Method for performing online communication support among users

Abstract

To activate online communication among users.SOLUTION: In a method for performing online communication support among users in an application, a control unit of a server terminal refers to the user's behavior data in the application and determines reaction data based on the behavioral data and displays the reaction data in the vicinity of the user character in the virtual space displayed on the user's user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for executing online communication support between users.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, in digital spaces such as Web3.0, it has become possible for users to communicate via avatars and the like, and communication similar to conversations in the real space is becoming possible.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, as a communication means for further promoting the understanding of emotions between users in a virtual experience where multiple users share a virtual space, near the user's avatar

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 and other conventional online communications, the reactions of user characters are linked one-to-one with reaction images corresponding to emotions. Although human emotions are inherently diverse, it is difficult to express emotions in various forms in order to reflect that "human nature."

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize the activation of online communication between users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A method for executing online communication support between users in an application according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a control unit of a server terminal refers to action data of a user in the application, determines reaction data based on the action data, and displays the reaction data near a user character in a virtual space displayed on the user terminal of the user.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to activate online communication between users.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are essential components of the present invention.

[0011] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an online communication support execution system between users according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As an example of this embodiment, this system 1 includes a server terminal 100 associated with a platform operator that provides an application that enables a user to play a game in a virtual space or smoothly perform online communication between users, and user terminals 200A and 200B (hereinafter collectively referred to as "user terminals 200") associated with the above users. Here, a blockchain network for recording the rights and transactions when the user of the user terminal 200 buys and sells the ownership of assets such as game items provided via the server terminal 100 with an operator or other user who operates a marketplace through primary circulation or N - th circulation, and / or recording the profit distribution obtained based on the sales related to the assets can also be connected to the server terminal 100.

[0012] The server terminal 100, the user terminal 200, and the user terminal 300 are each connected via a network NW1. The network NW is composed of the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0013] The server terminal 100 and the user terminal 200 may be general-purpose computers such as workstations or personal computers, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0014] As described above, the server terminal 100 receives transaction information regarding transactions targeting assets such as game items executed between the user of the user terminal 200 or among the users of the user terminal 200, and can record non-fungible tokens (Non-Fungible Tokens (hereinafter, "NFTs")) associated by asset identifiers, etc., together with other transaction information, on the blockchain network. The NFT is, for example, a token issued according to the "ERC721" standard of Ethereum, which is the platform of the blockchain network, is a unit of data recorded on the blockchain network, can be associated with the edition (ownership) of digital content based on an ID, and has a non-fungible nature. The NFT is recorded on the blockchain together with a smart contract and is traceable, so it can prove transaction information including details and history such as the rights holder and ownership information. Also, here, by using a smart contract, a contract regarding a transaction between the platform operator and the user or between multiple users can be automatically generated, approved, and executed without the intervention of a third party. Also, due to the smart contract, the parties and third parties to the transaction can refer to the transaction information without going through the server terminal, improving service convenience and reducing operation costs.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the server terminal 100 in FIG. 1. The server terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0016] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 200 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0017] The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. Further, the storage unit 120 has a user data storage unit 121 that stores various data related to the user, and a reaction data storage unit 122 that stores various data related to reaction data. Note that a database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed outside the storage unit 120 or the server terminal 100.

[0018] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. As functions of the control unit 130, it has an information reception unit 131 that receives information from each terminal, and an information processing unit 132 that refers to and processes various data related to the user and various data related to reactions. The information reception unit 131 and the information processing unit 132 are activated by the programs stored in the storage unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100 which is a computer (electronic computer).

[0019] The information reception unit 131 receives information from the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 110 provided by the server terminal 100. For example, a display request for reaction data in the virtual space is received from the user terminal 200.

[0020] The information processing unit 132 executes processing to display reaction data. For example, it refers to the user's action data in the application, determines a rank associated with the reaction data based on the action data, and performs processing to display the reaction data.

