JP2001184292A - Service providing apparatus and method, information processing apparatus and method, and program storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To enable the same music data to be reproduced simultaneously by a plurality of users. SOLUTION: Client computers 3-1 to 3 are provided.
-3 is connected to the shared server 2 via the network 1 and is logged in to a common chat room of the chat system. When the user of the client computer 3-1 requests reproduction of a predetermined music piece, the command is transmitted to the shared server 2 via the network 1. The shared server 2 receives the transmitted command, and is stored in the music database 11.
The requested music data is read and transmitted to the client computers 3-1 to 3-3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service providing device and method, an information processing device and method, and a program storage medium. The present invention relates to a service providing apparatus and method, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A service provided on the Internet is a chat system. In a chat system, text data transmitted from a certain client who is logged in to a server is received by the server, and is transmitted to another logged-in client. A plurality of users can easily communicate with each other.

[0003]

However, in a conventional chat system, a plurality of users can share only texts (characters) input by each user.
There is a problem that the sense of reality is poor compared to a case where a plurality of users gather in a room in a real space to communicate with each other.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and a plurality of users can have more variety,
It is intended to enable communication with a sense of reality.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a service providing apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing a group to which an information processing apparatus belongs; receiving means for receiving request information transmitted from the information processing apparatus; An acquisition unit for acquiring the associated data, and a communication unit for simultaneously transmitting the data acquired by the acquisition unit to the information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group are provided.

[0006] The data may be music data, and the request information may include music of specific music data.

The data is music data that can be shared between information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group, and the communication means transmits the music data to the information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group at the same time. Can be

[0008] The service providing apparatus according to the present invention may further include a transmitting means for receiving the text data transmitted from the information processing apparatus and transmitting the text data to the information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group. Can be.

A service providing method according to the present invention includes a storage control step of controlling to store a group to which an information processing apparatus belongs, a receiving step of receiving request information transmitted from the information processing apparatus, It is characterized by including an acquisition step of acquiring attached data, and a communication step of simultaneously transmitting data acquired by the processing of the acquisition step to information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group.

[0010] A program stored in a first program storage medium of the present invention includes a storage control step of controlling a group to which an information processing apparatus belongs, and a step of receiving request information transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Receiving step of acquiring data associated with request information, and a communication step of simultaneously transmitting data acquired by the processing of the acquiring step to information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group. It is characterized by.

[0011] In the service providing apparatus and method of the present invention, and the program stored in the first program storage medium, the request information transmitted from the information processing apparatus is received and associated with the request information. Data is acquired and transmitted simultaneously to information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group.

[0012] A first information processing apparatus of the present invention includes input means for inputting access information for accessing the service providing apparatus, and display control means for controlling display of the contents of the service transmitted from the service providing apparatus. Requesting means for selecting a predetermined service from the services and requesting the service providing apparatus to transmit to itself and other information processing apparatuses, and receiving data transmitted from the service providing apparatus It is characterized by comprising receiving means and reproducing means for reproducing data.

[0013] The service may be list information of data provided by a service providing apparatus, and the data may be music data.

[0014] The data may be music data that can be shared with another information processing apparatus.

According to a first information processing method of the present invention, an input step of inputting access information for accessing a service providing apparatus, and a display control step of controlling display of a service transmitted from the service providing apparatus. When,
A requesting step of selecting a predetermined service from among the services and requesting the service providing apparatus to transmit to itself and other information processing apparatuses, and a receiving step of receiving data transmitted from the service providing apparatus And a reproducing step of reproducing data.

The program stored in the second program storage medium of the present invention includes an input step of inputting access information for accessing the service providing apparatus, and a display of the contents of the service transmitted from the service providing apparatus. A display control step of controlling the service, a request step of selecting a predetermined service from the services, and requesting the service providing apparatus to transmit to the self and other information processing apparatuses, And a reproducing step of reproducing the data.

