Programs, information processing methods, terminals, servers

Abstract

To enhance convenience of a user who uses chat-related services.SOLUTION: The invention provides a program to be executed by a terminal of a user of a first account that performs processing pertains to a chat with a second account, where association between the first and second accounts can be of a first category or of a second category, the program causing a the terminal to execute the steps of: transmitting, by a communication unit of the terminal, first information for requesting to associate the first and second accounts as the first category on the basis of input to the terminal by the user; receiving, by the communication unit, a first message for the first category transmitted from the second account, on the basis of the transmission of the first information; and displaying the first message in a chat room which includes the first and second accounts and is displayed on a display unit of the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1-1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to programs, information processing methods, terminals, servers, etc.

Background Art

[0002] There is a service (for example, a messaging service) for content exchange between multiple users (between multiple terminals). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for distributing advertisements using an official account.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a program executed by a terminal of a user of a first account that performs processing related to chatting with a second account has a correspondence between a first type and a second type in the association between the first account and the second account, and based on an input by the user to the terminal, first information for requesting an association between the first account and the second account as the first type is transmitted by a communication unit of the terminal, based on the transmission of the first information, a first message for the first type transmitted from the second account is received by the communication unit, and the first message is displayed on a display unit of the terminal in a chat room including the first account and the second account. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a terminal information processing method for a user of a first account that processes chat with a second account includes, in which the association between the first account and the second account includes an association between a first type and a second type, and based on user input to the terminal, the terminal's communication unit transmits first information requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the first type, the communication unit receives a first message for the first type transmitted from the second account based on the transmission of the first information, and displays the first message in a chat room including the first account and the second account, which is displayed on the terminal's display unit. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a terminal of a user of a first account that processes chat with a second account comprises a communication unit that, based on user input to the terminal, transmits first information requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the first type, and receives a first message for the first type transmitted from the second account based on the transmission of the first information, and a display unit that displays a chat room including the first account and the second account, and the display unit displays the first message in the chat room. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a program executed by a server that communicates with a first terminal of a first account user and a second terminal of a second account user includes, in the association between the first account and the second account, an association between a first type and a second type, and the communication unit of the server receiving first information from the first terminal requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the first type, and based on the reception of the first information, the communication unit sending a first message for the first type, which is to be displayed in a chat room including the first account and the second account on the first terminal, to the first terminal. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the information processing method for a server that communicates with a first terminal of a user of a first account and a second terminal of a user of a second account includes, in the association between the first account and the second account, an association between a first type and a second type, and the communication unit of the server receiving first information from the first terminal requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the first type, and based on the reception of the first information, the communication unit sending a first message for the first type, which is to be displayed in a chat room including the first account and the second account on the first terminal, to the first terminal. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a server that communicates with a first terminal of a user of a first account and a second terminal of a user of a second account includes a communication unit that receives first information from the first terminal requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the first type, and based on the receipt of the first information, sends to the first terminal a first message which is a message for the first type and will be displayed in a chat room including the first account and the second account at the first terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] [Figure 1-1] A diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-2] A diagram showing an example of a function realized by the control unit of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-3] A diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-4] A diagram showing an example of general account registration data related to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-5] A diagram showing an example of the first official account management database according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-6] A diagram showing an example of a function realized by the control unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-7] A diagram showing an example of information stored in the memory unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-8] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-9] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-10] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-11] A flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-12] A flowchart showing an example of the flow of the first message delivery process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-13] A flowchart showing an example of the flow of the second message delivery process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-14] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the first modified example. [Figure 1-15] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the first modified example. [Figure 1-16] A flowchart showing an example of the flow of the third message delivery process related to the first modified example. [Figure 1-17] A diagram showing an example of the second official account management database related to the first modified example. [Figure 1-18] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the first modified example. [Figure 2-1] A diagram showing another example of official account membership management data related to the second embodiment. [Figure 2-2] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 2-3] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 3-1] A diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit of the server according to the third embodiment. [Figure 3-2] A diagram showing an example of an open chat account management database according to the third embodiment. [Figure 3-3]A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the third embodiment. [Figure 3-4] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the third embodiment. [Figure 3-5] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the third embodiment. [Figure 4-1] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 4-2] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a general user's terminal according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 5-1] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of an official user's terminal according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 5-2] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of an official user's terminal according to the fifth embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0006] <Compliance with Legal Matters> It should be noted that the disclosure described in this specification is premised on compliance with the legal matters of the country where the disclosure is implemented, such as communication secrecy.

[0007] <Embodiments> In this specification, there are places described as "by way of example and not limitation" for easy understanding. However, it should be noted that not only the relevant places but also the entire content of the embodiments described below are not limited to the described content.

[0008] Embodiments for implementing the program and the like according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] The system can be configured to have a plurality of devices, by way of example and not limitation. The plurality of devices may be a combination of the same type of devices, a combination of different types of devices, or a combination of the same type of devices and different types of devices. Furthermore, the term "system" can also be thought of, not as a limited definition, but as an example, as a system in which multiple devices work together to perform some kind of processing.

[0010] Furthermore, a system involving a client (client device) and a server can be considered, not as an exhaustive list, but as an example, as at least one of the following: (1) Terminals & Servers (2) Server (3) terminal

[0011] (1) is, as an example and not an limitation, a system comprising at least one terminal and at least one server. This example is a client-server system.

[0012] The server may consist of the following devices, not as an example but as an extension of the following: it may be a single device or a combination of multiple devices.

[0013] Specifically, a server is configured to have at least one processor (for example, but not limited to, a CPU: Central Processing Unit, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, APU: Accelerated Processing Unit, DSP: Digital Signal Processor (for example, but not limited to, an ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.), a computer device (processor + memory), a control device, an arithmetic unit, a processing unit, etc., and may be configured to have multiple identical units of any one device (for example, but not limited to, a CPU + CPU, a homogeneous multicore processor, etc.), or to have multiple heterogeneous units of any one device (for example, but not limited to, a CPU + DSP, a heterogeneous multicore processor, etc.), or a combination of multiple devices (for example, but not limited to, a processor + computer device, a processor + arithmetic unit, a heterogeneous configuration of multiple devices, etc.). Note that the processor may be a virtual processor.

[0014] Furthermore, when a server performs some processing, if it is configured as a single device, the processing described in the embodiment will be performed by that single device. If it is configured as having multiple devices, some processing may be performed by one device and other processing may be performed by the other devices. As an example, and not an limitation, if it is configured as having a processor and an arithmetic unit, the first processing may be performed by the processor and the second processing may be performed by the arithmetic unit. Furthermore, if the system consists of multiple devices, each device may be arranged in a location that is physically separated from the others.

[0015] Furthermore, the server's functionality is not limited; for example, it may be provided in the form of PaaS, IaaS, or SaaS in cloud computing.

[0016] Furthermore, the system's control unit can be at least one of either the terminal's control unit or the server's control unit. In other words, the system's control unit can be any of the following, not limited to: (1A) only the terminal's control unit, (1B) only the server's control unit, or (1C) both the terminal's control unit and the server's control unit.

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

[0018] Furthermore, when referring to the server's communication unit, if the server is composed of a single device, it may refer to the communication unit itself provided by that single device. Also, if the server is composed of multiple devices, the server's communication unit may include the communication units provided by each of those devices. As an example, and not an limitation, if a server comprises a first device and a second device, with the first device having a first communication unit and the second device having a second communication unit, then the communication unit of the server may be considered a concept that includes both the first and second communication units.

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

[0020] The control and other functions performed by the server system may be performed by (2A) only one server, (2B) only the other servers, or (2C) one server and the other servers. Furthermore, (2C) is not limited to but is an example in which one server may perform some of the controls that the server system performs, and the remaining controls may be performed by other servers. In this case, the allocation of controls may be divided equally, or it may be allocated in different proportions.

[0021] (3) can be a system consisting of multiple terminals, not an exhaustive example. This system can be, as an example and not limited to, the following: A system that assigns server functionality to terminals (a distributed system). This is not limited to this example, but can be achieved using blockchain technology. A system in which terminals communicate wirelessly with each other. This is not limited to this, but can be achieved by using short-range wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to communicate in a P2P (peer-to-peer) manner.

[0022] Furthermore, the above applies not only to the control unit but also to each functional unit that can be a component of the system, such as the input / output unit, communication unit, memory unit, and clock unit.

[0023] In the following embodiments, a system including terminals and servers (a client-server system, for example, is provided as an example, but is not an limitation) is illustrated. Furthermore, it is also possible to apply the server system described in (2) above as the server.

[0024] Furthermore, instead of a system that includes terminals and servers, it is also possible to apply a system that does not include a server, such as the system described in (3) above, not as a limitation but as an example. In this case, the embodiment can be constructed based on the aforementioned blockchain technology. Specifically, and not limited to, but as an example, data stored and managed on the server described in the following embodiment is stored on the blockchain. Then, when a terminal generates a transaction to the blockchain and the transaction is approved on the blockchain, the data stored on the blockchain is updated.

[0025] Furthermore, even when the term "terminal" is used, it is not limited to the meaning of a terminal as a client device in a client-server system. In other words, the term "terminal" can sometimes include the concept of a device that is not part of a client-server relationship.

[0026] Furthermore, the expression "by communication I / F" is used as appropriate in this specification. This is not an limitation, but rather an example that the device may send and receive various information and data via a communication I / F (via a communication unit) based on the control of a control unit (processor, etc.).

