JP4826627B2 - Information terminal device, information terminal device processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal device capable of exchanging messages over a network, a processing method for the information terminal device, and a program. About.

  Recently, the Internet has become widespread, and an increasing number of users use the Internet to exchange various data with the other party. As a system for exchanging data, for example, there is an IM (Instant Messaging) communication system for exchanging text information via the Internet and communicating with a partner in real time.

  The conventional IM automatically displays the pre-registered partner's presence / absence status on the Internet and messages from the other party on the terminal screen in use when connecting to the Internet, and can exchange messages in real time on the spot. Chats and files are sent (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

  In the IM, personal information of each user registered in the IM server device is provided to other users who have an exchange relationship. When user A and user B have an exchange relationship, user B is registered in user A's buddy list as a buddy for user A, and user A is a buddy for user B and is for user B Register to the buddy list.

  When the exchange relationship is concluded, the user (user A) transmits an “invitation” to another user (user B). The user B who has received the “invite” transmits “accept” to the user A if he / she accepts the “invite” of the user A (if an exchange relationship is established).

  In order for the user A to “invite” the user B, the user A needs to know the ID of the user B. In order for User B to send “Accept” to User A, User B needs to know User A's ID. In order to acquire this ID, it is necessary to negotiate directly with the other party and teach each other's ID.

Alternatively, the personal information of each user is stored in the IM server device, the ID of the user who is the search target person interested in the user who is the search executor is searched, and the result is sent to the terminal device of the search executor. There is also a way to respond. Specifically, by providing a search condition from the terminal device of the user who is the search executor to the IM server device, the IM server device matches the search condition with the personal information of each user, and sets the search condition. This is done by searching for satisfied users.
Digital Creators Liaison Council, “Multimedia Internet Dictionary“ Instant Messaging ”, [online], [searched August 4, 2003], Internet, <URL: http://www.kaigisho.ne. jp / literacy / midic / data / k2 / k2122.htm>

  However, in a conventional search system, a user who searches for personal information that exists in the database of the IM server device when a user who is a searcher inputs a search condition is searched for a user that matches the search condition. Therefore, even if it is possible to change the personal information in the database of the IM server device in real time, once the search result is returned to the user who is the search executor, The update contents of the database are not reflected in the search result given to the user who is the search execution person. In other words, after the search, even if a user who meets the search condition appears, there is a problem that the search executor is not informed.

  Further, since the search is performed by the IM server device in an integrated manner, a load is concentrated on the IM server device, and there is a possibility that the responsiveness seen from the user who is the searcher may be deteriorated particularly in a crowded state.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention distributes the overall load for message exchange processing to the server device and the user's information terminal device, thereby avoiding load concentration on the server device, thereby improving service reliability. An object is to provide an information terminal device capable of improving (availability) and responsiveness, a processing method of the information terminal device, and a program.

  Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal device, a processing method for the information terminal device, and a program that can always search for a message exchange partner based on the latest information.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information terminal device according to the present invention provides user information including identification information indicating a purpose of use of the service of the user to a server device that provides a service for searching for a message exchange partner. A user information providing unit that transmits to the server device and registers the user information of another user who is logged in to the service from the server device, and the service of the own user An identification information setting unit for setting identification information indicating the purpose of use of the user, a detailed information storage unit for storing detailed information on the search condition or search target condition of the own user, and the user of the other user acquired by the user information acquisition unit The identification information in the information is collated with the identification information of the own user set by the identification information setting unit. The searched condition acquisition unit that acquires the detailed information of the searched condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the other user who matches with the network, and the details of the searched condition acquired by the searched condition acquisition unit A determination unit that compares information with the detailed information of the search condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the own user, and determines another user that satisfies a predetermined matching condition as a message exchange partner; and the determination unit And a peer-to-peer communication unit that exchanges messages by peer-to-peer communication without going through the server device.

  According to the present invention, the server device only needs to manage user information of each user by transmitting / receiving user information to / from the information terminal device of each user, and the identification indicating the purpose of using the service included in the user information Information collation is executed by the information terminal device of the user who executes the search. Also, the information terminal device of the user who executes the search directly acquires the detailed information of the search condition from the information terminal device of the other user through the network, and the detailed information of the acquired search condition and the details of the search condition of the own user Match information. Then, the information terminal device of the user who executes the search determines another user who satisfies a predetermined matching condition as a message exchange partner, and exchanges the message by peer-to-peer communication without going through the server device with the determined other user. . As a result, the overall load for message exchange processing is distributed between the server device and the user's information terminal device, avoiding concentration of load on the server device, improving service reliability (availability) and responsiveness. To do.

  The information terminal device according to the present invention includes a user information change request unit that transmits a change request including the changed user information to the server device in response to the change of the user information on the information processing device. You may have. Thereby, the user can change the user information registered in the server device only by changing the user information on the information processing device.

  Further, in the information terminal device according to the present invention, the user information acquisition unit further transmits the user information of another user from the server device through the network each time new registration of the user information to the server device is performed. You may acquire. Thereby, the information terminal device of the user who executes the search can search for the message exchange partner based on the user information newly registered after the login.

