Information processing system, program, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing system and the like that allow a user, upon receiving a message, to enhance his or her motivation to make himself or herself a new sender to send the message to another user.SOLUTION: An information processing system according to the present invention is configured to: upon a source user sending a message to a destination user, determine that a linkage has been established between the source user and the destination user, and perform a process of counting the number of linkages; evaluate each user belonging to an organization according to the number of chains; upon the destination user becoming a next source user and the source user sending the message to a destination user who is not yet involved in the linkage, determined that a linkage has been established between the source user and the destination user, perform the process of counting the number of linkages repeatedly until reaching a predetermined timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a program, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been systems in which users (e.g., employees of a company) belonging to an organization (e.g., a company) evaluate each other's achievements and contributions. Such systems can provide an opportunity for users to evaluate each other's work and to fairly evaluate each other's work. In addition, there are advantages in that they can promote teamwork throughout the organization, clarify goals, and improve overall productivity.

[0003] For example, there is a messaging system that transmits messages of gratitude such as "Thank you" within an organization such as a company (see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a system that counts the number of times that thank-you messages are sent and received, and issues a resignation alarm if the number of times that thank-you messages are sent and received is low.

[0004] There is also a posting management system that analyzes user behavioral trends for multiple organizations through the exchange of posting and positive response data, and executes comparison processing (see Patent Document 2). For example, Patent Document 2 discloses an example in which the number of pairs of connected people is calculated, and a ranking of connections between users is displayed (see Figures 6 and 10 of Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6379279 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-2148 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventional systems simply calculate the number of times a thank-you message was sent and received, and the number of combinations (pairs) of senders and receivers; they do not motivate a user who receives a message to become a new sender and send (post) messages to other users.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and its object is to provide an information processing system etc. that enables a user, when receiving a message, to become a new sender, thereby increasing the motivation to send messages to other users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The present invention provides An information processing system in which a user belonging to an organization transmits a specific message to another user belonging to the organization, a sending unit for performing a process for a sender user to send a message to a destination user; a chain processing unit that performs processing for determining, when a source user transmits a message to a destination user, that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and counting the number of chains; an evaluation unit that evaluates each user belonging to the organization according to the number of chains; The chain processing unit includes: If a destination user becomes the next source user and sends a message to a destination user who is not yet involved in the chain, the source user and the destination user The present invention relates to an information processing system that determines whether a chain reaction has occurred and counts the number of chain reactions, the process of which is repeated until a predetermined timing.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a program for causing a computer to function as each of the above units. The present invention also relates to an information storage medium storing the program. The present invention also relates to a server device including a storage unit storing the program and a processor for executing the program.

[0010] According to the present invention, when a user sends a specific message, the user evaluates each user belonging to the organization according to the number of chains, so that when the user receives a message, the user can be motivated to become the sender and send a specific message to other users. A specific message is, for example, a message expressing gratitude to other users, but is not limited to a message of gratitude and may be any message with a specific purpose.

[0011] (2) Furthermore, the information processing system, the program, and the information processing method of the present invention are a presentation unit that places a plurality of users belonging to the organization into any one of a plurality of groups and presents, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group; The presentation unit is For each group, the size of the object corresponding to the group may be determined based on the message sending / receiving status of the group. An object is, for example, a shape, a symbol, or the like that is an element constituting a screen and indicates specific information.

[0012] According to the present invention, a user can easily grasp the message sending / receiving status of each group by looking at the size of the object corresponding to each group. Note that the message sending / receiving status indicates at least one of the sending and receiving statuses.

[0013] (3) Furthermore, the information processing system, the program, and the information processing method of the present invention are a presentation unit that places a plurality of users belonging to the organization into any one of a plurality of groups and presents, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group; The presentation unit is For each combination of two groups, the thickness of the line connecting the two objects corresponding to the two groups may be determined based on the message transmission / reception status between the two groups.

[0014] According to the present invention, a user can easily grasp the status of message transmission and reception between two groups by looking at the thickness of the line connecting two objects corresponding to the two groups.

[0015] (4) Furthermore, the information processing system, the program, and the information processing method of the present invention are a presentation unit configured to present a screen including an object corresponding to each of a plurality of users belonging to the organization, The presentation unit is For each user, the size of the object corresponding to the user may be determined based on the message transmission / reception of the user.

[0016] According to the present invention, a user can easily grasp the message sending and receiving status of each user by looking at the size of the object corresponding to each user.

[0017] (5) Furthermore, the information processing system, the program, and the information processing method of the present invention are For each of a plurality of users belonging to the organization, a screen including an object corresponding to the user is provided. The display unit further includes a display unit that displays the The presentation unit is For each combination of two users, the thickness of the line connecting two objects corresponding to the two users may be determined based on the message transmission / reception status between the two users.

[0018] According to the present invention, a user can easily grasp the status of message transmission and reception between two users by looking at the thickness of the line connecting two objects corresponding to the two users.

[0019] (6) Furthermore, the information processing system, the program, and the information processing method of the present invention are a presentation unit that arranges a plurality of users belonging to the organization into any of a plurality of groups, and presents, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group and an object corresponding to a given user; The presentation unit is The size of the object corresponding to the group may be determined for each group based on the object corresponding to the user, and on the status of message transmission / reception between the user and the group.

[0020] According to the present invention, a user can easily grasp the status of message transmission and reception between the user and each group by looking at the size of the object corresponding to each group.

[0021] (7) Furthermore, the information processing system, the program, and the information processing method of the present invention are a presentation unit that arranges a plurality of users belonging to the organization into any of a plurality of groups, and presents, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group and an object corresponding to a given user; The presentation unit is For each combination of a user and a group, the thickness of the line connecting the object corresponding to the user and the group may be determined based on the message transmission / reception status between the user and the group.

[0022] According to the present invention, a user can easily grasp the status of message transmission between a user and a group by looking at the thickness of the line connecting the user and the group.

[0023] (8) Furthermore, the information processing system, the program, and the information processing method of the present invention are The evaluation unit is A user may be evaluated based on the state of message transmission and reception between the user and a group different from the group to which the user belongs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an example of a network diagram of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 shows an example of user information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is an example of information regarding a chain in this embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is an example of an input screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 shows an example of a screen after transmission in this embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 shows an example of a message list screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 shows an example of a message list screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is an example of a profile screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 shows an example of a message transmission status screen for each group according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 shows an example of a message transmission status screen for each user according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 shows an example of a message transmission status screen for a user and each group according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the number of chains and the user's level in this embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The present embodiment will be described below. Note that the present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0026] [1] Overview The information processing system according to this embodiment is a system for evaluating the achievements and contributions of users belonging to an organization, that is, a system in which users belonging to an organization evaluate the work of other users belonging to the organization.

[0027] For example, in the information processing system of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, user A who belongs to an organization sends a message to user B who also belongs to the organization. Then, user B who receives the thank-you message sends a message to user C who is another user. In this way, messages are sent from a user to other users in a chain reaction. In this embodiment, the number of messages sent from a user to other users (chain number) is counted, and each user is evaluated according to the chain number. This can promote teamwork throughout the organization, clarify goals, and improve overall productivity. In this embodiment, it is also possible to create multiple chains (for example, chains CH1, CH2, CH3) at the same time.

[0028] [2] Network configuration and functional configuration FIG. 2 is an example of a network configuration of an information processing system, and a functional block diagram of the server device 10 and the terminal device 20 of this embodiment.

[0029] The information processing system of this embodiment includes a server device 10 and a terminal device 20. That is, in the information processing system, the server device 10 and the user's terminal device 20 are connected via a network (such as the Internet or an intranet).

[0030] The server device 10 is an information processing device capable of providing services using a terminal device 20 communicatively connected via the Internet.

