JP6927615B2 - Message system, program, and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a message control server, a message control terminal, and a program.

Conventionally, there has been known a technique for displaying an image in which messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order on a terminal. For example, in Patent Document 1, messages are displayed side by side in chronological order on the terminals of each user participating in a chat, the correlation of users is specified based on the message, and users having a correlation in a list of all users. The terminal that displays the color in different colors is described.

Japanese Patent No. 4637192

With the above technology, when the number of messages displayed in chronological order increases, it becomes difficult for the user to identify which message is related to him / her. However, as in Patent Document 1, even if the correlated users are displayed in different colors on the list, the relationship between the users can only be understood, so that the user sees the message one by one to see if it is related to himself / herself. Had to judge.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is a message control server, which allows a user to easily identify a message related to himself / herself in an image in which messages are arranged in chronological order. The purpose is to provide a message control terminal and a program.

In order to solve the above problems, the message control server according to the present invention is a message control server that communicates with a terminal that displays images in which messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order, and is input by each user. A message acquisition means for acquiring a message, a destination acquisition means for acquiring destination information indicating the destination of the message, and a means for transmitting data for displaying the image on each user's terminal. Based on this, a message input to the destination and a message input by a user other than the destination and different from the user of the destination are transmitted to the destination and input to the destination. It is characterized by including a message and a transmission means for transmitting data for displaying an image distinguishing a message input by a user different from the user of the destination to the destination other than the destination. And.

The message control terminal according to the present invention is a message control terminal that displays an image in which messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order, and is a message acquisition means for acquiring a message input by each user, and a message acquisition means of the above-mentioned message. Distinguishing between a destination acquisition means for acquiring destination information indicating a destination, a message input to a user based on the destination information, and a message input by a user other than the user and different from the user. It is characterized by including a display control means for displaying the image.

The program according to the present invention indicates a message acquisition means for acquiring a message input by each user, and a destination of the message, on a computer communicating with a terminal for displaying images in which messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order. A destination acquisition means for acquiring destination information, a means for transmitting data for displaying the image on each user's terminal, a message input to the destination based on the destination information, and the destination. A message input by a user different from the user of the destination is sent to the destination, and a message input to the destination and a user of the destination other than the destination are sent to the destination. It functions as a transmission means for transmitting data for displaying an image distinguishing a message input by a user different from the above to the destination.

The program according to the present invention is a computer that displays an image in which messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order, a message acquisition means for acquiring a message input by each user, and destination information indicating the destination of the message. A display control means for displaying an image that distinguishes between a message input to a user based on the destination information and a message input to a user other than the user and a user different from the user. To function as.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the message control system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the chat image displayed on the terminal of the user A. It is a figure which shows an example of the chat image when the user A specifies the avatar image of the user X. It is a figure which shows an example of the chat image displayed on the terminal of the user X. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function which is related to this invention among the functions realized by a message control system. It is a figure which shows the data storage example of a message database. It is a flow chart which shows the process which a message control system executes. It is a figure which shows the detail of the process executed in S7. It is a functional block diagram of a modification. It is a figure which shows the data storage example of the message database in the modification. It is a figure which shows an example of the chat image of the user A. It is a figure which shows an example of the chat image of the user A. It is a figure which shows the change of the chat image when the user A specifies a reply message. It is a figure which shows the change of the chat image when the user A specifies the original message. It is a figure which shows the data storage example of the message database of this modification. It is a figure which shows an example of the chat image of the user A. It is a figure which shows the change of the chat image when the user A specifies a message. It is a figure which shows an example of the chat image 30 of the user A. It is a figure which shows the comparative example of a message image 32. It is a figure which shows the change of the chat image 30 when the user A selects the avatar image 34 of the user X.

[1. Overall configuration of message control system]
Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the message control server according to the present invention is applied to a message control system that controls a chat in which a plurality of users participate will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a message control system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the message control system 1 includes a message control server 10 and a plurality of terminals 20. The message control server 10 and each terminal 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to send and receive data via the communication network 2.

The message control server 10 is realized by a server computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the message control server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 includes, for example, a microprocessor and the like, and executes processing according to an operating system and other programs. The storage unit 12 includes a main storage unit (for example, RAM) and an auxiliary storage unit (for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive). The communication unit 13 is for performing data communication via the communication network 2.

The terminal 20 is a computer operated by the user. For example, the terminal 20 is realized by a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a personal digital assistant (including a tablet computer), a game machine, or a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a display unit 25.

The control unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the communication unit 23 are the same as the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13 of the message control server 10. The operation unit 24 is an input device, for example, a touch panel or the like. The display unit 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL display, or the like, and displays a screen according to the instructions of the control unit 21.

In the present embodiment, the programs and data described as being stored in the storage unit 12 and the storage unit 22 may be supplied to the message control server 10 and the terminal 20 via, for example, the communication network 2. good. Further, the message control server 10 or the terminal 20 may include a component for reading a program or data stored in a computer-readable information storage medium (for example, a memory card). Then, the program or data may be supplied to the message control server 10 or the terminal 20 via the information storage medium.

[2. Chat performed in the message control system]
Next, a chat executed in the message control system 1 will be described by taking as an example a scene in which four users who play a game in cooperation with each other discuss a strategy. Here, these four users are referred to as users A, X, Y, and Z, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a chat image displayed on the terminal 20 of the user A. As shown in FIG. 2, in the chat image 30, message images 32A to 32H (hereinafter, collectively referred to as message images 32) showing messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order.

A message is the content of information transmitted between users, and is composed of, for example, a symbol string input by each user or a designated image. The symbol string here has a meaning including a character string (text). Further, arranging the messages in chronological order means that the message images 32 are displayed side by side on the screen in the order of inputting (transmitting) the messages.

The t-axis of FIG. 2 is a time axis. In the screen example of FIG. 2, the message image 32A shows the newest message, and the message image 32H shows the oldest message. That is, in the chat image 30, the message image 32 indicating a new message is displayed in the predetermined direction (upward in FIG. 2), and the message image 32 indicating a new message is displayed in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (downward in FIG. 2). By displaying the message image 32 showing the old message, the messages are arranged in chronological order.

Further, in the chat image 30, avatar images 34A to 34H of the user who input the message (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as avatar images 34) are displayed. For example, in the chat image 30 of user A, an avatar image 34 other than user A (that is, users X, Y, and Z) is displayed near one end (left end in FIG. 2), and the opposite ends are displayed. The avatar image 34 of the user A is displayed near (the right end in FIG. 2). The vicinity of the edge is an area from the edge of the screen to a predetermined distance (for example, an area from the edge to a pixel separated by a predetermined pixel).

