JP2003345729A - Video chat system, video chat terminal device, video chat server, video chat service providing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television chat system, a television chat terminal device, a television chat server, a television chat service providing method and a program which cope with the diversity of needs of a user using a television chat service. <P>SOLUTION: This television chat system is provided with a personal computer 110 with which the user X1 has a television chat about a television program the user X1 watches with another user watching the same television program, and the server 120 for providing the television chat service for the user X1 having the television chat with another user in accordance with the television program that the user X1 watches. The server 120 provides the television chat service in accordance with permission made by using user personal information inputted by the user X1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video chat system, a video chat terminal device, a video chat server, and a video chat system for enjoying an Internet chat with other users regarding the contents of the TV program while watching the TV program. The present invention relates to a video chat service providing method and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As personal computers have become more sophisticated, personal computers with built-in television tuners that can record and reproduce television programs transmitted using terrestrial waves on a hard disk have been gradually popularized. .

On the other hand, FTTH (fiber to th
e-home) and ADSL (asymm)
etic digital subscriber
With the development of broadband-compatible networks such as the Internet (line, asymmetric digital subscriber line) and the like, the environment for realizing the constant Internet connection is rapidly spreading.

[0004] For this reason, the mode of viewing television programs that accesses television program related information on the Internet while reproducing television programs on a personal computer with a built-in television tuner is no longer special.

[0005] In addition, the provision of a so-called TV chat service for enjoying Internet chat with other users regarding the contents of the TV program while watching the TV program has been started. It is considered that the population of users to use is increasing.

[0006]

However, as the population of users who use the video chat service increases, the needs of the users are becoming more and more diversified, and the providers of the video chat services require such needs. There was a problem that it was not able to respond sufficiently to the diversification of

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described conventional problems, and provides a video chat system, a video chat terminal device, a video chat server, and a TV that can respond to the diversification of needs of users who use the video chat service. It is an object to provide a chat service providing method and a program.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is a video chat terminal apparatus for performing a video chat with a user who is watching the same television program with another user who is watching the same television program. And a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program being viewed by the user. Is a video chat system that provides the video chat service according to permission based on information regarding the video chat terminal device side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information relating to the video chat terminal device includes: (a) data relating to the video chat terminal device; (b) data relating to a user of the video chat terminal device; The video chat system according to the first aspect of the present invention, which is information on all or a part of data on communication connection for chatting.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user who is viewing the same television program. The chat is performed using a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user, according to the TV program that the user is watching, The video chat server is a video chat terminal device that provides the video chat service in accordance with a permission based on information on the video chat terminal device side.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat with a user who is watching the same television program with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program viewed by the user, the video chat server related to the video chat terminal device side. A video chat server that provides the video chat service according to permission based on information.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program. A video chat service providing method for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user according to a TV program that the user is watching,
A video chat service providing method including a video chat service providing step of providing the video chat service in accordance with a permission based on information regarding the video chat terminal device side.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program which is being viewed by a user, and wherein the user has a video chat in response to the TV program which is being viewed by the user. A video chat system including a video chat server for providing the video chat service by asking and / or answering the user when performing the video chat service.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the question and / or answer is a question and / or answer using a position of a character of a television program watched by the user. Is a video chat system.

An eighth invention is a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being watched by a user, wherein the video chat is performed in accordance with the television program being watched by the user. And a video chat terminal device provided by using a video chat server for providing the video chat service by asking and / or answering the user when the user has a video chat.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the user utilizes a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by the user, and the A video chat server for providing the video chat service by asking a question and / or answering the user when the video chat is performed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a user utilizes a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program which the user is watching, and the user is provided with a video chat terminal device in accordance with the television program which the user is watching. A video chat service providing method including a video chat service providing step of providing the video chat service by asking and / or answering a user when the user performs a video chat.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user who is viewing the same television program; A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program that the user is performing. Accumulates the contents of video chats being performed by other users while being broadcast,
The video chat terminal device notifies the video chat server of the fact that the video program once recorded is played back, and the video chat server
A video chat system that transfers the stored contents of the video chat to the video chat terminal device when the notification is received.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program. The chat is performed using a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user, according to the TV program that the user is watching, When the recorded television program is reproduced, the television chat server is notified of the fact, and the television chat server (1) performs the operation by another user while the television program is being broadcast. (2) When the notification is received, the content of the stored video chat is stored in the TV chat. Is a television chat terminal equipment to be transferred to the Yatto terminal equipment.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal apparatus for performing a video chat with a user who is watching the same television program with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program being viewed by the user, wherein (1) the TV program is When the content of the video chat being performed by another user while being broadcast is accumulated, and (2) when a notification that the previously recorded television program is reproduced is received from the video chat terminal device, Is a video chat server that transfers the stored contents of the video chat to the video chat terminal device.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program. A method for providing a video chat service for providing a video chat service for a user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program being viewed by a user, wherein the TV program is broadcast. A video chat content storing step of storing the content of a video chat being performed by another user when the video chat is being performed; and When the notification is received, the content of the stored video chat is displayed on the video chat terminal device. A television chat service providing method and a television chat contents transfer step of transferring.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a TV program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same TV program, and A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program being performed. Is once recorded, the video chat server is notified to that effect, the video chat server, when the notification is received,
The content of the video chat being performed by another user when the TV program is being broadcast is transferred to the video chat terminal device at a predetermined timing, and the video chat terminal device This is a video chat system that stores contents.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user who is viewing the same television program. The chat is performed using a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user, according to the TV program that the user is watching, (1) When the TV program is once recorded, the fact is notified to the TV chat server, and (2) When the TV chat server receives the notification, it is transferred at a predetermined timing. A video chat terminal device for storing the content of a video chat performed by another user when the TV program is being broadcast.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat with a user who is watching the same television program with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program that the user is watching, wherein the video chat terminal device When a notification that the TV program is temporarily recorded is received, the content of the video chat being performed by another user while the TV program is being broadcast is transferred to the video chat terminal device at a predetermined timing. The video chat terminal device is a video chat server that stores the content of the transferred video chat.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program. A video chat service providing method for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program being viewed by the user, the video chat terminal device comprising: If a notification to the video chat server that the TV program is once recorded is received from the user, the content of the video chat performed by another user while the TV program is being broadcast is described at a predetermined timing. A video chat content transfer step of transferring to the video chat terminal device, wherein the video chat terminal device A television chat service provides a method of storing the contents of the television chat coming is the transfer.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program, and A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program being performed. If the video chat answer sentence for the video chat question sentence written from the device side is written after the user who wrote the video chat question sentence leaves the room, the written video chat answer sentence is sent to an electronic mail. This is a video chat system that sends the video chat to the video chat terminal device side.

In a twentieth aspect of the present invention, a unique ID is assigned to the written video chat question message, and writing of the video chat answer to the video chat question message is performed by adding the unique ID assigned to the video chat question message. It is a video chat system according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention designated and performed.