[0027] Furthermore, in this specification, when terms such as "concerning" or "related" are used, "B concerning A" or "B related to A" may be used not as an limitation, but as an example, to mean "B" that has some kind of relationship with "A". Specific examples will be given later.

[0028] Furthermore, in this specification, when a device processes two or more things, such as "transmitting A and B" or "receiving A and B," it may include both cases where "A" and "B" are performed at the same time (hereinafter referred to as "simultaneous") and cases where "A" and "B" are performed at different times (hereinafter referred to as "non-simultaneous"). As an example, rather than being limited, when we say that we are transmitting the first piece of information and the second piece of information, we may include both concepts: transmitting the first piece of information and the second piece of information at the same time, and transmitting the first piece of information and the second piece of information at different times. Furthermore, taking into consideration lag (time lag), "simultaneous" may include "almost simultaneous."

[0029] Furthermore, even if "A" and "B" are performed at different times, this only requires that the processing targets "A" and "B," and their purposes do not necessarily have to be the same. As an example, rather than being limited, when transmitting the first and second pieces of information as described above, it is sufficient to simply transmit the first and second pieces of information, and this may include cases where the first and second pieces of information are transmitted for different purposes, as well as cases where they are transmitted for the same purpose.

[0030] In the following examples, a messaging service is used as an example of a service for users to chat (hereinafter referred to as the "chat service"). Furthermore, an application for implementing the chat service is referred to as a "chat application," and an application for implementing the messaging service is referred to as a "messaging application." In a chat application, it is possible to allow users to chat in chat rooms, not as an example, but as an example.

[0031] Furthermore, messaging services (MS) (including instant messaging services: IMS) can be considered a form of social networking services (SNS). Therefore, a distinction may or may not be made between messaging services and social networking services. In other words, messaging services may be included within the definition of social networking services.

[0032] Furthermore, in the following embodiment, as an example of a messaging service, we will illustrate an Instant Messaging Service (IMS) that enables the sending and receiving of simple messages between multiple devices (not limited to, but for example, terminals) via a server. In instant messaging applications, it is possible to allow users to have conversations in chat rooms, not as an example, but as an example.

[0033] A chat room (or, for example, a talk room) can be a UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphical User Interface) that allows content sent and received between multiple users' devices to be viewed by each user.

[0034] Furthermore, the chat rooms may include one-on-one chat rooms (hereinafter referred to as "one-on-one chat rooms"), group chat rooms containing multiple users (hereinafter referred to as "group chat rooms"), and chat rooms with office automation (OA) providers (not limited to OA providers, but for example, OA providers that partner with messaging service providers) (hereinafter referred to as "OA chat rooms").

[0035] Furthermore, a messaging application account belonging to a business rather than a regular user will be referred to as an "Official Account (OA)," and a user of such an Official Account will be referred to as an "Official User." These may also be referred to as "Official Account Users" or "Official Account Businesses," etc. In contrast, a messaging application account belonging to a user who is not an office automation provider is referred to as a "general account," and a user of a general account is referred to as a "general user." This may also be referred to as a "general account user," etc. In other words, messaging application accounts may include both general accounts and official accounts.

[0036] Office automation (OA) service providers, not limited to this example, can also use terminals similar to those used by general account users to send and receive messages with other devices via a server.

[0037] In this specification, "message" (message information) means, not limited to but as an example, information used in a messaging service that defines the sender and recipient, and consists of identification information (message ID) for identifying the message and message content. Furthermore, "message content" refers, not exclusively, to the contents of a message excluding the message ID. Message content can consist of one or more elements.

[0038] Furthermore, the information set as identification information for identifying a message is called the "message ID." It can be argued that message content contained within messages with the same message ID is identified by that message ID. Therefore, the identification information used to identify a message can be considered substantially synonymous with the identification information used to identify message content. Alternatively, you may or may not set individual identification information (message content ID) for each message content.

[0039] Content may include, but is not limited to, text content in text format, image content in image format (including at least one of both still images and moving images), and sound content in sound format (including voice). In addition, other elements such as buttons and icons for user interaction, as well as link content such as URIs (including URLs), may also be included.

[0040] The text may, but not be limited, include at least one of the following: national characters represented by character codes, extended characters, machine-dependent characters, numbers, symbols, figures, and codes. Note that the text does not have to include at least one of the above characters, extended characters, machine-dependent characters, numbers, symbols, figures, and codes, but may include other text.

[0041] Images can include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following types of image information: icons, buttons, stamps, emojis, banner images, etc.

[0042] Contrary to the definition above, it is also acceptable to define "message" as a higher-level concept than "content," or to define "content" and "message" as synonymous, or not to define them in this way.

[0043] <First Example> The first embodiment, as an example and not an exemption, involves a regular user of a messaging service adding an official account as a friend. When adding an account as a friend, the regular user selects a desired membership course from two or more pre-set membership courses provided by the official user. This embodiment allows the official user to send messages to the regular user (the regular user's account) that correspond to the membership course the regular user has joined (selected).

[0044] In the following, for illustrative purposes only and not as a limitation, each of two or more membership courses will be referred to as "Course 1," "Course 2," etc., to distinguish them. For illustrative purposes only and not as a limitation, official users can set the membership conditions for general users to join (participate) in each membership course. These membership conditions are not restrictive; for example, it may be possible to set conditions such as requiring general users to pay a monthly fee to join the Type 1 course, but not requiring any fee to join the Type 2 course. Furthermore, as a condition for joining, it may be possible to set conditions such as requiring general users to pay a fee to participate in the Type 2 course, and requiring a higher fee than the fee required to participate in the Type 1 course, rather than imposing restrictions.

[0045] Furthermore, in the following, messages sent only to general accounts that have subscribed to the Type 1 course will be referred to as "Type 1 messages," messages sent to general accounts that have subscribed to the Type 2 course will be referred to as "Type 2 messages," etc. Note that Type 2 messages may or may not be sent to general accounts that have subscribed to the Type 1 course.

[0046] The contents described in the first embodiment are applicable to any of the other embodiments and any of the other modifications. Furthermore, components identical to those previously mentioned are given the same symbols, and their explanation is omitted.

[0047] <System Configuration> Figure 1-1 shows an example of the system configuration of the communication system 1 in this embodiment. In communication system 1, as an example and not limited to, a server 10 is connected to multiple terminals 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C, ...) via network 30.

[0048] Server 10 has the function of providing chat services (chat applications), including messaging services (messaging applications), to terminals 20 owned by official users and general users via the network 30. Server 10 can also be described as a messaging server, messaging service server, messaging application management server, etc.

[0049] In this embodiment, the messaging service provider (operator) is a user of server 10.

[0050] In contrast to this embodiment, a payment service provider (payment application) that enables electronic payments using electronic money (electronic currency), etc., may become a user of server 10 and operate the messaging service. The payment service provider may provide the messaging service as a function of the payment application, or it may not.

[0051] Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of servers 10 or terminals 20 connected to network 30.

[0052] Terminal 20 (Terminal 20A, Terminal 20B, Terminal 20C, ...) can be any information processing terminal capable of realizing the functions described in each embodiment. Terminal 20 includes, but is not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones (feature phones), computers (but is not limited to, for example, desktops, laptops, tablets, etc.), media computer platforms (but is not limited to, for example, cable, satellite set-top boxes, digital video recorders), handheld computer devices (but is not limited to, for example, PDAs (personal digital assistants), email clients, etc.), wearable devices (glasses-type devices, watch-type devices, etc.), VR (Virtual Reality) terminals, smart speakers (voice recognition devices), or other types of computers or communication platforms. Terminal 20 may also be referred to as an information processing terminal.

[0053] The configurations of terminals 20A, 20B, and 20C can be identical, not as an example but as an extension. Furthermore, if necessary, the terminal used by user X may be referred to as terminal 20X, and user information in a predetermined service associated with user X or terminal 20X may be referred to as user information X, or not. User information refers to information about a user associated with an account used by that user in a given service. User information includes, but is not limited to, information associated with a user, such as the user's name, user icon image, user's age, user's gender, user's address, user's hobbies and preferences, and user identifier, which may be entered by the user or assigned by the given service. It may include any one of these items, a combination thereof, or not.

[0054] Network 30 plays the role of connecting one or more terminals 20 and one or more servers 10. In other words, network 30 refers to a communication network that provides a connection path so that the various devices described above can send and receive data after they are connected.

[0055] One or more parts of network 30 may or may not be wired or wireless networks. Network 30 may include, but is not limited to, 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), part of the internet, part of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a mobile phone network, ISDN (integrated service digital networks), wireless LAN, LTE (long term evolution), CDMA (code division multiple access), Bluetooth (registered trademark), satellite communications, or two or more combinations thereof. Network 30 may include one or more networks 30.

[0056] Server 10 (not limited to, but an example of a server, information processing device, or information management device) has the function of providing a predetermined service (messaging service in this embodiment) to terminal 20. Server 10 may be any information processing device that can realize the functions described in each embodiment. Server 10 includes, but is not limited to, a server device, a computer (not limited to, but an example of, a desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), a media computer platform (not limited to, but an example of, a cable, satellite set-top box, digital video recorder, etc.), a handheld computer device (not limited to, but an example of, a PDA, email client, etc.), or other types of computers or communication platforms. Server 10 may also be referred to as an information processing device. If it is not necessary to distinguish between Server 10 and terminal 20, Server 10 and terminal 20 may or may not be referred to as information processing devices.