  In the information terminal device according to the present invention, the user information includes connection information necessary for connecting to the own user through the network, and the search condition acquisition unit is configured to send another user based on the connection information. And the detailed information of the search condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the other user may be acquired through the network. That is, based on the connection information, the information terminal device of the user who executes the search can exchange detailed information on the search condition by peer-to-peer connection with the information terminal device of the other user of interest.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing method for an information terminal device, wherein user information including identification information indicating the purpose of use of the service of the own user is transmitted to a server device that provides a service for searching for a message exchange partner through the network. Transmitting and registering with the server device; obtaining the user information of another user logged in to the service from the server device through the network; and identifying information indicating a purpose of use of the service of the own user A step of storing the detailed information of the search condition or searched condition of the own user, the identification information in the user information of the other user acquired by the user information acquisition unit and the identification information setting unit The detailed information of the matched other user is checked against the identification information of the user Acquiring the detailed information of the search condition stored in the storage unit through the network; the detailed information of the search condition acquired by the search condition acquisition unit; and the detailed information storage unit of the own user Checking the stored detailed information of the search conditions, determining other users that satisfy a predetermined matching condition as message exchange partners, the other users determined by the determination unit, and the server device Exchanging messages in peer-to-peer communication without intervention.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a program for transmitting a user information including identification information indicating a purpose of use of a service of a user to a server device that provides a service for searching for a message exchange partner through the network. A user information providing unit to be registered in the device, a user information obtaining unit for obtaining the user information of another user who has logged in to the service from the server device through the network, and an identification indicating a purpose of use of the service of the own user An identification information setting unit for setting information, a detailed information storage unit for storing detailed information of the search condition or searched condition of the own user, and identification information in the user information of the other user acquired by the user information acquisition unit, The identity information set by the identity information setting unit is collated with the identity information of the own user, and the other The search condition acquisition unit that acquires the detailed information of the search condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the user through the network, the detailed information of the search condition acquired by the search condition acquisition unit, and the It is determined by the determination unit that compares the detailed information of the search condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the own user and determines another user satisfying a predetermined matching condition as a message exchange partner. In addition, the computer functions as a peer-to-peer communication unit that exchanges messages with the other users via peer-to-peer communication without using the server device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the overall load of message exchange processing is distributed between the server device and the user's information terminal device, so that load concentration on the server device can be avoided, thereby improving service reliability (availability). ) And responsiveness is improved. It is also possible to search for a message exchange partner based on the latest information even after login.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an IM communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, this IM communication system 100 includes an IM server device 1 that is a computer that provides an IM communication service, and a PC (Personal Computer) that is a user terminal that enjoys the IM communication service provided by the IM server device 1. ), A client device 2 (2-1, 2-2,..., 2-n) such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a mobile phone, and a network such as the Internet that can connect the IM server device 1 and the client device 2 to each other. 3 is composed.

  In the IM server device 1, an IM communication service execution unit 11 that performs an IM communication service is mounted as, for example, middleware. In the client device 2, an IM client 20 that enjoys the IM communication service provided by the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 is mounted as, for example, middleware.

  In the IM server device 1, the IM communication service execution unit 11 sets a room 13 as a virtual place that becomes a starting point when users of a plurality of client devices 2 search for communication partners through the network 3. Further, the IM communication service execution unit 11 manages information (user information) related to users who can use the IM communication service on the user management database 12.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of user information 30 managed on the user management database 12. As shown in the figure, the user information 30 includes a user ID 31, endpoint information 32, a PSID (Profile Space ID) list 33, presence information 34, a nickname 35, and the like.

  The user ID 31 is an ID uniquely given to each user who can use the IM communication service. The endpoint information 32 is information indicating which application running on the user's client device 2 is a communication partner. The PSID list 33 is a list of PSIDs held by the user. The PSID (Profile Space ID) is an ID indicating a search category such as “auction” or “friend search”, and in other words, is identification information indicating the purpose of use of the service. The presence information 34 is information indicating the current connection state (online / offline, etc.) of the user. The nickname 35 is a personal name arbitrarily determined by the user himself / herself.

  The IM communication service execution unit 11 has a function of acquiring the above user information 30 from the IM client 20 of a user who has logged into the room 13 as a search target person, storing it in the user management database 12, and managing it.

  Further, the IM communication service execution unit 11 acquires the user information 30 of the search target person managed on the user management database 12 from the IM client 20 of the user who has logged in the room 13 as the search execution person. Has a function to respond to.

  Further, the IM communication service execution unit 11 has a function of delivering to all the search performers IM clients 20 logged in to the room 13 every time a new user who is a search target is logged in. .

  Here, the user of the IM client 20 can select whether he / she is a search performer or a search target person, for example, when logging into the room 13. Based on this selection information, the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 manages whether each user logged in the room 13 is a search performer or a search target person.

  On the other hand, the IM client 20 of the client device 2 includes an IM communication unit 21, a search condition input unit 22, a search engine 23, a search result display unit 24, and a PD storage unit 25.

