Communication management system and program

Abstract

To provide a communication management system, and the like, configured to automatically prevent inappropriate communication by triggering an effect during communication, thereby reducing labor of a user and operation cost.SOLUTION: A server device 10 is configured to: execute communication control processing to receive an input for communication from a user and control outputs for providing information on the received user input, as user input information, to each user; register and store, in a user input-related information storage unit 148, information related to the received user input, as user input-related information; execute predetermined analysis processing on the stored user input-related information during communication control processing; and control triggering of an effect to prevent, in advance, inappropriate communication that may occur in future, in accordance with a result of the analysis processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication management system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the development of network technologies such as the WWW (World Wide Web) and the advancement of information and communication terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as "terminal devices") such as personal computers and smartphones, a variety of network-based services have been provided, ranging from simple information provision to EC (electronic commerce) sites, chat systems (including text chat, voice chat, and video chat), online meeting systems (online conference systems), network game provision, and video distribution.

[0003] However, in such network services, there are many situations where users must provide personal information, and in order to enjoy the network services, it is common to have a step of obtaining the user's consent to provide their personal information.

[0004] Therefore, recently, it has become known that when a user uses various network services, the user is asked to set the use and scope of use of personal information, etc., with the user's confirmation, and consent is obtained (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] On the other hand, in communication tools or network services where communication between users takes place, such as chat systems or online meeting systems, services are also incorporated that support users during communication based on their comments and statements, and are known to aim to activate such communication (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-511036 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5433760 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the system described in Patent Document 1 is a system for obtaining consent, and does not execute a performance related to a network service based on consent.

[0008] Furthermore, the system described in Patent Document 2 above uses user input information entered by the user to provide communication support, but does not provide such support depending on whether or not the user has consented to the user input information, nor does it change the user input information.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a communication management system etc. that can provide appropriate presentation that can increase users' interest in communication while meeting legal requirements regarding the use of personal information in communication between users using a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] (1) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: A communication management system for electronically managing communications between two or more users, comprising: a control means for receiving an input from the user for performing the communication and for controlling an output for providing information of the received user input to each user as user input information; an inquiry processing means for executing an inquiry process to inquire about consent for each user regarding collection or use of user input related information indicating information related to the user input, including at least the user input information; a performance control means for executing a performance control process to perform a given performance during the execution of the communication control process for a user who has indicated consent to the collection or use of the user input related information when consent information indicating consent to the collection or use of the user input related information is acquired; providing means for providing control information for allowing the user to enjoy the performance to a terminal device of the user; The configuration includes:

[0011] With this configuration, the present invention makes it possible to collect or use user input-related information, including information entered by a user, in a communication system such as a chat system or a system for holding online meetings, with the user's consent, to perform effects during the communication.

[0012] Therefore, the present invention can provide an appropriate presentation that can increase the user's interest in communication while clearing legal requirements regarding the collection or use of personal information.

[0013] "Communication" refers to the act of transmitting information or expressing intentions, or of communicating or interacting with others, using text, video, or audio through a communication management system.

[0014] Furthermore, "electronically managing" refers to managing using, for example, a network, a computer, or a program.

[0015] "User input (information)" includes information entered by a user, such as voice, text (phrases, words, sentences (including punctuation)), or designs (e.g., symbols, diagrams, emojis, stamps).

[0016] In addition, "consent information" is information that can clearly indicate that the user himself / herself has given consent, for example, information that can indicate consent through a user operation such as checking a checkbox.

[0017] Furthermore, the "user input related information" may include information about the user input in addition to information about the user input (that is, user input information such as the content, type, and input time of the user input information).

[0018] In particular, "information about user input" includes: (A1) The actual user performing a given user input (i.e., communication) and information about the actual user (gender, age, generation, personality, or other characteristics or attributes); (A2) Information about the participating users who are participating in the communication and the participating users (gender, age, generation, personality, and other characteristics or attributes), (A3) the timing at which a given user input was executed; and (A4) Information regarding effects that have been executed in the past due to the user's user input (hereinafter referred to as "effect-related information"); These include:

[0019] In addition to the above, "given production" includes, in relation to communication, control of decorations or characters on images viewed by each user, and control of events to stimulate communication topics or prevent or improve inappropriate communication.

[0020] Furthermore, the "control information" may be, for example, information to be provided to an application executed by a terminal device owned by the user, or information to allow communication including presentation to be viewed on the terminal device, such as a web browser.

[0021] (2) The present invention also provides The providing means When consent information of each user is obtained, the control information for executing a common effect for each user is provided.

[0022] With this configuration, the present invention can provide, for example, during a communication in which each user participates, a presentation that is linked to the communication and that is common to multiple users, thereby preventing inappropriate communication as a whole, or providing a presentation that affects the communication as a whole, thereby increasing the interest of the communication and revitalizing the communication.

[0023] (3) The present invention also provides The query means is For the purpose of executing the performance linked to the communication control process, an inquiry process is executed to inquire about consent regarding the collection or use of the user input related information for each user.

[0024] With this configuration, the present invention can prevent the provision of control information for purposes other than those intended, allowing the relevant user to appropriately enjoy the effects during communication.

[0025] (4) The present invention also provides The query means is The inquiry process is configured to execute the consent inquiry, which includes at least the content of the user input information, the timing of acquiring the user input information, and consent items related to the purpose of collecting or using the user input related information, and the consent items can be set by each user.

[0026] With this configuration, the present invention can, with the user's consent, prevent the collection or use of user-input information when the provision of the control information is for an unintended purpose, when the information is acquired at a time other than the acquisition timing, and when the information is used for a purpose other than the collection or use purpose, thereby strictly restricting the collection or use of the user-input related information.

[0027] Therefore, the present invention collects and uses user input related information in accordance with legal requirements. It is possible to do so.

[0028] (5) The present invention also provides The query means is The system has a configuration in which each consent item has at least one of the number, degree, and range set by the user, and executes the consent inquiry in which the consent item can be set by each user.

[0029] With this configuration, the present invention can set detailed consent for each user, so that consent appropriate for each user can be obtained.

[0030] Note that "number" refers to the number of items of agreement, "degree" refers to the degree of agreement, such as all or part, and "scope" refers to the scope of agreement, such as the temporal range or conceptual range.

[0031] (6) The present invention also provides The performance control means The device is configured to execute the performance control process to change the content of the performance according to the settings of the consent items.

[0032] With this configuration, the present invention can change the content of the presentation depending on whether or not there are any agreed-upon items, or depending on the number, degree, or range of agreed-upon items.

[0033] (7) The present invention also provides The performance control means Identifying whether or not there is consent for each of the plurality of consent items; The device is configured to execute the performance control process to change the content of the performance depending on whether or not each of the specified consent items has been agreed to.

[0034] With this configuration, the present invention can change the content of the presentation depending on whether or not each consent item is met, or depending on the number, degree, or range of consent items.

[0035] (8) The present invention also provides The control information includes at least one of presentation change information for changing the content of the communication between the users and control information for adding presentation related to the communication.

[0036] With this configuration, the present invention can make changes to the content of communication, including additions and deletions, and can also perform image and sound effects on the communication, thereby preventing inappropriate communication due to user input and increasing the user's interest in communication.

[0037] "Control information" includes control information for producing effects based on the format of user input information, control information for producing images when the user input information is output (changing or adding various colors such as background colors, designs, and displayed objects), control information for producing effects using characters (effects involving imaging and speech output), and control information for outputting sounds for production effects.

[0038] (9) The present invention also provides a communicator control means for controlling the performance communicator that executes the performance; The performance control means When the consent information is acquired, the performance control process is executed to perform a performance using the performance communicator for the user who has given consent while the communication control process is being executed.

[0039] With this configuration, the present invention can use the management communicator to perform communication effects on a single user in communication between multiple users, so that various effects can be automatically and seamlessly performed on the communication of the relevant user while the communication is in progress.

[0040] The "stage-specific communicator" may include, for example, a character or an avatar of an administrator or operator.

[0041] In particular, one or more "direction communicators" are set, and when multiple communicators are prepared, they may be selected randomly or by user selection depending on the communication situation (theme, time elapsed since the start of communication, number and attributes of participating users, behavior of participating users during communication). However, it is preferable that the management communicator remains present during communication and grows as communication proceeds, but this is not limited to this.

[0042] In addition, "information for linking with communication control processing based on user input information" refers to information for producing a presentation in the same format as the user input of other users, or in a format that conforms to the display format or output format, in a communication system such as a chat system or an online meeting system for holding meetings online.

[0043] (10) The present invention also provides The performance control means The device is configured to execute the performance control process to perform the performance in the same format as the user input information.

[0044] With this configuration, the present invention enables a user to communicate with other users in the same way as other users in, for example, a chat or online meeting system, and also enables the user to incorporate effects into the communication.

[0045] Therefore, the present invention can use a production communicator to produce a performance as a whole in the same way as other users, so that various performances can be executed automatically and seamlessly while communication is being carried out.

[0046] (11) The present invention also provides The communicator control means managing personality parameters indicating personality parameters of the performance communicator; The system is configured to control the execution of the performance of the communication between the users based on the personality parameters and the content of the communication.

[0047] With this configuration, the present invention allows the production communicator to carry out friendly communication, for example, so that an event can be carried out without causing the user any sense of discomfort or excessive irritation.

[0048] In addition, the present invention can change the content of the presentation depending on the character parameters. , and allows for flexibility in communication.

[0049] The "personality parameters" include parameters that define areas of expertise and topic tolerance, in addition to traits such as extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness.

