Program, information processing method, terminal

Abstract

To provide a program, an information processing method and a terminal for presenting a retrieval result to a user in connection with display of a chat room.SOLUTION: In a communication system, a program to be executed by a terminal for displaying a chat room including a first user of a first terminal 20A executes displaying a chat room in a display part 24 of the terminal, displaying image information with a retrieval condition set in the chat room on the basis of an input to the chat room by the user of the terminal, and performing control for transmitting a retrieval result retrieved on the basis of the retrieval condition set in the image information to the first terminal 20A by a communication part 22 of the terminal, and control for displaying the retrieval result in the chat room by a control part 21 of the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1-1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, an information processing method, a terminal, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] There are services (for example, messaging services) for exchanging content between accounts. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for distributing advertisements using official accounts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-53929 Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a program executed by a terminal that displays a chat room including a first user of the first terminal is executed by the terminal to display the chat room on a display unit of the terminal, display image information in the chat room with search conditions set thereon based on input to the chat room by the user of the terminal, control the communication unit of the terminal to transmit search results searched based on the search conditions set in the image information to the first terminal, and control the display of the search results in the chat room by a control unit of the terminal. According to a second aspect of the present invention, an information processing method for a terminal that displays a chat room including a first user of a first terminal includes displaying the chat room on a display unit of the terminal, displaying image information in the chat room with search conditions set based on input to the chat room by the user of the terminal, controlling a communication unit of the terminal to send search results searched based on the search conditions set in the image information to the first terminal, and controlling a control unit of the terminal to display the search results in the chat room. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a terminal that displays a chat room including a first user of a first terminal includes a display unit that displays the chat room and a control unit that controls the display of image information with search conditions set in the chat room based on input to the chat room by the user of the terminal, and the control unit controls the transmission of search results searched based on the search conditions set in the image information to the first terminal via a communication unit of the terminal, and controls the display of the search results in the chat room. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a terminal that displays a chat room including a first user of a first terminal includes a processor that reads a program stored in a memory and executes processing based on the program, and the processor executes the following operations: displaying the chat room on a display unit of the terminal; displaying image information in the chat room with search conditions set thereon based on input to the chat room by a user of the terminal; controlling the transmission of search results searched based on the search conditions set in the image information to the first terminal via a communication unit of the terminal; and controlling the display of the search results in the chat room. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1-1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1-2] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by a control unit of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a storage unit of a server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of account registration data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by a control unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a storage unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a search condition setting stamp database according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-8] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-9] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-10] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-11] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a search condition setting stamp database according to a first modified example. [Figure 2-1] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 2-4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 2-5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a search condition setting stamp database according to the second embodiment. [Figure 2-6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second modified example. [Figure 2-10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second modified example. [Figure 3-1] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a search condition setting stamp management database according to the third embodiment. [Figure 3-2] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 3-3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 3-4]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 3-5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 3-6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 4-1] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 4-2] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 4-3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 4-4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 5-1] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 5-2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 7-1] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of search condition setting stamp data according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-2] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-3] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-4] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-5] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-6] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of search condition setting stamp data according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-7] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 7-8] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] <Compliance with legal matters> It should be noted that the disclosures set forth herein are subject to compliance with the laws of the country of implementation, such as communications privacy, as required for the implementation of the disclosures.

[0007] <Embodiment> In this specification, for ease of understanding, there are places where the phrase "by way of example and not limitation" is used, but please note that not only those places but also the entire embodiment described below are not limited to the contents of that description.

[0008] An embodiment for implementing a program or the like according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] First, a system may be, by way of example and not limitation, comprised of multiple devices. The plurality of devices may be a combination of devices of the same type, a combination of devices of different types, or a combination of devices of the same type and devices of different types. Note that a system can be thought of as, for example and not as a limitation, a plurality of devices working together to perform some kind of processing.

[0010] Furthermore, a system relating to a client (client device) and a server can be considered to be, by way of example and not limitation, at least one of the following: (1) Terminals and servers (2) Server (3) Terminal

[0011] (1) is, by way of example and not limitation, a system that includes at least one terminal and at least one server. One example of this is a client-server system.

[0012] The server is configured by the following devices, by way of example and not limitation, and may be a single device or a combination of multiple devices.

[0013] Specifically, the server is configured to have at least one processor (for example, but not limited to, CPU: Central Processing Unit, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, APU: Accelerated Processing Unit, DSP: Digital Signal Processor (for example, but not limited to, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.), computer device (processor + memory), control device, arithmetic device, processing device, etc., and may be configured to have multiple of the same type of any one device (for example, but not limited to, CPU + CPU, homogeneous multi-core processor, etc.), or multiple of different types of any one device (for example, but not limited to, CPU + DSP, heterogeneous multi-core processor, etc.), or may be a combination of multiple devices (for example, but not limited to, processor + computer device, processor + arithmetic device, multiple devices made heterogeneous, etc.). The processor may be a virtual processor.

[0014] Furthermore, when a server performs some processing, if the server is configured with a single device, the processing described in the embodiments is performed by the single device. Furthermore, if the server is configured with multiple devices, some processing may be performed by one device, and other processing may be performed by another device. For example, and not by way of limitation, if the server is configured with a processor and an arithmetic device, the processor may perform a first processing, and the arithmetic device may perform a second processing. Furthermore, when a plurality of devices are used, the devices may be located at positions physically separated from one another.

[0015] Furthermore, the functions of the server may be provided in the form of PaaS, IaaS, or SaaS in cloud computing, for example and without limitation.

[0016] The control unit of the system can be at least one of the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server, i.e., by way of example and not limitation, the control unit of the system can be either (1A) only the control unit of the terminal, (1B) only the control unit of the server, or (1C) both the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server.

[0017] Furthermore, the control and processing (hereinafter collectively referred to as "control, etc.") performed by the control unit of the system may be performed by (1A) only the control unit of the terminal, (1B) only the control unit of the server, or (1C) both the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server. In addition, in (1C), as an example and not a limitation, some of the controls performed by the system's control unit may be performed by the terminal's control unit, and the remaining controls may be performed by the server's control unit. In this case, the allocation of controls may be equal or may be allocated in different proportions.

[0018] Furthermore, when referring to the communication unit of a server, if the server is configured with a single device, it may refer to the communication unit itself that the single device has, or if the server is configured with multiple devices, it may be configured to include each communication unit that each device has. As an example and not by way of limitation, if a server comprises a first device and a second device, and the first device has a first communication unit and the second device has a second communication unit, the communication unit of the server may be conceptualized as including the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

[0019] (2) is not limited to, but may be, for example, a system consisting of multiple servers (hereinafter referred to as a "server system"). In this case, the configuration of each server can be similarly applied to the configuration described above.

[0020] The control etc. performed by the server system may be performed by only one of the multiple servers (2A), by only the other servers (2B), or by both the one server and the other servers (2C). In addition, in (2C), as an example and not a limitation, one server may perform some of the control, etc., performed by the server system, and another server may perform the remaining control, etc. In this case, the allocation (allocation) of the control, etc. may be equal or may be allocated in different proportions.

[0021] (3) By way of example and not limitation, the system may be comprised of multiple terminals. The system may be, by way of example and not limitation, a system such as the following: A system that gives server functions to terminals (distributed system). This can be realized using blockchain technology, for example and not by way of limitation. A system in which terminals communicate wirelessly with each other. This can be realized, for example and without limitation, by communicating using a P2P (peer-to-peer) method using short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth.

[0022] The above is not limited to the control unit, but also applies to each functional unit such as an input / output unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, and a clock unit that may be components of the system.

[0023] In the following embodiment, a system including a terminal and a server (a client-server system) is illustrated as an example and not as a limitation. It is also possible to apply the server system described in (2) above as the server.

[0024] Furthermore, instead of a system including a terminal and a server, a system not including a server, such as the system in (3) above, can also be applied, but is not limited to this. In this case, the embodiment can be configured based on the above-mentioned blockchain technology, etc. Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, data stored and managed in a server described in the following embodiment is stored on the blockchain. Then, a terminal can generate a transaction to the blockchain, and when the transaction is approved on the blockchain, the data stored on the blockchain can be updated.

[0025] It should be noted that even when the term "terminal" is used, this is not limited to the meaning of a terminal as a client device in a client server. That is, a terminal may include the concept of a device that is not in a client-server context.

[0026] Furthermore, in this specification, the expression "through a communication I / F" is used as appropriate. This is not intended to be limiting, but may also mean, for example, that a device transmits and receives various information and data through a communication I / F (through a communication unit) based on the control of a control unit (such as a processor).

[0027] Furthermore, in this specification, the terms "related to" and "related to" are used, but are not limited to, for example, when referring to "B related to A" or "B related to A," this may mean that "B" has some relationship with "A." Specific examples of this will be described later.

[0028] Furthermore, in this specification, when a device performs processing on two or more objects, such as "sending A and B" or "receiving A and B," this may include performing "A" and "B" at the same time (hereinafter referred to as "simultaneous"), and performing "A" and "B" at different times (hereinafter referred to as "non-simultaneous"). As an example and not a limitation, when referring to transmitting first information and second information, this may include both concepts of transmitting the first information and the second information at the same time, and transmitting the first information and the second information at different times. In addition, taking into account the lag (time lag), "simultaneous" may include "almost simultaneously."

[0029] Note that even though "A" and "B" are performed at different times, this only needs to be done with "A" and "B" as the processing targets, and the purposes do not necessarily have to be the same. By way of example and not limitation, when the first information and the second information are transmitted as described above, it is sufficient to transmit the first information and the second information, and this may include cases where the first information and the second information are transmitted for the same purpose, as well as cases where the first information and the second information are transmitted for different purposes.

[0030] In the following embodiments, a messaging service is exemplified as an example of a service that allows users to chat (hereinafter referred to as a "chat service"). Furthermore, an application that realizes the chat service is referred to as a "chat application," and an application that realizes the messaging service is referred to as a "messaging application." For example and not limitation, a chat application may allow users to chat in chat rooms.

[0031] Note that messaging services (MS) (including instant messaging services (IMS)) can also be considered one form of social networking services (SNS). Therefore, messaging services and social networking services may or may not be distinguished. In other words, messaging services may be included in social networking services.

[0032] In addition, in the following embodiments, as an example of a messaging service, an instant messaging service (IMS) that sends and receives content in the form of simple messages between multiple devices (terminals, for example and not limitation) via a server is exemplified. For example and not limitation, an instant messaging application may allow users to talk in talk rooms.

[0033] A chat room (for example, but not limited to, a talk room) can be a UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphical User Interface) that allows each user to view content sent and received between the terminals of multiple users.

[0034] In addition, chat rooms can include one-on-one user chat rooms (hereinafter referred to as "one-on-one chat rooms"), group chat rooms including multiple users (hereinafter referred to as "group chat rooms"), and chat rooms with official account users (hereinafter referred to as "OA chat rooms").

[0035] An official account is an account of a business user, not a general user, and the user of this official account can also use a terminal similar to that of a general user, for example and without limitation, to send and receive content (messages) with other devices via the server.

[0036] In this specification, content may be information transmitted from a source to a destination, and may be one or more pieces of content.

[0037] The content may include, by way of example and not limitation, text content in text format, image content in image format (including at least one of still images and moving images), and sound content in sound format (including voice). In addition, it may also include operational content such as buttons and icons for user operation, and link content such as link information (including, but not limited to, URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers)).

[0038] The text may include, by way of example and not limitation, at least one of national characters, extended characters, platform-dependent characters, numbers, symbols, graphics, and symbols, as represented by character codes. The text does not have to include at least one of the above characters, extended characters, machine-dependent characters, numbers, symbols, figures, and signs, and may include other text.

[0039] The image may include at least one of various types of image information, such as, for example and without limitation, an icon, a button, a stamp, an emoji, and a banner image.

[0040] <System configuration> FIG. 1-1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the communication system 1, for example and not by way of limitation, a server 10 and a plurality of terminals 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C, . . . ) are connected via a network 30.

[0041] The server 10 has a function of providing a chat service (chat application) including a messaging service (messaging application) to official users and terminals 20 owned by the users via a network 30. The server 10 can also be expressed as a messaging server, a messaging service server, a messaging application management server, etc.

[0042] In this embodiment, a messaging service provider (operator) is a user of the server 10.

[0043] Unlike the present embodiment, a payment service (payment application) provider that enables electronic payments using electronic money (electronic currency) or the like may be a user of server 10 and operate a messaging service. The payment service provider may or may not provide the messaging service as one function of the payment application.

[0044] The number of servers 10 and the number of terminals 20 connected to the network 30 are not limited.

[0045] The terminal 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C, etc.) may be any information processing terminal capable of implementing the functions described in each embodiment. Examples of the terminal 20 include, but are not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones (feature phones), computers (such as, but not limited to, desktops, laptops, and tablets), media computer platforms (such as, but not limited to, cable and satellite set-top boxes and digital video recorders), handheld computer devices (such as, but not limited to, personal digital assistants (PDAs), email clients, etc.), wearable devices (such as glasses and watch devices), virtual reality (VR) terminals, smart speakers (voice recognition devices), or other types of computers or communication platforms. The terminal 20 may also be referred to as an information processing terminal.

[0046] The configurations of terminal 20A, terminal 20B, and terminal 20C can be the same, for example and not by way of limitation. Furthermore, as necessary, the terminal used by user X may be expressed as terminal 20X, and user information in a predetermined service associated with user X or terminal 20X may or may not be expressed as user information X. The user information is information of a user associated with an account used by the user in a predetermined service. The user information includes, but is not limited to, information associated with a user, such as the user's name, an icon image of the user, the user's age, the user's gender, the user's address, the user's hobbies and interests, and a user identifier, which is input by the user or assigned by the predetermined service, and may be any one of these, or a combination thereof, or may not be the same.

[0047] The network 30 serves to connect one or more terminals 20 and one or more servers 10. In other words, the network 30 refers to a communication network that provides a connection path so that the above-mentioned various devices can connect and then send and receive data.

[0048] One or more portions of network 30 may or may not be a wired or wireless network. Network 30 may include, by way of example and not limitation, an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular network, integrated service digital networks (ISDN), wireless LAN, long term evolution (LTE), code division multiple access (CDMA), Bluetooth, satellite communications, etc., or a combination of two or more thereof. Network 30 may include one or more networks 30.

[0049] The server 10 (which is an example of a server, information processing device, or information management device, but is not limited thereto) has a function of providing a predetermined service (a messaging service in this embodiment) to the terminal 20. The server 10 may be any device that is an information processing device that can realize the functions described in each embodiment. The server 10 includes, but is not limited to, a server device, a computer (such as a desktop, laptop, or tablet), a media computer platform (such as a cable or satellite set-top box or digital video recorder), a handheld computer device (such as a PDA or email client), or other types of computers or communication platforms. The server 10 may also be referred to as an information processing device. When there is no need to distinguish between the server 10 and the terminal 20, the server 10 and the terminal 20 may or may not each be referred to as an information processing device.

[0050] [Hardware (HW) configuration of each device] The hardware configuration of each device included in the communication system 1 will be described.

[0051] (1) Hardware configuration of the terminal FIG. 1-1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal 20. The terminal 20 includes a control unit 21 (CPU: central processing unit), a storage unit 28, a communication I / F 22 (interface), an input / output unit 23, a clock unit 29A, and a position calculation information detection unit 29B. The HW components of the terminal 20 are connected to each other via a bus B, for example and not as a limitation. It is not essential that the HW configuration of the terminal 20 includes all of the components. For example and not as a limitation, the terminal 20 may or may not be configured such that individual components or multiple components are detachable.

[0052] The communication I / F 22 transmits and receives various data via the network 30. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication is possible. The communication I / F 22 has a function of communicating with various devices such as the server 10 via the network 30. The communication I / F 22 transmits various data to various devices such as the server 10 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 21. The communication I / F 22 also receives various data transmitted from various devices such as the server 10 and transmits it to the control unit 21. The communication I / F 22 may also be simply referred to as a communication unit. When the communication I / F 22 is configured as a physically structured circuit, it may also be referred to as a communication circuit.

[0053] The input / output unit 23 includes a device for inputting various operations to the terminal 20, a device for outputting processing results processed by the terminal 20, etc. The input / output unit 23 may be an integrated input unit and an output unit, or may be separate input unit and output unit, or may not be so.

[0054] The input unit is realized by any one of or a combination of all types of devices that can accept input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the control unit 21. Examples of the input unit include, but are not limited to, a touch panel, a touch display, hardware keys such as a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a camera (operation input via moving images), and a microphone (operation input by voice).

[0055] The output unit is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices that can output the processing results processed by the control unit 21. Examples of the output unit include, but are not limited to, a touch panel, a touch display, a speaker (audio output), a lens (for example, but not limited to, 3D (three dimensions) output or hologram output), a printer, etc.

[0056] By way of example only, the input / output unit 23 includes, but is not limited to, a display unit 24, a sound input unit 25, a sound output unit 26, and an imaging unit 27.

[0057] The display unit 24 is realized by any one of all types of devices or a combination thereof that can display according to the display data written to the frame buffer. Examples of the display unit 24 include, but are not limited to, a touch panel, a touch display, a monitor (for example, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED)), a head mounted display (HDM), projection mapping, a hologram, and a device that can display images, text information, etc. in air (which may or may not be a vacuum). Note that these display units 24 may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D.

[0058] The sound input unit 25 is used to input sound data (including voice data; the same applies below.) The sound input unit 25 includes a microphone and the like. The sound output unit 26 is used to output sound data and includes a speaker and the like. The imaging unit 27 is used to acquire image data (including still image data and moving image data; the same applies below.) The imaging unit 27 includes a camera and the like.

[0059] When the input / output unit 23 is a touch panel, the input / output unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be disposed opposite each other and have approximately the same size and shape.

[0060] The clock unit 29A is a built-in clock of the terminal 20, and outputs time information (timekeeping information). The clock unit 29A is configured to include, for example and not by way of limitation, a clock that uses a crystal oscillator. The clock unit 29A can also be expressed as a timekeeping unit or a time information detection unit, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0061] The clock unit 29A may or may not have a clock that conforms to the NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) standard or the like.

[0062] The position calculation information detection unit 29B is a functional unit that detects (measures) information (hereinafter referred to as "position calculation information") necessary for the control unit 21 to calculate (measure) the position of its own terminal 20. The position calculation information detection unit 29B can also be expressed as a position calculation sensor unit, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0063] The position calculation information detection unit 29B includes, by way of example and not limitation, a satellite positioning sensor (satellite positioning unit) which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System), an inertial measurement sensor (inertial measurement unit (IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit))) which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using an inertial navigation system, a UWB positioning sensor (UWB positioning unit) which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using UWB (Ultra Wide Band), and the like.

[0064] The satellite positioning unit includes, by way of example and not limitation, an RF receiving circuit that converts RF (Radio Frequency) signals, including positioning satellite signals transmitted from positioning satellites and received by an antenna (not shown), into digital signals, and a baseband processing circuit that performs correlation calculation processing on the digital signals output from the RF receiving circuit to capture the positioning satellite signals, and outputs information such as satellite orbit data and time data extracted from the positioning satellite signals as information for position calculation.