[0057] [Hardware configuration of each device] The hardware configuration of each device included in communication system 1 will be described below.

[0058] (1) Terminal hardware configuration Figure 1-1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of terminal 20. Terminal 20 comprises a control unit 21 (CPU: central processing unit), a storage unit 28, a communication interface 22, an input / output unit 23, a clock unit 29A, and a position calculation information detection unit 29B. The hardware components of terminal 20 are interconnected via bus B, not as an example but as an example. It is not mandatory for terminal 20's hardware configuration to include all components. Not as an example but as an example, terminal 20 may have a configuration in which individual components or multiple components are removed, or it may not.

[0059] The communication interface 22 transmits and receives various types of data via the network 30. Communication may be performed via wired or wireless connections, and any communication protocol may be used as long as communication between the interfaces is possible. The communication interface 22 has the function of communicating with various devices, such as the server 10, via the network 30. The communication interface 22 transmits various types of data to the server 10 and other devices according to instructions from the control unit 21. The communication interface 22 also receives various types of data transmitted from the server 10 and other devices and transmits them to the control unit 21. The communication interface 22 may also be simply referred to as the communication unit. Furthermore, if the communication interface 22 is composed of a physically structured circuit, it may be referred to as the communication circuit.

[0060] The input / output unit 23 includes devices for inputting various operations to the terminal 20, and devices for outputting processing results processed by the terminal 20. The input / output unit 23 may have an integrated input unit and an output unit, or it may have separate input and output units, or it may not have to be integrated.

[0061] The input unit is implemented by any or any combination of any type of device capable of receiving input from the user and transmitting the information related to the input to the control unit 21. The input unit includes, but is not limited to, hardware keys such as touch panels, touch displays, and keyboards, pointing devices such as mice, cameras (operation input via video), and microphones (operation input via voice).

[0062] The output unit is implemented by any or any combination of any type of device capable of outputting the processing results processed by the control unit 21. The output unit includes, but is not limited to, touch panels, touch displays, speakers (for audio output), lenses (for, but is not limited to, 3D (three-dimensional) output or hologram output), printers, and the like.

[0063] This is merely one example, but the input / output unit 23 may include, but is not limited to, a display unit 24, an audio input unit 25, an audio output unit 26, and an imaging unit 27.

[0064] The display unit 24 is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device capable of displaying data according to the display data written to the frame buffer. The display unit 24 includes, but is not limited to, touch panels, touch displays, monitors (but is not limited to, liquid crystal displays and OLEDs (organic electroluminescence displays)), head-mounted displays (HDMs), projection mapping, holograms, and devices capable of displaying images, text information, etc., in air (which may or may not be a vacuum). These display units 24 may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D.

[0065] The sound input unit 25 is used for inputting sound data (including voice data; the same applies hereinafter). The sound input unit 25 includes a microphone, etc. The sound output unit 26 is used for outputting sound data. The sound output unit 26 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 hereinafter). The imaging unit 27 includes a camera, etc.

[0066] If the input / output unit 23 is a touch panel, the input / output unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be arranged facing each other and have substantially the same size and shape.

[0067] The clock unit 29A is the built-in clock of the terminal 20 and outputs time information (timing information). The clock unit 29A is configured, for example, using a crystal oscillator or the like. The clock unit 29A can also be described, for example, as a timing unit or a time information detection unit.

[0068] The clock unit 29A may or may not have a clock that conforms to the NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) standard, etc.

[0069] The position calculation information detection unit 29B is a functional unit that detects (measures) information necessary for the control unit 21 to calculate (measure) the position of its own terminal 20 (hereinafter referred to as "position calculation information"). The position calculation information detection unit 29B can also be described as a position calculation sensor unit, not as an extension of this definition, but as an example.

[0070] The position calculation information detection unit 29B includes, but is not limited to, satellite positioning sensors (satellite positioning units) which are sensors or units for calculating the position of terminal 20 using a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System), inertial measurement sensors (inertial measurement units (IMUs)) which are sensors or units for calculating the position of terminal 20 using an inertial navigation system, and UWB positioning sensors (UWB positioning units) which are sensors or units for calculating the position of terminal 20 using UWB (Ultra Wide Band).

[0071] The satellite positioning unit includes, but is not limited to, an RF receiving circuit that converts RF (Radio Frequency) signals, including positioning satellite signals transmitted from positioning satellites received by an antenna (not shown), into digital signals, and a baseband processing circuit that performs correlation calculations on the digital signals output from the RF receiving circuit to capture positioning satellite signals, and outputs information such as satellite orbit data and time data extracted from the positioning satellite signals as position calculation information.

[0072] The inertial measurement unit has inertial sensors, which are sensors that detect information necessary to calculate the position of terminal 20 by inertial navigation calculations. The inertial sensors include, but are not limited to, a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope, and output the acceleration detected by the accelerometer and the angular velocity detected by the gyroscope as position calculation information.

[0073] The UWB positioning unit includes, but is not limited to, an ultra-wideband RF receiving circuit that converts an ultra-wideband RF (Radio Frequency) signal, including a positioning ultra-wideband pulse signal transmitted from a positioning beacon 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. For example, the UWB positioning unit may or may not function as a positioning beacon by transmitting an ultra-wideband RF signal containing a positioning ultra-wideband pulse signal from an antenna (not shown).

[0074] The control unit 21 calculates the position of its own terminal 20 at regular or specific timings, based on the position calculation information detected by the position calculation information detection unit 29B, not as an example but as an example. The position of the terminal is referred to as the "terminal position," and the calculated terminal position is referred to as the "calculated terminal position." The control unit 21 may or may not store the calculated terminal position in the storage unit 28 as calculated terminal position history data, associated with the date and time the calculated terminal position was calculated.

[0075] The control unit 21 has physically structured circuitry to perform functions realized by code or instructions contained within the program, and is implemented, not limited to but for example, by a data processing device built into the hardware. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be described as a control circuit.

[0076] The control unit 21 includes, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), and an FPGA (field programmable gate array).

[0077] The storage unit 28 has the function of storing various programs and data necessary for the operation of the terminal 20. The storage unit 28 includes, but is not limited to, various storage media such as HDD (hard disk drive), SSD (solid state drive), flash memory, RAM (random access memory), and ROM (read-only memory). The storage unit 28 may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0078] Terminal 20 stores program P in storage unit 28, and by executing program P, the control unit 21 executes the processing of each part included in the control unit 21. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 28 enables terminal 20 to realize the various functions executed by the control unit 21. Furthermore, this program P may or may not be described as a program module.

[0079] (2) Server hardware configuration Figure 1-1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of server 10. Server 10 comprises a control unit 11 (CPU), a storage unit 15, a communication interface 14, an input / output unit 12, and a clock unit 19. The hardware components of Server 10 are interconnected via bus B, not as an example but as an example. It is not mandatory for Server 10's hardware configuration to include all components. For example but as an example, Server 10's hardware may be configured to exclude individual or multiple components, or it may not.

[0080] The control unit 11 has physically structured circuitry to perform functions realized by code or instructions contained within the program, and is implemented, but is not limited to, by a data processing device built into the hardware.

[0081] The control unit 11 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), but may also be a microprocessor, processor core, multiprocessor, ASIC, FPGA, or otherwise. In this disclosure, the control unit 11 is not limited to these.

[0082] The storage unit 15 has the function of storing various programs and data necessary for the operation of the server 10. The storage unit 15 is implemented using various storage media such as HDDs, SSDs, and flash memory. However, in this disclosure, the storage unit 15 is not limited to these. Also, the storage unit 15 may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0083] The communication interface 14 transmits and receives various types of data via the network 30. Communication may be performed via wired or wireless connections, and any communication protocol may be used as long as communication between the interfaces is possible. The communication interface 14 has the function of communicating with various devices, such as terminals 20, via the network 30. The communication interface 14 transmits various types of data to various devices, such as terminals 20, according to instructions from the control unit 11. The communication interface 14 also receives various types of data transmitted from various devices, such as terminals 20, and transmits them to the control unit 11. The communication interface 14 may also be simply referred to as the communication unit. Furthermore, if the communication interface 14 is composed of a physically structured circuit, it may be referred to as the communication circuit.

[0084] The input / output unit 12 includes devices for inputting various operations to the server 10, and devices for outputting processing results processed by the server 10. The input / output unit 12 may have an integrated input unit and an output unit, or it may have separate input and output units, or it may not have to be integrated.

[0085] The input unit is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device capable of receiving user input and transmitting the information related to the input to the control unit 11. The input unit is typically implemented by hardware keys such as keyboards or pointing devices such as mice. The input unit is not limited to, but may also include, for example, a touch panel, a camera (operation input via video), or a microphone (operation input via voice).

[0086] The output unit is implemented by any or any combination of any type of device capable of outputting the processing results processed by the control unit 11. The output unit includes, but is not limited to, touch panels, touch displays, speakers (sound output), lenses (but is not limited to, 3D (three-dimensional) output or hologram output), printers, and the like.

[0087] This is merely one example, but the input / output unit 12 may include a display unit 13, not as an example, but as an example.