A first information processing apparatus and method according to the present invention,
In addition, in the program stored in the second program storage medium, the content of the service transmitted from the service providing device is displayed, a predetermined service is selected from the services, and Transmission to itself and other information processing devices is required.

[0018] A second information processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: a first obtaining means for obtaining access information for accessing another information processing apparatus via a network; Display control means for controlling the display of the content of the transmitted service, and request information for selecting a predetermined service from the services and requesting transmission of data corresponding to the selected service, via the network, First transmitting means for transmitting to another information processing apparatus, first receiving means for receiving data transmitted from another information processing apparatus via a network, and other information processing via the network. Second receiving means for receiving the request information transmitted from the device, and a second obtaining means for obtaining data associated with the request information If the data acquired by the second acquisition unit, via a network, characterized in that it comprises a second transmitting means for transmitting to another information processing apparatus.

According to a second information processing method of the present invention, a first obtaining step of obtaining access information for accessing another information processing apparatus via a network, and a step of obtaining access information from another information processing apparatus via the network. A display control step of controlling the display of the content of the transmitted service, and selecting a predetermined service from the services and transmitting request information for requesting transmission of data corresponding to the selected service via a network. A first transmitting step of transmitting data to another information processing apparatus, a first receiving step of receiving data transmitted from another information processing apparatus via a network, and another information processing apparatus via a network A second receiving step of receiving the request information transmitted from the server and obtaining data associated with the request information A second acquisition step that the data acquired by the processing of the second acquisition step, via a network, characterized in that it comprises a second transmission step of transmitting to another information processing apparatus.

The program stored in the third program storage medium according to the present invention includes a first obtaining step of obtaining access information for accessing another information processing apparatus via a network; A display control step of controlling the display of the content of the service transmitted from the device via the network, and request information for selecting a predetermined service from the services and requesting transmission of data corresponding to the selected service. A first transmitting step of transmitting to another information processing apparatus via the network, a first receiving step of receiving data transmitted from the other information processing apparatus via the network, Receiving the request information transmitted from another information processing apparatus by using Includes a second acquisition step of acquiring associated data, and a second transmission step of transmitting data acquired by the processing of the second acquisition step to another information processing device via a network. It is characterized by the following.

A second information processing apparatus and method according to the present invention,
In the program stored in the third program storage medium, the content of the service transmitted from another information processing apparatus via the network is displayed, and a predetermined service is selected from the services. Transmission of data corresponding to the service provided is requested to another information processing apparatus, and data transmitted from the other information processing apparatus via the network is received. Also, request information transmitted from another information processing apparatus via the network is received, data associated with the request information is obtained, and the obtained data is transmitted to another information processing apparatus via the network. Sent to.

[0022]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a chat system to which the present invention is applied. This system is based on a chat client and a chat server for so-called text chat, and can chat in real time, and can also download music data from a jukebox in the chat server. it can.

That is, in the embodiment of FIG.
One shared server 2 that also serves as a jukebox and a chat, and three client computers 3
1 to 3-3 are connected to each other via a network 1 such as the Internet.

The shared server 2 is composed of, for example, a workstation, a personal computer and the like, and functions as a chat server by executing a chat server program.
-1 to 3-3 provide a chat environment for chatting. In addition, shared server 2
Functions as a jukebox server by executing a music data transmission program, thereby reading music data requested from the client computers 3-1 to 3-3 from the music database 11, and reading the music data from the client database 3-1. To 3-3.

Client computers 3-1 to 3-
3 (hereinafter, client computers 3-1 to 3-3)
If there is no need to distinguish between the client computers, the client computer 3 simply abbreviates the chat space provided by the shared server 2 to another client computer while chatting. By executing the chat client program and the chat server program in the shared server 2, a chat space for chatting is displayed on the client computer 3 (for details, see FIG. 12). See below).

