Chat system, communication device, its control method, and program
Abstract
Problem to be solved.To provide a chat system capable of determining a change in emotion of a message sender with a simple configuration and outputting it on the receiving side.
Solution.The chat system is configured to include a plurality of devices, input a message character string in each device, transmit the message character string to another device, receive the message character string in the other device, and output the message character string. , A means for determining an emotional level according to the elapsed time from an input timing of a certain message character string to an input timing of another message character string, and an image or sound according to the emotional level determined in the other device. It is characterized by including means for outputting at least one of them. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Term
Term ended
Projected expiry passed 31 March 2024, 2.5 years ago.
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- Projected expiry
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11 claims: 8 independent, 3 dependent
- 1複数の装置を含んで構成され、各装置においてメッセージ文字列を入力するとともに、他の装置に送信し、該他の装置において前記メッセージ文字列を受信するとともに、出力するチャットシステムにおいて、 あるメッセージ文字列の入力タイミングから別のメッセージ文字列の入力タイミングまでの経過時間に応じて感情レベルを決定する手段と、 前記他の装置において、決定される前記感情レベルに応じた画像又は音のうち少なくとも一方を出力する手段と、 を含むことを特徴とするチャットシステム。
- 2第1装置及び第2装置を含むチャットシステムにおいて、 前記第1装置は、 メッセージ文字列を入力する手段と、 感情の種類を示す感情種類データを入力する手段と、 入力される前記メッセージ文字列を前記第2装置に送信する手段と、 入力される前記感情種類データを前記第2装置に送信する手段と、を含み、 前記第2装置は、 前記第1装置から前記メッセージ文字列を受信する手段と、 前記第1装置から前記感情種類データを受信する手段と、 受信される前記メッセージ文字列を出力する手段と、 前記第1装置における前記メッセージ文字列の入力タイミングに応じて決定される感情レベルを取得する手段と、 受信される前記感情種類データ及び取得される前記感情レベルに応じた画像又は音のうち少なくとも一方を出力する手段と、を含む、 ことを特徴とするチャットシステム。
- 3請求項2に記載のチャットシステムにおいて、 前記感情レベルは、前記メッセージ文字列の文字量にさらに応じて決定される、 ことを特徴とするチャットシステム。
- 4請求項2又は3のいずれかに記載のチャットシステムにおいて、 前記感情レベルは、前記第1装置における前記メッセージ文字列の入力間隔に応じて決定される、 ことを特徴とするチャットシステム。
- 5請求項2乃至4のいずれかに記載のチャットシステムにおいて、 前記第2装置は、 メッセージ文字列を入力する手段と、 入力されるメッセージ文字列を前記第1装置に送信する手段と、をさらに含み、 前記第1装置は、 前記第2装置から前記メッセージ文字列を受信する手段と、 受信される前記メッセージ文字列を出力する手段と、をさらに含み、 前記感情レベルは、前記第2装置におけるメッセージ文字列の入力タイミングと、前記第1装置におけるメッセージ文字列の入力タイミングと、の差に応じて決定される、 ことを特徴とするチャットシステム。
- 6チャットシステムに用いられる通信装置であって、 メッセージ文字列を入力する手段と、 感情の種類を示す感情種類データを入力する手段と、 前記メッセージ文字列の入力タイミングに応じて感情レベルを決定する手段と、 入力される前記メッセージ文字列を送信する手段と、 入力される前記感情種類データを送信する手段と、 決定される前記感情レベルを送信する手段と、 を含むことを特徴とする通信装置。
- 7チャットシステムに用いられる通信装置であって、 メッセージ文字列を受信する手段と、 感情種類データを受信する手段と、 受信される前記メッセージ文字列を出力する手段と、 前記メッセージ文字列の入力タイミングに応じて感情レベルを決定する手段と、 受信される前記感情種類データ及び決定される前記感情レベルに応じた画像又は音のうち少なくとも一方を出力する手段と、 を含むことを特徴とする通信装置。
- 8チャットシステムに用いられる通信装置の制御方法であって、 メッセージ文字列の入力を受け付けるステップと、 感情の種類を示す感情種類データの入力を受け付けるステップと、 前記メッセージ文字列の入力タイミングに応じて感情レベルを決定するステップと、 入力される前記メッセージ文字列を送信するステップと、 入力される前記感情種類データを送信するステップと、 決定される前記感情レベルを送信するステップと、 を含むことを特徴とする通信装置の制御方法。
- 9チャットシステムに用いられる通信装置の制御方法であって、 メッセージ文字列を受信するステップと、 感情種類データを受信するステップと、 受信される前記メッセージ文字列を出力するステップと、 前記メッセージ文字列の入力タイミングに応じて感情レベルを決定するステップと、 受信される前記感情種類データ及び決定される前記感情レベルに応じた画像又は音のうち少なくとも一方を出力するステップと、 を含むことを特徴とする通信装置の制御方法。
- 10メッセージ文字列を入力する手段、 感情の種類を示す感情種類データを入力する手段、 前記メッセージ文字列の入力タイミングに応じて感情レベルを決定する手段、 入力される前記メッセージ文字列を送信する手段、 入力される前記感情種類データを送信する手段、及び 決定される前記感情レベルを送信する手段 としてコンピュータを機能させるためのプログラム。
- 11メッセージ文字列を受信する手段、 感情種類データを受信する手段、 受信される前記メッセージ文字列を出力する手段、 前記メッセージ文字列の入力タイミングに応じて感情レベルを決定する手段、及び 受信される前記感情種類データ及び決定される前記感情レベルに応じた画像又は音のうち少なくとも一方を出力する手段 としてコンピュータを機能させるためのプログラム。
Independent claims11
39 paragraphs, as filed
The present invention relates to a chat system, a communication device used in the chat system, a control method and a program of the communication device, and particularly to a system that outputs an image or the like expressing a user's feelings.
In the chat system, in order to convey the emotion of the message sender to the other party, information indicating the content of the emotion is input, and the information is transmitted together with the message or separately from the message, and the receiving side responds to the information. Some display an image showing the content of emotions, for example, an avatar (alternate) image of a facial expression according to the information input by the message sender. According to such a system, the emotional content of the message sender can be transmitted to the other party, thereby realizing smooth communication.
<p> However, in the system related to the above background technology, the message sender cannot convey the information indicating the content of the emotion to the other party unless the information indicating the content of the emotion is input one by one, which is very troublesome.</p><p> The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a chat system or a chat system capable of determining a change in emotion of a message sender with a simple configuration and outputting it on the receiving side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device to be used, a control method and a program of the communication device.</p>