[0065] The inertial measurement unit has an inertial sensor that is a sensor that detects information necessary for calculating the position of the terminal 20 by inertial navigation calculation. The inertial sensor includes, but is not limited to, a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis gyro sensor, and outputs the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor as information for position calculation.

[0066] The UWB positioning unit includes, for example and without limitation, an ultra-wideband RF (Radio Frequency) receiving circuit that converts an ultra-wideband RF signal, including an ultra-wideband pulse signal for positioning transmitted from a positioning beacon and received by an antenna (not shown), into a digital signal, and a relative position calculation processing circuit that calculates the relative position between the terminal 20 and the positioning beacon based on the digital signal output from the ultra-wideband RF receiving circuit. By way of example and not limitation, the UWB positioning unit may or may not cause terminal 20 to function as a positioning beacon by transmitting an ultra-wideband RF signal including an ultra-wideband pulse signal for positioning from an antenna not shown.

[0067] For example, and not by way of limitation, control unit 21 calculates the position of its own terminal 20 at regular intervals or specific intervals based on the position calculation information detected by position calculation information detection unit 29B. The terminal position is referred to as the "terminal position," and the calculated terminal position is referred to as the "calculated terminal position." Control unit 21 may, but need not, associate the calculated terminal position with the date and time when the calculated terminal position was calculated and store the calculated terminal position in storage unit 28 as calculated terminal position history data.

[0068] The control unit 21 has a circuit physically structured to execute the functions realized by the code or instructions contained in the program, and is realized by, for example and not by a data processing device built into hardware. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be expressed as a control circuit.

[0069] The control unit 21 includes, by way of example and not limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0070] The storage unit 28 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the operation of the terminal 20. The storage unit 28 includes, but is not limited to, various storage media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). Furthermore, the storage unit 28 may or may not be expressed as a memory.

[0071] Terminal 20 stores program P in storage unit 28, and by executing this program P, control unit 21 executes the processing of each unit included in control unit 21. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 28 causes terminal 20 to realize each function executed by control unit 21. Furthermore, this program P may or may not be expressed as a program module.

[0072] (2) Server hardware configuration FIG. 1-1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the server 10. In FIG. The server 10 includes a control unit 11 (CPU), a storage unit 15, a communication I / F 14 (interface), an input / output unit 12, and a clock unit 19. The components of the HW of the server 10 are connected to each other via a bus B, for example and not as a limitation. Note that the HW of the server 10 does not necessarily have to include all components as a configuration of the HW of the server 10. For example and not as a limitation, the HW of the server 10 may or may not be configured such that individual components or multiple components are removable.

[0073] The control unit 11 has circuits physically structured to execute the functions realized by the codes or instructions contained in the program, and is realized by, for example and not by way of limitation, a data processing device built into hardware.

[0074] The control unit 11 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), but may also be a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC, or an FPGA. In the present disclosure, the control unit 11 is not limited to these.

[0075] The storage unit 15 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the operation of the server 10. The storage unit 15 is realized by various storage media such as an HDD, an SSD, and a flash memory. However, in the present disclosure, the storage unit 15 is not limited to these. Furthermore, the storage unit 15 may or may not be expressed as a memory.

[0076] The communication I / F 14 transmits and receives various data via the network 30. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication is possible. The communication I / F 14 has a function of communicating with various devices such as the terminal 20 via the network 30. The communication I / F 14 transmits various data to various devices such as the terminal 20 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 11. The communication I / F 14 also receives various data transmitted from various devices such as the terminal 20 and transmits it to the control unit 11. The communication I / F 14 may also be simply referred to as a communication unit. When the communication I / F 14 is configured as a physically structured circuit, it may also be referred to as a communication circuit.

[0077] The input / output unit 12 includes a device for inputting various operations to the server 10, a device for outputting processing results processed by the server 10, etc. The input / output unit 12 may be an integrated input unit and an output unit, or may be separate input unit and output unit, or may not be the same.

[0078] The input unit is realized by any one of or a combination of all types of devices that can accept input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the control unit 11. The input unit is typically realized by hardware keys such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse. Note that the input unit may or may not include, for example and without limitation, a touch panel, a camera (for operation input via moving images), or a microphone (for operation input by voice).

[0079] The output unit is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices that can output the processing results processed by the control unit 11. Examples of the output unit include, but are not limited to, a touch panel, a touch display, a speaker (sound output), a lens (for example, but not limited to, 3D (three dimensions) output or hologram output), a printer, etc.

[0080] By way of example only, the input / output unit 12 includes a display unit 13, by way of example and not limitation.

[0081] The display unit 13 is realized by a display or the like. The display is typically realized by a monitor (for example, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED)). The display may or may not be a head-mounted display (HDM) or the like. These displays may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D. In the present disclosure, the display is not limited to these.

[0082] The clock unit 19 is a built-in clock of the server 10, and outputs time information (timekeeping information). The clock unit 19 is configured to include, for example and without limitation, an RTC (Real Time Clock) as a hardware clock, a system clock, etc. The clock unit 19 can also be expressed as, for example and without limitation, a timekeeping unit or a time information detection unit.

[0083] (3) Other Server 10 stores program P in storage unit 15, and by executing this program P, control unit 11 executes the processes of each unit included in control unit 11. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 15 causes server 10 to realize each function executed by control unit 11. This program P may or may not be expressed as a program module. The same applies to other devices.

[0084] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the description will be given assuming that the CPU of the terminal 20 and / or the server 10 executes the program P to realize the present invention.

[0085] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and / or the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not realize each process not only by a CPU having a control circuit but also by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), or a dedicated circuit. These circuits may be realized by one or more integrated circuits, and multiple processes shown in each embodiment may or may not be realized by a single integrated circuit. LSIs may also be called VLSIs, super LSIs, ultra LSIs, etc. depending on the degree of integration. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be expressed as a control circuit.

[0086] Furthermore, the program P (for example, but not limited to, a software program, a computer program, or a program module) of each embodiment of the present disclosure may or may not be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can store the program P in a "non-transitory tangible medium." The program P may or may not be intended to realize part of the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the program P may or may not be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure in combination with a program P already recorded on a storage medium.

[0087] Furthermore, when referring to a system program (a program executed by a system), the system is as described above. The aforementioned system program is a program that can be executed by the entire system, and this program may be composed of individual programs for the devices that make up the system, for example and without limitation, and the programs stored in the individual devices that make up the system may be different from one another. In other words, it is not necessary for the individual devices that make up the system to share a common program. As a non-limiting example, if a system is composed of a terminal and a server, and the system program is P1, then the system program P1 may be composed of a program P2 stored on the terminal and a program P3 stored on the server, and P2 and P3 are for executing the system program and may be different programs. As a non-limiting example, the program P2 stored on the terminal may be a program that performs a first process and sends the results of the first process to the server, and the program P3 stored on the server may be a program that performs a second process on the received results of the first process and sends the results of the second process to the terminal.

[0088] The storage medium may include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (such as, by way of example and not limitation, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific ICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards, or drives, any other suitable storage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these. The storage medium may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile, where appropriate. The storage medium is not limited to these examples and may be any device or medium capable of storing the program P. Furthermore, the storage medium may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0089] The server 10 and / or the terminal 20 can implement the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by reading out the program P stored in the storage medium and executing the read out program P.

[0090] Furthermore, the program P of the present disclosure may or may not be provided to the server 10 and / or the terminal 20 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting a program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). The server 10 and / or the terminal 20, by way of example and not limitation, executes the program P downloaded via the Internet or the like to realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment.

[0091] In addition, each embodiment of the present disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal in which the program P is embodied by electronic transmission. At least a part of the processing in the server 10 and / or the terminal 20 may or may not be realized by cloud computing configured by one or more computers. At least a part or all of the processing in the terminal 20 may or may not be performed by the server 10. In this case, at least a part or all of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not be performed by the server 10. At least a part or all of the processing in the server 10 may or may not be performed by the terminal 20. In this case, at least a part or all of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not be performed by the terminal 20.

[0092] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the judgment configuration in the embodiments of the present disclosure is not essential, and a predetermined process may or may not be performed when the judgment condition is met, or when the judgment condition is not met.

[0093] The programs of the present disclosure are implemented using, for example and without limitation, scripting languages ​​such as ActionScript and JavaScript (registered trademark), compiler languages ​​such as Objective-C and Java (registered trademark), and markup languages ​​such as HTML5.

[0094] <First Example> In the first embodiment, as an example and not a limitation, the terminal 20 displays a talk room (an example of a chat room, not a limitation) in a messaging application. Then, stamp content (an example of image information, not a limitation) for which search conditions are set based on an input to the talk room by a user of the terminal 20 itself, is displayed in the talk room, and search results searched based on the search conditions set in the stamp content are sent to the terminal 20 of the user who is a talk partner included in the talk room, and are displayed in the talk room displayed on the terminal 20 itself.

[0095] For example, but not limited to, users who are chatting in a chat room of a messaging application may want to hold various events, such as a dinner party or a drinking party, and may search for information about the event. In this embodiment, search conditions are set in advance in the stamp content, and the transmission of the stamp content with the set search conditions is used as an opportunity to present the search results to the user.

[0096] The contents described in the first embodiment can be applied to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples. Furthermore, the same components as those already mentioned are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0097] Search results may be displayed based on at least one of the following, by way of example and not limitation: (1) Data in a database on an external server (hereinafter referred to as "external data" for convenience). (2) Data in the database of the server 10 (hereinafter referred to as "internal data" for convenience)

[0098] In the following, it is assumed that the internal data is stored in the database of server 10, but as a non-limiting example, the internal data may be stored in the database of a server other than server 10, managed by a messaging service provider.

[0099] [Functional configuration of each device] (1) Server FIG. 1-2 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The control unit 11 includes, as a functional unit, an application management processing unit 111 for executing messaging application management processing in accordance with an application management processing program 151 stored in the storage unit 15, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0100] FIG. 1-3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The memory unit 15 stores, by way of example and not limitation, an application management processing program 151 executed as messaging application management processing, account registration data 153, a search engine database 155, a search condition setting stamp management database 157, and an account management database 159.

[0101] The account registration data 153 is registration data relating to an account of a messaging application, and an example of the data configuration is shown in FIG. 1-4. In the account registration data 153, for example and without limitation, a user name, an application ID, and other registration information are stored in association with each other.

[0102] The user name is the name of the account of the terminal 20 that uses the application, and as a non-limiting example, the name that the user of the terminal 20 registers when using the application is stored.

[0103] The application ID is information used to identify an application account, or the account itself. This application ID is preferably a value that is unique for each account, and as a non-limiting example, a unique value (proper value) is set and stored by the server 10 for each account. The application ID is information associated with the terminal 20 or the user of the terminal 20, and is an example of information about the terminal or information about the user of the terminal.

[0104] Other registration information may include, but is not limited to, various types of information such as identification information for identifying terminal 20, the telephone number of terminal 20 (terminal telephone number), email address (terminal email address), and authentication information such as passwords (login password, authentication password, etc.) used for various authentications in applications.

[0105] The identification information for identifying the terminal 20 may be, for example and not by way of limitation, a terminal ID (for example and not by way of limitation, an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)). Furthermore, the identification information for identifying the user of the terminal 20 may be, for example and without limitation, an application ID or an official application ID. Note that the application ID may or may not be replaced by a "user ID."

[0106] Furthermore, for an application that allows only one account to be registered per terminal 20, as an example and not a limitation, the following can be used: "identification information for identifying terminal 20 = identification information for identifying the user of terminal 20 = application ID."

[0107] Also, by way of example and not limitation, it may or may not be possible to assign multiple terminal IDs to one application ID.

[0108] It is also possible to apply a method of managing accounts using information such as a terminal phone number instead of an application ID. In this case, instead of storing the application ID in the account registration data 153, information such as the terminal telephone number can be stored in the account registration data 153.

[0109] The search engine database 155 is a database of search engines managed by the messaging service provider (server 10).

[0110] By way of example and not limitation, messaging service providers may use robot-type search engines to search and collect various information on the web. Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, various external data can be collected by crawling using a crawler (bot). Hereinafter, the information (contents) contained in the external data will be referred to as "external information" for convenience.

[0111] For example, but not by way of limitation, the server 10 can analyze the acquired external information, convert it into searchable data, and register (index) it in the search engine database 155. In this way, the server 10 can perform search processing.

[0112] By way of example and not limitation, search engine database 155 may store external information, link information to external data (hereinafter referred to as "external link information"), etc., associated with a data ID, which is identification information for uniquely identifying data.

[0113] The link information may be, for example and without limitation, a "URI." In this case, the external link information may be information for accessing an external server different from server 10, for example, but not limited to, information for accessing an external server to obtain data from the external server's database. Various devices can access an external server based on the external link information and display an external page containing the target external information.

[0114] The link information (for example, but not limited to, a URI) may or may not be written in accordance with a description scheme specified by the messaging service provider.

[0115] Furthermore, a terminal 20 that has a messaging application installed can display an external page using, for example and not limitation, the messaging application's browser (hereinafter referred to as an "in-app browser (internal browser)") based on link information being specified while the messaging application is running.

[0116] Alternatively, an external page can be displayed using an external browser (hereinafter referred to as an "external browser") that is not an in-app browser.

[0117] In addition to or instead of the external data, the search engine database 155 may also store the aforementioned (2) internal data based on at least one of the following information, by way of example and not limitation: (2-1) Internal original information (2-2) Externally organized information (2-3) Composite Information

[0118] (2-1) Internal original information may be, by way of example and not limitation, search information independently generated by a messaging service provider. It is also conceivable that messaging service providers may build their own search systems. It is possible to generate search information without necessarily acquiring external information, and there may be cases where no external information is available to reference.

[0119] In this case, the search engine database 155 may store, by way of example and not limitation, internal original information, link information of internal data based on the internal original information, and the like, in association with a data ID.

[0120] (2-2) Externally organized information can be information obtained as a result of organizing external information. There may be cases where a messaging service provider wishes to organize external information and use it for search. By way of example and not limitation, organizing information can refer to adjusting the original information (content) without altering it, and can include, by way of example and not limitation, editing the content, deleting some content, extracting key parts of the content, summarizing the content, etc. The organization of external information may also be referred to as organization of external data.

[0121] In this case, the search engine database 155 may store, by way of example and not limitation, external organization information, link information of internal data based on the external organization information, and the like, in association with a data ID.

[0122] It is not essential to organize the external information, and the external information may or may not be reused (used as is).

[0123] (2-3) Composite information can be information generated based on external information and internal original information. There may be cases where a messaging service provider wishes to use internal original information for searching while referring to external information.

[0124] In this case, the search engine database 155 may store, by way of example and not limitation, composite information, link information of internal data based on the composite information, and the like, in association with a data ID.

[0125] The search condition setting stamp management database 157 is a database for managing search condition setting stamps. As a non-limiting example, the search condition setting stamp data described below, which is sent to terminal 20 based on a download request from terminal 20, can be stored, and various information such as stamp ID, stamp content, search conditions, stamp thumbnail, stamp category, search category, etc., is associated with and stored for each search condition setting stamp. The details of this information will be explained in the section on the data structure of the terminal 20.

[0126] As a non-limiting example, the server 10 may generate content (hereinafter referred to as "search condition content") that has a relationship with the search conditions, such as content that is associated with the stamp ID to notify the user of the search conditions or to enable the user to recognize the search conditions, and store the content in the search condition setting stamp management database 157.

[0127] For example, and not by way of limitation, the server 10 generates search condition content based on the search conditions of the search condition setting stamp, and stores the generated search condition content in the search condition setting stamp management database 157 in association with the stamp ID. The search condition content will be described later with a specific example.

[0128] The account management database 159 is a database of management data related to accounts stored in the account registration data 153, and by way of example, and not limitation, for each account (application ID), friend registration data related to accounts that have friend registrations, group registration data related to accounts that have group registrations, content transmission and reception history data related to the transmission and reception of content, etc. are stored.

[0129] (2) Terminal FIG. 1-5 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The control unit 21 includes, as a functional unit, an application processing unit 211 for executing messaging application processing in accordance with an application processing program 281 stored in the storage unit 28, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0130] FIG. 1-6 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The memory unit 28 stores, by way of example and not limitation, an application processing program 281 executed as messaging application processing, an application ID 283 of the user's own terminal 20 or the user of the user's own terminal 20, and a search condition setting stamp database 287.

[0131] It should be noted that the application ID 283 may or may not be able to store multiple application IDs.

[0132] The search condition setting stamp database 287 is a database relating to search condition setting stamps, and an example of the data structure of a search condition setting stamp database 287A is shown in FIG. 1-7.

[0133] A stamp is, by way of example and not limitation, a type of content used in messaging applications, and can convey to other users, through illustrations or the like, emotions that are difficult to express in words.

[0134] Hereinafter, stamps as content used for display, transmission, and reception in messaging applications will be referred to as "stamp content." In the technique of the present disclosure, unlike ordinary stamps (stamp contents), search conditions are set in advance in the stamp contents or can be set based on user input.

[0135] In this embodiment, the search conditions may be, for example and without limitation, conditions for the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 or the control unit 11 of the server 10 to perform a search.

[0136] "Search criteria set on stamp content" may refer to at least one of the following, by way of example and not limitation: (A1) Only search words, keywords, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "search words") are set in the stamp content. (A2) A search category (hereinafter referred to as a "search category") is set in the stamp content, and the corresponding search word is also set in the stamp content.

[0137] The search category may be, for example and without limitation, a conceptual division for performing a search, such as genre, place, time, number of people, situation, etc. By way of example and not limitation, the search category "location" may be a comprehensive category that includes prefectures, cities, towns, villages, countries, and the like.

[0138] (A2) may be, by way of example and not limitation, a search category and a search word corresponding to that search category that is preset. By way of example and not limitation, this may include a case where the search category is "location" and "Tokyo," one of the prefectures in Japan, is preset as a search word corresponding to the search category "location."

[0139] That is, the search conditions can be conditions determined based on search words, search categories, etc., by way of example and not limitation. The elements for determining the search conditions may include the stamp categories listed below. Furthermore, the search words input by the user to set search conditions may be referred to as a "search query."

[0140] In this embodiment, the search condition setting stamp database 287A stores search condition setting stamp data as data for each search condition setting stamp. Each search condition setting stamp data stores, by way of example and not limitation, a stamp category and one or more stamp-specific data relating to stamps to which this stamp category is commonly applied.

[0141] The stamp category is the category of this stamp, and by way of example and not limitation, conceptual classifications of stamps according to the purpose for which the user uses the stamp or the use of the stamp are stored, such as "meals (stores)," "recipes," "videos," "shopping," and "games."

[0142] The stamp-specific data includes, but is not limited to, a stamp ID, stamp content, a stamp thumbnail, and search conditions.