A twenty-first aspect of the present invention is a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program. The chat is performed using a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user, according to the TV program that the user is watching, The video chat server, if the video chat answer sentence for the video chat question sent from the video chat terminal device is written after the user who wrote the video chat question sent out leaves the room, Sent the video chat response to the video chat terminal using electronic mail. It is a television chat terminal device.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program that the user is watching, wherein the video chat terminal device If the video chat answer sentence for the written video chat question sentence is written after the user who wrote the video chat question sent out leaves the room, the written video chat answer sentence is sent using electronic mail. A video chat server for sending to the video chat terminal device side.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program which a user is watching with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat service providing method for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program being viewed by the user, the video chat terminal device comprising: If the video chat answer sentence for the video chat question sentence written from the side is written after the user who wrote the video chat question sent out leaves the room, the written video chat answer sentence is used by electronic mail. And sending a video chat reply sentence to the video chat terminal device side. Is a Levi chat service providing method.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the video chat service providing method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a video chat service providing step of providing the video chat service in accordance with a permission based on information on the video chat terminal device side. Is a program for causing a computer to execute.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the video chat service providing method according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, wherein Executes a video chat service providing step of providing the video chat service to the computer by asking the user a question and / or answer when the user has a video chat in accordance with the TV program that the user is watching It is a program to make it.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the video chat service providing method according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the content of the video chat performed by another user while the TV program is being broadcast is stored. Storing the content of the stored video chat in the content storing step; and receiving, from the video chat terminal device, a notification to the video chat server that the once-recorded TV program is reproduced. This is a program for causing a computer to execute all or part of a video chat content transfer step to be transferred to a terminal device.

A twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention provides the video chat service providing method according to the eighteenth aspect, wherein the video chat terminal device receives a notification from the video chat terminal device that the video program is temporarily recorded. Is a program for causing a computer to execute a video chat content transfer step of transferring the content of a video chat being performed by another user when the TV program is being broadcast to the video chat terminal device at a predetermined timing. is there.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the video chat service providing method according to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the video chat answer sentence for the video chat question sent from the video chat terminal is replaced with the video chat question sentence. If the written user is written after leaving the room, the computer executes a video chat answer message sending step of sending the written video chat answer message to the video chat terminal device using electronic mail. It is a program to make it.

[0036]

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

(Embodiment 1) First, the configuration of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIG. 1, which is a configuration diagram of the video chat system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The video chat system according to the present embodiment is capable of transmitting a video chat relating to a television program viewed by user X1 to another user such as user Y1 viewing the same television program on personal computer 130 side. Personal computer 11 for performing between
0 and the user X according to the television program being viewed.
1 includes a server 120 for providing a video chat service for performing a video chat with other users including the user Y1.

In the present embodiment, the server 120
Is to provide a video chat service in accordance with permission given by the user X1 using the user personal information "yamadaX1" input when subscribing to the video chat service.

Note that the personal computer 110 corresponds to the video chat terminal device of the present invention, and the server 120
Corresponds to the video chat server of the present invention.

Next, the configuration of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

The network 100 is connected to a personal computer 110, a server 120, a personal computer 130, and the like.
It is a communication network having an AN (local area network) or the like.

The personal computer 110 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner. More specifically, the control unit 111 is a unit having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the personal computer 110. The accumulation means 112
OS for controlling the operation of the personal computer 110
(Operating system) and a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs. The user input unit 113 is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for the user X1 to perform a user input to the control unit 111. The television program receiving unit 114 is a unit having a television tuner (not shown) for performing signal processing on a television program broadcast wave received by a television antenna (not shown). The output unit 115 is a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for the control unit 111 to output audio / image to the user X1.

In this embodiment, the storage means 112
The hard disk of the user X1 stores the user personal information “yama
“adaX1”. The hard disk of the storage unit 112 stores the TV program data including the broadcast channel, the broadcast start time, and the broadcast end time of the TV program for which audio / image output is being performed as TV program information. A program for notifying the server 120 of the user personal information “yamadaX1” as the video chat permission information is stored.

The personal computer 130 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner having a configuration similar to that of the personal computer 110. More specifically, the control unit 131 has a configuration similar to the control unit 111, and
30 is a means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of 30. The storage unit 132 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 112 and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the personal computer 130. The user input unit 133 has a configuration similar to that of the user input unit 113, and the user Y1
Is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for performing a user input to the control unit 131. The TV program receiving means 134 has a configuration similar to that of the TV program receiving means 114, and has a TV tuner (not shown) for signal processing of a TV program broadcast wave received by a TV antenna (not shown). Means. The output unit 135 has a configuration similar to that of the output unit 115, and is a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for the control unit 131 to output audio / image to the user Y1.

The server 120 is connected to the HTTP (hyper
text transfer protocol) server. More specifically, the control unit 121
This is means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the server 120. The accumulation means 122
This is means having a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the server 120.

In this embodiment, the storage means 122
Uses the TV program data notified as the TV program information of the TV program watched by the user X1, selects the chat room to which the user X1 should enter, and notifies the user X1 of the chat room as the user X1's TV chat permission information. A program for permitting entry into the selected chat room using the user personal information “yamadaX1” stored therein is stored.

Next, the operation of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, while explaining the operation of the video chat system of the present embodiment,
An embodiment of the method for providing a video chat service of the present invention will also be described.

In the following, the operation associated with the audio / image output of a television program and the operation associated with the audio / image output of a video chat in accordance with permission performed using user personal information will be described in order.

Operation associated with audio / image output of television program; user input means 113 responds to user input for audio / image output of television program "Honmamon"
A signal for outputting audio / image of the television program “Honmamon” is output to the control unit 111.

The control means 111 includes a user input means 113
A signal for outputting the audio / image of the television program "Honmamon" in accordance with the signal output by the television program receiving means 1.
14 is output.

The television program receiving means 114 is provided with the control means 1
In accordance with the signal output from the control unit 11, the control unit 111 processes a broadcast wave of the television program “Honmamon” received by a television antenna (not shown), and outputs a signal for outputting audio / image of the television program “Honmamon”. Output to

The control means 111 includes the television program receiving means 1
TV program "Honmamon" according to the signal output by 14
Is output to the output means 115.

The output means 115 outputs the audio / image of the television program "Honmamon" to the user X1 according to the signal output by the control means 111.

Operation associated with voice / image output of video chat in accordance with permission performed using user's personal information; user input means 113 is a video chat relating to TV program "Honmamon" for which voice / image output is being performed. In response to a user input for entering a chat room “Hommamon's room” where a chat room “Hommamon's room” is available, a signal for entering a chat room “Hommamon's room” is output to the control means 111.

The control means 111 includes a user input means 113
In response to the signal output by
The broadcast channel “2 channels” of the TV program “Honmamon” on which audio / image output is performed, the broadcast start time “8:15 am”, and the broadcast end time “8:30 am
A signal for notifying the server 120 of the TV program data consisting of “minutes” as the TV program information and the user personal information “yamadaX1” stored in the hard disk of the storage unit 112 as the video chat permission information to the control unit 121. Output.

In response to the signal output from the control unit 111, the control unit 121 selects the chat room “room” to be entered by the user X1 using the TV program data notified as the TV program information, As shown in FIG. 2 through the network 100, the user is allowed to enter the selected chat room “Hommamon's Room” using the user personal information “yamadaX1” notified as the TV chat permission information. A signal for outputting audio / image of the display screen is output to the output unit 115. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of a display screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The control means 111 outputs to the output means 115 a signal for performing audio / image output of the display screen as shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the signal output by the control means 121.

The output unit 115 performs audio / image output of the display screen as shown in FIG. 2 to the user X1 according to the signal output by the control unit 111.

The user input means 113 receives the message M1
In response to a click on the button B1 with the pointer P for entering the chat room "Homeroom" by the user X1 who saw the message, the control unit 111 outputs a signal for entering the chat room "Homeroom". Output to

The control means 111 includes a user input means 113
In response to the signal output by
A signal for entering the chat room “Hommamon's room” is output to the control means 121.

The control means 121 sends a signal for performing audio / image output of a display screen as shown in FIG. 3 to the control means 111 via the network 100 in accordance with the signal output by the control means 111. Output to FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the display screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The control means 111 outputs to the output means 215 a signal for performing audio / image output of the display screen as shown in FIG. 3 according to the signal output by the control means 121.

The output unit 115 outputs audio / image of the display screen as shown in FIG. 3 to the user X1 in accordance with the signal output by the control unit 111.