[0088] The display unit 13 is implemented by a display or the like. The display is typically implemented by a monitor (not limited to, but for example, a liquid crystal display or an OLED (organic electroluminescence display)). The display may also be a head-mounted display (HDM) or not. These displays may or may not be capable of displaying data in 3D. In this disclosure, the display is not limited to these.

[0089] The clock unit 19 is the built-in clock of the server 10 and outputs time information (timing information). The clock unit 19 is configured to include, but is not limited to, a hardware clock such as an RTC (Real Time Clock) or a system clock. The clock unit 19 can also be described, but is not limited to, a timing unit or a time information detection unit.

[0090] (3) Others Server 10 stores program P in storage unit 15, and by executing program P, the control unit 11 performs the processing of each part included in the control unit 11. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 15 enables server 10 to realize each function executed by the control unit 11. This program P may or may not be described as a program module. The same applies to other devices.

[0091] Each embodiment of this disclosure is described as being realized by the CPU of terminal 20 and / or server 10 executing program P.

[0092] Furthermore, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 and / or the control unit 11 of server 10 may implement each process not only with a CPU having a control circuit, but also with logic circuits (hardware) or dedicated circuits formed on an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), etc., or they may not. Also, these circuits may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, and the multiple processes shown in each embodiment may be implemented by a single integrated circuit, or they may not. In addition, LSIs are sometimes called VLSI, Super LSI, Ultra LSI, etc., depending on the degree of integration. For this reason, the control unit 21 may or may not be described as a control circuit.

[0093] Furthermore, the program P of each embodiment of the present disclosure (for example, a software program, a computer program, or a program module, but not limited to these) may or may not be provided stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium is a “non-temporary tangible medium” capable of storing the program P. Also, the program P may or may not be for the purpose of implementing some of the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the program P may or may not be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure in combination with a program P already recorded on the storage medium.

[0094] The storage medium may include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (for example, but not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (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 medium, or any two or more suitable combinations thereof. 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 program P. The storage medium may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0095] The server 10 and / or terminal 20 can realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by reading the program P stored in the storage medium and executing the read program P.

[0096] Furthermore, the program P of this disclosure may or may not be provided to the server 10 and / or terminal 20 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). The server 10 and / or terminal 20 realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by executing the program P downloaded via the Internet or the like, for example, without limit.

[0097] Furthermore, each embodiment of this disclosure can also be realized in the form of a data signal in which the program P is embodied by electronic transmission. At least part of the processing on server 10 and / or terminal 20 may or may not be implemented by cloud computing consisting of one or more computers. The configuration may be such that at least some or all of the processing on terminal 20 is performed by server 10, or it may not be so. In this case, the configuration may be such that at least some or all of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 21 of terminal 20 is performed by server 10, or it may not be so. The configuration may be such that at least some or all of the processing in the server 10 is performed by the terminal 20, or it may not be so. In this case, the configuration may be such that at least some or all of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 11 of the server 10 is performed by the terminal 20, or it may not be so.

[0098] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the configuration of the determination in the embodiments of this disclosure is not mandatory, and a predetermined process may be performed if the determination condition is met, or if the determination condition is not met, or not.

[0099] The programs disclosed herein may be implemented using, but are not limited to, scripting languages ​​such as ActionScript and JavaScript®, compiled languages ​​such as Objective-C and Java®, and markup languages ​​such as HTML Living Standard, as examples.

[0100] [Functional Configuration of Each Device] (1) Server Figure 1-2 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The control unit 11 includes, as an example but not limited to, an application management processing unit 111 as a functional unit for executing messaging application management processing according to an application management processing program 151 stored in the storage unit 15.

[0101] Figure 1-3 shows an example of information stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The memory unit 15 stores, as an example but not limited to, an application management processing program 151 executed as messaging application management processing, general account registration data 153, and an official account management database 155.

[0102] The general account registration data 153 is registration data for a general account of an application (in this example, a messaging application), and an example of its data structure is shown in Figure 1-4. The general account registration data 153 stores, as an example and not limited to, a general username, a general application ID, and other registration information in association with each other.

[0103] The general username is the name of the general account on terminal 20 using the application. It is not limited to this, but rather stores the name registered by the user of terminal 20 when they use the application.

[0104] A general application ID is information used to identify an application account, or the account itself. This general application ID is preferably a unique value for each account, and is not limited to, but is set and stored by the server 10 as an example for each account. The general application ID is information associated with terminal 20 or the user of terminal 20, and is an example of information about the terminal or the user of the terminal.

[0105] Other registration information may include, but is not limited to, various types of information such as identification information to identify terminal 20, terminal 20's phone number (terminal phone number), email address (terminal email address), and authentication information such as passwords used for various authentications in the application (login password, authentication password, etc.).

[0106] The official account management database 155 is a management database for managing official accounts in messaging applications, and an example of the data structure of the first official account management database 155A is shown in Figure 1-5. The first official account management database 155A stores official account management data as management data for each official account.

[0107] Each official account management data may include, but are not limited to, the official application ID, official username, other registration information, official account membership management data, official account friend data, and rich menu management data.

[0108] The official username is the name of the official account on device 20 using the application. It is not limited to this, but rather, it is the name registered by the user of device 20 when they use the application that is stored.

[0109] The official application ID is information used to identify an application account, or the account itself. This official application ID is preferably a unique value for each account, and is set and stored by server 10 as an example, not limited to, a unique value (unique value) for each account. The official application ID is information associated with device 20 or the user of device 20, and is an example of information about the device or the user of the device.

[0110] Other registration information may include, but is not limited to, various types of information such as identification information to identify terminal 20, terminal 20's phone number (terminal phone number), email address (terminal email address), and authentication information such as passwords used for various authentications in the application (login password, authentication password, etc.).

[0111] The identification information used to identify terminal 20 can be, for example, the terminal ID (or, for example, the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)), not limited to these. Furthermore, the identification information used to identify the user of terminal 20 is not limited to a specific example, but can be a general application ID or an official application ID. Note that you may or may not use "General User ID" instead of "General Application ID." Similarly, you may or may not use "Official User ID" instead of "Official Application ID." If there is no need to distinguish between General Application ID and Official Application ID, you may or may not use "User ID."

[0112] Furthermore, for applications where only one account can be registered per device 20, the limitation is not restrictive, and for example, "identification information for identifying device 20 = identification information for identifying the user of device 20 = general application ID or official application ID."

[0113] Furthermore, as an example and not an limitation, it may be possible, or not, to assign multiple device IDs to a single general application ID or official application ID.

[0114] Furthermore, it is possible to apply a method of managing accounts using information such as the terminal's phone number instead of various IDs such as general application IDs. In this case, instead of storing information such as a general application ID in the general account registration data 153 or the official account management database 155, information such as a terminal phone number can be stored in the general account registration data 153 or the official account management database 155.

[0115] Official account membership management data is data used to manage membership courses for becoming a friend of this official account. It is not limited to this, but for example, it stores associated information such as the membership course ID, membership course name, monthly fee, and other relevant details.

[0116] The Membership Course ID is information used to identify each membership course. This membership course ID is preferably a unique value for each membership course, and is not limited to, but is set and stored by server 10 as an example for each membership course.

[0117] The membership course name is the name of this membership course, and is not limited to any specific name; it is the name registered by the official user when setting up the membership course.

[0118] The monthly fee is the monthly charge that general users are required to pay to subscribe to this membership course. It is not limited to this, but rather, as an example, the amount that an official user registers when setting up a membership course is recorded. Furthermore, as an example, instead of being limited, it may be possible to make some or all of the amount charged by regular users available to official users. Alternatively, instead of a monthly fee, it may be possible to set an annual fee or a one-time charge required upon signing up.

[0119] Other information may include, but is not limited to, various types of information such as definitions of message display patterns for this membership course, information on benefits received when joining the membership course, and icon information specific to the membership course.

[0120] As an example, not limited to this case, in the example of official account management data shown at the very front of Figure 1-5, the official account membership management data has a Type 1 course named "Premium Member," and it is set that a monthly fee of "800 yen" is required to join the Type 1 course. Also, a Type 2 course named "Standard Member" is set, and it is set that a monthly fee of "400 yen" is required to join the Type 2 course. Furthermore, a Type 3 course named "Free Member" is set, and it is set that no fee is required to join the Type 3 course.

[0121] Official account friend data is data used to identify the official account and the general accounts that are friends with it. It is not limited to specific examples, but may include a general username, general application ID, and membership course ID, all of which are associated and stored. Furthermore, the official account friend data may also be associated with and stored information such as the registration date and time.

[0122] The general application ID is stored in the general account registration data 153, and is the general application ID of the general account that has added this official account as a friend.

[0123] The general username will, as an example and not limited to, be any username stored in the general account registration data 153 associated with this general application ID.

[0124] The Membership Course ID stored in the official account membership management data is the Membership Course ID of the membership course selected by the general account to join.

[0125] If you want to further associate and store the registration date and time, the registration date and time will store, for example, the date and time when the general account identified by this general application ID added this official account as a friend.

[0126] As an example, not limited to this case, in the example in Figure 1-5, it is recorded that a user with the general username "AA" selected and joined the membership course with membership course ID "M0001" (i.e., the membership course with the membership course name "Premium Member").

[0127] As an example, and not limited to this, an official user of this official account can send any message corresponding to their membership course ID to a device with a general application ID stored in the official account's friend data.

