Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To improve usability in mobile messenger services. [Solution] The information processing device according to the present invention comprises an evaluation unit and a comment control unit. When the evaluation unit receives information of a new comment posted to a chat room that has been set up in advance in a mobile messenger service, it evaluates the degree of relevance between the new comment and the previously presented comments displayed in the chat room to which the new comment is posted. Based on the evaluation results by the evaluation unit, the comment control unit controls the reflection of the new comment to the chat room.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a mobile messenger service that can transmit and receive messages, data, etc. in real time in a chat format using a user's terminal device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional technology has room for improvement in improving user usability in the mobile messenger service.

[0005] This application has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to improve user usability in the mobile messenger service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus according to this application includes an evaluation unit and a comment control unit. When the evaluation unit receives information on a new comment posted in a chat room that has been opened in advance in the mobile messenger service, the evaluation unit evaluates the relevance between the new comment and the presented comments presented in the chat room where the new comment is to be posted. The comment control unit controls the reflection of the new comment on the chat room based on the evaluation result by the evaluation unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, usability can be improved in a mobile messenger service. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the system configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an overview of the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the user information stored in the user information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for information processing performed by the information processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that implements the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, the embodiments for implementing the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). Note that these embodiments do not limit the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application. Furthermore, each embodiment can be appropriately combined as long as the processing content is not inconsistent. Also, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in each of the following embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [Embodiment] [1. An example of information processing] An example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the information processing according to the embodiment. The information processing according to the embodiment described below aims to improve usability in a mobile messenger service.

[0011] The information processing according to this embodiment is realized by an information processing system SYS (see, for example, Figure 2) which includes a plurality of terminal devices 10, such as terminal device 10-1 and terminal device 10-2 shown in Figure 1, and an information processing device 100 shown in Figure 1. The plurality of terminal devices 10, such as terminal device 10-1 and terminal device 10-2, and the information processing device 100 are each connected to a network N (see, for example, Figure 2) by wired or wireless means. The plurality of terminal devices 10, such as terminal device 10-1 and terminal device 10-2, and the information processing device 100 can communicate with other devices through the network N.

[0012] Terminal device 10-1 is used by user U-1, a user of a mobile messenger service that allows text messaging without using email. Terminal device 10-2 is used by user U-2, a user of a mobile messenger service that allows text messaging without using email. In the following description, unless it is necessary to distinguish between terminal devices 10-1 and 10-2, they will be collectively referred to as "terminal device 10". Also, in the following description, unless it is necessary to distinguish between user U-1 and user U-2, they will be collectively referred to as "user U".

[0013] Terminal device 10 comes with a mobile messenger application (hereinafter referred to as "messenger app") pre-installed, which is a chat tool equipped with various functions for using the mobile messenger service. By operating the messenger app, user U can use a service (hereinafter referred to as "open chat service") that allows them to exchange messages with multiple users U they do not know personally through a pre-established chat room in the mobile messenger service.

[0014] Mobile messenger services offer multiple chat rooms (examples of "communities") that can be searched by keyword or category, serving as a platform for information exchange and interaction based on various themes (examples of "events") related to interests and everyday life. User U can start an open chat service by selecting their desired chat room from among the multiple chat rooms. User U can set a different username for each chat room they participate in. This allows User U to participate in communities anonymously without revealing their real username.

[0015] The information processing device 100 is operated and managed by a service provider that provides mobile messenger services. The information processing device 100 performs various processes related to the embodiment in connection with the provision of the open chat service described above.

[0016] Terminal device 10-1 displays the chat room screen G in response to user U-1's operation. For example, terminal device 10-1 displays the chat room screen G with the room name set to "Camping Lovers' Plaza".

[0017] Further, the terminal device 10-1 transmits, according to the operation of the user U-1 on the screen G of the chat room, the comment posted by the user U-1 to the information processing device 100 (step S1). For example, the terminal device 10-1 transmits the comment posted by the user U-1 to the information processing device 100 for a chat room in which the room name "Camping Lover's Square" is set.

[0018] When the information processing device 100 receives the information of the new comment for the chat room from the terminal device 10-1, it evaluates the relevance between the received new comment and the presented comments presented in the chat room (step S2).

