JP4244359B2 - Status distribution method, status distribution program, and status distribution device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a status notification system that allows users to refer to each other's status via a network.

  In the present invention, the status notification system is configured by connecting a plurality of user terminals and a status notification server via a network. This system acquires the latest state information of the user via the network, and stores this in association with the user. The user terminal can request and obtain the desired user status information. As an example of the status information management system, there is a destination display system, an attendance management system, and a buddy list system that are used in a company office. In the buddy list system, the user registers the user who wants to refer to the buddy list as a buddy. This buddy list is managed by the status notification server. The user terminal acquires user buddy status information and displays the list.

  In recent years, communication using buddy list systems such as MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger has rapidly spread on the Internet. In these systems, the status information of the buddies registered in the buddy list by the user is displayed, and the display is updated when the status information changes. The buddy state is, for example, that the connection state to the Internet is “on”, “present”, or “busy”. Furthermore, depending on the system, the user can select a communication means such as an instant message or chat according to the state of the buddy. In the buddy list system, one user can have a plurality of buddy lists. The user can select any buddy list to be displayed from his / her buddy list.

  However, changes in the display of buddy status information can be annoying in situations where interest in the buddy is diminished. For example, it is assumed that a user has a buddy list “for work” whose buddies are workmates and a buddy list “private” whose buddies are friends. During work, there is a high level of interest in the status of colleagues, and a low level of interest in friends. Accordingly, it is felt troublesome that the display of the status information of the friends changes whenever the status information of the friends changes. However, since the user's interest in buddies changes according to the user's situation, it is not realistic to always match the buddies constituting the buddy list with the user's needs.

  Furthermore, the user's interest in buddies varies not only depending on the situation where the user is placed, but also on the relationship with the buddy's situation, but the relationship between the user's situation and the buddy's situation depends on the buddy's status information. The buddy list system reflected in the display has not yet been provided.

  An object of this invention is to provide the technique for implement | achieving the display of the status information according to a user's condition, suppressing a user's operation burden.

In order to solve the above problem, the first invention of the present application is a state distribution method used for a computer connected to a user terminal including a first user terminal and a second user terminal via a network,
- said user identifier identifying a first user terminal, said if filtering rules to limit the second user terminal as the destination of the first state information of the user terminal, the time zone in which the filtering rules are applied respectively And a storage step for storing them in association with each other,
A distribution destination storage step of storing the user identifier and the distribution destination of the status information of the user terminal identified by the user identifier in association with each other;
Receiving the status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
A rule selection step of selecting one of the filtering rules associated with the identifier of the first user terminal based on the time zone in which the state information was received in the reception step;
A filtering step for determining a distribution destination to distribute the state information among user terminals that refer to the state information of the first user terminal based on the filtering rule selected in the rule selection step; and distribution in the filtering step A transmission step of transmitting the state information of the first user terminal to the previously determined user terminal;
A state delivery method including

In this method, the storing step applies a user identifier of a user terminal, a reverse filtering rule for the second user terminal to restrict reception of state information from the first user terminal, and a situation in which the reverse filtering rule is applied. And further including. The filtering step determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information based on a filtering rule of the first user terminal and an inverse filtering rule of the second user terminal that refers to the state of the first user terminal. .

  This method is used for a buddy list server of a buddy list system, for example. The filtering rule defines to which terminal the status information is distributed among the reference user terminals that have registered the user terminal with the buddy. When the buddy list server receives the state information update notification from the user terminal, the buddy list server distributes the state information update notification to the reference user terminal that satisfies the filtering rule.

  The inverse filtering rule restricts the status information update notification from the buddy terminal of the user terminal. For example, when the buddy status information is updated, the delivery destination of the status information update notification is determined based on the filtering rules of the buddy terminal and the inverse filtering rules of the user terminal.

The second invention of the present application is a status distribution program for causing a computer connected to a user terminal including a first user terminal and a second user terminal via a network to function.
- said user identifier identifying a first user terminal, said if filtering rules to limit the second user terminal as the destination of the first state information of the user terminal, the time zone in which the filtering rules are applied respectively And storage means for storing them in association with each other,
A delivery destination storage means for storing a user identifier and a delivery destination of state information of the user terminal identified by the user identifier in association with each other;
Receiving means for receiving status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
A rule selection means for selecting one of the filtering rules associated with the identifier of the first user terminal based on the time zone received by the reception means;
A filtering unit that determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information among user terminals that refer to the state information of the first user terminal based on the filtering rule selected by the rule selection unit; and Transmitting means for transmitting status information of the first user terminal to a user terminal determined as a delivery destination;
A status distribution program for causing the computer to function is provided.

In this program, the storage means applies a user identifier of a user terminal, a reverse filtering rule for the second user terminal to restrict reception of state information from the first user terminal, and the reverse filtering rule. And further including. The filtering means determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information based on a filtering rule of the first user terminal and an inverse filtering rule of the second user terminal that refers to the state of the first user terminal. .