In the present embodiment, each user can specify a destination and input a message. The destination is the person to whom the message is transmitted, the terminal 20, or the account. For example, the message images 32B and 32F show the message that the user X addressed to the user A, and the message image 32C shows the message that the user A addressed to the user X. Further, the message image 32E shows a message addressed to the user Y by the user X, and the message image 32G shows a message addressed to the user X by the user Y.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chat image 30 of user A shows message images 32B and 32F indicating a message addressed to user A, and a message addressed to a user other than user A (that is, user X, Y, or Z). The display mode of the message images 32E and 32G is different from that of the message images 32E and 32G. For example, the message images 32B and 32F are the first colors (shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 2) and include arrows pointing to the right. On the other hand, the message images 32E and 32G are the second colors (indicated by halftone dots in FIG. 2) and do not include arrows. Instead, the message images 32E and 32G are provided with destination images 36E and 36G indicating the destination.

User A can input a message while checking the chat image 30 displayed as described above. For example, when the user A performs a predetermined operation, an input form for inputting a new message is displayed. Then, the user A inputs a new message in this input form and specifies the destination. The input form for inputting a new message may be displayed without performing a predetermined operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the user A specifies the avatar image 34 of the user X, Y, or Z, an input form for inputting a message to the user indicated by the avatar image 34 is displayed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a chat image 30 when the user A specifies the avatar image 34 of the user X. As shown in FIG. 3, in the input form 38, the user X is designated in the destination field 40 for designating the destination of the message. User A inputs a character string or the like in the message input field 42. After that, when the user A selects the send button 44, a message addressed to the user X can be sent.

The message image 32 (message image 32C in FIGS. 2 and 3) indicating the message input by the user A to the user X is the third color in the chat image 30 of the user A (in FIGS. 2 and 3). Includes vertical line), left-pointing arrow. Further, the message image 32C shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is provided with a destination image 36C indicating that the message is addressed to the user X.

Further, in the present embodiment, each user can send a message to the entire user, or can send a message without specifying a destination. In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, the message images 32D and 32H of the message sent to the entire user or without specifying the destination are the fourth colors (indicated in white in FIGS. 2 and 3).

Although the chat image 30 of the user A has been described in FIGS. 2 and 3, the same chat image 30 is also displayed on the terminals 20 of the users X, Y, and Z. However, since the subject viewing the chat image 30 is not the user A, the display contents of the chat image 30 are different so that each of the users X, Y, and Z can distinguish between the message addressed to themselves and the message addressed to others. ing.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a chat image 30 displayed on the terminal 20 of the user X. As shown in FIG. 4, the message images 32C and 32G are the first color and include a right-pointing arrow because they indicate a message addressed to user X. Here, since the users A, Y, and Z have not input a message addressed to other than the user X, the message image 32 of the second color is not displayed. Since the message images 32B, 32E, and 32F indicate the message input by the user X, they are in a third color and include a left-pointing arrow. The message images 32A and 32D are the fourth color because the entire user indicates a destination message or a message for which no destination is specified.

As described above, in the message control system 1 of the present embodiment, in the chat image 30 that displays the messages in chronological order, the user can easily identify the message related to himself / herself. There is. Hereinafter, the processing for realizing the present technology will be described in detail.

[3. Functions realized in the message control system]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing functions related to the present invention among the functions realized by the message control system 1. Here, after explaining the functions realized by each terminal 20, the functions realized by the message control server 10 will be described. Although only one terminal 20 is shown in FIG. 5 for simplification, the same function is realized in each terminal 20. Further, among the functions shown in FIG. 5, functions other than the message acquisition unit 70, the destination acquisition unit 72, and the transmission / reception unit 74 may be omitted.

[3-1. Functions realized on each terminal]
In each terminal 20, a message input unit 60, a destination designation unit 62, a transmission / reception unit 64, and a display control unit 66 are realized. The message input unit 60 and the destination designation unit 62 are mainly realized by the control unit 21 and the operation unit 24, the transmission / reception unit 64 is mainly realized by the control unit 21 and the communication unit 23, and the display control unit 66 is realized by the control unit 21 and the control unit 21. The display unit 25 is mainly realized.

[Message input section]
The message input unit 60 accepts the input of a message. For example, the message input unit 60 accepts the input of a symbol string and the designation of an image by the user. The image included in the message may be stored in the terminal 20 or may be stored in the message control server 10.

[Destination designation part]
The destination designation unit 62 accepts the designation of the destination. The destination designation unit 62 accepts the designation of at least one user. In the present embodiment, since a chat in which a plurality of users participate is realized, the destination designation unit 62 accepts the designation of at least one user who participates in the chat.

In the present embodiment, the case where only one user can be specified as the destination will be described, but as described in the modified example described later, a plurality of users may be specified as the destination. Further, in the present embodiment, since the entire user can be designated as the destination, the destination designation unit 62 accepts the designation of the entire user. That is, the destination designation unit 62 can accept all users who participate in the chat as destinations.

[Transmission / reception unit]
The transmission / reception unit 64 transmits / receives various data to / from the transmission / reception unit 74. For example, the transmission / reception unit 64 transmits the message received by the message input unit 60 and the destination information received by the destination designation unit 62. In addition, the transmission / reception unit 64 may transmit various operation contents of the user. Further, the transmission / reception unit 64 receives the data transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 74, which will be described later, for displaying the chat image 30.

[Display control unit]
The display control unit 66 causes the display unit 25 to display the chat image 30 based on the data transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 74, which will be described later.

[3-2. Functions realized by the message control server]
In the message control server 10, a data storage unit 68, a message acquisition unit 70, a destination acquisition unit 72, and a transmission / reception unit 74 are realized. For example, the data storage unit 68 is mainly realized by the storage unit 12, and the message acquisition unit 70, the destination acquisition unit 72, and the transmission / reception unit 74 are mainly realized by the control unit 11 and the communication unit 13.

[Data storage]
The data storage unit 68 stores a message database that stores various data related to the message. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data storage in the message database. As shown in FIG. 6, the message ID, sender information, destination information, message, and time information are associated and stored in the message database.

The message ID is information for uniquely identifying each message. Sender information is information that identifies a user who has input (sent) a message. The destination information is information indicating the destination of the message. If the destination of the message is not specified, nothing is stored in the destination information. The time information is the input time of the message. The time information may indicate the date and time, or may indicate only the time.

The data stored in the data storage unit 68 is not limited to the above example. The data storage unit 68 may store data for realizing message exchange between users. For example, in the present embodiment, the data storage unit 68 stores data for displaying the chat image 30 for each user. Further, the data storage unit 68 may store information for identifying users who participate in the chat and detailed information of each user. In addition, for example, the data storage unit 68 may store various image data such as the message image 32 and the avatar image 34.