[0021] Also, the control unit 130 can also have a screen generation unit (not shown), and generates screen information to be displayed via the user interfaces of the artist terminal 200, the user terminal 200, and the user terminal 300 as required. For example, using the images and text data (not shown) stored in the storage unit 120 as materials, various images and texts are arranged in a predetermined area of the user interface based on a predetermined layout rule to generate the user interface. The processing related to the image generation unit can also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0022] FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram showing the user terminal 200 of FIG. 1. The user terminal 200 includes a communication unit 410, a display operation unit 420, a storage unit 430, and a control unit 440.

[0023] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0024] The display operation unit 220 is a user interface used for the user to input instructions and display text, images, etc. according to the input data from the control unit 440. When the user terminal 200 is composed of a personal computer, it is composed of a display, a keyboard, and a mouse. When the user terminal 200 is composed of a smartphone or a tablet terminal, it is composed of a touch panel, etc. This display operation unit 420 is activated by a control program stored in the storage unit 430 and executed by the user terminal 200 which is a computer (electronic calculator). In addition, examples of the user terminal 200 include a game machine, a smartwatch, and examples of the display device include VR glasses, AR glasses, a head-mounted display, a hologram, a projector, etc. However, the combination of the user terminal and the display device can be appropriately selected and is not limited to a specific combination.

[0025] The storage unit 230 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 240, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM, a ROM, etc. In addition, the storage unit 230 temporarily stores the communication content with the server terminal 100.

[0026] The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the artist terminal 200 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, etc.

[0027] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of user data stored in the server 100.

[0028] User data 2000 stores various data related to users. In FIG. 4, for the sake of convenience of explanation, an example of one user (the user identified by the user ID "10001") is shown, but information related to a plurality of users can be stored. As various data related to users, for example, basic information of the user (such as a user name arbitrarily registered by the user), parameter data (for example, user behavior data (history), purchase data (history), action content data (analysis results of action content), etc. in applications provided by the platform operator and / or external applications), rank data (for example, rank information and appearance rate table data linked to displayable reaction data according to points determined by the above parameter data, etc.), and reaction data (for example, displayable reaction data (image or animation data) determined by rank, etc.) can be included. Further, wallet information (wallet ID, transaction history of assets (purchase frequency and amount of assets), etc.) related to a wallet for trading assets such as game items provided in an application created by the user via an application provided by the platform operator can be included.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of reaction data stored in the server 100.

[0030] Reaction data 2000 stores various data related to reactions. As various data related to reactions, for example, parameter data (for example, data (including behavior data) and point table data for determining ranks in applications provided by the platform operator and / or external applications), rank data (for example, rank information and appearance rate table data linked to displayable reaction data according to points determined by the above parameter data, etc.), and reaction data (for example, displayable reaction data (image or animation data) determined by rank, etc.) can be included.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of parameter data among the reaction data stored in the server 100.

[0032] The parameter data is variable data for determining the rank of response data that can be displayed by the user. As shown in FIG. 6, in an application provided by the platform operator (in this example, a game in a virtual space), the user's action history (for example, the number of logins, login time, conversation speaking time, etc.), the user's purchase history (for example, the number of items obtained, the number of items consumed, etc.), the user's participation history (for example, the number of event participations, etc.), and the action content (for example, positive conversation time, appropriate reaction number, etc.) can be included. In addition, in an external application other than the application provided by the platform operator (for example, an SNS application), the user's action history (for example, the number of SNS posts, the number of SNS image posts, etc.), the user's purchase history (for example, the number of items obtained on SNS, the number of items consumed, etc.), and the user's action content (for example, the number of positive posts on SNS, the number of appropriate comments, etc.) can be included. Here, regarding the action content, for example, it can also be determined by machine learning including natural language analysis as to whether the conversation content is positive or not. Also, as the purchase history, the transactions of assets online and offline can be traced by referring to the user's wallet data. Also, depending on the type of parameter data, a point number for determining the rank can be assigned, and a rule for adding points can be determined. For example, as basic parameters, the point number based on the action data of the application or the external application is used as the basic points, and as additional parameters, the point number based on data such as the purchase history and participation history is used as the additional points to be added to the basic points. Further, as adjustment parameters, the point number based on the action content can be categorized as adjustment points for adding or subtracting from the point number calculated by the above basic points and additional points. In this example, the more the user logs in, participates in events frequently, and has more positive conversations, the higher the point number and the more likely the rank is to increase.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of rank data among the reaction data stored in the server 100.