The third invention of the present application is a state distribution device connected via a network to user terminals including a first user terminal and a second user terminal,
- said user identifier identifying a first user terminal, said if filtering rules to limit the second user terminal as the destination of the first state information of the user terminal, the time zone in which the filtering rules are applied respectively And storage means for storing them in association with each other,
A delivery destination storage means for storing a user identifier and a delivery destination of state information of the user terminal identified by the user identifier in association with each other;
Receiving means for receiving status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
A rule selection means for selecting one of the filtering rules associated with the identifier of the first user terminal based on the time zone received by the reception means;
A filtering unit that determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information among user terminals that refer to the state information of the first user terminal based on the filtering rule selected by the rule selection unit; and Transmitting means for transmitting status information of the first user terminal to a user terminal determined as a delivery destination;
A state distribution device is provided.

In this apparatus, the storage means applies a user identifier of a user terminal, a reverse filtering rule for the second user terminal to restrict reception of state information from the first user terminal, and a situation in which the reverse filtering rule is applied. And further including. The filtering means determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information based on a filtering rule of the first user terminal and an inverse filtering rule of the second user terminal that refers to the state of the first user terminal. .

As another form for solving the above problem, a state display program for causing a computer operated by a user to function,
A status acquisition means for acquiring the latest status information of the terminal that desires to reference the status information;
Terminal storage means for storing the reference requesting terminal and its status information;
-Status display means for displaying the latest status information of the reference requesting terminal stored in the terminal storage means,
A rule storage means for storing an action rule for changing a display form of the state information of the reference requesting terminal, a situation to which the action rule is applied, and a correspondence between the action rule and the situation in one record;
-Situation detection means for detecting any situation stored in the rule storage means;
Rule applying means for changing the display form of the state information of the reference desired terminal displayed on the state display means according to the action rule corresponding to the detected situation;
As an example, a status display program for causing the computer to function can be given.

  In a state notification system such as a buddy list system or an instant messaging system, the display of the state information is changed according to the rules stored in the rule storage means. For example, the buddy list is switched at a fixed time, or only a status update notification from a specific user is displayed for a certain period of time.

As a preferred embodiment,
The terminal storage means stores a terminal group consisting of a plurality of reference request terminals and reference request terminals constituting the terminal group;
The rule storage means stores an action rule for switching a current group which is a terminal group displayed by the status display means;
-The rule application means, according to the action rule according to the detected situation, any terminal group as the current group,
The status display means includes a status display program for displaying status information of reference request terminals constituting the current group.

As another preferred embodiment,
The computer further functions as operation detection means for detecting an operation for changing the current group, and generation means for generating a new action rule and a situation to which the new action rule is applied based on the operation. ,
The rule storage means further stores the generated action rule and a situation to which the action rule is applied;
A status display program is listed.

  When the current group is switched by a user operation, this program automatically generates action rules and application status candidates from the operation and the result.

As another preferred embodiment,
The rule storage means further includes a filtering rule for restricting reference desired terminals on which the state display means displays state information as the action rule,
The rule applying unit determines whether to display the status information received by the information acquiring unit based on the filtering rule;
The state display unit may be a state display program that displays the state information when the rule application unit determines to display.

  In the present invention, it is possible to set a filtering rule for displaying only a part of the status information update notifications received, instead of displaying all of them. The received buddy state information update notification is selected and displayed by filtering.

As a preferred mode, based on information included in the latest status information of the reference requesting terminal acquired by the status acquisition means, the status change notification is converted to information indicating the situation to which the action rule is applied and notified to the status detection means. Allowing the computer to further function as an interpretation means;
Examples of the status detection means include a status display program that extracts action rules to be applied based on information notified from the status change notification interpretation means.

As another preferred embodiment,
The rule storage means further stores the display form of the state information as an action rule, with the size of a display area displaying the state information of the reference request terminal as a situation,
The status detection means detects a change in the display area displaying the status information of the reference requesting terminal;
The rule applying means changes a display form of the state information of the reference requesting terminal according to an action rule corresponding to the size of the display area after the change;
A status display program is listed.

  The display form changes according to the window size for displaying the buddy state information. For example, if the window is large, it is displayed in alphabetical order, and if it is small, it is displayed in order of reference count.

As another preferred embodiment,
-Further comprising setting accepting means for accepting setting of the action rule and a situation to which the action rule is applied,
The rule storage means further stores a set action rule and a situation in which the action rule is applied;
A status display program is listed.

  An action rule from a user and a setting of a situation to which the rule is applied are accepted.

Further, as another second form for solving the above-mentioned problem, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium on which a state display program operating on a computer operated by a user is recorded,
A state acquisition step of acquiring the latest state information of the reference requesting terminal for which the user desires to refer to the state information;
A terminal storage step for storing the reference requesting terminal and its state information;
A status display step of displaying the latest status information of the reference request terminal stored in the terminal storage means;
A rule storage step for storing an action rule for changing a display form of the state information of the reference requesting terminal, a situation in which the action rule is applied, and a correspondence between the action rule and the situation in one record;
A situation detecting step of detecting any situation stored in the rule storage means;
A rule applying step for changing a display form of the state information of the reference desired terminal displayed by the state display means according to an action rule corresponding to the detected situation;
And a computer-readable recording medium on which a status display program for executing is recorded.

