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

Abstract

Providing appropriate information to users. [Solution] The information processing device according to the present application includes an identification unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. In response to receiving a response message in response to an inquiry message for inquiring about the context of a communication partner, the identification unit identifies the context of a first user who is the sender of the response message. The determination unit determines whether there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user identified by the identification unit and the content of the response message. When the determination unit determines that there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user and the content of the response message, the notification unit notifies the second user who is the sender of the inquiry message.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, there have been provided technologies for notifying various information about content that a user is viewing. For example, there is a technology for notifying other users of the user's status by sending a predetermined message to members participating in a group chat when the group chat is started. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-170234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technologies have room for improvement in providing appropriate information to users. For example, in a messaging service that allows two-way communication, when information about a user's status is notified at the start of the messaging service, other users may not have viewed the information, and it may not be possible to say that on-demand information provision is achieved.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can provide appropriate information to a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present application includes an identification unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. In response to receiving a response message in response to an inquiry message for inquiring about the context of a communication partner, the identification unit identifies the context of a first user who is the sender of the response message. The determination unit determines whether there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user identified by the identification unit and the content of the response message. When the determination unit determines that there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user and the content of the response message, the notification unit notifies the second user who is the sender of the inquiry message. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, appropriate information can be provided to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing executed by an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of information processing executed by the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an overview of user information stored in the user information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing area information stored in the area information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment or the modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, modes for implementing an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined as long as the processing content is not contradictory. Furthermore, the same components in the embodiments described below will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [1. Information Processing Systems] (1-1. System configuration) Hereinafter, a configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing executed by the information processing system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system SYS according to the embodiment includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 (such as terminal device 10a and terminal device 10b) and an information processing device 100. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example of the information processing system SYS according to the embodiment, and is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, and the information processing system SYS may have more terminal devices 10 and information processing devices 100 than the example shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] Each terminal device 10 and information processing device 100 is connected to a network N (see, for example, FIG. 3) by wire or wirelessly. Each terminal device 10 and information processing device 100 can communicate with each other through the network N.

[0012] The network N is a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a telephone network (for example, a mobile phone network or a landline telephone network), a regional IP (Internet Protocol) network, the Internet, etc. The network N may include a wired network or a wireless network.

[0013] The information processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 provides a message service to a user U (e.g., user Ua or user Ub) of the terminal device 10. The message service provided by the information processing device 100 is realized, for example, by the service user installing a predetermined application in advance on his or her communication terminal. The message service provided by the information processing device 100 may also be realized by cooperation between the predetermined application and any application such as a web browser that provides a browsing function. The message service provided by the information processing device 100 is typically a service realized by a communication tool such as a messenger or chat, but may include any service that allows two-way communication.

[0014] 1 (such as terminal device 10a and terminal device 10b) is a communication terminal used by a user of the message service provided by the information processing device 100. The terminal device 10 is typically a smartphone, but may also be realized by a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like.

[0015] For example, the terminal device 10 accepts an operation by a user U (such as user Ua or user Ub) and launches a predetermined application for using a message service. The user U of the terminal device 10 can exchange various types of information, such as text information and image information, with other users U through the predetermined application. The terminal device 10 receives and displays various types of information transmitted from other terminal devices 10 from the information processing device 100 using a processing function provided by the predetermined application. Note that the terminal device 10 may also display various types of information transmitted from other terminal devices 10 using an arbitrary web browser that provides a browsing function. When the terminal device 10 receives control information for realizing display processing of various types of information, such as text information, transmitted from other terminal devices 10 from the information processing device 100, the terminal device 10 realizes the display processing in accordance with the control information.

[0016] In the following description, the terminal device 10 may be referred to as the user U. In other words, the user U can be read as the terminal device 10.

[0017] The information processing device 100 is an information processing device that executes processes related to the transmission and reception of various types of information in a message service. The information processing device 100 realizes real-time exchange of various types of information such as text information and image information. The information processing device 100 may be realized by a single server, or may be realized by a cloud system in which multiple server devices and multiple storage devices operate in cooperation with each other.

[0018] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may function as a distribution device that distributes control information to the terminal device 10. Here, the control information is written in, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) or a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). Note that the application itself distributed from the information processing device 100 may be regarded as the control information.