As described above, the user X1 can watch the user input window W while watching the television video window W3.
It is possible to transmit the video chat question text and the video chat response text input to 1 in response to the click of the button B2 and to receive the video chat response text to be output to the video chat display window W2. It is possible to perform a video chat relating to the television program "honmamon" according to the permission performed using the personal information "yamadaX1".

(Embodiment 2) First, the configuration of a video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIG. 4, which is a configuration diagram of the video chat system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

The video chat system according to the present embodiment has a personal computer 210 for performing a video chat relating to a TV program being watched by user X2.
And the user X2 according to the television program being viewed.
Has a server 220 for providing a video chat service by providing an answer to the user X2 when the video chat is performed.

In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned answer is
This is an automatic answer using the position of the character of the television program that the user X2 is watching.

The personal computer 210 corresponds to the video chat terminal of the present invention, and the server 220
Corresponds to the video chat server of the present invention.

Next, the configuration of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

The network 200 is the network 10
0 (see FIG. 1), and is a communication network including the Internet, a public network, a LAN, and the like to which a personal computer 210, a server 220, and the like are connected.

The personal computer 210 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner having a configuration similar to that of the personal computer 110 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the control unit 211 has a configuration similar to that of the control unit 111 (see FIG. 1).
This is means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the personal computer 210. The storage unit 212 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 112 (see FIG. 1), and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the personal computer 210. It is. The user input means 213 is a user input means 113
It has a configuration similar to that of FIG.
Is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for performing a user input to the control unit 211. The television program receiving means 214 is a television program receiving means 114
This means has a configuration similar to that of FIG. 1 and includes a television tuner (not shown) for signal processing of a television program broadcast wave received by a television antenna (not shown). The output unit 215 includes the output unit 115
It has a configuration similar to that of FIG.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for outputting audio / image to the user X2.

The server 220 is an HTTP server having a configuration similar to that of the server 120 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the control unit 221 includes the control unit 12
1 (see FIG. 1) and has a configuration similar to that of the server 2.
20 is a means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of 20. The storage unit 222 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 122 (see FIG. 1), and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the server 220. is there.

In the present embodiment, the storage means 222
The hard disk of the present embodiment analyzes a video chat question sentence when an automatic answer is made using the position of a character of a TV program being watched by a user such as the user X2, and answers the video chat question to the video chat question sentence. A program for automatically generating sentences is stored.

Next, the operation of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, while explaining the operation of the video chat system of the present embodiment,
An embodiment of the method for providing a video chat service of the present invention will also be described.

In the following, the operation associated with the output of the audio / image of the TV program and the operation associated with the output of the audio / image of the video chat in which an automatic answer using the position of the character of the TV program is returned will be described in order.

Operation in connection with audio / image output of television program; user input means 213 responds to user input for audio / image output of television program "Honmamon".
A signal for outputting a sound / image of the television program “Honmamon” is output to the control unit 211.

The control means 211 includes a user input means 213
A signal for outputting a sound / image of the TV program "Honmamon" according to the signal output by the TV program receiving means 2.
14 is output.

The television program receiving means 214 is provided by the control means 2
In accordance with the signal output from the control unit 11, the control unit 211 performs signal processing on a broadcast wave of the television program “Honmamon” received by a television antenna (not shown) and outputs audio / image of the television program “Honmamon”. Output to

The control means 211 controls the television program receiving means 2
TV program "Honmamon" according to the signal output by 14
Is output to the output means 215.

The output means 215 outputs the audio / image of the television program "Honmamon" to the user X2 according to the signal output by the control means 211.

An operation associated with voice / image output of a video chat in which an automatic answer using the position of a character in a TV program is returned; user input means 213 is a TV program “honmamon” on which voice / image output is performed. In response to user input to enter the chat room `` Honmamon's Room '' where a video chat can be automatically returned from the position of the character `` Kiba Yamanaka '', enter the chat room `` Honmamon's Room '' Is output to the control unit 211 for entering the room.

The control means 211 includes a user input means 213
In response to the signal output by
The broadcast channel “2 channels” of the TV program “Honmamon” on which audio / image output is performed, the broadcast start time “8:15 am”, and the broadcast end time “8:30 am
A signal for notifying the server 220 of the TV program data consisting of “minutes” as TV program information is output to the control unit 221.

The control means 221 performs selection of a chat room "hommamon's room" to be entered by the user X2 using the TV program data notified as TV program information in accordance with the signal output from the control means 211, A signal for performing audio / image output of a display screen as shown in FIG.
Output to FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (1) of a display screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The control means 211 outputs to the output means 215 a signal for performing audio / image output of the display screen as shown in FIG. 5 according to the signal output by the control means 221.

The output means 215 outputs the audio / image of the display screen as shown in FIG. 5 to the user X2 according to the signal output by the control means 211.

The user input means 213 inputs the video chat question sentence “[yamada] that actress?” To the user input window W1 as shown in FIG. 6 by the user X2 who has watched the television video window W3. In response to a click with the pointer P of the button B2 for transmitting the video chat question sentence performed following the input,
A signal for transmitting the video chat question text is output to control means 211. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view (2) of a display screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The control means 211 includes a user input means 213
In response to the signal output by
A signal for transmitting the video chat question message “[yamada] Who is that actress?” Is output to the control means 221.

The control means 221 responds to the signal output from the control means 211 by using the video chat question message “[yamad
a) Who is that actress? Is analyzed and the video chat answer sentence [[ser] using the position of the character “Kiba Yamanaka” to be output to the video chat display window W2 is used.
ver (konoha)] This is Chizuru Ikewaki who plays the role of Kiyo Yamanaka. Is automatically generated, and a signal for performing audio / image output of the display screen as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view (3) of a display screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The control means 211 outputs to the output means 215 a signal for performing audio / image output of the display screen as shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with the signal output by the control means 221.

The output means 215 outputs audio / image of the display screen as shown in FIG. 7 to the user X2 in accordance with the signal output from the control means 211.

In this manner, the user X2 can perform a video chat in which an automatic answer is returned using the position of the character "Kiba Yamanaka" of the television program "Honmamon".

(Embodiment 3) First, the configuration of a video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIG. 8, which is a configuration diagram of a video chat system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0094] The video chat system according to the present embodiment includes a personal computer 310 for the user X3 to perform a video chat related to a TV program reproduced after recording, and a user X3 according to the TV program reproduced after recording. X3 comprises a server 320 for providing a video chat service for video chatting with another user.

In this embodiment, (1) server 3
20 stores the contents of the video chat performed by other users including the user Y3 on the computer 330 side while the television program is being broadcast on the hard disk of the storage means 322;
10 notifies the server 320 that the once-recorded television program is to be played back. (3) When the server 320 receives the above-mentioned notification, the server 320 transfers the stored contents of the video chat to the personal computer 310. Things.

The personal computer 310 corresponds to the video chat terminal of the present invention, and the server 320
Corresponds to the video chat server of the present invention.

Next, the configuration of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

The network 300 is the network 10
0 (see FIG. 1), and is a communication network including the Internet, a public network, a LAN, and the like to which a personal computer 310, a server 320, a personal computer 330, and the like are connected.

The personal computer 310 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner having a configuration similar to the personal computer 110 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the control unit 311 has a configuration similar to that of the control unit 111 (see FIG. 1).
This is means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the personal computer 310. The storage unit 312 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 112 (see FIG. 1), and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the personal computer 310. It is. The user input means 313 is
It has a configuration similar to that of FIG.
Is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for performing user input to the control unit 311. The television program receiving means 314 is a television program receiving means 114.
This means has a configuration similar to that of FIG. 1 and includes a television tuner (not shown) for signal processing of a television program broadcast wave received by a television antenna (not shown). The output unit 315 includes the output unit 115
It has a configuration similar to that of FIG.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for outputting audio / image to the user X3.