  Here, examples of the recording medium include a computer readable / writable floppy disk, hard disk, semiconductor memory, CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk (MO), and others.

  By using the present invention, it is possible to display state information suitable for the user's state without increasing the operation burden on the user.

<Buddy list system>
First, the buddy list system will be described. The buddy list system is an example of a status notification system to which the status display program and the status distribution method of the present invention are applied.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a buddy list system. The buddy list system includes a buddy list server 2 that manages user status information and a plurality of user terminals 1a, 1b, and 1c (hereinafter simply referred to as user terminals 1) connected via a network 3. Is done. The buddy list server 2 and the user terminal 1 can be realized using a computer.

  The user A who operates the user terminal 1a (UserID: U100) registers one or a plurality of own state information in the buddy list server 2. The user terminal 1a can also set the public level of the registered state information, for example, “reference permitted user” for each state information. Here, the reference-permitted user is a user other than the user A who permits reference to the state information of the user terminal 1a. Further, the user A registers a user group that he / she wants to refer to the status information in the buddy list server 2. This user group is called a buddy list, and each user constituting the user group is called a buddy. User A can also register a plurality of buddy lists. In a buddy list system that requires reference permission from a user designated as a buddy to register a buddy in the buddy list, the user A does not need to set a reference permitted user.

  On the other hand, the user terminal 1a receives from the buddy list server 2 an update notification of status information of the user terminals 1b and 1c operated by the users B and C who are buddies, and updates these displays. The latest status information of the user terminals 1b and 1c updated while the user terminal 1a is not activated is notified from the buddy list server 2 and displayed on the user terminal 1a when the user terminal 1a is activated. .

  The buddy list server 2 includes a user management DB 21, a status distribution module 22, and a status reception module 23. The state reception module 23 stores the state information notified from the user terminal 1a in the user management database (DB) 21 in association with the user ID “U001”. The user management DB 21 can store one or a plurality of state information for one user ID. The state reception module 23 stores the contents of the reference-permitted user and the buddy list notified from the user terminal 1a in the user management DB 21. Some buddy list systems require permission from the buddy to register buddies in the buddy list. In such a buddy list system, the user management DB 21 does not need to store reference-permitted users separately from buddies. When the status distribution module 22 receives the latest status information of the user terminal 1a, the status distribution module 22 notifies the updated status information to the reference-permitted user of the user terminal 1a. The buddy list server 2 uniquely identifies each user terminal by a user ID.

  In other words, in the buddy list system, the user registers buddies who are other interested users and their latest state information. As a result, basically, a list of buddy states is displayed on the user terminal 1. In addition, when the buddy state information of the user is changed, the buddy state information displayed on the user terminal 1 is automatically updated. By registering the buddy list in the buddy list server 2, the user terminal 1 can easily refer to the state of the user who is interested.

<First embodiment>
Next, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the buddy list system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[User terminal]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the user terminal 1. This user terminal 1 has a function of a status display program according to the present invention in addition to a function as a user terminal constituting a buddy list system. An input unit 4 such as a keyboard and a mouse and an output unit 5 such as a display are connected to the user terminal 1. The user terminal 1 includes a buddy list DB 11 (terminal storage unit), an action rule DB 12 (rule storage unit), and a plurality of modules.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of buddy information stored in the buddy list DB 11. The buddy list DB 11 stores the buddy list (terminal group) of the user (UserID: U100) who operates the user terminal 1 and the status information of each buddy (reference desired terminal). As shown in this figure, the buddy list DB 11 can hold one or a plurality of buddy lists. In this example, the buddy information includes the following data (a) to (g).
(A) Buddy list ID: identification data for identifying a buddy list.
(B) Buddy list name: The name given to the buddy list by the user. The user can set an arbitrary name as the buddy list name.
(C) Buddy ID: User ID of buddies constituting the buddy list.
(D) Buddy name: Name of the buddy.
(E) Status information: buddy status information.
(F) Communication address: Network address of a user terminal (hereinafter referred to as a buddy terminal) operated by a buddy.
(G) Location information: data indicating the location of the buddy terminal. As the position information of the buddy terminal, for example, when the user terminal 1 is a portable computer equipped with GPS, GPS coordinates can be used.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of an example of rule information stored in the action rule DB 12. The rule information includes, in one record, an “action rule” for changing how to display the buddy state information, an “application status” indicating a situation where the action rule is applied, and an action ID. In this example, the action rules with action IDs “1”, “2”, and “4” are action rules for switching a buddy list displayed on a display or the like. For example, according to the application status and action rule of the action ID “2”, the buddy list “work” is displayed for the time between 9 and 17:00. Thereby, the buddy list according to the user's situation can be automatically displayed. Hereinafter, the buddy list to be displayed is referred to as a current list (corresponding to a current group).

  The action rule with the action ID “3” is an action rule for limiting the notified state information. According to the application status and action rule of the action ID “2”, the filter “working” is used during the time from 8 to 17:00. This filter stipulates that update notifications for status information notified from communication addresses other than “*@fujitsu.com” are not displayed. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent a status information update notification from a person other than a business associate from being displayed during work and from interfering with the work.