  The PD storage unit 25 stores detailed information on the user search conditions or search target conditions as PD (Profile Description). Specifically, when the user logs in to the room 13 as a search executor, the detailed information on the search conditions is the PD for the search executor, and when the user logs into the room 13 as the search target person, the search condition Is required to be stored in the PD storage unit 25 as a PD for the search target person.

  The IM communication unit 21 executes IM communication processing between the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 and the IM client 20 of another client device 2. Specifically, the IM communication unit 21 receives the user information 30 of the search target person who is logged in the room 13 and is distributed from the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1, and the IM of the search target person The peer-to-peer communication with the client 20 is processed.

  The search condition input unit 22 gives the search condition input by the user who is the search executor to the search engine 23 through the application 26. Specifically, the application 26 displays a search condition input GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen on the display unit 28 of the client device 2, and the search condition input by the user using the input unit 27 on the GUI screen is displayed. The search condition input unit 22 reads the data and gives it to the search engine 23.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a search condition input GUI screen 40 when the search category is “auction”. As shown in the figure, the search condition input GUI screen 40 is provided with input fields 41-45 for inputting data such as the PSID and the type, brand name, years of use, quality, etc. of the exhibit. . When the user inputs arbitrary data to these input fields 41-45 using the input unit 27 and then presses the OK button 46, the search condition input unit 22 searches for the data input to each input field 41-45. Passed to engine 23.

  The search engine 23 searches through the search condition input unit 22 for the PSID list 33 in the user information 30 of the search target person acquired from the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 through the IM communication unit 21. It has a function of searching for a search target person that matches a PSID in a search condition input by an executor.

  Further, the search engine 23 requests transmission of a PD (Profile Description) through the IM communication unit 21 to the IM client 20 of the search target person based on the user information 30 of the search target person whose PSID matches. Then, the PD of the search target person received as a response is collated with the PD of the own person (search performer) stored in the own PD storage unit 25.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the contents of the PD 50 owned by the exhibitor (search target person) of “Auction”. As shown in the figure, the exhibitor's PD50 includes an integer value indicating the content determined by the exhibitor for each of a plurality of data items such as the type of exhibit, brand name, years of use, price, and quality. The range of integer values is described.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the contents of the PD 60 owned by the bidder (searcher) of “Auction”. As shown in the figure, the PD 60 of the bidder includes an integer value indicating the content determined by the bidder for each of a plurality of data items such as the type, brand name, years of use, price, quality, etc. Or the range of integer values is described.

  The search engine 23 compares the PD50 of the search target person with the PD 60 of the search target person for each data item to obtain a search target person having a data item with the same content as a search result. The IM client 20 of the search subject is requested to register itself (search performer) and a response is received.

  The search result display unit 24 displays the search result of the search engine 23 on the display unit 28.

  Further, the client device 2 is mounted with an application 26 that internally communicates with the IM client 20 and performs specific processing using information acquired from the outside by the IM client 20. This application 26 is an application indicated by the endpoint information 32.

  Next, the operation of the IM communication system 100 of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IM client 20, particularly the operations of the IM client 20A of the search performer and the IM client 20B of the search target person. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1.

  First, a user who wishes to be a search target person requests login as a search target person to the room 13 set by the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 through the IM client 20B (step 601). ). When the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 receives the login request of the search target person (YES in Step 701 and Step 702), it authenticates the login process, that is, the ID and password included in the received login request. The authentication result is returned to the IM client 20B (step 703).

  When the user who is the search target person confirms that the login to the room 13 has been successful through the screen of the display unit 28 or the like, the endpoint information to be registered as the user information 30 in the user management database 12 of the IM server device 1. 32 and PSID list 33 are set (step 602). After the setting is completed, the IM client 20B transmits the set user information together with a registration request to the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 by the IM communication unit 21 (step 603).

  Upon receiving this registration request (YES in step 704), the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 registers the user information received together with this registration request in the user management database 12 (step 705).

  Thereafter, the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 searches the user information of the search target person newly registered in the user management database 12 regardless of the request from the IM client 20A that is the search executor. It transmits to IM client 20A of an executor (step 709).

  On the other hand, when a user who wishes to be a search executor makes a login request to the room 13 through the IM client 20A (step 621), the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 logs in the search executor. Upon receiving the request (YES in step 702), authentication is performed for the login process, that is, the ID and password included in the received login request, and the authentication result is returned to the IM client 20A (step 703).

  When the IM client 20A of the search executor receives notification from the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 that the login to the room 13 has been successful, the display screen of the display unit 28 shows, for example, FIG. The search condition input GUI screen 40 is displayed to prompt the user to input the search condition including the PSID. When a search condition including a PSID is input by the search executor on the GUI screen 40 and the OK button 46 is pressed, the search condition including the PSID input to the GUI screen 40 is captured by the search condition input unit 22. It is passed to the search engine 23 (step 622). When the setting of the search condition in the search engine 23 is completed, the IM communication unit 21 makes an acquisition request for the user information of the search target person to the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1.