[0034] The rank data is data regarding the rank corresponding to the response data that can be displayed by the user, which is determined based on the above parameter data. As shown in FIG. 7, the response data that can be displayed (can appear) is determined according to the rank. In FIG. 7, in the case of the user's rank 1, the response data (image data) that appears is one set, and its appearance rate is shown to be 100%. Here, when the user's behavior in the application becomes active and the rank rises, for example, when it reaches rank 5, five sets of response data can appear, and each is assigned a unique appearance rate. Here, there is response data that commonly appears depending on the rank. For example, even when the user reaches rank 4, the same response data as rank 1 appears with a probability of 10%. In this way, by enabling multiple response data to appear and setting the appearance rate for each response data, it becomes possible for the user character to make various responses, and by aiming for non-unique responses, it is possible to realize the activation of communication between users.

[0035] <Flow of processing> With reference to FIG. 8, the flow of the process for supporting communication between users executed by the system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart showing a method for executing communication support between users according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] First, as a pre - processing step before step S101, in order to use this system 1, the user accesses the server terminal 100 using the web browser or application of each terminal, etc. When using the service for the first time, the user registers by inputting basic user data, etc. When registering, the user can also register an arbitrary username without providing personal information. The user can newly create a wallet for trading assets such as game items provided within the application in the application and use the service. The information reception unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives the information necessary for user registration from the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 stores the received information in the user data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120 as user data 1000. In the case where the user has already registered and has obtained the user count, for example, by undergoing a predetermined authentication such as inputting an ID and password and logging in, the service becomes available. After this authentication, a predetermined user interface is provided via a website, application, etc. For example, the user can operate the user character in the virtual space and communicate with other users by voice or text. Here, when the user wants to express emotions during a conversation, etc. with other users in the virtual space, the process proceeds to the next step in order to execute the process of displaying response data for expressing emotions.

[0037] As the process of step S101, based on the reaction display request of the user terminal 200, such as when the user inputs a command for displaying reaction data on the control screen displayed in the virtual space displayed on the user terminal 200, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the user data 1000 in the user data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120 and refers to the parameter data of the user. The reference content will be described later. Note that the response data may be displayed based on the user's reaction request as described above, or may also be displayed regardless of the user's reaction request.

[0038] Next, as the process of step S102, the information processing unit 132 determines response data to be displayed based on the above-referred user data.

[0039] Here, with reference to FIG. 9, a method for determining response data based on user data will be further described.

[0040] First, as the process of step S201, as described above, the information processing unit 132 includes, as the user's parameter data, the user's action data, purchase data, and data related to the content of actions as described above. The information processing unit 132 refers to, for example, the user's action data such as the number of logins to the application and the speaking time, the purchase data such as the number of items obtained and the number of items consumed, and / or the action content data such as the positive speaking time. Here, the action content data can also be, for example, the action content data based on the analysis by AI such as the user's voice analysis. As described above, the information processing unit 132 adds and subtracts based on each of the referred parameter data, more specifically, the basic points based on the action data, the additional points based on the purchase data, and the adjustment points calculated based on the action content data, to calculate the point number.