  The application status and action rule of the action IDs “5” and “6” are action rules for changing the display mode of the state information in response to the change in the size of the window displaying the state information. In this example, when the window is large, the state information is displayed in alphabetical order of the buddy names. When the window is small, the buddies are displayed in the descending order of the number of reference times of the state information.

  The application status and action rule of the action ID “7” are action rules for displaying status information of buddies that are nearby in the current list when there are buddies nearby. Here, it is determined that a buddy within a radius of 10 km is nearby. It can be determined based on the state information of the user terminal and the buddy terminal whether or not they are close to each other. The rule information described above is merely an example for explanation. The application status and action rule content included in the rule information can be changed as appropriate according to the needs.

[Buddy list server]
As described above, the buddy list server 2 receives the status information of the user terminal and the change of the buddy list by the status receiving module 23, and distributes the status information to the user terminal by the status distribution module 22. Status information and buddy lists are stored in the user management DB 21.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of user information stored in the user management DB 21 of the buddy list server 2. The user management DB 21 stores user status information and buddy lists for each user. In this example, the user information includes data in one record. Note that the user information shown here is user information when reference permission from the buddy is required to register the buddy in the buddy list. Accordingly, the user information does not include a reference permitted user. Here, an example in which one state information corresponds to one user terminal is shown.
(A) User ID: An identifier for identifying a user on the buddy list system.
(B) Status information: Status information of the user terminal specified by the user ID.
(C) Communication address: Network address of the user terminal.
(D) Position information: Data indicating the position of the user terminal. For example, GPS coordinates,
(E) Buddy list name: a buddy list name held by the user terminal specified by the user ID.
(F) Buddy ID: User ID of buddies constituting each buddy list.
(G) Buddy name: The name of the buddy held by each user terminal.

[Process flow]
Next, functions of each module of the user terminal 1 and each module of the buddy list server 2 will be described with examples. In the following, for ease of explanation, it is assumed that the buddy list DB 11, the action rule DB 12, and the user management DB 21 are in the states shown in FIGS.

(1) Rule Application Processing FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of rule application processing performed by the user terminal 1. In this process, the display of the buddy list is changed according to the detected situation. For example, when the user terminal 1 is turned on, the following processing is started.

  Step S1: The situation detection module 18 (situation detection means) waits for the occurrence of any application situation stored in the action rule DB 12, and when the occurrence of the application situation is detected, the process goes to step S2. For example, a situation such as “buddy state information update notification” or “predetermined time” is detected.

  Step S2: The rule application module 19 (rule application means) determines whether or not the current list is changed depending on the detected application status. In this example, the application status for changing the current list is when the time is 9 o'clock, 17 o'clock, or 20 o'clock. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S3. If "No" is determined, the process proceeds to step S5 described later.

  Steps S3 and S4: The rule application module 19 refers to the action rule DB 12, and changes the current list according to the action rule corresponding to the situation that has occurred. For example, when the time is 9 o'clock, status information and buddy names of buddies constituting the buddy list “work” are read from the buddy list DB 11 and sent to the buddy list display module 20 (S3). The buddy list display module 20 outputs the status information of the new current list “work” buddies and the like to the display (S4).

  Step S5: If the situation that has occurred is not a situation for changing the current list, the process proceeds to step S5. The rule application module 19 determines whether or not the generated situation is a notification of new status information of the buddy. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S6. If "No" is determined, the process proceeds to step S9 described later.

  Step S6: The rule application module 19 determines whether there is an action rule to apply. If the time is 8 to 17:00, the action rule with the action ID “3” is applied. That is, the rule application module 19 refers to the communication address of the buddy whose state information has been updated, and determines whether it is “*@fujitsu.com”. If “Yes” is determined, it is determined to update the display. If “No” is determined, it is determined that the display is not updated.

  Step S7: The rule application module 19 proceeds to step S8 when updating the display, and proceeds to step S13 described later when not updating the display.

  Step S8: The rule application module 19 sends the updated status information to the buddy list display module 20. The buddy list display module 20 updates the display of the status information of one of the buddies in the current list based on this data.

  Step S9: The rule application module 19 proceeds to step S10 if a change in window size is detected in step S1. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S11 described later.

  Step S10: The rule application module 19 determines an action rule to be applied according to the new window size, and changes the display data of the state information. For example, when the window size increases, the action rule with the action ID “5” is applied. That is, the rule application module 19 rearranges the buddies in the current list in alphabetical order of the buddy names. The buddy list display module 20 generates display data for the current list in which buddies are sorted in alphabetical order, and outputs the generated data to a display or the like.

  Step S11: The rule application module 19 determines whether or not the buddy position information has been notified from the buddy list server 2 in Step S1. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S12. If "No" is determined, the process proceeds to step S13 described later.

  Step S12: The rule application module 19 inquires the status information interpretation module 110 for buddies that are nearby in the current list, determines only the corresponding buddies, and deletes other buddies. In this case, the status information interpretation module 110 calculates the distance between the terminal and the buddy based on the buddy position information, and notifies the situation detection module 18 of the distance. The situation detection module 18 extracts a buddy that is the target of the action rule to be applied based on the distance information from the terminal interpreted by the state information interpretation module 110. The buddy list display module 20 generates display data based on the changed temporary buddy list and outputs it to the output means 5. For example, suppose that a buddy “Mr. Ozawa” and “Mr. Koizumi” are detected nearby in the current list “Emergency standby”. In that case, the rule application module 19 changes the buddies to be displayed to “Mr. Ozawa” and “Mr. Koizumi”. The buddy list display module 20 generates display data for displaying only the status information of the two persons, and outputs the display data to a display or the like.