In the present embodiment, the storing means 312
Hard disk stores a program for notifying the server 320 that a once-recorded television program is to be reproduced.

The personal computer 330 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner having a configuration similar to that of the personal computer 310. More specifically, the control unit 331 has a configuration similar to that of the control unit 311, and
30 is a means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of 30. The storage unit 332 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 312, and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing a program such as an OS that controls the operation of the personal computer 330. The user input unit 333 has a configuration similar to that of the user input unit 313.
Is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for performing a user input to the control unit 331. The television program receiving means 334 has a configuration similar to that of the television program receiving means 314, and has a television tuner (not shown) for performing signal processing on a television program broadcast wave received by a television antenna (not shown). Means. The output unit 335 has a configuration similar to that of the output unit 315, and is a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for the control unit 331 to output audio / image to the user Y3.

The server 320 is an HTTP server having a configuration similar to that of the server 120 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the control unit 321 controls the control unit 12
1 (see FIG. 1), and has a server 3
20 is a means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of 20. The storage unit 322 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 122 (see FIG. 1), and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the server 320. is there.

In this embodiment, the storage means 322
Hard disk stores the contents of a video chat performed by another user including the user Y3 on the computer 330 side when the television program is being broadcast,
Upon receiving the above notification, a program for transferring the stored contents of the video chat to the personal computer 310 is stored.

Next, the operation of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, while explaining the operation of the video chat system of the present embodiment,
An embodiment of the method for providing a video chat service of the present invention will also be described.

In the following, an operation associated with recording reservation of a television program, an operation associated with recording of a television program,
The operation associated with the reproduction of a television program will be described in order.

Operation associated with reservation for recording a television program;
The user input means 313 converts the TV program data including the broadcast channel “2 channels”, the broadcast start time “8:15 am”, and the broadcast end time “8:30 am” of the television program “honmamon” into the television program information. In response to a user input for designating as, a signal for making a recording reservation for the television program “Honmamon” is output to the control unit 311.

The control means 311 has a user input means 313
In response to the output signal, the storage unit 312 outputs a signal for making a recording reservation for the television program “Honmamon”.

The storage unit 312 stores the above-described TV program data on the hard disk according to the signal output by the control unit 311.

The control means 311 is connected to the network 3
00, and the fact that the television program “Honmamon” is once recorded,
A signal for notifying 0 is output to the control unit 321.

The control means 321 uses the notified TV program data to select the chat room "Hommamon's Room" to which the user X3 should enter, in response to the signal output from the control means 311. Is broadcast, the user Y3 on the computer 330 side
And a signal for making a setting for storing video chat log data including the content of a video chat performed by another user in the chat room “Honmamon Room”.

The storage means 312 accumulates the video chat log accumulation setting data for setting to accumulate the above-mentioned video chat log data on the hard disk in accordance with the signal output from the control means 311 on the hard disk.

Operation for Recording TV Program: The control means 311 looks at the TV program data stored in the hard disk of the storage means 312 and approaches the broadcast start time "8:15 am" of the TV program "Honmamon". When it recognizes that the program is being performed, a signal for recording the television program “honmamon” is output to the television program receiving means 314.

The television program receiving means 314 is
In accordance with the signal output from the control unit 311, a signal for processing a broadcast wave of the television program “Honmamon” received by a television antenna (not shown) and recording a television program “Honmamon” is transmitted to the control unit 311. Output.

The control means 311 includes the TV program receiving means 3
TV program "Honmamon" according to the signal output by 14
Is output to the storage means 312.

The storage means 312 stores the sound and image data of the television program "Honmamon" in the hard disk in association with the above-mentioned television program data in accordance with the signal output from the control means 311.

The control means 321 has a storage means 322
When watching the video chat log storage setting data stored on the hard disk of the PC and recognizing that the broadcast start time “8:15 am” of the TV program “Honmamon” is approaching, the TV program “Honmamon” is broadcast. While the user Y3 on the computer 330 side is in the chat room “Honma-mon's Room”, a signal for storing video chat log data including the content of the video chat being performed in the chat room “Honmamon Room” is stored in the storage unit 322. Output to

The storage unit 322 associates the above-described video chat log data with the video chat log time data generated as the video chat time information indicating the time at which the video chat was performed, in accordance with the signal output by the control unit 321. Store on the hard disk.

Operation associated with reproduction of television program; user input means 313 transmits a signal for reproducing television program "honmamon" to control means 311 in response to a user input for reproducing the television program "honmamon". Output to

The control means 311 has a user input means 313.
Outputs a signal for reproducing the television program "Honmamon" to the storage means 312 in accordance with the signal output by the.

The storage means 312 reads out the TV program data and the audio / image data of the TV program "HONMAMON" stored in the hard disk in association with the TV program data in accordance with the signal output by the control means 311. A signal for reproducing the television program “Honmamon” is output to the control unit 311.

Further, the control means 311 sends a signal for notifying the server 320 that the television program "Honmamon" is to be reproduced via the network 300 in accordance with the signal output from the user input means 313. Output to

The control means 321 responds to the signal output by the control means 311 to transmit video chat log data comprising the contents of the video chat performed by the user Y3 and other users in the chat room "Honma-mon's Room". A signal to be transferred to the personal computer 310 is output to the storage unit 322.

The storage means 322 reads the video chat log time data and the video chat log data stored in the hard disk in association with the video chat log time data in accordance with the signal output by the control means 321 and reads them. A signal to be transferred to the personal computer 310 is output to the control unit 321.

The control means 321 responds to the signal output from the storage means 322 via the network 300 by displaying the video chat log time data and the video chat log data stored on the hard disk in association with the video chat log time data. Is output to the control means 311 to transfer the data to the personal computer 310.

The control means 311 analyzes the TV program data and the video chat log time data in accordance with the signal output from the storage means 312 and the signal output from the control means 321, thereby obtaining the TV video window W 3. 9 and the video chat log data to be displayed in the video chat log display window W2 ″, the display synchronism is secured, and the voice and image of the display screen as shown in FIG. A signal for performing output is output to the output unit 315. Note that FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view (1) of a display screen according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The output unit 315 outputs the audio / image of the display screen as shown in FIG. 9 to the user X3 according to the signal output by the control unit 311.

In this way, the user X3 sees the television video window W3 and the video chat log display window W2 ″, and clicks the button B2 to input the video chat question or the video chat answer sent to the user input window W1. In response to receiving a video chat answer sentence to be output to the video chat display window W2 ', and performing a video chat relating to a TV program being recorded and reproduced (or time-shift reproduced). Can be.

(Embodiment 4) First, the configuration of a video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 10 which is a configuration diagram of a video chat system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0129] The video chat system according to the present embodiment comprises a personal computer 410 for allowing the user X4 to perform a video chat related to a TV program reproduced after recording, and a user X4 according to the TV program reproduced after recording. X4 comprises a server 420 for providing a video chat service for video chatting with other users.

In the present embodiment, (1) the personal computer 410 notifies the server 420 that the television program is to be recorded once, and (2) the server 420 The content of the video chat performed by another user including the user Y4 on the computer 430 side while being broadcast is transferred to the personal computer 410 in real time, and (3)
The personal computer 410 stores the contents of the transferred video chat on the hard disk of the storage unit 412.

The personal computer 410 corresponds to the video chat terminal of the present invention, and the server 420
Corresponds to the video chat server of the present invention.

