JP2000049901A - Method of transmission for utilization status of communication tool, its server device, client terminal and program recording medium for them - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a proper communication tool by recognizing in advance a communication utilizing state of an opposite party with which communication is desired. SOLUTION: In a system where users having terminals 2, 2', ... connectable to a network utilize a plurality of communication tools, a communication tool utilizing state including available communication tools relating to a user name and ID to specify a client such as a mail address and an IP address required to use the tools is registered to a server 1, and the server 1 informs the client terminals 2, 2', ... of the communication tool utilizing state with respect to an inquiry from the client terminals 2, 2', ....

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is intended to assist a user having a plurality of communication tools or communication tools including a plurality of media to select an appropriate communication tool by transmitting the use status of his / her communication tool to each other. And a server device and a client terminal device thereof, and a recording medium storing a program for realizing the method.

[0002] A communication tool is a client program for communication between people. Such client programs can be classified into four types. Factors for classification are whether or not multi-user is supported and whether or not a plurality of media are used.

[0005] Multi-user correspondence means that one-to-many communication can be performed by using a client program. The media is an information medium such as text, audio, and video.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ICQ (http://www.mirabilis.com/) is used to communicate the status of whether a communication tool has been activated on the Internet.
Etc. are described. In addition, the telephone directory service (Watanabe et al., “Telephone Directory System for Internet Telephones” information 54, full-size B8, may be used to communicate whether the status is “active” or “in use”. -9
1, March 1997).

[0005] Here, "being started" means that the client program has been started, and the other party's character utterance, voice utterance, or video can be received. “In use” means that when a client program supports multi-users, a human utterance has been transmitted to the server. On the other hand, in the case of one-to-one communication in which the client program does not support multi-user, "in use" means transmission or reception of a conversation message to the other party.

[0006]

However, in the prior art described above, when a communication partner uses a plurality of communication tools or a communication tool including a plurality of media in combination, which tool or which medium is currently activated. Are you
Or because you don't know which one you are currently using, for example, when you try to communicate by sending a text message with a multi-user text chat tool,
There was a problem that no response was obtained because the communication partner was running the text chat tool but was not using it.

An object of the present invention is to provide a means for transmitting a communication tool use state for supporting selection of an appropriate communication tool by knowing the use state of a communication partner in advance.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a user can selectively register a plurality of communication tools or communication tools including a plurality of media in a server and selectively use the situation. Transmission and reception are the most important features.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a system in which each user having a terminal capable of connecting to a network uses a plurality of communication tools, and a communication tool usable in association with a user name, Email address required for use, I
Register the communication tool use status including the ID that identifies the client such as the P address in the server,
The server notifies the use status of the communication tool in response to an inquiry from the client terminal. This allows the client to know in advance the usage status of the partner with whom he wants to communicate.

[0010] The use status of the communication tool managed by the server includes at least the type of the communication tool or the type of the media handled by the communication tool, information as to whether the communication tool is activated, and whether the communication tool is in use. Is included. This allows the client to select an appropriate communication tool or media.

[0011] When transmitting the usage status of a communication tool possessed by a user to a server from a client terminal, the type of communication tool,
The client terminal automatically identifies and sends the usage status, such as whether or not the tool is running and whether or not the tool is being used, so that the user can operate the server without having to operate it each time. It is possible to manage the usage status of the latest communication tools.

[0012] Further, when the use status of the communication tool possessed by the user is transmitted from the client terminal to the server, the type of the communication tool, whether the tool is activated, and whether the tool is in use. There is provided a means for selecting the contents of the usage status to be transmitted, such as, based on the setting information. This allows users to keep information private if there is information that they do not want others to know, such as whether a particular communication tool is used or whether a particular communication tool is currently being used. it can.

Further, when the client terminal receives the use status of the communication tool possessed by the user from the server, the type of the communication tool, whether the tool is activated, and whether the tool is in use. For example, means for selecting the content of the usage status to be received, based on the setting information, is provided. As a result, it is possible to suppress the reception of unnecessary information in advance.

Further, when the client terminal receives the use status of the communication tool of the communication partner from the server, the type of the communication tool, whether the tool is activated, and whether the tool is in use. Means are provided for the client terminal to automatically receive the usage status, such as no, from the server at predetermined time intervals. As a result, the client terminal can maintain the usage status of the communication tool almost in real time even when the user does not operate.