[0019] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 includes, for example, a database that stores area information for identifying an area related to the location of the terminal device 10. Note that the information processing device 100 may acquire and use the above-mentioned area information from a geographic information system that manages geospatial information.

[0020] (1-2. Processing Executed by Information Processing Device) An example of processing executed by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Note that the example is not limited to the example described below, and the information processing device 100 can execute the information processing described below in parallel for any number of terminal devices 10.

[0021] In the following description, it is assumed that users of the message service are managed by user IDs (e.g., #1-1, #1-2, etc.) that the information processing device 100 assigns individually to each user U (e.g., user Ua, user Ub, etc.). It is also assumed that the terminal device 10 continuously transmits location information indicating the location of the terminal device 10 to the information processing device 100 at a predetermined timing, regardless of whether the message service is being used or not. In the example shown in FIG. 1, location information is transmitted from the terminal device 10a to the information processing device 100, but location information is also transmitted from the terminal device 10b to the information processing device 100.

[0022] Furthermore, the message service provided by the information processing device 100 is typically expected to be used as a communication tool between a monitor and a monitored person, such as a child (an example of a "first user") and a guardian (an example of a "second user"). For example, as will be described below, the information processing device 100 can evaluate the credibility of the content of a message sent from the child to the guardian by identifying the child's context based on the child's location through the provision of the message service, and provide the guardian with information that enables the guardian to accurately grasp the child's whereabouts.

[0023] 1, when the information processing device 100 receives a message transmission request from the terminal device 10b (step S11), it transmits the received message to the destination (recipient) terminal device 10a (step S12). In the example shown in Fig. 1, it is assumed that the user Ua of the terminal device 10a is a child and the user Ub of the terminal device 10b is a guardian.

[0024] In terminal device 10a, message information J-1 including a message transmitted from terminal device 10b to terminal device 10a is displayed in a message window Wa displayed on display 11a. Similarly, in terminal device 10b, message information J-1 including a message transmitted from terminal device 10b to terminal device 10a is displayed in a message window Wb displayed on display 11b.

[0025] The message information includes icon information indicating the sender of the message. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the message information J-1 includes the message "Where are you?" and an icon Gb corresponding to the sender of the message. The icon information can be set arbitrarily by, for example, a user of the message service. The information processing device 100 manages icon information set arbitrarily by each user U (for example, user Ua, user Ub, etc.). When the information processing device 100 forwards a message received from the terminal device 10 to a destination user, it also forwards icon information corresponding to the sender of the message.

[0026] Furthermore, when the information processing device 100 receives a message transmission request from the terminal device 10a (step S13), it transmits the received message to the terminal device 10b, which is the destination (addressee) (step S14).

[0027] In terminal device 10b, message information J-2 including the message sent from terminal device 10a to terminal device 10b is displayed in a message window Wb displayed on display 11b. Similarly, in terminal device 10a, message information J-2 including the message sent from terminal device 10a to terminal device 10b is displayed in a message window Wa displayed on display 11a.

[0028] In the example shown in Fig. 1, message information J-2 includes a message "park" and an icon Ga corresponding to the sender of the message. In the example shown in Fig. 1, message information J-1 and message information J-2 are displayed in message window Wa and message window Wb in the order in which they were sent (chronological order), arranged in a predetermined direction. For example, when a new message is sent from terminal device 10a or terminal device 10b, it is displayed below message information J-2.

[0029] Furthermore, each piece of message information displayed in the message window W can be scrolled and displayed in response to an operation from a user U (e.g., user Ua or user Ub). For example, message information J that cannot be displayed in the display area of ​​the message window W can be scrolled in a predetermined direction (e.g., up or down as viewed in FIG. 1) by a touch operation by the user U. The touch operation includes a flick operation in which the user U moves a finger that has been placed in contact with the display 11 from bottom to top along the display surface of the display 11. The user U can scroll the display of the message window W downward by a flick operation. Note that the display on the terminal device 10 may be automatically scrolled downward so that the latest message information J is displayed.

[0030] Furthermore, in response to receiving a response message to an inquiry message for inquiring about the context of the communication partner, the information processing device 100 identifies the context of the user Ua who is the sender of the response message (step S15).