[0143] The stamp ID is an ID for identifying this search condition setting stamp, and as a non-limiting example, a unique ID set by the server 10 is stored.

[0144] The stamp content is the data of the stamp content described above, and includes data such as illustrations of stamps made up of characters and images (including images in which characters are part of the image). In the following description, the term "search condition setting stamp" may be used synonymously with "stamp content."

[0145] A stamp thumbnail is data of a thumbnail of stamp content (hereinafter referred to as a "stamp thumbnail"). A stamp thumbnail is an example of a reduced image of image information, and is used, for example and not by way of limitation, to display a list of stamp thumbnails to allow the user to select stamp content to send.

[0146] The search conditions are search conditions set for this stamp content. In this embodiment, the search conditions are preset with the above-mentioned search words as examples and not as limitations.

[0147] As an example, and not as a limitation, the search condition setting stamp data at the front of Figure 1-7 is data related to the search condition setting stamp with stamp ID "ST001," and the search condition is set to "Western food," a word that indicates the food genre within the stamp category "food."

[0148] In the following, the stamp category "meals" is used as an example, not a limitation, to search for restaurants where to eat, and an example is shown in which restaurants where to eat are searched for by the server 10. In this data example, the stamp category may be "Store" or "Food & Store," etc. Also, in this data example, the search criteria may be "Western Food & Store," etc.

[0149] Furthermore, in this example, for the convenience of the user, the search condition setting stamp data stores a "stamp category" in each search condition setting stamp data, allowing the user to select stamps for each stamp category, but storing the stamp category is not essential, and it may be omitted. The same applies below.

[0150] The search condition setting stamp data may be downloaded from the server 10 and stored in the search condition setting stamp database 287A of the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0151] In this embodiment, the terminal 20 acquires search condition setting stamp data including data of stamp content in which search conditions are set from the server 10 by downloading it or the like. That is, the search conditions are set for the image information before the stamp content (which is an example of image information, but is not limited to it) is received by the terminal.

[0152] Note that "search conditions are set for image information before the image information is received by the terminal" can be a concept that includes, but is not limited to, the following examples. (a) The search criteria are not based on user input. (b) Given (a), the underlying conditions are not set based on user input, but the specific conditions are configurable based on user input. (c) Apart from (b), the search criteria are set in a hard-coded manner without being based on user input.

[0153] (b) can include, for example and not by way of limitation, that basic conditions such as the search category "location" and the search category "genre" are not set based on user input (for example and not by way of limitation, they are set by the server 10, etc.), but that specific conditions corresponding to the search category "location" (for example and not by way of limitation, Tokyo) and specific conditions corresponding to the search category "genre" (for example and not by way of limitation, Western food) can be set based on user input. Details of this will be described later in the second embodiment.

[0154] (c) can include the fact that the search conditions are set by the server 10 or the like in a predetermined manner, including the above-mentioned basic conditions and specific conditions.

[0155] In this embodiment, the terminal 20 may acquire search condition setting stamp data including the search condition content from the server 10 and store it in the search condition setting stamp database 287A of the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20.

[0156] Furthermore, without the terminal 20 acquiring the search condition content from the server 10, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not perform processing to generate the search condition content based on the search conditions contained in the search condition setting stamp data acquired from the server 10 and the template data of the search condition content, as an example and not a limitation.

[0157] Furthermore, without the terminal 20 acquiring the stamp thumbnail from the server 10, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not perform processing to generate the stamp thumbnail based on the stamp content included in the search condition setting stamp data acquired from the server 10, for example and without limitation.

[0158] Here, in the messaging application, there may be cases where a normal stamp with no search conditions set is downloaded from the server 10. Although not shown, the data relating to the normal stamp may be stored in a normal stamp database that stores normal stamps in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0159] Alternatively, search condition setting stamps and normal stamps may be stored in the same database. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, a stamp type can be stored for each stamp data. By way of example and not limitation, a search condition setting stamp can be associated with the stamp type "search condition setting" and stored, and a normal stamp can be associated with the stamp type "normal." Furthermore, search condition setting stamps and normal stamps may be distinguished by stamp ID. In this case, the range of numbers or the like assigned as stamp IDs may be different between search condition setting stamps and normal stamps.

[0160] In the following description, the user who is the sender of the stamp content will be referred to as the "sender user", and the user who is the recipient of the stamp content will be referred to as the "destination user".

[0161] <Display screen> In the following, the display screen of the terminal 20 will be exemplified as a smartphone having a display unit 24 with a portrait display, by way of example and not limitation.

[0162] For example, but not by way of limitation, a smartphone has a touch panel that functions as an input unit and is disposed opposite the display, thereby constituting a touch screen. When an element such as an icon, button, item, or input area is displayed on the display, and a part of the touch panel that faces the area where the element is displayed is operated by a user, a program associated with the element or a subroutine of the program can be executed.

[0163] In the following, a tap (tap operation) may be, by way of example and not limitation, an action in which a user lightly taps the display unit 24 (touch screen) that is integrally configured with a touch panel with a finger or the tip of a pen, and then releases the touch.

[0164] The transitions of the display screens described below are merely examples of transitions of the display screens for realizing the technique of the present disclosure, and are not limited to these. In the transition of the display screens exemplified below, some of the display screens may be omitted, or other display screens may be added.

[0165] 1-8 and 1-9 are diagrams showing an example of transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24A of the terminal 20A in this embodiment. Here, a case where stamp content for which search conditions have been set is displayed and transmitted will be described.

[0166] On the screen displaying the chat room, the name of the messaging application, "Messaging App," is displayed in the top center of the screen, and an icon image and user name (user AA in this example) of the messaging application of the user of terminal 20A are displayed in the top right of the screen.

[0167] On the left screen of Figure 1-8, below the area at the top of the screen where the name of the messaging application and the like are displayed, there is provided, by way of example and not limitation, a talk room name display area CLR containing the name of the talk room (hereinafter referred to as the "talk room name") as a type of area indicating which page (in this example, the talk room) within the messaging application is currently displayed. The talk room name display area CLR can also be considered an area indicating the page (in this example, the talk room) within the messaging application where the user is currently located.

[0168] In this example, the talk room name display area CLR displays, by way of example and not limitation, characters (in this example, "BB") indicating that this is a talk room for user AA to talk with user BB.

[0169] Below that is a talk area TR where users AA and BB can talk interactively, with the content (message) of the other user, user BB, displayed on the left side of the screen and the content (message) of user AA himself displayed on the right side of the screen.

[0170] In this example, text content containing the text "Would you like to go out for dinner tomorrow?" is displayed in a speech bubble on the right side of the screen as content sent from user AA.

[0171] Below the talk area TR is an area where the user can select or enter content to send, and below that is an area where information about the search condition setting stamp is displayed.

[0172] Specifically, a stamp category display area SCR is provided in which one or more stamp categories are displayed, allowing the user to select a stamp category. In this example, icon images representing the stamp categories are displayed. Below this is provided a stamp thumbnail display area STR in which one or more stamp thumbnails are displayed, allowing the user to select a stamp thumbnail corresponding to the stamp content included in a stamp category selected by the user from the stamp categories in the stamp category display area SCR.

[0173] The stamp thumbnails displayed in the stamp thumbnail display area STR are, by way of example and not limitation, stamp thumbnails that can be used by the user of the terminal 20A (user AA). In this example, by way of example and not limitation, the user has selected the "Meals" stamp category, represented by the spoon and fork icon image, and multiple stamp thumbnails corresponding to the stamp content included in this stamp category are displayed, including, by way of example and not limitation, a stamp thumbnail corresponding to stamp content with an illustration of sushi, a stamp thumbnail corresponding to stamp content with an illustration of hamburger steak, and a stamp thumbnail corresponding to stamp content with an illustration of gyoza.

[0174] In this example, these stamp thumbnails are, by way of example and not limitation, stamp thumbnails corresponding to stamp content for which search criteria have been pre-set. As a non-limiting example, stamp content with an illustration of sushi has the search criterion set as "Japanese food," stamp content with an illustration of hamburger has the search criterion set as "Western food," and stamp content with an illustration of gyoza has the search criterion set as "Chinese food."

[0175] The left screen of Figure 1-8 shows, by way of example and not limitation, a state in which a stamp thumbnail corresponding to the stamp content of a hamburger illustration is tapped among multiple stamp thumbnails, resulting in the display of the screen shown on the right side of Figure 1-8, by way of example and not limitation.

[0176] On the right screen of FIG. 1-8, for example and not by way of limitation, a preview display area PVR including a preview image of the stamp content corresponding to the tapped stamp thumbnail is provided so as to be superimposed on the talk area TR. In this example, by way of example and not limitation, a preview image of the stamp content of an illustration of a hamburger is displayed in the preview display area PVR based on user AA tapping on a stamp thumbnail corresponding to the stamp content of an illustration of a hamburger.

[0177] By way of example, but not limitation, when the preview is tapped on the screen on the right of Figure 1-8, the screen shown on the left of Figure 1-9 is displayed. Specifically, the preview display area PVR, stamp category display area SCR, and stamp thumbnail display area STR are cleared, and the talk area TR is displayed in a large area. Then, on the right side of the talk area TR, stamp content SCT10 of an illustration of a hamburger is displayed as a message sent from user AA.

[0178] Furthermore, when a request for transmission of stamp content SCT10 is made from terminal 20 to server 10, search processing is performed by server 10, and the search results are transmitted to terminal 20A. As a result, the screen shown on the right of FIG. 1-9 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation. On this screen, in the talk area TR, below the stamp content SCT10 of an illustration of a hamburger, which is the latest content, information indicating that the server 10 conducted a search based on the search criteria (by way of example, not limitation, the words "Recommended restaurants") is displayed, and below that, a list of search results is displayed.

[0179] In this example, the list of search results is displayed in a carousel format on the left and right sides of the chat room, and is configured to be scrolled horizontally based on a swipe operation by the user or automatically, by way of example and not limitation.

[0180] In this example, a search is performed based on the search criterion "Western food," and search results for Western restaurants are displayed in the chat room as an example, not a limitation. Specifically, search results for multiple Western restaurants without location restrictions, such as Western Restaurant A located in Tokyo and Western Restaurant B located in Kanagawa Prefecture, are displayed in a list.

[0181] In this example, each search result is a complex search result that includes a banner image related to the linked store, the store's location, genre, budget, a reservation button for making a reservation at the store, etc.

[0182] By way of example and not limitation, when a banner image relating to a store is tapped, the home page of the store is displayed on the display unit 24 based on the corresponding link information. Furthermore, when the reservation button is tapped, the reservation page for this store is displayed on the display unit 24 based on the corresponding link information.

[0183] FIG. 1-10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24B of the terminal 20B in the above example. At the top right of the screen, an icon image and a user name (user BB in this example) of the messaging application of the user of this terminal 20B are displayed.

[0184] In the talk room name display area CLR, for example and not by way of limitation, characters (in this example, "AA") are displayed indicating that this is a talk room in which user BB can talk with user AA.

[0185] Below that is a talk area TR where user BB and user AA can talk interactively, with the content (message) of the other user, user AA, displayed on the left side of the screen and the content (message) of user BB displayed on the right side of the screen.

[0186] The screen of FIG. 1-10 shows, by way of example and not limitation, a state after the stamp content SCT10 of the illustration of the hamburger described above has been transmitted from the terminal 20A to the terminal 20B. The talk room of terminal 20B displays information similar to the information displayed in the talk room of terminal 20A, which has been described in the right screen of FIG. 1-9.

[0187] <Processing> FIG. 1-11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment. In this figure, from the left, examples of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A of user AA, processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, and processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A of user BB are shown.

[0188] Prior to this process, it is assumed that user AA has registered user BB as a friend and that user AA will chat with user BB. This process will be exemplified by a case where user AA is the source user and user BB is the destination user.

[0189] It should be noted that the messaging application does not necessarily have to be running on the destination user's terminal 20 at the time the stamp content is received, but for simplicity's sake, in the process described below, it is assumed that the messaging application is running on the destination user's terminal 20.

[0190] Furthermore, the processes described below are merely examples of processes for realizing the technique of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to these. Other steps may be added to the processing described below, or some steps may be omitted (deleted) from the processing described below.

[0191] First, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays the talk room with user BB on the display unit 24 based on an input (user operation, by way of example and not limitation; the same applies below) to select a talk room to the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20A (A110).

[0192] Thereafter, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A, based on the input to the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20A, refers to the search condition setting stamp database 287A stored in the memory unit 28, displays a list of stamp thumbnails on the display unit 24, and then determines whether or not a stamp thumbnail has been selected by the user AA (A115).

[0193] If it is determined that the stamp thumbnail has been selected (A115: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A performs a preview process (A120). Specifically, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to display a preview image of the stamp content corresponding to the selected stamp thumbnail.

[0194] The preview image may represent an image of the stamp content displayed in the preview display area, or may represent the entire preview display area as an image.

[0195] Thereafter, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A determines whether or not to transmit the selected stamp content to the destination user (A125). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, it determines whether or not an operation on the preview image has been detected.

[0196] If it is determined that the stamp content should be sent (A125: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays the corresponding stamp content in the talk room on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A (A130).

[0197] Next, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A transmits stamp transmission request information including the stamp ID associated with the stamp content to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (A135).

[0198] The control unit 11 determines whether stamp transmission request information has been received (S110), and if it determines that it has been received (S110: YES), it transmits the stamp content associated with the stamp ID included in the received stamp transmission request information to the destination user's terminal 20 (terminal 20B in this example) via the communication I / F 14 (S120).

[0199] Thereafter, the control unit 11 performs a search process (S130). Specifically, the control unit 11 refers to the search condition setting stamp management database 157 of the storage unit 15 to acquire search conditions associated with the stamp ID included in the received stamp transmission request information. Then, the control unit 11 refers to the search engine database 155 of the storage unit 15 to perform a search based on the acquired search conditions. In this case, the control unit 11 may also perform a search by including the stamp category in the search conditions.

[0200] The order of steps S120 and S130 may be reversed.

[0201] Next, the control unit 11 transmits search result list information including the search results found in the search process to each of the terminals 20A and 20B via the communication I / F 14 (S140). In this case, the control unit 11 may, for example and not by way of limitation, transmit the data ID, link information, and searched information in association with each other for each search result.

[0202] When the search result list information is received from the server 10 via the communication I / F 22, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays the received search result list information in the talk room (A140).

[0203] Thereafter, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A determines whether or not a search result has been selected from the displayed search result list information (A145), and if it determines that a search result has been selected (A145: YES), then, by way of example and not limitation, the control unit 21 accesses an external server or server 10 based on link information associated with the selected search result, and displays on the display unit 24 a page (external page or internal page) containing information corresponding to the selected search result.

[0204] Next, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A determines whether or not to close the currently displayed talk room (A190). If it is determined that the talk room should not be closed (A190: NO), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A returns the process to A115. On the other hand, if it is determined that the talk room should be closed (A190: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A performs control to hide the currently displayed talk room, and then ends the process.

[0205] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20B determines whether or not stamp content has been received from the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (B120), and if it determines that it has been received (B120: YES), it displays the received stamp content in a talk room on the display unit 24 with user AA as the talk partner (B130).

[0206] Furthermore, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B displays the search result list information received from the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 in the talk room (B140).

[0207] Thereafter, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B determines whether or not a search result has been selected from the displayed search result list information (B145), and if it determines that a search result has been selected (B145: YES), similarly to A150, and by way of example and not limitation, accesses an external server or server 10 based on link information associated with the selected search result, and displays on the display unit 24 a page (external page or internal page) containing information corresponding to the selected search result (B150).

[0208] Next, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B determines whether or not to end the process (B190). If it is determined that the process should be continued (B190: NO), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B returns the process to B120. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process should be ended (B190: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B ends the process.

[0209] In the above process, conceptually, the search results are displayed on the destination user's terminal 20 based on the stamp content transmitted from the source user's terminal 20 to the destination user's terminal 20, so the transmitted stamp content may be considered as information for displaying the search results. Also, the stamp transmission request information transmitted from the source user's terminal 20 to the server 10 may be considered as information for displaying the search results. In addition, since a search is performed based on the search conditions set in the stamp content and the search results are displayed on the destination user's terminal 20, it can be considered that the search results are sent from the source user's terminal 20 to the destination user's terminal 20.

[0210] In addition, in A130, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A may or may not display the corresponding search condition content in the talk room together with the stamp content. In this case, as described above, the search condition content may be acquired in advance from the server 10 and stored in the storage unit 28, or the terminal 20 may generate the search condition content and store it in the storage unit 28, and then read it out and display it in the talk room.

[0211] Furthermore, in S120, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not transmit the corresponding search condition content together with the stamp content to the terminal 20B. In this case, in B130, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B may or may not display the corresponding search condition content together with the stamp content in the talk room.

[0212] <Effects of the First Embodiment> In this embodiment, the terminal 20 of the source user, which displays a talk room (not limited to a chat room, but an example of a chat room) including a destination user (not limited to a destination user, but an example of a first user), displays the talk room on the display unit 24. The terminal 20 of the source user also displays stamp content (not limited to a chat room, but an example of image information with search conditions set) in the talk room based on an input to the talk room by the user of the terminal 20. The terminal 20 of the source user then uses the control unit 21 to control the transmission of search results, searched based on the search conditions set in the stamp content, to the terminal 20 of the destination user (first user) included in the talk room (not limited to a first terminal, but an example of a first user) via the communication I / F 22, and the display of the search results, searched based on the search conditions set in the stamp content, in the talk room. As an example of an effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, based on image information for which search conditions have been set, the search results searched based on those search conditions can be confirmed by the first user, and can also be confirmed by the user of the terminal.

[0213] In this case, the search conditions are set in advance, that is, the search conditions can be set for the stamp content before the stamp content is received by the terminal 20 by downloading or the like. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, image information for which search conditions have already been set can be received by the terminal.

[0214] In this embodiment, the terminal 20 displays a stamp thumbnail (not limited to a stamp thumbnail, but an example of a reduced image of image information) on the display unit 24. Then, based on an input to the stamp thumbnail, the terminal 20 uses the control unit 21 to control the transmission of the corresponding stamp content to the terminal 20 of a destination user included in the talk room via the communication I / F 22, and the display of the corresponding stamp content in the talk room. As an example of the effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, a reduced image of the image information can be viewed by the user of the terminal, and then, based on the input by the user of the terminal regarding the reduced image, the image information can be sent to a first terminal for the first user to review, and the user of the terminal can also review it.

[0215] In addition, this embodiment shows a configuration in which the sending user's terminal 20 displays a preview image of the corresponding stamp content (not limited to, but an example of a preview image related to a reduced image) on the display unit 24 based on input for the stamp thumbnail. As an example of the effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, a preview image related to a reduced image can be displayed on the display unit based on input by the user of the terminal regarding the reduced image, allowing the user of the terminal to check the input reduced image or the image information corresponding to that reduced image.