[0050] In particular, the "personality parameters" are used to change the content of the presentation according to not only the degree of each characteristic but also the specialty or tolerance for topics.

[0051] (12) The present invention also provides The query means is the inquiry process includes at least consent items related to the content of the user input information, the timing of acquiring the user input information, and the purpose of collecting or using the user input related information, and the consent items can be set by each user; The communicator control means The system is configured to control the execution of the performance of the communication between the users based on the personality parameters, the content of the communication, and the settings of the agreement items.

[0052] With this configuration, when controlling the presentation by the communicator, the present invention can change the content of the presentation by the communicator depending on whether or not there are agreed-upon items, or depending on the number, degree, or range of items agreed to among the agreed-upon items.

[0053] (13) The present invention also provides The query means is the inquiry process includes at least consent items related to the content of the user input information, the timing of acquiring the user input information, and the purpose of collecting or using the user input related information, and the consent items can be set by each user; The communicator control means Identifying whether or not there is consent for each of the plurality of consent items; The system is configured to control the execution of the performance of the communication between the users based on the personality parameters, the content of the communication, and whether or not there is agreement with each of the identified agreement items.

[0054] With this configuration, when the communicator controls the presentation, the present invention can change the content of the presentation depending on whether or not each agreement item is present, or depending on the number, degree, or range of items agreed to among the agreement items.

[0055] (14) The present invention also provides The performance control means The system is configured to have the performance communicator participate in the communication and execute the performance control process to perform a performance related to the user-related information accepted or output by the communication control process.

[0056] With this configuration, the present invention allows a user to smoothly and comfortably participate in communication between users as a single user, for example, by changing the topic of communication to another topic while participating in the communication, thereby preventing the occurrence of inappropriate communication.

[0057] (15) The present invention also provides a detection means for detecting a state of the communication after the performance is executed; evaluation means for evaluating the effectiveness of the executed performance based on the detected communication situation; Further provided with The performance control means The system is configured to execute the performance control process for performing a given performance during execution of the communication control process based on the result of the evaluation.

[0058] With this configuration, the present invention can use the evaluation results as learning data, and by repeatedly evaluating the effects of the event, it is possible to execute effective performances.

[0059] (16) The present invention also provides a registration means for registering and storing the user input related information in a storage means; an analysis processing means for executing a given analysis process on the stored user input related information during execution of the communication control process; Further provided with The performance control means determining the content of the effect according to the result of the analysis processing; The device has a configuration for executing a performance control process for executing the determined performance.

[0060] With this configuration, the present invention can automatically provide effects to prevent behavior that offends other users, such as comments directed at other users, or effects to increase users' interest in communication, while also reducing operating costs.

[0061] In addition, "analysis processing" includes, for example, natural language processing such as morphological analysis, syntactic analysis, semantic analysis, and compound word analysis, or pattern analysis that analyzes figures and pictograms, as well as keyword detection (including similar words), analysis of communication situations following user input, and analysis of the occurrence of inappropriate communication.

[0062] (17) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: 1. A program for electronically managing communications between two or more users, comprising: a control means for executing a communication control process that receives inputs from the users for performing the communication and controls output for providing information of the received user inputs to each user as user input information; an inquiry processing means for executing an inquiry process for inquiring about the user's consent regarding collection or use of the user input-related information, the inquiry processing means including at least the user input information, for each user; a performance control means for executing a performance control process to perform a given performance during the execution of the communication control process for a user who has indicated consent to the collection or use of the user input related information when consent information indicating consent to the collection or use of the user input related information is acquired; and providing means for providing control information for allowing the user to enjoy the performance to the terminal device of the user; The computer has a configuration that causes the computer to function as a

[0063] With this configuration, the present invention is capable of collecting or utilizing user input related information, including information input by a user, in a communication system such as a chat system or a system for conducting online meetings, based on the user's consent, to improve the communication. It is possible to execute effects during communication.

[0064] Therefore, the present invention can provide an appropriate presentation that can increase the user's interest in communication while clearing legal requirements regarding the collection or use of personal information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0065] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration showing a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates functional blocks of a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram for explaining the process (inquiry process) for inquiring about consent regarding the use of user input-related information when executing communication control processing in a server device of one embodiment, and the performance control process based on that process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of user input related information stored in a user input related information storage unit of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a communication control process executed in a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a consent inquiry process executed in a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] A figure for explaining the effect activation control process including the effect control information generation process executed in one embodiment of the server device. [Figure 9]This is a flowchart showing the operation of a performance control process that is executed by a server device in one embodiment, and includes a consent inquiry process that is executed during a communication control process based on communication between multiple users in a chat function. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the operation of a performance control process that is executed by a server device in one embodiment, and includes a consent inquiry process that is executed during a communication control process based on communication between multiple users in a chat function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0066] The present embodiment will be described below. Note that the present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0067] [1] Network system First, the outline and general configuration of a network system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration showing the configuration of the network system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 of this embodiment is configured so that a server device 10 that provides a network game service or an electronic communication service (hereinafter also referred to as a "communication service") and terminal devices 20 (e.g., terminal devices 20A, 20B, 20C) can be connected to the Internet (an example of a network).

[0069] By accessing the server device 10 from the terminal device 20, the user can play games transmitted from the server device 10 via the Internet, or can electronically communicate with other users using text, images, etc. via the server device 10 by performing data communication with the server device 10. There are.

[0070] In other words, through the network system, users can use text, audio, video, etc. to communicate information or ideas, or to communicate with each other or engage in other activities.

[0071] The server device 10 is an information processing device capable of providing a service that allows users to play games or a service that allows users to communicate with each other (hereinafter also referred to as a "communication service") using a terminal device 20 that is connected for communication via the Internet.

[0072] In particular, the server device 10 manages various communication services using a network, a computer, or a program, and has a function for providing the communication services (hereinafter also referred to as a "communication function").

[0073] In addition, the server device 10 works in conjunction with a communication application (hereinafter referred to as a "communication app") for the terminal device 20 that communicates with other users, and is able to send and receive various data such as text and images to and from the terminal device 20 of other users via the application, thereby enabling communication between users.

[0074] The server device 10 may provide various services on the web browser of the terminal device 20, such as browser games (games that can be started simply by opening an installation site in a web browser, e.g., social games), chat tools, or online meeting tools, created in various languages, such as HTML, FLASH, CGI, PHP, shockwave, Java (registered trademark) applet, and JavaScript (registered trademark).

[0075] For example, social games are games that, unlike existing online games, do not require dedicated client software and can be played with just a web browser and a social networking site account.

[0076] The server device 10 is configured to be able to connect to other users' terminals (smartphones, personal computers, game consoles, etc.) via a network and provide an online game in which users can simultaneously share the same game progress online.

[0077] Furthermore, the server device 10 may have a configuration that functions as a server having a communication function (that is, an SNS server).

[0078] On the other hand, the server device 10 may be configured with one (device, processor) or multiple (devices, processors).

[0079] The information necessary for users to enjoy the network services stored in the memory area of ​​the server device 10 (memory unit 140 described later) may be stored in a database (broadly speaking, a storage device or memory) connected via a network (intranet or Internet).

[0080] The terminal device 20 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS, a computer, a game device, a PDA, a portable game machine, an image generating device, or the like, and is a device that can be connected to the server device 10 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or a LAN. The communication line between the terminal device 20 and the server device 10 may be wired or wireless.

[0081] In particular, the terminal device 20 is configured to execute applications that allow users to enjoy network services, and to execute various processes related to the network services based on various control information provided by the server device 10.

[0082] The terminal device 20 may also be configured to include a web browser that can browse web pages (HTML format data) and allow the user to receive network services via the web pages.

[0083] In this case, the terminal device 20 performs a communication control function for communicating with the server device 10 and performs display control using data received from the server device 10 (Web data, data created in HTML format, etc.).

[0084] [2] Server device [2.1] Communication Functions The server device 10 of this embodiment provides a function as a communication tool (that is, a communication function) as a network service or as a part of the function of the network service.

[0085] In addition, the server device 10 has, as a communication function or in conjunction with other functions, a profile setting change function, a message (also called a comment) sending and receiving function, a friend relationship function (user mutual link function), a user search function, a diary function (blog function), and a function for facilitating communication between multiple users such as chat or online meetings (hereinafter referred to as "chat functions").

[0086] For example, the server device 10 is configured to perform authentication based on the user's identification information (user name, etc.) and password when a terminal device 20 accesses a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for a network service of the server device 10, and if access is permitted through authentication, to transmit the data of the user's web page to the corresponding terminal device 20.

[0087] Furthermore, for example, the server device 10 may be configured to perform authentication based on the user's identification information (user name, etc.) and password by a terminal device 20 that has executed an application having chat functions, and to transmit specified information to the corresponding terminal device 20 when execution of the application is permitted through authentication.

[0088] The server device 10 is configured to provide the relevant user with network services and associated services related to communication functions based on the information transmitted in this way.

[0089] Furthermore, when the server device 10 receives information that both one user and another user request a friendship relationship with each other, the server device 10 registers the identification information of the other user in association with the identification information of the one user.

[0090] The server device 10 may have a configuration for registering follower information (information on users who are registered as followers by the server device 10) and following information (information on users who are following the server device 10).

[0091] On the other hand, the server device 10 has a chat function for communication between users. This is a process that enables the input and output of user input information for the application and provides it so that it can be viewed on each user's terminal device 20, and is configured to be able to execute control processing related to communication between users (hereinafter referred to as "communication control processing").