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 100 determines whether a message ("Where are you?") received from the terminal device 10b is an inquiry message for inquiring about the context of the user Ua of the terminal device 10a. If the information processing device 100 determines that the message is an inquiry message, it waits until it receives a response message from the terminal device 10a. Then, when the information processing device 100 receives the response message ("Park") from the terminal device 10a, it identifies the context of the user Ua of the terminal device 10a, who is the sender of the response message, based on predetermined area information and location information of the terminal device 10a.

[0032] Next, the information processing device 100 determines whether there is a discrepancy between the context of the user Ua who is the sender of the response message and the content of the response message (step S16). For example, the information processing device 100 determines whether there is a content inconsistency between the context of the user Ua who is the sender of the response message and the analysis result of analyzing the content of the response message. To give a specific example, if the current location of the user Ua who is the sender of the response message is not a park and the content of the response message is "park," the information processing device 100 derives a determination result that there is a content inconsistency and there is a discrepancy between the context of the user Ua who is the sender of the response message and the content of the response message.

[0033] If the information processing device 100 determines that there is a discrepancy between the context of the user who sent the response message and the content of the response message, it notifies the user who sent the inquiry message (step S17).

[0034] For example, the information processing device 100 generates a notification message M-1 for notifying user Ub, who is the sender of the inquiry message, of the context of user Ua, who is the sender of the response message. The notification message M-1 includes a message indicating the context of user Ua and icon information for notifying user Ub that it is a notification message. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the notification message M-1 includes the message "He is not in the park. He appears to be at a convenience store in Town E," and an icon Gc for notifying user Ub that it is a notification message.

[0035] In this way, when the information processing device 100 determines that there is a discrepancy between the context of the user who sent the response message and the content of the response message, it transmits a notification message M-1 to the user who sent the inquiry message. This allows the information processing device 100 to accurately notify the status of the communication partner and provide appropriate information to the service user.

[0036] Furthermore, if there is no reaction from user Ub to the notification message M-1 within a predetermined time period after the notification message M-1 is sent (see step S17), the information processing device 100 may send alert information to user Ub. Reactions to the notification message M-1 include actions such as viewing the notification message M-1 or sending new message information. The alert information includes audio information such as a predetermined chime sound, buzzer sound, or sign sound. In response to receiving the alert information, the terminal device 10 outputs a predetermined chime sound, buzzer sound, sign sound, or the like. This allows the information processing device 100 to allow the user U of the message service to know the information of the communication partner as quickly as possible.

[0037] Furthermore, if a request to send a response message is not received within a predetermined time after sending the inquiry message (see step S12), the information processing device 100 may execute a process of identifying the context of the user Ua to whom the inquiry message is to be sent. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing another example of information processing executed by the information processing system according to the embodiment.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, when the information processing device 100 receives a message transmission request from the terminal device 10b (step S21), it transmits the received message to the terminal device 10a, which is the destination (addressee) (step S22).

[0039] In the example shown in Fig. 2, message information J-1 including a message sent from terminal device 10b to terminal device 10a is displayed in a message window Wb on terminal device 10b. Note that in the example shown in Fig. 2, a message window Wa is not displayed on terminal device 10a. That is, the information processing shown in Fig. 2 is executed regardless of whether a predetermined application for using the message service is running on terminal device 10a.

[0040] Next, when the information processing device 100 determines that the message received from the terminal device 10b is an inquiry message, it waits for reception of a response message from the terminal device 10a. Then, if the information processing device 100 does not receive a request to send a response message within a predetermined time after sending the inquiry message, it identifies the location of the user Ua in predetermined area information (step S23).

[0041] For example, the information processing device 100 can identify the location of the user Ua based on the positional relationship between the location of the user Ua and a feature included in predetermined area information. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can identify the location of the user Ua at any predetermined time.

[0042] Then, the information processing device 100 generates a notification message M-2 based on the identified location of the user Ua, and transmits it to the user Ub who is the sender of the inquiry message (step S24).

[0043] The notification message M-2 generated by the information processing device 100 includes a message indicating the context of the user Ua and icon information for notifying the user Ub that it is a notification message. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the notification message M-2 includes multiple messages arranged in a predetermined direction, such as "Left school (Town A) at about 14:10," "Entered Town C at about 14:40," and "Passed through the park (Town C) at about 15:10," and an icon Gc for notifying the user Ub that it is a notification message.