[0216] <First Modification Example (1)> In the above embodiment, the search results searched by the server 10 are displayed in the talk room, but this is not limiting. For example, and not limiting, the search results may be displayed on a search result display screen displayed by one of the following methods. (A) Displaying the search results page using an external browser (B) Displaying the search results screen using an in-app browser

[0217] In the method (A), for example and not by way of limitation, the search result display screen can be displayed by an external browser (web application browser) that runs on the messaging application as a platform. Specifically, based on receiving the search results, the terminal 20 can launch an external browser that can refer to various information including account information of the messaging application, and display a search result display screen. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, the search result display screen can be displayed so as to be superimposed on at least a portion of the chat room (overlay).

[0218] The size (or height) of the search result display screen can be set arbitrarily. If the search result display screen is set to full size, it can be displayed so that it completely overlays the chat room. In this case, the chat room will be completely obscured by the search result display screen, making it impossible to see the chat room. On the other hand, if the search result display screen is smaller than full size, the search result display screen can be displayed so that it is overlaid on part of the chat room. In this case, part of the chat room will be obscured, but the unobscured area will remain visible.

[0219] In the method (B), for example and not by way of limitation, the terminal 20 may, based on receiving the search results, launch an in-app browser of the messaging application to display a search result display screen. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, (B-1) How to move (transition) from the chat room screen to the search results screen (B-2) How to display the search results screen in parallel with the chat room screen Any of the methods above can be applied.

[0220] In addition, in the method (B-2), the following is an example, but not a limitation: (B-2a) Similar to method (A), a search result display screen is displayed so that it is superimposed on at least a portion of the chat room (overlay). (B-2b) Split the screen into two sections, one for chat rooms and one for search (Split) Any of the methods above can be applied.

[0221] In addition, the same method as in (B-2b) Split may or may not be applied to the method (A).

[0222] <First Modification (2)> In the above embodiment, one search condition is set for one stamp content, but this is not limiting. For example, multiple search conditions may be set for one stamp content. In this case, a plurality of search conditions may be stored in the search condition setting stamp data in the search condition setting stamp database 287A in FIG. 1-7.

[0223] The number of search conditions to be set can be set arbitrarily, and data of stamp content with different numbers of search conditions set, such as stamp content with one search condition set, stamp content with two search conditions set, or stamp content with three search conditions set, may be stored in the search condition setting stamp database 287.

[0224] Furthermore, for one search condition, multiple search condition setting stamps may be configured with that search condition as a common search condition.

[0225] FIG. 1-12 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a search condition setting stamp database 287B, which is an example of the search condition setting stamp database 287 in this modified example. Each search condition setting stamp data includes, for example and not by way of limitation, a stamp category, a search category, and a plurality of stamp-specific data.

[0226] In this example, the search category under the stamp category can be a search condition (hereinafter referred to as a "common search condition") that is commonly applied to stamps in each stamp-specific data. In this example, the search category "genre" and the corresponding search word "Western food" are stored as the common search condition.

[0227] The stamp-specific data is data relating to search condition setting stamps to which common search conditions are applied, and each data stores, by way of example and not limitation, a stamp ID, stamp content, stamp thumbnail, and search category.

[0228] In this example, each stamp-specific data has a search category of "location" as an individual search condition, and different prefectures are stored as corresponding search words. As a non-limiting example, the stamp-specific data at the front of Figure 1-12 is a stamp with stamp ID "ST011," and the search category "Location" and the corresponding search word "Hokkaido" are stored as individual search conditions. Because common search conditions are applied, the search condition setting stamp with stamp ID "ST011" can be configured to perform a search using the words "Western food Hokkaido."

[0229] <Second Example> The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the terminal 20 sets search conditions in stamp content based on input by the user. Then, the transmission of the stamp content for which the search conditions have been set in this way is triggered, and the search results are presented to the user. In other words, this embodiment allows the user of the terminal 20 to set the search conditions themselves.

[0230] The contents described in the second embodiment can be applied to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples. Furthermore, the same components as those already mentioned are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0231] In this embodiment, the setting of search conditions can include a pattern in which search words are set based on user input for stamp content that does not have a search category set, and a pattern in which corresponding search words are set based on user input for stamp content that has a search category set.

[0232] In this embodiment, the input method for the user to set search conditions is as follows: (1) Direct input method (2) Selective input method Two types are shown below.

[0233] (1) Direct input method In this method, by way of example and not limitation, at least some of the search conditions stored in each search condition-set stamp data in the search condition-set stamp database 287A in Fig. 1-7 are set to "not set" (unset) by default. In other words, the terminal 20 can download data related to stamps for which at least some of the search conditions are set to "not set" from the server 10. Then, information directly input by the sender user to the terminal 20 using a keyboard or the like can be stored in the storage unit 28 as set search conditions.

[0234] <Display screen> 2-1 and 2-2 are diagrams showing an example of transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24A of the terminal 20A when the (1) direct input method is applied.

[0235] The left screen of Figure 2-1 shows a state in which, after a stamp thumbnail corresponding to stamp content containing an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" is tapped from among multiple stamp thumbnails corresponding to stamp content for which the user can set any search criteria, a preview of the stamp content corresponding to this stamp thumbnail is displayed in the preview display area PVR.

[0236] Unlike the first embodiment, in this example, the search condition setting stamp is a general-purpose illustration stamp so that the user can set any search condition.

[0237] In the stamp thumbnail display area STR, stamp thumbnails that can be used by the user of the terminal 20A (user AA) are displayed as a list, by way of example and not limitation. In this example, by way of example and not limitation, multiple stamp thumbnails are displayed, including a stamp thumbnail corresponding to stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!", a stamp thumbnail corresponding to stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "Dinner please", and a stamp thumbnail corresponding to stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "I'm hungry...".

[0238] In this example, these stamp thumbnails correspond to stamp content for which a user can set any search criteria, for example and without limitation, by entering a search term.

[0239] As a non-limiting example, when user AA taps a stamp thumbnail corresponding to stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!", a preview of the stamp content corresponding to the stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" is displayed in the preview display area PVR.

[0240] In this example, a search condition setting icon IC20 represented by a magnifying glass icon is displayed in the upper left corner of the preview display area PVR as an example of search condition setting information for setting search conditions, but is not limited to this example.

[0241] The left screen of Figure 2-1 shows, by way of example and not limitation, the state in which the search criteria setting icon IC20 is tapped. As a result, the search criteria setting screen shown on the right side of Figure 2-1 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0242] On this search condition setting screen, for example and not by way of limitation, a preview similar to the preview of the stamp content displayed in the preview display area PVR is displayed in the center of the screen.

[0243] Also, below that, by way of example and not limitation, there is a search word input field SWR where you can enter a search word as a search condition for the stamp content corresponding to this preview, and in this example, the words "Western food" are displayed based on the input of "Western food."

[0244] Below that, a save button BT20 for saving the search word entered in the search word entry field SWR is displayed.

[0245] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 displays the search condition setting screen, it performs processing to reduce the visibility of information that is not related to the search condition setting screen among the screens related to the messaging application, so that information that is not related to the search condition setting screen (for example, but not limited to, the contents of the chat) is displayed in a manner that makes it difficult for the user to recognize it. As a non-limiting example, information on a screen related to a messaging application that is not related to the search condition setting screen may be rendered less visible by mosaic processing, hatching, or the like.

[0246] The screen on the right of Figure 2-1 shows, by way of example and not limitation, the state in which the Save button BT20 has been tapped, which results in the screen shown on the left of Figure 2-2 being displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0247] On this screen, a preview image of stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!", similar to the screen shown on the left in FIG. 2-1, is displayed in the preview display area PVR.

[0248] On the search condition setting screen, when the user taps the save button BT20 with a search word entered in the search word input field SWR, the search condition is associated with the stamp content corresponding to the preview.

[0249] The left screen of Figure 2-2 shows, by way of example and not limitation, a preview image of stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" being tapped. As a result, the screen shown on the right of Figure 2-2 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0250] On this screen, by way of example and not limitation, stamp content SCT20 including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" is displayed as a message from user AA on the right side of the talk area TR.

[0251] Below that, search condition content CCT20 indicating the search conditions set in this stamp content SCT20 is displayed as an example and not as a limitation. In this example, the search condition content CCT20 includes, by way of example and not limitation, the characters "Search for a restaurant!" and the characters "Search word: Western food."

[0252] Below that, search results are displayed in a list together with the text content "Recommended shops here" sent from the server 10. The search results displayed in this example are the same as those shown in the right screen of Figure 1-9.

[0253] <Processing> 2-3 and 2-4 are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment. The drawings should be read as described above.

[0254] After A120, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A determines whether or not the user AA has selected to input search conditions and has input the search conditions (A210). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, it determines whether or not the search conditions have been input by operating an icon or the like for inputting search conditions and by direct input using a keyboard or the like.

[0255] If it is determined that search conditions have been input (A210: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A performs a search condition setting process (A220). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the input search conditions are stored as set search conditions in the search condition setting stamp data in which the stamp ID is stored. It is also possible to set the search condition to "no setting."

[0256] On the other hand, if it is determined that no search conditions have been input (A210: NO), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A advances the process to A125.

[0257] In A135, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A transmits, by way of example and not limitation, stamp transmission request information including the stamp ID and the set search conditions for the selected search condition setting stamp to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22.

[0258] In the search process at S130, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines the set search conditions included in the received stamp transmission request information by referring to the search condition setting stamp management database 157 of the storage unit 15. Then, using the search engine database 155 of the storage unit 15, a search is performed based on the determined set search conditions.

[0259] If the set search condition is "not set", the control unit 11 can skip steps S130 and S140. In this case, the stamp content sent to the destination user's terminal 20 in step S120 is stamp content for which no search conditions are set, that is, normal stamp content. In this case, steps A140 to A150 are skipped in the terminal 20 of the source user, and steps B140 to B150 are skipped in the terminal 20 of the destination user.

[0260] Furthermore, after A130, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A may or may not display the corresponding search condition content in the talk room. In this case, search condition content based on the set search conditions can be obtained from the server 10, or search condition content can be generated on the terminal 20 side based on the set search conditions and template data for the search condition content, and displayed in the talk room.

[0261] Also, in S120, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not transmit the corresponding search condition content together with the stamp content to the terminal 20B. In this case, in B130, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B may or may not display the corresponding search condition content together with the stamp content in the talk room.

[0262] (2) Selective input method FIG. 2-5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the search condition setting stamp database 287C, which is an example of the search condition setting stamp database 287 stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. In this search condition setting stamp database 287C, each search condition setting stamp data stores, by way of example and not limitation, a stamp category, a search category, search category selection candidates, and stamp-specific data.

[0263] The search category stores conceptual divisions for searching using stamps in this stamp category. In this example, the two search categories stored are "Location" and "Genre," as mentioned above. The search category is an example of a category set in the search conditions.

[0264] The search category selection candidates store one or more pieces of information that can be selected by the user for each category included in this search category.

[0265] In this example, a plurality of pieces of information that can be selected by the user are stored for each of the two items "location" and "genre" mentioned above. For "location," prefectures are stored as selection candidates, by way of example and not limitation. In the "genre" field, food genres such as "Japanese food," "Western food," and "Chinese food" are stored as selection candidates, but are not limited to these, for example.

[0266] The stamp-specific data is data relating to a plurality of search condition setting stamps to which the above stamp categories and search categories are applied, and by way of example, but not limitation, stamp IDs, stamp contents, and set search conditions are stored.

[0267] The set search conditions store information selected by the user from among the search category selection candidates for each search category. In this example, "Tokyo" is selected and stored for the search category "location," and "Western food" is selected as a condition for the search category "genre."

[0268] In this data, for the convenience of the user, a "stamp category" is stored in each search condition setting stamp data, allowing stamps to be selected for each stamp category, but storing the stamp category is not essential, and it is also possible not to store it.

[0269] <Display screen> 2-6 and 2-7 are diagrams showing an example of transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24A of the terminal 20A when the above-mentioned (2) selective input method is applied.

[0270] The left screen of FIG. 2-6 shows a screen similar to the one shown on the left of FIG. 2-1, in which a search condition setting icon IC20 at the top left of the preview display area PVR has been tapped. In the center of the screen, a preview similar to the preview of the stamp content displayed in the preview display area PVR is displayed. Below this, for example and not by way of limitation, a search criteria selection area is configured for selecting search criteria for the stamp content corresponding to this preview.

[0271] Specifically, as selection fields for setting search conditions, a "Genre" selection field SJR is displayed, which allows the user to select any genre from the genres within the search category (Japanese cuisine, Western cuisine, Chinese cuisine, etc.) using a drum roll method, and a "Location" selection field SPR is displayed, which allows the user to select any location from the locations within the search category (such as the prefecture where the store is located) using a drum roll method.

[0272] The left screen of Figure 2-6 shows, as an example, the state in which the selection field SJR for the search category "Genre" has been tapped. As a result, the screen shown on the right of Figure 2-6 is displayed, as an example, not a limitation. On this screen, genre candidates are displayed in a drum roll format, and the state in which the user has tapped "Western food" is shown.

[0273] If the selection field SPR for the search category "Location" is subsequently tapped, the screen shown on the right of Figure 2-6 will be displayed. This screen displays location candidates in a drum roll format, and shows the state in which the user has tapped "Tokyo."

[0274] After that, the screen shown on the left of Figure 2-7 is displayed. On this screen, "Western food" is entered in the search category "genre" and "Tokyo" is entered in the search category "location", and when the save button BT20 is tapped in this state, the screen shown in the center of Figure 2-7 is displayed, as an example and not a limitation.

[0275] The center screen of Figure 2-7 shows, by way of example and not limitation, a state in which a preview image of stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" in the preview display area PVR is tapped. As a result, the screen shown on the right side of Figure 2-7 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0276] On this screen, by way of example and not limitation, stamp content SCT20 including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" is displayed as a message from user AA on the right side of the talk area TR.

[0277] Below that, search condition content CCT22 indicating the search conditions set in this stamp content SCT20 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation. In this example, the search condition content includes, by way of example and not limitation, the words "Search for a restaurant!", the words "Genre: Western food", and the words "Location: Tokyo".

[0278] Below that, search results are displayed in a list together with the text content "Recommended shops here" sent from the server 10. In this example, the search is performed with the search category "genre" set to "Western food" and the search category "location" set to "Tokyo," so the search results for multiple Western restaurants located in Tokyo, such as Western Restaurant A and Western Restaurant X, are displayed in a list.

[0279] FIG. 2-8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24B of the terminal 20B in the above example. This screen shows, by way of example and not limitation, the state after the stamp content SCT20 including the cat illustration and the words "Let's eat!" described above has been transmitted from the terminal 20A to the terminal 20B. The talk room of this terminal 20B displays information similar to the information displayed in the talk room of the terminal 20A described on the right screen of FIG. 2-7.

[0280] <Processing> The processing will be explained with reference again to the above-mentioned FIGS. 2-3 and 2-4. After A120, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A determines whether or not the user has selected to input search conditions and the search conditions have been input (A210). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, it determines whether or not an icon or the like for inputting search conditions has been operated and information has been selected from the search category selection candidates for the search category associated with the search condition setting stamp.

[0281] If it is determined that search conditions have been input (A210: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A performs a search condition setting process (A220). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the search category selection candidate selected as described above is stored in the search category field corresponding to the set search conditions in the stamp-specific data for that stamp ID. As mentioned above, it is possible to set some of the search categories to "not set," and in this case, the search category corresponding to the set search condition can be set to "not set."

[0282] On the other hand, if it is determined that no search conditions have been input (A210: NO), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A advances the process to A125.

[0283] In A135, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A transmits stamp transmission request information including, for example but not limited to, the stamp ID of the selected search condition setting stamp and the set search conditions to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22.

[0284] In the search process at S130, the control unit 11 of the server 10 refers to the search condition setting stamp management database 157 of the storage unit 15 to determine whether the search category associated with the stamp of the stamp ID included in the received stamp transmission request information corresponds to the search category of the set search conditions included in the received stamp transmission request information. If it is determined that they correspond, the control unit 11 refers to the search engine database 155 of the storage unit 15 to perform a search based on the set search conditions. Then, the control unit 11 advances the process to S140.

[0285] If the set search conditions for some search categories are "not set," the control unit 11 can perform a search using the set search conditions corresponding to the other search categories as search conditions.

[0286] Furthermore, if the set search conditions for all search categories are "not set," the control unit 11 can skip steps S130 and S140. In this case, the stamp content sent to the destination user's terminal 20 in step S120 is stamp content for which no search conditions are set, that is, normal stamp content. In this case, steps A140 to A150 are skipped in the terminal 20 of the source user, and steps B140 to B150 are skipped in the terminal 20 of the destination user.

[0287] Furthermore, after A130, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A may or may not display the corresponding search condition content in the talk room. In this case, search condition content based on the set search conditions can be obtained from the server 10, or search condition content can be generated on the terminal 20 side based on the set search conditions and template data for the search condition content, and displayed in the talk room.

[0288] Also, in S120, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not transmit the corresponding search condition content together with the stamp content to the terminal 20B. In this case, in B130, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B may or may not display the corresponding search condition content together with the stamp content in the talk room.

[0289] <Effects of the second embodiment> In this embodiment, the search conditions set for stamp content (not limited to stamp content, but an example of image information) are input by the user of the terminal 20. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, it is possible to enable the user of the terminal to set search conditions, thereby improving convenience.

[0290] In this case, the search conditions are set in a plurality of search categories (not limited to, but an example of a category), and the user of the terminal 20 can input conditions for each of the plurality of search categories. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the user of the terminal can input search conditions according to categories, thereby improving convenience.

[0291] <Second Modification Example (1)> Unlike the example shown in the above embodiment, some search conditions are set in advance in the stamp content, but other search conditions are not set in the stamp content, and these unset search conditions may be set based on user input.

[0292] For example, and not by way of limitation, in the data example in Figure 1-12, the search word "Western food" corresponding to the search category "genre" is preset, but the search word corresponding to the search category "location" in each stamp data is set to "not set" by default. Then, the search word corresponding to this search category "location" (for example, prefecture, and not by way of limitation) can be set based on user input.

[0293] As a non-limiting example, when sending stamp content of an illustration of a hamburger steak with "Western food" set as the search criterion, as shown in Figure 1-8, the sending user may input the prefecture as the location to search for Western restaurants. The search conditions can be input using either the (1) direct input method or the (2) selective input method described above.

[0294] <Second Modification Example (2)> In the above embodiment, the terminal 20 may be able to set search conditions for the stamp content based on user input, as well as set a message such as text content to be sent together with the stamp content based on user input.

[0295] <Display screen> Here, the case of transmitting stamp content of an illustration of a hamburger, as described in the second modified example (1), will be described with reference to an example of a display screen.