<p> In order to solve the above problems, the chat system according to the present invention is configured to include a plurality of devices, and a message character string is input in each device and transmitted to another device, and the message is transmitted in the other device. In a chat system that receives and outputs a character string, a means for determining an emotional level according to an elapsed time from an input timing of a certain message character string to an input timing of another message character string, and the other device. It is characterized by including means for outputting at least one of an image or a sound according to the determined emotional level.</p><p> According to the present invention, the emotion level is determined according to the elapsed time from the input timing of a certain message character string to the input timing of another message character string, and the corresponding image or sound is output in the second device. , The message recipient can intuitively grasp the feeling without burdening the message sender. The sound is, for example, voice, music, or the like (hereinafter, the same applies).</p><p> Further, the chat system according to the present invention is a chat system including the first device and the second device, wherein the first device is a means for inputting a message character string and a means for inputting emotion type data indicating the type of emotion. The second device includes means for transmitting the input message character string to the second device and means for transmitting the input emotion type data to the second device. A means for receiving the message character string from the device, a means for receiving the emotion type data from the first device, a means for outputting the received message character string, and the message character string in the first device. It includes means for acquiring an emotion level determined according to an input timing, and means for outputting at least one of the received emotion type data and the acquired image or sound according to the emotion level. It is a feature.</p><p> According to the present invention, the emotion type data input in the first device and the image or sound corresponding to the emotion level determined according to the input timing of the message character string in the first device are output in the second device. Therefore, the message receiver can intuitively grasp the emotion without burdening the message sender.</p><p> Here, the "emotion type data" is data indicating the type of emotion of the message sender, for example, emotions and sorrows. Further, "the input timing of the message character string in the first device" is the timing when the input of the message character string is completed in the first device and the timing when the message character string is transmitted from the first device to the second device. , The timing when the message character string is received or output in the second device, the timing when the message character string is received or transmitted in the relay device that relays the communication between the first device and the second device, etc. Includes any timing that corresponds to the input timing of the column.</p><p> Further, the communication device according to the present invention is a communication device used in a chat system, and is a means for inputting a message character string, a means for inputting emotion type data indicating an emotion type, and an input of the message character string. A means for determining the emotional level according to the timing, a means for transmitting the input message character string, a means for transmitting the input the emotion type data, and a means for transmitting the determined emotional level. It is characterized by including.</p><p> Further, the method according to the present invention is a control method of a communication device used in a chat system, which includes a step of accepting an input of a message character string, a step of accepting an input of emotion type data indicating an emotion type, and the above-mentioned message. A step of determining the emotion level according to the input timing of the character string, a step of transmitting the input message character string, a step of transmitting the input emotion type data, and a step of transmitting the determined emotion level. It is characterized by including steps to be performed.</p><p> Further, the program according to the present invention is input as a means for inputting a message character string, a means for inputting emotion type data indicating an emotion type, a means for determining an emotion level according to an input timing of the message character string, and a means for inputting. A program for making a computer function as a means for transmitting the message character string, a means for transmitting the input emotion type data, and a means for transmitting the determined emotion level.