[0041] Subsequently, as the process of step S202, as described above, the information processing unit 132 uses, as the user's parameter data, the user's action data, purchase data, and data related to the content of actions as described above. The information processing unit 132 refers to, for example, the user's action data such as the number of logins to the application and the speaking time, purchase data such as the number of items obtained and the number of items consumed, and / or action content data such as the positive speaking time. As described above, the information processing unit 132 adds and subtracts, in more detail, the basic points based on the action data, the additional points based on the purchase data, and the adjustment points calculated based on the action content data to calculate the point number. When the point number is calculated, the information processing unit 132 determines the user's rank corresponding to the point number. As shown in FIG. 7, response data (image data) that can be displayed is assigned according to the rank, and when the rank is upgraded, the response data that can be displayed increases.

[0042] Subsequently, as the process of step S203, when there is a plurality of response data that can be displayed according to the above rank, the information processing unit 132 executes a lottery process. In FIG. 7, for example, when the user's rank is level 4, four types of response data can be displayed. Therefore, the information processing unit 132 executes a lottery process. An appearance rate is preset for each response data (for example, 10, 40, 30, 20%), and based on the appearance rate, the response data to be displayed is determined.

[0043] Subsequently, as the process of step S204, the information processing unit 132 determines the response data to be displayed as a result of the above lottery process.

[0044] Returning to FIG. 8, next, as the process of step S103, the information processing unit 132 executes a process of displaying the determined response data. The information processing unit 132 transmits the response data to the user terminal 200, and the response data is displayed in the virtual space displayed on the user terminal 200 in the vicinity of the user character. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the eyes of a dice can also be displayed in the vicinity of the user character.

[0045] As described above, in the conversation between users via the user character, as described above, by displaying reaction data based on the appearance rate that varies based on the user's parameter data, various user emotions can be expressed with randomness. In the example of the dice in FIG. 10, it is not intended to restrict the user's actions, such as the game progressing according to the result of the dice. Instead, emphasis is placed on displaying the user's free emotional expression as the eyes of the dice. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, as a result of the eyes of the dice being displayed in the vicinity of the user character with a predetermined probability, it is characterized by not affecting the actions of the user character when starting the game progress.

[0046] As an example of this embodiment, an example in which reaction data is displayed near a user character in a virtual space such as a game has been given. As another example of this embodiment, in a communication screen of an online communication tool, an online distribution tool, etc. displayed on the user terminal 200, in the area where the speaker is displayed, based on the appearance rate that varies based on the parameter data of the user described above, reaction data can also be displayed. For example, in an online communication tool such as Zoom (registered trademark), Google Meets (registered trademark), etc., based on the appearance rate determined based on the action data of the speaker (number of logins, number of conversations / hour, etc.), reaction data such as emotion icons is determined by a lottery process, and the determined reaction data can be displayed near the speaker. In this way, by displaying the reaction data near the speaker, smooth communication between users who are remotely separated can be realized.

[0047] As described above, the embodiments according to the invention have been described, but these can be implemented in various other forms, and can be implemented with various omissions, substitutions, and changes. These embodiments, variations, and omissions, substitutions, and changes are included in the technical scope of the claims and its equivalent scope.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1 System 100 Server Terminal, 110 Communication Unit, 120 Storage Unit, 130 Control Unit, 200 User Terminal, 300 User Terminal, NW1 Network

Claims

1. A method for performing online communication support between users in an application, comprising: a control unit of a server terminal refers to the behavior data of a user in the application, determines reaction data based on the behavior data, and displays the reaction data near a user character in a virtual space displayed on the user terminal of the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reaction data is determined by a lottery process based on a predetermined appearance rate.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a rank for determining one or more displayable reaction data based on the behavior data is determined.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the reaction data commonly displayable in the rank is included.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reaction data is image data.

6. A method for performing online communication support between users in an application, comprising: a control unit of a server terminal refers to the parameter data of a user in the application, determines reaction data with a varying appearance rate based on the parameter data, and displays the reaction data on the user terminal of the user.

Images