In the client computer 3,
Receiving a music list of music data stored in the music database 11 of the shared server 2, selecting a predetermined music from the list, and requesting the shared server 2 to download music data from the music database 11. Can also.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the shared server 2 of FIG. The communication interface 21 is, for example, a device for connecting to the network 1, and includes a modem, a terminal adapter, a network card, and the like. RO
M (Read Only Memory) 23 has a CPU (Central
sing unit) 24, and basically fixed data and the like among calculation parameters are stored. The CPU 24 includes various application programs,
A basic OS (Operating System) program is executed, thereby performing various processes described later. RA
An M (Random Access Memory) 25 stores a program executed by the CPU 24, data necessary for the processing, and the like. These communication interfaces 21 to RAM 25 are:
They are interconnected by a bus 22.

The music database 11 stores a plurality of music data so as to function as a jukebox server. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the music database 11 stores a music list 41 and music data. The song list 41 stores song information such as titles, artist names, updated dates and times, and pointers to song data 42 (addresses indicating where the song data 42 is stored). Song data 4
2 includes song data 42 stored in the song list 41
The actual pointer (music data) to MP3 (Moving Pi)
cture ExpertsGroup Audio Layer 3) and ATRAC3 (Adapti
ve Transform Acoustic Coding 3) Compressed and stored by a compression method such as 3).

The input unit 27 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is operated by the user when inputting various commands to the CPU 24. LCD (Liquid Crystal Di)
The splay) 28 displays predetermined information under the control of the CPU 24, and the speaker 29 reproduces predetermined music data under the control of the CPU 24. The hard disk (HD) 30 stores, for example, an OS, a chat client program, and the like.

A magnetic disk 32, an optical disk 33, a magneto-optical disk 34, a semiconductor memory 35, or the like can be mounted on the drive 31.

The music database 11 and the input unit 27 to the drive 31 are connected to the input / output interface 2
6, the input / output interface 26
Are connected to the CPU 24 via the bus 22.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the client computer 3 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the client computer 3 includes communication interfaces 51 to 60, which are the same as the communication interfaces 21 to 30, respectively, of the shared server 2 of FIG. Also, like the drive 31,
A drive 61 is provided, and a magnetic disk 62, an optical disk 63, a magneto-optical disk 64, or a semiconductor memory 65
Can be attached.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, client computer 3-1 transmits a music reproduction request to shared server 2 and receives the request to share server 2.
However, an operation of providing (transmitting) music data to the client computers 3-1 to 3-3 will be described.

Now, it is assumed that the client computers 3-1 to 3-3 are connected to the shared server 2 via the network 1 and are logged in to a common chat room (group) of the chat system. When the user of the client computer 3-1 operates a mouse constituting the input unit 57 to request reproduction of a predetermined music piece, the command is transmitted to the shared server 2 via the network 1.

The shared server 2 receives the transmitted command (request), reads out the requested music data stored in the music database 11, and transmits it to the client computers 3-1 to 3-3. That is, the client computers 3-2 and 3-3 are:
Since the user logs in to the chat room common to the client computer 3-1, the music data requested by the client computer 3-1 is automatically downloaded without separately requesting the music data.

Further, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, shared server 2 and client computers 3-1 to 3-3
Will be described below. It is assumed that the user name of the client computer 3-1 is the user A and the client computer 3
The user name of -2 is user B, and the user name of the client computer 3-3 is user C.

In step S21, the user A of the client computer 3-1 operates the input unit 57,
The chat program stored on the hard disk 60
The CPU 54 is activated. As a result, the CPU 54
8, a login window 7 as shown in FIG.
1 is displayed.

In step S22, the user A of the client computer 3-1 operates the input unit 57,
The user inputs necessary information in the user name input area 72 to the room ID input area 74 in the login window 71, and clicks the button 75 to log in to the shared server 2.

That is, the user A operates a keyboard constituting the input unit 57 to input a user name in a user name input area 72 displayed in a login window 71 and a password set in a password input area 73 in advance.
Further, the user inputs a room ID in the room ID input area 74. The room ID is when you participate in the chat system.
It is a favorite room (room) number selected by the user.

When the user A clicks the button 75 after inputting necessary information, information for logging in is transmitted to the shared server 2.