A program for realizing each of the above processing means by a computer of a server device or a client terminal device can be stored in a suitable storage medium such as a portable medium memory, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk which can be read by the computer. it can.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire system of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a communication tool use status transmission server (hereinafter, referred to as a server);
Represents a client terminal, and 3 represents a network.

The server 1 registers and manages a communication tool associated with the user name of each user, and a mail address, an IP address, and the like necessary for using the communication tool. A client program for transmitting the use status of the communication tool is installed in the terminals 2 and 2 ′. Terminal 2, 2 '
Transmits the use status of the communication tool to the server 1 at any time or at a predetermined time when the status changes, and registers it. The server 1 manages the usage status of the communication tool received from each terminal 2, 2 ′,
In response to a use status inquiry from the terminals 2 and 2 ', the use status of the requested communication tool is notified.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the communication tool use status transmission server 1. The device control unit 10 is a unit that controls the entire device by an operating system or the like. The network interface unit 11 is a connection interface with the network 3 shown in FIG. The communication control unit 12 controls transmission and reception of data with other devices via the network 3. The command analysis unit 13 analyzes a command described in the received data and decodes a request from another device.

The communication tool usage status transmitting means 14 manages the communication tool usage status, and transmits the communication tool usage status in response to a request from a client terminal.

The control means 15 is a part for controlling communication tool use status transmission. The transmission packet creating / sending means 16 is a means for packetizing the communication tool use status data and transmitting the packetized data to the requesting terminal through the communication control unit 12. In response to an inquiry about the communication tool usage status, the usage status data creating means 17 is a data for notifying the corresponding communication tool usage status read from the communication tool usage status management file 19 via the communication tool usage status management means 18. Is a means for creating The communication tool usage status management means 18 is a means for storing and managing the communication tool usage status notified from each client terminal in the communication tool usage status management file 19.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal 2 shown in FIG. The same applies to the other terminals 2 'and the like. The device control unit 20 is a unit that controls the entire device by an operating system or the like. The network interface unit 21 is a connection interface with the network 3 shown in FIG. The communication control unit 22 controls transmission and reception of data with other devices via the network 3.

Transmission of communication tool usage status
The inquiry means 23 is a means for notifying the server 1 of the communication tool use status of the terminal itself and inquiring the server 1 about the communication tool use status of another user, and has the following means.

The control means 24 is a part for performing control for notifying the use status of the communication tool and inquiring about the use status of the communication tool. The communication tool use situation data creating means 25 is a means for automatically identifying the use situation of the communication tool possessed by the terminal at any time or periodically and creating the data. Packet creation transmission / packet reception means 2
6 is a communication control unit 2 which packetizes the data created by the communication tool use situation data creating unit 25 and
This is a means for transmitting packets to the server 1 via the server 2 and receiving packets arriving at the own device from outside. The communication tool use status inquiry unit 27 is a unit that executes a process of inquiring the server 1 about the use status of another user's communication tool at the request of the user or periodically. The communication tool use status inquiry means 27 displays the communication tool use status stored in the user information management file 28 on the display 29 in response to a request from the user. The user information management file 28 is a file for holding the received user information of the communication tool usage status.

The terminal 2 has a display 29 and a mouse 3
0, general input / output devices such as a keyboard 31 are connected. Furthermore, a camera for a videophone or the like may be connected.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a user list registered in the terminal 2 of the client. As a preparation for receiving the communication tool usage status, it is necessary to register user information in the server 1 and register a user name of a communication partner in the terminal 2 of the client. For example, as a result of registering a user name in the terminal 2, the registered user list is displayed on the client as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a communication tool usage status list of a communication partner. The client terminal 2 receives the communication tool use status information by inquiring of the server 1 about the communication tool use status. This is displayed in a list format as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

In the example of FIG. 5, communication terminals such as "Internet telephone", "e-mail receiving tool", "Internet TV telephone", and "text chat tool" are being activated at the terminal of the communication partner. Indicates that the "Character Chat Tool" is being used.

For example, when a user sends a document and wants to discuss the document with a partner overseas, by knowing the usage status of the partner as shown in FIG. Because you can see that is being sent, you can use the text chat tool to call and tell them to choose a communication method, such as "I'll send the documents by e-mail and discuss it over a free Internet phone."