[0296] 2-9 and 2-10 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this modified example. On the left side of Figure 2-9, a preview image of stamp content with an illustration of a hamburger steak for which the search criteria (search category) "Western food" has been set is displayed in the preview display area PVR, similar to the screen on the right side of Figure 1-8. And, by way of example and not limitation, to the right of the search criteria setting icon IC20 in the upper left corner of the preview display area PVR, a text setting icon IC30 is displayed for inputting and setting the text to be sent as text content along with this stamp content. When the text setting icon IC30 is tapped, the text setting screen shown on the right side of Figure 2-9 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0297] On this text setting screen, for example and not by way of limitation, a preview image similar to the preview image of the stamp content displayed in the preview display area PVR is displayed in the center of the screen. Below this, for example and not by way of limitation, a text input area TXR is configured for inputting text to be sent along with the stamp content corresponding to this preview image; in this example, the text "Let's go out to dinner tomorrow" is displayed based on the user's input of "Let's go out to dinner tomorrow." Also below this, a save button BT20 is displayed for saving and setting the text entered in the text input area TXR.

[0298] When the Save button BT20 is tapped, the entered text is saved and set, and the screen returns to the left screen of Figure 2-9. Then, based on the fact that the preview image of the stamp content has been tapped, the screen shown in Figure 2-10 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0299] Figure 2-10 shows examples of two patterns (Pattern 1 and Pattern 2). In the display example of pattern 1 on the left of Figure 2-10, based on the set text "Let's go out for dinner tomorrow," text content indicating "Let's go out for dinner tomorrow" and stamp content SCT10 with an illustration of a hamburger are displayed separately as content sent from user AA. In other words, the display example of pattern 1 is an example in which content corresponding to the set text and stamp content are displayed separately in the chat room.

[0300] On the other hand, in the display example of pattern 2 on the right of Figure 2-10, stamp content SCT22 is displayed as content sent from user AA based on the set text "Let's go out for dinner tomorrow." This stamp content is a hamburger illustration with an illustrated image of the text "Let's go out for dinner tomorrow." In other words, the display example of pattern 2 is an example in which the set text is displayed in the chat room as part of the stamp content.

[0301] When realizing the display example of Pattern 2, by way of example and not limitation, based on the set text, the terminal 20 or the server 10 can generate stamp content that includes the text as part of the illustration. When this is realized on the terminal 20, as an example and not by way of limitation, illustration material data such as hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphabet, and numbers can be associated with stamps, obtained from the server 10, and stored in the memory unit 28, and stamp content can be generated using the stamp content data and the illustration material data. Also, when realizing this on the server 10, as an example and not a limitation, the set text can be received from the terminal 20, and stamp content can be generated on the server 10 side as described above, and then transmitted to the terminal 20.

[0302] Also, if no text is entered or set as described above, the text will not be displayed or sent, and only the stamp content will be displayed or sent.

[0303] It is also possible to generate stamp content by omitting some characters from the set text. Specifically, in the above example, stamp content may be generated that includes the text "Let's go out for dinner" by omitting the character "tomorrow" from the set text "Let's go out for dinner tomorrow." Furthermore, stamp content may be generated by changing the character type of at least a part of the set text. Specifically, in the above example, the character type of "rice" in the set text "Let's go out to eat tomorrow" may be changed to generate stamp content including the text "Let's go out to eat tomorrow."

[0304] In the display example of FIG. 2-9, the text setting icon IC30 is displayed separately from the search condition setting icon IC20, but the present invention is not limited to this. As a non-limiting example, when the search condition setting icon IC20 is tapped, a search condition setting screen may be displayed, and the text setting icon IC30 may be displayed on this search condition setting screen. In addition, information for inputting and setting search conditions and information for inputting and setting text may be displayed on a search condition setting screen, and the search conditions and text may be input and set on this search condition setting screen.

[0305] <Second Modification Example (3)> In the above embodiment, it is also possible not to distinguish between search condition setting stamps and normal stamps. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, one stamp database can be configured in the server 10 or the terminal 20. As described above, if at least some of the search conditions are set to "set" based on the user's input, the terminal 20 or the server 10 processes the stamp as a "search condition setting stamp." On the other hand, if all of the search conditions are set to "not set" based on the user's input, the terminal 20 or the server 10 can process the stamp as a "normal stamp."

[0306] <Third Example> The third embodiment is an embodiment in which the information to be searched for in the search process (which can also be called the search result) in the above-mentioned embodiment is determined based on the search conditions set in the stamp content (not limited to, but an example of image information) and the information input by the destination user's terminal 20 (not limited to, but an example of first information).

[0307] The contents described in the third embodiment can be applied to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples. Furthermore, the same components as those already mentioned are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0308] <Data structure> The search condition setting stamp database 287 stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 may be similar to the search condition setting stamp database 287C shown in FIG. 2-5, for example, but not limited to.

[0309] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the search condition setting stamp management database 157 stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The search condition setting stamp management database 157 stores, by way of example and not limitation, a plurality of search condition setting stamp management data.

[0310] Each search condition setting stamp management data stores, by way of example and not limitation, a stamp category, a search category, question data, and management data for each stamp. The stamp category and the search category may be the same as those in the search condition setting stamp database 287C stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20.

[0311] The question data is sent to the terminal 20 (first terminal) of the user (first user) to whom the search condition setting stamp is sent, and is data regarding a question to which the user is requested to answer.As an example, but not limited to, the question ID and the question content are stored in association with each other.

[0312] The question ID is an ID for uniquely identifying a question. The question content is the content of the question associated with this question ID. The question content may be, by way of example and not limitation, at least one question created based on a stamp category, and more specifically, a question related to a stamp category.

[0313] In the data at the front of Figure 3-1, the stamp category is "meals." Therefore, the question data contains multiple questions related to "meals." By way of example and not limitation, these may include the following types of questions: (a) Questions about restaurants (b) Questions about food genre (c) Questions about meal costs

[0314] In consideration of the effort required to answer, the questions may be, by way of example and not limitation, multiple choice questions, such as "YES / NO," "Good / Bad," or "Good / Bad." Also, for ease of understanding, the questions may be, by way of example and not limitation, questions that reflect the user's preference when selected in the affirmative.

[0315] More specifically, as questions of type (a), questions such as, but not limited to, "Is it a restaurant with a night view?", "Is it a stylish restaurant?", "Is it a popular restaurant?", "Is it a family restaurant?", "Is it a stylish cafe?", and "Is it a lively izakaya?" can be prepared. In addition, as non-limiting examples of type (b), questions such as "Are you in the mood for Japanese food?", "Are you in the mood for Western food?", "Are you in the mood for Chinese food?", "Are you in the mood for junk food?", and "Are you in the mood for something sweet?" can be prepared. In addition, as questions of type (c), questions such as "Do you feel rich?", "Do you want to stay at a moderate price?", and "Do you feel like staying on the cheap?" can be prepared as examples, but are not limited to these.

[0316] Having the user answer (response) to such a question can be thought of as asking the user to express their intention when conducting a search, in other words, as having the user vote.

[0317] The stamp management data stores, by way of example and not limitation, stamp IDs, stamp contents, stamp thumbnails, and search category selection candidates. These may be the same as those in the search condition setting stamp database 287C stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20.

[0318] <Display screen> 3-2 to 3-4 are diagrams showing an example of transition of screens displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20B in this embodiment. Continuing from the previous embodiment, the example shows a case where the source user is user AA and the destination user is user BB.

[0319] The left screen in Figure 3-2 is a diagram showing an example of a talk room screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20B, showing stamp content SCT20 sent by user AA and search condition content CCT30.

[0320] The search condition content CCT30 indicates that the search category "genre" is set to "not set" and the search category "location" is set to "Tokyo." In other words, this example shows a state in which the stamp content SCT20 has been sent to user BB after the search category "genre" has been set to "not set" and the search category "location" has been set to "Tokyo" based on input by user AA.

[0321] In addition to the search conditions, the search condition content CCT30 also includes a participation button BT30 containing the words "participate" for participating in the search for restaurants to eat at by answering questions. When this participation button BT30 is tapped, the question and answer page shown on the right of Figure 3-2 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0322] This question and answer page displays the words "Restaurant Matching Search" and text beginning with "You will now be asked five questions," as well as a Good button BT31 and a Bad button BT32 for answering the questions with two choices: "Good! / Bad...." At the bottom of the page, a Start Answering button BT33 containing the word "START" for starting to answer the question is also displayed. When the Start Answering button BT33 is tapped, the question and answering page shown on the left in Figure 3-3 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0323] The question and answer page on the left of Figure 3-3 displays, by way of example and not limitation, the question "Q1: A restaurant with a night view?" along with a Good button BT31 and a Bad button BT32. This question is intended to ask the user, by way of example and not limitation, whether they would like to dine at a restaurant with a nice atmosphere. In this example, the Good button BT31 is shown to have been tapped, which moves to the next question and displays the question and answer page shown in the center of FIG. 3-3.

[0324] The question and answer page in the center of Figure 3-3 displays, by way of example and not limitation, the question "Q2 Are you in the mood for Western food?" along with a GoodBT31 button and a Bad button BT32. This question is intended to ask the user, by way of example and not limitation, whether they would like to go out to eat Western food. In this example, the Good button BT31 is shown to have been tapped, which moves to the next question and displays the question and answer page shown on the right of Figure 3-3.

[0325] The question and answer page on the right of Figure 3-3 displays, by way of example and not limitation, the question "Q3 Do you feel like trying something spicy?" along with a Good button BT31 and a Bad button BT32. This question is intended to ask the user, by way of example and not limitation, whether they would like to go out to eat Chinese food. In this example, the Bad button BT32 is shown to have been tapped, which moves to the next question.

[0326] Each of the above question pages displays a back button BT34 containing the words "return to previous question" for returning to the previous question page if the user wishes to change their answer.

[0327] Once the five questions have been answered in this manner, the page shown on the left in Figure 3-4 will be displayed, by way of example and not limitation. This page displays text beginning with "This concludes the questions" and an illustration indicating the ability to search for a store (a combination of an illustration of a store and an illustration of a magnifying glass). Also, at the bottom of the page, a close button BT35 containing the word "close" is displayed, allowing the user to close the page and return to the chat room.

[0328] When the close button BT35 is tapped, the chat room screen shown on the right in Figure 3-4 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation. Below the search condition content CCT30, a list of search results sent from the server 10 is displayed. In this example, search results for multiple Western restaurants located in Tokyo, such as Western restaurant Y and Western restaurant X, are displayed. Unlike the previous example, the search results displayed reflect not only the search conditions but also the answers of user BB to the questions.

[0329] FIG. 3-5 is a diagram showing an example of the talk room screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A of the user AA, who is the sender user in the above example, and shows the state after the search results have been received from the server 10. On this chat room screen, search condition content CCT32 that does not include a join button BT30 is displayed below stamp content SCT20. In this embodiment, user AA, who is the sender user, is set not to answer questions, and therefore the join button BT30 is not provided in the search condition content CCT32.

[0330] Below the search condition content CCT32, a bar containing the text "BB has answered" is displayed, indicating that user BB has answered the question. Also, below that, a list of search results received from the server 10 is displayed. The search results are the same as those displayed on the talk room screen of the terminal 20B on the right side of FIG. 3-4.

[0331] <Processing> Figure 3-6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment, and illustrates the part corresponding to Figure 2-3. The diagram should be read as described above.

[0332] In A135, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A transmits stamp transmission request information including, for example but not limited to, the stamp ID of the selected search condition setting stamp and the set search conditions to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22.

[0333] If it is determined in S110 that stamp transmission request information has been received (S110: YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs a question determination process (S315). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the control unit 11 refers to the search condition setting stamp management database 157A of the storage unit 15 and determines whether the search category associated with the stamp of the stamp ID included in the received stamp transmission request information corresponds to the set search conditions included in the received stamp transmission request information. If it is determined that they correspond, the control unit 11 refers to the search condition setting stamp management database 157A and selects a first set number ("five" as an example and not a limitation) of questions based on the stamp category of the search condition setting stamp of the stamp ID and the set search conditions included in the received stamp transmission request information.

[0334] More specifically, the question content related to the set search criteria is identified from the question data stored in the search criteria-set stamp management data corresponding to the stamp category in the search criteria-set stamp management database 157A. In this case, the question content may be identified based on the set search criteria corresponding to all search categories, or may be identified based on the set search criteria corresponding to some of the search categories.

[0335] For example, and not by way of limitation, if the search category includes "location" and "genre," and "Tokyo" is specified as "location," questions related to Tokyo may be identified. Because Tokyo has a relatively large number of stylish and delicious restaurants, questions such as "A restaurant with a night view?" and "A stylish restaurant?" may be identified by way of example, and not by way of limitation. Furthermore, as a non-limiting example, if "Western food" is specified as the "genre," question content related to Western food may be identified. In this case, questions related to Tokyo may not be identified, and only questions related to Western food may be identified. For example, but not limited to, questions such as "Are you in the mood for hamburger steak?" or "Are you in the mood for pasta?" may be identified.

[0336] As mentioned above, it is also possible to set the search criteria to "No Setting." In this case, the number of questions related to the "No Setting" search category can be set to be larger than the number of questions related to the other search categories. As a non-limiting example, if "Genre" is set to "Not Set," a larger number of questions related to genre may be selected. As a non-limiting example, if the first set number is "5," "3" to "4" questions related to genre may be selected. As a non-limiting example, questions such as the aforementioned "Are you in the mood for Japanese food?", "Are you in the mood for Western food?", "Are you in the mood for Chinese food?", and "Are you in the mood for junk food?" may be selected in larger numbers compared to the number of questions related to other search categories.

[0337] Thereafter, the control unit 11 generates search condition content for the sending user's terminal 20 based on the set search conditions and the template data of the search condition content, for example but not limited to, and transmits the generated search condition content to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S320). In this embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, the sender user, user AA, may choose not to answer the question. In this case, the control unit 11 may generate search condition content including the search condition and transmit the content together with the content ID to the terminal 20A.

[0338] Furthermore, the control unit 11 generates search condition content for the destination user's terminal 20 based on the set search conditions and template data of the search condition content, and transmits the generated search condition content and stamp content to the terminal 20B via the communication I / F 14 (S330). In this embodiment, the destination user, user BB, is made to answer the question. For this reason, the control unit 11 can generate search condition content including the search condition and information for answering the question (for example, but not limited to, an object such as the participation button BT30 described above), and transmit the content ID to terminal 20B.

[0339] After step A135, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays the search condition content received from the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 in the talk room on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A (A330). In this case, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A can display the search condition content in the talk room as content sent from user AA, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0340] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20B determines whether the stamp content and the search condition content have been received from the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (B320), and if it is determined that the stamp content and the search condition content have been received (B320: YES), the control unit 21 displays the received stamp content and the search condition content in the talk room on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20B (B330). In this case, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B can display the stamp content and the search condition content in the talk room as content sent from user AA, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0341] Thereafter, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B determines whether or not to answer the question (B340). Specifically, as a non-limiting example, it determines whether or not an operation has been detected on information for answering the question included in the search condition content displayed in B130 (as a non-limiting example, an object such as the participation button BT30 described above).

[0342] If it is determined that the question will be answered (B340: YES), the control unit 21 of terminal 20B performs question answering processing (B350). Specifically, question and answer request information including the content ID received together with the search condition content is transmitted to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22. In response to this, the control unit 11 transmits page information regarding a page for providing an answer to the question determined in S315 (hereinafter referred to as the "question and answer page") to the terminal 20B via the communication I / F 14. In response to this, the control unit 21 of terminal 20B displays the question and answer page on the display unit 24. Then, the control unit 21 of terminal 20B answers the question based on the user's input to the input / output unit 23.

[0343] In this case, the control unit 11 performs a question and answer counting process (S350). In this process, since only user BB answers the question, the answer to the question is stored in the storage unit 15 in association with the application ID of user BB.

[0344] Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the search execution condition is met (S360). The search execution condition in this process is not limited to, but may be, for example, that an answer to a question has been received from the terminal 20B.

[0345] It should be noted that an option to skip the question without answering it may be provided. In this case, the control unit 11 may determine that the search execution conditions are met when answers to more than a set number of questions are received, even if answers to all questions are not received, or it may not be necessary to do so.

[0346] The control unit 11 waits until the search execution condition is met (S360: NO). If it is determined that the search execution conditions are met (S360: YES), the control unit 11 performs a search process (S130). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, a search can be performed using search words included in the set search conditions and search words related to the content of questions to which affirmative answers have been given among the answers stored in the storage unit 15. Then, the control unit 11 advances the process to S140.

[0347] In the above process, the server 10 generates the search condition content that the source user's terminal 20 (terminal 20A in the above example) displays in the talk room in step A330, but this is not limited to this. For example, but not by way of limitation, the control unit 21 of the source user's terminal 20 may generate search condition content based on the set search conditions and template data for the search condition content. In this case, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A may display the generated search condition content in the talk room at or after step A130.

[0348] <Effects of the third embodiment> This embodiment shows a configuration in which the search results are determined based on search conditions associated with the stamp content (not limited to, but an example of image information) and the first information entered into the terminal 20 (not limited to, but an example of the first terminal) of the destination user (not limited to, but an example of the first user). As an example of an effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, search results that reflect the first user's intentions can be presented to the user.

[0349] In this case, the first information may include information on an answer to a question displayed on the terminal 20 of the destination user based on the search conditions. As an example of an effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, appropriate search results that reflect the first user's intentions can be presented to the user based on the first user's answer to a question to the first user.

[0350] <Third Modification (1)> In the above embodiment, the source user ("user AA" in the above example) does not reply to the question, but this is not limiting. The sender user may also answer the question. In other words, the search results may or may not be determined based on the search conditions set in the stamp content, the information input to the terminal 20 of the sender user (not limited to, but an example of a user of the terminal), and the first information input to the terminal 20 (not limited to, but an example of a first terminal) of the destination user ("user BB" in the above example).

[0351] In this case, in step S320 of the processing of Figure 3-6, the control unit 11 of the server 10 can send to terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 search condition content similar to the search condition content sent to terminal 20B in step S330.

[0352] It is also possible to have the destination user not be asked questions, and only the source user answer the questions, but this is not necessarily the case.

[0353] In this modified example, the search results are determined based on the search conditions set in the stamp content and the information (not limited to, but an example of third information) entered by the sending user (not limited to, but an example of a terminal user) into their own terminal 20 (not limited to, but an example of a terminal), and are displayed in the chat room. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, search results that reflect not only the intention of the user of the first terminal but also the intention of the user of the terminal can be determined and presented.

[0354] <Third Modification (2)> In the above embodiment, the place where the question is displayed is not limited to the question and answer page. For example, but not by way of limitation, a question sent from the server 10 may be displayed in a talk room. Alternatively, the question may be displayed in the talk room, but the answer may be provided outside the talk room. In this case, for example, but not by way of limitation, the terminal 20 displays the question sent from the server 10 in the talk room, and also displays information for accessing an answer page sent from the server 10 (for example, but not by way of limitation, link information, etc.) in the talk room. The terminal 20 can then access the answer page based on the tapping of this information.

