JP4001047B2 - Relay device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to instant message technology, and more particularly to an apparatus for relaying instant messages.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the development of network technology, it has become common for many terminals to be connected to a network to transmit and receive various information. Information devices such as printers, scanners, facsimile machines, and MFPs (Multi Functional Peripheral) are also connected to the network and are shared by a plurality of terminals. Since a plurality of devices are connected to the network, for example, there are a plurality of protocols depending on the type of device and the type of application executed on the terminal. There is an apparatus that reduces such differences between protocols (Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-151685
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
One type of information transmitted and received between devices connected to a network is instant messaging. Instant messages can exchange messages in real time, and can send and receive messages when the communication partner is online. However, there are a plurality of services that make it possible to send and receive instant messages, and instant messages cannot be sent and received between a client in the first instant message service and a client in the second instant message service.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for transmitting and receiving an instant message between different instant message services, an apparatus including the technique, and a system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for relaying instant messages between clients in different instant message services.
The apparatus includes means for logging in as a first client to a first server that provides a first instant message service, and a second server that provides a second instant message service different from the first instant message service. Means for logging in as a second client; means for receiving a list request for a client in the second instant message service from a third client logged into the first server; and a list as a body of an instant message in the third client. And a means for replying.
Alternatively, the means for logging in as a first client to a first server that provides a first instant message service and a second server that provides a second instant message service different from the first instant message service, A means for logging in as a client; a means for receiving a request for providing a list of clients in the second instant message service from a third client logged in to the first server; and a list as a body of an instant message returned to the third client. Means for receiving an instant message addressed to the first client from the third client; and means for extracting identification information of the fourth client in the second instant message service added to the instant message. When, and means for relaying the instant message received from the third client to the fourth client, the.
Or, the first server providing a first instant messaging service, the second server providing a different second instant messaging service comprises means to log in as the first client, the first instant messaging service, Means for logging in as a second client; means for receiving a list request for a client in the second instant message service from a third client logged into the first server; and a list as a body of an instant message in the third client. Means for replying, means for receiving an instant message addressed to the first client from the third client, and fourth identification information of the fourth client in the second instant message service added to the instant message. And means for extracting an instant message address of Ianto, means for relaying the instant message received from the third client to the fourth client, the.
As a result, instant messages can be relayed between the third client and the fourth client.
[0008]
The apparatus may further include means for determining whether or not the fourth client is logged in to the second server, and means for notifying the third client to that effect when not logged in. Thereby, this apparatus can notify that when the user of a transfer destination is not logged in to the server which provides an instant message service.
[0009]
The apparatus stores means for identifying a function that can be used in the second instant message service, means for storing an attachment file attached to the message when the attachment file is not available in the second instant message service, and And means for adding information identifying the location of the attached file to the instant message. Thereby, when the instant message service does not have an attachment file transmission / reception function, the attachment file can be referred to using, for example, a web browser.
[0010]
It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system 10 according to the embodiment. The communication system 10 is a device that relays an instant message between a plurality of types of instant message servers, and an instant message transmitted from a first client in a first instant message service is converted into a second client in a second instant message service. It is a system for relaying to.
[0012]
The first instant message server 14a (hereinafter simply referred to as “first IM server 14a”) and the second instant message server 14b (hereinafter simply referred to as “second IM server 14b”) are respectively provided with an instant message service (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM service”). It is a server for providing " The IM service is, for example, a service (hereinafter simply referred to as “presence service”) that provides information as to whether or not a user of the IM service (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM user”) can send and receive messages. And a service for transmitting messages between IM users (hereinafter simply referred to as “message service”). “Instant message” may be a generic term for presence service and message service, or may indicate either presence service or message service. In short, the instant message is information transmitted and received in the IM service. The instant message is hereinafter simply referred to as “message”. An IM user can use an IM service by using an instant message client (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM client”). Hereinafter, a state in which the IM user is logged in to the first IM server 14a or the second IM server 14b, that is, a state in which messages can be transmitted and received is referred to as an “active state”.
[0013]
In the IM service, since messages are transmitted and received when the IM user is in an active state, the first IM server 14a and the second IM server 14b are used by Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) or Post Office Protocol (POP). There is no mechanism for explicitly storing messages explicitly like a mail server. Therefore, the message is immediately notified to the IM client of the IM user who is the transmission destination, and push type notification is possible. The first IM server 14a or the second IM server 14b may be a server that provides an existing IM service, or may be newly provided. In the figure, the first IM server 14 a and the second IM server 14 b are connected to the network 12.