[0031] The terminal device 20 is an information processing device such as a mobile terminal device, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS, a computer, a tablet, a game device, a PDA, or an image generating device, and is a device that can be connected to the server device 10 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or a LAN.

[0032] The information processing system of this embodiment is a system called a "collaboration tool," a "team collaboration tool," a "communication tool," or a "chat-based workspace." For example, the information processing system not only supports real-time communication between team members, but also provides functions such as file sharing, task management, meeting scheduling, notifications and reminders, and integration with other third-party applications. This enables users to work centrally and share and manage information.

[0033] When a user sends (posts) a message using the terminal device 20, the message is sent to the server device 10. The server device 10 manages and stores the message. A message is associated with a channel or a direct message thread. The server device 10 can distribute the message to other users. Furthermore, the server device 10 stores the messages in a searchable form and allows users to search past posts at their discretion. Users can also edit or delete messages as needed. All of these functions are managed by the server device 10.

[0034] The terminal device 20 is a device in which a communication application 200 of an information processing system is installed. The communication application 200 is not limited to a dedicated application, and may be a Web browser capable of running Web applications. The terminal device 20 transmits information to the server device 10 based on an operational input by a user, and displays the information from the server device 10. When a user inputs and sends a message, the message is transmitted from the terminal device 20 to the server device 10 and sent to an appropriate channel or direct message thread.

[0035] A channel is a virtual space for organizing conversations by theme or purpose. Members of a group (team) can use a channel to send messages to each other, share files, and discuss specific topics. A channel can also be called a "conversation room," "group," "forum," "thread," or "topic."

[0036] The terminal device 20 displays information such as messages, files, and notifications from other users sent from the server device 10. This information is updated in real time, allowing the user to keep the information up to date.

[0037] Furthermore, the terminal device 20 allows the user to search for past messages and edit or delete messages. The terminal device 20 also allows the user to customize the user's environment, such as by setting the information processing system of this embodiment, integrating with other services, and creating new channels.

[0038] [3] Functional configuration The server device 10 and the terminal device 20 of this embodiment do not need to include all the units in FIG. 2, and may have a configuration in which some of them are omitted.

[0039] (1) Functional configuration of server device 10 The memory unit 170 serves as a work area for the processing unit 100 and the like, and can store programs for causing a computer to function as each part of this embodiment (programs for causing a computer to execute the processing of each part).

[0040] The memory unit 170 stores programs and data that cause the computer to perform the processing of this embodiment, and its functions can be realized by a computer-readable information storage medium such as RAM (VRAM), optical disk (CD, DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or memory (ROM), etc.

[0041] The storage unit 170 of this embodiment stores a main storage unit 171, a user information storage unit 172, and a message information storage unit 173.

[0042] The main storage unit 171 is used as a work area. The user information storage unit 172 stores user information. The message information storage unit 173 stores messages sent by users.

[0043] Information storage medium 180 (computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, etc., and its functions can be realized by an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a memory (ROM), etc.

[0044] The processing unit 100 performs various processes of this embodiment based on programs (data) stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores programs for making a computer function as each unit of this embodiment (programs for making a computer execute the processes of each unit).

[0045] The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (e.g., terminals, other servers, or other network systems), and its functions can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

[0046] The processing unit 100 performs various processes of this embodiment based on programs (data) stored in the storage unit 170 or the information storage medium 180 .

[0047] The processing unit 100 (processor) performs various processes using a main memory unit 171 in a storage unit 170 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) or programs.

[0048] The processing unit 100 includes at least a sending unit 110 , a chain processing unit 111 , an evaluating unit 112 , and a presenting unit 113 .

[0049] The transmission unit 110 transmits a specific message from a user belonging to an organization to another user belonging to the organization. For example, the transmission unit 110 performs a process in which a source user (sender) transmits a message to a destination user (receiver).

[0050] When a source user transmits a message to a destination user, the chain processor 111 determines that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and performs processing to count the number of chains.

[0051] In addition, when a destination user becomes the next source user and sends a message to a destination user who is not yet involved in the chain, the chain processing unit 111 determines that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and repeatedly performs the process of counting the number of chains until a predetermined timing (e.g., the expiration date).

[0052] The evaluation unit 112 evaluates at least one user involved in the chain according to the number of chains. The evaluation unit 112 may evaluate the user based on the state of message transmission between the user and a group different from the group to which the user belongs.

[0053] The presentation unit 113 performs processing to present information related to the message to the user (user's terminal device 20).

[0054] Here, the term "presentation" in this embodiment will be described. "Presentation" means presenting information to a user, in other words, "notification" or "display."

[0055] Moreover, the server device 10 of the present embodiment presents the information to the user means that the information is presented to the terminal device 20 of the user.

[0056] The information may be presented via a communication tool provided by the server device 10. The server device 10 of the present embodiment presents the information to the user through such a communication tool. Examples of communication tools provided by the communication server include LINE (registered trademark), Slack (registered trademark), Microsoft Teams (registered trademark), and the like.

[0057] The server device 10 also connects to a communication server and presents a message to a terminal device 20 that has installed an application provided by the communication server.

[0058] Incidentally, the server device 10 presents to the user includes notification or display via email or Web services.

[0059] The presentation unit 113 may arrange a plurality of users belonging to an organization into any of a plurality of groups, and present a screen including an object corresponding to each group.

[0060] In this case, for example, the presentation unit 113 determines the size of the object corresponding to each group based on the message transmission / reception status of the group. Also, for each combination of two groups, the presentation unit 113 determines the thickness of the line connecting the two objects corresponding to the two groups based on the message transmission / reception status between the two groups.

[0061] Furthermore, the presentation unit 113 may present a screen including an object corresponding to each of a plurality of users belonging to an organization.

[0062] In this case, for example, the presenting unit 113 determines the size of an object corresponding to each user based on the message sending / receiving status of the user. Also, for each combination of two users, the presenting unit 113 determines the thickness of a line connecting two objects corresponding to the two users based on the message sending / receiving status between the two users.

[0063] Furthermore, the example unit 113 may arrange a plurality of users belonging to an organization into one of a plurality of groups, and present, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group and an object corresponding to a given user.

[0064] In this case, for example, the presentation unit 113 determines the size of the object corresponding to the group for each group based on the message transmission / reception status between the user and the group, with the object corresponding to the user as a reference. Also, the presentation unit 113 may determine the thickness of the line connecting the object corresponding to the user and the group for each combination of a user and a group, based on the message transmission / reception status between the user and the group.

[0065] (2) Functional configuration of the terminal device The terminal device 20 includes at least a communication unit that communicates with the server device 10, and a communication application 200 that transmits (posts) and manages messages, icons, images, videos, audio data, and the like. The communication application 200 is a platform used by business teams. From individual chats to group discussions and file sharing, everything can be completed within this application. The communication application 200 can also be integrated with other tools, helping to consolidate and share information. As a result, efficient work progress and smooth collaboration are possible.

[0066] [4] Description of organization and users (1) Organization The information processing system of this embodiment is a system for evaluating users who belong to an organization. An organization is a company, a school, a union, an association, a team, or the like.

[0067] (2) Group In the information processing system of this embodiment, users belonging to an organization are divided into groups and managed. The groups may be in units of teams or departments. Furthermore, the concept of groups being divided into multiple hierarchical levels may also be used. For example, each user may be divided into departments, multiple teams may be set within each department, and users within each department may be further divided into teams. In this embodiment, one user belongs to one group. Note that one user may belong to multiple groups.

[0068] (3) User The users managed by the information processing system of this embodiment are users who belong to an organization. User information registered in advance by an administrator is stored in the user information storage unit 172.