[0019] Specifically, the information processing device 100 calculates the degree of coincidence between the topics or keywords included in the presented comments and the topics or keywords included in the new comment. Then, when the calculated degree of coincidence is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the information processing device 100 evaluates that the relevance between the presented comment and the new comment is high.

[0020] On the other hand, when the calculated degree of coincidence is less than the predetermined threshold value, the information processing device 100 evaluates that the relevance between the presented comment and the new comment is low. Note that the evaluation of the degree of coincidence may be performed between the presented comment immediately before the new comment. Also, when the presented comment immediately before the new comment does not include a predetermined keyword, a presented comment including the predetermined keyword may be searched from the presented comments presented in the past, and the evaluation of the degree of coincidence may be performed between the searched presented comment.

[0021] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 controls the reflection of new comments to the chat room based on the evaluation results (step S3). For example, if the information processing device 100 evaluates that the degree of relevance between the previously presented comments in the chat room and the content of a newly posted comment in the chat room is low, it delays the timing of presenting the new comment in the chat room. Specifically, the information processing device 100 may calculate the posting frequency of comments in the chat room to which the new comment will be posted at predetermined intervals, and present the new comment in the chat room when the calculated posting frequency falls below a predetermined threshold (in other words, when posting has calmed down). This prevents the information processing device 100 from disrupting the flow of conversation in the chat room.

[0022] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may present supplementary information about the new comment along with the new comment, provided that it evaluates that the relevance between the theme corresponding to the chat room to which the new comment is posted and the content of the new comment is high. For example, if the information processing device 100 evaluates that the new comment has low relevance to previously presented comments, it may further evaluate the relevance between the theme corresponding to the chat room and the content of the new comment.

[0023] Specifically, the information processing device 100 collects reference information that is at least fact-verified and is related to the theme corresponding to the chat room. If the content of a new comment appears in the reference information, the information processing device 100 can evaluate that the content of the new comment is highly related to the theme corresponding to the chat room. Furthermore, if the information processing device 100 evaluates that the relevance between the theme corresponding to the chat room and the content of the new comment is high, it presents supplementary information along with the new comment, such as summary information explaining the relationship between the new comment and the chat room theme, and supporting information (for example, external links to websites) that supports the credibility of the new comment. In this way, the information processing device 100 can make other users U aware of the importance of the new comment.

[0024] The information processing device 100 may collect the above-mentioned reference information in advance and store it internally, or it may collect the latest information as reference information from an external device that is already cooperating with it in the information processing according to the embodiment.

[0025] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may notify the poster of a new comment of the reason for delaying the display of the new comment in the chat room. This allows the information processing device 100 to alleviate the poster's discomfort regarding the fact that the comment is not reflected immediately.

[0026] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may provide an optional function that allows the poster of a new comment to edit the content of the comment. This allows the information processing device 100 to provide the poster of a new comment with an opportunity to review the content of their comment.

[0027] Furthermore, if the information processing device 100 evaluates that there is a high degree of relevance between previously displayed comments in the chat room and newly posted comments in the chat room, it may display relevant information related to the theme corresponding to the chat room in the chat room. For example, the information processing device 100 can acquire article content related to the theme corresponding to the chat room and display the acquired article content in the chat room. This allows the information processing device 100 to further stimulate conversation in the chat room.

[0028] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may analyze the content of previously presented comments in the chat room to estimate the tone of the conversation or the emotions of the participants, and detect changes in the estimated tone or emotions. For example, the information processing device 100 may estimate whether the tone of the conversation or the emotions of the participants in the chat room is positive, negative, or neutral, and detect changes from positive to negative or negative to positive. Also, if the information processing device 100 detects a change in the tone of the conversation or emotions, it may present content in the chat room that guides the tone of the conversation or emotions towards neutrality.

[0029] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may estimate the level of engagement in the chat room based on the frequency of comments posted to the chat room. For example, if the frequency of comments posted in the chat room per predetermined time period exceeds a predetermined threshold, the information processing device 100 may derive an estimation result that the conversation is engaging. Also, if the information processing device 100 estimates that the conversation is engaging, it may present content in the chat room that will further enhance the conversation.