[Message acquisition section]
The message acquisition unit 70 acquires the message input by each user. The message acquisition unit 70 acquires a message received by the message input unit 60 of each terminal 20 via the transmission / reception unit 74. The message acquired by the message acquisition unit 70 is stored in the message database.

[Destination acquisition unit]
The destination acquisition unit 72 acquires destination information indicating the destination of the message. The destination acquisition unit 72 acquires the destination information indicating the destination received by the destination designation unit 62 of each terminal 20 via the transmission / reception unit 74. The destination information acquired by the destination acquisition unit 72 is stored in the message database.

[Transmission / reception unit]
The transmission / reception unit 74 transmits / receives various data to / from the transmission / reception unit 64. For example, the transmission / reception unit 74 receives the message and destination information transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 64.

The transmission / reception unit 74 transmits data for displaying the chat image 30 on the terminal 20 of each user. In other words, the transmission / reception unit 74 transmits data for displaying the chat image 30 on the terminal 20 of the user for each terminal 20 of the user. The data transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 74 may be in a data format for displaying an image on the display unit 25, and is, for example, HTML format data. Further, here, the transmission / reception unit 74 will be described as generating data to be transmitted.

Based on the destination information, the transmission / reception unit 74 sends a message input to the destination and a message input by a user other than the destination to a user different from the destination user, and sends the message to the destination. Data for displaying a chat image 30 that distinguishes between the message input in and the message input by a user different from the destination user with a destination other than the destination user is transmitted to the destination.

The transmission destination is a user, a terminal 20, an account, or the like of a destination (transmission target) to which the transmission / reception unit 74 transmits data. In the present embodiment, the case where the "destination" is the user of the destination will be described, but it is not limited to this as long as it is the destination of data. For example, the destination user can be said to be a user who operates the terminal 20 or a user who corresponds to the chat image 30 (a user who views the chat image 30). In the present embodiment, the destination user is each of a plurality of users who participate in the chat.

Displaying the chat image 30 in which the messages are distinguished means that the display mode (display form) of the message image 32 is different. For example, at least one of the color, brightness, shape, and size of the message image 32. Is different, or the display position, font type, etc. are different so that they can be identified. Note that these are just examples for distinguishing messages. The method of distinguishing the messages is not limited to these, and it is sufficient to make them visually distinguishable. The message image 32 showing a message addressed to the destination user is the first display mode (for example, includes an arrow pointing to the right in the first color), and shows a message addressed to a user different from the destination user. The message image 32 is a second display mode (for example, a second color and does not include an arrow).

Further, the transmission / reception unit 74 uses a message input by a user different from the destination user to the destination and a position on the chat image 30 associated with other than the destination on the chat image 30 associated with the destination. This is data for displaying the chat image 30 associated with the direction with respect to the position of, and the data including the message is transmitted.

To associate a message with a direction means to display one image showing the message and the direction (message image 32 including an arrow in the present embodiment), or to display a direction in the vicinity (within a predetermined distance) of the image showing the message. Is to display an image showing. In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 74 is the transmission destination user from the area where the avatar image 34 associated with the user different from the transmission destination user is displayed (near the left end portion in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4). A message image 32 including an arrow pointing in a direction (to the right in the example of FIGS. 2 to 4) with respect to the area (near the right end in the example of FIGS. 2 to 4) in which the avatar image 34 of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 74 displays a chat image 30 in which a message input by a user other than the destination user and different from the destination user and information identifying the destination are associated with each other. It is data, and data including the message is transmitted to the destination. The information that identifies the destination is an image for displaying the destination, and corresponds to the destination image 36 in the present embodiment. To associate a message with information that identifies a destination means to display an image that identifies the destination in the vicinity (within a predetermined distance) of an image that indicates the message, or to display a single image that indicates the message and the destination. It means a state in which it is possible to identify which message the information for identifying the destination corresponds to, but the display is not limited to these. In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 74 adds a destination image 36 indicating a destination to the message image 32.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 74 is data for displaying a chat image 30 that further distinguishes a message input by a destination user to a destination other than the destination, and sends data including the message to the destination. Send. The message image 32 showing the message input by the destination user is a third display mode (for example, including an arrow pointing to the left in a third color).

Further, the transmission / reception unit 74 refers to a message input by the destination user to a destination other than the destination and a position on the chat image 30 associated with the destination with respect to a position on the chat image 30 associated with the destination other than the destination. It is data for displaying a chat image 30 associated with a direction, and data including the message is transmitted to a destination. For example, the transmission / reception unit 74 is an avatar image associated with a user different from the transmission destination user from the area where the avatar image 34 of the transmission destination user is displayed (near the right end portion in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4). A message image 32 including an arrow pointing in a direction (to the left in the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3) with respect to the area where 34 is displayed (near the left end in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4) is generated.

In the present embodiment, the destination of the message can specify the entire sendable destination or can not specify the destination, so that the transmission / reception unit 74 specifies the message or the destination to the entire sendable destination. This is data for displaying a chat image 30 that further distinguishes messages that have not been sent, and data including these messages is transmitted to a destination. For example, the message image 32 showing a message addressed to the entire user or a message to which a destination is not specified is a fourth display mode (for example, a fourth color).

In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 74 transmits data for displaying the avatar image 34 that identifies the user who is the transmission source of each message to the transmission destination. Further, when the avatar image 34 is designated based on the operation of each user, the transmission / reception unit 74 displays data (for example, an input form 38) for accepting the input of the destination message indicated by the designated avatar image 34. Data to be sent).

[4. Processing executed in the message control system]
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the message control system 1. In the process shown in FIG. 7, when a chat in which a plurality of users participate is started, the control unit 11 operates according to the program stored in the storage unit 12, and the control unit 21 operates the program stored in the storage unit 22. It is executed by operating according to. By executing the process described below, the functional block shown in FIG. 5 is realized. Although only one terminal 20 is shown in FIG. 7 for simplification, the same processing is executed at each terminal 20.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, in the message control server 10, the control unit 11 generates data for displaying the initial screen of the chat image 30 for each terminal 20 (S1), and transmits the data to each terminal 20. (S2). Here, the message control server 10 manages data for displaying the chat image 30 in the storage unit 12 for each user who participates in the chat. Since the data generated in S1 is the initial screen, the message image 32 and the avatar image 34 are not included yet.

Upon receiving the data in each terminal 20, the control unit 21 displays the chat image 30 on the display unit 25 (S3), and determines whether or not the user has input a new message (S4). As described above, the new message is input when the user performs a predetermined operation. It is also possible to specify the destination for a new message. It is assumed that the storage unit 22 of each terminal 20 stores the user IDs of all the users who participate in the chat. When the user specifies the destination of the message, the control unit 21 refers to the user ID stored in the storage unit 22.