[0092] For example, as a communication control process, the server device 10 is configured to, upon receiving user input information (hereinafter referred to as "user input information") input by a user from the terminal device 20A of user A, provide data reflecting chat functions including the user input information input by user A so that the data can be viewed on the terminal device 20B of another user with whom the server device 10 is friends, based on the operation of the other user.

[0093] In other words, as a communication control process, the server device 10 is configured to send and receive user input information for these chat functions in an intermediary manner, allowing each user to post and view comments (user input information such as text, video, or audio).

[0094] In addition, the server device 10 of this embodiment is configured to control the activation of effects to prevent inappropriate communication from occurring in the future among users participating in the communication (hereinafter referred to as "participating users"), using input information such as text, video, or audio input by each user and information related to the input information (hereinafter collectively referred to as "input-related information") during execution of communication control processing based on chat-related functions.

[0095] [2.2] Configuration Next, the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0096] 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the server device 10 of this embodiment. The server device 10 of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (units) of FIG. 2 are omitted.

[0097] The server device 10 includes an input unit 170 for use in input by the administrator and others, a display unit 190 for displaying predetermined information, an information storage medium 180 in which predetermined information is stored, a communication unit 196 for communicating with terminal devices 20 and others, a processing unit 100 for executing processing mainly related to the games provided and communication between users, and a memory unit 140 for storing various data mainly used in games and communication between users.

[0098] The input unit 170 is used by a system administrator or the like to input settings related to games and communication between users, as well as other necessary settings, data, and communication between users. For example, the input unit 170 in this embodiment is configured with a mouse, a keyboard, etc.

[0099] The display unit 190 displays an operation screen for the system administrator. For example, the display unit 190 of this embodiment is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like.

[0100] The information storage medium 180 (computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, etc., and its functions are 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.

[0101] The communication unit 196 communicates with the outside (for example, a terminal, another server, or another network system). The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communication, and its functions are configured by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc. The communication unit 196 constitutes the communication means of the present invention.

[0102] The storage unit 140 serves as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 196, etc., and its functions are realized by RAM (VRAM), etc. The information stored in the storage unit 140 may be managed by a database.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the storage unit 140 has a main storage unit 142 used as a work area, a network service data storage unit 144 in which data relating to applications such as information relating to games to be provided and information relating to communication services (e.g., dictionary data) is stored, a user information storage unit 146 in which user information indicating information relating to users is stored, and a user input related information storage unit 148 in which information input by each user for communication between multiple users (hereinafter referred to as "user input information") and information related to the input information are stored as input related information.

[0104] The processing unit 100 performs various processes using the main memory unit 142 in the memory unit 140 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), or by programs.

[0105] 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 causing a computer to function as each unit of this embodiment (programs for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit).

[0106] For example, the processing unit 100 (processor) controls the entire server device 10 based on a program stored in the information storage medium 180, and performs various processes such as controlling the transfer of data between the various units. Furthermore, the processing unit 100 performs processes to provide various services in response to requests from the terminal device 20.

[0107] Specifically, the processing unit 100 of this embodiment has at least a communication control unit 101, a Web processing unit 102, a network service management unit 103, a communication control unit 104, a user-related information management unit 105, an analysis processing unit 106, a performance control unit 107, a consent information management unit 108, a timer management unit 110, and an information provision unit 111.

[0108] The communication control unit 101 performs processing for transmitting and receiving data via the network to and from the terminal device 20. That is, the server device 10 performs various processing based on information received by the communication control unit 101 from the terminal device 20 and the like.

[0109] In particular, the communication control unit 101 of this embodiment performs processing to transmit a game screen to the terminal device 20 of the user based on a request from the terminal device 20 of the user.

[0110] The Web processing unit 102 functions as a Web server. For example, the Web processing unit 102 performs a process of transmitting data in response to a request from a Web browser installed in the terminal device 20, and a process of receiving data transmitted by the Web browser of the terminal device 20, via a communication protocol such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

[0111] The network service management unit 103 is linked with each terminal device 20 and manages online meetings. It manages the execution of various processes for enjoying predetermined network services such as chat functions including chatting, or games.

[0112] In particular, the network service management unit 103 cooperates with the communication control unit 101, the web processing unit 102, and the communication control unit 104 to execute various applications, and also executes and manages various processes based on various network services, such as storing and reading the associated data, and accessing the network.

[0113] For example, when managing the execution of a game, the network service management unit 103 executes game processing for various games such as role-playing games (RPGs), shooting games, fighting games, or location-based games, which can be played by multiple players simultaneously (either in the same game space or in separate game spaces).

[0114] In particular, when the server device 10 controls each player's game, the network service management unit 103 works in conjunction with each terminal device 20 to perform various game calculation processes, such as starting the game (or each game if the games are executed individually; the same applies below) when the game start conditions are met, progressing the game, ending the game when the game end conditions are met, and managing each player or each player character involved in the game progress.

[0115] In addition, while the game is in progress, the network service management unit 103 executes various game calculation processes based on the player's operations input via each terminal device 20 or the game information output from each terminal device 20.

[0116] When a chat function is used within a game, the network service management unit 103 works in conjunction with the communication control unit 104 to execute game processing related to the game, while also linking various types of communication-related processing to the game processing.

[0117] The communication control unit 104 receives inputs for user communication and executes a communication control process for controlling output to provide information of the received user inputs to each user as user input information.

[0118] Specifically, when communication between users is carried out using a chat function, for example, the communication control unit 104 executes a communication control process in which a bulletin board area in the network service data storage unit 144 is allocated to each group created by multiple users, and user input information such as text, designs, or images (including still images and videos) posted by each user belonging to the group is posted so that each user can view it.

[0119] For example, the communication control unit 104 works in conjunction with each user's terminal device 20 to post user input information entered via each terminal device 20 in the posting area, and also executes processing to display the user input information posted in accordance with a request sent from each terminal device 20 on the corresponding terminal device 20.

[0120] During execution of the communication control process, the user-related information management unit 105 registers and stores the user input information input via each terminal device 20 and information related to the user input information in the user input-related information storage unit 148 as user input-related information.

[0121] The analysis processing unit 106 analyzes the stored user input during the execution of the communication control process. Various analytical processes such as natural language processing or keyword detection processing for detecting keywords are performed on the related information.

[0122] During execution of the communication control process, the performance control unit 107 executes a process (hereinafter referred to as "performance activation control process") to activate a given performance using the results of the analysis process in the analysis processing unit 106, assuming that the user has consented to the use of user input-related information.

[0123] The consent information management unit 108 inquires of each user about the consent of the user regarding the use of the user-input related information, and manages the results of the inquiry.

[0124] In particular, the consent information management unit 108 works in conjunction with the terminal device 20 to acquire, as consent information, information that can clearly indicate that the user himself / herself has given consent, for example, information that can indicate that consent has been given by the user through an operation such as checking a checkbox.

[0125] The timer management unit 110 has a timer function and is used to manage time related to communication control processing, such as the timing at which user input information is entered, and to manage measurement time, as well as to synchronize with each terminal device 20.

[0126] The information providing unit 111 provides the terminal device 20 with user input related information to be output by the terminal device 20, such as display, and information for executing the activated performance (hereinafter referred to as "performance control information"). However, the information providing unit 111 may also execute processing for providing each piece of information to each terminal device 20 in conjunction with the Web processing unit 102.

[0127] [3] Terminal device Next, the terminal device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0128] 3 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 20 in this embodiment. The terminal device 20 in this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (units) in FIG. 3 are omitted.

[0129] The input unit 260 is used by the user to input operation data, and this function can be realized by a touch panel or a touch panel display, etc. That is, the input unit 260 includes a detection unit 262 that can detect two-dimensional pointed position coordinates (x, y) on a screen on which an image is displayed.

[0130] The input unit 260 may also include a button, lever, keyboard, steering wheel, microphone, acceleration sensor, etc., which can input operation information (operation signal) other than the indicated position.

[0131] The storage unit 270 serves as a work area for the processing unit 200, the communication unit 296, etc., and its functions can be realized by RAM (VRAM) or the like.

[0132] The memory unit 270 of this embodiment includes a main memory unit 271 used as a work area, an image buffer 272 in which the final display image, etc. is stored, a user information memory unit 273 that shows information about the user, and a data memory unit 274 in which an application for linking with the communication control processing executed in the server device 10 is stored.

[0133] It should be noted that some of these may be omitted, or the storage unit 140 of the server device 10 may It may constitute a part of it.

[0134] The information storage medium 280 (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.

[0135] Furthermore, a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of this embodiment (a program for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit) can be stored in the information storage medium 280. Note that the processing unit 200 performs various processes of this embodiment based on the program (data) stored in the information storage medium 280, as will be described later.

[0136] The display unit 290 outputs the image generated by this embodiment, and its function can be realized by a CRT, LCD, touch panel display, HMD (head mounted display), or the like.

[0137] The sound output unit 292 outputs the sound generated by this embodiment, and its function can be realized by a speaker, headphones, or the like.

[0138] The communication unit 296 performs various controls for communication with the outside (for example, a host device or other terminal device), and its functions can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

[0139] The terminal device 20 may receive, via a network, programs and data for causing a computer to function as each unit of the present embodiment, which are stored in an information storage medium or storage unit 270 of the server device 10, and store the received programs and data in the information storage medium 280 or storage unit 270. Such cases of receiving programs and data and causing the terminal device 20 to function are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0140] The processing unit 200 (processor) performs processing such as game processing, image generation processing, or sound generation processing in conjunction with the server device 10 based on input data from the input unit 260, programs such as applications, and the like.

[0141] The processing unit 200 performs various processes using the storage unit 270 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 200 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), or by programs.