FIG. 6 shows an example of the media use status list included in the communication tool of the communication partner. The client terminal 2 inquires of the server 1 about the communication tool usage status, and when the communication tool includes a plurality of media (text, audio, video), receives the communication tool usage status information including the media type. The usage status related to the media type is displayed in a list format as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

For example, if the communication tool supports multiple users, but a user unfamiliar with the text chat tool wants to have a voice conversation with another user,
By knowing the usage status of the other party as shown in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the voice media is running, that is, the voice message can be received. Thereby, it is possible to speak by voice.

FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart for transmitting communication tool use status data from the client terminal 2 to the server 1. In FIG. 7, the processing is started (step S1), the client program of the communication tool use status transmitting / inquiring means 23 is started (step S2), and connection to the server 1 is made (step S3). Thereafter, based on the setting information set in advance by a transmission content selection menu or the like, transmission information on the usage status of the communication tool to be transmitted is selected (step S4), and the communication tool usage status data creating means 25 transmits the communication tool. The use status is automatically identified, the data is created (step S5), and the created communication tool use status data is transmitted to the server 1 (step S6). Then, for a predetermined time n
It is determined whether or not the second has elapsed (step S7). If the second has elapsed, the process returns to immediately before step S4, and the identification of the selected use state and the transmission to the server 1 are repeated periodically. If not, wait for n seconds to elapse.
With the above processing procedure, even when the communication tool usage status changes, the server 1 can be notified of the latest usage status.

FIG. 8 is a processing flowchart relating to the use status identification of the communication tool in step S5 in FIG. In FIG. 8, when the process is started (step S11), first, a tool execution file name in the own device is searched to identify a communication tool possessed by the client (step S12). next,
Whether or not the communication tool is currently running is identified based on whether or not the communication tool execution file is currently being executed (step S13).

It is determined whether the communication tool is compatible with a multi-user (step S1).
4) If the communication tool is compatible with multi-users, it is determined whether the communication tool is in use by transmitting character, voice, and image data to the server 1 (step S1).
5). On the other hand, if the communication tool does not support multi-users, it identifies whether the communication tool is in use by transmitting or receiving text, voice, and image data to or from the communication partner. (Step S16).

Based on the above identification result, communication tool use status data is created based on selection of transmission information based on preset setting information, and a packet for notifying the server 1 is created based on the communication tool use status data ( Step S17), and terminates the process (Step S18).

FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart when the communication tool use status data is received from the server 1 to the terminal 2 of the client. In FIG. 9, the processing is started (step S21), the client program of the communication tool use status sending / inquiring means 23 is started (step S22), and connection to the server 1 is made (step S23). After that, the reception information about the communication tool use status desired to be received is selected based on the setting information by the reception content selection menu or the like (step S24), and the communication tool use status is received from the server 1 (step S25). In the selection of the reception information, it is possible to select the communication tool use status for a specific user and the reception content such as the type of media in advance. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time m seconds has elapsed (step S26). If it has elapsed, the process returns to immediately before step S24, and similarly, selection of reception information and reception of the communication tool use status are performed. Is repeated periodically. If not, wait for m seconds to elapse.

According to the above processing, even when the user does not operate, the terminal 2 of the client can automatically receive the communication tool use status and hold the latest use status. It should be noted that the server 1 does not receive the information periodically but only when requested by the user.
It is also possible to make an inquiry to and receive a necessary communication tool use status.

FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart from selection of any other user who wants to communicate to selection of a communication tool or media.

In FIG. 10, the process is started (step S31), and any other user who wants to communicate is selected from the user list as shown in FIG. 4 (step S32), and any other user is registered in the server 1. Then, the communication tool usage status list as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (step S33). Thereafter, a communication tool considered to be appropriate for communication is selected (step S34), and it is determined whether or not the tool includes a plurality of media (step S35). Is displayed, and a media usage status list as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (step S36). Thereafter, a communication medium that is deemed appropriate for communication is selected (step S37), and the process ends (step S38).

In step S35, if the selected communication tool does not include a plurality of media, the process ends here (step S38).