  Step S13: The rule application module 19 determines whether or not the operation of the user terminal 1 is finished. If "No" is determined, the process returns to step S1 and the same processing is repeated. If “Yes” is determined, the process is terminated.

(2) Status Notification Process FIG. 7 is a status notification process performed by the user terminal 1 independently of the rule application process. This process is a process for functioning as a user terminal of the buddy list system. This process is roughly divided into notification of its own state and buddy list, and reception and display of buddy state information.

  Step S21: The state notification module 14 determines whether or not the own state information has been changed. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S22. If "No" is determined, the process proceeds to step S23. The state notification module 14 may detect the update of the own state information, or the state notification module 14 may accept a new setting of the own state information. The self-status information that can be detected by the status notification module 14 includes leaving / attended by the operating time of the screen saver, busy / normal by the frequency of keyboard input, going out / moving by referring to a schedule book (not shown), etc. Is given as an example. Of course, the status notification module 14 can accept input and setting of these status information by the user.

  Step S22: The state notification module 14 notifies the buddy list server 2 of the new own state information and the user ID. Receiving this, the buddy list server 2 stores the new status information in the user management DB 21 and updates the status information of the user terminal.

  Step S23: The status acquisition module 13 (status acquisition means) waits for status information update notification from the buddy list server 2, and when this is received, proceeds to step S24. The status information update notification includes the buddy user ID and the new status information of the buddy.

  Step S24: The status acquisition module 13 writes the new status information of the received buddy in the buddy list DB 11, and updates the status information of the buddy.

  Step S25: The status notification module 14 waits for a change of the buddy list by the user's operation. When the buddy list is changed, the state notification module 14 proceeds to step S26.

  Step S26: The state notification module 14 writes a new buddy list in the buddy list DB 11, and updates the buddy information. Updating buddy information includes generating a new buddy list, adding a new buddy to an existing buddy list, deleting a buddy from an existing buddy list, and the like. It also includes changing the buddy list name.

  Step S27: Further, the state notification module 14 notifies the buddy list server 2 of the updated buddy information. This notification includes the user ID of the user terminal. In response to this notification, the buddy list server 2 writes new buddy information in the user management DB 21.

  Step S28: The state acquisition module 13 and the state notification module 14 end the process when the power of the user terminal 1 is turned off. Steps S21 to S27 are repeated until the processing is completed.

(3) Rule Creation Process FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a rule creation process performed by the user terminal 1. In this process, an action rule and its application status are created.

  Step S31: The operation detection module 16 (operation detection means) detects an operation in which the user changes the current list. For example, at 12:00, it is detected that the current list is changed to the buddy list “private” by a user operation.

  Step S32: The rule generation module 17 (generation means) generates a new action rule and its application status based on the operation and the change in the current list, and registers them in the action rule DB 12. For example, the application status is generated by setting a default value preset in the system from time “12:00” when the buddy list is used as the current list, for example, time “13:00” when one hour has passed as an end time. As the action rule, “current list = buddy list“ private ”” is set.

  Step S33: The setting reception module 15 (setting reception means) waits for an instruction to set an action rule, and proceeds to step S34. For example, the setting reception module 15 displays an “action rule setting button” together with the current list, and determines whether or not there is an instruction depending on whether or not the button is pressed.

  Step S34: The setting reception module 15 receives the input of the action rule and its application status from the input means 4, and registers them in the action rule DB 12. For example, the setting reception module 15 may output a screen for inputting a new action rule and its application status to the output unit 5 and may receive an input on the screen.

  Step S35: The setting reception module 15, the operation detection module 16, and the rule generation module 17 end the process when the power of the user terminal 1 is turned off. Until then, the processing from step S31 to step 34 is repeatedly executed.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram of the buddy list system according to the second embodiment. In this buddy list system, the user terminal 1 and the buddy list server 2 are connected by a network 3 as in the first embodiment.

[Buddy list server]
In addition to the function as a buddy list server, the buddy list server 2 further has a function of executing the state distribution method according to the present invention. Specifically, the buddy list server 2 further includes a filtering rule DB 24, a filtering module 26, and a rule registration module 27 in addition to the user management DB 21, the state distribution module 22, and the state reception module 23. In the figure, elements having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The user management DB 21 stores user information exemplified in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of filtering information stored in the filtering rule DB 24. The filtering information includes “user ID”, “filtering rule”, and “application status” to which the filtering rule is applied in one record. One record can store a combination of a plurality of application situations and filtering rules. For example, the user with the user ID “U100” registers the filter “working” applied from 8:00 to 17:00 and the filter “private” other than that.

