JPH11110179A - Interactive communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system, capable of realizing the form of actual mutual human communication, by providing a site information display means, an interac tive information presenting means and an input message presenting means, and providing first to third display parts within one display screen. SOLUTION: A user machine 13 and a server machine 20 are connected to each other through the internet. In such a system, the site information presenting means presents site information corresponding to a site selected by a user on the first display part. The interactive information presenting means presents the contents of information exchange between users through the interaction between the users on the second display part. The input message presenting means has the third display part having an area for user input and when the user inputs a message to this area for user input, this message is received and presented for the user through direct read after write to displayed data on the second display part. In this case, first to third display parts are provided within one display screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interactive communication system which presents information in response to access from each user and provides means for exchanging information among a plurality of users.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, means for presenting or exchanging information on the Internet include electronic mail, news groups, homepages, chats, electronic bulletin boards, and the like. The characteristics of each are as follows.

[0003] Electronic mail is used to send and receive information to and from a specific partner, and the form of information exchange is mainly one-to-one. While it is possible to transmit information to the other party at his own convenience, it lacks real-time properties and information exchange cannot be established unless each other knows the address of the other party.

[0004] A news group is used for transmitting and receiving information within a specific group, and the form of information exchange is mainly one-to-many. You can exchange information about the subject you are interested in, but it lacks real-time properties and information exchange cannot be established unless you know the existence or topic of the group.

[0005] The homepage can transmit information to an unspecified majority, and the form of the information is mainly many-to-one.
It is. Anyone who knows the access destination can access and obtain information. In addition, although there is some real-time property, it is a one-way street because information cannot be transmitted but received.

[0006] A chat is for transmitting and receiving information in a specific group in real time, and the form of information exchange is mainly one-to-many. Can talk in real time about the subject of interest, but cannot exchange information while referring to other information. Further, information exchange cannot be established unless the existence or topic of the group is known.

A bulletin board is used to transmit and receive information within a specific group, and the form of information is one-to-many.
You can send and receive information about the subject you are interested in, but it is not as real-time as chat, and information exchange cannot be established unless you know the existence or topic of the group.

[0008]

The above-mentioned various information presenting or information exchanging means are not inconvenient when used for their respective purposes, but in practice, they are periodically transmitted from a certain place. While referring to the information
At the same time, communication in the form of exchanging information with members of the group in real time is natural.

[0009] However, in order to realize such a situation using the present information presentation or information exchange means, it is necessary to simultaneously start an Internet browser and e-mail software, or simultaneously start a plurality of browsers.
Also, in a chat or bulletin board, there is a case where the screen must be switched to refer to the bulletin board or the screen must be switched to perform a chat, so that information cannot always be exchanged in real time.

[0010] With the spread of the Internet, the expectations for the Internet are changing. Users without specialized knowledge are seeking forms that are closer to real human communication, and such users are increasing rapidly.

[0011] The information presentation or information exchange means as described above has evolved from the needs of a specific user, and the current user (including potential users).
It is difficult to meet the needs.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interactive communication system capable of realizing a form of actual communication between humans.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a first invention provides a means for presenting information in response to access from each user and for exchanging information between a plurality of users. An interactive communication system to be provided, wherein site information corresponding to a site selected by a user among a plurality of sites is presented to the user via a first display unit (the information board 33 in FIG. 12). The second display unit (communication board 34 in FIG. 12) displays the means and the contents of information exchange between users by dialogue between a plurality of users.
And a third display unit (user input area 36 in FIG. 12) having an area for user input by the site information presenting means or the interactive information presenting means. When the user inputs a message in the user input area of the third display unit while referring to the content presented, the message is received and added to the display data of the second display unit, Input message presenting means for presenting the added display data to the user via the second display unit, wherein the first, second, and third display units are provided in one display screen. ing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a fourth display unit (FIG. 4) for displaying a plurality of sites from which a user can select an arbitrary one in the display screen. 12 site switching areas 35), and when the user selects one site via the fourth display unit, the site information presenting means displays site information corresponding to the selected site. The information is presented to the user via the first display unit.