[0044] In this way, if there is no request to send a response message within a predetermined time after sending an inquiry message, the information processing device 100 identifies the location of user Ua in the predetermined area information.Then, the information processing device 100 notifies user Ub, who is the sender of the inquiry message, based on the identified location.As a result, even if a message from the communication partner is not received, the location of the communication partner can be notified, and appropriate information can be provided to the service user.

[0045] [2. Configuration of information processing device] The configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. Note that Fig. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100, and is not limited to the form shown in Fig. 3, and may include other functional units than those shown in Fig. 3.

[0047] (Communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 is connected to, for example, a network N via a wired or wireless connection, and transmits and receives information to and from other devices such as the terminal device 10 via the network N. The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) or an antenna. The network N is a communication network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network (such as a mobile phone network or a landline telephone network), a regional internet protocol (IP) network, or the internet. The network N may include a wired network or a wireless network.

[0048] (Storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 120 stores programs and data for realizing information processing executed by each part of the control unit 130.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 120 includes a user information storage unit 121 and an area information storage unit 122.

[0050] (User information storage unit 121) The user information storage unit 121 stores user information related to users of the message service. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of the user information stored in the user information storage unit according to the embodiment. The user information stored in the user information storage unit 121 is referenced when processing related to the message service is executed.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the user information stored in the user information storage unit 121 is made up of a plurality of items such as a "user ID," a "setting icon," and "area information," which are associated with each other.

[0052] The "User ID" field stores identification information for identifying users of the message service. The information processing device 100 assigns unique identification information to each user when the user registers. For example, user Ua shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is identified in the message service by user ID "#1-1."

[0053] The "Set Icon" field stores information about icons used in the message service. The information processing device 100 registers icon information in response to a request from a user when registering to use the message service.

[0054] The example shown in FIG. 4 indicates that a user identified by user ID: "#1-1" uses icon: "OB011" when using the message service.

[0055] The "Area" field stores area information used in the message service. The area information indicates area information stored in the area information storage unit 122. The information processing device 100 sets the area information in response to a request from a user when registering to use the message service. For example, the information processing device 100 requests input of a user ID to be associated with the area information and input of location information for determining the center of the area to be associated. The location information may be, for example, an address, a postal code, or the name of an artificial structure such as a building or property. The information processing device 100 determines an area to be associated based on the location information from the area information stored in the area information storage unit 122, and registers it in association with the input user ID.

[0056] According to the example shown in Figure 4, the area associated with the user identified by user ID: "#1-1" and the user identified by user ID: "#1-2" is the area identified by area: "ARE123".

[0057] The user information shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4, and various information may be stored depending on the purpose.

[0058] (Area information storage unit 122) The area information storage unit 122 stores area information that is predetermined to be used in processing in the message service. Fig. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing area information stored in the area information storage unit according to the embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a schematic example of an area "ARE123" associated with a user identified by a user ID "#1-1" and a user identified by a user ID "#1-2."

[0060] The area information shown in FIG. 5 includes information on multiple areas A to E included within a predetermined range centered on point information 5-1 specified by the user. The multiple areas A to E correspond to administrative districts, etc. Each area is preset with a region name that can be recognized by the user. The area information shown in FIG. 5 also includes information on points 5-2 to 5-4 for identifying their positional relationship with the user's position. The point information corresponds to geographical features such as buildings, such as schools and buildings, and artificially developed areas, such as parks.

[0061] The area information stored in the area information storage unit 122 may be any information that can identify a positional relationship with the user's location obtained from the user of the message service. The area information may also be configured using any data model, such as raster data or vector data.

[0062] (control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller that controls the information processing device 100. The control unit 130 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like executing various programs (for example, a distribution program) stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100 using RAM as a work area. The control unit 130 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0063] As shown in Fig. 12, the control unit 130 has an identification unit 131, a determination unit 132, and a notification unit 133. The control unit 130 realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below using these units. The internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 3, and may have other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Furthermore, the connection relationships between the units in the control unit 130 are not limited to the connection relationships shown in Fig. 3, and may be other connection relationships.