[0030] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may estimate the level of engagement in the chat room based on the reactions of the participants in the chat room. For example, the information processing device 100 may derive an estimation result that the conversation is engaging if the number of positive reactions (e.g., "likes") posted per predetermined time in the chat room exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0031] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may estimate the depth of the conversation taking place in the chat room based on the length of the conversation in the chat room and the number of users U participating in the conversation, as information for controlling the posting of content to the chat room.

[0032] [2. System Configuration] The configuration of the information processing system SYS according to the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the information processing system SYS according to the embodiment.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the information processing system SYS according to this embodiment includes a plurality of terminal devices 10, such as terminal device 10-1 and terminal device 10-2, and an information processing device 100. Note that Figure 2 is merely an example of the configuration of the information processing system SYS according to this embodiment, and it may also include other devices such as a distribution device that delivers advertisements to the terminal devices 10, and a service provision device that performs processing related to a portal site that provides various online services.

[0034] The terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 are connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection. Each of the terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 can communicate with other devices through the network N.

[0035] Network N includes, for example, WANs (Wide Area Networks) such as the Internet, and mobile communication networks such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation: 5th Generation Mobile Communication System).

[0036] The terminal device 10 connects to the network N via a mobile communication network or short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi (Local Area Network), and can communicate with other devices such as the information processing device 100 through the network N.

[0037] Furthermore, terminal device 10 is used by user U, who is a user of the mobile messenger service. Terminal device 10 may be, for example, a notebook PC (personal computer), a desktop PC, a smartphone, or a tablet PC.

[0038] User U can start an open chat service by operating the messenger app pre-installed on terminal device 10 and selecting a desired chat room from among multiple chat rooms. The open chat service can then be used.

[0039] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 can display content provided by the information processing device 100, for example, using a dedicated application or a web browser. When the terminal device 10 receives control information from the information processing device 100 to perform the information display process, it performs the display process according to the control information.

[0040] Control information is described using, for example, scripting languages ​​such as JavaScript (registered trademark), stylesheet languages ​​such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), programming languages ​​such as Java (registered trademark), or markup languages ​​such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language). Alternatively, a predetermined application distributed from the information processing device 100 may be considered as control information.

[0041] The information processing device 100 is operated and managed by a service provider that provides mobile messenger services. The information processing device 100 performs various processes related to the embodiment in connection with the provision of the open chat service described above. The information processing device 100 is typically a server device, but may be implemented by a mainframe or workstation. Furthermore, if the information processing device 100 is implemented by a server device, it may be implemented by a single server device, or by a cloud system in which multiple server devices and multiple storage devices work together.

[0042] [3. Equipment configuration] Hereinafter, an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 100 in the information processing system SYS according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0043] (Communications Department 110) The communication unit 110 is implemented, for example, by a communication module or a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection. The information processing device 100 transmits and receives information with other devices, such as the terminal device 10, through the network N.

[0044] For example, the communication unit 110 can receive information about comments posted by user U from the terminal device 10 in cooperation with a messenger application running on the terminal device 10. The communication unit 110 then passes the received comments to the evaluation unit 132, which will be described later.

[0045] (Storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 stores, for example, programs and data used for control and calculations by the control unit 130. For example, the storage unit 120 can be implemented using semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or storage devices such as hard disks or optical discs. For example, the storage unit 120 has a reference information storage unit 121 and a user information storage unit 122. Note that the storage unit 120 is not particularly limited to the example shown in Figure 3, and can appropriately store data necessary for executing the information processing according to the embodiment.

[0046] (Reference information storage unit 121) The reference information storage unit 121 stores reference information that is related to the theme corresponding to the chat room and has been at least fact-verified. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an overview of the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 121 according to the embodiment.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 121 has multiple items, such as the "reference source" item, the "reference information" item, and the "corresponding theme" item. These items in the reference information are interconnected.

[0048] The "Source" field stores information indicating the source of the reference information. The "Reference Information" field stores reference information collected from the source. The "Corresponding Theme" field stores information indicating the theme corresponding to the reference information.