[0069] In the case of a company, the users are employees, contract employees, part-time workers, etc. In the case of a school, the users are teachers, students, etc. In the case of a union, the users are union members, and in the case of a team, the users are team members.

[0070] 3, user information is stored in the user information storage unit 172. The user information includes, for example, a user name (account), a name, a group ID to which the user belongs, a level, and the like, associated with the user ID (user identification information) of each user.

[0071] Although not shown, the user information storage unit 172 may store information related to the user, such as login information (authentication information) for logging in to the information processing system of this embodiment, as appropriate.

[0072] When the information processing system handles a plurality of organizations, the user information may be stored for each organization in the user information storage unit 172. In this way, it is possible to manage user information for each company, such as management of user information for a first company and management of user information for a second company.

[0073] [5] Explanation of chain numbers In this embodiment, a user belonging to an organization sends a specific message to another user belonging to the organization. The specific message may be, for example, a message of thanks.

[0074] In the information processing system of this embodiment, when a source user sends a message to a destination user, it is determined that a chain reaction has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and the number of chain reactions is counted. The initial value of the chain reaction number is 0. The chain reaction number is counted every time a message is sent to another user with the destination user of the message as the new source user.

[0075] For example, in the information processing system, as shown in FIG. 1, when user A, who is the sender, is the starting user of chain CH1 and sends a message to user B, the chain number is counted and set to "1".

[0076] Next, when user B receives the message, user B can then become the sender and send a message to another user, continuing the chain. For example, when user B sends a message to the destination user C, the chain count is counted and updated to "2".

[0077] When user C receives the thank-you message, he or she can then send a message to another user, continuing the chain. For example, user C sends a thank-you message to user D, When the message is sent, the chain count is counted and updated to "3".

[0078] That is, the information processing system counts the number of chains when the chain conditions are satisfied, which are (A) the destination user becomes a new source user, and (B) a user that has not yet been involved in the chain becomes the destination user.

[0079] A "user not yet in the chain" means a user in the chain who has not sent or received a message. A "user in the chain" means a user in the chain who has sent or received a message.

[0080] For example, in the chain CH1 in FIG. 1, users A, B, and C are sending messages and user D is receiving messages, so user D must specify a user other than users A, B, C, and himself as the destination.

[0081] The chain condition may be rephrased as a "count condition" for the number of chains or a "continuation condition" for the chain.

[0082] The chain number is the length of the chain, and may be called the "chain length" or "number of connections." For example, in the chain CH1 shown in FIG. 1, user A sends a message to user B, user B sends a message to user C, and user C sends a message to user D, so that the chain number of the chain CH1 can be updated to "3."

[0083] [6] Chain expiration date In this embodiment, a validity period for a chain is set, and the number of chains in the chain is counted until the validity period of the chain (the end timing of the validity period) arrives.

[0084] For example, the timing of sending the message of the user who started the chain (the first message in the chain) is set as the start timing.Then, the end timing is set based on the start timing.For example, the expiration date is set to the end of the validity period (for example, one week) from the start timing.

[0085] The expiration date of a chain may be a certain period of time (for example, 24 hours) after the last message in the chain is sent. The same expiration date may be set for all chains on an organizational basis.

[0086] In this manner, in this embodiment, by setting an expiration date, it is possible to prompt a user who receives a message to continue sending the message as soon as possible.

[0087] In this embodiment, a chain whose expiration date has not yet arrived is regarded as a valid chain, and a chain whose expiration date has arrived as of the present time is regarded as an invalid chain. Note that a chain whose message has not been sent during a predetermined period of time (e.g., one week) from the present time may be invalidated regardless of the expiration date.

[0088] [7] Multiple Chains In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that one user sends a message to another user, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, when one user sends a message to a plurality of other users, it is necessary to set up separate chains for each of the users.

[0089] FIG. 1 shows an example of multiple chains that can occur simultaneously. For example, chain CH1 is an example in which user A is the starting user of the chain. Chain CH2 is an example in which user B is the starting user of the chain. and chain CH3 is an example where user C is the initiating user of the chain. Each chain CH1, CH2, CH3 contains a unique member exactly once.

[0090] As shown in Figure 1, in the chain CH1, user B cannot send a message to user A. However, if user B sets up a separate chain CH2, user B can send a message to user A.

[0091] Also, in the chain CH1, user C cannot send a message to user A. However, if user C sets up a separate chain CH3, user C can send a message to user A.

[0092] 4 shows an example of information related to a chain in this embodiment. For example, the information processing system of this embodiment stores information related to a chain in the storage unit 170. The information related to a chain includes a chain ID, a chain number associated with the chain ID, a user ID of a starting user, a user ID of a continuing user, a user ID of a terminal user, an expiration date, a valid flag, and the like.

[0093] The starting user is a single user who initiates a chain. The continuing user is a user who receives and sends messages. If there are multiple continuing users, the order in which the messages were sent and / or the order in which the messages were received are also stored in the storage unit 170. The terminating user refers to a user who has received a message but has not yet sent it.

[0094] The valid flag is a flag indicating whether the chain is valid or not. If the chain is valid, "1" is set, and if the chain is invalid, "0" is set.

[0095] [8] How to create a new chain The information processing system of this embodiment starts a new chain when it receives a chain start command input by the user to start a new chain.

[0096] More specifically, in this embodiment, a new chain is started by receiving at least a chain start command from a user for a specific message (e.g., a message of thanks), the destination of the user to whom the message will be initially sent, and the message content.

[0097] For example, in a message creation box of the communication application 200 of the terminal device 20 of user A, the user inputs a chain start command followed by a destination and a message. For example, user A inputs " / arigatie @BUser Thank you for your help the other day!" in the message creation box.

[0098] Then, when the information processing system receives a chain start command from user A's address (@AUser), the address of the destination user, user B (e.g., @BUser), and a message, it creates a new chain (e.g., chain ID = CH1). Then, user A sends a message to user B. When user A sends a message to user B, the chain count for that chain is set to "1."

[0099] That is, the information processing system initiates the start of a message chain and issues a new chain ID by accepting an input of a chain start command. Instead of accepting an input of a chain start command, the information processing system may accept the command through a GUI (Graphical User Interface) operation.

[0100] User A receives an ephemeral message from User B to inform him that his message was sent to User B. Users can view these messages in the form of ephemeral messages. Ephemeral messages are temporary messages that are only visible to a specific user and cannot be seen by other users. Ephemeral messages are automatically deleted after the specific user reads the message or after a certain period of time has passed.

[0101] [9] Explains how to continue an existing chain (1) Message input screen In this embodiment, when the information processing system accepts a message addressed to a destination user from a source user, it receives the destination user's message and information about the source user who sent the message based on a specific program (the specific program is also called a "bot").

[0102] For example, in the example of Figure 1, when the information processing system accepts input of a chain start command, it sends the message content of user A (e.g., "Thank you for your help the other day!") and the information of the sender user A (e.g., @AUser) to user B, for example, as a direct message DM.

[0103] For example, in a direct message DM, there is a Continue button to continue the message chain, and when User B clicks the Continue button, a dialog (input screen) is displayed for selecting other users to send a message to. The current users involved in the chain are displayed in this dialog.

[0104] FIG. 5 shows an example of a dialog that user B views. For example, user B selects the next destination user (e.g., user C's destination @CUser) from a selection field 51. Also, users A and B (e.g., @AUser, @BUser) are displayed in a list 52 of current users involved in the chain. Also, in a message field 53, user B can input the contents of a message to the next destination user (e.g., user C). Finally, by clicking the send button 55, user B can send a message to user C. Note that clicking the cancel button 54 ends the process without sending the message.

[0105] After user B sends a message to user C, the information processing system may update the original direct message DM to information for confirming that the message has been sent.