  When the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 receives the user information acquisition request of the search target person (YES in step 708), the user of all search target persons registered in the user management database 12 Information is transmitted to the IM client 20A of the searcher who is the request source (step 710).

  The IM client 20A of the search executor receives the user information of the search target person transmitted from the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 by the IM communication unit 21 (step 623), and then sends it to the search engine 23. Then, the search target person that matches the PSID in the search condition input by the user through the search condition input unit 22 is searched for the received user information 30 of all search target persons (step 624). .

  If a search target person with a matching PSID is found (YES in step 625), the search engine 23 obtains a PD for the search target person (for example, PD50 in FIG. 4) owned by the search target person. To the IM communication unit 21. In accordance with this instruction, the IM communication unit 21 requests the IM client 20B of the search target person to acquire a PD for the search target person (step 626).

  If the search target person whose PSID matches is not searched in step 625 (NO in step 625), the IM client 20A of the search executor uses the IM communication unit 21 to perform IM communication of the IM server device 1. After requesting the service execution unit 11 again to acquire the user information of the search target person and receiving the response (step 623), the search engine 23 uses the search target person who matches the PSID of the search condition. A search is performed (step 624). Then, the processes of steps 623, 624, and 625 are repeated until a search target person matching the PSID of the search condition is searched.

  Upon receiving the PD acquisition request (step 604), the IM client 20B of the search target person reads the PD for the search target person from the PD storage unit 25, and this PD is the PD request source by the IM communication unit 21. The message is transmitted to the IM client 20A of the searcher (step 605).

  When the search performer IM client 20A receives the PD for the search target person (step 627), the search engine 23 stores the contents of the PD for the search target person and its own PD storage unit 25. The content of the searcher PD (for example, PD60 in FIG. 5) is collated for each corresponding data item (step 628), and the search target person who has one or more data items whose values match is searched. If so (YES in step 629), the IM client 20B of the search target person is requested to register the self search performer through the IM communication unit 21 (step 630).

  If there is no data item whose value matches in the collation in step 628 (NO in step 629), the IM client 20A of the search executor executes the IM communication service of the IM server device 1 in the IM communication unit 21. The unit 11 is requested again to acquire the user information of the search target person, and thereafter, the processing from step 623 to step 629 is repeated until a data item having a matching value is searched in the comparison in step 628.

  Upon receiving this registration request, the IM client 20B of the search target person registers the search performer who is the registration requester as a communication partner, and returns a response to the IM client 20A of the search performer (step 606).

  Thereafter, in the IM client 20B of the search target person, the user determines whether or not the user information is changed (step 607). If there is no change, the process proceeds to step 608. If there is a change, the process returns to the setting of user information in step 602. In step 608, it is determined by the user whether or not to provide detailed information.

  On the other hand, upon receiving a registration completion response from the IM client 20B of the search target person, the IM client 20A of the search performer registers this search target person as the search result of the communication partner and displays the search result. Displayed on the unit 28. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of this search result. As described above, for example, the search result displays a list of user information of the searched search target persons. Thereafter, the IM client 20A of the search performer and the IM client 20B of the search target person can communicate on a peer-to-peer basis.

  When the search category is “auction”, the search executor can then request the searched target person to obtain detailed information about the exhibit (YES in step 633, step 634). Here, the detailed information is information such as an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format including an image of an exhibit and a description of detailed specifications. This detailed information is processed by an application 26 such as a Web browser installed in the client device 2 and can be displayed on the display unit 28.

  When the IM client 20B of the search target person receives the detailed information acquisition request from the IM client 20A of the search performer (step 610), the IM client 20B is set to provide the detailed information in step 608 (step 608). YES), detailed information is transmitted to the IM client 20A of the searcher (step 611).

  Here, in the IM client 20B of the search target person, when it is set not to provide detailed information (NO in step 608), the detailed information is not transmitted to the search executor, and the following information is not sent. It waits for a PD acquisition request from the searcher (step 609).

  The IM client 20A of the searcher who has received the detailed information passes the received detailed information to the application 26 such as a Web browser installed in the client apparatus 2 (step 635). The application 26 that has received the detailed information converts the detailed information into information that can be viewed on the browser screen of the display unit 28, for example, and provides the information to the user (step 636). Thereby, the user who is a search execution person can know the detailed information of an exhibit.

  Further, the search executor does not make a request for acquiring detailed information from the search target person searched this time (NO in step 632), and uses the input unit 27 to store the user information of the search target person in the IM client 20A. An instruction can be given to request the IM server device 1 to reacquire. As a result, the subsequent processing from step 623 is repeated in the IM client 20A of the searcher. As a result, if the contents of the user management database 12 of the IM server device 1 have been updated since the user information acquisition request was made last time, in step 623, the searched result is a response result reflecting the updated contents. The user information of the target person can be acquired by the IM client 20A of the search performer, and in step 624, a search for a different search target person is performed by the search engine 23.