[0064] (Specific Section 131) In response to receiving a response message to an inquiry message for inquiring about the context of a communication partner, the identification unit 131 identifies the context of a first user (for example, user Ua shown in FIG. 1 or 2) who is the sender of the response message.

[0065] For example, when the identification unit 131 receives a message transmission request from the terminal device 10, it transmits the message included in the transmission request to the terminal device 10, which is the transmission destination (destination), via the communication unit 110. Furthermore, it determines whether the message received from the terminal device 10 (for example, "Where are you?") is an inquiry message for inquiring about the context of a user of another terminal device 10. If the identification unit 131 determines that the message is an inquiry message, it waits until it receives a response message from the other terminal device 10. Then, when the identification unit 131 receives a response message (for example, "Park") from the other terminal device 10, it identifies the context of the first user, who is the sender of the response message, based on the area information stored in the area information storage unit 122 and the location information of the other terminal device 10, which is the sender of the response message.

[0066] As a specific example, the identification unit 131 compares the location of the first user at the time of receiving the response message with the area information to identify the location of the first user in the area information. At this time, the identification unit 131 may identify the location of the first user in a plurality of areas included in the area information (for example, areas A to E shown in FIG. 5), or may identify the locational relationship with a plurality of points included in the area information (for example, points 5-2 to 5-4 shown in FIG. 5).

[0067] Furthermore, if a request to send a response message is not received within a predetermined time period after sending the inquiry message, the identifying unit 131 may identify the location of the first user in predetermined area information.

[0068] (Judgment unit 132) The determining unit 132 determines whether there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user (for example, the user Ua shown in FIG. 1 or 2) identified by the identifying unit 131 and the content of the response message.

[0069] For example, the determination unit 132 determines whether there is a content inconsistency between the context of the first user and the analysis result of analyzing the content of the response message. As a specific example, if the current location of the first user who is the sender of the response message is not a park and the content of the response message is "park," the determination unit 132 derives a determination result that there is a content inconsistency and that there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user who is the sender of the response message and the content of the response message.

[0070] (Notification unit 133) If the judgment unit 132 judges that there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user (for example, user Ua shown in Figures 1 and 2) and the content of the response message, the notification unit 133 issues a notification to the second user (for example, user Ub shown in Figures 1 and 2) who is the sender of the inquiry message.

[0071] For example, the notification unit 133 transmits a notification message for notifying the first user of the context. As a specific example, the notification unit 133 generates a notification message including a message indicating the context of the first user who is the sender of the response message and icon information for notifying the second user that the message is a notification message, and transmits the notification message to the terminal device 10 of the second user.

[0072] [3. Processing Procedure] Hereinafter, a processing procedure by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure by the information processing device according to the embodiment. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 6 is executed by the control unit 130 of the information processing device 100. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 6 is repeatedly executed while the information processing device 100 is in operation. Note that, below, a processing procedure will be described for the case where the message received by the information processing device 100 from the terminal device 10 is an inquiry message.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, when the specifying unit 131 receives a request to send an inquiry message from the terminal device 10, the specifying unit 131 sends the inquiry message included in the request to the terminal device 10, which is the destination (destination), via the communication unit 110 (step S101).

[0074] Subsequently, the identifying unit 131 determines whether or not a request to send a response message has been received within a predetermined time period after the inquiry message has been sent (step S102).

[0075] If the identification unit 131 determines that a request to send a response message has been received within a predetermined time period (step S102; Yes), it transmits the inquiry message included in the transmission request to the terminal device 10, which is the destination (addressee) (step S103).

[0076] Next, the identifying unit 131 identifies the context of the user who is the sender of the response message (step S104).

[0077] Next, the identifying unit 131 determines whether there is a discrepancy between the context of the sender user identified in step S104 and the content of the response message (step S105).

[0078] If the identification unit 131 determines that there is a discrepancy between the context of the sending user identified in step S104 and the content of the response message (step S105; Yes), it sends a notification message to the sending user of the inquiry message via the communication unit 110 (step S106) and terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 6.

[0079] On the other hand, if the identification unit 131 determines that there is no discrepancy between the context of the sender user identified in step S104 and the content of the response message (step S105; No), it terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 6.