[0142] In particular, the processing unit 200 of this embodiment includes a communication control unit 210, a web browser 211, an input reception processing unit 212, a display control unit 213, an application execution unit 214, a drawing unit 220, and a sound processing unit 230. Also, some of these units may be omitted.

[0143] The communication control unit 210 performs processing for transmitting and receiving data to and from each server device 10. The communication control unit 210 also performs processing for storing data received from the server device 10 in the storage unit 270, processing for analyzing the received data, and other control processing related to the transmission and reception of data.

[0144] The communication control unit 210 may store and manage destination information (IP address, port number) of the server in the information storage medium 280. The communication control unit 210 may then communicate with the server device 10 when receiving input information from the player to start communication.

[0145] In particular, the communication control unit 210 performs processing to transmit player identification information and operation information to the server device 10 and receive data related to the user information storage unit 146 (player's web page, game screen, etc.) from the server device 10.

[0146] The communication control unit 210 may transmit and receive data to and from the server device 10 at a predetermined cycle, or may transmit and receive data to and from the server device 10 when input information is received from the input unit 260. In particular, the communication control unit 210 of this embodiment performs processing to receive a game screen from the server device 10.

[0147] The web browser 211 is an application program for viewing web pages (network service screens or game screens), downloading HTML files, image files, etc. from the web server (server device 10), analyzing the layout, and controlling the display. The web browser 211 also transmits data to the web server (server device 10) using input forms (links, buttons, text boxes, etc.).

[0148] The web browser 211 of this embodiment can also implement a browser game. For example, the web browser 211 may execute a program written in JavaScript (registered trademark), FLASH, Java (registered trademark), or the like, received from a web server (i.e., the server device 10).

[0149] The terminal device 20 can display information from a web server specified by a URL via the Internet using the web browser 211. For example, the terminal device 20 can display a network service screen or a game screen (data such as HTML) received from the server device 10 using the web browser 211.

[0150] The input reception processing unit 212 performs a process of recognizing user input information input by the user from the input unit 260. Specifically, the input reception processing unit 212 of this embodiment recognizes the instruction content input by the input unit 260.

[0151] The display control unit 213 works in conjunction with the application execution unit 214 to perform various displays, and also works in conjunction with the server device 10 based on display control data transmitted from the server device 10 to perform display control of the display unit 290 related to communication services or game services.

[0152] The application execution unit 214 executes a game application or a communication application in conjunction with the server device 10, and executes an application control process in conjunction with a game process or a communication control process.

[0153] In particular, the application execution unit 214, as an application control process, works in conjunction with the communication control process to input user input information and provide the user input information to the server device 10, and executes processes related to the display of its own user input-related information on the display unit 290.

[0154] The drawing unit 220 performs drawing processing based on the results of various processes (game processing and communication control processing) performed by the processing unit 200, thereby generating an image and outputting it to the display unit (display) 290.

[0155] The sound processing unit 230 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 200 , generates sounds such as background music, sound effects, or voices, and outputs them to the sound output unit 292 .

[0156] [4] Method of this embodiment [4.1] Overview Next, using Figure 4, we will explain the process (inquiry process) for inquiring about consent regarding the use of user input related information when executing communication control process in the server device 10 of this embodiment, and the performance information output control process for providing performance control information based on that process.

[0157] Note that Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the process (inquiry process) for inquiring about consent regarding the use of user input related information when executing communication control process in the server device 10 of this embodiment, and the performance control process based on that process.

[0158] The server device 10 of this embodiment is configured to work in conjunction with the terminal device 20 owned by each user, and to provide a service (i.e., communication) that supports communication between users by sharing user input information among users belonging to a group consisting of multiple pre-registered users, for example, when communication such as text or voice chat or online meeting is carried out (i.e., when a chat function is used).

[0159] In particular, the server device 10 is configured to visualize user input information such as text, designs, images, or audio input via the terminal device 20, and provide the input user input information to the terminal device 20.

[0160] The server device 10 is a server device that electronically manages communication between two or more users, and is configured to execute performances during the communication using user input related information, including information entered by the user, based on the user's consent.

[0161] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the server device 10 (A1) executes a communication control process that receives input for user communication and controls output for providing information of the received user input to each user as user input information; (A2) for each user, execute a consent inquiry process to inquire about consent regarding the use of user input-related information, the consent inquiry process including at least the user input information; (A3) When consent information indicating consent to the use of the user input related information is acquired, a performance control process is executed to perform a given performance for the user who has consented during the execution of the communication control process; (A4) Providing control information for allowing the user to enjoy the performance (hereinafter referred to as "performance control information") to the terminal device of the user. It has the following structure.

[0162] In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the server device 10 has a configuration for using a communicator (hereinafter also referred to as a "performance communicator") such as a character or an avatar of an administrator who manages the server device 10 or the system to perform performances such as presenting comments in the form of user input information during communication.

[0163] For example, the server device 10 may provide information for executing effects such as effects for activating communication or guiding the user to another topic, image effects such as image decoration when the user input information is output, effects using characters (effects involving the visualization of characters and the output of speech), or sound effects such as sound effects during the communication (i.e., effects control information) to the corresponding terminal device 20.

[0164] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 20 of this embodiment has a configuration that allows it to provide a user with communication that reflects a given presentation by executing an application or using a web browser.

[0165] Figure 4 shows examples of communication control processes using a message board area that can be commonly viewed by all users, such as when using chat functions such as text, audio, and video chat, or online meetings, and when electronically posting and viewing comments.

[0166] In particular, in Figure 4, the user-entered information is posted to the bulletin board area and viewed, assuming that the user-entered information is requested and registered. (B1) analyzing user input-related information including user input information; (B2) While registering the results, (B3) Activating effects (effects on chat functions) through effect control processing, (B4) generating performance control information for executing the activated performance; and (B5) Providing the generated performance control information to the terminal device 20 via a communication control process (linking with the communication control process, for example, so that a performance is executed in a bulletin board area); An example of a series of steps (i.e., a processing flow) is shown.

[0167] With this configuration, the server device 10 of this embodiment can perform appropriate presentations that can increase the user's interest in communication while satisfying legal requirements regarding the use of personal information.

[0168] In the following description of this embodiment, chat functions are used as functions for realizing communication between multiple users.

[0169] [4.2] User-input related information Next, the user input related information in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0170] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of user input related information stored in the user input related information storage unit 148 in this embodiment.

[0171] The user input related information is composed of user input information entered by the user and information related to the user input, which is information acquired when the corresponding user input is entered, and when the communication control process is executed, the information is stored in the user input related information storage unit 148 in association with a user ID for identifying the user.

[0172] In particular, user input information is information input by each user when communication is taking place between two or more users, and is composed of, for example, comment data such as text and voice data such as voice text.

[0173] In addition, the information about the user includes: (A1) The actual user performing a given user input (i.e., communication) and information about the actual user (gender, age, generation, personality, or other characteristics or attributes); (A2) Information about the participating users who are participating in the communication and the participating users (gender, age, generation, personality, and other characteristics or attributes), (A3) information on the timing at which a given user input was executed (hereinafter referred to as "timing information"); and (A4) Information about the performance that was performed (hereinafter referred to as "performance-related information") These include:

[0174] The information (A2) may simply be the user ID of the participating user, and in that case, the information is obtained from the user-related information of other users based on the user ID at the necessary timing.

[0175] In addition, the performance-related information may include analysis result information indicating the results of analyzing user-related information to determine whether or not a performance will be executed or the type of performance, and the analysis result information is, for example, information on the status of user input identified by an analysis process on the user-related information.

[0176] For example, user input status information includes: (B1) The number or frequency of the same or similar user inputs; (B2) The presence or absence of user input from other users after the user input is output, and the type of user input; (B3) The time period in which the user input was executed, the time difference between the user input and other user inputs, or the relationship between the time when the user input was entered and the time when the user input was entered from a predetermined timing, It includes information such as:

[0177] [4.3] Communication control processing Next, the communication control process executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0178] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the communication control process executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment.

[0179] The communication control unit 104 works in conjunction with the network service management unit 103 to accept inputs for user communication and to execute a communication control process that controls the output of the accepted user input information to provide it to each user as user input information.

[0180] Specifically, the communication control unit 104 works in conjunction with the terminal device 20 owned by the user, and manages user input information as data, including text data (hereinafter referred to as "comment data"), image (still image and video) data (hereinafter referred to as "image data"), and sound data such as voice (hereinafter referred to as "sound data"), entered between users belonging to each group, for each group consisting of multiple pre-registered users, and performs control to post the entered user input information in a bulletin board area set for each group.

[0181] In particular, the communication control unit 104 accepts user input information transmitted from each terminal device 20 while associating it with a group ID and a user ID indicating information for identifying the user who is performing the communication, and while identifying the input timing.

[0182] In addition, the communication control unit 104 outputs each user's comment data, image data, and sound data to the bulletin board area in chronological order, and with information attached to identify the user who inputted the data, so that the data can be displayed by each terminal device 20.

[0183] For example, the communication control unit 104 may receive text (phrases) as user input information. In addition to words and sentences (including punctuation marks), information input by the user such as voice or images (e.g., symbols, diagrams, emoticons, stamps) is used.

[0184] In addition, when the communication control unit 104 receives user input information, it may use the user ID (or group ID, if necessary) to identify user input-related information such as information about the user (gender, age, generation, personality, and other characteristics or other attributes) in addition to the user input information and timing information indicating the timing of the user input information.

[0185] That is, when the communication control unit 104 receives user input information, it acquires, as user input related information, the user input information, as well as information about each user who is performing communication, information about each user, and information about the timing at which each communication was performed.