In step S1, the CP of the shared server 2
When the user name and the password are input from the client computer 3-1, the U 24 determines whether or not these are correct ones stored in the hard disk 30 in advance. I do.
If the password and user name are determined to be correct, the CPU
24 connects the client computer 3-1 to the chat room (group) of the selected room ID.
Then, in step S2, the CPU 2 of the shared server 2
4 includes a title of a song in the song list 41 stored in the music database 11 and a chat environment.
The data of the main window 81 as shown in FIG. 9 is transmitted to the client computer 3-1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the main window 81
The user name displayed in the chat room with the same room ID is displayed in the user list display area 84, and the title of the music stored in the music list 41 is displayed in the music list display area 85. . In addition to the above, the main window 81 displays a song display area 82 for displaying a title of a song specified by the user, and a button 83 operated when reproducing the song.

In step S23, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-1 receives the music list transmitted from the shared server 2 and the data of the main window 81 including the chat environment. In step S24, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-1
Causes the LCD 58 to display, for example, a main window 81 as shown in FIG. In this case, since only the user A is logged in, only the user A is displayed in the user list display area 84.

In step S51, the user B of the client computer 3-2 operates the input unit 57,
The chat program stored on the hard disk 60
The CPU 54 is activated. In step S52, the user B of the client computer 3-2 enters the input unit 57
To operate the client computer 3 of the shared server 2
Log in to the chat room with the same room ID as -1.

In step S3, the CP of the shared server 2
The U24 receives the login information of the client computer 3-2, establishes a connection with the client computer 3-2, and performs a process for logging in. After the process for logging in is performed, in step S4, the CPU 24 of the shared server 2 transmits the data of the main window 81 to the client computers 3-2 and 3-1.

In step S53, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-2 receives the data of the main window 81 transmitted from the shared server 2.
In step S54, the client computer 3
The -2 CPU 54 causes the LCD 58 to display a main window 81. At this time, the user A who has already logged in and the user B who has logged in now are displayed in the user list display area 84.

At this time, the client computer 3-
1 has already logged in to the chat room of the same room ID of the shared server 2 and when another client (now the client computer 3-2) logs in, the fact that the shared server 2 In step S25, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-1 updates (adds) the user B to the user list display area 84 of the main window 81 displayed on the LCD 58 in step S25.

In step S71, the user C of the client computer 3-3 operates the input unit 57,
The chat program stored on the hard disk 60
The CPU 54 is activated. In step S72, the user C of the client computer 3-3 enters the input unit 57
To operate the client computer 3 of the shared server 2
Log in to the chat room with the same room ID as -1, 3-2.

In step S5, the CP of shared server 2
The U24 receives the login information of the client computer 3-3, establishes a connection with the client computer 3-3, and performs a process for logging in. After the process for logging in is performed, in step S6, the CPU 24 of the shared server 2 transmits the data of the main window 81 to the client computers 3-3, 3-2 connected to the chat room having the same room ID. , 3-1.

In step S73, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-3 receives the data of the main window 81 from the shared server 2. Step S74
, The CPU 54 of the client computer 3-3
Displays the main window 81 on the LCD 58.
At this time, in the user list display area 84, the users A and B who have already logged in and the user C who has logged in are displayed.

At this time, the client computer 3-
In step S26, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-1 displays the user list display area 84 of the main window 81, which is displayed on the LCD 58, on the basis of the notification in step S6 of the shared server 2. , The user C is updated. Similarly, in step S55, the client computer 3-
The second CPU 54 displays a user C in a user list display area 84 of the main window 81 displayed on the LCD 58.
To update.

In the above description, the processing in which the client computers 3-1 to 3-3 log in to the shared server 2 sequentially has been described. However, it is needless to say that the processing can be performed simultaneously with the log-in processing.

Subsequently, in step S27, the user A of the client computer 3-1 operates the mouse of the input unit 57 to select one of the songs displayed in the song list display area 85 of the main window 81 in FIG. By double-clicking a predetermined music number, a music number to be requested is selected. Now, it is assumed that the music C is selected.