[0049] For example, when the information processing device 100 evaluates the degree of relevance between a theme corresponding to a chat room and the content of comments posted to the chat room, it can use the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 121.

[0050] (User information storage unit 122) The user information storage unit 122 stores information about user U, who is a user of the open chat service. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the user information stored in the user information storage unit 122 according to this embodiment.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the user information stored in the user information storage unit 122 has multiple fields, such as "User ID," "Participating Chat," "Handle Name," and "Comment." These fields of user information are interconnected.

[0052] The "User ID" field stores identification information to identify user U. The "Participating Chats" field stores information to identify the chat rooms that user U is participating in (hereinafter referred to as "participating chats" as appropriate). The "Handle Name" field stores information indicating user U's handle name in participating chats. The "Comments" field stores information about comments posted by user U in participating chats.

[0053] When controlling the posting of comments to a chat room, the information processing device 100 can utilize the user information stored in the user information storage unit 122.

[0054] (Control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized by the execution of various programs (an example of an "information processing program") stored in the memory device inside the information processing device 100 by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), using RAM as the working area.

[0055] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a GPGPU (General Purpose Graphic Processing Unit).

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 130 includes an acquisition unit 131, an evaluation unit 132, and a comment control unit 133, and each of these units realizes or executes the information processing functions and operations described below.

[0057] The control unit 130 may have multiple internally divided components that realize or execute the functions and operations of the information processing described below. Furthermore, the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 3, and may have other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described later, and may have other functional units other than those shown in Figure 3.

[0058] (Collection Section 131) The collection unit 131 collects the above-mentioned reference information. The collection unit 131 stores the collected reference information in the reference information storage unit 121.

[0059] (Evaluation Section 132) When the evaluation unit 132 receives information from the communication unit 110 about a new comment posted to a chat room that has been set up in advance in the mobile messenger service, it evaluates the degree of relevance between the new comment and the previously posted comments that are displayed in the chat room to which the new comment was posted.

[0060] For example, the evaluation unit 132 calculates the degree of relevance between the topics or keywords included in the previously submitted comment and the topics or keywords included in the new comment. If the calculated degree of relevance is above a predetermined threshold, the evaluation unit 132 evaluates that the relationship between the previously submitted comment and the new comment is high. On the other hand, if the calculated degree of relevance is below a predetermined threshold, the evaluation unit 132 evaluates that the relationship between the previously submitted comment and the new comment is low. The evaluation unit 132 then passes the evaluation result to the comment control unit 133.

[0061] Furthermore, if the evaluation unit 132 evaluates that the degree of relevance between a new comment and a previously submitted comment is low, it may further evaluate the degree of relevance between the theme corresponding to the chat room to which the new comment is posted and the new comment.

[0062] For example, the evaluation unit 132 obtains reference information from the reference information storage unit 121 that is at least fact-verified and is related to the theme corresponding to the chat room to which the new comment will be posted. If the content of the new comment appears in the reference information, the evaluation unit 132 can evaluate that the content of the new comment is highly related to the theme corresponding to the chat room. The evaluation unit 132 then passes the evaluation result to the comment control unit 133.

[0063] (Comment Control Unit 133) The comment control unit 133 controls the reflection of new comments to the chat room based on the evaluation results from the evaluation unit 132.

[0064] For example, if the comment control unit 133 evaluates a comment as having low relevance, it delays the timing of presenting the new comment to the chat room. Specifically, the comment control unit 133 calculates the frequency of comments posted in the chat room to which the new comment will be posted at predetermined intervals, and presents the new comment to the chat room when the calculated posting frequency falls below a predetermined threshold (in other words, when posting has calmed down). This prevents the information processing device 100 from disrupting the flow of conversation in the chat room.

[0065] Furthermore, the comment control unit 133 may present supplementary information about the new comment along with the new comment, provided that the evaluation unit 132 evaluates that there is a high degree of relevance between the theme corresponding to the chat room to which the new comment is posted and the content of the new comment. For example, the comment control unit 133 may present supplementary information such as summary information explaining the relationship between the new comment and the theme of the chat room, or supporting information (for example, an external link to a website) that supports the credibility of the new comment.