[0128] The rich menu function management data is a management database for configuring the function buttons within the rich menu set up in the official account's talk room (chat room) according to the membership course of the official account's friends. It stores, in association with, the rich menu ID, rich menu name, membership course ID, and action URI, though this is not an exhaustive list.

[0129] The rich menu ID is not limited to this; it is used, for example, to identify rich menu function buttons placed within a rich menu. This rich menu ID is preferably a unique value for each rich menu function button, and is not limited to, but for example, a unique value (unique value) is set and stored by the server 10 for each rich menu function.

[0130] The rich menu name is the name of this rich menu function button, and is not limited to that; for example, it stores the name registered by the official user when setting up the rich menu function.

[0131] The Membership Course ID is information used to identify membership courses for which the rich menu function is enabled in the rich menu configured within the chat room of the official account, from among the Membership Course IDs stored in the official account membership management data. This membership course ID is not limited to any specific category, but rather stores, for example, the membership course ID that indicates the membership course for which the rich menu feature has been enabled when an official user sets up the rich menu feature.

[0132] The Action URI is information used to define the behavior when a general user selects the action of a rich menu function button. It is not limited to this; for example, when an official user configures a rich menu function, the URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) ​​of the file describing the content of that action is stored.

[0133] (2) terminal Figure 1-6 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The control unit 21 includes, but is not limited to, an application processing unit 211 as a functional unit for executing messaging application processing according to an application processing program 281 stored in the storage unit 28.

[0134] Figure 1-7 shows an example of information stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The memory unit 28 stores, for example but not limited to, an application processing program 281 that is executed as messaging application processing, and the application ID 283 of its own terminal 20, or the user of its own terminal 20.

[0135] Furthermore, application ID 283 may be configured to store either a general application ID or an official application ID, or it may be configured to store both a general application ID and an official application ID.

[0136] Furthermore, application ID 283 may or may not be able to store multiple application IDs.

[0137] For the sake of clarity, in the following explanation, terminals that store a general application ID will be referred to as general user terminals 20 (terminals 20A, 20B, 20C, ...), and terminals that store an official application ID will be referred to as official user terminals 40 (terminals 40A, 40B, 40C, ...). However, the same configuration as that of terminal 20 can be applied to terminal 40, not as a limitation but as an example.

[0138] <Display screen> In the following examples, rather than being limited, we will illustrate the case where terminal 20 is a smartphone equipped with a vertically oriented display unit 24.

[0139] A smartphone, as an example, has a touch panel that functions as an input area, positioned opposite its display, thereby forming a touchscreen. When an element such as an icon, button, item, or input area is displayed on the display, and a portion of the touch panel opposite the area where the element is displayed is operated by the user, the program associated with that element or a subroutine of that program is executed.

[0140] In the following, user actions will be described as taps (tap operations), not as a limitation but as an example. Tap (tap operation) is not limited to this, but as an example, the action of a user lightly touching the display unit 24 (touchscreen), which is integrated with a touch panel, with a finger or pen tip, and then lifting off.

[0141] The screen transitions described below are merely examples of screen transitions for implementing the method of this disclosure. Some screens may be omitted or additional screens may be added to the screen transitions exemplified below.

[0142] Figure 1-8 shows an example of the screen transitions displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The left side of Figure 1-8 shows, as an example rather than an exemption, an example of the home screen of a messaging application displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20A of a general user AA. The top center of the screen displays the name of the messaging application, "Messaging App." The top right of the screen displays the icon image and username (user AA in this example) of the user of this device 20 in the messaging application.

[0143] Below that, there is a current location display area that shows the current location within the messaging application. In this example, the word "HOME" is displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the current location is the home screen of the messaging application.

[0144] Below the current location display area, a "Friends" menu is displayed to show a list of accounts that the user of device 20A is friends with. On this screen, the "Friends" menu is displayed in a collapsed state. As an example (not limited to this), if the menu expansion button to the right of the "Friends" menu is tapped, the collapsed menu expands, and a list of hidden friends' icons and usernames is displayed.

[0145] Below the "Friends" menu, a "Groups" menu is displayed to show a list of groups to which user AA of device 20A belongs (including user AA). On this screen, the "Groups" menu is displayed in a collapsed state, similar to the "Friends" menu. As an example (not limited to this), if the menu expansion button on the right side of the "Groups" menu is tapped, the collapsed menu expands, and a list of hidden group icons and group names is displayed.

[0146] Below the "Groups" menu, there is a "Recommended Official Accounts" menu that displays a list of official accounts that users of device 20A are recommended to add as friends. On this screen, the "Recommended Official Accounts" menu displays, as an example rather than a limited list, the names and icons of several official users such as "XX Super," "LL Yoga Studio," and "MM Cafe," based on the user information of device 20A.

[0147] At the bottom of the home screen, the messaging application's function menu is displayed. This menu includes, but is not limited to, a "Home" button to display the home screen, a "Chats" button to display the chat list screen, and a "Cards" button to display the official account's membership card. As an example, the "Home" button is highlighted in this screen to indicate that it is the home screen.

[0148] As an example, not limited to this case, when a user taps the official user "LL Yoga Studio" item in the "Recommended Official Accounts" menu, the display will transition to the official account membership selection screen shown in the center of Figure 1-8.

[0149] On this screen, the words "Official Account Membership" are displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the current location is the official account membership selection screen for a messaging application.

[0150] Below the current location display area, the information of the official user that the user of device 20A has added as a friend is displayed. Here, the icon and username of the official user "LL Yoga Studio" selected on the home screen are displayed.

[0151] Below that, the information for each membership course registered as selectable in this official account is displayed. This screen shows, as an example and not limited to, a Type 1 course display area FCR1 for displaying information for Type 1 courses, a Type 2 course display area SCR1 for displaying information for Type 2 courses, and a Type 3 course display area TCR1 for displaying information for Type 3 courses.

[0152] In the Type 1 course display area FCR1, a badge with the letter "P" is displayed to the right of the membership course name, "Premium Member," indicating that the member is a member of the "Premium Member" course. Below the membership course name, information about the benefits granted to members of the "Premium Member" course is displayed (here, not limited to specific benefits, but as an example, "In addition to Standard Membership registration, one one-on-one lesson per month"). Below the benefits information, the monthly fee for this membership course is displayed (here, "800 yen / month"). To the right of the monthly fee, a "Join" button JBT1 is displayed, indicating that the member is selected to join this membership course.

[0153] In the Type 2 course display area SCR1 and the Type 3 course display area TCR1, the same content as in the Type 1 course display area FCR1 is displayed, not as a limitation, but as an example.

[0154] As an example, and not limited to this case, when the join button JBT1 is tapped by a user, the display transitions to the chat room screen shown on the right side of Figure 1-8. On this screen, the words "LL Yoga Studio" are displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the current location is the OA chat room screen with the official username "LL Yoga Studio". Below the current location display area, a content display area TR1 is displayed to show the content (messages) that will be sent (posted) to this chat room. Furthermore, below the content display area TR1, a content input area is displayed for entering and selecting content to send to this talk room.

[0155] In Figure 1-8, on the right side, the content display area TR1 shows, as an example rather than a limitation, a Type 1 message content FMC1 with the text "Thank you for registering as a Premium Member" based on the fact that User AA selected and joined the "Premium Member" course as their membership course. Below that, a Type 3 message content TMC1 with the text "Tomorrow is Member Appreciation Day! 10% OFF studio fees!" is displayed. Further below that, a Type 2 message content SMC1 with the text "Standard members and above get a whopping 20% ​​OFF!" is displayed.

[0156] As an example, not limited to this case, the first-type message content FMC1, the third-type message content TMC1, and the second-type message content SMC1 are messages sent from the official user "LL Yoga Studio" to the user of this terminal 20, and are therefore displayed as speech bubbles from the left on user AA's terminal 20A.

[0157] Furthermore, in the content display area TR1, a badge with the letter "P" is displayed to the upper right of the "LL Yoga Studio" icon, which indicates the sender of each message content, based on the fact that user AA is subscribed to the "Premium Member" course.

[0158] As an example, and not limited to specific users, the Type 1 message content FMC1 is sent only to users who have subscribed to the Type 1 course, the "Premium Member" course. Therefore, the display format of the Type 1 message content FMC1 is, as an example, white text on a black background, and not limited to specific users.

[0159] Furthermore, as an example and not limited to specifics, the third-type message content TMC1 is sent to users who have subscribed to the third-type course, the "Free Member" course, the second-type course, the "Standard Member" course, or the first-type course, the "Premium Member" course. Therefore, the display format of the third-type message content TMC1 is the standard display format of black text on a white background, not limited to specifics and not limited to specifics.

[0160] Furthermore, as an example and not limited to specific users, the Type 2 message content SMC1 is sent to users who have subscribed to either the Type 2 course, "Standard Member," or the Type 1 course, "Premium Member." Therefore, the display format of the Type 2 message content SMC1 is, as an example and not limited to specific users, a gray background with black text.

[0161] In this way, users can easily understand what type of message content is being displayed.

[0162] Below the second type of message content, SMC1, coupon information CP1, usable at official user stores, etc., is displayed. This coupon information CP1 is not exclusive; for example, it is delivered and displayed based on the fact that user AA is subscribed to the "Premium Member" course.