[0355] Furthermore, the terminal 20 is configured as described in the first modified example. (A) Displaying the search results page using an external browser (B) Displaying the search results screen using an in-app browser In a similar manner, a question screen, an answer screen, etc. may be displayed on the display unit 24.

[0356] <Fourth Example> The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which search results and the like are displayed in a group chat room of a group in a messaging application including a plurality of users.

[0357] The contents described in the fourth embodiment can be applied to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples. Furthermore, the same components as those already mentioned are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0358] In the following, it will be explained that based on the search condition setting stamp etc. being sent from one group user's terminal 20 as the sender, the search condition setting stamp etc. and search results are displayed on the display unit 24 of the destination group user's terminal 20 (as an example, and not a limitation, a talk room displayed on the display unit 24 of the destination group user's terminal 20).

[0359] As an example and not a limitation, a group includes two or more users, and for convenience, the number of people in the group (total number of users included in the group) is set to "N". For convenience, a group user who is the sender of a search condition setting stamp or the like is referred to as a "sender group user," and a group user who is the destination of the stamp is referred to as a "destination group user." Also, one group user will be the source group user at each time, and the other group users will be the destination group users, and the number of destination group users will be "N-1".

[0360] <Display screen> The display screen in this embodiment is not limited to the display screens described in the first to third embodiments, but is an example, and can be expanded to a group by configuring the display screen of terminal 20A of user AA as the display screen of a source group user, terminal 20B of user BB as the destination group user, and configuring the display screens of terminals 20 of other destination group users in the same manner as the display screen of terminal 20B. For this reason, basic screen diagrams will be omitted, and will be illustrated and explained in modified examples.

[0361] <Processing> In the processing of this embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, in the processing described above in Figures 1-11, 2-3 to 2-4, 3-6, etc., by setting user AA of terminal 20A as the source group user and other group users including user BB of terminal 20B as the destination group users, the contents of the first to third embodiments can be similarly applied to groups. Here, as an example and not a limitation, a process in which the content of the third embodiment is applied to a group will be illustrated.

[0362] FIG. 4-1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment. This figure shows, from the left, an example of processing performed by the control unit 21 of user AA's terminal 20A, processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, and processing performed by the control unit 21 of user BB's terminal 20A, and illustrates the parts corresponding to Figure 3-6.

[0363] In this process, the source group user is assumed to be user AA of terminal 20A, and the destination group user is assumed to be a user included in the same group as user AA. Here, user BB of terminal 20B is one of the destination group users, and only the processing of terminal 20B is illustrated, but the processing executed by terminals 20 of other destination group users can also be similar to that of terminal 20B.

[0364] First, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays a group talk room on the display unit 24 (A410). Hereinafter, the talk room in this process refers to a group talk room.

[0365] In S330, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits, by way of example and not limitation, the stamp content and the above-mentioned search condition content to the terminals 20 of the respective destination group users via the communication I / F 14.

[0366] In the question and answer counting process of S350, the control unit 11 stores the answers to the questions of all destination group users in association with the application ID of each user. Also, by way of example and not limitation, the control unit 11 identifies questions with a large number of affirmative answers (by way of example and not limitation, questions with a set number of affirmative answers or more) and stores them in the storage unit 15.

[0367] In S360, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the search execution condition is met. The search execution condition in this process is not limited to, but may be, for example, that answers to a question have been received from all destination group users.

[0368] In the search process of S140, the control unit 11 performs a search based on the set search criteria and the answers to the questions, for example and not by way of limitation. Specifically, for example and not by way of limitation, the search can be performed using search words included in the set search criteria and search words related to the content of the questions identified in S350 that received a large number of positive answers. This increases the likelihood of obtaining search results that reflect not only the set search criteria but also the intentions (voting results) of multiple users.

[0369] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 of the destination group user, like terminal 20A, displays the group talk room on the display unit 24. By way of example and not limitation, the control unit 21 of terminal 20B displays the group talk room on the display unit 24. Then, by way of example and not limitation, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 of the destination group user proceeds to B320.

[0370] <Effects of the Fourth Embodiment> In this embodiment, a talk room (not limited to this example of a chat room) includes as group users a source group user (not limited to this example of a user of a terminal), a first destination group user (not limited to this example of a first user of a first terminal), and a second destination group user (not limited to this example of a second user of a second terminal). The search results are determined based on search criteria set in the stamp content, first information input to the terminal 20 of the first destination group user (not limited to this example of a first terminal), and second information input to the terminal 20 of the second destination group user (not limited to this example of a second terminal). As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, search results that reflect the intentions of multiple users (first user, second user) other than the users of the terminals included in the chat room can be determined and presented.

[0371] <Fourth Modification (1)> As the search execution conditions determined in step S360 of FIG. 4-1, not as a limitation but as an example, the following condition (a) may or may not be applied. However, in this example, it is assumed that there is an option to skip without answering the question. (a) That all the destination group users have answered more than or equal to the second set number of questions Note that the number of questions is set as the "first set number", and not as a limitation but as an example, it can be set as "the second set number < the first set number".

[0372] Also, the condition (a) above may or may not include any of the following. (a-1) That all the destination group users have answered all the questions (a-2) Even if there are destination group users who have not answered all the questions, they have answered more than or equal to the second set number of questions

[0373] <Fourth Variation Example (2)> Also, as the search execution conditions determined in step S360 of FIG. 4-1, not as a limitation but as an example, the following condition (b) may or may not be applied. However, in this example, it is assumed that there is an option to skip without answering the question. (b) That the number of destination group users who have answered more than or equal to the second set number of questions among the destination group users has reached the third set number Note that not as a limitation but as an example, it can be set as "the third set number < N-1". In this case, even if at least one of the "N-1" destination group users does not answer the question, the search execution conditions may be satisfied.

[0374] In this modified example, a talk room (not limited to this, but an example of a chat room) includes as group users a source group user (not limited to this, but an example of a user of a terminal), a first destination group user (not limited to this, but an example of a first user of a first terminal), and a second destination group user (not limited to this, but an example of a second user of a second terminal). The search results are determined based on the input by the source group user, without second information being input by the terminal 20 (not limited to this, but an example of a second terminal) of the second destination group user, based on the search conditions set in the stamp content and the first information input to the terminal 20 (not limited to this, but an example of a first terminal) of the first destination group user, and are displayed in the talk room. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, search results that reflect the intentions of some of the users (first user, second user) other than the users of the terminals included in the chat room can be determined and presented. Furthermore, since search results can be determined without requiring information to be input by the terminals of all users other than the users of the terminals included in the chat room, search results can be presented quickly.

[0375] <Fourth Modification (3)> Furthermore, in the above embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, the source group user may or may not be able to select or designate a destination group user from among the destination group users who will answer the question.

[0376] For example, and not by way of limitation, in the case of a group event as described above, there may be group users who do not or cannot participate in the event, and it may be possible to prevent such group users from being required to answer questions.

[0377] <Display screen> 4-2 and 4-3 are diagrams showing an example of transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24A of the terminal 20A in this modified example.

[0378] On the left screen of FIG. 4-2, the icon image and user name (user AA in this example) of the messaging application of the user of this terminal 20A are displayed at the top right of the screen displaying the group talk room.

[0379] The chat room name display area CLR displays, by way of example and not limitation, text (in this example, the group name "Seminar Friends (4)") indicating that this is a group chat room where user AA can chat with other group users (in this example, users BB, CC, and DD). The number in parentheses to the right of the group name indicates the number of users, "N," who make up this group.

[0380] In this example, user AA sends text content to other group users suggesting that they all go out to eat tomorrow, but user CC sends text content to other group users stating that they cannot participate.

[0381] Under this premise, a stamp thumbnail is selected by user AA, and a preview image of the stamp content corresponding to the selected stamp thumbnail is displayed in the preview display area. Furthermore, in the upper left corner of the preview display area PVR, a user selection icon IC40 is displayed to the right of the above-mentioned search condition setting icon IC20.

[0382] The left screen of Figure 4-2 shows, by way of example and not limitation, the state in which the search criteria setting icon IC20 is tapped. As a result, the search criteria setting screen shown on the right side of Figure 4-2 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0383] On this screen, "No Setting" is selected and entered in the selection field SJR for the search category "Genre," and "Tokyo" is selected and entered in the selection field SPR for the search category "Location." When the Save button BT20 is tapped in this state, the screen shown on the left of Figure 4-3 is displayed, as an example and not a limitation.

[0384] This screen shows, by way of example and not limitation, the user selection icon IC40 being tapped, which results in the member selection screen shown on the right of Figure 4-3 being displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0385] On this screen, as an example and not a limitation, a destination user selection area SUR is configured for selecting a destination user of the search results corresponding to the stamp content for which the search conditions have been set.

[0386] Specifically, as a selection field for selecting a destination user, a selection field is displayed in which the user can select any member from the group users (user BB, user CC, user DD) using a check box method.

[0387] In this example, by way of example and not limitation, the state is shown in which the checkboxes for user BB and user DD are checked and the save button BT20 is tapped. As a result, by way of example and not limitation, user BB and user DD are set as recipients of the search results corresponding to this stamp content. This is because user CC has sent a message to the group stating that he or she cannot participate in the meal, and user AA intends to exclude user CC from having his or her questions answered.

[0388] FIG. 4-4 is a diagram showing an example of a group talk room screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20B, the terminal 20C, and the terminal 20D in this modification. The screen shown on the left side of FIG. 4-4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24B of the terminal 20B in the above example. At the top right of the screen, an icon image and a user name (user BB in this example) of the messaging application of the user of this terminal 20B are displayed.

[0389] The chat room name display area CLR displays, by way of example and not limitation, text indicating that this is a group chat room where user BB can chat with group users (user AA, user CC, user DD) (in this example, the group name "Seminar Friends (4)").

[0390] Below that is a talk area TR for user BB and group users to talk interactively, with messages from the other group user displayed on the left side of the screen and messages from user BB displayed on the right side of the screen.

[0391] This screen shows the stamp content with search conditions set sent by user AA.

[0392] As a non-limiting example, stamp content SCT20 including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" is displayed as a message from user AA on the left side of the talk area TR as viewed from the screen.

[0393] Below that, by way of example and not limitation, search condition content CCT40 indicating the search conditions set for this stamp content is displayed. In this example, by way of example and not limitation, the search condition contents are displayed as "Search for a store!", "Genre: Not set", and "Location: Tokyo".

[0394] The screen shown in the center of FIG. 4-4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24C of the terminal 20C in the above example. An icon image and a user name (user CC in this example) in the messaging application of the user of this terminal 20C are displayed on the top right of the screen.

[0395] The chat room name display area CLR displays, by way of example and not limitation, text indicating that this is a group chat room where user CC can chat with group users (user AA, user BB, user DD) (in this example, the group name "Seminar Friends (4)").

[0396] Below that is a talk area TR for user CC and group users to talk interactively, with messages from the other group user displayed on the left side of the screen and messages from user CC displayed on the right side of the screen.

[0397] This screen shows the stamp content with search conditions set sent by user AA. As a non-limiting example, stamp content SCT20 including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" is displayed as a message from user AA on the left side of the talk area TR as viewed from the screen.

[0398] However, unlike terminal 20B and terminal 20D, the search condition content CCT40 is not displayed in the group talk room displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20C. This is because the search condition content CCT40 was not sent from the server 10 to terminal 20C based on the fact that user CC was excluded from being eligible to answer the question.

[0399] The screen shown on the right side of FIG. 4-4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24D of the terminal 20D in the above example. At the top right of the screen, an icon image and a user name (user DD in this example) of the messaging application of the user of this terminal 20D are displayed.

[0400] The chat room name display area CLR displays, by way of example and not limitation, text indicating that this is a group chat room where user DD can chat with group users (user AA, user BB, user CC) (in this example, the group name "Seminar Friends (4)").

[0401] Below that is a talk area TR for user DD and group users to talk interactively, with messages from the other group user displayed on the left side of the screen and messages from user DD on the right side of the screen.

[0402] This screen shows the stamp content with search conditions set sent by user AA.

[0403] As a non-limiting example, stamp content SCT20 including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!" is displayed as a message from user AA on the left side of the talk area TR as viewed from the screen.

[0404] Below that, by way of example and not limitation, search condition content CCT40 indicating the search conditions set for this stamp content is displayed. In this example, by way of example and not limitation, the search condition contents are displayed as "Search for a store!", "Genre: Not set", and "Location: Tokyo".

[0405] <Processing> In the process of this modification, by way of example and not limitation, in the process of FIG. 4-1, control unit 21 of terminal 20A performs a question answering user selection setting process after A220. Specifically, the selection (designation) of a destination group user to be asked to answer the question is accepted based on an input to the input / output unit 23. Then, the application ID of the selected destination group user (hereinafter referred to as "question answer selection group user") is temporarily stored in the storage unit 28.

[0406] Note that not all question and answer selection group users necessarily answer the question, and it is also possible that the search execution conditions may be met even if all question and answer selection group users do not answer the question. For this reason, the group users who actually answer the question are referred to as "question answerers."

[0407] In step A135, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A, for example and not by way of limitation, includes the application ID of the question and answer selection group user temporarily stored in the memory unit 28 in the stamp transmission request information and transmits it to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22.

[0408] In S330, the control unit 11 of the server 10 identifies the question and answer selection group users based on, for example and not by way of limitation, the application ID included in the stamp transmission request information received from the terminal 20A. Then, as an example and not a limitation, the control unit 11 transmits stamp content and search condition content including information for enabling access to the question and answer page to the terminal 20 of the question and answer selection group user via the communication I / F 14. On the other hand, the control unit 11 transmits only the stamp content via the communication I / F 14 to the terminals 20 of the destination group users other than the question and answer selection group users, for example and not as a limitation. In this way, users in the destination group who have not been selected can be prevented from answering the question.

[0409] Alternatively, the control unit 11 may transmit stamp content and search condition content that does not include information for answering the question (for example, but not limited to, objects such as the participation button BT30) to the terminals 20 of destination group users other than the question and answer selection group users via the communication I / F 14. Even in this way, it is possible to prevent users in the destination group who are not selected from answering the question.

[0410] In this variation, a talk room (an example of a chat room, not limited to this) includes as group users a source group user (an example of a terminal user, not limited to this), a first destination group user (an example of a first user of a first terminal, not limited to this), and a second destination group user (an example of a second user of a second terminal, not limited to this). The search results are determined based on the first information entered by the destination group user (an example of a first user selected by a terminal user, not limited to this) selected by the source group user and the search conditions set in the stamp content, and are displayed in the talk room. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, search results that reflect the intention of a first user selected by a user of a terminal among multiple users (first user, second user) other than the users of the terminals included in the chat room can be determined and presented. Furthermore, since search results can be determined without requiring information to be input by the terminals of all users other than the users of the terminals included in the chat room, search results can be presented quickly.

[0411] <Fourth Modification (4)> In the above embodiment, the sender group user (in the above example, "User AA") does not answer the question, but as in the third variant example (1), the sender group user may also answer the question. In this case, in the question and answer group user selection process, the terminal 20 of the sender group user can set the user of its own terminal 20 to be included in the question and answer group users based on input by the user of its own terminal 20.

[0412] Also, similar to the third modified example (1), questions may not be asked to users in the destination group, and only users in the source group may answer questions.

[0413] In this variation, a talk room (an example of a chat room, not a limitation) includes as group users a source group user (an example of a terminal user, not a limitation), a first destination group user (an example of a first user of a first terminal, not a limitation), and a second destination group user (an example of a second user of a second terminal, not a limitation). Search results are determined based on information entered by the source group user, first information entered by a destination group user (an example of a first user selected by a terminal user, not a limitation) selected by the source group user, and search conditions set in the stamp content, and are displayed in the talk room. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, search results can be determined and presented that reflect not only the first user selected by the user of the terminal among multiple users (first user, second user) who are different from the user of the terminal included in the chat room, but also the intentions of the user of the terminal.

[0414] <Fifth Example> The fifth embodiment is an embodiment relating to a method for dealing with a case where there is a user who has not yet answered a question. As mentioned above, when requesting answers to a question from all destination users, there is a possibility that some destination users will not respond or will take a long time to respond, and it may take a long time for the search execution conditions to be met. The same applies when specifying destination users to have answers to a question. As mentioned above, the search process will not be executed until the search execution conditions are met, so in the above case, it may not be possible to display the search results until the answers of the unanswered users are provided.

[0415] The contents described in the fifth embodiment can be applied to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples. Furthermore, the same components as those already mentioned are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0416] In this embodiment, a time limit is set for inputting information for determining search results, such as inputting a destination user's answer to a question from a source user. In this embodiment, the group described in the fourth embodiment will be used as an example.

[0417] <Display screen> 5-1 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this embodiment. This example is an example in which the user AA proposes to go out to dinner with a group user, similar to the fourth embodiment.

[0418] In the left screen of Figure 5-1, by way of example and not limitation, a time limit setting icon IC50 for setting a time limit is displayed in the upper left of the preview display area PVR to the right of the search condition setting icon IC20. When this time limit setting icon IC50 is tapped, the screen in the center of Figure 5-1 is displayed by way of example and not limitation.

[0419] Specifically, the text "Please set a time limit for answering the question" is displayed in the center of the screen, and below that is a time limit input area TSR for displaying the time limit entered via a keyboard or the like. In this example, the time limit has been entered by user AA as "6 hours (6:00:00)." When the save button is tapped in this state, the time limit is set.

[0420] Thereafter, based on an operation by user AA to send stamp content, the group chat room screen shown on the right of FIG. 5-1 is displayed, for example and not by way of limitation. On this group chat room screen, the set time limit is displayed in countdown format at the bottom of the search condition content CCT50 displayed in the chat area TR.

[0421] FIG. 5-2 is a diagram showing an example of the group talk room screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20B of user BB, who is one of the destination group users, in the above example. On the group talk room screen on the left of Figure 5-2, stamp content SCT20 and search condition content CCT52 are displayed in the talk area TR as content sent by user AA. In this example, the time limit set based on input by user AA is displayed in countdown format below the join button BT30 in the search condition content CCT52.

[0422] After that, the time limit has elapsed and the count has reached "0:00:00," as shown in the center of Figure 5-2. In this state, when the participation button included in the search condition content is tapped by user BB, the screen on the right of FIG. 5-2 is displayed, as an example and not a limitation. This screen displays an error screen containing a message indicating that the time limit has expired and the question cannot be answered.

[0423] <Processing> In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the source group user's terminal 20 performs, by way of example and not limitation, a time limit setting process to set a time limit for answering a question, in step A220 in Figures 3-6 and 4-1, or before or after the step, based on an input by the source group user to his or her own terminal 20. Specifically, the time limit input via the input / output unit 23 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 28 as time limit setting information. In this case, the time limit may be set as one type of search condition setting in the search condition setting process in step A220, or the time limit may be set separately from the search condition setting in the search condition setting process in step A220.