If it is not determined that the user has input a new message (S4; N), the process proceeds to S8, which will be described later. In this case, it is determined whether or not data for updating the display of the chat image 30 has been received by another user participating in the chat inputting the message.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the user has input a new message (S4; Y), the control unit 21 transmits the message and the destination information to the message control server 10 (S5). When information is transmitted from each terminal 20 to the message control server 10, a user ID or the like is also transmitted, and the message control server 10 specifies from which user the message or destination information is received. You can do it. If no destination is specified, the destination information shall not be transmitted.

When the message control server 10 receives the message and the destination information, the control unit 11 stores the message and the destination information in the message database (S6), and executes a process of generating and transmitting data for updating the display of the chat image 30 (S6). S7). In S6, the control unit 11 issues a message ID under a predetermined ID issuance rule and creates a new record in the message database. Then, the control unit 11 stores the issued message ID, the user ID of the user who input the message, the received destination information, the received message, and the current time in the created new record.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of the process executed in S7. In the process shown in FIG. 8, data for updating the display of the chat image 30 is generated for each user who participates in the chat. As shown in FIG. 8, first, the control unit 11 selects a transmission destination user from the users participating in the chat (S21). In S21, the control unit 11 will select a user to generate data from now on.

The control unit 11 refers to the sender information of the newly input message and determines whether or not the message is input by the destination user (S22). When it is determined that a user different from the destination user has input (S22; N), the control unit 11 refers to the destination information of the message (S23).

In the case of a message addressed to the destination user (S23; destination), the control unit 11 generates a message image 32 of the first color including an arrow in the right direction, and arranges the avatar image 34 on the left side (S23; S24). The avatar image 34 is an avatar image 34 of the user who input the message. The same applies to the avatar images 34 described in S25 to S27 below.

On the other hand, when the message is addressed to a user different from the destination user (S23; different user), the control unit 11 generates a second color message image 32 to which the destination image 36 is added, and the avatar is on the left side. Image 34 is arranged (S25). In S25, the control unit 11 refers to the destination information of the message to generate the destination image 36.

On the other hand, when the message is addressed to the entire user or the destination is not specified (S23; other), the control unit 11 generates the message image 32 of the fourth color and arranges the avatar image 34 on the left side (S26). ).

In S22, when it is determined that the transmission destination user has input (S22; Y), the control unit 11 generates a message image 32 of a third color including an arrow pointing to the left, and displays the avatar image 34 on the right side. Arrange (S27). When the destination is specified, in S27, the control unit 11 refers to the destination information of the message, generates the destination image 36, and assigns it to the message image 32.

The control unit 11 merges each image generated in any of S24 to S27 with the original chat image 30 so that the messages are arranged in chronological order, and generates data for displaying the chat image 30 (S28). ). In the present embodiment, the message image 32 showing the latest message is displayed on the upper side of the chat image 30, so in S28, the control unit 11 uses each image generated in any of S24 to S27 as the original chat image. By merging on the upper side of 30, the updated data of the chat image 30 is generated. The control unit 11 associates the generated data with the transmission destination user and holds it in the storage unit 12.

The control unit 11 determines whether or not the data of all users has been generated (S29). If it is determined that there is a user who has not yet generated data (S29; N), the process returns to S21 and the data of the next destination user is generated. When it is determined that the data of all users has been generated (S29; Y), the control unit 11 transmits the generated data to each terminal 20 (S30), and this process ends and the main routine of FIG. 7 is displayed. return. In S30, the control unit 11 transmits each data generated in S28 to the terminal 20 of the transmission destination user.

Returning to FIG. 7, in each terminal 20, the control unit 21 determines whether or not data for displaying the chat image 30 has been received (S8). If it is not determined that the data has been received (S8; N), the display of the chat image 30 is not updated, and the process proceeds to the process of S10 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the data has been received (S8; Y), the control unit 21 updates the display of the chat image 30 (S9). In S9, the control unit 21 updates the display of the chat image 30 so that the message image 32 showing the latest message is displayed on the upper side of the screen based on the received data.

The control unit 21 determines whether or not the avatar image 34 has been designated by the user (S10). If it is not determined that the user has specified the avatar image 34 (S10; N), the process returns to the process of S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the avatar image 34 has been designated by the user (S10; Y), the control unit 21 transmits information for identifying the avatar image 34 designated by the user to the message control server 10 (S11).

When the message control server 10 receives the information for identifying the avatar image 34, the control unit 11 transmits data for displaying the input form 38 in which the user indicated by the avatar image 34 is set in the destination field 40 (. S12). It is assumed that the image data of the input form 38 is stored in the storage unit 12 in advance.

Upon receiving the data in each terminal 20, the control unit 21 displays the input form 38 on the chat image 30 (S13). After that, the input of the message to the input form 38 will be accepted. The control unit 21 determines whether or not the user has selected the send button 44 (S14).

When it is determined that the user has selected the send button 44 (S14; Y), the process proceeds to S5. In this case, in S5, the message and the destination information input in the input form 38 are transmitted to the message control server 10. After that, the message database is stored in S6, and the process for updating the chat image 30 is executed in S7. The details of each of these processes are as described above.

On the other hand, when it is not determined that the user has selected the send button 44 (S14; N), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the chat has ended (S15). The chat ends when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and ends, for example, when any user performs a predetermined operation for ending the chat. If it is not determined that the chat has ended (S15; N), the process returns to the process of S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the chat has ended (S15; Y), this process ends.

According to the message control system 1 described above, in the chat image 30 for displaying messages in chronological order, a message image 32 showing a message addressed to a user and a message image 32 showing a message not addressed to a user are displayed. Since the aspects are different, the user can easily identify the message related to him / her.

In particular, in a game in which each user plays while chatting a strategy as in this embodiment, due to the nature of the game, each user does not only need a message addressed to himself, but also refers to a message addressed to another person. Need to be. That is, since it is not possible to provide each user with a screen in which only the messages addressed to him / her are filtered, a mechanism for confirming the messages of all the users is required. In this respect, by displaying the chat image 30 as described above, even if the messages of all the members are displayed, each user can easily distinguish the message addressed to himself / herself from the message addressed to another person.

In addition, when chatting a strategy during the execution of a game, there is often no time to carefully check the message, but according to the chat image 30 of the present embodiment, the message required for oneself is short. It can be identified by time and can effectively prevent oversight of messages. Furthermore, each user reduces the possibility of misunderstanding a message addressed to himself as being addressed to another person, and also reduces the possibility of misunderstanding a message addressed to another person as being addressed to himself, thus preventing mistransmission of a message due to these misunderstandings. be able to.

Further, in the chat image 30, since the display mode of the message image 32 indicating the message input by the user is further different, the message input by each user to another person is specified while the messages are displayed in chronological order. It will be easier. For example, it is possible to reduce the possibility that each user misunderstands a message sent by himself / herself as a message sent by another person. Also, for example, each user can easily identify what message he / she has sent to him / her from another person.