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By knowing the usage status of the communication tool of the person who wants to communicate, it becomes possible to select the most appropriate communication tool for conversation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire communication tool use status transmission system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication tool use status transmission server.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user list registered in a client terminal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication tool usage status list of a communication partner.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a media usage status list included in a communication tool of a communication partner.

FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart for transmitting communication tool use status data from a client terminal to a server.

FIG. 8 is a processing flowchart relating to identification of the usage status of the communication tool.

FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart when receiving communication tool use status data from a server to a client terminal.

FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart from selection of any other user who wants to communicate to selection of a communication tool or media.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Communication tool usage status transmission server 2, 2 'terminal 3 Network

Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B042 GA12 GA18 GC10 MC19 MC22 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB03 JB15 KA13 KB06 LB14 5K030 GA11 HB00 HB19 HB21 HC01 JA10 KA02 KA21 5K035 AA03 BB04 CC10 FF01 FF04 HH07 MM03 MM06

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A communication tool use status transmitting method for transmitting a status in which each user having a terminal capable of connecting to a network uses a plurality of communication tools used on the terminal, the communication tool usage status transmitting method being associated with a user name. Register the communication tool usage status including the available communication tools and the ID that identifies the client such as the e-mail address and IP address required to use it in the server, and in response to inquiries from the client terminal, A communication tool use status transmitting method, wherein a communication tool use status managed by the server is notified. 2. The communication tool use status includes a type of communication tool or a type of media handled by the communication tool, information on whether the communication tool is activated, and whether the communication tool is in use. The method according to claim 1, further comprising information. 3. When the use status of a communication tool possessed by a user is transmitted from a client terminal to a server, the type of communication tool, whether the tool is activated, and whether the tool is in use. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal of the client automatically identifies and transmits the usage status of the communication tool. 4. The type of communication tool and whether or not the tool is activated when the usage status of the communication tool possessed by the user is transmitted from the client terminal to the server or when the client terminal receives from the server. 2. The communication tool use status transmission according to claim 1, wherein the content of the use status to be transmitted or the content of the use status to be received, such as whether or not the tool is being used, is selected based on the setting information. Method. 5. The type of communication tool, whether the tool is activated, and whether the tool is in use, when the client terminal receives the use status of the communication tool of the partner to be communicated from the server. 2. The communication tool use status transmitting method according to claim 1, wherein the client terminal automatically receives the use status such as "no" from the server at predetermined time intervals. 6. A server device for transmitting a situation in which each user having a terminal capable of connecting to a network uses a plurality of communication tools used on the terminal, and a usable device associated with the user name. Means for managing a communication tool use status including a communication tool and an ID for specifying a client such as a mail address and an IP address necessary for using the communication tool, and the communication in response to an inquiry from a client terminal. A communication tool use status transmission server device, comprising: means for notifying a tool use status. 7. A client terminal device for receiving, from a server device, a situation in which each user having a terminal capable of connecting to a network uses a plurality of communication tools used on the terminal, the communication terminal having the communication terminal belonging to the user terminal. Means for creating communication tool usage data including the type of tool or the type of media handled by the communication tool, information on whether the communication tool is running, and information on whether the communication tool is in use. Means for transmitting the created communication tool use status data to the server device at any time or at predetermined intervals, and receiving the communication tool use status data from the server device at the request of the user or at predetermined intervals. means And a client terminal device. 8. A recording medium recording a program used by a server device for transmitting a situation in which each user having a terminal connectable to a network uses a plurality of communication tools used on the terminal, A process for managing a communication tool usage status including an available communication tool associated with a user name and an ID for specifying a client such as a mail address and an IP address necessary for using the communication tool; In response to
A program recording medium for a communication tool use status transmission server, wherein a program for causing a computer to execute the process of notifying the communication tool use status is recorded. 9. A recording medium for recording a program used by a client terminal device for receiving from a server device a situation in which each user having a terminal connectable to a network uses a plurality of communication tools used on the terminal. Communication including the type of communication tool possessed by the terminal or the type of media handled by the communication tool, information on whether the communication tool is activated, and information on whether the communication tool is in use. A process of creating tool use status data, a process of transmitting the created communication tool use status data to the server device at any time or at predetermined time intervals, and a process of transmitting from the server device at a user's request or at predetermined time intervals. communication A program recording medium for a client terminal, wherein a program for causing a computer to execute a process for receiving tool utilization status data is recorded.