[0163] The rich menu display area RM1 is displayed below the content display area TR1. In the rich menu display area RM1, based on user AA's subscription to the "Premium Member" course, the following are displayed: the "One-on-One Lesson Booking" button FRB1, the "Online Lesson Video Viewing" button SRB1, and the "Studio Lesson Booking" button TRB1. Additionally, the "One-on-One Lesson Booking" button FRB1 and the "Online Lesson Video Viewing" button SRB1 display a badge indicated by the letter "P".

[0164] The left side of Figure 1-9 shows, as an example rather than an example, an example of the home screen of a messaging application displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20B of a general user BB. As an example, not limited to this case, when a user taps the official user "LL Yoga Studio" item in the "Recommended Official Accounts" menu, the display will transition to the official account membership selection screen shown in the center of Figure 1-9. Furthermore, as an example (not limited to this), when the join button JBT2 is tapped by the user, the display transitions to the chat room screen on the right side of Figure 1-9.

[0165] In Figure 1-9, on the right side, the content display area TR2 displays, as an example rather than an exception, a Type 2 message content SMC2 with the text "Thank you for registering as a Standard Member," a Type 3 message content TMC1, and another Type 2 message content SMC1, based on the fact that user BB selected and joined the "Standard Member" course as their membership course.

[0166] As an example, not limited to this, the second type message content SMC2 and the third type message content TMC1 are messages sent from the official user "LL Yoga Studio" to general user BB, and therefore are displayed as a speech bubble from the left on user BB's terminal 20B.

[0167] Furthermore, in the content display area TR2, a badge with the letter "S" is displayed to the upper right of the "LL Yoga Studio" icon, which indicates the sender of each message content, based on the fact that user BB is subscribed to the "Standard Member" course.

[0168] As an example, and not limited to specific users, the Type 2 message content SMC2 is sent only to users who have subscribed to the Type 2 course, the "Standard Member" course. Therefore, the display format of the Type 2 message content SMC2 is, as an example, a gray background with black text.

[0169] Below the second type of message content, SMC1, coupon information CP1 is displayed. This coupon information CP1 is not exclusive, but is displayed as an example based on the fact that user BB is subscribed to the "Standard Member" course.

[0170] The rich menu display area RM2 is displayed below the content display area TR2. In the rich menu display area RM2, based on the user BB being subscribed to the "Standard Member" course, the "Online Lesson Video Viewing" function button SRB1 and the "Studio Lesson Reservation" function button TRB1 are displayed. Additionally, the "Online Lesson Video Viewing" function button SRB1 displays a badge indicated by the letter "S".

[0171] The left side of Figure 1-10 shows, as an example rather than an example, an example of the home screen of a messaging application displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20C of a general user CC. As an example, not limited to this case, when a user taps the official user "LL Yoga Studio" item in the "Recommended Official Accounts" menu, the display will transition to the official account membership selection screen shown in the center of Figure 1-10. Furthermore, as an example (not limited to this example), when the join button JBT3 is tapped by the user, the display transitions to the chat room screen on the right side of Figure 1-10.

[0172] In Figure 1-10, on the right side, the content display area TR3 displays, as an example rather than a limitation, the following: a third-type message content TMC2 with the text "Thank you for registering as a free member," a third-type message content TMC1, and a third-type message content TMC3 with the text "You might get even better deals if you become a Standard member or higher?!" based on the fact that user CC selected the "Free Member" course as their membership course.

[0173] As an example, not limited to this, the third type message content TMC2, third type message content TMC1, and third type message content TMC3 are messages sent from the official user "LL Yoga Studio" to general users in CC, and are therefore displayed as speech bubbles from the left on user CC terminal 20B.

[0174] Furthermore, in the content display area TR3, the badge is not displayed to the upper right of the "LL Yoga Studio" icon, which indicates the sender of each message content, because user BB is enrolled in the "Free Member" course.

[0175] As an example, not limited to specifics, the third-type message content TMC2 and the third-type message content TMC3 are sent only to users who have subscribed to the third-type course, the "Free Member" course. The display format of the third-type message content TMC2 and the third-type message content TMC3 is the standard display format: black text on a white background, not limited to specifics.

[0176] Under the third type message content TMC3, coupon information CP1 is not delivered and is not displayed based on the user CC being subscribed to the "Free Member" course.

[0177] The rich menu display area RM3 is displayed below the content display area TR3. In the rich menu display area RM3, only the "Studio Lesson Reservation" function button TRB1 is displayed, based on the user CC being subscribed to the "Free Member" course.

[0178] For example, and not limited to this, the system could be configured so that when the chat room menu button displayed to the right of the current location display area is tapped, a "Membership" button for changing the membership course in that chat room is displayed. For example, instead of limiting it to a specific case, when the "Membership" button is tapped, the display may transition to the official account membership selection screen in the center of Figure 1-10, where the user can change their membership course.

[0179] <Processing> Figure 1-11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in this embodiment. This diagram shows, from left to right, examples of processes executed by the control unit 21 of terminal 20A (terminal 20 of general user AA) and the control unit 11 of server 10.

[0180] This process is merely one example of a process for implementing the method of this disclosure, and is not limited to this process. Additional steps may be added to this process, or some steps may be omitted (deleted) from this process. This applies to each flowchart (process) described below.

[0181] Prior to processing, the control unit 41 of terminal 40A (official user AA's terminal 40) may, for example, receive official account membership setting information, including the registered contents of official account membership management data, based on user input to the input / output unit 43 of terminal 40A, and then transmit the official account membership setting information to the server via the communication interface 42.

[0182] First, the control unit 21 of terminal 20A accepts, for example, an official user application ID for friend registration based on user input to the input / output unit 23 of terminal 20A (hereinafter referred to as "user input"). Then, the control unit 21 of terminal 20A sends official account friend addition request information, including at least the official user application ID, to the server 10 via the communication interface 22 (A110).

[0183] When the control unit 11 of the server 10 receives official account friend request information from terminal 20A via the communication interface 14, it refers to the official account management database 155 (for example, but not limited to) and reads the relevant official account membership management data based on the received official user application ID. Then, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends official account membership enrollment information, including the official account membership management data, to terminal 20A via the communication interface 14 (S110).

[0184] When the terminal 20A receives information for joining an official account membership from the server 10 via the communication interface 22, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays the received information on the display unit 24. Then, as an example, and not limited to, based on user input, it accepts the membership course ID that the user of the terminal 20A wishes to join. Then, the control unit 21 of terminal 20A sends official account membership course selection information, including the membership course ID and the general application ID of terminal 20A, to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22, not limited to, but as an example.

[0185] When the control unit 11 of the server 10 receives official account membership course selection information from terminal 20A via the communication interface 14, it executes the official account friend addition process (S130). In the process of adding a friend to an official account, the control unit 11 of the server 10, as an example but not limited to, refers to the official account management database 155 and adds the general application ID and membership course ID of the terminal 20A included in the official account membership course selection information to the official account friend data of the official account management data specified in the official account friend addition request information, and stores it.

[0186] Subsequently, the control unit 11 of the server 10 executes message distribution processing (S150). Also, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A executes message distribution processing (A150). For example, the message delivery process may be executed when message delivery request information is received from terminal 40 via communication I / F14. The message delivery request information may include, for example, message content and message type (for example, the membership course ID of the recipient).

[0187] Furthermore, instead of being limited to specific conditions, the message delivery process may be executed based on conditions pre-set by the user of terminal 40 (for example, when adding a friend).

[0188] In this case, as an example and not an exhaustive one, the first official account management database 155A may be configured to store message delivery management data similar to rich menu management data. Furthermore, as an example and not an exhaustive one, the message ID, message text, membership course ID to be delivered, and delivery conditions may be stored and managed in association with each other.

[0189] Here, we will broadly categorize message delivery processes into the following two types, not as a limited set of examples, but as such. • First message delivery process Type 1 messages are sent only to terminals 20 that have subscribed to the Type 1 course, and Type 2 messages are sent only to terminals 20 that have subscribed to the Type 2 course. • Second message delivery process Type 1 messages are sent only to terminal 20 that has subscribed to the Type 1 course, while Type 2 messages are sent to terminal 20 that has subscribed to the Type 1 course and terminal 20 that has subscribed to the Type 2 course.

[0190] In other words, while the first message delivery process delivers different messages for each membership course, the second message delivery process can mix messages that are delivered specifically for each membership course with messages that are delivered in common regardless of the membership course.

[0191] Figure 1-12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first message distribution process. For the sake of simplicity, this flowchart considers the case where the message types are Type 1 and Type 2 messages, but the same processing can be achieved even when Type 3 messages or other types are included.

[0192] The control unit 11 of the server 10 determines, not as an example but as an exception, whether the message to be sent is the first message (S1510).

[0193] If it is determined that the message to be sent is the first message (S1510: YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10, not limited to but as an example, refers to the official account friend data and determines whether the membership course of the recipient account is a Type 1 course or not (S1530).

[0194] If it is determined that the recipient account's membership course is a Type 1 course (S1530: YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends the first message information to the terminal 20 via the communication interface 14 (S1550). If it is determined that the recipient account's membership course is not a Type 1 course (S1530: NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10 terminates the first message delivery process.

[0195] Furthermore, step S1530 may be executed sequentially for all general application IDs registered in the official account friend data.

[0196] If the communication interface 22 determines that it has received Type 1 message information from the server 10 (A1510: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays the received Type 1 message information on the display unit 24 (A1530). If it is determined that no Type 1 message information is received (A1510: NO), the control unit 21 of terminal 20A skips step A1530.