</p><p> According to the present invention, the emotional level can be determined on the input / transmission side of the message character string.</p><p> Further, the communication device according to the present invention is a communication device used in a chat system, which is a means for receiving a message character string, a means for receiving emotion type data, and a means for outputting the received message character string. And a means for determining the emotion level according to the input timing of the message character string, a means for outputting at least one of the received emotion type data and the image or sound according to the determined emotion level. It is characterized by including.</p><p> Further, the method according to the present invention is a control method of a communication device used in a chat system, and outputs a step of receiving a message character string, a step of receiving emotion type data, and the received message character string. The step of determining the emotion level according to the input timing of the message character string, and the step of outputting at least one of the received emotion type data and the image or sound according to the determined emotion level. It is characterized by including.</p><p> Further, the program according to the present invention sets the emotion level according to the means for receiving the message character string, the means for receiving the emotion type data, the means for outputting the received message character string, and the input timing of the message character string. It is a program for making a computer function as a means for determining, and as a means for outputting at least one of the received emotion type data and the image or sound corresponding to the determined emotion level.</p><p> According to the present invention, the emotional level can be determined on the receiving / outputting side of the message character string.</p><p> In one aspect of the invention, the emotional level is further determined according to the amount of characters in the message string. The character amount of the message character string is, for example, the number of characters in the message character string itself, or the number of characters weighted for characters that are difficult to input such as special Chinese characters. According to this aspect, it is possible to appropriately evaluate whether the message character string is input in a hurry or conversely slowly, and it is possible to determine an appropriate emotion level accordingly.</p><p> Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the emotional level is determined according to the input interval of the message character string in the first device. In this way, when the message sender is inputting the message character strings one after another, the emotional level can be determined as, for example, very happy or very angry.</p><p> Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the second device further includes a means for inputting a message character string and a means for transmitting the input message character string to the first device. Further includes a means for receiving the message character string from the second device and a means for outputting the received message character string, and the emotion level is the input timing of the message character string in the second device. , Is determined according to the difference from the input timing of the message character string in the first device.</p><p> The input timing of the message character string in the second device is the timing when the input of the message character string is completed in the second device, the timing when the message character string is transmitted from the second device to the first device, and the first. The timing of receiving or outputting the message character string in the 1st device, the timing of receiving or transmitting the message character string in the relay device that relays the communication between the 1st device and the 2nd device, etc. Includes any timing that corresponds to the input timing.</p><p> According to this aspect, when the period from the timing of receiving or outputting the message character string to the timing of inputting or transmitting the message character string accordingly is short, for example, the user is very happy or very angry. It is possible to judge the emotional level such as being present.</p>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a chat system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this chat system includes a server 12 and clients 16A and 16B. The server 12, the clients 16A, and 16B are all connected to a data communication network 14 such as the Internet, and data communication is possible with each other. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between clients 16A and 16B, it is simply referred to as client 16.