Next, the configuration of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

The network 400 is the network 10
0 (see FIG. 1), and is a communication network including the Internet, a public network, a LAN, and the like to which a personal computer 410, a server 420, a personal computer 430, and the like are connected.

Personal computer 410 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner having a configuration similar to that of personal computer 110 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the control unit 411 has a configuration similar to that of the control unit 111 (see FIG. 1).
This is means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the personal computer 410. The storage unit 412 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 112 (see FIG. 1), and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the personal computer 410. It is. The user input means 413 is a user input means 113
It has a configuration similar to that of FIG.
Is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for performing user input to the control unit 411. The television program receiving means 414 is a television program receiving means 114.
This means has a configuration similar to that of FIG. 1 and includes a television tuner (not shown) for signal processing of a television program broadcast wave received by a television antenna (not shown). The output unit 415 includes the output unit 115
It has a configuration similar to that of FIG.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for outputting audio / image to the user X4.

In this embodiment, the storing means 412
The hard disk has a program for notifying the server 420 that the television program is temporarily recorded, and accumulating the contents of the transferred video chat.

The personal computer 430 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner having a configuration similar to that of the personal computer 410. More specifically, the control unit 431 has a configuration similar to that of the control unit 411, and the personal computer 4
30 is a means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of 30. The storage unit 432 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 412, and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the personal computer 430. The user input unit 433 has a configuration similar to that of the user input unit 413.
Is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for performing a user input to the control unit 431. The TV program receiving means 434 has a configuration similar to that of the TV program receiving means 414, and has a TV tuner (not shown) for performing signal processing on a TV program broadcast wave received by a TV antenna (not shown). Means. The output unit 435 has a configuration similar to that of the output unit 415, and is a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for the control unit 431 to output audio / image to the user Y4.

The server 420 is an HTTP server having a configuration similar to that of the server 120 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the control unit 421 controls the control unit 12
1 (see FIG. 1) and has a configuration similar to that of the server 4.
20 is a means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of 20. The storage unit 422 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 122 (see FIG. 1), and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the server 420. is there.

In this embodiment, the storage means 422
When receiving the above notification, the hard disk of the computer transfers, in real time, the contents of a video chat performed by another user such as the user Y4 on the computer 430 side to the personal computer 410 when the television program is being broadcast. Has accumulated programs.

Next, the operation of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, while explaining the operation of the video chat system of the present embodiment,
An embodiment of the method for providing a video chat service of the present invention will also be described.

In the following, the operation associated with the recording reservation of a television program, the operation associated with the recording of a television program,
The operation associated with the reproduction of a television program will be described in order.

Operation associated with recording reservation of a TV program;
The user input unit 413 converts the TV program data including the broadcast channel “2 channels”, the broadcast start time “8:15 am”, and the broadcast end time “8:30 am” of the television program “honmamon” into the television program information. In response to a user input for designating as, a signal for making a recording reservation for the television program "Honmamon" is output to the control means 411.

The control means 411 includes a user input means 413
In response to the output signal, the signal for making a recording reservation of the television program "Honmamon" is output to the storage means 412.

The storage means 412 stores the above-mentioned television program data on the hard disk according to the signal output from the control means 411.

Operation in connection with recording of a television program: The control means 411 looks at the television program data stored in the hard disk of the storage means 412 and approaches the broadcast start time "8:15 am" of the television program "honmamon". When it recognizes that the program is being performed, a signal for recording the television program "Honmamon" is output to the television program receiving means 414.

The TV program receiving means 414 is
In response to the signal output by the control unit 411, the control unit 411 processes the broadcast wave of the television program “Honmamon” received by the television antenna (not shown) and performs signal processing for recording the television program “Honmamon”. Output.

The control means 411 controls the television program receiving means 4
TV program "Honmamon" according to the signal output by 14
Is output to the storage means 412.

The storage means 412 stores the sound and image data of the television program "Honmamon" in the hard disk in association with the above-mentioned television program data according to the signal output by the control means 411.

The control means 411 controls the network 4
00, and the fact that the television program “Honmamon” is once recorded,
A signal for notifying 0 is output to the control means 421.

In response to the signal output from control means 411, control means 421 uses the TV program data notified of the selection of chat room "Hommamon's Room" to which user X4 should enter, and executes TV program "Honmamon." Is broadcasted, the user Y4 on the computer 430 side
And the like, and outputs a signal to the control means 411 to transfer the contents of the video chat being performed in the chat room “Honmamon's Room” to the personal computer 410 in real time.

In response to the signal output from the control unit 421, the control unit 411 converts the video chat log data including the contents of the video chat performed by the other users including the user Y4 in the chat room "Honmamon's Room". A signal for accumulation is output to accumulation means 412.

The storage means 412 associates the above-described video chat log data with the video chat log time data generated as the video chat time information indicating the time at which the video chat was performed, according to the signal output by the control means 411. Store on the hard disk.

Operation associated with reproduction of television program; user input means 413 sends a signal for reproducing television program "honmamon" to control means 411 in response to a user input for reproducing the television program "honmamon". Output to

The control means 411 includes a user input means 413
Outputs a signal for reproducing the television program "Honmamon" to the storage means 412 in accordance with the signal output by the.

In accordance with the signal output from the control means 411, the storage means 412 stores the TV program data, the voice / image data of the TV program "Honmamon" stored in the hard disk in association with the TV program data, and the video chat. The control unit 41 reads out the log time data and the video chat log data stored on the hard disk in association with the video chat log time data, and outputs a signal for reproducing the TV program “Honmamon”.
Output for 1

The control means 411 analyzes the TV program data and the video chat log time data in accordance with the signal output from the storage means 412, thereby obtaining the voice / image data to be displayed in the TV video window W3 and the video chat. A signal for performing audio / image output on the display screen as shown in FIG. 11 is output to the output unit 415 while ensuring display synchronization with the video chat log data to be displayed in the log display window W2 ″. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view (1) of a display screen according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The output means 415 outputs the audio / image of the display screen as shown in FIG. 11 to the user X4 according to the signal output by the control means 411.

[0157] In this way, the user X4 sees the television video window W3 and the video chat log display window W2 ", and clicks the button B2 to input the video chat question or the video chat answer sent to the user input window W1. In response to receiving a video chat answer sentence to be output to the video chat display window W2 ', and performing a video chat relating to a TV program being recorded and reproduced (or time-shift reproduced). Can be.

(Embodiment 5) First, the configuration of a video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIG. 12, which is a configuration diagram of a video chat system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

The video chat system according to the present embodiment is capable of transmitting a video chat relating to a television program viewed by user X5 to another user such as user Y5 watching the same television program on personal computer 530 side. Personal computer 51 for performing between
0 and the user X according to the television program being viewed.
5 is provided with a server 520 for providing a video chat service for performing a video chat with other users including the user Y5.

In this embodiment, server 520
Is the user X who wrote the video chat question message in response to the video chat question message for the video chat question message to which the unique ID (identification) is added from the personal computer 510.
If the designated unique ID is specified and written after leaving the room 5, the video chat answer is sent to the personal computer 510 using electronic mail.

Note that the personal computer 510 corresponds to the video chat terminal device of the present invention, and the server 520
Corresponds to the video chat server of the present invention.

Next, the configuration of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

The network 500 is the network 10
0 (see FIG. 1), and is a communication network including the Internet, a public network, a LAN, and the like to which a personal computer 510, a server 520, a personal computer 530, and the like are connected.