[0014]
The first IM server 14a and the second IM server 14b are servers that provide different IM services. The first client 16a logs into the first IM server 14a and is a client in the first IM service. The second client 16b logs into the second IM server 14b and is a client in the second IM service. The relay device 100 logs in to the first IM server 14a and the second IM server 14b and becomes a client of each. In the present embodiment, the instant message address (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM address”) of the first client 16 a is “AAA”, and the IM address of the second client 16 b is “BBB”. Further, the IM address in the first IM service and the second IM service of the relay device 100 is “GW”. The IM address is information for identifying the client in the IM service.
[0015]
The relay device 100 relays the instant message transmitted from the first client 16a to the second client 16b. When receiving a client list provision request (hereinafter simply referred to as “list request”) in the relayable second IM service, the relay apparatus 100 transmits an instant message 30. In the destination field 32 of the instant message 30, the IM address of the first client 16a that is the list request destination is set. In the transmission source column 34, the IM address of the relay device 100 that is the transmission source is set. Then, an IM address list 36 that is a list of clients of the second IM service is added to the body of the instant message 30. The user of the first client 16a can send an instant message to the users included in the list via the relay device 100.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the relay process of the instant message in the communication system 10 of FIG. The instant message a is transmitted from the first client 16a. The instant message a has a first instant message body 50 and an attached file 70. The IM address of the relay device 100 is set in the destination field 52 of the first instant message body 50. In the transmission source column 54, the IM address of the first client 16a that is the transmission source is set. Information for specifying a transfer destination (hereinafter simply referred to as “transfer destination information”) is set in the transfer destination column 56. The transfer destination information includes information specifying the IM service of the transfer destination (hereinafter simply referred to as “service identification information”) and the IM address of the transfer destination. In the IM service column 58 of this figure, “IM2” for specifying the second IM service is set as service identification information. In the address field 60, the IM address “BBB” of the second client 16b is set. The text 62 is contents to be transmitted. The attached file 70 is an attached file that is transmitted by being attached to the first instant message body 50, and is, for example, an image, a sound, a moving image, or the like. The first client 16a transmits such an instant message a to the relay device 100.
[0017]
The relay device 100 determines the function of the second IM service that is the transfer destination based on the service identification information held in the transfer destination column 56, and generates and transmits an instant message according to the function. When the second IM service has an attached file transmission function, the relay device 100 transmits the instant message b. When the second IM service does not have an attached file transmission function, the relay device 100 transmits an instant message c. Further, the relay device 100 may perform the format conversion of the attached file so as to conform to the specification of the second IM service, and may transmit the converted attached file.
[0018]
The instant message b includes a second instant message main body 80 and an attached file 70. In the destination field 82 of the second instant message body 80, the IM address “BBB” of the second client 16b as the transfer destination is set. In the transmission source column 84, the IM address “GW” of the relay apparatus 100 is set. The transfer source column 86 and the text 62 are included in the text portion of the second instant message main body 80. In the transfer source column 86, information specifying the transfer source (hereinafter simply referred to as “transfer source information”) is set. The transfer source information includes transfer source service identification information and an IM address. In the IM service column 88 of this figure, “IM1” specifying the first IM service is set as service identification information. In the address field 90, the IM address “AAA” of the first client 16a is set. Further, the same text 62 as that of the first instant message main body 50 is included.
[0019]
When the transfer destination IM service does not have an attachment file transmission function, the relay apparatus 100 stores the attachment file in the content storage unit 102. Then, an attached file reference address 94 for specifying the storage location of the attached file is added to the body part of the third instant message main body 92 that is the instant message c. By doing so, the user of the second client 16b can refer to or acquire the attached file by using another application such as a web browser.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the relay device 100 of FIG. Each component of the relay device 100 is centered on an arbitrary computer CPU, memory, a program that implements the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, and a network connection interface. It is realized by any combination of hardware and software, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications in the implementation method and apparatus. Each drawing described below shows a functional unit block, not a hardware unit configuration.
[0021]
The management unit 132 includes a first management unit 132a for making the first IM service available and a second management unit 132b for making the second IM service available. The first management unit 132a is held in the login unit 138 for logging in to the first IM server 14a in FIG. 1, the user information database 134 that holds user information in the first IM service, and the user information database 134. And a detecting unit 136 for detecting whether the user is in an active state. The second manager 132b has the same configuration as the first manager 132a.