The server 12 is realized by a known server computer composed mainly of a processor, various storage devices, and a data communication device, and manages and relays a chat performed by the client 16A and the client 16B. On the other hand, the client 16 is realized by a known personal computer composed mainly of input means such as a monitor and a keyboard, a processor, various storage devices, and a data communication device, or various computer systems such as a known computer game system. Yes, it is used for each user to chat (conversation by giving and receiving message character strings).
Figure 2 shows an example of a chat screen displayed on the monitor of client 16A. A similar chat screen is displayed on the monitor of client 16B. As shown in the figure, on this chat screen, the personal information display area 20A corresponding to the user of the client 16A (hereinafter referred to as "user A") and the chat partner, that is, the user of the client 16B (hereinafter referred to as "user A") are displayed. , A partner information display area 20B corresponding to "user B"), a message character string input field 26 for inputting a message character string, and an emotion type input field 18 are provided. An avatar image 24A representing the user A is displayed in the personal information display area 20A. In addition, a balloon image 22A is displayed below the personal information display area 20A, and a message character string input by the user A is sequentially displayed in the balloon image 22A. Similarly, the avatar image 24B representing the user B is displayed in the partner information display area 20B. In addition, a balloon image 22B is displayed below the other party information display area 20B, and a message character string input by the user B is sequentially displayed in the balloon image 22B. The message character string input field 26 is a character string editing area used by user A to input a message character string (a character string that is a message to the other party) by a character input means such as a keyboard, and is displayed in the same field. The message character string can be completed by inputting characters in order at the cursor position. Then, by performing an input completion operation such as a return key, the message character string displayed in the same column can be transmitted to the user B who is the chat partner. In addition, the characters "joy", "anger", and "sorrow" are displayed in the emotion type input field 18, and an avatar representing user A can be selected by selecting one of them by a predetermined emotion type switching operation. The emotion type of image 24A can be set and input. This changes the facial expression of the avatar image 24A.
As described above, the same chat screen as shown in the figure is also displayed on the client 16B used by the chat partner, and the same image as the avatar image 24A is displayed in the partner information display area. ing. In addition, the same image as the avatar image 24B is displayed in the personal information display area. Therefore, when the user A sets and inputs the emotion type of the avatar image 24A in the emotion type input field 18 and changes the facial expression of the avatar image 24A, it is displayed in the partner information display area of the chat screen of the client 16B in conjunction with it. The avatar image also shows the same facial expression change. In this way, it is possible to convey emotions to the chat partner, that is, user B, using not only characters but also avatar images.
On the client 16, the chat log can be displayed on the monitor by performing a specific operation. Figure 3 shows an example of this chat log. As shown in the figure, the chat log contains a character (here, "A" or "B") that identifies the chat parties, user A and user B, a message character string that is a statement of the chat party, and a message character string thereof. When the message character string is displayed, the image corresponding to the chat party who input the message character string and the emotion type and the emotion level are associated with each other and displayed in chronological order. On the chat screen already explained, only the latest remarks are displayed in the balloon images 22A and 22B, and the past remarks are not displayed, but by displaying the chat log shown in the figure, it can be grasped immediately. You can do it.