[0015] In a third aspect based on the second aspect, when the user selects an arbitrary one from a plurality of sites, an icon related to the selected site is displayed on the fourth display section. When the icon is selected by the user, a presentation means for presenting exchange information corresponding to the selected site to the user via the second display unit is further provided.

In a fourth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the first and second display sections are each automatically updated after a predetermined time.

In a fifth aspect based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, the access to the interactive communication system is displayed when a connection medium is mounted on a user's machine. It is performed based on instructions.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises an authentication means for authenticating whether or not the user is an authorized user when each user accesses the authentication means. And performing authentication based on the first identification data input by the user according to the instruction and the second identification data stored in advance in the connection medium.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an interactive communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a user machine 13 and a server machine 20 are connected via the Internet (not shown). In addition to the basic OS, a browser 11 for accessing the server machine 20 and interpreting the HTML file sent from the server machine 20 and the like are installed in the user machine 13, and the interpreted HTML file is displayed. Display device 10 such as a CRT or LCD
Is connected. Further, the user machine 13 has
Connection media 12 (CD-ROM, F
D, etc., will be described below as a CD-ROM).

The server machine 20 has a server program 21 and a CGI program 2 in addition to the basic OS.
2 etc. are installed. This CGI program 22 is a site information presenting means for presenting site information to a user, a dialog information presenting means for presenting exchange information on a dialogue between users, and a message inputted by a user can be immediately viewed by another user. Has a function as an input message presenting means. The server machine 20 has data indicating the relationship between a user ID and a password used for user authentication,
A database 23 for storing files (including HTML files) related to site information, conversation information, and the like presented to the user is provided.

Hereinafter, a procedure when a plurality of users (only one user is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience) accesses the server machine 20 to obtain information and exchange information will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a case where the user sets C on the user machine 13.
5 is a flowchart showing a process from when the D-ROM 12 is mounted to when a screen capable of communicating with another user is displayed on the display device 10.

First, the user sets the user machine 13
When the D-ROM 12 is set, the user machine 13 detects this (step S1) and, as shown in FIG.
The content of the D-ROM, here, the icon 30 of the connection HTML file is displayed on the display device 10 (step S).
2). When the user double-clicks this icon 30 in this display state (step S3), the browser 11
Is started, and the HTML file for connection is displayed as shown in FIG. 8 (step S4). If this user
The user enters his / her own user ID in the user ID input section 31 of the ML file (FIG. 9, step S5), and submits "Submit".
When the (send) button 32 is clicked (FIG. 10, step S6), the server machine 20 is connected via the Internet.
Connected to. At this time, the server machine 20 stores, in addition to the user ID entered by the user, the CD-ROM 12
Is transmitted simultaneously (step S7).

The server program 21 stores the transmitted user ID and hidden password in the CGI program 2
2 and the CGI program 22
It is checked whether or not these two data have a specific relationship with each other by referring to the table (steps S8 and S9). If the user is confirmed to be an authorized user by this check, an HTML file indicating that the user has been correctly authenticated is sent to the user machine 13 and the display device 10 displays "Enter Use" as shown in FIG.
An authentication screen "rID Permission !!" is displayed (step S13).
The TML file is automatically sent to the user machine 13, interpreted by the browser 11, and displayed as shown in FIG. 12 (step S14).

On the other hand, if it cannot be confirmed that the user is a legitimate user, an HTML file for displaying a screen for re-entering the user ID is sent to the user machine 13 (step S10). Here, the user waits for a user ID to be input again (step S1).
1) The input user ID is transmitted to the server machine 20 together with the password (step S12). In this way, the above processing is repeated until the authentication is correctly performed.

The communication page shown in FIG. 12 is an information board (displayed as "Main World Information") 33 as a part for presenting information requested by the user, such as a homepage or a bulletin board.
And a user input area 36 and a communication board (displayed as "Main World Board" at the top) 34 for exchanging information such as chats, and a site switching area ("Main World Menu" at the top). 35 to be displayed).

The information board 33 displays information presented to the entire user. The user cannot send his / her own message directly to the information board 33.