Further, in the chat image 30, since the destination image 36 is displayed in the message image 32 of the message that is not addressed to each user, who is the message from another person to another person while the messages are displayed in chronological order? It becomes easier to identify whether it is addressed. In particular, in a scene where a game strategy is chatted, when each user plays a game, some users may have a close relationship with themselves due to the strategy, while others may not have much to do with it. Therefore, each user can easily identify whether the message is for a user who is closely related to himself / herself by the destination image 36.

Further, in the chat image 30, it is possible to further distinguish between a message addressed to the entire user and a message for which no destination is specified, so that it becomes easier to grasp whether or not a message having a low importance such as a simple tweet is used. In particular, in a scene where a game strategy is chatted, the user may send a message as reference information for planning the strategy. In such cases, each user can easily identify whether it is just reference information or a message detailing the operation.

Further, since the user can input the message addressed to the user indicated by the avatar image 34 by designating the avatar image 34, it becomes easy for the user to specify the destination when inputting the message. In particular, by having the user select the avatar image 34 displayed in the vicinity of the message image 32, it becomes easy for each user to specify the user who has sent the message he / she wants to reply to.

Further, since the message image 32 indicating the message addressed to the user includes an arrow in the right direction in which the avatar image 34 is displayed, it becomes easy for each user to intuitively identify whether the message is addressed to the user.

In addition, each user feels that the message image 32 indicating the message entered by the user is a message sent to another user because the message image 32 includes an arrow in the left direction in which the avatar image 34 of another person is displayed. It becomes easier to identify.

[5. Modification example]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a modified example. As shown in FIG. 9, in the modified example, in addition to the functions of the embodiment, the reply source acquisition unit 76 and the group affiliation unit 78 are realized. For example, the reply source acquisition unit 76 and the group affiliation unit 78 are mainly realized by the control unit 11.

(1-1) For example, when the user A inputs a reply message to the message input by the user X, the chat image 30 can identify what the reply message is for. May be good. In this modification, it is possible to reply to the user who is the sender of the message, and the message acquisition unit 70 acquires the reply message input by each user. The reply message is composed of a symbol string and an image like a normal message. Further, the reply message shall be input from the input form as in the embodiment.

The message control server 10 of this modification includes the reply source acquisition unit 76. The reply source acquisition unit 76 acquires the reply source information that identifies the message that is the source of the reply. For example, the reply source information is the message ID of the message from which the reply is made. The reply source acquisition unit 76 acquires the message ID of the message specified when the user inputs a reply as the reply source information.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data storage example of the message database in the modified example. As shown in FIG. 10, the reply source information of each message is stored in the message database. Note that the reply source information is not stored in a normal message that is not a reply. Further, here, the case where the reply source information is the message ID of the original message will be described, but the reply source information may be any information that identifies the original message, and is not limited to this.

The transmission / reception unit 74 is data for displaying a chat image 30 in which the reply message and the original message of the reply are associated with each other based on the reply source information, and the data including these messages is sent to the destination. Send. To associate a message means to display a plurality of message images 32 in corresponding display modes (for example, at least one of color, brightness, shape, and size corresponds to each other), or to indicate a plurality of message images 32. Displaying an image (for example, displaying a line connecting a plurality of message images 32 or displaying an arrow pointing to a plurality of message images 32).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the chat image 30 of the user A. In the example of FIG. 11, the message image 32I shows a new message input by user Z. That is, the message indicated by the message image 32I is neither the reply message nor the original message of the reply.

On the other hand, the message image 32J shows a message of reply by the user Y to the message indicated by the message image 32K. The message image 32K is a new message input by the user X, and is also the original message of the reply indicated by the message image 32K. In the example of FIG. 11, the transmission / reception unit 74 displays the message image 32I in a darkened state (shown in shading in FIG. 11), and displays data for displaying the message image 32J and the message image 32K without darkening. It will be generated and transmitted.

Here, as an example of associating the messages, the case where the message images 32 are displayed with the brightness corresponding to each other without being darkened has been described. However, it suffices to make a plurality of messages associated with each other identifiable. The display control for associating is not limited to this. The same applies to the modified examples described below.

According to the modification (1-1), in the chat image 30, the message image 32 indicating the reply message and the message image 32 indicating the source of the reply are displayed in association with each other. While the messages are displayed in series, it becomes easier to identify what the reply message is for.

(1-2) Further, for example, when a message is specified based on the operation of each user, the transmission / reception unit 74 may transmit data for accepting input of a reply message to the specified message. good. Here, the user selecting the message image 32 using the operation unit 24 corresponds to designating the message.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the chat image 30 of the user A. In the example of FIG. 12, when the user A selects the message image 32K, the input form 46 for inputting the reply to the message indicated by the message image 32K is displayed. The sender of the original message (that is, the message selected by the user) is set in the destination field 48. The user can send a reply message by inputting a message in the message input field 50 and selecting the reply button 52.

In this modification, the message acquisition unit 70 acquires the message input in the message input field 50, and the destination acquisition unit 72 acquires the destination information specified in the destination field 48. Then, the reply source acquisition unit 76 acquires the information (here, the message ID) that identifies the message indicated by the message image 32 designated by the user. Each of these acquired information is associated and stored in the message database.

According to the modification (1-2), when the message image 32 is selected in the chat image 30, it is possible to accept a reply to the message indicated by the message image 32, so that it takes time and effort for each user to reply. It can be mitigated.

(1-3) Further, for example, the display of the association as in the modified example (1-1) may not always be performed in the chat image 30, but may be performed when the user specifies a message. When a reply message is specified based on the operation of each user, the transmission / reception unit 74 of this modification displays a chat image 30 that associates the specified reply message with the original message of the reply. It is the data to be sent, and the data including these messages is sent to the destination.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in the chat image 30 when the user A specifies a reply message. In the example of FIG. 13, the change of the chat image 30 when the user A selects the message image 32J is shown. When the terminal 20 of the user A accepts the selection of the message image 32J indicating the reply message, the terminal 20 transmits to that effect to the message control server 10.

In the message control server 10, the transmission / reception unit 74 refers to the message database and identifies the original message of the reply selected by the user A (in the example of FIG. 13, the message indicated by the message image 32K). Then, the transmission / reception unit 74 will darken and display the message images 32I and 32L, and transmit the data for displaying the message images 32J and 32K to the terminal 20 without darkening.

Further, in the above, the case where the user specifies the reply message has been described, but when the original message is specified based on the operation of each user, the transmission / reception unit 74 and the specified original message and the said It is data for displaying the chat image 30 associated with the reply message to the specified original message, and the data including these messages may be transmitted to the destination.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a change in the chat image 30 when the user A specifies the original message. In the example of FIG. 14, the change of the chat image 30 when the user A selects the message image 32K is shown. When the terminal 20 of the user A accepts the selection of the message image 32K indicating the original message of the reply, the terminal 20 transmits to that effect to the message control server 10.