The avatar images 24A and 24B are stored in the storage means of the client 16 in advance, and are selectively read from the storage means and displayed on the monitor. 4 to 6 show a group of avatar images stored in the storage means of the client 16. FIG. 4 shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type Kiraku. Specifically, FIG. 3A shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type Kiraku and the emotion level 1. Similarly, the figure (b) shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type "Kiraku" and the emotion level "2", and the figure (c) shows the emotion type "Kiraku" and the emotion level. The avatar image group corresponding to "3" is shown, and the figure (d) shows the avatar image group corresponding to the emotion type "Kiraku" and the emotion level "4". As you can see from the figure, even if the emotion type is the same, the intensity of the emotion increases as the emotion level rises, and the facial expression of the avatar image changes accordingly. It has become.
The client 16 stores a plurality of avatar images corresponding to the same emotion type and the same emotion level, but these are avatar images showing different characters. That is, in this chat system, for example, a plurality of characters depicting "male in their 20s", "female in their teens", "female in their 40s", etc. are prepared, and each emotion type and each is associated with each character. An image (avatar image) corresponding to the emotion level is created in advance. In the present embodiment, the user specifies a character to be used as his / her avatar image in advance, and in the chat screen shown in FIG. 2, the image of the character thus designated by the user is used as the avatar image of the same user. It is supposed to be displayed.
Similar to the case of the emotion type "Kiraku", FIG. 5 shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type "anger". Specifically, FIG. 3A shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type anger and the emotion level 1. Similarly, the figure (b) shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type "anger" and the emotion level "2", and the figure (c) shows the emotion type "anger" and the emotion level. The avatar image group corresponding to "3" is shown, and the figure (d) shows the avatar image group corresponding to the emotion type "anger" and the emotion level "4". Further, FIG. 6 shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type sorrow. Specifically, FIG. 3A shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type sorrow and the emotion level 1. Similarly, the figure (b) shows a group of avatar images corresponding to the emotion type "sorrow" and the emotion level "2", and the figure (c) shows the emotion type "sorrow" and the emotion level. The avatar image group corresponding to "3" is shown, and the figure (d) shows the avatar image group corresponding to the emotion type "sorrow" and the emotion level "4".
Here, the facial expression change of the avatar image will be described in more detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating changes in facial expressions of avatar images corresponding to users A and B. In the first column of the figure, a character (A or B) that identifies a user who has transmitted a message character string or performed an emotion type switching operation is written. Further, in the second column, it is described that the content of the transmitted message character string or the emotion type switching operation has been performed. The facial expression of the avatar image corresponding to the user A is described in the third column, and the facial expression of the avatar image corresponding to the user B is described in the fourth column. In the third and fourth columns, for example, "laugh" represents the emotion type "joy", "anger" represents the emotion type "anger", and a numerical value such as "1" represents the emotion level. There is. In the figure, for example, from due to user A, "Hello.", Because due to user B input interval of up to "Hello!" Is short, the emotion level is raised, the facial expression of the avatar image corresponding to the user B, "laughs 1" Has changed to "laughs 2". Also, when user A inputs "By the way, there is an incident in XX ..." and then performs the emotion type switching operation, the facial expression of the avatar image corresponding to user A changes to "Angry 1". .. That is, in the present embodiment, when the emotion type switching operation is performed, the emotion level is reset to 1 accordingly.
The configuration and operation of this system will be described in more detail below.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 12. As shown in the figure, the server 12 functionally includes a communication unit 30, an emotion data management unit 32, and an emotion data storage unit 34. These functional blocks are realized by executing a predetermined program on the server 12. The communication unit 30 includes, for example, a known data communication card, performs data communication with the client 16 via the data communication network 14, and particularly receives a message character string transmitted from the client 16A. And transfer it to client 16B. It also receives the message string sent from client 16B and forwards it to client 16A. At this time, the time when the message character string is received from each client 16 is notified to the emotion data management unit 32 as the input timing of the message character string in the client 16.