[0106] By clicking the send button 55, the information processing system receives the message from the address of the sender user B (@BUser), along with the chain ID (e.g., chain ID=CH1), the address of the destination user, user C (e.g., @CUser). Then, the message is sent from user B to user C. When a message is sent from user B to user C, the chain number for that chain is set to "2."

[0107] Then, when the destination user becomes the next source user and sends a message to a destination user who is not yet involved in the chain, the information processing system determines that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and repeatedly performs the process of counting the number of chains until the expiration date of chain ID=CH1 arrives.

[0108] (2) Message sending screen 6(A) and (B) show an example of the screen after the message is sent. FIG. 6(A) shows the screen on which user D (@DUser) has sent a message to user E (@EUser). In other words, by looking at this screen, user D knows that the chain is continuing and that user E You can tell when someone sent you a message.

[0109] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(A), a message 61 sent by user D, information 62 indicating which user sent the message to whom (for example, information indicating that user D sent a message to user E), information 63 of each user involved in the chain, and the number of chains 64 are displayed.

[0110] FIG. 6(B) shows a screen in which user F (@FUser) has sent a message to user N (@NUser). For example, in FIG. 6(B) as well, a message 65 sent by user F, information 66 indicating that user F has sent a message to user B, information 67 of some users involved in the chain, and the number of chains 68 are displayed. In this embodiment, when the number of chains is large, as shown in FIG. 6(B), it is possible not to display information of all users involved in the chain (e.g., users A, B, C, D, E, F, N). In other words, of users A, B, C, D, E, F, N involved in the chain, some users (e.g., the starting user A and the last three users E, F, N) are displayed. The some users may be selected by various methods other than the first user and the last three users.

[0111] When a chain is updated, the information processing system may display updated chain information (for example, information on all or some of the users involved in the chain, the number of chains, etc.) on the transmission screen.

[0112] (3)Other The information processing system posts messages belonging to the same chain as replies to the first message of the chain. It also posts messages belonging to the same chain to a given channel. This allows all members of the channel to view all posted messages. This strengthens the bond between members involved in the chain. When a user views a channel and there are multiple messages, the user can view the entire chain at once by clicking a link.

[0113]

[10] Evaluation In this embodiment, each user belonging to an organization is evaluated according to the number of chains. This allows for evaluation that takes into account the connections between users. In addition, when a user receives a message, the user can become a new sender and be motivated to send a message to other users.

[0114] The information processing system of this embodiment determines, for example, a value to be added to a user's evaluation score based on the number of chains.

[0115] "Evaluation value" is a value that serves as an index for personnel evaluation (evaluation that affects promotion and wages). For example, in a certain organization (company), the evaluation value of a user (e.g., employee) belonging to the organization is calculated for a period (e.g., one year, quarterly, or monthly).

[0116] In this embodiment, the greater the number of chains, the greater the value added to the evaluation value. The evaluation value calculated in this embodiment may be used not only for personnel evaluation, but also for the remuneration calculated from the evaluation value, which may be used as a donation. In addition, employers of companies may refer to the evaluation value of each user to analyze the connections between users or between users and groups.

[0117]

[11] Statistics information The information processing system displays statistical information for a statistical period (e.g., a period of one week, one month, etc.). For example, the statistical information is displayed in a public channel shared with all users belonging to an organization. The statistics are statistics about a particular message.

[0118] The statistical information includes the number of chains that have started during a specified period. If four chains (CH1 chain, CH2 chain, CH3 chain, and CH4 chain) have started during a specified period, the number of chains that have started is "4."

[0119] The statistical information also includes, for example, the number of valid chains. If the only valid chains are CH1 and CH2, the number of valid chains is "2."

[0120] The statistical information also includes, for example, the name of the chain with the most chains and the number of chains for that chain. If, during a given period (for example, the past week), the number of chains for chain CH1 is "9," the number of chains for chain CH2 is "4," and the number of chains for chain CH3 is "3," the chain with the most chains is "Chain CH1," and its number of chains is "9."

[0121] The statistical information also includes, for example, the top three users who started the most chains during a given period. For example, the user who started a chain is the user who created the beginning of the chain and the user who created the opportunity for communication through messages, and is therefore highly evaluated.

[0122] The statistical information also includes, for example, the top three users (users who received and sent) who continued the most chains during a specified period. For example, in this embodiment, a continuous chain leads to active interaction between users. Therefore, the top three users who continued the most chains during a specified period are listed as one piece of statistical information.

[0123]

[12] Reminder If the chain is not continued (transmitted) after a waiting period (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed, the information processing system of this embodiment transmits a reminder (notification information) to urge the continuation of the chain.

[0124] The information processing system can set a waiting period before a reminder or disable a reminder based on an administrator's settings.

[0125] Furthermore, if the user does not continue the chain after the waiting period has elapsed, the information processing system may present (suggest) users or groups to which the user can send a message.

[0126] (1) Suggesting recipients based on message sending frequency Assume that user N receives a message, and then does not send a message to anyone else, thus not continuing the chain. In such a case, the information processing system may extract candidates for destination users from among those to whom user A has sent messages in the past, and present the candidate users to user A. For example, the recipients of messages to whom the user has sent messages most frequently are extracted as candidates for destination users. In other words, the recipients of messages to whom the user has sent messages the most in a specified period are selected as candidates for destination users. Instead of the sending frequency (the number of times sent in a specified period), the receiving frequency (the number of times received in a specified period) or the sending / receiving frequency (the number of times sent / received in a specified period) may be used. Note that the number of times sent / received is the total number of times sent and received.

[0127] (2) Suggesting recipients based on unused (low-frequency) groups or group members If there is a group to which a message has not yet been sent, the information processing system may extract the group as a candidate and present the group to the user A. In addition, the information processing system may extract destination user candidates from among the users who belong to the group and present the candidate users to the user A. For example, if there are a development department, a sales department, a support department, and an accounting department, In the above example, it is assumed that the members of the accounting department have not yet sent a message. In this case, the accounting department or members of the accounting department are presented to user A as candidates for recipient users.

[0128] In addition, when starting a new chain or continuing a chain, the information processing system may extract groups with which the user has little interaction (message sending and receiving frequency) via communication application 200 or has never interacted (has never sent or received a message) as candidates, and present the candidate groups to user A.

[0129] For example, assume that user A has sent many messages to the development department, but has not yet sent a message to the accounting department. In such a situation, the information processing system can present user A with the accounting department as a group for starting a new chain or a group for continuing a chain. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make a suggestion to user A to think of someone in the accounting department to whom to send a message.

[0130] (3) Proposals based on data analysis The information processing system may extract candidate users from among users who have sent or received messages (at least one of sending and receiving) on ​​public channels within the past week, and present the candidate users to user A as destination users.

[0131] In particular, the information processing system may perform control so as not to select users who have had arguments with each other or who have sent or received negative messages as candidates.

[0132]

[13] List of messages Fig. 7 shows an example of a list screen of messages that each user can view. For example, the latest message is displayed for each number of chains. When the expand link 74 of the chain 73 is clicked, each message 75, 76 of the chain 73 is displayed as shown in Fig. 8.

[0133] 7, the latest message, the sending user, the sending date (posting date), and the number of chains are displayed for each chain. For example, chain 73 shows that user A sent the latest message on June 8, 2023, and as a result, the number of chains related to that message was updated to "2."

[0134] On the list screen, the user can sort by various factors. For example, the user can sort the chains in order of most recent by clicking the link 71 for sorting by most recent. Although not shown, the user can sort the chains in order of most recent by clicking the link "Most chains". Furthermore, the user can sort the chains in order of most recent by clicking the link "Oldest creation date" by sorting the chains in order of oldest first message creation date. Furthermore, the user can sort the chains in order of most recent first message creation date by clicking the link "Newest creation date" by sorting the link "Most participants by organization unit" by sorting the chains in order of most participants by organization unit (e.g., group unit).