In the message control server 10, the transmission / reception unit 74 refers to the message database and identifies a reply message to the original message selected by the user A (in the example of FIG. 13, the message indicated by each of the message images 32J and 32L). do. Then, the transmission / reception unit 74 will darken the message image 32I and display it, and transmit the data for displaying the message images 32J, 32K, and 32L to the terminal 20 without darkening.

According to the modification (1-3), it becomes easier to identify what the reply message specified on the chat image 30 is for, or what is the message specified on the chat image 30. It makes it easier to identify whether the reply was entered.

(2-1) Further, for example, when a certain message is replied one after another, there is a high possibility that a series of messages indicate the same topic. Therefore, messages of the same topic may be grouped so that they can be identified by the chat image 30.

The message control server 10 of this modification includes the group belonging unit 78. The group belonging unit 78 makes the reply message belong to the same message group as the original message of the reply. Belonging to the same message group means associating messages with each other, for example, giving common identification information (message group ID described later) to messages.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a data storage example of the message database of this modification. As shown in FIG. 15, the message group ID is stored in the message database of this modification. The message group ID is information that uniquely identifies the message group. Messages with a common message group ID are likely to be on the same topic. In other words, the messages having the same message group ID are the ones in which the original message (the message that is the starting point of the reply) is common when the original message of the reply is traced.

The group affiliation unit 78 assigns the same message group ID as the original message to the reply message. The group affiliation unit 78 issues a message group ID when a reply is made for the first time to a certain message. The message group ID may be issued based on a predetermined ID issuance rule. After that, every time a reply is made to the message of the issued message group ID, the group belonging unit 78 assigns this message group ID to the reply message.

The transmission / reception unit 74 of this modification is data for displaying a chat image 30 associated with a message belonging to the same message group, and transmits data including the message to a destination.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the chat image 30 of the user A. As shown in FIG. 16, the messages indicated by the message images 32B, 32C, and 32F each belong to the same message group (group whose message group ID is "002"). Therefore, the transmission / reception unit 74 transmits data for displaying the message images 32A, 32D, 32E, 32G, and 32H in a darkened state, and displaying the message images 32B, 32C, and 32F without darkening. Become.

According to the modification (2-1), when a certain message is replied one after another as a starting point, each user seems to have the same message (that is, the same topic) on the chat image 30. It becomes easier to identify the message).

(2-2) Further, the display of the association as in the modification (2-1) may not always be performed in the chat image 30, but may be performed when the user specifies a message. When a message is specified based on the operation of each user, the transmission / reception unit 74 of this modification displays a chat image 30 that distinguishes between the message of the message group to which the specified message belongs and the message different from the message. Send the data for the destination to the destination. More specifically, the transmission / reception unit 74 sends data for displaying a chat image 30 that distinguishes the message of the message group to which the specified message belongs from the message belonging to a message group different from the message group. Send to.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a change in the chat image 30 when the user A specifies a message. In the example of FIG. 17, the change of the chat image 30 when the user A selects the message image 32F is shown. When the terminal 20 of the user A accepts the selection of the message image 32F, the terminal 20 transmits to that effect to the message control server 10.

In the message control server 10, the transmission / reception unit 74 refers to the message database and identifies a message in the same message group as the message selected by the user A. Then, the transmission / reception unit 74 transmits data for displaying the message images 32A, 32D, 32E, 32G, and 32H in a darkened state, and displaying the message images 32B, 32C, and 32F without darkening. ..

According to the modification (2-2), each user can easily identify each message in the same message group as the message specified by himself / herself on the chat image 30.

(3-1) Further, for example, in the embodiment, the case where the destination user is one person has been described, but a plurality of users may be designated as the destination. In this case, the destination information will indicate one or more users. The transmission / reception unit 74 of this modification distinguishes between a message in which a destination is included in a plurality of designated destinations and a message in which a destination is not included in a plurality of designated destinations. Is the data for displaying, and the data including these messages is sent to the destination.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the chat image 30 of the user A. In the example of FIG. 18, users A and Y are designated as destinations in the message indicated by the message image 32F. Therefore, a plurality of users are shown in the destination image 36F given to the message image 32F. In this modified example, when a plurality of users are specified as destinations, it is determined in the process of S23 whether or not the plurality of users include the user of the transmission destination. Other processes are the same as in the embodiment.

According to the modification (3-1), since it is possible to specify a plurality of destinations and send a message at the same time, the time and effort is reduced as compared with the case where the user who inputs the message sends the message individually. Also, even if multiple destinations are specified, if you are included in them, they will be displayed separately from messages addressed to others, so it will be easier for the user who received the message to identify the message addressed to you. Become.

(3-2) Further, for example, even if the message is addressed to user A, the message addressed only to user A may be more important than the message addressed to another user, so these can be distinguished. You may do so. The transmission / reception unit 74 is data for displaying a chat image 30 that distinguishes between a message whose destination is only the destination and a message whose destination and other than the destination are included in a plurality of designated destinations. Data containing these messages is sent to the destination.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a comparative example of the message image 32. As shown in FIG. 19, the transmission / reception unit 74 displays the chat image 30 in which the display mode of the message image 32M to which only the user A is the destination and the message image 32N to which another user is also the destination is different. Send data for. For example, the message image 32M is highlighted more than the message image 32N.

According to the modification (3-2), each user can easily distinguish between a message addressed only to himself / herself and a message addressed to a user other than himself / herself. For example, a message destined for only oneself may be more important, which makes it easier for each user to identify the more important message.

(4) Further, for example, when the user specifies the avatar image 34, the chat image 30 may display the history of the message with the user indicated by the avatar image 34. The transmission / reception unit 74 of this modification displays a chat image 30 that distinguishes a message between a destination and a destination other than the destination specified based on the operation of the user of the destination from the message other than the message. It is the data for the purpose, and the data including the message is transmitted.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a change in the chat image 30 when the user A selects the avatar image 34 of the user X. As shown in FIG. 20, when the user A selects the avatar image 34 of the user X, the interaction between the user A and the user X is displayed in the chat image 30. Specifically, when the terminal 20 of the user A accepts the selection of the avatar image 34 of the user X, the terminal 20 transmits to that effect to the message control server 10.

In the message control server 10, the transmission / reception unit 74 refers to the message database and identifies a message between the user A and the user X designated by the user A. For example, the transmission / reception unit 74 identifies a message in which the source information and the destination information are a combination of the user A and the user X. Then, the transmission / reception unit 74 generates a chat image 30 in which the display mode of the exchange between the user A and the user X and the other messages are different, and transmits the data to the terminal 20 of the user A. do. In other words, the transmission / reception unit 74 transmits a chat image 30 showing a history of messages exchanged between the user A and the user X.