Further, when the communication unit 30 receives the emotion type data from the client 16A or 16B, the communication unit 30 passes it to the emotion data management unit 32. In addition, it receives an emotion data update request indicating the update content of the emotion data from the emotion data management unit 32, and sends it to the client 16A and the client 16B. The emotion data is data including at least one of the emotion type data and the emotion level.
The emotion data management unit 32 manages and distributes emotion data stored in the emotion data storage unit 34. That is, the emotion data storage unit 34 is configured to include a storage means such as a hard disk storage device and RAM, and stores emotion data. FIG. 9 shows an example of emotion data stored in the emotion data storage unit 34. As shown in the figure, the emotion data includes information that identifies each user who is chatting, the time when that user last entered the message string, the currently set (specified) emotion type, and the current emotion data. Corresponds to the emotional level of. Here, it is noted that the current emotion type of user A is "pleasure", the emotion level is "2", and the previous message string was input at 18:30:25. There is. In addition, it is stated that the current emotion type of user B is "angry", the emotion level is "1", and the previous message character string was input at 18:30:14. ..
When the emotion data management unit 32 first receives the emotion type data from the client 16, the emotion data management unit 32 changes the emotion type stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 in association with the user of the client 16 to the one indicated by the emotion type data. To do. At this time, the emotion level stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 is initialized to 1 in association with the same user.
Further, when the message character string is received from the client 16 and the communication unit 30 notifies the input timing of the message character string, the emotion data is stored in association with the time and the chat partner of the user who sent the message character string. Calculates the difference from the previous input time stored in part 34. Then, this difference is divided by the character amount of the message character string received from the client 16, and the time difference per unit character amount is calculated. Then, if the time difference per unit character amount is less than the first predetermined value, the emotion level stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 is increased by 1 in association with the user who transmitted the message character string. If the emotion level is already at the maximum value, the same level increase process is not performed. On the other hand, if the time difference per unit character amount is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value different from the first predetermined value, it is stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 in association with the user who transmitted the message character string. Decrease emotion level by 1. If the emotion level is already at the lowest value, the same level lowering process is not performed. By doing so, it is possible to raise the emotional level of the user when the message character string input from the chat partner is promptly input in response to the message character string input from the chat partner. Also, if the response is sluggish, the emotional level of the user can be lowered.
After that, the time when the communication unit notifies is stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 in association with the user who is the sender of the message character string, thereby updating the previous input time. Then, the update content of the emotion data stored in the emotion data storage unit 34, that is, the emotion data update request representing at least one of the emotion type data and the emotion level is transmitted to both the client 16A and the client 16B.
When a message character string is received from the client 16 and the communication unit 30 notifies the input timing of the message character string, the emotion data storage unit 34 is associated with the time and the user who sent the message character string. The difference from the stored last input time may be calculated. Then, this difference is divided by the character amount of the message character string received from the client 16, and the time difference per unit character amount is calculated. If this time difference is less than the first predetermined value, the emotion level stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 is increased by 1 in association with the user who sent the message character string, and becomes the first predetermined value. If is greater than or equal to a different second predetermined value, the emotion level stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 may be lowered by 1 in association with the user who sent the same message character string. In this way, for users who send message strings one after another, the emotional level is raised, and conversely, when the interval for sending message strings is long, or when the message string input work itself is slow, The emotional level of the user can be lowered.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the client 16. As shown in the figure, the client 16 is functionally configured to include a communication unit 40, a message input unit 42, a display unit 44, an avatar image storage unit 46, an emotion data storage unit 50, and an emotion type input unit 48. ing. These functions are realized by executing a predetermined program on the client 16.