The user input area 36 is an area for inputting contents to be put on the communication board 34, and includes a name (Name) input section 36a and an E-mail address (E-mail address).
-mail Address) input section 36b, Message
In addition to the input unit 36c, a send button (Send) 36d and a clear button (Clear) 36e are provided.

The communication board 34 is a board for communicating with each other by dialogue between users. When a user enters a message in the user input area 36, the message is immediately displayed on this board. Therefore, real-time communication can be performed between users.

Further, the site switching area 35 is an area used for switching the contents displayed on the information board 33 and the communication board 34, and includes a main world ("Main World") 35a,
A site ("A Site") 35b, B site ("B Site") 3
5c and C site ("C Site") 35d. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the main world 35a is initially selected, and the content corresponding to this is displayed on the information board 33 as "Main World Information".

Next, a description will be given of a switching operation when switching display contents in response to a user operation.

First, switching of the information board 33 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. On the display screen as shown in FIG. 12, when the user clicks a specific site in the site switching area 35, for example, the A site 35a as shown in FIG. 13 (step S20), this information is transmitted to the server machine 20. (Step S21). Upon receiving this information, the CGI program 22 reads from the database 23 the display content (in this case, an HTML file to be displayed on the information board 33) corresponding to the A site, and transmits it to the user machine 13 (Step S22).
This HTML file is interpreted by the browser 11 and displayed on the information board 33 as "A Site Information" as shown in FIG. at the same time,
An arrow icon 35e is displayed on the right side of the clicked site (here, the A site 35e) (step S2).
3).

On the other hand, if a specific site is not clicked even after the update time, the information board 3
3 and the display screen of the communication board 34 are updated (steps S28 and S29), and the process returns to step S20.

Next, switching of the entire communication page will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. By switching the information board 33 (steps S20 to S23), a display screen as shown in FIG. 14 is obtained.
When the icon 35e is clicked (FIG. 15, step S24), this icon information is transmitted to the server machine 20 (step S25). Upon receiving this information, the CGI program 22 reads the display contents (HTML file to be displayed on the communication board 34) corresponding to the site A from the database 23 and transmits the read contents to the user machine 13 (step S26).
This HTML file is interpreted by the browser 11 and displayed on the communication board 34 as shown in FIG. 16 (step S27). This means that the user has moved from the main world 35a to the level of the A site 35b.

On the other hand, if a specific site is not clicked after the update time, the information board 3
3 and the display screen of the communication board 34 are updated (steps S28 and S29), and the process returns to step S20.

Next, the case where the screen returns to the original screen of the main world 35a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. If it is desired to return to the original main world 35a screen shown in FIG. 12 from the state of step S23 or S27, as shown in FIG.
Is clicked on the main world 35a (step S30), the click information is displayed on the server machine 2
0 (step S31). Upon receiving this information, the CGI program 22 reads the content (HTML file) corresponding to the main world 35a from the database 23 and sends it to the user machine 13 (Step S32). The HTML file is interpreted by the browser 11 to obtain a communication page screen as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the main world 35a is not clicked after the update time, the display screens of the information board 33 and the communication board 34 before returning are updated (steps S34, S3).
5) Return to step S30.

Next, a case where a user sends his / her own message to another user in the same world or site will be described with reference to FIG.

On the screen shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 14, or FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 18, the user inputs "Tanada" into the name input section 36a of the user input area 36,
Enter "tan" in the E-mail Address input section 36b.
ada@zzz.or.jp "in the message input section 36
After inputting "Can a general employee do a presentation training?" (step S41), as shown in FIG.
When the Send button 36d is clicked (step S42), the input message is sent to the server machine 20.
(Step S43). CGI program 2
2 adds the sent message to the HTML file of the content displayed on the communication board 34 of FIG. 12, and then sends it to the user machine 13 (step S44). The added HTML file is interpreted by the browser 11, and as shown in FIG. 20, the message 34a input by the user is displayed in a state where it is added to the top of the communication board 34 (step S45).

On the other hand, if no message is input even after the update time, the display screens of the information board 33 and the communication board 34 are updated (steps S46 and S47), and the process returns to step S30.