According to the modification (4), when a certain user specifies another user, the history of messages exchanged between the users can be displayed, so that the contents exchanged between specific users can be easily grasped. be able to.

(5) Further, for example, in the above description, the case where the process of generating the data for displaying the chat image 30 is realized by the message control server 10 has been described, but this process is performed by each terminal 20 (message control terminal). It may be realized. That is, the main function may be realized not by the message control server 10 but by each terminal 20.

For example, the message acquisition unit 70 and the destination acquisition unit 72 may be realized in each terminal 20. In this case, the control unit 21 and the communication unit 23 of each terminal 20 acquire the message input by each user and the destination information indicating the designated destination via the communication network 2. For example, the message acquisition unit 70 acquires the message stored in the message database via the communication network 2, and the destination acquisition unit 72 acquires the destination information stored in the message database via the communication network 2.

Further, the display control unit 66 of each terminal 20 receives a message input to the user (that is, the user of the terminal 20) and a message input by a user other than the user to a destination other than the user based on the destination information. The chat image 30 that distinguishes between and is displayed. In the embodiment, the case where the message control server 10 generates the data of the chat image 30 has been described, but in this modification, the display control unit 66 will generate the data of the chat image 30. The processing content itself for generating this data is the same as the content described in the embodiment and the above-described modification.

Further, each process described in the above modification may be realized in each terminal 20. For example, the display control unit 66 may execute the processes described in the modified examples (1-1) to the modified examples (1-3). That is, the display control unit 66 may generate the data of the chat image 30 in which the reply message and the original message are associated with each other. Similarly, the display control unit 66 may execute the processes described in the modified example (2-1) and the modified example (2-2). That is, the display control unit 66 may generate the data of the chat image 30 in which the messages of the same message group are associated with each other. Further, the display control unit 66 may execute the processes described in the modified example (3-1) and the modified example (3-2). That is, the display control unit 66 may generate data for the chat image 30 when a plurality of users are designated as destinations.

According to the modification (5), since the main processing can be executed on the terminal 20 side, the load on the message control server 10 can be reduced.

(6) Further, for example, the embodiment and the above-described modification may be combined.

Further, for example, the message control server or the message control terminal according to the present invention may be applied to a technique for exchanging messages between users, and can be applied to other than chat. That is, real-time performance such as chat is not required, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, an electronic bulletin board system in which a plurality of users write messages.

[6. Summary of invention]
From the above description, the present invention can be grasped as follows, for example. The message control server (10) according to the present invention is a message control server (10) that communicates with a terminal (20) that displays an image (for example, a chat image 30) in which messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order. A message acquisition means (70) for acquiring a message input by each user, a destination acquisition means (72) for acquiring destination information indicating the destination of the message, and the image (20) on each user's terminal (20). For example, it is a means (74) for transmitting data for displaying a chat image 30), and based on the destination information, a message input to the destination and the transmission to a destination other than the destination. A message input by a user different from the destination user is transmitted to the destination, and a message input to the destination and a user input by a user other than the destination other than the destination user are input. It is characterized by including a transmission means (74) for transmitting data for displaying a message-distinguished image (for example, a chat image 30) to the destination.

The message control terminal (20) according to the present invention is a message control terminal (20) that displays an image (for example, a chat image 30) in which messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order, and is input by each user. The message acquisition means (70) for acquiring the message, the destination acquisition means (72) for acquiring the destination information indicating the destination of the message, the message input to the user based on the destination information, and the user. It is characterized by including a display control means (66) for displaying an image (for example, a chat image 30) that distinguishes a message input by a user different from the user to a destination other than the above.

The program according to the present invention acquires a message input by each user on a computer communicating with a terminal (20) for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) in which each message of a plurality of users is arranged in chronological order. Data for displaying the image (for example, chat image 30) is transmitted to the message acquisition means (70), the destination acquisition means (72) for acquiring the destination information indicating the destination of the message, and the terminal (20) of each user. (74), based on the destination information, a message input to a destination and a message input by a user other than the destination and different from the user of the destination are transmitted. An image (for example, chat image 30) that distinguishes between a message sent first and input to the destination and a message input by a user other than the destination and different from the user of the destination is displayed. It functions as a transmission means (74) for transmitting data to be transmitted to the destination.

The program according to the present invention is a message acquisition means (70) for acquiring a message input by each user on a computer for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) in which messages of a plurality of users are arranged in chronological order. A destination acquisition means (72) for acquiring destination information indicating the destination of the message, a message input to the user based on the destination information, and a user other than the user input by a user different from the user. It functions as a display control means (66) for displaying an image (for example, a chat image 30) that distinguishes the message from the message.

The information storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium on which the above program is recorded.

According to the present invention, a user can easily identify a message related to himself / herself in an image in which messages are arranged in chronological order.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the transmission means (74) is data for displaying an image (for example, a chat image 30) that further distinguishes a message input by a user of the transmission destination to a destination other than the destination. The data including the message is transmitted to the destination. According to this aspect, it becomes easy for each user to identify the message that he / she has input to another person while the messages are displayed in chronological order.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the transmission means (74) associates a message input by a user other than the destination with a destination other than the destination, and information for identifying the destination. It is data for displaying a new image (for example, chat image 30), and is characterized in that data including the message is transmitted to the destination. According to this aspect, while the messages are displayed in chronological order, it becomes easy for each user to identify who the message from another person to another person is addressed to.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the message control server (10) can make a reply to the user who is the source of the message, and the message acquisition means (70) can make a reply input by each user. The message control server (10) further includes a means (76) for acquiring a reply source information for identifying a reply source message, and the transmission means (74) is based on the reply source information. Data for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) in which the reply message and the original message of the reply are associated with each other, and data including these messages is transmitted to the destination. It is characterized by that. According to this aspect, it becomes easy to identify what the reply message is for while the messages are displayed in chronological order.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, when a message is specified based on the operation of each user, the transmission means (74) transmits data for accepting input of a reply message to the specified message. , Characterized by. According to this aspect, when each user specifies a message, the reply of the message can be accepted, so that the user can easily reply.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, when the reply message is specified based on the operation of each user, the transmission means (74) determines the specified reply message, the original message of the reply, and the original message of the reply. Is data for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) associated with the above, and a means (74) for transmitting data including these messages to the destination and an original message are specified based on an operation of each user. When this is done, the data is for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) in which the specified original message and the reply message to the specified original message are associated with each other, and these messages. It is characterized by including at least one of a means (74) for transmitting data including the above to the destination. According to this aspect, it becomes easy to identify what the reply message specified by the user is a reply to, or it becomes easy to specify what reply is input to the message specified by the user. do.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the message control server (10) can make a reply to the user who is the sender of the message, and the message acquisition means (70) can make a reply input by each user. The message control server further includes means (78) for acquiring the message and making the reply message belong to the same message group as the original message of the reply, and the transmission means (74) is in the same message group. It is data for displaying an image (for example, a chat image 30) associated with a message to which the message belongs, and is characterized in that data including the message is transmitted to the destination. According to this aspect, when each user replies one after another, it becomes easy to identify a message of the same group (for example, a message having the same topic).