Filter, in this example, the reception filter and the transmission filter (if filtering rules) for restricting state update notification from his buddy (inverse filtering rules) for the user to limit the notification of its own state to see authorized users There is. In this figure, the filter “working” of the user “U100” is a reception filter for limiting state update notifications from his / her buddy. The filter “private” is a transmission filter for restricting notification of own state information to a reference user who refers to his / her state, that is, another user who has registered the user U100 as a buddy. Filtering information and filtering content can be changed as appropriate according to needs.

[User terminal]
The functional configuration of the user terminal 1 is the same as in FIG. In the figure, elements having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The buddy list 11 stores the buddy information illustrated in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of rule information stored in the action rule DB 12 of the user terminal. Similar to the first embodiment, the action rule DB 12 stores “action ID”, “application status”, and “action rule” in one record. However, in this example, the filter that restricts the status information update notification from the buddy is stored in the buddy list server 2 and is not stored in the action rule DB 12.

[Process flow]
Hereinafter, functions of the modules of the buddy list server 2 and the user terminal 1 will be specifically described. In the following, it is assumed that the user management DB 21, the filtering rule DB 24, the buddy list DB 11, and the action rule DB 12 are in the states illustrated in FIGS. 5, 10, 3, and 11.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the buddy list server 2. In this process, the buddy list server 2 performs filtering of the status information to be distributed in addition to the reception of the status information of the user terminal, its update and distribution.

  Step S41: The state reception module 23 waits for a state update notification from any user terminal 1. For ease of explanation, it is assumed that status information update notification is received from the user U100. When the status update notification is received, the process proceeds to step S42.

  Step S42: The state reception module 23 writes the received state information in the user management DB 21 as new state information of the notification source user terminal U100.

  Step S43: The filtering module 26 reads from the user management DB 21 all the reference users who have registered the notification source user U100 in the buddy. Next, the filtering module 26 determines whether there is a filtering rule to be applied among the filtering rules of the reference user and the notification source user. For example, if no filtering rule for any user is set, it is determined that there is no filtering rule. If there is a filtering rule, the process proceeds to step S44. If not, the process proceeds to step 45 described later.

  Step S44: The filtering module 26 reads the filtering rules of the reference user and the notification source user U100 from the filtering rule DB 24. Referring to FIG. 3, the user U101 has registered the user U100 as a buddy. Therefore, the filtering rules of the user U100 and the user U101 are read out.

  Step S45: The filtering module 26 determines a distribution destination of the state information based on the read filtering rule. For example, if the time is 10:00, the user U100 does not limit the notification of the self-state information. On the other hand, U101, which is one of the reference users of user U100, sets a reception filter “working” that accepts only state update notifications from buddies in the buddy list “work”. Since the notification source user U100 is one of the buddies on the buddy list “work” of the user U101, one of the distribution destinations is determined to be the user U101. When there is no filtering rule to be applied, the filtering module 26 sets all reference users as distribution destinations.

  Step S46: The filtering module 26 determines whether or not there is a delivery destination, and if so, requests the status delivery module 22 to deliver the status information. This request includes the communication address of the distribution destination user terminal, the status information to be distributed, and the user ID of the user who has the status information.

  Step S47: The status distribution module 22 distributes the requested status information to the requested delivery destination.

  If it is determined in step S41 that the status information is not notified, the process proceeds to step S48. In step S48, the state reception module 23 determines whether or not it is a buddy list update notification. If “Yes” is determined, the process proceeds to step S49. If “No” is determined, the process returns to step S41 again.

  Step S49: The state reception module 23 writes the received new buddy list in the user management DB 21.

  Step S410: The rule registration module 27 determines whether or not a filtering rule has been received from the user terminal 1. If “Yes” is determined, the process proceeds to step S411. In the second embodiment, the setting reception module 15 of the user terminal 1 receives the setting of the filtering rule and its application status, and transmits the received information to the buddy list server 2.

  Step S411: The rule registration module 27 writes the filtering rule received from the user terminal 1 and its application status in the filtering rule DB 24.

<Screen example>
FIG. 13 is an example of an action rule registration screen displayed by the setting reception module 15 of the user terminal 1. This screen accepts settings for action rules and their application status.

  FIG. 14 is a change example of the display of the state information by the rule application module 19 of the user terminal 1. FIG. 14A shows an example in which the current list changes with time. This corresponds to the rule information of the action ID “2” in FIG.

  FIG. 14B is an example in which the display order of buddies in the current list changes according to the change in the window size. The left side of the figure shows an example in which buddies and their states are displayed in alphabetical order when the window size is large. The right side of the figure shows an example in which the buddies and their state information are displayed in the order of the reference count of the buddy state information when the window size is reduced. Note that the reference count can be calculated by the state acquisition module 13 of the user terminal 1, for example. This window change corresponds to the rule information of the action IDs “5” and “6” in FIG.

  FIG. 14C is an example in which the display form of the current list changes according to the position information of the buddy terminal. This figure corresponds to the rule information in the action ID “7” of FIG. The left side of the figure is a display example of state information when there is no buddy nearby. The right side of the figure is a display example of state information when a buddy is detected nearby.

<Other embodiment examples>
(A) When generating an action rule and its application status based on a user operation, rule information may be generated on condition that the same operation is frequently repeated several times. If the private list is made the current list from 12:00 to 13:00 for three days, rule information is generated.