[0066] Furthermore, the comment control unit 133 may notify the poster of the new comment of the reason for delaying the timing of displaying the new comment in the chat room.

[0067] Furthermore, the comment control unit 133 may provide an optional function that allows the poster of a new comment to edit the content of the new comment before presenting the new comment to the chat room. The comment control unit 133 may also provide an optional function that allows editing of the content of a new comment on the condition that the evaluation unit 132 evaluates that the degree of relevance between the theme corresponding to the chat room to which the new comment is posted and the content of the new comment is low.

[0068] Furthermore, if the evaluation unit 132 evaluates that the degree of relevance between a new comment and a previously presented comment is high, the comment control unit 133 may present the new comment along with related information related to the theme corresponding to the chat room in the chat room.

[0069] [4. Processing procedure according to the embodiment] The following describes the information processing procedure performed by the information processing device 100 according to this embodiment, using Figure 6 as a reference. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the information processing procedure performed by the information processing device according to this embodiment. The procedure shown in Figure 6 is performed by the control unit 130 of the information processing device 100. The procedure shown in Figure 6 is repeatedly performed while the information processing device 100 is running.

[0070] As shown in Figure 6, the evaluation unit 132 receives information about new comments posted to a chat room that has been pre-established in the mobile messenger service via the communication unit 110 (step S101).

[0071] Furthermore, the evaluation unit 132 evaluates the degree of relevance between the received new comment and the previously posted comments displayed in the chat room to which the new comment is posted (step S102).

[0072] Furthermore, the comment control unit 133 controls the reflection of new comments to the chat room based on the evaluation results from the evaluation unit 132 (step S103), and then terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 6.

[0073] [5. Hardware Configuration] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 according to the above embodiment can be implemented by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that implements the functions of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0074] Computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which an arithmetic unit 1030, a primary storage device 1040, a secondary storage device 1050, an output interface 1060, an input interface 1070, and a network interface 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0075] The arithmetic unit 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and the secondary storage device 1050, as well as programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device where data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is implemented using ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD, flash memory, etc.

[0076] The output IF1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to output devices 1010, such as monitors and printers, and is implemented using connectors of standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The input IF1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as mice, keyboards, and scanners, and is implemented using, for example, USB.

[0077] The input device 1020 may also be a device that reads information from, for example, an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), tape media, magnetic recording media, or semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the input device 1020 may be an external storage medium such as a USB memory stick.

[0078] Network IF1080 receives data from other devices via network N and sends it to the arithmetic unit 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic unit 1030 to other devices via network N.

[0079] The arithmetic unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the secondary storage device 1050 onto the primary storage device 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0080] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the arithmetic unit 1030 of the computer 1000 realizes the same functions as the control unit 130 by executing a program (for example, an information processing program) loaded on the primary storage device 1040. That is, the arithmetic unit 1030 realizes the processing by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment in cooperation with the program (for example, an information processing program) loaded on the primary storage device 1040.

[0081] [6. Others] Of the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed at will unless otherwise specified.

[0082] Furthermore, the components of each illustrated device are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions.

[0083] Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content is not contradictory.

[0084] Although embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to several drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms with modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting with the embodiments described in the disclosure section of the invention.

[0085] Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" mentioned above can be replaced with "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, a control unit can be replaced with a control means or a control circuit.

[0086] [7. Effects] The information processing device 100 according to this embodiment includes an evaluation unit 132 and a comment control unit 133. When the evaluation unit 132 receives information of a new comment posted to a chat room that has been set up in advance in a mobile messenger service, it evaluates the degree of relevance between the new comment and the previously presented comments displayed in the chat room to which the new comment is posted. Based on the evaluation result by the evaluation unit 132, the comment control unit 133 controls the reflection of the new comment to the chat room.

[0087] Therefore, the information processing device 100 according to this embodiment can improve usability in a mobile messenger service by controlling the reflection of new comments in the chat room according to an evaluation of the degree of relevance between new comments and previously presented comments.

