that specifies that the progress of the interaction is received from the server device,
A relay response sending unit to send to the third terminal, and
When the indirect relay response is sent, the progress of the interaction is received from either the first terminal or the second terminal, and the progress of the received interaction is received from the third terminal. And a program that functions as a progress relay unit that relays the progress of the interaction. A computer that is communicably connected to the server device and other terminals,
An introduction request sending unit for sending an introduction request for introducing an interaction partner to the server device;
An introduction response reception unit for receiving an introduction response sent from the server device;
When the introduction response is accepted, an interaction unit that interacts with the terminal specified in the introduction response,
A progress transmitter for transmitting the progress of the interaction to another terminal or the server device;
From the server device acquires information between terminals that are currently interacting, from among the acquired terminal, the relay request for relaying the course of the interaction of one of the terminals to each other, the Relay request sending section to send to the server device ,
A relay response receiving unit for receiving a relay response sent from the server device;
When the relay response is accepted, a progress receiving unit that receives the progress of the interaction transmitted from the terminal or server device specified in the relay response, and
A program that functions as a progress display unit that displays the progress of the received interaction.

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