  Further, before giving an instruction to request reacquisition of user information of the search target person, the user calls the search condition input GUI screen 40 as shown in FIG. Search conditions including the PSID can be reset on the GUI screen 40 (YES in step 633, step 622). As a result, in step 624, the search engine 23 searches for the search target person under different search conditions.

  By the way, when the IM client 20B of the search target person wants to change his / her user information registered in the user management database 12 of the IM server device 1 (YES in step 607), the user in the client device 2 in step 602 After changing the information, a change request including the changed user information is transmitted to the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 (step 603).

  When the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 receives this user information change request (YES in step 706), the user information in the user management database 12 is changed to the changed user information included in the change request. (Step 707). Thereafter, the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 transmits the changed user information to the IM client 20A of the search executor regardless of the request from the IM client 20A of the search executor (Step 709). ). The IM client 20A of the search executor passes the received user information 30 to the search engine 23, and causes the search engine 23 to search for a search target person with a matching PSID (step 624).

  The processing procedure of the IM communication service execution unit 11 of the IM server device 1 shown in FIG. 7 includes the login request, the user information registration request, the user information change request, and the user information acquisition request from the IM clients 20A and 20B. It is executed every time a request is received.

  Thus, in the IM communication system 100 of this embodiment, the IM client 20 behaves as either the IM client 20A of the search performer or the IM client 20B of the search target person. The IM client 20B of the search target person registers user information including a list of his / her PSID in the user management database 12 of the IM server device 1. The IM client 20A of the search executor obtains user information including a list of PSIDs of search target persons registered in the user management database 12 from the IM server device 1, and selects search target persons that match their own PSID. Search for. If the search target person can be searched, the search target person is requested to send a PD, collated with his / her own PD, and the search target person satisfying the conditions desired by the search performer is selected. Identify. That is, taking “auction” as an example, a search target person who has put up a product that satisfies the conditions desired by the bidder is specified.

  Therefore, according to the IM communication system 100 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  The IM server device 1 only needs to manage user information 30 of each user by transmitting and receiving user information to and from the client device 2 of each user, and the PSID indicating the purpose of using the service included in this user information 30 The collation is executed by the client device 2 of the user who is the search executor. Further, the client device 2 of the user who is the search executor directly obtains the PD 50 for the search target person from the client device 2 of the other user through the network 3, and searches for the PD 50 for the search target person and the own user. Collation with the PD 60 for the performer is also performed. As a result, the overall processing load necessary for message exchange is distributed to the IM server device 1 and each client device 2, and concentration of the load on the IM server device 1 is avoided, so that service reliability (availability) and Responsiveness is improved.

  In addition, in the IM communication system of this embodiment, every time new user information is registered or changed by the search target person, it is newly registered regardless of whether there is a request from the IM client 20A of the search performer. The user information that has been changed or changed is transmitted to the IM client 20A of the search executor, and the IM client 20A executes processing following the PSID verification. It becomes possible to search the search target person based on the latest information.

  Next, the IM communication system which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  In this IM communication system, there is no selection of the search performer / search target by the user when the IM client logs into the room. All IM clients of all users who have logged into the room behave as IM clients of both search performers and search target persons.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of this IM communication system.

  As shown in the figure, this IM communication system 200 includes an IM server device 201 that is a computer that provides an IM communication service, and a PC (Personal Computer) that is a user terminal that enjoys the IM communication service provided by the IM server device 201. ), Client devices 202 (202-1, 202-2,..., 202-n) such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and mobile phones, and networks such as the Internet that can connect the IM server device 201 and the client device 202. 203.

  In the IM server device 201, an IM communication service execution unit 211 that performs an IM communication service is mounted as, for example, middleware. In the client device 202, an IM client 220 that receives the IM communication service provided by the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 is mounted as, for example, middleware.

  In the IM server device 201, the IM communication service execution unit 211 sets a room 213 as a virtual place that becomes a starting point when users of a plurality of client devices 202 search for communication partners via the network 203. Further, the IM communication service execution unit 211 manages information (user information) on users who can use the IM communication service on the user management database 212.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of user information 230 managed on the user management database 212. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the user information 230 includes a user ID 231, endpoint information 232, a PSID list 233 for the search target person, presence information 234, a nickname 235, and the like.

  The user ID 231 is an ID uniquely given to each user who can use the IM communication service. The endpoint information 232 is information indicating which application running on the user's client device 202 is a communication partner. The PSID list 233 for the search target person is a list of PSIDs held by the user as the search target person. The PSID (Profile Space ID) is an ID indicating a search category such as “auction” or “friend search”, and in other words, is identification information indicating the purpose of use of the service. The presence information 234 is information indicating the current connection state (online / offline, etc.) of the user. The nickname 235 is a personal name arbitrarily determined by the user himself / herself.

  The IM communication service execution unit 211 has a function of acquiring the user information 230 from the IM client 220 of the user who has logged into the room 213, storing it in the user management database 212, and managing it.

  The IM communication service execution unit 211 has a function of transmitting user information 230 of all other users managed on the user management database 212 to the IM client 220 of the user who has logged into the room 213. Yes.