In step S28, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-1 displays the title of the song selected in step S57 in the song display area 82 of the main window 81 displayed on the LCD 58 (the song C is now selected). Is displayed). Then, in step S29, the client computer 3-1
The user A operates the mouse of the input unit 57 and presses the button 8
Click 3 to send a request for music data to shared server 2.

In step S7, the CP of shared server 2
U24 receives the music data request transmitted from the client computer 3-1. Step S
At 8, the CPU 24 of the shared server 2 reads out the music data of the requested song (in this case, song C) stored in the music database 11 and outputs the same room ID.
Of all connected client computers (in this case, client computers 3-1 to 3-
Send to 3).

In step S30, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-1 receives the music data transmitted from the shared server 2, outputs the music data to the speaker 59, and reproduces the music data. At this time, in the music number display area 82 of the main window 81 displayed on the LCD 58,
The title of the received song C is displayed.

Similarly, in steps S56 and S75, the client computers 3-2 and 3-3 receive the music data transmitted from the shared server 2, output the music data to the speaker 59, and reproduce the music data. At this time,
The title of the received song C is displayed in the song display area 82 of the main window 81 displayed on the LCD 58.

As described above, when a plurality of client computers 3 are logged in to the same chat room of the chat system, the music data requested by one of the users can be simultaneously reproduced by the plurality of users. Can be.

Next, the chat server processing performed in the shared server 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. It is assumed that the client computers 3-1 to 3-3 have already performed the music data transmission / reproduction processing described with reference to FIGS. That is, the following processing is performed following the above-described processing. Accordingly, the chat windows 91-1 to 91-3 as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 are displayed on the LCD 58 of the client computers 3-1 to 3-3, respectively.

In step S111, the user A of the client computer 3-1 operates the input unit 57, and as shown in FIG. 12, the chat text input area 93-1 of the chat window 91-1 displayed on the LCD 58, as shown in FIG. to, enter the message "Hello".
Then, the user A clicks the button 94-1 and selects the CP
In U54, the message "Hello", the shared server 2
To be sent. In step S112, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-1 displays the chat text display area 92-1 of the chat window 91-1 in the chat text display area 92-1.
To display: "Hello user A".

In step S91, the shared server 2
CPU24 receives the message "Hello", which has been transmitted from the client computer 3-1. In step S92, CPU24 of the shared server 2, the message "Hello" client computer 3
Send to 2,3-3.

At step S131, the client computer 3-2 receives the message transmitted from the shared server 2 and, as shown in FIG.
In the chat text display area 92-2 of the chat window 91-2, which is displayed in,: to display the "user A Hello". Similarly, in step S151, the client computer 3-3 sets the shared server 2
14 is received, and as shown in FIG. 14, a chat text display area 92-3 of a chat window 91-3 displayed on the LCD 58 is displayed.
To display: "Hello user A".

In step S132, the user B of the client computer 3-2 operates the input unit 57, and as shown in FIG. 13, the chat text input area 93-2 of the chat window 91-2 displayed on the LCD 58, as shown in FIG. Enter the message "This song is a good song". Then, the user B clicks the button 94-2 and sends a message “This song is a good song” to the CPU 54.
Is transmitted to the shared server 2. In step S133, the CPU 54 of the client computer 3-2 sets L
In the chat text display area 92-2 of the chat window 91-2 displayed on the CD 58, "User B:
This song is a good song. "

In step S93, the shared server 2
The CPU 24 receives the message “This song is a good song” transmitted from the client computer 3-2. In step S94, the CPU 24 of the shared server 2
Transmits the message "This song is a good song" to the client computers 3-1 and 3-3.

In step S113, the client computer 3-1 receives the message transmitted from the shared server 2 and, as shown in FIG.
Is displayed in the chat text display area 92-1 of the chat window 91-1. Similarly, step S15
2, the client computer 3-3 receives the message transmitted from the shared server 2 and
As shown in FIG. 4, a chat text display area 92-of a chat window 91-3 displayed on the LCD 58.
3 displays “User B: This song is a good song”.