[0022]
The login unit 138 connects to the first IM server 14a and performs login processing of the IM service, and puts the relay device 100 into an active state. For this login process, the login unit 138 holds, for example, identification information for using the IM service (hereinafter simply referred to as “login ID”) and a password. Such information necessary for login is hereinafter referred to as “login information”. The login unit 138 may hold login information in advance, or may receive settings from an administrator of the relay device 100 or the like. In the case of supporting a plurality of IM services, the login unit 138 holds login information for each IM service.
[0023]
The user information database 134 includes information on the user of the first IM service (hereinafter simply referred to as “user”) and whether or not the user is logged in to the first IM server 14a, that is, whether or not the user is in an active state. Holds information to show. After the login unit 138 completes the login, the detection unit 136 inquires of the first IM server 14a whether the user stored in the user information database 134 is in an active state.
[0024]
The receiving unit 104 includes a first receiving unit 104a that receives an instant message in the first IM service, and a second receiving unit 104b that receives an instant message in the second IM service. The transmission unit 124 includes a first transmission unit 124a that transmits an instant message in the first IM service, and a second transmission unit 124b that transmits an instant message in the second IM service.
[0025]
When receiving the instant message, the receiving unit 104 outputs it to the extracting unit 106. The instant message received by the receiving unit 104 is transferred to an instant message to which a command (hereinafter simply referred to as “list request command”) for obtaining the instant message 30 in FIG. There is an instant message to which a requested command (hereinafter simply referred to as “transfer command”) is added. For example, the list request command and the transfer command are written as character strings in the body part of the instant message, and the extraction unit 106 determines whether the list request command or the transfer command is included in the body of the instant message. . In the present embodiment, the transfer command is added to the body of the instant message using a tag as in the transfer destination field 56 of FIG. Similarly, the list request command may be added to the text using a tag.
[0026]
When the list request command is included in the instant message, the extraction unit 106 notifies the list generation unit 112 to that effect. The list generation unit 112 refers to the user information database 134 and generates a list of IM addresses of transferable users, that is, active users, and supplies the list to the transmission unit 124. The transmission unit 124 transmits the list. Thereby, the instant message 30 of FIG. 1 is transmitted. In addition, the list generation unit 112 searches for the target user from other IM services based on information about the user, such as a user name, included in the list request command, and the state of the corresponding user, login ID, login The IM service name in the middle may be returned.
[0027]
When the transfer command is included in the instant message, the extraction unit 106 instructs the determination unit 108 to perform processing. The determination unit 108 refers to the user information database 134 of the management unit 132 specified by the service identification information set as an argument as to whether or not the transfer destination user set as an argument of the transfer command is in an active state. judge. In the present embodiment, since the user “BBB” of the second IM service is set as the transfer destination, the determination unit 108 refers to the user information database 134 of the second management unit 132b and determines the user “BBB”. Determine the active state.
[0028]
When the transfer destination user is not in the active state, the determination unit 108 outputs that fact to the error notification unit 114. The error notification unit 114 generates a message for notifying that the transfer destination user is not in the active state, and causes the transmission unit 124 to transmit the message. Further, when the transfer destination user is in the active state, the determination unit 108 supplies the first instant message body 50 of FIG. 2 to the destination setting unit 110. The destination setting unit 110 sets the transfer destination IM address set in the transfer destination column 56 of the first instant message body 50 in FIG. 2 as the destination, and outputs the destination to the transfer source information adding unit 118. The transfer source information adding unit 118 sets the IM address set in the transmission source column 54 of FIG. 2 in the transfer source column 86 as transfer source information.
[0029]
When there is an attached file, the determination unit 108 notifies the function specifying unit 126 to that effect. For example, the function identifying unit 126 identifies the function of the IM service by referring to a table holding the function for each IM service using the service identification information set as an argument of the transfer command as a search key, and It is determined whether transmission is possible. The function specifying unit 126 may have the table. If the attached file can be transmitted, the file attachment unit 120 is instructed to attach the file. Then, the file attachment unit 120 attaches the attached file to the instant message. Thereby, the instant message b of FIG. 2 is generated.
[0030]
When the attached file cannot be used, the function specifying unit 126 outputs the attached file to the storage processing unit 128. The storage processing unit 128 stores the attached file in the content storage unit 102 and, for example, information (hereinafter simply referred to as “reference address”) such as a URL (Universal Resource Locater) for specifying the storage destination, the address adding unit 122. To supply. The address adding unit 122 adds the supplied reference address to the instant message. Thereby, the instant message c of FIG. 2 is generated. As described above, the instant message b or the instant message c to which various information is added is transmitted from the transmission unit 124.