  Further, the IM communication service execution unit 211 has a function of transmitting to the IM clients 220 of all other users who are logged in to the room 213 every time a new user logs in.

  On the other hand, the IM client 220 of the client device 202 includes an IM communication unit 221, a searcher PSID storage unit 223, a search engine 224, a search result display unit 225, and a PD storage unit 226.

  The PD storage unit 226 stores detailed information on the user search condition and the search target condition as a PD (Profile Description) for the search performer and a PD for the search target person, respectively.

  The IM communication unit 221 executes IM communication processing between the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 and the IM client 220 of the client device 202 of another user. Specifically, the IM communication unit 221 receives the user information 230 of another user who is logged in to the room 213 and is delivered from the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201, and the IM client 220 of the other user. Handle peer-to-peer communication with.

  The searcher PSID storage unit 223 is a storage unit that stores a list of searcher PSIDs.

  The search engine 224 stores the PSID list 233 for the search target person in the user information 230 of the other user acquired from the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server apparatus 201 and the PSID storage unit 223 for the search performer. It has a function of collating with a list of PSIDs for search performers and searching for search target persons who make a predetermined pair with the PSID for search performers. Specifically, when PSID = 1 means friend search for the searcher and PSID = 2 means friend search for the search target person, “1” is stored in the searcher PSID storage unit 223 as PSID. ”Is stored, and“ 2 ”is included as the PSID in the PSID list 233 for the search target person in the user information 230 of the search target person, the search target person is obtained as a search result. It is like that.

  Further, the search engine 224 sends a search target person PD (Profile Description) to the IM client 220 of the search target person through the IM communication unit 221 based on the searched user information 230 of the search target person. ) Is requested, and the PD for search target person received as a response is collated with the PD for search performer stored in its own PD storage unit 226.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the contents of a searcher PD 250 owned by a user who participates in “friend search” as a searcher. As shown in the figure, the PD 250 for the searcher includes contents arbitrarily determined by the searcher for each of a plurality of data items such as the gender, age, range, and place of birth of the search target person. Indicates the integer value or range of integer values shown.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the contents of a search target person PD 260 owned by a user who participates in “friend search” as a search target person. As shown in the figure, the PD 260 for the search target person describes an integer value indicating the content for each of a plurality of data items such as the gender, age, and birthplace of the person.

  The search engine 224 collates the search execution person PD 250 and the search target person PD 260 for each data item, and obtains a search target person having a data item having the same content as a search result. It requests the subject's IM client 220 to register itself (searcher) and receives a response.

  The search result display unit 225 displays the search result of the search engine 224 on the display unit 228.

  Further, an application 227 that performs internal processing with the IM client 220 and performs specific processing using information acquired by the IM client 220 from the outside is installed in the client device 202. This application 227 is an application indicated by the endpoint information 232.

  Next, the operation of this IM communication system will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IM client 220, particularly the operations of the IM client 220A of the search performer and the IM client 220B of the search target person. Note that the IM clients 220 of all users who have logged into the room 213 behave as IM clients 220A and 220B of both the search performer and the search target person, respectively. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201.

  First, the user requests login to the room 213 set by the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 through the IM clients 220A and 220B (steps 1301 and 1321). When the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 receives a login request from this user (YES in Step 1401 and Step 1402), it authenticates the login process, that is, the ID and password included in the received login request, The authentication result is returned to the IM clients 220A and 220B (step 1403).

  When the authentication is successful, the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 sends all other users managed on the user management database 212 to the IM clients 220A and 220B of the user who has logged into the room 213. User information 230 is transmitted (step 1404).

  When the user who is the search target person confirms that the login to the room 213 has been successful through the screen of the display unit 228 or the like, the endpoint information to be registered as the user information 230 in the user management database 212 of the IM server device 201. 232, PSID list 233 for search target person, nickname 235, etc. are set (step 1302). After the setting is completed, the IM client 220B transmits the set user information together with the registration request to the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 by the IM communication unit 221 (step 1303).

  Upon receiving this registration request (YES in step 1405), the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 registers the user information received together with this registration request in the user management database 212 (step 1406).

  Thereafter, the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 transmits the user information of the search target person registered in the user management database 212 to the IM clients 220 of all other users who are logged in to the room 213. (Step 1410).

  The IM client 220 </ b> A of the search executor acquires the user information of the search target person transmitted from the IM server device 201 (step 1322), and passes this to the search engine 224.

  The search engine 224 includes a list 233 of search target person PSIDs in the acquired user information 230 of other users, a list of search person PSIDs stored in the search execution person PSID storage unit 223, and Are searched (step 1323), and a search target person who makes a predetermined pair with the PSID for the searcher is searched (step 1324).

  Subsequently, the search engine 224 instructs the IM communication unit 221 to acquire a PD (for example, PD 260 in FIG. 12) for a search target person owned by the searched target person. In accordance with this instruction, the IM communication unit 221 requests the IM client 220B of the search target person to acquire a PD for the search target person (step 1325).