In step S153, the user C of the client computer 3-3 operates the input unit 57, and as shown in FIG. 14, the chat text input area 93-3 of the chat window 91-3 displayed on the LCD 58, as shown in FIG. Enter the message "I like this song too." Then, the user C clicks the button 94-3 to cause the CPU 54 to transmit a message “I like this song” to the shared server 2. Step S154
, The CPU 54 of the client computer 3-3
Is the chat window 91 displayed on the LCD 58
-3 is displayed in the chat text display area 92-3 of "User C: I also like this song".

In step S95, the shared server 2
The CPU 24 receives the message “I like this song” transmitted from the client computer 3-3. In step S96, the CPU 2 of the shared server 2
4 transmits a message "I also like this song" to the client computers 3-1 and 3-2.

In step S114, the client computer 3-1 receives the message transmitted from the shared server 2 and, as shown in FIG.
"User C: I like this song" is displayed in the chat text display area 92-1 of the chat window 91-1. Similarly, step S1
At 34, the client computer 3-2 receives the message transmitted from the shared server 2 and
In the chat text display area 92-2 of the chat window 91-2 displayed in D58, "User C:
I also like this song "(not shown).

In step S115, the user A of the client computer 3-1 operates the input unit 57, and as shown in FIG. 15, the chat text input area 93 of the chat window 91-1 displayed on the display of the LCD 58, as shown in FIG. Enter the message "My favorite song" at -1. Then, the user A clicks the button 94-1 and causes the CPU 54 to transmit the message “My favorite song” to the shared server 2. In step S116, the client computer 3
-1 CPU 54 displays a chat text display area 92-of a chat window 91-1 displayed on the LCD 58.
1 displays "User A: My favorite song" (FIG. 15).

In step S97, the shared server 2
The CPU 24 receives the message "My favorite song" transmitted from the client computer 3-1. In step S98, the CPU 2 of the shared server 2
No. 4 transmits the message "My favorite song" to the client computers 3-2 and 3-3.

In step S135, the client computer 3-2 receives the message transmitted from the shared server 2, and displays the message “user” in the chat text display area 92-2 of the chat window 91-2 displayed on the LCD 58. A: This is my favorite song "(not shown). Similarly, in step S155, the client computer 3-3 receives the message transmitted from the shared server 2 and displays “user” in the chat text display area 92-3 of the chat window 91-3 displayed on the LCD 58. A: This is my favorite song "(not shown).

As described above, a plurality of clients who are logged in to the same chat room of the chat system can not only have a text (character) conversation, but also transmit music data requested by a certain client. You can listen to them at the same time.

In the example described above, shared server 2
Although described as an independent device, the function may be installed in the client computer 3. In this case, the client computers 3-1 to 3
-3 fulfills the function as the above-mentioned shared server in addition to the function as the above-mentioned client computer. That is, for example, the client computer 3-1 is connected to the client computer 3-2.
Alternatively, predetermined music data is requested to the client computer 3-3, and the music data is downloaded.
Music data requested from -2 or 3-3,
It can be transmitted to the client computer 3-2 or 3-3.

Further, for example, the above-described shared server 2 is used as a voice message server for an answering machine, and the voice messages recorded in this shared server 2 are exchanged between a boss and a secretary who are remote from each other using a personal computer. Share and secretary select only important messages from voice messages stored on your answering machine,
The present invention can also be applied to a use in which a boss in a remote place can be heard via a personal computer.

The present invention can be used for a music data distribution service such as a cable broadcast request, or music data stored in the music database 11 can be converted to background music (BGM).
sic).

Furthermore, the case where the present invention is applied to a personal computer has been described as an example.
The present invention is not limited to a personal computer, and can be applied to chat software having a music reproduction function and any information processing device that can be connected to a network.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is executed by a computer (CPU 24 in FIG. 2 or CPU 54 in FIG. 4) incorporated in dedicated hardware, or
It is installed from a program storage medium to, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, which can execute various functions by installing various programs.