[0088] Furthermore, if the comment control unit 133 determines that the relevance is low, it delays the timing of presenting the new comment to the chat room.

[0089] Furthermore, the comment control unit 133 calculates the frequency of comments posted to the chat room at predetermined intervals, and presents a new comment to the chat room when the calculated posting frequency falls below a predetermined threshold.

[0090] In this way, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can prevent the flow of conversation in the chat room from being interrupted.

[0091] Furthermore, if the evaluation unit 132 determines that the relevance between the new comment and the previously presented comment is low, it further evaluates the relevance between the theme corresponding to the chat room and the content of the new comment. The comment control unit 133, provided that the evaluation unit 132 determines that the relevance between the theme and the content of the new comment is high, presents the new comment along with supplementary information related to the new comment. In this way, the information processing device 100 according to this embodiment can make other users U aware of the importance of the new comment.

[0092] Furthermore, the comment control unit 133 notifies the poster of the new comment of the reason for delaying the timing of displaying the new comment in the chat room. This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to alleviate the poster's discomfort regarding the fact that the comment is not reflected immediately.

[0093] Furthermore, the comment control unit 133 provides an optional function that allows the poster of a new comment to edit the content of the new comment before presenting the new comment to the chat room. This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to provide the poster of a new comment with an opportunity to review the content of the comment.

[0094] Furthermore, if the comment control unit 133 is evaluated by the evaluation unit 132 as having a high degree of relevance, it presents the new comment along with related information associated with the theme corresponding to the chat room in the chat room. This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to further stimulate conversation in the chat room.

[0095] Furthermore, the effects described above can also be achieved by any combination of the processes performed by each of the parts described above, or by any combination of the processes performed by each of the parts. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] SYS Information Processing System N Network 10 Terminal devices 100 Information Processing Devices 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Reference information storage unit 122 User Information Storage Unit 130 Control Unit 131 Collection Department 132 Evaluation Department 133 Comment Control Section

Claims

1. When information about a new comment posted to a pre-established chat room in a mobile messenger service is received, an evaluation unit evaluates the degree of relevance between the new comment and the previously presented comments in the chat room to which the new comment was posted. Based on the evaluation results from the evaluation unit, a comment control unit controls the reflection of the new comment to the chat room. An information processing device characterized by comprising:

2. The comment control unit, If the evaluation unit determines that the relevance is low, the timing of presenting the new comment to the chat room is delayed. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The comment control unit, The frequency of comments posted to the chat room is calculated at predetermined intervals, and when the calculated posting frequency falls below a predetermined threshold, the new comment is presented to the chat room. The information processing apparatus according to feature 2.

4. The evaluation unit, If the correlation between the new comment and the previously submitted comment is deemed low, the correlation between the event corresponding to the chat room and the content of the new comment is further evaluated. The comment control unit, Provided that the evaluation unit determines that the degree of relevance between the event and the content of the new comment is high, supplementary information related to the new comment will be presented together with the new comment. The information processing apparatus according to feature 2.

5. The comment control unit, The reason for delaying the posting of the new comment to the chat room will be notified to the poster of the new comment. The information processing apparatus according to feature 2.

6. The comment control unit, Before presenting the new comment to the chat room, provide the commenter with an option to edit the content of the new comment. The information processing apparatus according to feature 2.

7. The comment control unit, If the evaluation unit determines that the relevance is high, it will present the chat room with a new comment and related information concerning the event corresponding to the chat room. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

8. A method of information processing performed by a computer, When information about a new comment posted to a pre-established chat room in a mobile messenger service is received, an evaluation step is performed to evaluate the degree of relevance between the new comment and the previously presented comments in the chat room to which the new comment was posted. A comment control step controls the reflection of the new comment to the chat room based on the evaluation results from the evaluation step. An information processing method characterized by including

9. On the computer, When information about a new comment posted to a pre-established chat room in a mobile messenger service is received, an evaluation procedure is provided to evaluate the degree of relevance between the new comment and the previously presented comments in the chat room to which the new comment was posted. A comment control procedure that controls the reflection of the new comment to the chat room based on the evaluation results of the evaluation procedure described above. An information processing program characterized by causing the execution of [a specific action].

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