(B) A program that executes the above-described method and a computer-readable recording medium that records the program are included in the present invention. Here, examples of the recording medium include a computer readable / writable floppy disk, hard disk, semiconductor memory, CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk (MO), and others.
<Appendix>
(Appendix 1)
A status display program for operating a computer operated by a user,
A status acquisition means for acquiring the latest status information of the reference requesting terminal for which the user wishes to reference status information;
Terminal storage means for storing the reference requesting terminal and its status information;
Status display means for displaying the latest status information of the reference request terminal stored in the terminal storage means;
A rule storage means for storing, in one record, an action rule for changing a display form of state information of the reference requesting terminal, a situation in which the action rule is applied, and a correspondence between the action rule and the situation;
Situation detection means for detecting any situation stored in the rule storage means; and
Rule applying means for changing the display mode of the status information of the reference desired terminal displayed on the status display means according to the action rule corresponding to the detected situation,
A status display program for causing the computer to function as:

(Appendix 2)
The terminal storage means stores a terminal group composed of a plurality of reference request terminals and reference request terminals constituting the terminal group,
The rule storage means stores an action rule for switching a current group which is a terminal group displayed by the status display means,
The rule applying means, according to an action rule corresponding to the detected situation, any terminal group as a current group,
The status display means displays status information of reference desired terminals constituting the current group;
The status display program according to attachment 1.

(Appendix 3)
The computer further functions as an operation detection unit that detects an operation for changing the current group, and a generation unit that generates a new action rule and a situation in which the new action rule is applied based on the operation.
The rule storage means further stores the generated action rule and a situation to which the action rule is applied.
The status display program according to attachment 2.

(Appendix 4)
The rule storage means further includes, as the action rule, a filtering rule for restricting reference desired terminals on which the status display means displays status information,
The rule applying means determines whether to display the status information received by the information acquisition means based on the filtering rule,
The state display means displays the state information when the rule applying means determines to display,
The status display program according to attachment 1.

(Appendix 5)
Based on the information included in the latest status information of the reference request terminal acquired by the status acquisition means, the information is converted into information indicating the situation to which the action rule is applied, and the status change notification interpretation means for notifying the situation detection means Make the computer work better,
The status detection unit extracts an action rule to be applied based on the information notified from the state change notification interpretation unit.
Appendix 1 Status display program.

(Appendix 6)
The rule storage means further stores the display form of the state information as an action rule, with the size of a display area displaying the state information of the reference request terminal as a situation,
The status detection means detects a change in a display area that displays status information of the reference requesting terminal,
The rule applying means changes the display form of the state information of the reference desired terminal according to an action rule according to the size of the display area after the change,
The status display program according to attachment 1.

(Appendix 7)
Further comprising setting accepting means for accepting setting of the action rule and a situation to which the action rule is applied,
The rule storage means further stores a set action rule and a situation in which the action rule is applied.
The status display program according to attachment 1.

(Appendix 8)
A computer-readable recording medium that records a status display program that operates on a computer operated by a user,
A state acquisition step of acquiring the latest state information of the reference requesting terminal for which the user desires to refer to the state information;
A terminal storage step for storing the reference requesting terminal and its state information;
A status display step of displaying the latest status information of the reference request terminal stored in the terminal storage means;
A rule storage step for storing an action rule for changing a display form of the state information of the reference requesting terminal, a situation in which the action rule is applied, and a correspondence between the action rule and the situation in one record;
A situation detecting step of detecting any situation stored in the rule storage means;
A rule applying step for changing a display form of the state information of the reference desired terminal displayed by the state display means according to an action rule corresponding to the detected situation;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the status display program for performing this.

(Appendix 9)
A state distribution method used for a computer connected to a user terminal including a first user terminal and a second user terminal via a network,
A storage step of storing a user identifier for identifying a user terminal, a filtering rule for restricting a delivery destination of state information of the user terminal, and a situation in which the filtering rule is applied, in one record;
A receiving step of receiving status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
Based on the filtering rules of the first user terminal, out of user terminals that refer to the state information of the first user terminal, a filtering step for determining a distribution destination to distribute the state information, and a distribution destination determined by the filtering step A transmitting step of transmitting the state information of the first user terminal to the user terminal,
Including state delivery method.

(Appendix 10)
The storing step further includes: a user identifier of a user terminal; a reverse filtering rule for restricting delivery of status information of another user terminal to the user terminal; and a situation where the reverse filtering rule is applied to one record. Including
The filtering step determines a delivery destination to deliver the state information based on a filtering rule of the first user terminal and a reverse filtering rule of a user terminal that refers to the state of the first user terminal.
The status distribution method according to attachment 9.