[0135] The information processing system may also have a filtering function. When the filtering function is not enabled, all chains are displayed as shown in Fig. 7. For example, the user can display messages regarding all chains by clicking a link 72 that displays all chains.

[0136] Also, although not shown in the figure, for example, when user A selects and instructs "my chain", Only chains that the user himself (user A) started or continued are displayed.

[0137] Furthermore, if the user selects "organizational unit," only the chains of the selected organization are displayed. For example, the chains of a group selected from one or more predetermined groups are displayed. Furthermore, if there is a group Z and the user selects "group Z only," the chains in which a member of group Z participates (at least one person) are displayed. Note that participation means, for example, performing at least one of sending and receiving messages.

[0138] Also, although not shown, when the user selects "chains started by the user," the chains started by the user are displayed.

[0139] Also, although not shown, when the user selects "Chains started by groups," the chains started by members belonging to the group are displayed.

[0140] The information processing system allows the user to view the maximum chain number in response to a viewing request from the user. Also, the information processing system allows the user to view the current chain number in response to a viewing request from the user.

[0141]

[14] Administrator Settings Page Based on input from an administrator, the information processing system can set the expiration date of a chain, groups and group hierarchies, create users, set user authority, allocate users to groups, and delete users.

[0142]

[15] Profile page 9 shows an example of a profile screen of user A. The information processing system of this embodiment displays profile information, which is user information of each user managed by the information processing system, based on an instruction from a logged-in user.

[0143] The profile information includes, for example, a user image 90 (which may be an avatar, photo image, or character image), user information 91 (name, name of group to which the user belongs), information 92 indicating the status of the current period, and activity information 93 indicating recent message sending and receiving status.

[0144] At least a predetermined number (for example, two) of the latest message sending statuses and receiving statuses are displayed in the activity information 93. In the example of Fig. 9, the latest message sending status 94 and receiving status 95 are displayed.

[0145] The status of the current period indicates status information about messages for a given period (e.g., a statistical period). For example, the status of the current period includes the longest chain number (e.g., 17) for User A in the given period.

[0146] The status of the current period also includes the number of chains (eg, 45) that user A has started in a given period (eg, statistical period).

[0147] Additionally, the status of the current period includes the posting date (e.g., June 28, 2023) of the latest message posted during a specified period (e.g., a statistical period).

[0148] The status of the current period includes the number of unique senders (e.g., 5) and the number of unique receivers (e.g., 10) during a given period (e.g., statistical period). For example, if user A sends to 5 different users, the number of unique senders is 5, and if user A receives from 10 different users, the number of unique receivers is 10.

[0149] The status of the current period also includes the number of unique sending groups (e.g., 3) and the number of unique receiving groups (e.g., 5) during a specified period (e.g., statistical period). For example, if user A transmits to users in three different groups, the number of unique sending groups is 3, and if user A receives from users in five different groups, the number of unique receiving groups is 5.

[0150]

[16] Visualization The information processing system of this embodiment visualizes (makes visible) the message sending and receiving status of each group and each user in order to promote mutual use between groups and utilization of the system.

[0151] [16.1] Objects representing each group 10 shows an example of a screen showing the message sending and receiving status of each group. In the information processing system of this embodiment, for example, each group is represented by a circular object, and the object is presented on a screen that can be viewed by each user.

[0152] The information processing system displays an object representing each group and displays the sending and receiving status of the group, for example, as shown in Fig. 10. The object displays information such as the group name. The object is circular, but may be another shape.

[0153] The information processing system calculates, for each group, a participation rate (an example of a message transmission / reception status) which is a ratio of the number of users who have joined the group to the total number of members of the group.

[0154] The information processing system then determines the size of the group's object based on the participation of the group. In this embodiment, the size of the group's object is determined so that the size increases as the participation rate increases. The size of the group's object may be determined based on the total number of messages sent and received by the group (an example of a message sending and receiving status). The size of the group's object may be switched to be determined based on at least one of the participation rate of the group and the total number of messages sent and received.

[0155] A specific example will be described. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, if group GA has 10 members, and 9 of them participate in the chain (if they are at least sending or receiving messages in the chain), the participation rate is 90%. Also, if group GB has 100 members, and 40 of them participate in the chain, the participation rate is 40%. Therefore, since group GA has a higher participation rate than group GB, object OB1 of group GA is displayed as a larger object than object OB2 of group GB.

[0156] [16.2] Intergroup ties The information processing system displays a relationship image between groups based on the status of message transmission and reception between the groups, for example, as shown in Fig. 10. For example, in this embodiment, the thickness of the line between objects representing the groups is controlled based on the status of message transmission and reception between the groups.

[0157] For example, the total number of messages sent from users belonging to a first group (e.g., group GA) to users belonging to a second group (e.g., group GB) and the total number of messages sent from users belonging to the second group (e.g., group GB) to users belonging to the first group (e.g., group GA) during a specified period (e.g., a statistical period) is counted as the number of connections between the first group and the second group.

[0158] In this embodiment, the number of connections between groups is counted for all combinations of groups during a predetermined period (for example, a statistical period).

[0159] The greater the number of connections (an example of message transmission / reception status) between groups, the thicker the line between the objects representing those groups will be.

[0160] For example, the total number of connections in the first group is determined as the sum of the number of messages sent by users belonging to group GA to users belonging to other groups and the number of messages sent by users belonging to other groups to users belonging to group GA during a specified period (e.g., a statistical period).

[0161] Then, a connection rate is calculated, which is the ratio of the number of connections between group GA and group GB to the total number of connections in group GA during a predetermined period.The information processing system then calculates the connection rates between group GA and all other groups.In this embodiment, the connection rate is calculated for each combination of all groups.

[0162] Then, for each combination of two groups, the information processing system of this embodiment determines the thickness of the line connecting the two objects corresponding to the two groups based on the connection rate of the two groups (an example of a message transmission / reception status). If the connection rate between the groups is 0%, the line connecting the objects corresponding to the groups is not displayed. For example, based on the connection rate between the group GA and each of the other groups, the information processing system determines the thickness of the line between the group GA and each of the other groups (for example, GB, GC, GD, GN).

[0163] A specific example will be described. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, assume that the connection rate between group GA and group GB is 50%, the connection rate between group GA and group GD is 10%, the connection rate between group GA and group GC is 0%, and the connection rate between group GA and group GN is 0%. In this case, in this embodiment, the thickness of line L1 connecting object OB1 of group GA and object OB2 of group GB is determined so that the thickness of line L1 is thicker than the line L2 connecting object OB1 of group GA and object OB4 of group GD.

[0164] In the example of FIG. 10, group GN transmits messages only within the group, and does not transmit or receive messages to or from other groups.

[0165] In this way, according to this embodiment, the ties between groups and the degree of message transmission and reception between groups can be clearly confirmed at a glance. The number of messages received may be used instead of the number of messages sent. The number of messages sent and received may be used instead of the number of messages sent, and further the lines connecting groups may be determined separately for the number of messages sent and the number of messages received, and displayed in different colors. In this way, it is easy to recognize whether the number of messages sent or the number of messages received between groups is greater.

[0166] [16.3] An object representing each user The information processing system displays an object (e.g., a circular object) representing each user, as shown in Fig. 11, for example. User information such as the user name is displayed in the object of each user. In other words, each object is presented on a screen that can be viewed by each user. Although the object is circular, it may be another shape.

[0167] In this embodiment, a sending rate is calculated for each user, which indicates the ratio of the number of messages sent by the user to the total number of messages sent by all users within a predetermined period of time.