[0424] In addition, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 of the source group user, by way of example and not limitation, in step A330 of Figure 3-6 or Figure 4-1, displays the time limit based on the time limit setting information temporarily stored in the memory unit 28, by way of example and not limitation, in association with the stamp content or search condition content. The time limit can be displayed in a countdown format, for example, based on the timekeeping information from the clock unit 29A of the terminal 20A. In this case, the time limit can be displayed in one of the following locations, for example, but not limited to, within the search condition content, next to the search condition content, or next to the stamp content.

[0425] In addition, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 of the source group user, by way of example and not limitation, in step A135 of Figure 3-6 or Figure 4-1, includes the time limit setting information temporarily stored in the memory unit 28 in the stamp transmission request information and transmits it to the server 10.

[0426] As an example, but not by way of limitation, in step S330 of Figures 3-6 and 4-1, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits the stamp content, the search condition content, and the time limit setting information to the terminal 20 of the destination group user via the communication I / F 14. In this case, search condition content configured to display the time limit may be transmitted to the terminal 20 of the destination group user.

[0427] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 of the destination group user, by way of example and not limitation, in step B330 of Figure 3-6 or Figure 4-1, displays the time limit based on the received time limit setting information in association with the received stamp content or the received search condition content. The time limit can be displayed in countdown format, for example and not by way of limitation, based on timekeeping information from the clock unit 29A of the terminal 20 of each destination group user.

[0428] In the question and answer process of B350, the terminal 20 of the destination group user transmits question and answer request information including the content ID of the search condition content to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22.

[0429] In this case, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the time limit has passed. If it determines that the time limit has not passed, it transmits information about the question and answer page to the destination group user's terminal 20. On the other hand, if it determines that the time limit has passed, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits error information to the destination group user's terminal 20 indicating that the question cannot be answered because the time limit has passed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the question from being answered once the time limit has elapsed.

[0430] Furthermore, if the time limit has elapsed, the control unit 11 of the server 10 can proceed to step S360 and determine that the search execution conditions have been met.

[0431] In the above example, the terminal 20 sets a time limit when transmitting the stamp content, but it is also possible to not set a time limit when transmitting the stamp content, but to set a time limit after transmitting the stamp content. In this case, as an example and not a limitation, a lead for setting a time limit may be provided in the search condition content generated by the sending user's terminal 20, or in the search condition content generated by the server 10 and sent to the sending user's terminal 20, and the time limit may be set from this lead.

[0432] In this embodiment, the terminal 20 of the sending group user is configured to display time limit information in the talk room regarding the time limit for inputting answers to questions (not a limitation, but an example of information for determining search results). As an example of the effect of this embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the time limit for inputting information for determining search results can be displayed in the chat room to allow the terminal user to confirm it.

[0433] In addition, this embodiment shows a configuration in which the terminal 20 of the sending group user uses the control unit 21 to set a time limit for answering the question (not a limitation, but an example of information for determining search results) based on input to its own terminal 20. As an example of the effect of this embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the time limit for inputting information for determining search results can be appropriately set based on input to the terminal.

[0434] <Fifth Modification (1)> In the above embodiment, the time limit set in the terminal 20 of the sending user may be changed later.

[0435] Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, between steps A330 and A140 in FIGS. 3-6 and 4-1, the terminal 20 of the source group user determines whether an input to change the set time limit has been made to its own terminal 20. If it determines that an input has been made, the terminal 20 performs a time limit change process. Specifically, the time limit input via the input / output unit 23 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 28 as time limit change information.

[0436] The time limit can be changed by the user who set the time limit (i.e., the source user) tapping on the time limit display displayed in the search condition content as shown on the right side of FIG. 5-1, or on the time limit display displayed next to the search condition content or stamp content, for example, but not by way of limitation. Specifically, the source user's terminal 20 displays a display for changing the time limit when the time limit display is tapped. Then, when the user performs an operation to change the time limit and then performs an operation to save the time limit, the time limit is changed.

[0437] As with the setting of the time limit, the time limit may be changed from a lead for setting the time limit that is provided in the search condition content generated by the sending user's terminal 20 or in the search condition content generated by the server 10 and transmitted to the sending user's terminal 20.

[0438] Thereafter, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 of the source group user transmits, by way of example and not limitation, the time limit change information temporarily stored in the storage unit 28 to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22. In response to this, the control unit 11 of the server 10 stores the time limit change information in the storage unit 15. The control unit 11 of the server 10 also transmits the time limit change information to the terminal 20 of the destination group user via the communication I / F 14.

[0439] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 of the destination group user updates the time limit display based on the time limit change information received from the server 10.

[0440] In this modified example, the terminal 20 of the source group user has a configuration in which the control unit 21 controls the change of the time limit based on an input by the user of the terminal 20 itself. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, the time limit for inputting information for determining search results can be easily and appropriately changed based on input by the user of the terminal.

[0441] <Fifth Modification (2)> In the above embodiment, a time limit for answering a question is set in consideration of the possibility that search results may not be displayed until an answer is provided by a user who has not yet answered the question, but this is not limited to this. As a non-limiting example, a source group user may input, via input / output unit 23, to his / her own terminal 20, information for changing, adding, or deleting a destination group user who will answer the question. Then, based on the input, terminal 20 may use control unit 21 to control at least one of changing, adding, or deleting a destination group user who will answer the question.

[0442] More specifically, after stamp content, etc. is sent to the terminal 20 of the destination group user, the source group user may make an input to his / her own terminal 20 via the input / output unit 23 to change, add, or delete the destination group user who will answer the question.

[0443] In this case, as a non-limiting example, between steps A330 and A140 in Figures 3-6 and 4-1, the terminal 20 of the source group user determines whether or not an input has been made to its own terminal 20 regarding at least one of changing, adding, or deleting a destination group user who answers the question. If it is determined that an input has been made, the control unit 21 performs control corresponding to the input.

[0444] As a non-limiting example, if there is a destination group user who has not responded after a certain amount of time has passed, the source group user can make an input to delete the destination group user from the question and answer selection group users. In this case, the terminal 20 of the source group user transmits answerer deletion request information including the application ID of the destination group user designated to be deleted to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22. In response to this, the server 10 can delete the destination group user with the application ID included in the received answerer deletion request information from the question and answer selection group users, and then determine whether the search execution condition is successful or not in step S360.

[0445] In this modified example, a talk room (an example of a chat room, not a limitation) includes as group users a source group user (an example of a terminal user, not a limitation), a first destination group user (an example of a first user of the first terminal, not a limitation), and a second destination group user (an example of a second user of the second terminal, not a limitation). The source group user's terminal 20 is configured to use the control unit 21 to control at least one of changing, adding, and deleting destination group users who input answers to questions from the source group user (an example of information for determining search results, not a limitation) based on input by the source group user. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, it is possible to target multiple users (first user, second user) other than the user of the terminal included in the chat room, and based on input by the user of the terminal, to change, add, or delete at least one of the users who enter information to determine search results, thereby improving user convenience.

[0446] <Fifth Modification (3)> In addition, without setting a time limit, the source group user who requests an answer to a question may input information into his / her own terminal 20 and be able to view the answers of the destination group users who have answered, even if there are group users who have not yet answered.

[0447] In this case, by way of example and not limitation, between steps A330 and A140 in FIGS. 3-6 and 4-1, the terminal 20 of the source group user determines whether or not an input for viewing the answer has been made to its own terminal 20. If it is determined that an input has been made, the terminal 20 of the source group user transmits answer viewing request information to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22.

[0448] In response to this, the server 10 determines, by way of example and not limitation, the sender group users whose answers have been tallied in the question and answer tabulation process in step S350 of FIGS. 3-6 and 4-1, and transmits the answer results of those sender group users to the sender group user's terminal 20 via the communication I / F 14. The sender group user's terminal 20 then displays the received answer results on the display unit 24.

[0449] In this way, the source group user can understand what other members want based on the response results of the destination group users who have already responded, before receiving the search results.

[0450] <Sixth Example> The sixth embodiment is an embodiment that makes it possible to notify the user that search conditions have been set for stamp content for which search conditions have been set.

[0451] The contents described in the sixth embodiment can be applied to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples. Furthermore, the same components as those already mentioned are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0452] <Display screen> FIG. 6 shows an example of transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24A of the terminal 20A when informing the user that the search conditions have been set for stamp content for which the search conditions have been set.

[0453] The left screen of FIG. 6 shows a state in which a plurality of stamp thumbnails corresponding to stamp contents are displayed in the stamp thumbnail display area STR. In this example, even if a search category is associated with a stamp, if all search categories are "not set," it is assumed that no search conditions are set.

[0454] In this example, for example and not by way of limitation, for stamp content for which search conditions have been set based on user input, a search condition set mark MK60 represented by an image of a magnifying glass is displayed in the upper left corner of the area in the stamp thumbnail display area STR where the stamp thumbnail is displayed. In other words, stamp thumbnails corresponding to stamp content for which search conditions have been set are displayed with information indicating that search conditions have been set. In contrast, stamp thumbnails corresponding to stamp content for which search conditions have not been set do not display the search condition set mark MK60.

[0455] The search condition setting mark MK60 may be regarded as a part of the stamp thumbnail, or may be regarded as a separate entity from the stamp thumbnail.

[0456] The left screen of Fig. 6 shows, by way of example and not limitation, a state in which the top left stamp thumbnail in the stamp thumbnail display area STR, to which the search condition setting mark MK60 has been added, has been tapped. As a result, by way of example and not limitation, the screen shown in the center of Fig. 6 is displayed.

[0457] On this screen, by way of example and not limitation, a preview image of stamp content including an illustration of a cat and the words "Let's eat!", and a search condition setting icon IC20 are displayed in the preview display area PVR. The search condition setting icon IC20 may be regarded as a part of the preview image of the stamp content, or may be regarded as a separate entity from the preview image of the stamp content.

[0458] The screen in the center of Figure 6 shows, by way of example and not limitation, the state in which the search condition setting icon IC20 is tapped, resulting in the screen shown on the right of Figure 6 being displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0459] This screen informs the user of the search conditions that have been set for this stamp content. In this example, it shows that "Western food" has been set in the selection field SJR for the search category "genre," and "Tokyo" has been set in the selection field SPR for the search category "location."

[0460] Also, on the right screen of FIG. 6, an icon similar to the search condition setting icon IC20 on the center screen of FIG. 6 is displayed to the left of the stamp content. This icon can function as a search condition change icon (or a search condition reset icon). That is, when this icon is tapped, for example and without limitation, the user can reselect an arbitrary genre from the selection field SJR for the search category "genre" using a drum roll method, and also reselect an arbitrary location from the selection field SPR for the search category "location" using a drum roll method. Also, the aforementioned save button BT20 is displayed, and when this save button BT20 is tapped, the search conditions can be changed to the reselected search conditions.

[0461] <Processing> In the processing in this embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, in the various processes described above in Figures 1-11, 2-3 to 2-4, 3-6, 4-1, etc., when making a judgment in step A115, the control unit 21 of terminal 20A displays a list of stamp thumbnails in the stamp thumbnail list area.

[0462] At this time, the control unit 21 displays stamp thumbnails corresponding to stamp content for which search conditions have been set by adding, for example but not limited to, information indicating that search conditions have been set (hereinafter referred to as "search condition setting notification information") to the stamp thumbnail.

[0463] The search condition setting notification information may be, for example and without limitation, text indicating that search conditions have been set, or an image such as the magnifying glass icon described above. In response to this, the control unit 21 displays the stamp thumbnails corresponding to stamp contents for which no search conditions are set as they are.

[0464] Furthermore, based on the detection of an input to select a stamp thumbnail, the control unit 21 causes a preview image including an image of the stamp content corresponding to the selected stamp thumbnail to be displayed in the preview display area in step A120.

[0465] As mentioned above, the preview image may refer to the image of the stamp content displayed in the preview display area, or the entire preview display area may be regarded as an image and used to refer to the preview display area.

[0466] When a stamp content for which a search condition is set is displayed as a preview, the control unit 21 displays the search condition setting notification information together with the image of the stamp content in the preview display area. On the other hand, when previewing stamp content for which no search conditions are set, the control unit 21 does not display the search condition setting notification information.

[0467] Furthermore, when the control unit 21 detects an operation on the search condition setting notification information displayed in the preview display area, the control unit 21 displays the set search conditions on the display unit 24 .

[0468] Furthermore, after the control unit 21 displays the set search conditions on the display unit 24, if an operation on the search condition setting notification information is detected, for example and not by way of limitation, the control unit 21 displays a display for changing the search conditions. If the above-mentioned (1) direct input method is applied, a search condition input field can be displayed so that the user can input directly using a keyboard or the like. If the above-mentioned (2) selection input method is applied, search category selection candidates can be displayed and the user can select from them.

[0469] Then, the control unit 21 performs a search condition change process based on the tapping of the save button, for example, but not limited to, the tapping of the save button. Specifically, the control unit 21 updates the set search conditions with the search conditions input by the user.

[0470] It should be noted that it is not essential to display the search condition setting notification information, as long as the display mode of the stamp thumbnail corresponding to the stamp content for which the search condition is set is different from the display mode of the stamp thumbnail corresponding to the stamp content for which the search condition is not set. As a non-limiting example, the brightness of the displayed stamp thumbnail may be changed.

[0471] Note that changing the search conditions is not limited to changing information within the same search category, and may or may not include changing the search category to a different search category. To give a specific example, if the search category is "location" and the set information is "Tokyo," the former may include changing "Tokyo" to another prefecture (Chiba, etc.). Also, if the search category is "genre" and the set information is "Western food," the former may include changing "Western food" to another genre (Japanese food, etc.).

[0472] In contrast, the latter may include, when a search category includes "location" and "genre," changing some or all of these to a different search category, such as, but not limited to, changing the search category "location" to the search category "movies," "games," or "recipes."

[0473] <Effects of the Sixth Embodiment> In this embodiment, the terminal 20 displays a stamp thumbnail (not limiting, but an example of a reduced image of image information) on the display unit 24. Then, based on an input to the stamp thumbnail, the terminal 20 controls the transmission of the corresponding stamp content to the terminal 20 of a destination user included in the talk room via the communication I / F 22, and controls the display of the corresponding stamp content in the talk room, using the control unit 21. In this case, a stamp thumbnail of stamp content for which a search condition is set (not limiting, but an example of a first reduced image) and a stamp thumbnail of stamp content for which a search condition is not set (not limiting, but an example of a second reduced image) are displayed in different ways. As an example of an effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, after a user of a terminal is allowed to view a reduced image of the image information, the image information can be transmitted to a first terminal based on an input by the user of the terminal for the reduced image to be confirmed by the first user, and the user of the terminal can also confirm it. Furthermore, the user of the terminal can recognize whether the search information is a reduced image of the image information set.

[0474] In addition, this embodiment shows a configuration in which the sending user's terminal 20 displays a preview image of the corresponding stamp (not limited, but an example of a first preview image related to the first reduced image) on the display unit 24 based on input for a stamp thumbnail (not limited, but an example of a first reduced image) of stamp content for which search conditions have been set, and displays a preview image of the corresponding stamp (not limited, but an example of a second preview image related to the second reduced image) on the display unit 24 based on input for a stamp thumbnail (not limited, but an example of a second preview image) of stamp content for which search conditions have not been set. As an example of the effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, it is possible to enable the user of the terminal to recognize the first reduced image that was input or image information for which search conditions corresponding to that first reduced image have been set, and it is also possible to enable the user of the terminal to recognize the second reduced image that was input or image information for which search conditions corresponding to that second reduced image have not been set.

[0475] In this case, the preview image (not limiting, an example of the first preview image) related to the stamp thumbnail (not limiting, an example of the first reduced image) of the stamp content for which the search conditions have been set includes a display (not limiting, an example of the first display) of the search condition setting notification information. Then, based on the user's input to this display, the sending user's terminal 20 can display on the display unit 24 the search conditions (not limiting, an example of the first search conditions) set for the stamp content related to the preview screen. As an example of an effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, it is possible to enable the user of the terminal to confirm the first search criteria set in the image information based on input to the first display included in the first preview image.

[0476] In this case, after the user of the sending user's terminal 20 inputs information in response to the display of the search condition setting notification information, the control unit 21 can control the sending user's terminal 20 to change the search condition (not a limitation, but an example of the first search condition) set in the stamp content related to the preview screen to another search condition (not a limitation, but an example of the second search condition) based on the change input by the user of the sending user's terminal 20. As an example of an effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, after input to the first display included in the first preview image, the first search conditions set in the image information can be easily and appropriately changed to second search conditions based on input by the user of the terminal.

[0477] <Seventh Example> The seventh embodiment is an embodiment relating to a use case different from the above-described embodiments. The contents described in the seventh embodiment can be applied to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples. Furthermore, components that are essentially the same as those already mentioned will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0478] In addition to searching for restaurants and stores as described above, other use cases for the techniques disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Recipe search (2) Video search (including movie search, program search, voice call, etc.) (3) Game search (4) Shopping search (including store search) (5) News search

[0479] Below, as examples and not limitations, cases where (1) recipe search and (2) video search are applied will be illustrated.

[0480] (1) In recipe searches, the search categories among the search conditions set in the stamp content can include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: "Cooking genre" (Japanese, Western, Chinese, etc.), "Budget," "Number of people," "Situation" (Party, Christmas, New Year, Celebration, Ordinary household, etc.), "Ingredients" (meat, fish, vegetables, etc.), "Cooking method" (Hot pot, stir-fry, stew, etc.), etc.

[0481] (2) In video searches, the search categories among the search conditions set for stamp content can include, by way of example and not limitation, at least one of the following: “service” (such as the name of the video distribution service or the name of the video distribution service provider), “genre” (such as the video genre), “video length / time,” etc.

[0482] (1) Recipe search FIG. 7-1 is a diagram showing an example of search condition setting stamp data stored in the search condition setting stamp database 287 of the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. This search condition setting stamp data is similar to the search condition setting stamp data in the search condition setting stamp database 287C shown in FIG. 2-5, but the contents are partially different.

[0483] Specifically, the stamp category stores "recipe." The search categories include, but are not limited to, a plurality of categories such as "cuisine genre," "number of people," and "budget per person." The search category selection candidates store selection candidates corresponding to each of the above search categories.

[0484] The stamp in the frontmost stamp-specific data in Figure 7-1 shows that, based on user input, the search category "Cuisine genre" is set to "Western food," the search category "Number of people" is set to "4 people," and the search category "Budget" is set to "2,000 yen to 4,999 yen."

[0485] <Display screen> 7-2 to 7-4 are diagrams showing an example of transition of screens displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this embodiment. In the left screen of Figure 7-2, the stamp category "Recipe" is selected from the stamp category display area SCR, and as a result, stamp thumbnails corresponding to the stamp content included in the stamp category "Recipe" are displayed in a list in the stamp thumbnail display area STR. Also, in this example, the stamp thumbnail represented by the illustration of a "scale and measuring cup" at the top left of the stamp thumbnail display area STR is tapped by user AA, and a preview image of the stamp content corresponding to this stamp thumbnail is displayed in the preview display area PVR.