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, when a message is specified based on the operation of each user, the transmitting means (74) has a message in a message group to which the specified message belongs and a message different from the message. It is characterized in that data for displaying an image (for example, a chat image 30) in which the above is distinguished is transmitted to the destination. According to this aspect, it becomes easy to identify a message in the same message group as the message specified by the user.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the destination of the message can be specified by a plurality of users, and the transmission means (74) includes a message in which the destination is included in the plurality of designated destinations. It is data for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) that distinguishes a message that does not include the destination among the plurality of designated destinations, and data including these messages is displayed as the destination. It is characterized by sending to. According to this aspect, since a plurality of destinations can be specified and messages can be transmitted at the same time, the time and effort of the user can be reduced as compared with the case where the messages are individually transmitted. Further, even if a plurality of destinations are specified, each user can easily identify the message addressed to himself / herself because if he / she is included in the destinations, the message is displayed separately from the message addressed to another person.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the transmission means (74) includes a message whose destination is only the destination, and a message in which the destination and other than the destination are included in the plurality of designated destinations. It is data for displaying an image (for example, a chat image 30) in which is distinguished from each other, and is characterized in that data including these messages is transmitted to the destination. According to this aspect, each user can easily identify a more important message because a message addressed only to himself / herself may be more important than a message addressed to a user other than himself / herself.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the destination of the message can specify the entire receivable destination or can not specify the destination, and the transmission means (74) is addressed to the entire receivable destination. This is data for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) that further distinguishes the message of the above or a message for which the destination is not specified, and is characterized in that the data including these messages is transmitted to the destination. .. According to this aspect, it is possible to further distinguish messages addressed to the whole or not specified.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the transmission means (74) transmits data for displaying information identifying the source of each message to the destination, and the information is designated based on the operation of each user. When this is done, the data for accepting the input of the destination message indicated by the specified information is transmitted. According to this aspect, when the user inputs a message, it becomes easy to specify the destination.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the transmission means (74) sends a message between the destination and a destination other than the destination designated based on the operation of the user of the destination other than the message. It is data for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) distinguished from a message, and is characterized in that data including the message is transmitted. According to this aspect, each user can easily grasp the contents exchanged with the user designated by himself / herself.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the transmission means (74) has a message input to the destination by a user different from the user of the destination, and an image associated with the destination other than the destination (for example, chat). Data for displaying an image associated with a position on an image (30) above a position on an image (for example, a chat image 30) associated with the destination, and data including the message. It is characterized in that it is transmitted to a destination. According to this aspect, it becomes easy for each user to intuitively identify whether or not the message is addressed to him / herself.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the transmission means (74) is on a message input by a user of the destination to a destination other than the destination and an image associated with the destination (for example, a chat image 30). Data for displaying an image (for example, chat image 30) associated with a direction with respect to a position on an image (for example, chat image 30) associated with other than the destination from the position of. It is characterized in that the included data is transmitted to the destination. According to this aspect, each user can easily identify whether the message is a message sent to another person.

1 Message control system, 2 Communication network, 10 Message control server, 11 Control unit, 12 Storage unit, 13 Communication unit, 20 Terminal, 21 Control unit, 22 Storage unit, 23 Communication unit, 24 Operation unit, 25 Display unit, 30 Chat images, 32, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 32F, 32G, 32H, 32I, 32J, 32K, 32L, 32M, 32N Message images, 34, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 34F, 34G , 34H, 34I, 34J, 34K, 34L, 34M, 34N avatar image, 36 destination image, 38,46 input form, 40,48 destination field, 42,50
Message input field, 44 send button, 52 reply button, 60 message input unit, 62 destination designation unit, 64 transmission / reception unit, 66 display control unit, 68 data storage unit, 70 message acquisition unit, 72 destination acquisition unit, 74 transmission / reception unit, 76 Reply source acquisition department, 78 group affiliation department.

Claims (5)

A message system that allows multiple terminals and servers to send and receive data via a network.
A message acquisition means for acquiring an input message from each of the plurality of terminals, and
A destination acquisition means for acquiring destination information indicating a destination user associated with the message, and
A display control means for displaying an image in which the plurality of the messages are arranged in chronological order on each of the plurality of terminals.
Including
In each of the plurality of terminals, the display control means displays a message addressed to a user of the terminal and a message addressed to a user other than the user of the terminal in different display modes based on the destination information. Display on the image
The destination is a destination set based on a message specified from the messages displayed in the image.
Message system. In each of the plurality of terminals, when the message displayed in the image is specified, an interface for inputting a message addressed to the user who input the message is displayed.
The message system according to claim 1. A server that can send and receive data via a network with multiple terminals
A message acquisition means for acquiring an input message from each of the plurality of terminals,
A destination acquisition means for acquiring destination information indicating a destination user associated with the message.
A display control means for displaying an image in which a plurality of the messages are arranged in chronological order on each of the plurality of terminals.
It is a program to function as
In each of the plurality of terminals, the display control means displays a message addressed to a user of the terminal and a message addressed to a user other than the user of the terminal in different display modes based on the destination information. Display on the image
The destination is a destination set based on a message specified from the messages displayed in the image.
program. A computer control method that allows data to be sent and received via multiple terminals and networks.
A message acquisition step of acquiring an input message from each of the plurality of terminals, and
A destination acquisition step for acquiring destination information indicating a destination user associated with the message, and
A display control step for displaying an image in which the plurality of the messages are arranged in chronological order on each of the plurality of terminals,
Including
In the display control step, in each of the plurality of terminals, based on the destination information, a message addressed to the user of the terminal and a message addressed to a user other than the user of the terminal are displayed in different display modes. Display on the image
The destination is a destination set based on a message specified from the messages displayed in the image.
Control method. A terminal that can send and receive data via a network
Message acquisition means to acquire the input message from other terminals,
A destination acquisition means for acquiring destination information indicating a destination user associated with the message.
A display control means for displaying an image in which a plurality of the above-mentioned messages are arranged in chronological order.
It is a program to function as
The display control means causes the terminal to display a message addressed to a user of the terminal and a message addressed to a user other than the user of the terminal on the image in different display modes based on the destination information. ,
The destination is a destination set based on a message specified from the messages displayed in the image.
program.

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