  In step 1324, when a search target person who makes a predetermined pair with the PSID for the searcher is not searched (NO in step 1324), the IM client 220 </ b> A of the searcher performs the IM communication unit 221. The IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 is requested to acquire user information of the search target person. When the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 receives the acquisition request for the user information of the search target person (YES in Step 1409), the IM client 220A of the search execution person who is the request source receives the user management database 212. The user information of all other search target persons registered in (1) is transmitted (step 1411).

  The IM client 220A of the search executor acquires the user information of the search target person from the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 (step 1322), and then the other user acquired by the search engine 223 The searcher PSID list 233 in the information 230 and the search performer PSID list stored in the search performer PSID storage unit 223 are collated again (step 1323). Then, the processes of steps 1322, 1323, and 1324 are repeated until a search target person who makes a predetermined pair with the PSID for the search performer is searched.

  Upon receiving this PD acquisition request (step 1304), the IM client 220B of the search target person reads the PD for the search target person from the PD storage unit 226, and this PD is read by the IM communication unit 221 at the PD request source. The message is transmitted to the IM client 220A of a certain searcher (step 1305).

  When the search performer IM client 220A receives the PD for the search target person (step 1326), the search engine 224 stores the contents of the PD for the search target person and its own PD storage unit 226. The content of the searcher PD (for example, PD250 in FIG. 11) is collated for each corresponding data item (step 1327), and the data item satisfying a predetermined matching condition, for example, having a matching value, is 1 If more than one search target person is searched (YES in step 1328), the IM client 220B of the search target person is requested to register the self-searching person through the IM communication unit 221 (step 1329). .

  If a search target person who satisfies the predetermined matching condition is not searched (NO in step 1328), the IM client 220A of the search executor uses the IM communication unit 221 to execute the IM of the IM server device 201. From step 1322, the communication service execution unit 211 is requested again to acquire the user information of the search target person, and thereafter, the search target person satisfying a predetermined matching condition is searched in the verification in step 1328. The processing up to step 1328 is repeated.

  The IM client 220B of the search target person who has received the registration request from the IM client 220A of the search performer registers the search performer who is the registration requester as a communication partner, and the response is the IM client 220A of the search performer. (Step 1306).

  Thereafter, in the IM client 220B of the search target person, the user determines whether there is a change in the user information (step 1307). If there is no change, the process proceeds to step 1308. If there is a change, the process returns to the user information setting in step 1302.

  On the other hand, upon receiving a registration completion response from the IM client 220B of the search target person, the IM client 220A of the search performer registers the search target person as a search result of the communication partner and displays the search result. This is displayed on the part 228 (step 1330).

  Thereafter, the IM client 220A of the search performer and the IM client 220B of the search target person can communicate on a peer-to-peer basis.

  When the search category is “friend search”, the IM can be exchanged between the search performer and the search target person by both applications 227 (steps 1331, 1332, 1308, and 1309).

  When the IM client 220B of the search target person wants to change his / her user information registered in the user management database 212 of the IM server device 201 (YES in step 1307), the user in the client device 202 in step 1302 After changing the information, a change request including the changed user information is transmitted to the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 (step 1303).

  Upon receiving this user information change request (YES in step 1407), the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 changes the corresponding user information in the user management database 212 to the changed user information included in the change request. (Step 1408). Thereafter, the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 transmits the changed user information to the IM clients 220 of all other users who are logged in to the room 213 (step 1410). The IM client 220A of the search performer passes the received user information 230 to the search engine 224, and causes the search engine 224 to search for the search target person (step 1323).

  The processing procedure of the IM communication service execution unit 211 of the IM server device 201 shown in FIG. 14 includes the login request, the user information registration request, the user information change request, and the user information acquisition from the IM clients 220A and 220B. It is executed each time a request such as a request is received.

  Thus, in this IM communication system 200, the IM client 220 behaves as both the IM client 220A of the search performer and the IM client 220B of the search target person. When a user logs in to the room 213, user information 230 of all other users managed on the user management database 212 is transmitted to the IM client 220 of the logged-in user. When the IM client 220 </ b> A of the search performer acquires the user information of the search target person transmitted from the IM server device 201, the search engine 224 uses the search engine 224 for the search target person in the acquired user information 230 of the other user. PSID list 233 of the searcher and the searcher PSID list stored in the searcher PSID storage unit 223 are collated, and a search target that forms a predetermined pair with the searcher PSID Search for a person. Then, the search engine 224 acquires the PD for the search target person owned by the searched target person, and executes the search stored in the PD for the search target person and the own PD storage unit 226. The person to be searched that satisfies the condition desired by the searcher is specified by collating with the PD for the user. That is, taking “friend search” as an example, a search target person who satisfies conditions such as sex and age desired by the searcher is specified as a friend of the IM communication partner.

  Therefore, according to the IM communication system 200, the following effects can be obtained.