[0197] If it is determined that the message to be sent is not the first message (S1510: NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10, not limited to but as an example, refers to the official account friend data and determines whether the recipient account's membership course is a Type 2 course or not (S1570).

[0198] If it is determined that the recipient account's membership course is a Type 2 course (S1570: YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends the second message information to the terminal 20 via the communication interface 14 (S1590). If it is determined that the recipient account's membership course is not a Type 2 course (S1570: NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10 terminates the first message delivery process.

[0199] Furthermore, step S1570 may be executed sequentially for all general application IDs registered in the official account friend data.

[0200] If the communication interface 22 determines that it has received Type 2 message information from the server 10 (A1550: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A displays the received Type 2 message information on the display unit 24 (A1570). If it is determined that no Type 1 message information is received (A1550: NO), the control unit 21 of terminal 20A skips step A1570.

[0201] Figure 1-13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second message distribution process. For the sake of simplicity, this flowchart considers the case where the message types are Type 1 and Type 2 messages, but the same processing can be achieved even when Type 3 messages or other types are included.

[0202] The control unit 11 of the server 10 determines, not as an example but as an exception, whether the message to be sent is the first message (S1515).

[0203] If it is determined that the message to be sent is the first message (S1515: YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10, not limited to but as an example, refers to the official account friend data and determines whether the membership course of the recipient account is a Type 1 course or not (S1530).

[0204] If it is determined that the message to be sent is not the first message (S1515: NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10 will, as an example and not limited to, refer to the official account friend data and send second-type message information to the terminal 20 (S1590).

[0205] Returning to Figure 1-11, and as an example rather than an exhaustive one, if it is determined that the user input from terminal 20A has been selected to terminate the talk process (A170: YES), the control unit 21 of terminal 20A terminates the process. If it is determined that the user has been selected not to terminate the talk process (A170: NO), the control unit 21 of terminal 20A returns to step A150 and executes the process, as an example rather than an exhaustive one.

[0206] For example, and not an exhaustive case, if it is determined that it has been selected to terminate the talk process based on user input from terminal 20A (A170: YES), the control unit 21 of terminal 20A sends a dialogue termination request information to the server 10 via the communication interface 22, and terminates the process. If it is determined that it has been chosen not to terminate the talk process (A170: NO), the control unit 21 of terminal 20A returns to step A150, not exclusively, but as an example, and executes the process.

[0207] For example, if the server determines that it has received a dialogue termination request from terminal 20A via communication I / F 14 (S170: YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 terminates processing. For example, if the server determines that it has not received a dialogue termination request (S170: NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10 returns to step S150 and executes processing.

[0208] In the example above, the membership courses available for selection in the official account are displayed on the official account membership selection screen shown on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20, but this is not limited to this. The membership courses available in the official account may be displayed as messages in the chat room, which includes the user's general account and the official account, as shown on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20. Alternatively, the membership courses available in the official account may be displayed as guidance messages in the chat room via the server 10. Furthermore, based on user input in response to messages displayed in this chat room, the official account membership course selection information may be sent from device 20.

[0209] Furthermore, while the above example involves changing the display format of Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 messages in a chat room with an official account, it is not limited to this. In addition to the above, and not limited to this example, in a chat room with an official account, for Type 1 messages, the icon of the official account displayed in association with them may be used as the first icon; for Type 2 messages, the icon of the official account displayed in association with them may be used as the second icon; and for Type 3 messages, the icon of the official account displayed in association with them may be used as the third icon. Alternatively, you could prioritize the display of Type 1 messages in the chat room, or fix the position of Type 1 messages in the chat room. In other words, the way various pieces of information are displayed in the chat room may be changed based on the type of message (the type of recipient set in the message).

[0210] <Effects of the First Example> In this embodiment, terminal 20 of a general user of a general account (not limited to a specific account, but an example of a first account) that performs talk processing (not limited to a specific account, but an example of chat-related processing) with an official account (not limited to a specific account, but an example of a second account) performs the following processing. The mapping (association) between a general account and an official account involves two types of mapping: a first type and a second type. Based on user input to its own terminal 20, the general user's terminal 20 transmits information such as official account membership selection information (not limited, but an example of first information requesting the mapping between the first account and the second account as the first type) via the communication interface 22. The general user's terminal 20 then receives a first type message (not limited, but an example of a first message) sent from the official account via the communication interface 22 based on the transmission of this first information. The general user's terminal 20 then displays the received first type message in a talk room (not limited, but an example of a chat room) that includes the user's general account and official account, which is displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20. As an example of the effects of the embodiment obtained by this configuration, the terminal of the user of the first account can transmit first information requesting the association of the first account and the second account as a first type, based on the input of the user of the terminal to the terminal, and the first account and the second account can be associated as a first type. Then, based on the transmission of the first information, the terminal can receive a first message for the first type sent from the second account, and display that first message in the chat room including the first account and the second account, which is displayed on the display of the terminal, to notify the user of the terminal.

[0211] In this case, the general user's terminal 20 displays information such as information for joining an official account membership (not limited to, but an example of the second type) on the display unit 24 to select between the first type and the second type. The first type information may then be transmitted via the communication I / F 22 based on the input for this second type information. As an example of the effects of this configuration, the terminal can display second information regarding the selection between the first and second types on the display unit, and then transmit the first information based on the input for the displayed second information. In this way, for example, the terminal can request the association between the first and second accounts as the first type by having the user of the first account select the first type from the first and second types based on the second information displayed on the display unit.

[0212] In this case, information such as the above-mentioned information for joining the official account membership (not limited to, but an example of the second type of information) may be displayed in a talk room (not limited to, but an example of a chat room) that includes the user's general account and the official account. As an example of the effects of the embodiment obtained by this configuration, and not as an example, the user of the first account can input a selection of the first type from the first type and the second type based on the second information displayed in the chat room including the first account and the second account, thereby causing the terminal to request an association between the first account and the second account as the first type.

[0213] In this case, the first category may be a paid membership category such as a premium member or a standard member, while the second category may be a free membership category that does not require payment. As an example of the effects of this configuration, a user of the first account can select a billing category from among billing categories and non-billing categories, and then the terminal can request that the first account be associated with the second account for this billing category.

[0214] In this case, the first and second categories refer to different types of subscriptions, such as premium membership and standard membership, and premium membership may have a higher fee than standard membership (this is not a limitation, but rather an example of the first category having a higher fee than the second category). As an example of the effects of this configuration, a user of the first account can select the first billing type, which has a larger charge amount, from two types of billing (first type and second type), and the device can then request that the first account be associated with the second account as this first billing type with the larger charge amount.

[0215] In this case, a Type 1 message (not limited, but an example of a Type 1 message) may be sent to a general account associated with an official account as a Type 1 message, and a Type 2 message (not limited, but an example of a Type 2 message different from a Type 1 message) may be sent to a general account associated with an official account as a Type 2 message. As an example of the effects of this configuration, the first message can be sent to an account associated with the second account as a first type, while a second message, which is different from the first message, can be sent to an account associated with the second account as a second type.

[0216] In this case, a Type 1 message (not limited, but an example of a Type 1 message) may be sent to general accounts associated with official accounts as Type 1, and a Type 2 message (not limited, but an example of a Type 2 message different from a Type 1 message) may be sent to general accounts associated with official accounts as Type 1 and general accounts associated with official accounts as Type 2. As an example of the effects of the embodiment obtained by this configuration, the first message is sent to the account associated with the second account as the first type, while the second message, which is different from the first message, is sent to both the account associated with the second account as the first type and the account associated with the second account as the second type.

[0217] In this case, the second type of message (not limited to, but an example of a second type of message) may be displayed in the chat room in a different manner than the first type of message (not limited to, but an example of a first type of message). As an example of the effects of this configuration, and not an exhaustive one, it is possible to easily understand that the first message and the second message are messages addressed to different recipients.

[0218] In this case, when processing a chat with an official account, information such as the official account's icon that is displayed in association with the message (not limited to this, but examples of information indicating the first type and information indicating the second type) may be displayed in the chat room in different ways. As an example of the effects of this configuration, in the processing of chats with a second account, information indicating the first type and information indicating the second type can be displayed in the chat room in different ways. This allows the user to quickly understand, not limited to but as an example, whether a message displayed in the chat room is based on the first type or the second type.

[0219] In this case, the general user's terminal 20 displays rich menu information (not limited, but an example of first menu information) related to the official account (not limited, but an example of a second account) in the talk room (not limited, but an example of a chat room). Furthermore, based on the transmission of the first information, it is also possible to display rich menu information for the first type (not limited, but an example of second menu information) that is different from the rich menu information mentioned above in the talk room. As an example of the effects of this configuration, the terminal of the user of the first account can display second menu information for the first type, which is different from the first menu information for the second account, in the chat room based on the transmission of first information. As a result, the user can use special menu information (second menu information) for the first type, based on the request to associate the first account with the second account as the first type.