[0031]
When the user who viewed the instant message c requests an attached file, the providing unit 130 provides the user with the attached file held in the content storage unit 102 in response to the request. Thereby, it is possible to relay an instant message between different instant message services.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of an instant message relay process among the first client 16a, the relay device 100, and the second client 16b. First, the first client 16a requests the relay device 100 for a list of IM addresses that can be transferred (S10). The relay device 100 transmits the list in response to the request (S12). Next, the first client 16a generates an instant message in which the IM address included in the received list is set as the transfer destination (S14). Then, the generated message is transmitted to the relay device 100 (S16).
[0033]
The relay device 100 extracts a transfer destination user from the received instant message (S18). Then, the relay device 100 determines whether or not the user is in an active state (S20). If the transfer destination user is not in an active state (N in S20), an error message notifying that is transmitted (S22). When the transfer destination user is in an active state (Y in S20), the relay device 100 determines whether there is an attached file (S24). When there is an attached file (Y in S24), it is determined whether or not the attached file can be transmitted in the transfer destination IM service (S26). If the attached file can be transmitted (Y in S26), the attached file is added to the instant message (S27). Then, the relay device 100 sets the IM address extracted in S18 as a destination (S32). Next, transfer source information is added (S34), and an instant message is transmitted to the second client 16b (S36).
[0034]
If there is no attached file in S24 (N in S24), the process proceeds to S32. When the attached file cannot be transmitted in S26 (N in S26), the relay device 100 stores the attached file (S28). Then, the relay device 100 adds a reference address specifying the stored location to the instant message (S30). The user of the second client 16b that has received the instant message to which the reference address is added requests the relay device 100 for an attached file (S38). In response to the request, the relay device 100 provides the attached file to the second client 16b (S40).
[0035]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to relay an instant message between different instant message services, and it is possible to provide a highly convenient instant message service.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining instant message relay processing in the communication system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the relay device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of instant message relay processing between a first client, a relay device, and a second client.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 communication system, 12 network, 100 relay device, 102 content storage unit, 104 reception unit, 106 extraction unit, 108 determination unit, 110 destination setting unit, 112 list generation unit, 114 error notification unit, 116 information addition unit, 118 transfer Original information addition unit, 120 file attachment unit, 122 address addition unit, 124 transmission unit, 126 function identification unit, 128 storage processing unit, 130 provision unit, 132 management unit, 134 user information database, 136 detection unit, 138 login unit .

Claims (6)

A device for relaying instant messages between clients in different instant message services,
Means for logging in as a first client to a first server providing a first instant messaging service;
Means for logging in as a second client to a second server providing a second instant message service different from the first instant message service;
Means for receiving a request to provide a list of clients in the second instant messaging service from a third client logged in to the first server;
Means for returning the list as the body of an instant message to the third client;
A relay device comprising: A device for relaying instant messages between clients in different instant message services,
Means for logging in as a first client to a first server providing a first instant messaging service;
Means for logging in as a second client to a second server providing a second instant message service different from the first instant message service;
Means for receiving a request to provide a list of clients in the second instant messaging service from a third client logged in to the first server;
Means for returning the list as the body of an instant message to the third client;
Means for receiving the instant message addressed to the first client from the third client;
Means for extracting identification information of a fourth client in the second instant message service added to the instant message;
Means for relaying the instant message received from the third client to the fourth client;
A relay device comprising: A device for relaying instant messages between clients in different instant message services,
Means for logging in as a first client to a first server providing a first instant messaging service;
Means for logging in as a second client to a second server providing a second instant message service different from the first instant message service;
Means for receiving a request to provide a list of clients in the second instant messaging service from a third client logged in to the first server;
Means for returning the list as the body of an instant message to the third client;
Means for receiving the instant message addressed to the first client from the third client;
Means for extracting an instant message address of the fourth client as identification information of the fourth client in the second instant message service added to the instant message;
Means for relaying the instant message received from the third client to the fourth client;
A relay device comprising: Means for searching for a client that can be relayed from the second instant message service based on information included in the list provision request;
The relay apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the replying unit returns the identification information of the searched client. Means for determining whether the fourth client is logged in to the second server;
Means for notifying the third client to that effect when not logged in;
The relay device according to claim 3, further comprising: Means for identifying functions available in the second instant messaging service;
Means for storing an attachment attached to the instant message if the attachment is not available in the second instant messaging service;
Means for adding information identifying the location of the stored attachment to the instant message;
The relay device according to claim 3, further comprising:

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