First, the communication unit 40 receives the message character string received from the server 12 and supplies it to the display unit 44. Further, when the emotion data is received from the server 12, the contents are reflected in the stored contents of the emotion data storage unit 50. When the message character string is input by the message input unit 42, the message character string is transmitted to the server 12. Further, emotion type data is input to the communication unit 40 from the emotion type input unit 48, and when this emotion type data is received, it is transmitted to the server 12.
The message input unit 42 particularly includes a character input means such as a keyboard, and causes the message character string to be input in the message character string input field 26 of the chat screen. The input message character string is combined with the balloon image 22 on the chat screen on the display unit 44, and is displayed and output by the monitor.
The avatar image storage unit 46 includes, for example, a hard disk storage device and the like, and stores various avatar images shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The emotion data storage unit 50 stores emotion types and emotion levels in association with each user who is a chat party. Of these, the emotion type corresponding to the user of the client 16 can be set and input by the emotion type input unit 48. In this case, by selecting a character indicating each emotion type in the emotion type input field 18, the emotion type corresponding to the character can be stored in the emotion data storage unit 50 in association with the user of the client 16. It has become like. Further, when the communication unit 40 receives the emotion data update request from the server 12, the emotion data storage unit 50 is updated according to the contents.
The display unit 44 reads out the emotion type and emotion level of each user from the emotion data storage unit 50, and reads out the corresponding avatar image from the avatar image storage unit 46. At this time, the display unit 44 has acquired the character designation of each user in advance, and reads out the avatar image corresponding to the designated character. The read avatar image is displayed on the personal information display area 20A and the other party information display area 20B by the display unit 44, respectively.
Here, the processing of the server 12 will be further described. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing emotion data management processing by the server 12. As shown in the figure, the server 12 monitors whether or not a message character string is received from any of the clients 16 (S101), and when the message character string is received, a timekeeping means (not shown) is used. Get the current time (S102). Further, the previous input time corresponding to the user who is the chat partner is read from the emotion data storage unit 34, and the elapsed time t1 from that to the current time is calculated (S103). Then, if this elapsed time t1 is less than the first predetermined value TA, the emotion level stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 is increased by 1 in association with the user who is the sender of the message character string. Update (S105). At this time, if the emotion level has already reached the maximum value, the processing in S105 is not performed. On the other hand, if the elapsed time t1 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value TA, the processing of S105 is skipped. Further, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time t1 is larger than the second predetermined value TB (TB> TA) (S106). If it is large, the emotion level stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 is updated to be lowered by 1 in association with the user who is the sender of the message string (S107). At this time, if the emotion level has already reached the minimum value, the processing in S107 is not performed. On the other hand, if the elapsed time t1 is equal to or less than the second predetermined value TB, the processing of S107 is skipped.
After that, the emotion level updated as described above is transmitted to each client 16 as an emotion data update request (S108). Further, the current time acquired in S102 is stored in the emotion data storage unit 34 in association with the user who is the sender of the message character string. In this way, the previous input time is updated.
According to the chat system described above, the facial expression of the avatar image changes automatically according to the input timing of the message character string, so that no special input for changing the facial expression of the avatar image is required, which is convenient for the user. The sex can be greatly improved.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, in the above explanation, the avatar image is changed according to the input timing of the message character string, but the client 16 outputs a sound and changes this sound according to the input timing of the message character string. You may. The sound in this case is music, for example, a voice that reads out a message character string or the like. Even in this way, the emotion of the chat partner can be judged from the change in sound.
Further, in the above description, the reception timing on the server 12 is treated as the input timing of the message character string on the client 16, but the current time is acquired when the message character string is input on the client 16 and it is used as the current time. If the server 12 is sent, the timing closer to the timing at which the message character string is input can be handled as the input timing of the message character string at the client 16.