Personal computer 510 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner having a configuration similar to that of personal computer 110 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the control unit 511 has a configuration similar to that of the control unit 111 (see FIG. 1).
This is means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the personal computer 510. The storage unit 512 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 112 (see FIG. 1), and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the personal computer 510. It is. The user input unit 513 is a user input unit 113.
It has a configuration similar to that of FIG.
Is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for performing a user input to the control unit 511. The television program receiving means 514 is a television program receiving means 114.
This means has a configuration similar to that of FIG. 1 and includes a television tuner (not shown) for signal processing of a television program broadcast wave received by a television antenna (not shown). The output unit 515 includes the output unit 115
It has a configuration similar to that of FIG.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for outputting audio / image to the user X5.

In this embodiment, the storing means 512
Hard disk has an e-mail address "yamad
a @ pop06. odn. ne. jp ”, a program for transmitting and receiving electronic mail is stored.

The personal computer 530 is a personal computer with a built-in television tuner having a configuration similar to that of the personal computer 510. More specifically, the control unit 531 has a configuration similar to the control unit 511, and
30 is a means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of 30. The storage unit 532 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 512, and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the personal computer 530. The user input unit 533 has a configuration similar to that of the user input unit 513, and the user Y5
Is a unit having a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) for performing a user input to the control unit 531. The TV program receiving unit 534 has a configuration similar to that of the TV program receiving unit 514, and includes a TV tuner (not shown) for performing signal processing on a TV program broadcast wave received by a TV antenna (not shown). Means. The output unit 535 has a configuration similar to that of the output unit 515, and is a unit having a speaker and a display monitor (not shown) for the control unit 531 to output audio / image to the user Y5.

The server 520 is an HTTP server having a configuration similar to that of the server 120 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the control unit 521 includes the control unit 12
1 (see FIG. 1), and has a configuration similar to that of the server 5.
20 is a means having a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of 20. The storage unit 522 has a configuration similar to that of the storage unit 122 (see FIG. 1), and includes a hard disk (not shown) for storing programs such as an OS that controls the operation of the server 520. is there.

In this embodiment, the storage means 522
Of the electronic mail address “yamada@pop06.odn.ne.j” input online by the user X5 as initial setting information using the user input unit 513 when subscribing to the video chat service.
p ”is accumulated. Further, the hard disk of the storage unit 522 stores (1) the month, day,
A unique ID is given using hours, minutes and seconds, and (2) a personal ID is designated by specifying the unique ID after the user X5 leaves the room for the video chat question sentence written by the user X5 on the personal computer 510 side. The video chat answer sentence written by the user Y5 on the computer 530 side is sent to the electronic mail address “yamada @ pop0”.
6. odn. ne. The program for sending to the personal computer 510 using “jp” is stored.

Next, the operation of the video chat system according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, while explaining the operation of the video chat system of the present embodiment,
An embodiment of the method for providing a video chat service of the present invention will also be described.

In the following, the operation associated with the writing of the video chat question sentence of the user X5, the user X5
The operation associated with leaving the chat room, the operation associated with the writing of the video chat answer sentence of the user Y5, and the operation associated with sending the electronic mail by the server 520 will be described in order.

Operation associated with writing of a video chat question sentence of user X5; user input means 513 is a user X5 who has entered a chat room "Honmamon's Room" and is having a video chat about the TV program "Honmamon". 13, the video chat question sentence "[yam to the user input window W1 as shown in FIG.
ada] By the way, who was Chisato's old lover? Is output to the control means 511 in response to the click of the button B2 performed after the input of "". In addition, FIG.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram (1) of a display screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The control means 511 includes a user input means 513
In response to the signal output by
A signal for transmitting the video chat question message “[Yamada] By the way, who was Chisato's old lover?” Is output to the control means 521.

The control means 521 responds to the signal output from the control means 511 by using the video chat question message “[yamad
a] By the way, who was Chisato's old lover? Is given to the control unit 511 via the network 500 to output a sound / image output of a display screen as shown in FIG. . FIG. 14 is an explanatory view (2) of the display screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The control means 511 outputs to the output means 515 a signal for performing audio / image output of the display screen as shown in FIG. 14 in accordance with the signal output by the control means 521.

The output means 515 outputs audio / image of the display screen as shown in FIG. 14 to the user X5 in accordance with the signal output by the control means 511.

Further, the control means 521 stores a signal for storing the video chat question text data consisting of the video chat question text "[yamada] By the way, who was Chisato's old lover?" Output to

According to the signal output from the control unit 521, the storage unit 522 initializes the above-mentioned video chat question text data with the ID “1004082140” uniquely assigned to the video chat question text and the user X5. The e-mail address "yam" entered as information
ada @ pop06. odn. ne. jp "and accumulates them on the hard disk.

Operation when user X5 leaves the chat room; user input means 513 is a user X who has entered the chat room "Hommamon's Room" and is performing a video chat related to the TV program "Honmamon".
In response to the instruction by 5, the control unit 511 outputs a signal to the control unit 511 to notify the server 520 that the user wants to leave the chat room "Homma's room".

The control means 511 includes a user input means 513
In response to the signal output by
The control unit 521 transmits a signal for notifying the server 520 that the user wants to leave the chat room “Hommamon's room”.
Output to

The control means 521 controls a signal for notifying the personal computer 510 via the network 500 that the exit from the chat room "Honmamon's room" has been accepted in accordance with the signal output from the control means 511. Output to the means 511.

The control means 511 responds to the signal output from the control means 521 to provide a chat room "Honmamon's room".
Leave the room.

Operation associated with the writing of the answer text of the video chat of user Y5; user input means 533 is entered by user Y5 who has entered the chat room "Honmamon's Room" and is having a video chat about the TV program "Honmamon". 15 to the user input window W1 as shown in FIG.
ada] By the way, who was Chisato's old lover? ”ID“ 1004082140 ”uniquely assigned to
Uses the video chat question text designation tag "Re" to specify the video chat answer text "[daisuke]
It is Re1004082140, Yasushi Tao of former Hanshin. "
In response to the click of button B2 performed following the input of "?", A signal for transmitting the answer text of the video chat is output to control means 531. In addition, FIG.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view (3) of a display screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The control means 531 has a user input means 533
In response to the signal output by
Video chat answer "[daisuke] Re100
4082140, It is Yasushi Tao of former Hanshin. To the control means 521.

The control means 521 responds to the signal output from the control means 531 by responding to the video chat response message "[daisu
[ke] Re1004082140, former Hanshin God Yasushi Tao. ”Is given a unique ID“ 1004082150 ”, and the video chat response sentence“ [dais
uke] I'm Re10040882140, a former Hanshin Anshi Tao. By analyzing the video chat question text "[Yamada] By the way, who was the old lover role of Chisato?"
2140 ”is a video chat question sentence designation tag“ Re ”
And outputs a signal to the storage means 522 for storing video chat answer sentence data including the video chat answer sentence.

In response to the signal output from the control means 521, the storage means 522 converts the above-mentioned video chat answer text data into the video chat question text "[Yamada] By the way, who was Chisato's old lover?" The information is stored in the hard disk in association with the ID “1004082140” uniquely assigned to the HDD.

Operation in connection with electronic mail transmission by server 520; control means 521 looks at the video chat answer text data stored in the hard disk of storage means 522, and after user X5 leaves the room, video chat answer text "[ [daisuke] Re100408214
0, It is Yasushi Tao of former Hanshin. "Is the ID" 1004082
140 ", and recognizes that it has been written, the answer text of the video chat is sent to the personal computer 51.
A signal to be sent to 0 is output to the storage means 522.

The storage means 522 responds to the signal output by the control means 521, and responds to the signal output from the video chat response message "[daisuke] Re100408214" stored in the hard disk in association with the ID "10040821140".
0, It is Yasushi Tao of former Hanshin. Is read out, and the video chat response sentence is sent to the personal computer 510 with the ID “1004082”.
E-mail address “yamada@pop06.od” stored on the hard disk in association with “140”.
n. ne. jp "is output to the control means 321.