[0186] The timing information includes the date and time when the user input information was input or received, information regarding the timing when the user input information was input or received based on a predetermined timing (the time difference from other communications performed, or the time or time period when the communications were performed), etc.

[0187] In addition, information about a user may include, for example, characteristics or other attributes such as gender, age, generation, personality, etc., as well as purchase history in network services for buying and selling goods or services, billing history in games, etc., evaluation within the communication system (scores such as geekiness or danger level) or past evaluations (i.e., changes in scores such as geekiness or danger level), and participation history in performances in virtual or real spaces.

[0188] On the other hand, the communication control unit 104 generates, for example, display control data to cause each terminal device 20 to display a common message board area for each user as a communication control process.

[0189] That is, the communication control unit 104 has a predetermined configuration in order to provide each user with the input user-input information, and generates display control data for displaying each user-input information in the bulletin board area.

[0190] Then, the communication control unit 104 transmits the generated display control data to the corresponding terminal device 20 via the communication control unit 101.

[0191] Specifically, the communication control unit 104 generates display control data for displaying, for each group, an image (hereinafter referred to as a "communication image") having a first display area in which user input information resulting from input by the user himself / herself is displayed, and a second display area in which user input information resulting from input by other users is displayed, on the corresponding terminal device 20.

[0192] For example, in the case of a text chat in which users post and view each other's comments as a form of communication, the communication control unit 104, as shown in FIG. 6, receives (A1) user input information associated with a user ID and timing information, (A2) Screen configuration control information for controlling the screen configuration of an area (hereinafter referred to as the "first display area") A10 in the terminal device 20 that displays user input information of the user who owns the terminal device 20 (i.e., the user himself / herself) and an area (hereinafter referred to as the "second display area") A20 that displays user input information of another user different from the first display area; (A3) Display the user input information corresponding to each display area and also display the timing information. display control information for displaying corresponding user input information in each display area in chronological order based on the display control information; The display control data (i.e., control information) including the above is generated.

[0193] Note that Figure 6 shows an example of a case where communication control processing is performed using a chat function that communicates based on comment data, and shows an example of communication between a first user with user ID 001 and a second user with user ID 002, in which comment data and image data are input and displayed as user input information with timing information added.

[0194] [4.4] Consent inquiry processing Next, the consent inquiry process executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0195] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the consent inquiry process executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment.

[0196] The consent information management unit 108 executes an inquiry process for each user to inquire about consent regarding the collection, use, or both of user input related information, including at least the user input information, before or during execution of a communication control process for mutually presenting user input information between multiple users.

[0197] In particular, the consent information management unit 108 executes various processes as an inquiry process to inquire about consent regarding the collection, use, or both of user input related information for each user, for the purpose of executing a performance linked to the communication control process.

[0198] Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), in order to strictly control the use of user input related information, the consent information management unit 108 executes a consent inquiry as an inquiry process at the timing of executing the communication control process or at a given timing before the execution of the communication control process, which inquiry includes at least consent items regarding the content of the user input information (e.g., positive or negative, topic, genre of content such as family or friends), the timing of acquisition of the user input information (e.g., by time period), and the purpose of use of the user input related information (use only for performance or use outside, etc.), and the consent items can be set by each user.

[0199] In addition, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the consent information management unit 108 may perform an inquiry process to set detailed consent for each user, for example, for consent items such as the content of the user input information described above, where at least one of the number of consent items, degree of consent, and range of consent items is set by the user, and the consent items can be set by each user.

[0200] For example, the consent information management unit 108 may set the number (number of consent items), degree (level), and scope (temporal or conceptual range) of consent items as follows: (A1) Of multiple consent items, do you agree to all items (e.g., 10) or only some items (e.g., 5 out of 10)? (A2) In the user input information, do you agree with all words or only some words? (A3) Agree to get the context or (A4) Agree to obtain the full text, or (A5) Do you consent to information about a specific genre (e.g., games or anime) or all genres? (A6) Agree to the user input information for the entire past period, or for a part of the past period. agree to the following and (A7) Do you consent to the collection or use of your personal information for the performance of the performance? Inquire about this.

[0201] In addition, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the consent information management unit 108 is configured to obtain consent for each consent item by displaying the above consent items and presenting an image that can be operated by the user, such as the user's signature, checking the consent field (checking the checkbox), or clicking the consent button, and obtaining the operation results.

[0202] The consent information management unit 108 then registers and stores the acquired information for each consent item as consent information in the user information storage unit 146 in association with each user.

[0203] Note that Figures 7(A) and (B) show images displayed by the terminal device 20 when the consent inquiry process is executed by the consent information management unit 108, and show that when the "Agree" button is operated by the user, the user is deemed to have consented, and the consent information management unit 108 acquires the information (i.e., consent information).

[0204] [4.5] Registration process Next, the registration process executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0205] When the user-related information management unit 105 receives user input information transmitted from each terminal device 20 in association with a group ID and a user ID, it stores the user input information, timing information indicating the input timing, and information related to the user input information, together with the group ID and the user ID, in the user-input-related information storage unit 148 as user input-related information.

[0206] In particular, the user-related information management unit 105 searches the user information storage unit 146 based on the user ID acquired along with the received user input information, acquires information about each user registered in association with the user ID, and registers and stores the acquired information together with the user input information in the user input-related information storage unit 148 as user input-related information.

[0207] [4.6] Performance control processing [4.6.1] Overview of performance control processing Next, an outline of the performance control process executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0208] (Principles of production control processing) The performance control unit 107 works in conjunction with the communication control unit 104 and the analysis processing unit 106, and when consent information indicating consent to the collection or use of user input-related information is acquired by the consent information management unit 108, performs a performance control process to provide the user who has indicated consent (hereinafter referred to as the ``consenting user'') with performance control information for executing a given performance while the communication control process is being executed.

[0209] In other words, the performance control unit 107 is configured to execute performance control information provision processing based on user input information from consenting users in communication between multiple users, without using user input information from users who have not given consent (hereinafter referred to as "non-consenting users").

[0210] Specifically, the performance control unit 107 controls each of the users in the communication between the users. When consent information of users (that is, all users) is acquired, performance control information for performing a common performance for each user is generated and provided to the terminal device 20 of each user.

[0211] In addition, when the performance control unit 107 is unable to obtain consent information from some users in communication between multiple users, it generates performance control information based only on the user input related information of the consenting users and provides it to the terminal device 20 of each user, including the non-consenting users.

[0212] On the other hand, when consenting users and non-consenting users are mixed, the effect control unit 107 may execute a process to prevent non-consenting users from enjoying the effect.

[0213] In other words, even if there is a mixture of consenting users and non-consenting users, the performance control unit 107 may be configured to provide performance control information to consenting users and not to provide performance control information to non-consenting users.

[0214] (Specific processing of performance control processing) The performance control unit 107 obtains from the analysis processing unit 106 the content of the user input information of each user, the status of the user input, or both, as a result of the analysis processing, and based on this information, generates performance control information for activating a given performance during execution of the communication control processing and for causing the activated performance to be executed by the terminal device 20 of the consenting user.

[0215] That is, the performance control unit 107 performs the following performance control processing: (A1) Analysis processing based on user input related information; (A2) a performance activation control process that determines whether or not a given performance is to be activated during execution of the communication control process based on the results of the analysis process, and the performance; and (A3) A performance control information generation process for generating performance control information for executing the activated performance by the terminal device 20 of the consenting user; Execute.

[0216] The performance control unit 107 works in conjunction with the communication control unit 104 to provide the performance control information generated as described above to the corresponding terminal device 20 via the information providing unit 111 during the communication control process.

[0217] [4.6.2] Analysis Next, the analysis process executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0218] (Basic principles of analysis processing) The analysis processing unit 106 executes a given analysis process on the user input related information of the consenting user in order to control the activation of a given effect during the execution of the communication control process.

[0219] Basically, the analysis processing unit 106 determines the effect to be activated and executes a given analysis process on the user input related information stored in the user input related information storage unit 148 while executing the communication control process in order to execute the effect control process in accordance with that effect.

[0220] Then, as the analysis process, the analysis processing unit 106 analyzes the content of the user input information of each consenting user using predetermined dictionary data.

[0221] In particular, the analysis processing unit 106 performs analysis processing by analyzing predetermined information for each group (i.e., for each communication between multiple users in a chat function) or for each user. Using the dictionary data thus obtained, the system determines whether or not the content of the user input information of each consenting user contains specific text input or voice input that may result in inappropriate communication, and obtains the results as the analysis results.

[0222] Specifically, the analysis processing unit 106 performs morphological analysis, syntactic analysis, semantic analysis, compound word analysis, etc. on the text data, image data, or text recognized from audio data in the input comment data for each group or each consenting user, and performs natural language processing to recognize words (i.e., words) and phrases consisting of multiple words contained in each text.

[0223] In addition, the analysis processing unit 106 uses predetermined dictionary data to perform a keyword search process for each group or each consenting user to search for keywords (including synonyms) that indicate the possibility of inappropriate communication occurring for words or phrases recognized by natural language processing.

[0224] For example, when searching for keywords, the analysis processing unit 106 uses, as pre-set dictionary data, dictionary data that includes specific keywords and their synonyms for determining whether or not inappropriate communication has occurred.

[0225] In this embodiment, if all of the multiple users who are the targets of the communication control process agree, the analysis processing unit 106 performs analysis processing on each user input related information (i.e., information regarding all user inputs entered).

[0226] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the analysis processing unit 106 does not perform analysis processing on user input related information including user input information executed by a first user (disagreeing user) among multiple users to a second user (agreeing user) different from the first user.