As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, program storage media for storing programs installed in the computer and made executable by the computer include a magnetic disk 32, 62 (including a floppy disk) and an optical disk 33. , 63 (CD-ROM (Compact Disk-R
ead Only Memory), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disk), magneto-optical disks 34, 64 (MD (Mini-Disk)
), Package media including semiconductor memories 35 and 65, or hard disks 30 and 60 in which programs are temporarily or permanently stored. The program is stored in the program storage medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Will be

In this specification, steps for describing a program provided by a medium may be performed in a chronological order according to the described order. Alternatively, it also includes individually executed processing.

In this specification, the system is
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0081]

As described above, according to the service providing apparatus and method of the present invention and the program stored in the first program storage medium, the request information transmitted from the information processing apparatus is received. Since the data associated with the request information is acquired and transmitted to a plurality of information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group at the same time, the data requested by one information processing apparatus can be simultaneously processed by a plurality of information processing apparatuses. Can be shared by devices.

According to the first information processing apparatus and method of the present invention, and the program stored in the second program storage medium, the contents of the service transmitted from the service providing apparatus are displayed. Select a predetermined service from the services, and for the service providing device,
Since the request for transmission to itself and another information processing device is made, the requested data can be reliably shared with another information processing device.

Further, according to the second information processing apparatus and method of the present invention and the program stored in the program storage medium, the contents of the service transmitted from another information processing apparatus via the network can be obtained. Display,
Select a predetermined service from the services, request transmission of data corresponding to the selected service to another information processing device, and receive data transmitted from another information processing device via a network. I do. The information processing apparatus receives request information transmitted from another information processing apparatus via a network, acquires data associated with the request information, and transmits the acquired data to another information processing apparatus via the network. , The requested data can be received from another information processing apparatus, and the data requested from the other information processing apparatus can be transmitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a chat system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a shared server 2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a music database 11;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a client computer 3 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of transmitting music data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating music data transmission / reproduction processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart following FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a login window 71.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a main window 81.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a chat server process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart following FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a chat window 91-1.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a chat window 91-2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a chat window 91-3.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a chat window 91-1.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 shared server, 3-1 to 3-3 client computer, 11 music database, 24 CPU,
41 song list, 42 song data, 54 CPU,
58 LCD, 59 speaker, 71 login window, 72 user name input area, 73 password input area, 74 room ID input area, 75
Button, 81 main window, 82 track display area, 83 button, 84 user list display area, 85 track list display area, 91-1 to 91-3 chat window, 92-1 to 92
-3 Chat text display area, 93-1 to 9
3-3 Chat text input area, 94-1 to 94-3 buttons