[0080] In the above-mentioned step S102, if the identification unit 131 determines that a request to send a response message has not been received within a predetermined time (step S102; No), it identifies the location of the user to whom the inquiry message is to be sent (step S107).

[0081] Next, the notification unit 133 generates a notification message based on the location identified by the identification unit 131, and transmits the generated notification message to the user who sent the inquiry message via the communication unit 110 (step S108), thereby completing the processing procedure shown in Figure 6.

[0082] [4. Modifications] (4-1. Emergency Mode) In the above-described embodiment, when the location of the destination user of the inquiry message exceeds a predetermined area, the information processing device 100 may determine that an emergency has occurred and operate in an emergency mode to respond to the emergency. For example, the information processing device 100 may execute a process for identifying the location of the communication partner at the shortest possible intervals and transmit alert information to the source user of the inquiry message. The information processing device 100 may also transmit alert information to the destination user of the inquiry message.

[0083] (4-2. Provision of location information) In the above-described embodiment, the information processing device 100 may allow a user of the message service to arbitrarily set whether or not to provide location information to the information processing device 100. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may allow a user of the message service to arbitrarily set a situation in which location information is provided, such as providing location information only while using the message service.

[0084] (4-3. Proposal for making phone calls) In the above-described embodiment, if the information processing device 100 does not receive a request to send a response message within a predetermined time after sending an inquiry message, it may send a notification message to the user who sent the inquiry message suggesting that they make a phone call.

[0085] (4-4. About authority management) In the above-described embodiment, the information processing device 100 may determine a discrepancy between the context of a user who sent a response message and the content of the response message in the above-described message service, and if it determines that a discrepancy exists, may appropriately manage the authority to enable or disable a notification function that notifies the user who sent the inquiry message. For example, in the above-described message service, if the recipient of the inquiry message is a person being monitored (e.g., a child), the information processing device 100 may manage the service so that the authority to enable the notification function is assigned to the monitor (e.g., a guardian) who is the sender of the inquiry message. In this case, only the monitor (e.g., a guardian) has the authority to enable or disable the notification function. Furthermore, for example, if the person being monitored is of a certain age of responsibility (e.g., 18 years of age or older), the information processing device 100 may manage the service so that the authority to enable the notification function is assigned to a party arbitrarily determined among the service users. In this case, the information processing device 100 identifies the authorized party when starting message service processing or upon receiving an inquiry message, and activates notification processing for the user who sent the inquiry message, provided that the notification function is enabled. Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 100 may automatically determine the authorized party based on the relationship between the sender and receiver of the inquiry message, and automatically activate the notification function. Specifically, if it is determined that the service user of the message service is in a monitor-monitored relationship, such as between a child and a guardian, the information processing device 100 may automatically assign the authority to enable or disable the notification function to the guardian, and automatically enable the notification function.

[0086] [5. Hardware configuration (information processing program)] The information processing device 100 according to the embodiment or the modification is realized, for example, by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment or the modification.

[0087] The 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 IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0088] The arithmetic device 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and secondary storage device 1050, programs read from the input device 1020, and the like, and executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as a RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device in which data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD, flash memory, or the like.

[0089] The output IF 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to an output device 1010 that outputs various types of information, such as a monitor or a printer, and is realized by a connector conforming to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), etc. The input IF 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as a mouse, keyboard, and scanner, and is realized by a USB, for example.

[0090] The input device 1020 may be a device that reads information from an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The input device 1020 may also be an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

[0091] The network IF 1080 receives data from other devices via the network N and sends it to the arithmetic device 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic device 1030 to other devices via the network N.

[0092] 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.

[0093] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100, the arithmetic device 1030 of the computer 1000 executes a program (for example, a distribution program) loaded onto the primary storage device 1040, thereby realizing the same functions as the control unit 130. That is, the arithmetic device 1030 cooperates with the program (for example, a distribution program) loaded onto the primary storage device 1040 to realize the processing by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment and the modified examples.

[0094] [6. Other] Of the processes described in the above embodiments and modifications, 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 using a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, in order to realize the distribution method (see, for example, FIG. 15) executed by the information processing device 100, the processing functions corresponding to each part (identification part 131, determination part 132, and notification part 133) of the control part 130 possessed by the information processing device 100 may be realized as an add-on to a control program pre-installed in the information processing device 100, or may be realized by flexibly writing them as a dedicated program using a lightweight programming language or the like.