[0227] In addition, in this embodiment, keywords indicating characteristic parts of the comment data are used as the results of the analysis process of the user input related information used in the effect activation control process. However, the results of the analysis process are not limited to results related to keywords in the comment data, and may also be the status of the user input, as described below.

[0228] In addition, in this embodiment, the analysis processing unit 106 may perform analysis processing on each user input related information of multiple consenting users who are the target of the communication control processing (i.e., information related to all user input entered by the consenting users), or may perform analysis processing on user input related information including user input information executed by a first consenting user among the multiple consenting users to a second consenting user different from the first consenting user.

[0229] In other words, in the case of a monologue-like post rather than an input (post) from the user himself / herself directed to other users, the analysis processing unit 106 of this embodiment may exclude input-related information including the corresponding user input information from the analysis processing.

[0230] (Identifying user input context) The analysis processing unit 106 may perform an analysis process to analyze user input-related information regarding a given user input by a consenting user in a situation where communication such as text input or voice input is input, or in a situation after the communication has been input, and identify the situation of the user input.

[0231] That is, the analysis processing unit 106 may perform an analysis process on user input-related information including information about the user input in addition to the user input information for the consenting user, and identify the status of the user input as a result of the analysis process (i.e., the analysis result) as a decision factor for controlling the activation of a given effect.

[0232] Specifically, the analysis processing unit 106, for the consenting user, calculates the following as user input related information regarding the given user input (i.e., information regarding the user input excluding the user input information): (A1) The actual user performing a given user input (i.e., communication) and information about the actual user (gender, age, generation, personality, or other characteristics or attributes); (A2) Information about the participating users who are participating in the communication (gender, age, generation, personality, and other characteristics or attributes), (A3) The timing at which the user input was executed; (A4) Information indicating the analysis results of the user input of the user (hereinafter referred to as "analysis result information"), and (A5) Information indicating whether or not a performance has been activated in the past due to the user's input, the type of performance, and the details of the performance (hereinafter referred to as "performance-related information"); At least one of the pieces of information is used to identify the user input situation as an analysis result.

[0233] Furthermore, the analysis processing unit 106 determines the user input status as follows: (B1) The number or frequency of the same or similar user inputs; (B2) The presence or absence of user input from other users after the user input is output, and the type of user input; (B3) The time period in which the user input was executed, the time difference between the user input and other user inputs, or the relationship between the time when the user input was entered and the time when the user input was entered from a predetermined timing, Identify the following:

[0234] When the user input related information is (A1), the analysis processing unit 106 determines as an analysis result, for example, that an actual user (e.g., a man in his 50s) with a given attribute has output a comment (keyword) "XXX" as user input a predetermined number of times (e.g., five times) (e.g., it has been displayed on each terminal device 20 of the users participating in the communication).

[0235] Furthermore, when the user input related information is (A2), the analysis processing unit 106 identifies as the analysis result, for example, the time when there was no user input (comment) from the participating user after the comment "XXX" was output as a given user input.

[0236] Then, when the user input related information is (A3), the analysis processing unit 106 determines as an analysis result that the time period of the comment (keyword) "XXX" input by the user is a specific time period (for example, late night time period (24:00-4:00)).

[0237] Furthermore, when the user input related information is (A4), the analysis processing unit 106 determines, for example, an analysis result that a user having attributes similar to those of the executing user who previously activated the effect has entered the same or similar comment (keyword) as the executing user as user input.

[0238] [4.6.3] Performance control process including performance control information generation process Next, referring to FIG. 8, the performance control information generation executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described. The effect activation control process including the process will be described.

[0239] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the effect activation control process including the effect control information generation process executed in the server device 10 of this embodiment.

[0240] (Basic principles of performance activation control processing including performance control information generation processing) During the execution of the communication control process, the performance control unit 107 executes a performance control process for controlling an appropriate performance that can increase the user's interest in the communication, according to the result of the analysis process.

[0241] Specifically, when executing the performance control process, the performance control unit 107 executes a judgment process (hereinafter referred to as "performance activation judgment process") to determine whether or not to execute a performance for a consenting user in communication between users, based on the results of the analysis process (i.e., the keyword detection results, or the keyword detection results and the user's situation).

[0242] In addition, the performance control unit 107 performs the following as a performance: (A1) A production to change the content of communication between users, or (A2) Production for adding visual effects, sound effects or comments regarding communication; Activate.

[0243] On the other hand, the performance control unit 107 may specify the performance content based on the analysis result, or may specify a predetermined performance.

[0244] Specifically, the performance control unit 107 makes the decision using table data (data stored in the network service data storage unit 144) that associates the analysis results of user-related information, which includes at least user-input information, with the content of the performance.

[0245] For example, the performance control unit 107 determines the content of the performance using table data in which the content of the performance (for example, (A1) or (A2) above) is registered in association with the number of detected keywords, the status of user input, or both.

[0246] In addition, the performance control unit 107 changes the content of the communication (A1) by changing the comment of the relevant user to "X", changing it to a "beep" sound, or by changing it to a predetermined comment.

[0247] In this case, the performance control unit 107 may add a predetermined image decoration as the content of the performance to be added in (A4), or may add a performance in accordance with the keyword of the user input information, such as adding a Christmas performance if a Christmas keyword is detected in the user input information.

[0248] (Performance activation determination processing) As described above, the effect control unit 107 executes effect activation determination processing to determine whether or not an effect is to be activated, depending on the result of the analysis processing, and controls the activation of the effect based on the determination result.

[0249] Specifically, as a process of determining whether to activate a performance, the performance control unit 107 determines whether or not to activate a performance based on the presence or absence of a specific keyword detected for each user or group, or based on the presence or absence of the specific keyword and the status of the corresponding user input.

[0250] In particular, the performance control unit 107 determines that a performance should be activated when a specific keyword is detected, or when a specific keyword is detected and the corresponding user input situation, such as the number of detected keywords, meets a predetermined condition (hereinafter also referred to as a "determination condition").

[0251] For example, if the analysis result indicates that a specific keyword (including synonyms) "xxx" is detected in the user input, the performance control unit 107 determines that the judgment condition is met and activates a performance.

[0252] Furthermore, for example, when the performance control unit 107 determines that a specific keyword (including synonyms) has been detected a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) or more for each user from a predetermined timing, such as the timing at which communication in a chat function is started, as a user input situation, it determines that the judgment conditions are met and activates a performance.

[0253] In addition, the performance control unit 107 may determine that the judgment conditions are met and that a performance should be activated, for example, if the user input situation is determined to be such that there has been no user input (comment) from the participating user for one minute after a given user input, such as the comment "XXX", has been output.

[0254] (Management Communicator Control) In order to activate a performance during communication, the performance control unit 107 may cause a performance communicator, such as a character including an avatar that represents the administrator or NPC, to appear in the communication in the chat function, and execute a performance control process in which the performance communicator performs the performance.

[0255] In particular, the performance control unit 107 controls the performance communicator, and when consent information is acquired, it executes a performance control process to perform a performance using the performance communicator for the user who has given consent while the communication control process is being executed.

[0256] On the other hand, when the effect is to be activated, the effect control unit 107 executes effect control processing to perform the effect in the same format as the user input information.

[0257] That is, the performance control unit 107 causes the performance communicator to participate in communication, and also executes a performance control process that performs a performance related to the user-related information that is accepted or output by the communication control process.

[0258] Specifically, when the effect control unit 107 decides to activate an effect during communication, it causes an effect communicator, such as a character including an avatar representing the administrator or NPC, to appear in the communication in the chat function, and performs an effect that provides the user with information regarding the comment communication, such as posting a given comment or posting a reply to another user's comment, depending on the results of the analysis process.

[0259] In addition, the performance control unit 107 executes a performance in which a comment is posted by a comment using text in the case of a text chat using text, or by speech from a performance communicator (i.e., a character) in the case of an online meeting tool.

[0260] Furthermore, the performance control unit 107 may execute a performance control process for posting communication information such as a comment for guiding the user to a theme different from the theme before the timing of activation of the performance.

[0261] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when User 1 (the user causing the effect) and User 2 (the user targeted by the harassment) are consenting users, the effect control unit 107 triggers the posting of a comment to change the topic as an effect based on the user input related information of User 1 and User 2.

[0262] In addition, Figure 8 shows an example in which, during communication such as that illustrated in Figure 7, the keyword combinations "date," "with whom," and "Do I have to say it?" are detected separately from different users, and if a display to prevent inappropriate communication from occurring is activated, the administrative character will activate the comment "By the way, Mr. B, you have a year-end party next week, don't you?" to change the topic.

[0263] In addition, one or more presentation communicators are set, and when multiple communicators are prepared, they may be selected randomly or by user selection depending on the communication situation (theme, time elapsed since the start of communication, number and attributes of participating users, behavior of participating users during communication). However, it is preferable that one presentation communicator remains present during communication and grows as communication proceeds, but this is not limited to this.

[0264] (Management communicator control with personality parameters) The performance control unit 107 may manage personality parameters that indicate the personality parameters of the communicator, and may execute performance control processing to perform performance based on the personality parameters and the analysis results of the analysis processing.

[0265] In other words, the performance control unit 107 may manage personality parameters that indicate the personality parameters of the performance communicator, and perform control to perform performance on communication between users based on the personality parameters and the content of the communication based on the analysis results.

[0266] Specifically, the performance control unit 107 uses, as personality parameters, parameters set based on characteristics such as extroversion, agreeableness, sincerity, neuroticism, openness, strong-willedness, and timidity, as well as parameters that specify areas of expertise and tolerance for topics.