[0168] In this embodiment, the size of the user's object is determined according to the sending rate of the user (an example of a message sending / receiving status). In this embodiment, the size of the user's object is determined such that the higher the sending rate of the user, the larger the object of the user becomes.

[0169] A specific example will be described below. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, if the sending rate of user A is 8% and the sending rate of user B is 2%, the sending rate of user A is higher than that of user B, so that object OB1 of user A is displayed as a larger object than object OB2 of user B.

[0170] In this embodiment, the size of a user's object may be determined according to the user's reception rate (an example of a message transmission / reception status). For example, a reception rate indicating the ratio of the number of messages received by the user to the total number of messages received by all users within a predetermined period is calculated for each user.

[0171] [16.4] Relationships between users The information processing system displays a relationship image between users based on the status of message transmission and reception between the users, for example, as shown in Fig. 11. For example, in this embodiment, based on the status of message transmission and reception between the users, the relationship between the users is expressed by the thickness of the line connecting the objects corresponding to the users.

[0172] For example, the total number of messages sent from user A to user B and the total number of messages sent from user B to user A during a specified period (e.g., a statistical period) is counted as the number of connections between users A and B.

[0173] In this embodiment, the number of connections between users is counted for all combinations of users during a predetermined period (for example, a statistical period).

[0174] The greater the number of connections between users (one example of message transmission and reception status), the thicker the line between objects representing the users will be.

[0175] The number of messages sent by all users to other users is defined as the total number of connections for the users. In this embodiment, the connection rate (connection rate between users A and B) is calculated, which is the ratio of the number of connections between users A and B to the total number of connections. In this embodiment, the connection rate is calculated for each combination of all users.

[0176] Then, for each combination of two users, the information processing system determines the thickness of the line connecting the two objects corresponding to the two users based on the connection rate between the two users (an example of a message sending / receiving status). If the connection rate between the users is 0%, the line connecting the objects corresponding to the users is not displayed. For example, based on the connection rate between user A and other users, the information processing system determines the thickness of the line between object OB1 of user A and objects (e.g. objects OB2, OB3, OB4) of each other user (e.g. users B, C, D).

[0177] A specific example will be described. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, assume that the connection rate between users A and B is 10%, the connection rate between users A and C is 1%, and the connection rate between users A and D is 5%. In this case, the thickness of line L11 connecting objects OB1 and OB2 of users A and B is determined so that it is thicker than line L12 connecting objects OB1 and OB3 of users A and C, and line L13 connecting objects OB1 and OB4 of users A and D. Also, The thicknesses of the lines L12 and L13 are determined so that the line L13 is thicker than the line L12.

[0178] In this way, according to this embodiment, the ties between users and the degree of message transmission and reception can be confirmed at a glance.

[0179] [16.5] Relationship between users and groups Fig. 12 shows an example of a screen showing message transmission / reception status of a user and each group in this embodiment. The information processing system may display an object showing a user and an object showing a group, for example, as shown in Fig. 12. Each object may also display a user name and a group name.

[0180] The information processing system of this embodiment uses an object corresponding to a user as a reference and determines the size of an object corresponding to a group for each group based on the number of messages sent by the user to the group (an example of a message transmission / reception status). FIG. 12 shows the relationship between user A and groups. For example, the information processing system displays the object UA of user A at a fixed size. Also, the size of objects OB1 to OB5 of each group is determined based on the number of messages sent by user A to each group. For example, if the number of messages sent to group GA is the largest among the groups to which user A sent messages (for example, groups GA, GB, GC, GD, and GN), the size of object OB1 of group GA is made the largest. Next, if the number of messages sent to group GB is large, the size of object OB2 of group GB is displayed as the second largest. In other words, the larger the number of messages sent by user A to a group, the larger the size of the object. The number of messages received or the number of messages sent may be used instead of the number of messages sent. Note that the number of messages received and the number of messages sent are examples of a message transmission / reception status.

[0181] In addition, for each combination of a user and a group, the information processing system determines the thickness of the line connecting the object corresponding to the user and the group based on the message transmission / reception status between the user and the group. For example, the connection between user A and a group is displayed by the thickness of the line between the object representing the connection between user A and the group.

[0182] For example, the total number of connections from all users belonging to the organization to users belonging to the group GA that sent messages is counted. Then, the number of connections from user A to users belonging to the group GA that sent messages is counted. Then, the connection rate, which is the ratio of the number of connections of user A to the total number of connections, is calculated as the connection rate between user A and group GA. Then, the information processing system determines the thickness of the line between object UA of user A and object OB1 of group GA based on the connection rate between user A and group GA (an example of a message sending and receiving situation). The connection rate may be calculated using the number of connections that received messages instead of the number of connections that sent messages. The connection rate may be calculated using the number of connections that sent and received messages instead of the number of connections that sent messages, and further the lines connecting the objects may be determined separately for the number of messages sent and the number of messages received, and displayed in different colors. In this way, it is easy to recognize whether the number of messages sent or the number of messages received between groups is greater.

[0183] In the same manner, the connection rate between user A and group GB, the connection rate between user A and group GC, the connection rate between user A and group GD, and the connection rate between user A and group GN are calculated.

[0184] Then, based on the connection rate between user A and each of the groups GA, GB, GC, GD, and GN, the thickness of the lines between object UA of user A and objects OB1, OB2, OB3, OB4, and OB5 of the groups GA, GB, GC, GD, and GN is determined. If user A has not sent a message to any user in group GN, the line itself is not displayed.

[0185] For example, when the connection rate between user A and group GA is 30%, which is the highest connection rate, the line L21 connecting object UA of user A and object OB1 of group GA is made the thickest.

[0186] If the connection rate between user A and group GD is 10%, which is the second highest connection rate, the line L24 connecting object UA of user A and object OB4 of group GD is made the second thickest.

[0187] Furthermore, if the connection rate between user A and group GB is 3%, and the connection rate between user A and group GC is 3%, which is the third highest connection rate, the line L22 connecting object UA of user A to object OB2 of group GB and the line L23 connecting object UA of user A to object OB3 of group GC are made the third thickest. In this way, the information processing system controls the lines so that the higher the connection rate, the thicker the lines are.

[0188]

[17] Level The information processing system sets a level for each user.

[0189] In this embodiment, the level is updated according to the order of transmission of the chain of the user and the number of chains. For example, if the chain CH1 in which user A participated continues and the number of chains increases, the level of user A is raised according to the increased number of chains.

[0190] This level may be displayed on the user's profile screen. According to this embodiment, the user can be encouraged to participate in chains by aiming to reach a high level.

[0191] At the start of a predetermined period, the level of each user is set to "0" and the action value x is set to "0." The action value x is an accumulation parameter used to determine level increase.

[0192] In addition, if a user receives a message and does nothing, the user's level is not raised. If the user who received the message sends the message to the next destination user, the user's level is raised.

[0193] The information processing system updates the action value x and level for each user as follows. A specific example of calculating the level of the chain CH1 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The initial value of each level of users A, B, C, and D is set to 0.

[0194] First, as shown in FIG. 13(A), when user A, as the initiating user of chain CH1, sends a message to user B, the level is raised by 1. To explain in detail, the action value x of user A is updated to "1". Since the action value x reaches the action attainment value of level 1 (for example, 1), the level of user A is updated to "1". The action value x and level of user B remain at 0.

[0195] For example, as shown in Fig. 13(B), in the chain CH1, when destination user B sends a message to the next destination user C, the action value x of user A is increased by 1 to "2." Then, when the action value x of user A reaches the action attainment value of level 2 (e.g., 2), the level of user A is updated to "2."

[0196] Also, as shown in FIG. 13(B), user B sent a message to user C, User B's action value x is increased by 1. Since User B's action value x has reached the action attainment value of level 1 (for example, 1), User B's level becomes "1". User C's action value x and level remain at 0.