[0096] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional units and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. For example, the function of the identification unit 131 of the control unit 130 may be distributed into a function of sending message information and a function of identifying the user's context.

[0097] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0098] [7. Effects] The information processing device 100 according to the above-described embodiment or modification includes an identification unit 131, a determination unit 132, and a notification unit 133. In response to receiving a response message to an inquiry message for inquiring about the context of a communication partner, the identification unit 131 identifies the context of a first user who is the sender of the response message. The determination unit 132 determines whether there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user identified by the identification unit 131 and the content of the response message. When the determination unit 132 determines that there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user and the content of the response message, the notification unit 133 notifies the second user who is the sender of the inquiry message.

[0099] In the above-described embodiment or modification, the notification unit 133 transmits a notification message for notifying the first user of the context.

[0100] In this way, when the information processing device 100 determines that there is a discrepancy between the context of the user who sent the response message and the content of the response message, it transmits a notification message to the user who sent the inquiry message. This allows the information processing device 100 to accurately notify the status of the communication partner and provide appropriate information to the service user.

[0101] In the above-described embodiment or modification, if the second user does not react to the notification message within a predetermined time after the notification message is sent, the notification unit 133 sends alert information to the second user. This enables the information processing device 100 to allow the service user to know the information of the communication partner as soon as possible.

[0102] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment or modification, if a request to send a response message is not received within a predetermined time after sending an inquiry message, the identification unit 131 identifies the location of the first user in predetermined area information. Furthermore, the notification unit 133 generates a notification message based on the location identified by the identification unit 131 and transmits the notification message to the second user. This allows the information processing device 100 to notify the location of the communication partner even if a message from the communication partner is not received, and to provide appropriate information to the service user.

[0103] The above describes in detail the embodiments of the present application based on several drawings, but these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have been modified and improved in various ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0104] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, a control section can be read as control means or a control circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10 Terminal Equipment 100 Information processing device 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 User information storage unit 122 Area information storage unit 130 Control Unit 131 Specific part 132 Judgment section 133 Information Department

Claims

1. an identification unit that, in response to receiving a response message in response to an inquiry message for inquiring about a context of a communication partner, identifies a context of a first user that is a sender of the response message; a determination unit that determines a discrepancy between the context of the first user identified by the identification unit and the content of the response message; a notification unit that notifies a second user who is a sender of the inquiry message when the determination unit determines that there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user and the content of the response message; Equipped with The notification unit Sending a notification message for notifying the first user of the context; The notification message includes: The message includes a message indicating the context of the first user and icon information for notifying the second user that the message is the notification message.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The message indicating the context of the first user included in the notification message includes: The information includes information indicating the movement history of the first user in chronological order.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The notification unit If the second user does not react to the notification message within a predetermined time after the notification message is transmitted, alert information is transmitted to the second user.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

4. The identification unit If a request to send the response message is not received within a predetermined time period after the inquiry message is sent, the location of the first user in predetermined area information is identified; The notification unit generating a notification message based on the position identified by the identification unit and transmitting the notification message to the second user; 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

5. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: an identifying step of identifying the context of a first user that is a sender of a response message in response to a query message for inquiring about the context of a communication partner; a determination step of determining a discrepancy between the context of the first user identified by the identification step and the content of the response message; a notification step of notifying a second user who is a sender of the inquiry message when it is determined in the determination step that there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user and the content of the response message; Including, The notification step includes: Sending a notification message for notifying the first user of the context; The notification message includes: The message includes a message indicating the context of the first user and icon information for notifying the second user that the message is the notification message.

1. An information processing method comprising:

6. On the computer, an identification step of identifying the context of a first user that is a sender of a response message in response to a query message for inquiring about a context of a communication partner; a determination step of determining a discrepancy between the context of the first user identified by the identification step and the content of the response message; a notification step of notifying a second user who is a sender of the inquiry message when it is determined by the determination step that there is a discrepancy between the context of the first user and the content of the response message; Execute The notification procedure includes: Sending a notification message for notifying the first user of the context; The notification message includes: The message includes a message indicating the context of the first user and icon information for notifying the second user that the message is the notification message. An information processing program characterized by:

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