[0267] Then, the performance control unit 107 determines or changes the type or approach of the performance according to the personality parameters.

[0268] For example, if the character has a personality parameter indicating strong will, or if the value of the personality parameter is high (for example, 8 or more out of 10), the performance control unit 107 inputs a comment emphasizing a new topic in the same format as the user input.

[0269] The effect control unit 107 may change the determination conditions for the effect activation determination process according to the personality parameters.

[0270] For example, in the case of a management communicator whose nervous personality parameter is equal to or greater than a reference value, the performance control unit 107 may set the judgment standard lower than normal (for example, 30% lower) to make it easier to trigger an event.

[0271] [4.7] Variations [4.7.1] Variation 1 (effect activation history information) The server device 10 of this embodiment determines whether or not a performance is to be activated and the type of performance for each result of the analysis process. The information may be registered and stored as effect activation history information, and the effect control process may be executed based on the stored effect activation history information.

[0272] That is, in this case, the server device 10: (A1) The activation status of the effect is associated with analysis result information indicating the result of the analysis process, and is registered and stored as effect activation history information in the user input related information storage unit 148; (A2) As a performance control process, the activation of the performance is controlled based on the performance activation history information that has already been registered. It has the following structure.

[0273] Specifically, the performance control unit 107 searches for performance activation history information stored in the user input related information storage unit 148 based on the results of the analysis processing performed by the analysis processing unit 106, and detects activation history information that has the same analysis result as the result of the analysis processing.

[0274] Then, when the effect control unit 107 detects effect activation history information having the same analysis result as the result of the analysis process, it activates the effect included in the effect activation history.

[0275] [4.7.2] Variation 2 (Performance control processing based on evaluation after performance activation) In this embodiment, when a performance is activated, the server device 10 may evaluate the communication situation after the performance ends, and based on the results of the evaluation, execute a performance control process including controlling the activation of subsequent performances.

[0276] That is, in this case, the server device 10: (B1) Detect the communication situation after the performance ends, (B2) Evaluating the effectiveness of the activated performance based on the detected communication situation; (B3) executing a performance control process to perform a given performance during the execution of the communication control process based on the result of the evaluation; It has the following structure.

[0277] Specifically, after each performance is executed, the performance control unit 107 detects the input status of each user's user input, the status of each user's input, and the participation status of each user in communication.

[0278] In particular, the performance control unit 107 detects, as the input status of a user's user input, when no user input has been executed for a certain period of time by each user, as the status of each user input, when there is a period in which no user input has been executed or when there is a period in which there is significantly little user input, or as the participation status of each user in communication, when there is a user who has withdrawn from communication.

[0279] In addition, the performance control unit 107 gives a low rating to the performance content when the above-mentioned period or user exists, and gives a high rating to the performance content when the above-mentioned period or user does not exist, and stores the evaluation result in the user input related information storage unit 148 in association with the result information of the corresponding analysis processing.

[0280] Furthermore, the performance control unit 107 searches for the result information of the analysis processing stored in the user input related information storage unit 148 based on the results of the analysis processing executed by the analysis processing unit 106, and identifies an analysis result that has the same analysis result as the result of the analysis processing and in which the effect of the provided performance is highly rated.

[0281] Then, the performance control unit 107 generates a performance associated with the information of the identified analysis result. Move.

[0282] In addition, the performance control unit 107 may execute performance control processing using data from a learning model that takes as input the analysis results of user-related information and the type of performance activated accordingly, and outputs the activation effect when the performance is activated.

[0283] [4.7.3] Variation 3 (effect activation determination process using LLM) The server device 10 of the present embodiment may use a large-scale language model (LLM) to determine whether or not to activate a performance during communication carried out between two or more users.

[0284] In other words, in this case, the server device 10, assuming that consent has been obtained from the user regarding the collection and use of user input-related information, executes the performance control process in conjunction with a server device (not shown) that uses user-related information including at least the user input information as input and a large-scale language model (LLM) that uses the user's situation as output to determine whether or not a performance should be activated.

[0285] In particular, in this case, the server device 10 (specifically, the performance control unit 107) performs the following, on the premise that the user has given consent regarding the collection and use of the user input related information: (C1) querying a large-scale language model, which is training model data, using user input related information; (C2) Identifying the result of the analysis process (i.e., the user's situation) using the large-scale language model; It has the following structure.

[0286] [4.7.4] Variation 4 (Performance control processing using LLM) The server device 10 of the present embodiment may use a large-scale language model (LLM) to determine the type of presentation during communication carried out between two or more users.

[0287] In other words, in this case, the server device 10 executes the performance control process in conjunction with a server device (not shown) that uses a large-scale language model (LLM) that takes as input the analysis results of user-related information that includes at least user input information (i.e., the user's situation) and outputs whether or not a performance is activated and its type.

[0288] In particular, in this case, the server device 10 (specifically, the performance control unit 107) (D1) When it is determined that the result of the analysis process is to perform a performance, an inquiry is made to the learning model data using the result of the analysis process; (D2) Execute a performance control process based on the type of performance output by the learning model data. It has the following structure.

[0289] [4.7.5] Variation 5 (Communications provided by web pages) The server device 10 of this embodiment may accept and output user input information (i.e., posting and viewing of comment data) associated with communication control processing including performance control processing via a web browser executed by the terminal device 20.

[0290] Specifically, in this case, the communication control unit 104 and the performance control unit 107 provide various data to the web processing unit 102, and the web processing unit 102 generates a web page based on the provided information that reflects communication and events and can be displayed or output by the web browser of the terminal device 20.

[0291] Then, the information providing unit 111 provides the generated web page data to the corresponding terminal device 20.

[0292] [4.7.6] Variation 6 (Changing the performance content according to the settings of the consent items) The server device 10 of the present embodiment may execute a performance control process for controlling an appropriate performance that can increase the user's interest in communication according to the settings of the consent items.

[0293] That is, the server device 10 may execute a performance control process that changes the content of the performance according to the setting content of the consent item.

[0294] During execution of the communication control process, the performance control unit 107 changes the content of the performance in accordance with the setting content of the consent item when executing the performance control process in accordance with the result of the analysis process.

[0295] In particular, the performance control unit 107 may identify whether or not there is agreement for each of a plurality of agreement items, and execute the performance control process to change the content of the performance depending on whether or not there is agreement for each of the identified agreement items.

[0296] Specifically, when the effect activation determination process determines that an effect should be activated, the effect control unit 107 determines the content of the effect using table data (data stored in the network service data storage unit 144) that corresponds the analysis results of the user-related information that includes at least the user input information, the setting contents of the consent items (whether or not there is consent for each consent item), and the content of the effect.

[0297] For example, the performance control unit 107 changes the performance to change the user's comments corresponding to the agreed items to "X" and to change to a "beep" sound.

[0298] In this case, the performance control unit 107 may manage personality parameters that indicate the communicator's personality parameters, and execute a performance control process to perform the performance based on the personality parameters, the analysis results of the analysis process, and the settings of the consent items.

[0299] In other words, the performance control unit 107 may manage personality parameters that indicate the personality parameters of the performance communicator, and perform control to perform performance on communication between users based on the personality parameters, the content of communication based on the analysis results, and the consent items for which consent has been set.

[0300] Specifically, in this case, the performance control unit 107 determines or changes the type or approach of the performance according to the personality parameters and the contents of the consent items.

[0301] [5] Operation in this embodiment Next, using Figures 9 and 10, we will explain the operation of the performance control processing, which is a processing executed by the server device 10 of this embodiment and includes a consent inquiry processing executed during a communication control processing based on communication between multiple users in a chat-based function.

[0302] Note that Figure 9 or Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a performance control process that is executed by the server device 10 of this embodiment and includes a consent inquiry process that is executed during a communication control process based on communication between multiple users in a chat function.

[0303] In this operation, it is assumed that the user input related information for each user participating in the communication has already been stored in the user input related information storage unit 148, and that communication control processing has been executed in the chat function for sending and receiving comments.

[0304] In addition, in this operation, it is assumed that a chat group ID has already been assigned, and as a performance effect, an administrative character acting as a performance communicator inputs and outputs chat comments.

[0305] First, when the communication control unit 104 detects the start of communication through text chat between multiple pre-set users from the terminal device 20 owned by a specific user (step S101), it performs various initial settings, such as reserving an area in the network service data storage unit 144 for text chat between the pre-set users (step S102).

[0306] Next, the consent information management unit 108 executes an inquiry process to inquire of the terminal device 20 of each user participating in the communication about consent regarding the collection, use, or both of user input related information including user input information (i.e., comments or stamps) (step S103).

[0307] Next, in the consent inquiry process, the consent information management unit 108 acquires consent information for each user, and stores the consent information including the consent or non-consent information in the user information storage unit 146 while setting each user as a consent user or a non-consent user based on each consent information (step S104).

[0308] Next, the communication control unit 104 starts a communication control process as a chat function (step S111).

[0309] First, the communication control unit 104 determines whether or not an instruction to terminate the communication control process using the chat-related functions has been detected, such as an instruction from the terminal device 20 or an instruction from the system (step S112).

[0310] For example, the communication control unit 104 executes the communication control process when it detects a forced termination instruction from a specific terminal device 20 or when it detects a predetermined termination time.

[0311] Also, at this time, if the communication control unit 104 determines that it has not detected an instruction to end the communication control process, it proceeds to the processing of step S113 to continue the communication control process, and if it determines that it has detected an instruction to end the communication control process, it terminates this operation.