Also, here, the emotion level is raised or lowered according to the elapsed time from the input timing of the previous message character string to the input timing of the current message character string, but the same elapsed time or that is divided by the amount of characters. The emotional level may be associated with the range of the values, so that the emotional level can be changed rapidly. Alternatively, the elapsed time or other statistics such as the average of the values obtained by dividing the elapsed time by the amount of characters may be calculated, and the emotional level may be determined accordingly.
Further, although the emotion data is managed on the server 12 here, it may be managed on each client 16. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the client 16 according to this modified example. As shown in the figure, this example is characterized in that the client 16 is provided with the emotion data management unit 52. Other configurations are the same as in the case of FIG. 10, and the same reference numerals are given here, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
A message character string is input from the message input unit 42 to the emotion data management unit 52, and further, a message character string received from another client 16 is input from the communication unit 40. Then, when the message character string is input from the message input unit 42, the current time is acquired by a timekeeping means (not shown), and the previous input time corresponding to the chat partner stored in the emotion data storage unit 50 is read out. Read the elapsed time from there to the current time. Then, as in the case of FIG. 11, the emotional level is changed according to this elapsed time. When a message character string is input from the communication unit 40, the current time is acquired by a timekeeping means (not shown), and the previous input time corresponding to the user of the client 16 stored in the emotion data storage unit 50 is obtained. Read, and read the elapsed time from there to the current time. Then, as in the case of FIG. 11, the emotional level is changed according to this elapsed time. In this case, the timing at which the message character string is received by the client 16 is treated as the input timing of the message character string.
<figref num="1">It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the chat system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a figure which shows an example of a chat screen.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure which shows an example of a chat log.</figref><figref num="4">It is a figure which shows the avatar image group corresponding to the emotion type "Kiraku".</figref><figref num="5">It is a figure which shows the avatar image group corresponding to the emotion type "anger".</figref><figref num="6">It is a figure which shows the avatar image group corresponding to the emotion type "sorrow".</figref><figref num="7">It is a figure explaining the state of change of an avatar image.</figref><figref num="8">It is a functional block diagram of a server.</figref><figref num="9">It is a figure which shows the memory content of the emotion data storage part.</figref><figref num="10">It is a functional block diagram of a client.</figref><figref num="11">It is a flow chart which shows the emotion data management processing in a server.</figref><figref num="12">It is a functional block diagram of the client which concerns on a modification.</figref>
Code description
12 server, 14 data communication network, 16A, 16B client, 18 emotion type input field, 20A personal information display area, 20B partner information display area, 22A, 22B blowout image, 24A, 24B avatar image, 26 message character string input field, 30,40 Communication unit, 32,52 Emotion data management unit, 34,50 Emotion data storage unit, 42 Message input unit, 44 Display unit, 46 Avatar image storage unit, 48 Emotion type input unit.
13 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12 Sheet 13
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
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| US12462005B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12406490B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12033296B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12189748B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| JP2023523229A | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| US12216754B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12314527B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12218894B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12045923B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12099586B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| JP2023011639A | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| US12124770B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US9329677B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12079458B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12262111B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| US12105874B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
11 members in 7 offices
Priority claims2
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004108023 | Japan | A | |
| JP20040108023 | – | – | – |
Members11
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2005223078A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP2005293280AThis record | Japan | A | |
| WO2005101216A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| TW200534901A | Taiwan Province of China | A | |
| KR20060045040A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| EP1734453A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| CN1934547A | China | A | |
| JP3930489B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| EP1734453A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| KR100841590B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| CN100514312C | China | C |
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Numbers
- Publication
- 2005293280
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2005293280
- Publication, EPODOC
- JP2005293280
- Application
- 108023
- Application, DOCDB
- 2004108023
- Application, EPODOC
- JP20040108023
Titles2
- Japanese
- チャットシステム、通信装置、その制御方法及びプログラム
- English
- Chat system, communication device, its control method and program
Classification
- CPC, 4
- G06Q10/107
- G06Q50/50
- H04L12/1827
- H04L51/07
- IPC, 3
- G06F13 00
- G06F15 16
- H04L12 18