The control means 521 outputs a sound / image of a display screen as shown in FIG. 16 via a mail server (not shown) connected to the network 500 in accordance with the signal output from the storage means 522. Is output to the control unit 511. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention (part 4).
It is.

The control means 511 outputs to the output means 515 a signal for performing audio / image output of the display screen as shown in FIG. 16 according to the signal output by the control means 521.

The output means 515 outputs audio / image of the display screen as shown in FIG. 16 to the user X5 according to the signal output by the control means 511.

[0191] In this way, after leaving the chat room, the user X5 receives the video chat question "[y
amada] By the way, who was Chisato ’s old lover? ID “10040821” uniquely assigned to “
For example, the video chat response sentence “[daisuke] Re1004082 written by the user Y5 by designating the ID“ 40 ”
140, It is Yasushi Tao of former Hanshin. Can be received by electronic mail.

In the above, Embodiments 1 to 5 have been described in detail.

[0193] It should be noted that the information on the video chat terminal device side of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment described above.
This is the user personal information input online by the user of the video chat terminal device when subscribing to the video chat service contract. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information on the video chat terminal device side of the present invention includes (a) MAC (m
data relating to the video chat terminal device of the present invention, such as an e.g.
(B) data regarding the user of the video chat terminal device of the present invention, such as name, age, address, postal code, telephone number, electronic mail address, etc .; (c) fixedly acquired IP (internet protocol) address, dial-up Area code of telephone number used for IP connection, LAN (local are
a network code, etc., may be information on all or a part of the data relating to the communication connection for performing the video chat of the present invention (of course, the content of the video chat according to such information). Alternatively, the access restriction may be turned on / off or the level of the access restriction may be switched in consideration of the load on the server.

The information on the video chat terminal device side of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment described above.
It was stored on the video chat terminal device side. But,
Not limited to this, the information on the video chat terminal device side of the present invention is associated with the video chat terminal device identification information notified at the start of the video chat from the video chat terminal device side of the present invention. It may be stored on the video chat server side.

In the second embodiment described above, the question and / or answer of the present invention is an answer using the position of a character in a television program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the question and / or answer of the present invention may be a question using the position of the character of the television program of the present invention (only one of the question and the answer may be performed. And both of them may be done).

In the second embodiment, the answer of the present invention is made by analyzing the video chat question text and automatically generating the video chat answer text. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The answer of the present invention is a monitoring character string for monitoring as it should be written as a video chat question sentence, and a monitoring time for monitoring assuming that the monitoring character string is to be written. In the database, a triple of a response character string to be written as a video chat response sentence with respect to the monitoring character string written during the monitoring time is stored in the database in advance, and the monitoring character string written during the monitoring time is stored in the database. This may be done by writing the corresponding response character string (of course, such triples may be additionally stored one after another, thereby enriching the contents of the database).

In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the fact that the television program of the present invention is temporarily recorded is notified to the video chat server when the recording of the television program is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fact that the television program of the present invention is temporarily recorded may be notified to the video chat server when the recording of the television program is reserved.

In the above-described fourth embodiment, the contents of the video chat performed by another user of the present invention are transferred in real time to the video chat terminal device of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the content of the video chat performed by another user of the present invention may be transferred to the video chat terminal device side of the present invention at a timing when the time zone when data traffic in the network decreases is measured. Good (of course, along with video chat time information about when the video chat took place,
The content of the video chat performed by such another user may be transferred).

In the fifth embodiment described above, the electronic mail address for sending the answer text of the video chat according to the present invention is input as the initial setting information at the time of subscribing to the video chat service. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an e-mail address for sending the answer text of the video chat according to the present invention may be input as an option setting at the time of starting the video chat (of course, one user may input such an email address). You may have more than one email address).

The protocol used for communication between the video chat terminal device and the video chat server of the present invention is mainly H
TTP. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the protocol used for communication between the video chat terminal device and the video chat server of the present invention is FTP (file tr).
answer protocol) or SMTP (sim
ple mail transfer protocol
l).

Further, the video chat terminal device of the present invention is a personal computer in the above-described embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the video chat terminal device of the present invention is not limited to this.
eo) It may be a device.

Further, the accumulation of the contents of the video chat according to the present invention was performed using a hard disk in the above-described embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
digital versatile disk-ran
domestic memory) and DVD-RW
(Digital versatile disk-r
It may be a removable optical medium such as an rewritable medium.

[0203] The invention includes all or a part of the above-mentioned video chat system, video chat terminal device, and video chat server (or
(A device, an element, a circuit, a unit, etc.) by a computer, and includes a program that operates in cooperation with the computer. of course,
The computer is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, but may include firmware, an OS, and peripheral devices.

The present invention also provides a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the steps (or steps, operations, actions, etc.) of the above-described method for providing a video chat service of the present invention. And a program that operates in cooperation with a computer.

Note that some of the means (or devices, elements, circuits, units, and the like) of the present invention, and some of the steps (or steps, operations, functions, and the like) of the present invention may take the form of a plurality of these means or It may mean some means or steps within a step, or some functions or some operations within one means or step.

Further, some of the devices (or elements, circuits, units, etc.) of the present invention mean some of the plurality of devices, or some of the means of one of the devices. (Or an element, a circuit, a part, or the like) or a part of the function of one means.

A computer-readable recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded is also included in the present invention.
One mode of use of the program of the present invention may be such that the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and operates in cooperation with the computer. One mode of use of the program of the invention may be a mode in which the program is transmitted through a transmission medium, read by a computer, and operates in cooperation with the computer. The recording medium includes a ROM and the like, and the transmission medium includes a transmission medium such as the Internet, light, radio waves, and sound waves.

Note that the configuration of the present invention may be realized by software or hardware.

[0209] Also, the present invention provides a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the functions of all or some of the above-described video chat system, video chat terminal device, and video chat server of the present invention. It includes a medium that is borne by a computer and that is readable by a computer and that executes the functions in cooperation with the computer.

[0210] The present invention also provides a medium which carries a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the operations of all or some of the steps of the video chat service providing method of the present invention. The program includes a medium that is readable and has the read program execute the operation in cooperation with the computer.

The present invention can also be used for a TV program audience rating survey. The results of such audience rating surveys can be used as well as the content of a TV chat performed by a user. Needless to say, feedback may be given to the user.

[0212]

As is apparent from the above description,
The present invention has an advantage that it can cope with diversification of needs of users who use the video chat service.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a video chat system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram (1) of a display screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view (2) of a display screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a video chat system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view (1) of a display screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view (2) of a display screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view (3) of a display screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a video chat system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view (1) of a display screen according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a video chat system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view (1) of a display screen according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a video chat system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram (1) of a display screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view (2) of a display screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view (3) of a display screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram (No. 4) of a display screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 network 110 Personal computer 111 control means 112 storage means 113 User input means 114 TV program receiving means 115 output means 120 servers 121 control means 122 accumulation means 130 Personal computer 131 control means 132 storage means 133 User Input Means 134 TV program receiving means 135 output means