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A service providing apparatus for providing a service to an information processing apparatus on a network, comprising: a storage unit for storing a group to which the information processing apparatus belongs; and a reception unit for receiving request information transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Means, acquisition means for acquiring data associated with the request information, and communication means for simultaneously transmitting the data acquired by the acquisition means to the information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group. A service providing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is music data, and the request information includes a specific song of the music data. 3. The data is music data that can be shared between the information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group, and wherein the communication unit transmits the music data to the information processing apparatus belonging to the same group. The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service is simultaneously transmitted to the information processing apparatus. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit that receives the text data transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and transmits the text data to the information processing apparatuses belonging to the same group. 2. The service providing device according to 1. 5. A service providing method for a service providing apparatus for providing a service to an information processing apparatus on a network, wherein: a storage control step of controlling to store a group to which the information processing apparatus belongs; Receiving the received request information, obtaining the data associated with the request information, obtaining the data obtained by the processing of the obtaining step, the information belonging to the same group A communication step of transmitting data to the processing device at the same time. 6. A service providing program for providing a service to an information processing device on a network, comprising: a storage control step of controlling to store a group to which the information processing device belongs; and a transmission from the information processing device. Receiving the received request information, obtaining the data associated with the request information, obtaining the data obtained by the processing of the obtaining step, the information belonging to the same group And a communication step of simultaneously transmitting to a processing device. A program storage medium storing a computer readable program. 7. An information processing apparatus that accesses a service providing apparatus that provides a service on a network together with another information processing apparatus and receives the service, and inputs access information for accessing the service providing apparatus. Means, display control means for controlling the display of the contents of the service transmitted from the service providing apparatus, selecting a predetermined service from the services, and for the service providing apparatus, An information processing apparatus comprising: a requesting unit that requests transmission to another information processing apparatus; a receiving unit that receives data transmitted from the service providing apparatus; and a reproducing unit that reproduces the data. . 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the service is list information of the data provided by the service providing apparatus, and the data is music data. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the data is music data that can be shared with the another information processing apparatus. 10. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus that accesses a service providing apparatus that provides a service on a network together with another information processing apparatus and receives the service, wherein access information for accessing the service providing apparatus is provided. An input step of inputting, a display control step of controlling display of the content of the service transmitted from the service providing apparatus, and selecting a predetermined service from the services, for the service providing apparatus, A requesting step of requesting transmission to itself and the other information processing apparatus; a receiving step of receiving data transmitted from the service providing apparatus; and a reproducing step of reproducing the data. Information processing method. 11. An information processing program for accessing a service providing apparatus that provides a service on a network together with another information processing apparatus and receiving a service, comprising: access information for accessing the service providing apparatus. An input step of inputting a, a display control step of controlling the display of the content of the service transmitted from the service providing apparatus, a predetermined service is selected from the services, and for the service providing apparatus, A requesting step of requesting transmission to itself and the other information processing apparatus; a receiving step of receiving data transmitted from the service providing apparatus; and a reproducing step of reproducing the data. Storage medium storing a computer-readable program to be executed 12. An information processing device connected to an arbitrary number of other information processing devices via a network, wherein access information for accessing the other information processing device via the network is acquired. A first acquisition unit, a display control unit for controlling display of the content of a service transmitted from the another information processing apparatus via the network, a predetermined service is selected from the services, and the selected service is selected. First transmission means for transmitting request information for requesting transmission of data corresponding to the service to the other information processing apparatus via the network, and from the other information processing apparatus via the network. First receiving means for receiving the data transmitted by the other information processing device via the network A second receiving unit that receives the request information, a second obtaining unit that obtains the data associated with the request information, and the data obtained by the second obtaining unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: a second transmission unit that transmits the information to the another information processing apparatus via a network. 13. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to an arbitrary number of other information processing apparatuses via a network, wherein the access for accessing the other information processing apparatus via the network is performed. A first acquisition step of acquiring information; a display control step of controlling display of contents of a service transmitted from the another information processing apparatus via the network; and selecting a predetermined service from the services. A first transmission step of transmitting request information for requesting transmission of data corresponding to the selected service to the other information processing apparatus via the network; and A first receiving step of receiving the data transmitted via the network; A second receiving step of receiving the request information transmitted from another information processing apparatus; a second obtaining step of obtaining the data associated with the request information; and a second obtaining step A second transmission step of transmitting the data acquired by the processing of (a) to the other information processing apparatus via the network. 14. An information processing program connected to an arbitrary number of a plurality of other information processing apparatuses via a network, the program being an access for accessing the other information processing apparatus via the network. A first acquisition step of acquiring information; a display control step of controlling display of contents of a service transmitted from the another information processing apparatus via the network; and selecting a predetermined service from the services. A first transmission step of transmitting request information for requesting transmission of data corresponding to the selected service to the other information processing apparatus via the network; and A first receiving step of receiving the data transmitted through the network; and A second receiving step of receiving the request information transmitted from the information processing apparatus; a second obtaining step of obtaining the data associated with the request information; and a process of the second obtaining step Transmitting the data obtained by the computer to the other information processing device via the network. 2. A program storage medium storing a computer-readable program.