[0197] Next, as shown in FIG. 13(C), when user C sends a message to user D, the chain number is updated to "3". Then, user A's action value x is increased by 1 and updated to "3". Because user A's action value x has not reached the action achievement value of level 3 (e.g., 4), user A's level is maintained at "2". In addition, user B's action value x is increased by 1 and updated to 2. Because user B's action value x has reached the action achievement value of level 2 (e.g., 2), user B's level is updated to "2".

[0198] Also, as shown in FIG. 13(C), since user C sent a message to user D, the action value x of user C is increased by 1. Since the action value x of user C has reached the action attainment value of level 1 (for example, 1), the level of user C becomes "1". The action value x and level of user D remain at 0.

[0199] In this embodiment, the degree of increase in the level of the user who has participated in the chain CH1 may be increased as the number of consecutive chain CH1 increases. The rate of increase in the level may be adjusted to increase according to the number of chains.

[0200] Also, an upper limit may be set for the level increase per chain. For example, the level increase per chain may be set to "5".

[0201] Also, for continuing users of the chain CH1, such as users B, C, and D, a value obtained by multiplying the number of source users who exist before the user in the order of precedence by 0.5 (for example, 0.5 for user B and 1 for user C) may be added to the behavior value x of the reference user. In this way, a higher incentive is given to continuing users than to preceding users, so that it is possible to strongly encourage the continuation of the chain.

[0202]

[18] Title In the information processing system of this embodiment, it is determined for each user whether the user meets the conditions for granting a title, and if the conditions are met, the title is granted to the user. The conditions for granting a title are, for example, at least one of the following: when a unique connection between the user and another user is created, when many unique connections across groups are created, when a chain in which the user participates is always continued, when many chains (e.g., 10 or more) are started, when many chains are participated in (e.g., 10 or more are participated), and when various milestones are achieved within a predetermined period. A unique connection means that the user sends a message to a person to whom the user has never sent a message before, and means that active exchange activities are being carried out (the range of exchanges is expanding).

[0203] In the information processing system, a label of a title is displayed on the profile screen of a user to whom a title has been assigned. Note that a user's profile can be viewed by all users.

[0204]

[19] Development function [19.1] Plant growth function The information processing system of this embodiment may have a function of cultivating plants in a virtual space. For example, in the virtual space, all participants in the chain cooperate to grow the plants by sowing seeds (sending a message to start a chain) and continuing to communicate through messages. In this way, the user's awareness of participating in the chain can be further enhanced (by sending a message), which cannot be achieved by incentives that are beneficial to oneself, such as improved evaluations in similar information processing systems. (The receiving user can be encouraged to send messages to other users as a new sender user.) The process of reaching a specific goal can be visualized as the growth of a plant, and the user who receives the message can be encouraged to actively participate in the chain by showing the results of the cooperation of the participants in the chain so far as the growth process of a plant.

[0205] For example, an example of growing a plant in a virtual space in the chain CH1 will be described. When the starting user A sends a message to the destination user B, a seed is planted. Then, as the number of chains in the chain CH1 increases, the plant is grown. For example, the plant sprouts when the number of chains in the chain CH1 reaches 5, blooms when the number of chains in the chain CH1 reaches 10, produces fruit when the number of chains in the chain CH1 reaches 20, and produces seeds when the number of chains in the chain CH1 reaches 30. The plant image is viewable by all users, encouraging users to participate in the chain CH1. In addition, plants are grown not only in the chain CH1, but also in many other chains such as the chain CH2 and CH3. When multiple chains occur in this way, an image is generated that shows many plants growing in a garden, etc. In this way, the number of chains can be grasped according to the number of plants.

[0206] The growing function may also be associated with an expiration date for the chain. The plant may continue to grow as long as the next user sends a message before the expiration date. When the expiration date is reached, the plant may wither.

[0207] The growing function is not limited to growing plants, but may be, for example, growing animals, or growing a character in space exploration, etc.

[0208] In this embodiment, a target value for the number of chains (e.g., "30") may be set based on the administrator's input. In this embodiment, a transmission deadline for a user who has received a message to send the message to the next recipient user may be set based on the administrator's input. Also, the total number of plants (total number of chains) that bloom in a garden or the like during a given period (campaign period) may be counted, and the total number of plants may be presented to each user.

[0209] [19.2] Other The information processing system of this embodiment may limit the number of rights that one user has to become the starting user of a chain (for example, the number of seeds in the virtual space) in order to prevent the user from becoming tired of handling many chains and to prevent the user from becoming the starting user of too many chains.

[0210] The information processing system of this embodiment may associate the maximum number of chains with the completed form of the cultivation object (for example, harvesting of plant seeds) based on the type of the cultivation object.

[0211] Also, for example, in this embodiment, a bonus according to the number of chains may be given to users involved in a chain. For example, in this embodiment, the greater the number of chains in a chain, the higher the number of bonuses and / or bonus value of the users who participated in the chain. For example, the bonus may be a seed of a virtual space (e.g., a premium seed). A user who obtains a seed of a virtual space can sow the seed in the virtual space. In such a case, the user becomes the initiating user of the chain.

[0212] The information processing system can display the maximum number of chains corresponding to the type of seed in response to a viewing request from the user. Also, the information processing system can display the cultivation object corresponding to the chain (e.g., an image of a plant in a virtual space) and the current number of chains in the chain in response to a viewing request from the user.

[0213] In the information processing system of this embodiment, in the initial state, the same seed may be assigned to all users, or different seeds may be assigned randomly to each user.

[0214] Premium seeds can be allocated seeds with a longer maximum number of chains than the current seeds. This allows users to get a larger profit or evaluation if the maximum number of chains is larger. As a result, it is possible to encourage active participation from users.

[0215]

[20] Examples of evaluation applications [20.1] Evaluation based on chain length In the information processing system of this embodiment, when the number of chains reaches a maximum value, a bonus may be given to the users involved in the chain according to the number of chains.

[0216] For example, if the maximum chain value of chain CH1 is "30" and the length of chain CH1 reaches 30, the same bonus (e.g., a value to be added to the evaluation value, etc.) is given to all 31 users who participated in chain CH1. Also, different bonuses may be given to the 31 users who participated in chain CH1. For example, only start user A, who first started chain CH1, may be given a bonus value of "1000", and other users may be given a bonus value of "500". In this way, it is possible to encourage users to become the start users of the chain.

[0217] For example, a bonus may be given based on the period from when the chain CH1 first sent a message until the maximum value is reached. For example, the bonus value may be controlled so that the longer the period, the higher the bonus value. In this way, it is possible to encourage the chain to continue early.

[0218] [20.2] Evaluation of when a user sends a message to another group The information processing system of this embodiment may evaluate a user based on the state of message transmission and reception between the user and a group different from the group to which the user belongs.

[0219] The information processing system of this embodiment calculates the number of messages that a user (e.g., user A) belonging to a group (e.g., group GA) sent to users belonging to other groups (e.g., groups other than group GA) during a predetermined period (e.g., a statistical period). Then, based on the number of messages that the user sent to users belonging to other groups (an example of a message sending and receiving status), the bonus value of the user (e.g., a value to be added to an evaluation value, etc.) is determined. For example, the more messages the user sent to users belonging to other groups, the higher the bonus value of the user will be. In this way, communication between different groups is activated, and active exchange activities can be carried out.

[0220] For example, if user A has sent "10" messages to users belonging to other groups (there may be one or more groups), the bonus value of user A is increased by "10." Also, if user A has sent "20" messages to users belonging to other groups, the bonus value of user A is increased by "20."

[0221] The information processing system may determine the value of a bonus for a user based on the number of messages the user has received from users belonging to other groups (an example of a message sending / receiving status).