[0486] In this state, when the user AA taps the search condition setting icon IC20 in the upper left corner of the preview display area PVR, the screen shown in the center of FIG. 7-2 is displayed, for example and not by way of limitation. This screen allows the user to set search criteria using the selection input method described above, and along with the text "Select search criteria," it displays selection fields SJR, SNR, and SBR for selecting, in a drum roll fashion, the conditions corresponding to each of the search categories: search category "Cuisine genre," search category "Number of people," and search category "Budget per person."

[0487] The screen on the right of Figure 7-2 shows the state in which user AA has selected search criteria by operating the selection fields described above. In this example, "Western food" has been entered in the search category "Cuisine genre," "4 people" in the search category "Number of people," and "2,000 to 4,999 yen" in the search category "Budget per person."

[0488] In this state, when the Save button BT20 at the bottom of the screen is tapped, the screen on the left in Figure 7-3 is displayed. This screen is the same as the screen containing the preview image shown on the left in Figure 7-2, and when the preview image is tapped, the screen on the right in Figure 7-3 is displayed.

[0489] On this screen, stamp content SCT70 selected by user AA is displayed in the talk area TR, and below that, search criterion content CCT70 corresponding to the set search criterion is displayed. Below that, a list of search results searched by the server 10 based on the set search conditions is displayed. In this example, multiple search results related to Western food recipes, such as a recipe for "hamburger steak" and a recipe for "butter chicken curry," are displayed.

[0490] Each search result has an image of the dish along with a recipe view button BT71 that includes the words "View Recipe," and when the recipe view button BT71 is tapped, an internal page containing details of the recipe, for example but not by way of limitation, is displayed. In this example, the view recipe button BT71 corresponding to the search result for "hamburger steak" recipes has been tapped, resulting in the display of the left internal page of Figure 7-4, by way of example and not limitation.

[0491] The inner page on the left of Figure 7-4 shows an image of a "hamburger steak" along with the ingredients and corresponding quantities of the "hamburger steak." In this example, based on the setting of "4 people" as the search category "Number of people" on the screen on the right of Figure 7-2, the server 10 calculates the amount of ingredients for 4 people and displays a recipe for the ingredients (for 4 people).

[0492] As a non-limiting example, when the image of "Hamburg Steak" is tapped, the external page shown on the right of Figure 7-4 is displayed as the external page that publishes the recipe for this hamburg steak based on the link information. This external page is a web page that publishes the above-mentioned "Hamburg Steak" recipe on a website named "XYZ Recipe." This webpage publishes a recipe for the above-mentioned "hamburger steak" with serving sizes for "two people."

[0493] In other words, in this example, the server 10 calculates the amount for "4 people" from the information on the amount for "2 people" published on the "XYZ recipe" page, and then provides the information on the internal page shown on the left of Figure 7-4 to the terminal 20.

[0494] <Processing> The processing in this embodiment is not limited to the above, but can be applied to the processing in FIGS. 2-3 to 2-4, 3-6, 4-1, etc., by way of example. Below, a process different from the case where these processes are applied will be described.

[0495] FIG. 7-5 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment, and illustrates the part corresponding to FIG. 4-1. After S130, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs a search result adjustment process (S535). Specifically, the information included in the search results found in the search process is adjusted based on, for example but not limited to, the number of people in the group and the number of people included in the set search criteria.

[0496] More specifically, for each search result of a recipe retrieved in the search process, the control unit 11 adjusts the quantity information by calculating the quantity when applying it to the number of people included in the set search conditions, based on the quantity information in the source information (for example, but not limited to, external information).

[0497] This type of information adjustment can be considered a type of information organization as described above. Adjusting information may not be considered to be falsifying the original information.

[0498] Thereafter, the control unit 11 transmits, by way of example and not limitation, list information of search results including the adjusted information (hereinafter referred to as "adjustment information") to the terminal 20 of the source group user and the terminal 20 of the destination group user, respectively, via the communication I / F 14. In this case, the control unit 11 can transmit, by way of example and not limitation, search results including a data ID, link information of an internal page including the adjustment information, and link information of an external page including the original information, to the terminal 20.

[0499] There may be cases where the number of people in a search category is set to "not set." It is also possible to omit the "number of people" category from the search categories. In these cases, the control unit 11 of the server 10 can calculate the amount in the above example based on any one of the following numbers of people, by way of example and not limitation, in the search result adjustment process of S535. Number of people in the group "N" Number of users in the question and answer selection group +1 +1 more person who answered the question However, this is the case when a user in the sending group does not answer the question.

[0500] In addition, if the sender group user also answers the question, for example, but not limited to, Number of people in the group "N" Number of users in the question and answer selection group (including users in the sending group) Number of people who answered the question It can be said that:

[0501] (2) Video search FIG. 7-6 is a diagram showing an example of search condition setting stamp data stored in the search condition setting stamp database 287 of the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. This search condition setting stamp data is similar to the search condition setting stamp data in the search condition setting stamp database 287C shown in FIG. 2-5, but the contents are partially different.

[0502] Specifically, "moving image" is stored in the stamp category. As a search category, a plurality of categories such as "service" and "genre" are stored as examples, but are not limited to these. The search category selection candidates store selection candidates corresponding to each of the above search categories.

[0503] The service may be the name of a video streaming service or the name of a provider of the video streaming service. By way of example and not limitation, a messaging service provider may be affiliated with a provider of a video streaming service. The genre may be the genre of the video.

[0504] The search category selection candidates store search category selection candidates corresponding to each of the above search categories.

[0505] The stamp at the front of the stamp-specific data in Figure 7-6 shows that, based on user input, the search category "Service" has been set to "XXX video distribution service" and the search category "Genre" has been set to "Christmas video."

[0506] <Display screen> FIG. 7-7 is a diagram showing an example of transition of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this embodiment. The left side of Figure 7-7 is the group chat room screen described in the fourth embodiment, and in this example, user AA suggests that all of his seminar classmates watch a video, and stamp content has been sent. The search condition content CCT80 displayed below the stamp content displays the text "Let's decide on a movie to watch together!" along with information indicating that the search category "Service" is set to "XXX video streaming service" and the search category "Genre" is set to "Christmas."

[0507] Furthermore, search results of multiple Christmas-related videos, such as "Christmas Movie A" and "Christmas Movie B," are displayed as search results of videos searched by the server 10 using the above search criteria. In this state, by way of example and not limitation, when the simultaneous viewing button BT72 containing the words "watch together" included in the search result for "Christmas Movie A" is tapped, the screen in the center of FIG. 7-7 is displayed, by way of example and not limitation.

[0508] In this screen, by way of example and not limitation, a video call has started, and the images of four seminar group users, User AA, User BB, User CC, and User DD, are displayed in the four divided areas. In this state, by way of example and not limitation, when User AA taps the video play button BT73 at the bottom of the screen, the screen on the right of Figure 7-7 is displayed.

[0509] On this screen, the video of "Christmas Movie A" distributed by the "XXX video distribution service" that the group requested to watch simultaneously is displayed and playing in the video area at the top of the screen. In addition, the images of the four members of the group are displayed in reduced size in the area below the video area. Also, at the top of the screen, the words "AA is playing" are displayed, indicating that user AA has performed an operation to play the video.

[0510] Although this example shows a case where the video viewing button BT72 is tapped by user AA, the same behavior occurs when the video viewing button BT72 is tapped by another group user. Also, this example shows the case where the video playback button BT73 is tapped by user AA, but the same behavior occurs when the video playback button BT73 is tapped by another group user.

[0511] Also, while this example shows a group watching a video simultaneously, the same applies when two users chatting in a one-on-one chat room watch a video simultaneously.

[0512] <Processing> The processing in this embodiment is not limited to the above, but can be applied to the processing in FIGS. 2-3 to 2-4, 3-6, 4-1, etc., by way of example. Below, a process different from the case where these processes are applied will be described.

[0513] 7-8 are diagrams showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment, and illustrate the part corresponding to FIG. 2-4. After A140, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A determines whether or not an input has been made to request simultaneous viewing of one of the search results for a video from the list of search results for videos (A550).

[0514] If it is determined that the request has been made (A550), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A transmits simultaneous viewing request information including the data ID of the search result of the selected video to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (A560).

[0515] When the simultaneous viewing request information is received by the communication I / F 14 (S550: YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 starts call control (S560). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the control unit 11 controls to start a video call between the terminal 20A and the terminal 20B.

[0516] Thereafter, the control unit 11 starts the relay process (S570). Specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the control unit 11 accesses a server of a video distribution service (hereinafter referred to as a "video distribution service server") that distributes a video based on the video information of the data ID included in the received simultaneous viewing request information, and requests distribution of the corresponding video. The video distribution service server is not shown in the figure.

[0517] In response to video distribution from the video distribution service server, the control unit 11 relays the video distribution to the terminals 20A and 20B. That is, the server 10 can function as a relay server (proxy server) that relays the video distribution.

[0518] After A560, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays a relay screen including the video on the display unit 24 (A570). Similarly, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B displays a relay screen including the video on the display unit 24 (B570).

[0519] After A570, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A controls the playback of the video based on a user input via the input / output unit 23 (A580). Specifically, based on an input to start, pause, or end playback of the video, the control unit 21 transmits corresponding playback request information to the server 10. In response to this, the control unit 11 accesses the distribution server and requests the server 10 to start, pause, or end playback of the video. Similarly, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B also controls the playback of the video based on the user input via the input / output unit 23 (B580).

[0520] After A580, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A determines whether or not to end simultaneous viewing (A590), and if it determines not to end it (A590: NO), the process returns to A580. On the other hand, if it is determined that simultaneous viewing is to end (A590: YES), the relay screen is hidden and the process returns to the chat room. Then, the process proceeds to A190. The same applies to terminal 20B (B590: NO → B580, B590: YES → B190).

[0521] In the above process, terminal 20A requests simultaneous viewing from server 10, but as mentioned above, terminal 20B may also be able to request simultaneous viewing from server 10. In this case, steps similar to steps A550 and A560 may be performed by control unit 21 of terminal 20B. In other words, simultaneous viewing may be requested from terminal 20 of any user to server 10.

[0522] The same applies when the above process is applied to the groups mentioned above. In this case, as an example and not a limitation, simultaneous viewing may be requested from the terminal 20 of any group user to the server 10.

[0523] <Effects of the Seventh Embodiment> In this embodiment, the search results are information related to recipes, and the search results are adjusted based on the search conditions and displayed on the terminal 20. As an example of the effect of this embodiment obtained by such a configuration, appropriate search results in which information is adjusted based on the search conditions can be presented.

[0524] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the search results are information related to video information, and the source user's terminal 20 displays the video on the display unit 24 based on input by the user of its own terminal 20 (not limited to, but an example of input by a user of the terminal) or input by the destination user (not limited to, but an input by a first user). Also, this video is configured to be displayed on the source user's terminal 20 (not limited to, but an example of input by a user of the terminal) or input by the destination user (not limited to, but an input by a first user). As an example of an effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, based on input by the user of the terminal or input by the first user, moving images based on video information can be shared between the user's terminal and the first user's terminal.

[0525] <Seventh Modification (1)> In the above example, the target of adjustment in the search result adjustment process was information on the quantity of the search category "recipes," but this is not limiting. As a non-limiting example, various information that may vary depending on the number of people can be the target of adjustment in the search result adjustment process.

[0526] To give one example, but not to be limited to, when users go out to eat together, as described above, the external information about the restaurant stored in search engine database 155 may include information about the average budget per person for dining at that restaurant. In such a case, server 10 may adjust the amount information by calculating the average total amount by multiplying the average budget per person by the number of participants, based on the number of participants specified as a search condition.

[0527] <Seventh Modification (2)> In the above embodiment, an example in which a video is viewed while a video call is being made is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The call control performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in S560 of FIG. 7-8 may be voice call control, so that users can simultaneously watch videos while making voice calls. Alternatively, the devices may be configured to simply be able to simultaneously watch videos without making a call.

[0528] Furthermore, when the server 10 transmits a list of search results for videos to the terminal 20, it may transmit to the terminal 20 only search results for videos related to services that allow simultaneous viewing.

[0529] In subscription-based video streaming services, only users who have registered an account can watch videos. In this case, messaging service providers obtain information on whether or not users have registered an account from affiliated video streaming service providers, or from users themselves.

[0530] In a search in a one-to-one talk room, the server 10 transmits to each terminal 20 only search results for videos of video distribution services for which both the source user and the destination user have registered accounts. Similarly, in a search in a group talk room, the server 10 transmits to each terminal 20 only search results for videos from video distribution services for which all group users have registered accounts.

[0531] <Other Examples> (1) Image information In the above embodiment, stamps (stamp content) are used as an example of image information for which search conditions are set, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any image information other than a stamp may be used.

[0532] (2) Subject of search In the above embodiment, the search process is performed by the server 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. As a non-limiting example, a distributed search engine may be configured, or a search database may be configured in terminal 20, so that terminal 20 takes the lead in performing the search process, or it is not necessary to do so. In this case, the user's terminal can be configured to control the transmission of search results, searched by the terminal's control unit based on search conditions set in the image information, to the first terminal by the terminal's communication unit, and to control the display of the search results in the chat room, using the terminal's control unit.

[0533] (3) Search based on stamp content with no search criteria set Unlike the above embodiment, it is also possible to perform a search based on stamp content for which no search conditions are set. In this case, by way of example and not limitation, questions may be asked based on stamp content for which no search criteria have been set.

[0534] More specifically, various questions are posed to the destination user (which may include the sender user, as mentioned above) based on the transmission of stamp content with no search conditions set by the sender user's terminal 20. A search may then be performed based on the answers to those questions. In other words, the trigger for the search is the transmission of the stamp content, but no search conditions are set in the stamp content, and the search results may be determined based on the answers to the questions (which may also be called the results of voting).

[0535] (4) Questions In the above embodiment, an example was given in which a multiple-choice question was presented, prompting a user to choose between two options, but the present invention is not limited to this. By way of example and not limitation, multiple choice questions may or may not be presented with three or more options to choose from. Furthermore, questions may or may not be asked in a written format rather than multiple choice format.

[0536] (5) Notifications and announcements In terminal 20 of a destination user that has received a request from a source user for an answer to a question, the content for answering the question (the search condition content, as an example and not a limitation) may become buried due to, for example and not a limitation, the large amount of content exchanged. In other words, the user may not know which content to use to answer the question.

[0537] Therefore, as a non-limiting example, after the server 10 transmits the search condition content to the terminal 20, until the question is answered, the server 10 may periodically notify the terminal 20 that the question has not been answered (notification that the question is unanswered). In this case, the terminal 20 can notify the user of the content of the notification by push notification or the like.

[0538] Also, as a non-limiting example, the announcement function of a messaging application may be used to display search condition content for answering a question as a fixed announcement at a predetermined position, such as at the top of a chat room. In this case, when a user taps on a fixedly displayed announcement, the content ID of the corresponding search condition content is obtained by the terminal 20 and moved to the position of that search condition content, i.e., a talk area TR containing that search condition content is displayed on the screen.

[0539] (6) Display of stamp categories In the above embodiment, the stamp category associated with the search condition setting stamp and the stamp category associated with the normal stamp may be displayed together in the stamp category display area SCR.

[0540] In this case, the user may not be able to recognize whether the stamp category displayed in the stamp category display area SCR corresponds to a search condition setting stamp or a normal stamp. Therefore, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 can, by way of example and not limitation, display the stamp category corresponding to the search condition setting stamp in a different manner from the stamp category corresponding to the normal stamp.

[0541] As an example, and not by way of limitation, when icon images indicating stamp categories are displayed in the stamp category display area SCR as in the above-described embodiment, the display mode of the icon images indicating the stamp categories of search condition setting stamps can be made different from the display mode of the icon images indicating the stamp categories of normal stamps. As a non-limiting example, the icon image indicating the stamp category of a search condition setting stamp may be displayed with the magnifying glass mark or the like as described above, but the icon image indicating the stamp category of a normal stamp may not be displayed with the magnifying glass mark or the like. Also, as a non-limiting example, the icon image indicating the stamp category of a search condition setting stamp may be displayed with a specific character (such as "Search" or "S" for Search) or may be displayed brighter than the icon image indicating the stamp category of a normal stamp (i.e., the brightness may be changed).

[0542] As mentioned above, even if a stamp has search conditions set, it can function as a normal stamp if no search conditions are set. For this reason, as a non-limiting example, if there is no stamp content with search conditions set within the same stamp category, the stamp category can be treated as a stamp category for normal stamps. In such a case, the same procedure as above can be applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0543] 1. Communication Systems 10 Servers 20 terminals 30 Network

Claims

1. A program executed by a terminal that displays a chat room including a first user of the first terminal, displaying the chat room on a display unit of the terminal; displaying, on the display unit, search conditions set in image information based on an input by a user of the terminal to the chat room; a control unit of the terminal controls the display of the image information in the chat room based on an input by a user of the terminal for transmitting the image information to the first terminal, and the display of search results searched based on the search conditions in the chat room, the control unit of the terminal being executed by the terminal; The search results are transmitted to the first terminal.

2. A program according to claim 1, The terminal executes, by the control unit, a process of changing the search conditions based on an input by a user of the terminal for changing the search conditions.

3. A program according to claim 2, After the change process is performed, the terminal controls the control unit to display the image information in the chat room based on an input by a user of the terminal for transmitting the image information to the first terminal, and to display a first search result searched based on the changed search criteria in the chat room, The first search result is transmitted to the first terminal.

4. A program according to claim 2 or claim 3, the search conditions are displayed in a predetermined area of ​​the display unit; The change process is performed by the control unit based on an input by the user of the terminal to the predetermined area.

5. A program according to claim 4, The predetermined area is an area configured so that search conditions can be input as characters.

6. A program according to claim 4, The predetermined area is an area configured so that a search condition can be selected from a plurality of candidates.

7. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The search conditions are displayed on the display unit based on an input by the user of the terminal for a predetermined object that is displayed in the chat room in association with the image information.

8. An information processing method for a terminal that displays a chat room including a first user of a first terminal, comprising: displaying the chat room on a display unit of the terminal; displaying, on the display unit, search conditions set in image information based on an input by a user of the terminal to the chat room; and controlling, by a control unit of the terminal, to display the image information in the chat room based on an input by a user of the terminal for transmitting the image information to the first terminal, and to display search results searched based on the search conditions in the chat room, The search results are transmitted to the first terminal.

9. A terminal that displays a chat room including a first user of a first terminal, a display unit that displays the chat room and displays search conditions set for image information based on input by the user of the terminal to the chat room; a control unit that controls displaying the image information in the chat room based on an input by a user of the terminal for transmitting the image information to the first terminal, and displaying search results searched based on the search conditions in the chat room, The search results are transmitted to the first terminal.

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