[0312] Next, if the communication control unit 104 determines that it has not detected an instruction to terminate the communication control process, it works in conjunction with the network service management unit 103 to determine whether it has accepted comment data as user input information sent from the terminal device 20 of the user participating in the communication (step S113).

[0313] At this time, if the communication control unit 104 determines that user input information has been received, it proceeds to the processing of step S114, and if it determines that user input information has not been received, it returns to the processing of step S112.

[0314] Next, when it is determined that the user input information has been accepted, the communication control unit 104 determines whether or not the user who input the accepted user input information is an consenting user (step S114).

[0315] At this time, if the communication control unit 104 determines that the user who entered the received user input information is not a consenting user (if it determines that the user is a non-consenting user), it executes communication control processing based on the received user input information (step S115) and returns to the processing of step S112.

[0316] In particular, as the processing of step S115, the communication control unit 104 generates display control data for realizing chat functions of the terminal device 20 of each user participating in the communication, and provides the generated display control data to each terminal device 20.

[0317] At this time, the communication control unit 104 generates and provides display control data with different display areas for the data intended for the terminal device 20 that transmitted the comment data and the data intended for other terminal devices 20.

[0318] On the other hand, if the communication control unit 104 determines that the user who entered the accepted user input information is an agreed user, it acquires user-related information such as the user's attributes and the time of acceptance along with the accepted comment data (step S116).

[0319] At this time, the communication control unit 104 obtains the user ID from the corresponding terminal device 20, and obtains attribute information such as nickname and timing information such as reception timing from the user information storage unit 146 and the timer management unit 110 based on the user ID.

[0320] Next, the communication control unit 104 generates display control data for implementing chat functions on the terminal device 20 of each user participating in the communication, and provides the generated display control data to each terminal device 20 (step S117).

[0321] At this time, the communication control unit 104 generates and provides display control data with different display areas for the data intended for the terminal device 20 that transmitted the comment data and the data intended for other terminal devices 20.

[0322] Next, the analysis processing unit 106 executes an analysis process based on the user input related information consisting of the received user input information and information related to the user input acquired along with it, and analyzes the status of the user input (step S118).

[0323] For example, the analysis processing unit 106 performs natural language processing on the received user input information and determines whether or not the information contains a keyword for performing a specific effect.

[0324] Then, when the received user input information includes a keyword for performing a specific effect, the analysis processing unit 106 identifies the number of times that keyword has been input up to now as the game input status.

[0325] Next, the effect control unit 107 executes an effect activation determination process to determine whether or not to activate an effect based on the results of the analysis process, such as whether or not the game input situation satisfies the determination criteria (step S119).

[0326] At this time, if the performance control unit 107 determines that the performance should be activated, it proceeds to the processing of step S121, and if it determines that the performance should not be activated, it proceeds directly to the processing of step S130.

[0327] Next, when it is determined that the effect should be activated, the effect control unit 107 executes an effect control process in which comment data based on keywords is posted to the management character using a theme (step S121).

[0328] Next, the communication control unit 104 generates display control data (i.e., performance control information) for realizing chat functions of the terminal device 20 of each user participating in the communication using the comment data of the administrative character, and provides the generated display control data to each terminal device 20 (step S122).

[0329] Next, the user-related information management unit 105 stores the user-related information, analysis result information, and performance-related information in the user-input-related information storage unit 148 in association with the group ID and user ID (step S130), and returns to the processing of step S112.

[0330] [6] Other The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, terms cited in the specification or drawings as broadly defined or synonymous terms can be replaced with broadly defined or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

[0331] In this embodiment, a single server device 10 may be linked to a terminal device 20 to perform control over communication in chat-related functions, or multiple server devices 10 may be linked to form a server system, which may be linked to a terminal device 20 to perform the control.

[0332] In addition, in this embodiment, the server device 10 executes the communication control process, the consent inquiry process, the performance control process, and the like, but the terminal device 20 may execute some of the processes.

[0333] 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 effects). 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.

[0334] 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 effects). 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.

[0335] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail as above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made 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]

[0336] 1: Network system 10: Server device 20: Terminal device 100: Processing section 101: Communication control unit 102: Web processing unit 103: Network Service Management Department 104: Communication Control Unit 105: User-related information management department 106: Analysis processing unit 107: Production Control Unit 108: Consent Information Management Department 110: Timer management unit 111: Information provision department 140: Storage section 142: Main memory 144: Data storage unit for network services 146: User information storage unit 148: User input related information storage unit 170: Input section 180: Information storage medium 190:Display section 196: Communications Department 200: Processing section 210: Communication control unit 211: Web browser 212: Input reception processing unit 213: Display control unit 214: Application execution unit 220: Drawing section 230: Sound processing unit 260: Input section 262:Detection unit 270: Storage section 271: Main memory 272: Image buffer 273: User information storage unit 274: Data storage unit 280: Information storage medium 290:Display section 292: Sound output unit 296: Communications Department

Claims

1. A communication management system for electronically managing communications between two or more users, comprising: a control means for receiving an input from the user for performing the communication and for controlling an output for providing information of the received user input to each user as user input information; an inquiry processing means for executing an inquiry process to inquire about consent for each user regarding collection or use of user input related information indicating information related to the user input, the information including at least the user input information; a performance control means for executing a performance control process to perform a given performance for a user who has indicated consent to the collection or use of the user input related information during execution of the communication control process when consent information indicating consent to the collection or use of the user input related information is acquired; providing means for providing control information for allowing the user to enjoy the performance to a terminal device of the user; A communication management system comprising:

2. 2. The communication management system according to claim 1, The providing means A communication management system that provides the control information for executing a common performance for each user when consent information of each user is obtained.

3. 2. The communication management system according to claim 1, The query means is A communication management system that executes an inquiry process to inquire about consent regarding the collection or use of the user input related information for each user, for the purpose of executing the performance linked to the communication control process.

4. 2. The communication management system according to claim 1, The query means is A communication management system that executes the consent inquiry as the inquiry processing, which includes at least consent items regarding the content of the user input information, the timing of acquiring the user input information, and the purpose of collecting or using the user input related information, and in which the consent items can be set by each user.

5. 5. The communication management system according to claim 4, The query means is A communication management system that has each consent item, at least one of the number, degree, and scope of which is set by the user, and that executes a consent inquiry in which the consent items can be set by each user.

6. 6. The communication management system according to claim 4, The performance control means A communication management system that executes the performance control process to change the content of the performance according to the settings of the consent items.

7. 7. The communication management system according to claim 6, The performance control means Identifying whether or not there is consent for each of the plurality of consent items; The performance in which the content of the performance is changed depending on whether or not each of the specified consent items has been agreed to. A communication management system that performs control processing.

8. 2. The communication management system according to claim 1, A communication management system, wherein the control information includes at least one of presentation change information for changing the content of the communication between the users and control information for adding presentation related to the communication.

9. 2. The communication management system according to claim 1, a communicator control means for controlling the performance communicator that executes the performance; The performance control means When the consent information is obtained, the communication management system executes a performance control process to perform a performance using the performance communicator for the user who has given consent while the communication control process is being executed.

10. 10. The communication management system according to claim 9, The performance control means A communication management system that executes the performance control process to perform the performance in the same format as the user input information.

11. 10. The communication management system according to claim 9, The communicator control means managing personality parameters indicating personality parameters of the performance communicator; A communication management system that performs control to execute the performance of the communication between the users based on the personality parameters and the content of the communication.

12. The communication management system according to claim 11, The query means is the inquiry process executes the consent inquiry, which includes at least consent items related to the content of the user input information, the timing of acquiring the user input information, and the purpose of collecting or using the user input related information, and the consent items can be set by each user; The communicator control means A communication management system that performs control to execute the performance of the communication between the users based on the personality parameters, the content of the communication, and the settings of the agreement items.

13. The communication management system according to claim 11, The query means is the inquiry process executes the consent inquiry, which includes at least consent items related to the content of the user input information, the timing of acquiring the user input information, and the purpose of collecting or using the user input related information, and the consent items can be set by each user; The communicator control means Identifying whether or not there is consent for each of the plurality of consent items; A communication management system that controls the execution of the performance of communication between the users based on the personality parameters, the content of the communication, and whether or not there is agreement with each of the identified agreement items.

14. 10. The communication management system according to claim 9, The performance control means A communication management system that causes the performance communicator to participate in the communication and executes the performance control process to perform a performance related to the user-related information accepted or output by the communication control process.

15. 2. The communication management system according to claim 1, a detection means for detecting a state of the communication after the performance is executed; evaluation means for evaluating the effectiveness of the executed performance based on the detected communication situation; Further provided with The performance control means A communication management system that executes a performance control process that performs a given performance during execution of the communication control process based on the result of the evaluation.

16. 2. The communication management system according to claim 1, a registration means for registering and storing the user input related information in a storage means; an analysis processing means for executing a given analysis process on the stored user input related information during execution of the communication control process; Further provided with The performance control means determining the content of the effect according to the result of the analysis processing; Execute a performance control process for executing the determined performance. Communication management system.

17. 1. A program for electronically managing communications between two or more users, comprising: a control means for receiving an input from the user for performing the communication and for controlling an output for providing information of the received user input to each user as user input information; an inquiry processing means for executing an inquiry process to inquire about consent for each user regarding collection or use of user input related information indicating information related to the user input, including at least the user input information; a performance control means for executing a performance control process to perform a given performance during the execution of the communication control process for a user who has indicated consent to the collection or use of the user input related information when consent information indicating consent to the collection or use of the user input related information is acquired; and providing means for providing control information for allowing the user to enjoy the performance to the terminal device of the user; A program that causes a computer to function as a

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