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program, and a television program viewed by the user. And a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user, wherein the video chat server has information on the video chat terminal device side. A video chat system that provides the video chat service according to a permission based on the video chat service. 2. The information on the video chat terminal device side includes: (a) data on the video chat terminal device, (b) data on a user of the video chat terminal device, and (c) data for performing the video chat. The video chat system according to claim 1, wherein the information is information on all or a part of data on communication connection. 3. A video chat terminal device for performing a video chat with a user who is watching the same television program with respect to a television program being viewed by the user, wherein the video chat is performed by the user. Is performed using a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program that the user is watching. A video chat terminal device that provides the video chat service in accordance with a permission based on information on the video chat terminal device side. 4. A video chat terminal device for performing a video chat with a user who is watching the same television program with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program in which the user is. A video chat server that provides the video chat service in response. 5. A television chat terminal device for performing a television chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat service providing method for providing a video chat service in which the user performs a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program being provided, based on information on the video chat terminal device side. A video chat service providing method, comprising a video chat service providing step of providing the video chat service according to permission. 6. A video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user, and a user when the user performs a video chat according to the television program viewed by the user. And a video chat server for providing the video chat service by making a question and / or answer to the video chat system. 7. The video chat system according to claim 6, wherein said question and / or answer is a question and / or answer using a position of a character of a television program watched by said user. 8. A video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user, wherein the video chat is performed by the user according to a television program viewed by the user. A video chat terminal device which uses a video chat server for providing the video chat service by asking and / or answering the user when chatting. 9. When the user performs a video chat according to a TV program that the user is viewing, using a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat related to a TV program that the user is viewing. A video chat server for providing the video chat service by asking a question and / or answer to the user. 10. When the user performs a video chat according to the TV program that the user is viewing using a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat related to the TV program that the user is viewing. A video chat service providing step of providing the video chat service by asking a question and / or answer to the user. 11. A TV chat terminal device for performing a TV chat related to a TV program viewed by a user with another user viewing the same TV program, and a TV program viewed by the user. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user, wherein the video chat server is configured to transmit the TV program when the TV program is being broadcast. The video chat terminal device accumulates the content of the video chat performed by another user, and the video chat terminal device notifies the video chat server of the fact that the video program once recorded is played back, When receiving the notification, the video chat server stores the content of the stored video chat in the video chat. TV chat system to be transferred to the Tsu door terminal equipment. 12. A video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program, wherein the video chat is performed by the user. According to the TV program that the user is watching, the user is performed using a TV chat server for providing a TV chat service for performing a TV chat with another user, and the once recorded is performed. When a TV show is played,
The video chat server notifies the video chat server of the fact, and the video chat server stores (1) the content of the video chat being performed by another user when the TV program is being broadcast, and (2) the notification. A video chat terminal that transfers the stored contents of the video chat to the video chat terminal when receiving the video chat. 13. A television chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program which the user is watching with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program being provided, and (1) when the TV program is being broadcast Accumulates the contents of video chats performed by other users in (2)
A video chat server that transfers the stored contents of the video chat to the video chat terminal device when receiving a notification from the video chat terminal device that the video program once recorded is to be reproduced. 14. A television chat terminal device for performing a television chat relating to a television program which the user is watching with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat service providing method for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program that is being broadcasted. A video chat content storing step of storing the content of a video chat performed by another user; and when receiving a notification from the video chat terminal device to the video chat server that the TV program once recorded is to be reproduced. A telecommunication for transferring the stored contents of the video chat to the video chat terminal device. TV chat service providing method and a chat content transfer step. 15. A TV chat terminal device for performing a TV chat related to a TV program viewed by a user with another user watching the same TV program, and a TV program viewed by the user. And a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user, wherein the video chat terminal device temporarily records the TV program. In that case, the video chat server is notified to that effect, and the video chat server, when receiving the notification, executes a video chat performed by another user while the TV program is being broadcast. The content is transferred to the video chat terminal device at a predetermined timing, and the video chat terminal device TV chat system that stores the contents of the TV chat that. 16. A video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program, wherein the video chat is performed by the user. Is performed using a TV chat server for providing a TV chat service for the user to perform a TV chat with another user in accordance with the TV program that the user is watching. If the program is recorded once, the fact is notified to the video chat server, and (2) when the video chat server receives the notification, the program is transferred at a predetermined timing. A video chat terminal device that stores the content of a video chat being performed by another user when the video chat is being performed. 17. A television chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to have a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program in which the TV program is temporarily recorded from the video chat terminal device. When receiving the notification that the video chat is being performed, the content of the video chat being performed by another user while the TV program is being broadcast is transferred to the video chat terminal device at a predetermined timing. The terminal device is a video chat server that stores the content of the transferred video chat. 18. A television chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program which the user is viewing with another user who is viewing the same television program, and the user is watching the video program. A video chat service providing method for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program in which the TV program is transmitted from the video chat terminal device. Once the notification to the video chat server that the video is recorded is received, the content of the video chat performed by another user while the TV program is being broadcast is transmitted to the video chat terminal device at a predetermined timing. A video chat content transfer step of transferring, wherein the video chat terminal device is TV chat service provides a method of storing the contents of the television chat coming. 19. A TV chat terminal device for performing a TV chat related to a TV program watched by a user with another user watching the same TV program, and a TV program watched by the user A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user, wherein the video chat server is written from the video chat terminal device side. If the video chat answer sentence for the video chat question sentence is written after the user who wrote the video chat question sent out leaves the room, the written video chat answer sentence is sent to the TV using the electronic mail. Video chat system for sending to chat terminal devices. 20. A unique ID is assigned to the written video chat question text, and writing of a video chat answer text to the video chat question text is performed by designating the assigned unique ID. The video chat system according to claim 19. 21. A video chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program being viewed by a user with another user watching the same television program, wherein the video chat is performed by the user. Is performed using a video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with the TV program that the user is watching. If the video chat answer sentence for the video chat question sent from the video chat terminal device is written after the user who wrote the video chat question sent out, the written video chat answer is written. A TV chat that sends a sentence to the video chat terminal using electronic mail Tsu door terminal equipment. 22. A user using a video chat terminal device for performing a video chat related to a TV program viewed by a user with another user watching the same TV program. A video chat server for providing a video chat service for the user to perform a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program being provided, the video chat being written from the video chat terminal device side. When the video chat answer sentence for the question sentence is written after the user who wrote the video chat question sent out leaves the room, the written video chat answer sentence is sent to the video chat terminal device using an electronic mail. Video chat server to send to the side. 23. A television chat terminal device for performing a video chat relating to a television program which the user is watching with another user who is watching the same television program. A video chat service providing method for providing a video chat service in which the user performs a video chat with another user in accordance with a TV program in which the video chat service is written. If a video chat answer to the video chat question is written after the user who wrote the video chat question leaves the room, the written video chat answer is written to the video chat using an electronic mail. Video chat with video chat answer sent step to send to terminal device -Bis providing method. 24. A video chat service providing method for providing a video chat service according to a permission based on information related to the video chat terminal device in a video chat service providing method according to claim 5. program. 25. The television program viewed by the user using the video chat terminal device for performing a video chat related to the television program viewed by the user according to the video chat service providing method according to claim 10. A program for causing a computer to execute a video chat service providing step of providing the video chat service by asking and / or answering the user when the user has a video chat. 26. The video chat service providing method according to claim 14, wherein a video chat content storing step of storing the content of a video chat being performed by another user when the TV program is being broadcast; A video chat that transfers the stored content of the video chat to the video chat terminal device when a notification from the chat terminal device to the video chat server that the video program once recorded is played is received; A program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the content transfer step. 27. In the method for providing a video chat service according to claim 18, when the TV chat terminal receives a notification from the video chat terminal device that the TV program is temporarily recorded, the TV program is broadcast. A program for causing a computer to execute a video chat content transfer step of transferring the content of a video chat being performed by another user to the video chat terminal device at a predetermined timing when the video chat is being performed. 28. The video chat service providing method according to claim 23, wherein a video chat answer sentence for the video chat question sent from the video chat terminal is written by the user who has written the video chat question sentence. And writing the written video chat answer sentence to the video chat terminal using an electronic mail.