  Information transmitted and received between the IM server device 201 and each client 202 is only the user information 230 of each user. The PD 260 for the search target person, which is information necessary for narrowing down the search target person who satisfies the conditions desired by the search performer, is obtained by the IM client 220A of the search performer and the IM client 220B of the search target person. The IM client 220A collates the PD 260 for the search target person with the PD 250 for the search execution person. Therefore, load concentration on the IM server device 201 can be avoided, and the reliability (availability) and responsiveness of the service can be improved.

  Further, in the IM communication system of this embodiment, whenever new user information is registered or changed in the IM server device 201, the newly registered user information or changed user information is transmitted to all other users. The IM client 220 performs the following processing after the PSID verification, so that the IM client 220A of the search performer searches for the search target person based on the latest information even after login. Is possible.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an IM communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the user information managed on the user management database of FIG. It is an example of the GUI screen for search condition input in case a search category is an auction. It is an example of PD (Profile Description) owned by an auction exhibitor. It is an example of PD which the bidder of an auction owns. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the IM client of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the IM communication service execution part of the IM server apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a search result. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the IM communication system which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the user information managed on the user management database of FIG. It is an example of PD for search performers possessed by a user who participates in the friend search as a search performer. It is an example of PD for search object persons which the user who participates in the friend search as a search object person owns. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IM client of FIG. 9. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the IM communication service execution part of the IM server apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 IM server apparatus 2 Client apparatus 3 Network 11 IM communication service execution part 12 User management database 13 Room 20 IM client 21 IM communication part 22 Search condition input part 23 Search engine 24 Search result display part 25 PD preservation | save part 26 Application 27 Input part 28 Display Unit 100 IM Communication System

Claims (6)

A server apparatus that provides a service to search for message exchange partner, the user information providing unit to be registered in the server device and transmitted via the network the user information including identification information indicating the use purpose of the service of its own users,
A user information acquisition unit that acquires the user information of another user who has logged in to the service from the server device through the network;
An identification information setting unit that sets identification information indicating the purpose of use of the service of the user;
A detailed information storage unit for storing detailed information of the search condition or search target condition of the own user;
The detailed information storage unit of another user who matches the identification information in the user information of the other user acquired by the user information acquisition unit and the identification information of the own user set by the identification information setting unit A search condition acquisition unit that acquires detailed information of the search condition stored in the network through the network;
Other users satisfying a predetermined matching condition by collating the detailed information of the searched condition acquired by the searched condition acquisition unit with the detailed information of the search condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the own user A determination unit that determines a message exchange partner;
An information terminal device comprising: the other user determined by the determination unit; and a peer-to-peer communication unit that exchanges messages by peer-to-peer communication without going through the server device. The apparatus further comprises a user information change request unit that transmits a change request including the changed user information to the server device in response to the change of the user information on the information processing apparatus. The information terminal device according to claim 1.   The user information acquisition unit further acquires the user information of another user from the server device through the network each time new registration of the user information to the server device is performed. The information terminal device described in 1.   The user information includes connection information necessary to connect to the user through the network, and the search condition acquisition unit connects to another user based on the connection information, and the details of the other user The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein detailed information on the search condition stored in an information storage unit is acquired through the network. Step user information providing unit, the server device that provides a service to search for message exchange partner, which is registered in the server device transmits the user information including identification information indicating the purpose of the service of the local user through network When,
A user information acquisition unit acquiring, through the network, the user information of another user who has logged in to the service from the server device;
An identification information setting unit that sets identification information indicating a purpose of use of the service of the user;
A step in which the detailed information storage unit stores the detailed information of the search condition or search target condition of the own user;
The search condition acquisition unit compares the identification information in the user information of the other user acquired by the user information acquisition unit with the identification information of the own user set by the identification information setting unit, Obtaining detailed information of the search condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the user through the network;
The determination unit collates the detailed information of the search condition acquired by the search target acquisition unit with the detailed information of the search condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the own user, and a predetermined matching condition Determining other users satisfying the condition as message exchange partners;
A method for processing an information terminal device, comprising: a peer-to-peer communication unit exchanging messages with the other user determined by the determination unit via peer-to-peer communication without going through the server device. A server apparatus that provides a service to search for message exchange partner, the user information providing unit to be registered in the server device and transmitted via the network the user information including identification information indicating the use purpose of the service of its own users,
A user information acquisition unit that acquires the user information of another user who has logged in to the service from the server device through the network;
An identification information setting unit that sets identification information indicating the purpose of use of the service of the user;
A detailed information storage unit for storing detailed information of the search condition or search target condition of the own user;
The detailed information storage unit of another user who matches the identification information in the user information of the other user acquired by the user information acquisition unit and the identification information of the own user set by the identification information setting unit A search condition acquisition unit that acquires detailed information of the search condition stored in the network through the network;
Other users satisfying a predetermined matching condition by collating the detailed information of the searched condition acquired by the searched condition acquisition unit with the detailed information of the search condition stored in the detailed information storage unit of the own user A determination unit that determines a message exchange partner;
A program that causes a computer to function as a peer-to-peer communication unit that exchanges messages by peer-to-peer communication without using the server device with the other user determined by the determination unit.

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