(Appendix 11)
A status distribution program for causing a computer connected via a network to user terminals including a first user terminal and a second user terminal,
Storage means for storing a user identifier for identifying a user terminal, a filtering rule for restricting a delivery destination of state information of the user terminal, and a situation to which the filtering rule is applied, in one record;
Receiving means for receiving status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
Based on the filtering rules of the first user terminal, out of user terminals that refer to the state information of the first user terminal, a filtering unit that determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information; Transmitting means for transmitting the state information of the first user terminal to the determined user terminal;
A status distribution program for causing the computer to function as:

(Appendix 12)
A state distribution device connected via a network to user terminals including a first user terminal and a second user terminal,
Storage means for storing a user identifier for identifying a user terminal, a filtering rule for restricting a delivery destination of state information of the user terminal, and a situation to which the filtering rule is applied, in one record;
Receiving means for receiving status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
Based on the filtering rules of the first user terminal, out of user terminals that refer to the state information of the first user terminal, a filtering unit that determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information; Transmitting means for transmitting the state information of the first user terminal to the determined user terminal;
A state distribution device comprising:

1 is an overall configuration example of a buddy list system according to a first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the function structure of a user terminal. The conceptual explanatory view of the buddy information accumulated in the buddy list DB. The conceptual explanatory drawing of the rule information accumulate | stored in action rule DB. The conceptual explanatory drawing of the user information accumulate | stored in user management DB. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a rule application process. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a status notification process. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a rule creation process. The example of whole structure of the buddy list system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The conceptual explanatory drawing of the information accumulate | stored in filtering rule DB. FIG. 10 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of rule information stored in the action rule DB of FIG. 9. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process which a server performs. Action rule registration screen example. The example of a change of a display of status information. (A) An example in which the current list changes with time. (B) An example in which the display order of buddies in the current list changes according to a change in window size. (C) An example in which the display form of the current list changes according to the position information of the buddy terminal.

Explanation of symbols

1: User terminal 2: Buddy list server 12: Action rule DB
19: Rule application module

Claims (3)

A state distribution method used for a computer connected to a user terminal including a first user terminal and a second user terminal via a network,
A user identifier identifying the first user terminal, said if filtering rules to limit the second user terminal as the destination of the first state information of the user terminal, time zone and that the filtering rule applies respectively , And a storing step for storing them in association with each other;
A delivery destination storage step for storing a user identifier and a delivery destination of state information of the user terminal identified by the user identifier in association with each other;
A receiving step of receiving status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
A rule selection step of selecting one of the filtering rules associated with the identifier of the first user terminal based on the time zone in which the state information is received in the reception step;
Based on the filtering rule selected in the rule selection step, out of user terminals that refer to the state information of the first user terminal, a filtering step for determining a distribution destination to distribute the state information, and a distribution destination in the filtering step Transmitting to the determined user terminal the status information of the first user terminal,
The storing step includes: a user identifier of a user terminal; a reverse filtering rule for the second user terminal to restrict reception of state information from the first user terminal; and a situation in which the reverse filtering rule is applied. In addition,
The filtering step determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information based on a filtering rule of the first user terminal and an inverse filtering rule of the second user terminal that refers to the state of the first user terminal. , Status delivery method. A status distribution program for causing a computer connected via a network to user terminals including a first user terminal and a second user terminal,
A user identifier identifying the first user terminal, said if filtering rules to limit the second user terminal as the destination of the first state information of the user terminal, time zone and that the filtering rule applies respectively , Storage means for associating and storing,
A delivery destination storage means for storing a user identifier and a delivery destination of state information of the user terminal identified by the user identifier in association with each other;
Receiving means for receiving status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
Rule selecting means for selecting one of filtering rules associated with the identifier of the first user terminal based on the time zone received by the receiving means;
Based on the filtering rule selected by the rule selection means, out of user terminals that refer to the status information of the first user terminal, a filtering means for determining a delivery destination to deliver the status information, and a delivery destination by the filtering means Transmitting means for transmitting the state information of the first user terminal to the user terminal determined to
A state distribution program for causing the computer to function as:
The storage means includes a user identifier of a user terminal, a reverse filtering rule for the second user terminal to restrict reception of state information from the first user terminal, and a situation in which the reverse filtering rule is applied. In addition,
The filtering means determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information based on a filtering rule of the first user terminal and an inverse filtering rule of the second user terminal that refers to the state of the first user terminal. , State delivery program. A state distribution device connected via a network to user terminals including a first user terminal and a second user terminal,
A user identifier identifying the first user terminal, said if filtering rules to limit the second user terminal as the destination of the first state information of the user terminal, time zone and that the filtering rule applies respectively , Storage means for associating and storing,
A delivery destination storage means for storing a user identifier and a delivery destination of state information of the user terminal identified by the user identifier in association with each other;
Receiving means for receiving status information of the first user terminal from the first user terminal;
Rule selecting means for selecting one of filtering rules associated with the identifier of the first user terminal based on the time zone received by the receiving means;
Based on the filtering rule selected by the rule selection means, out of user terminals that refer to the status information of the first user terminal, a filtering means for determining a delivery destination to deliver the status information, and a delivery destination by the filtering means Transmitting means for transmitting the state information of the first user terminal to the user terminal determined to
The storage means includes a user identifier of a user terminal, a reverse filtering rule for the second user terminal to restrict reception of state information from the first user terminal, and a situation in which the reverse filtering rule is applied. In addition,
The filtering means determines a distribution destination to distribute the state information based on a filtering rule of the first user terminal and an inverse filtering rule of the second user terminal that refers to the state of the first user terminal. , Status distribution device.

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