[0222] The information processing system also calculates, based on the number of messages the user has sent to users belonging to other groups and the number of messages the user has received from users belonging to other groups, A bonus value for that user may be determined.

[0223]

[21] Viewing restrictions The information processing system of this embodiment may be controlled so that only users who have received a chain (received a message) are permitted to view the maximum number of chains and / or the current number of chains. In other words, users who have not received a chain are controlled so that they cannot view the maximum number of chains and the current number of chains.

[0224]

[22] Sending messages to a group or multiple other users In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that one user sends a message to another user. Therefore, when one user sends a message to multiple other users, it is necessary to set up a separate chain for each of them. However, in order to send a message to multiple users (to set up a separate chain), it is necessary to repeat the same operation, which is lacking in operability and convenience. There is also a demand to send a message to everyone who belongs to a group. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to specify a group or multiple users as the destination, but there is a risk that the number of users involved in the chain will increase suddenly, which will affect the continuity of the chain.

[0225] By using the following methods, operability and convenience can be improved without affecting the continuity of the chain.

[0226] [22.1] Sending messages to multiple different users When a user sends a message to multiple users, it is checked whether or not there is a user among the multiple users who is involved in the chain. If there is no user among the multiple users who is involved in the chain, the message is sent to the multiple users, and the multiple users are listed and stored as the terminal users in Figure 4. Only the user among the multiple users who received the message and first became a new sender and sent a message to another user (performed chain continuation) is stored as the continuing user in Figure 4. If there is a user among the multiple users who is involved in the chain, the sending of the message is stopped. Instead of stopping the sending of the message, it is also possible to exclude and store the users involved in the chain from the terminal users, so that they can receive messages but cannot become new senders (unless there is a user not involved in the chain).

[0227] [22.2] Sending messages to groups When a user sends a message to a group, it is checked whether there is a user who is involved in the chain among the users belonging to the group. If there is no user who is involved in the chain among the users belonging to the group, the message is sent to a user who belongs to the group, and the users who belong to the group are listed and stored in the terminal users of FIG. 4. Only the user who is the first to become a new sender among the users belonging to the group who received the message and sent the message to another user (performed chain continuation) is stored as the continuing user of FIG. 4. If there is a user who is involved in the chain among the users belonging to the group, the sending of the message is stopped. Instead of stopping the sending of the message, the users who are involved in the chain may be excluded from the terminal users and stored so that the users can receive messages but cannot become new senders. (Except when there is no user who is not involved in the chain) Instead of listing and storing the users who belong to the group in the terminal users of FIG. 4, the group may be stored.

[0228]

[23] Flowchart The flow of processing of the information processing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. The initial value of the number of chains is 0. First, a user who starts a chain sends a message to another user. The chain number is then incremented by 1 (step S2).

[0229] Next, it is determined whether the user who received the message has sent a message to another user who is not yet involved in the chain (step S3). If the user who received the message has sent a message to another user who is not yet involved in the chain (Y in step S3), the chain number of the chain is incremented by 1 (step S4). If the user who received the message has not sent a message to another user who is not yet involved in the chain (N in step S3), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0230] Then, it is determined whether the validity period of the chain has arrived (step S5). If the validity period of the chain has arrived (Y in step S5), the process ends. On the other hand, if the validity period of the chain has not arrived (N in step S5), the process returns to step S3. Then, the process ends.

[0231]

[23] Other The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, a term cited as a broadly defined or synonymous term in the description in the specification or drawings can be replaced with a broadly defined or synonymous term in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

[0232] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same functions, methods and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effect). The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0233] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail as above, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0234] 10 server device, 20 terminal device, 100 processing unit, 110 transmission unit, 111 chain processing unit, 112 evaluation unit, 113 presentation unit, 170 storage unit, 171 main storage unit, 172 user information storage unit, 173 message information storage unit, 180 information storage medium, 196 communication unit, 200 communication application

Claims

1. An information processing system in which a user belonging to an organization transmits a specific message to another user belonging to the organization, a sending unit for performing a process for a sender user to send a message to a destination user; a chain processing unit that performs processing for determining, when a source user transmits a message to a destination user, that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and counting the number of chains; an evaluation unit that evaluates each user belonging to the organization according to the number of chains; The chain processing unit includes: An information processing system characterized in that, when a destination user becomes the next source user and sends a message to a destination user who is not yet involved in a chain, it is determined that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and the process of counting the number of chains is repeated until a predetermined timing.

2. In claim 1, a presentation unit that places a plurality of users belonging to the organization into any one of a plurality of groups and presents, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group; The presentation unit is An information processing system comprising: an information processing unit that determines, for each group, a size of an object corresponding to the group based on a message sending / receiving state of the group.

3. In claim 1 or 2, a presentation unit that places a plurality of users belonging to the organization into any one of a plurality of groups and presents, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group; The presentation unit is An information processing system characterized in that, for each combination of two groups, the thickness of a line connecting two objects corresponding to the two groups is determined based on a message transmission / reception status between the two groups.

4. In claim 1, a presentation unit that presents a screen including an object corresponding to each of a plurality of users belonging to the organization, The presentation unit is An information processing system comprising: a user control unit for controlling a size of an object corresponding to each user, the size being determined based on a message sending / receiving state of the user;

5. In claim 1 or 4, a presentation unit configured to present a screen including an object corresponding to each of a plurality of users belonging to the organization, The presentation unit is An information processing system characterized in that, for each combination of two users, the thickness of a line connecting two objects corresponding to the two users is determined based on the message sending and receiving status between the two users.

6. In claim 1, a presentation unit that arranges a plurality of users belonging to the organization into any of a plurality of groups, and presents, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group and an object corresponding to a given user; The presentation unit is An information processing system characterized in that a size of an object corresponding to a group is determined for each group based on a message transmission / reception status between the user and the group, with the object corresponding to the user as a standard.

7. In claim 1 or 6, a presentation unit that arranges a plurality of users belonging to the organization into any of a plurality of groups, and presents, for each group, a screen including an object corresponding to the group and an object corresponding to a given user; The presentation unit is An information processing system characterized in that, for each combination of a user and a group, the thickness of a line connecting an object corresponding to the user and the group is determined based on a message transmission / reception status between the user and the group.

8. In claim 1, The evaluation unit is An information processing system that evaluates a user based on a message transmission / reception state between the user and a group different from a group to which the user belongs.

9. A program that causes a computer to function as a process for a user belonging to an organization to send a specific message to another user belonging to the organization, a sending unit for performing a process for a sender user to send a message to a destination user; a chain processing unit that performs processing for determining, when a source user transmits a message to a destination user, that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and counting the number of chains; causing a computer to function as an evaluation unit that evaluates each user belonging to the organization according to the number of chains; The chain processing unit includes: A program characterized by determining that a chain has occurred between a destination user who becomes the next source user and sends a message to a destination user who is not yet involved in a chain, and repeatedly counting the number of chains until a predetermined timing.

10. 1. An information providing method in which a server device, in which a user belonging to an organization transmits a specific message to another user belonging to the organization, provides information related to the message to a terminal device, the method comprising: the terminal device transmits information regarding the operation input of the user to the server device, and receives information regarding a message from the server device; The server device, a sending unit for performing a process for a sender user to send a message to a destination user; a chain processing unit that performs processing for determining, when a source user transmits a message to a destination user, that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and counting the number of chains; an evaluation unit that evaluates each user belonging to the organization according to the number of chains; The chain processing unit includes: An information provision method characterized in that, when a destination user becomes the next source user and sends a message to a destination user who is not yet involved in a chain, it is determined that a chain has occurred between the source user and the destination user, and the process of counting the number of chains is repeated until a predetermined timing.

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