As described above, in this embodiment, the information board 33 and the communication board 34
Is automatically updated to the next screen after a predetermined time without any special operation by the user (push technology).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the communication page is obtained by integrating the portion for displaying a normal home page or bulletin board (presentation of information) and the portion for chatting (information exchange) on one screen. . Therefore, the user can obtain information and exchange information on one screen. That is, the user, for example, sees the information displayed on the information board 33 having a function as a homepage or a bulletin board, and at the same time, via the user input area 36 and the communication board 34 which have a function as a chat. Because you can exchange information with users in real time,
An actual form of communication between humans can be realized.

Further, by the above-described integration, the user does not need to learn the operation of the tool for each information exchange means as in the related art.
Information can be exchanged by simple operations (click and key input). In addition, when connecting to the server machine, the user does not directly enter the URL (address of the server), but uses a boot medium (CD-ROM, FD, etc.) from a homepage on the medium to start the server machine. Since the connection can be made, the operation procedure at the time of connection becomes simpler.

[0045]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an interactive communication system capable of realizing a form of actual communication between humans.

Further, the information can be exchanged by a simple operation without having to remember the operation of the tool for each information exchange means as in the prior art.

Further, the operation procedure for accessing the server is simplified by using the boot medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an interactive communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process from mounting a CD-ROM to displaying a communication page.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing related to switching of information boards.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to switching of the entire communication page.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when returning to the original main world screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when a user himself sends a message.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a display screen showing the contents of a CD-ROM.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a display screen showing an HTML file for connection.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a display screen showing input of a user ID.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a display screen showing a state when an input user ID is transmitted together with a password.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an authentication screen displayed when user authentication is correctly performed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen of a communication page displayed after authentication.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a user operation when switching information boards.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing display contents of the information board after switching.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a user operation when switching the entire communication page.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing display contents of a communication page after switching.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a user operation when returning to the original main world screen.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a user operation when the user himself sends a message.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a user operation when transmitting a message input by the user.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state where the content transmitted by the user is displayed on a communication board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Display apparatus, 11 ... Browser, 12 ... Connection medium (CD-ROM), 13 ... User machine, 20 ... Server machine, 21 ... Server program, 22 ... CGI program, 23 ... Database.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An interactive communication system for presenting information in response to access from each user or providing a means for exchanging information among a plurality of users, wherein the interactive communication system is selected by a user from among a plurality of sites. Means for presenting the site information corresponding to the site to the user via the first display unit, and the contents of the information exchange between the users through the interaction between the plurality of users via the second display unit. And a third display unit having an area for user input,
When the user inputs a message in the user input area of the third display unit while referring to the content presented by the site information presenting means or the interactive information presenting means, the message is received and the Input message presenting means for additionally writing the display data of the second display unit and presenting the added display data to the user via the second display unit. An interactive communication system, wherein the display unit is provided in one display screen. 2. The display screen according to claim 1, wherein a user selects an arbitrary one.
A fourth display unit for displaying a plurality of sites from which one can be selected, and when the user selects one site via the fourth display unit, the site information presenting means 2. The interactive communication system according to claim 1, wherein the presenting unit presents site information corresponding to the selected site to the user via the first display unit. 3. When a user selects an arbitrary one of a plurality of sites, an icon related to the selected site is displayed on the fourth display unit, and when the icon is selected by the user, 3. The interactive communication system according to claim 2, further comprising a presentation unit that presents exchange information corresponding to the selected site to a user via the second display unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second display units are automatically updated after a predetermined time.
3. The interactive communication system according to any one of 3. 5. The interactive communication system according to claim 1, wherein access to the interactive communication system is performed based on an instruction displayed when a connection medium is mounted on a user's machine. The interactive communication system described in one of the above. 6. An authentication unit for authenticating whether or not the user is a legitimate user when there is an access from each user, wherein the authentication unit includes a first unit input by the user according to the instruction. 6. The interactive communication system according to claim 5, wherein authentication is performed based on the identification data and second identification data stored in advance in the connection medium.