[0220] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the server 10 that communicates with the terminal 20 of a general user with a general account (not limited to, but an example of a first terminal) and the terminal 40 of an official user with an official account (not limited to, but an example of a second terminal) performs the following processing. The mapping (association) between general accounts and official accounts involves two types of mapping: a first type and a second type. Server 10 receives information such as official account membership selection information (not limited to, but an example of first information that requests mapping between first and second accounts as the first type) from the general user's terminal 20 via the communication interface 14. Based on the receipt of this first information, Server 10 then sends a message for the first type, which is displayed in the chat room containing both general and official accounts on the general user's terminal 20 (not limited to, but an example of the first message), to the general user's terminal 20 via the communication interface 14. As an example of the effects of the embodiment obtained by this configuration, the server can, based on receiving first information requesting the association between the first account and the second account as a first type, send to the first terminal a first message for the first type that was sent from the second account and will be displayed in a chat room containing the first account and the second account on the first terminal.

[0221] <First variation (1)> In the first embodiment, an example was given in which the messages and rich menus delivered to the OA talk room change depending on the membership course, but the embodiment is not limited to this. This is not an exhaustive example; for instance, you could also change the display format for rooms other than the OA talk room.

[0222] Figure 1-14 shows an example of the screen transitions displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20A in this modified example. Figure 1-14 (left side) is an example, not limited to any specific case, of the display screen when the menu expansion button to the right of the "Friends" menu is tapped on the home screen shown in Figure 1-8 (left side).

[0223] This screen shows that the following are registered as friends of regular user AA: regular user BB, regular user CC, official user "LL Yoga Studio", official user "Team NN Fan Club", and official user "YY Mart", among others. Furthermore, among the official users who are friends with the user, the icon of "LL Yoga Studio," an official user who requires a monthly fee for their membership course, will display a badge with the letter "P," while the icon of the official user "Team NN Fan Club" will display a badge with the letter "S."

[0224] Furthermore, official users "LL Yoga Studio" and "Team NN Fan Club," which require a monthly subscription fee as part of their membership course, are not limited to specific users but are instead displayed higher in the search results, prioritizing them over other friends.

[0225] Furthermore, if you choose to display friends of regular users and friends of official users separately, this should not affect the display order of regular users, but rather allow the display priority of official users' friends to change depending on their membership level.

[0226] As an example, and not limited to this case, when the "Talk" button in the function menu is tapped, the display transitions to the talk list screen in the center of Figure 1-14, which allows you to view the list of talk rooms. The chat list screen is not limited to this, but is designed to allow users to easily check the status of messages sent and received with friends and groups.

[0227] On this screen, the word "Talk" is displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the current location is the chat list screen of the messaging application.

[0228] Below the current location display area, the chat room information of your friends is displayed on separate lines, showing the icon, name, and last sent / received date and time of each friend or group with whom you have sent or received messages. Additionally, the number of unread messages is displayed in a black circle at the right end of each line.

[0229] As an example, not limited to this case, this screen shows that the last message sent / received with official user "LL Yoga Studio" was "yesterday" and the number of unread messages is "1". Also, the last message sent / received with general user BB is "(today) 8:17" and the number of unread messages is "2".

[0230] The chat list screen is configured to allow users to set the display order of chat rooms based on user input, such as the chronological order of the last message sent / received date and time, or the number of unread messages, etc. As an example rather than a limitation, on this screen, it is set to display in descending order according to the chronological order of the message's last send and receive date and time.

[0231] On the talk list screen, as an example rather than a limitation, if you are a member of a course that requires a monthly fee as a membership course, as an example rather than a limitation, you may be able to set it to prioritize the display order of the talk rooms according to the monthly fee. Therefore, as an example rather than a limitation, on this screen, the talk room information of the official user "LL Yoga Studio" with the highest monthly fee is displayed at the top, and the talk room information of the official user "Team NN Fan Club" with the next highest monthly fee is displayed in the next row.

[0232] When the talk room information is divided and displayed for friends of general users and friends of official users, it may not affect the display order of the talk room information of general users, and the display priority order of the talk room information among friends of official users may vary depending on the membership course.

[0233] As an example rather than a limitation, when the "Card" button in the function menu is tapped, as an example rather than a limitation, the display transitions to the membership card screen on the right side of Figure 1-14.

[0234] On this screen, the character "Card" indicating that the current position is the membership card screen of the messaging application is displayed within the current position display area. Below the current position display area, a card information display area for displaying member card information about official users who are friends is configured to be displayed.

[0235] Here, the member card information sent only to general accounts that have joined the first type of course is called "First Type Card Content", the member card information sent only to general accounts that have joined the second type of course is called "Second Type Card Content", and so on. The card information display area shows, as an example and not limited to, the first type of card content FCC1 for the official user "LL Yoga Studio," the second type of card content SCC1 for the official user "Team NN Fan Club," and the third type of card content TCC1 for the official user "YY Mart." The membership courses for each official user will have the same monthly fee structure as the official user "LL Yoga Studio," as an example and not limited to.

[0236] The display format for the Type 1 card content FCC1 is not limited to this, but is an example of a black background with white text. In addition, a badge with the letter "P" is displayed in the upper right corner of the Type 1 card content FCC1, indicating that the membership course is "Premium Member". At the bottom of the Type 1 card content FCC1, code information that can be read by the official user's terminal 40 is displayed as a barcode (not limited to, but as an example). This code information may include, not limited to, a general application ID, the official application IDs of friends, and a membership course ID (not limited to, but as an example). This allows, not limited to, but as an example, the general username and membership course subscribed to to be confirmed when the code information is read on terminal 40.

[0237] The display format for the Type 2 card content SCC1 is not limited to this, but is an example, showing black text on a gray background. Additionally, a badge with the letter "S" is displayed in the upper right corner of the Type 2 card content SCC1, indicating that the membership course is "Standard Member." Regarding the code information, it may be structured similarly to the Type 1 card content FCC1, not as a limitation, but as an example.

[0238] The display format for the third type of card content, TCC1, is not limited to this format, but is an example of the standard display format: black text on a white background. Also, the badge is not displayed in the upper right corner of the third type of card content, TCC1. Regarding the code information, it may be structured similarly to the Type 1 card content FCC1, not as a limitation, but as an example.

[0239] This modified example shows that the general user's terminal 20 displays a talk list (not limited to, but an example of a list) on the display unit 24 of talk room information (not limited to, but an example of chat room information) related to official accounts associated with at least one type of official account. The control unit 21 then performs processing related to distinguishing the talk room information to be displayed in the talk list based on the transmission of the first information. As an example of the effects of this modified configuration, the user's terminal for the first account can improve user convenience because the chat room information displayed in the list is distinguished based on the transmission of the first information.

[0240] In this case, the chat list is displayed based on the date and time the user's regular account (first account) received the message. The process for making the above distinction may also include a process that gives the highest display priority to the chat room information (not limited to, but an example of first chat room information) associated with the official account that is linked to the first type. As an example of the effects of this modified configuration, the first chat room information related to the second account, which is associated with the second account as the first type, is given the highest display priority. This makes the first chat room information the most prominent in the list, improving user convenience.

[0241] <First variation (2)> In the first embodiment, an example was given in which the messages and rich menus delivered to the OA talk room of a general user's terminal 20 change depending on the membership course, but the embodiment is not limited to this. As an example, rather than being limited to specific cases, the handling of messages sent from a regular user's device 20 to an official user's device 40 could be varied depending on the membership level.

[0242] Figure 1-15 shows an example of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 in this modified example. The screen in Figure 1-15(A) is not limited to any specific example, but is an example of the chat room screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20A of general user AA, who is subscribed to the "Premium Member" course, which is the first type of course. On this screen, the content display area TR1 shows, as an example rather than a limitation, a Type 3 message content TMC4 with the text "Next lesson reservation..." based on the fact that user AA has booked a studio lesson. Below that, the sent message content UMC1 is displayed, which is a message that user AA sent to the official user "LL Yoga Studio" with the text "I would like to take a break from the lesson." Further down, the Type 1 message content FMC2, which begins with the text "Hello. This is LL, the representative," and the Type 1 message content FMC3, which begins with the text "It is possible to reschedule to another day," are displayed.

[0243] As an example, not a limiting example, the sent message content UMC1 is a message sent from user 20 to the official user "LL Yoga Studio," and is therefore displayed as a speech bubble from the right on user AA's device 20A.

[0244] As an example, not an exhaustive one, the sent message content UMC1 is displayed on terminal 40 of the official user "LL Yoga Studio". Therefore, the first type message content FMC2 and the first type message content FMC3 are messages sent based on user input on terminal 40, not an exhaustive one, but an example.

[0245] The screen in Figure 1-15(B) is not limited to this example, but is an alternative example of the talk room screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20B of general user BB, who is subscribed to the "Standard Member" course, which is the second type of course. On this screen, the content display area TR2 shows, as an example rather than an exclusive one, a Type 3 message content TMC4 with the text "Next lesson reservation..." based on the fact that user BB has booked a studio lesson. Below that, the sent message content UMC2 is displayed, which is a message that user BB sent to the official user "LL Yoga Studio" with the text "I would like to take a break from the lesson." Further down, the Type 2 message content SMC3, which begins with the text "Hello BB," and the Type 3 message content TMC5, which reads "Is it alright to cancel today's lesson at 7 PM?" are displayed.

[0246] As an example, not an exhaustive one, the sent message content UMC2 is not sent to the terminal 40 of the official user "LL Yoga Studio". Therefore, the second type message content SMC3 and the third type message content TMC3 are messages that are automatically generated and sent by the control unit 11 of the server 10, not an exhaustive one, but an example.

[0247] The screen in Figure 1-15(C) is not limited to this example, but is an alternative example of the talk room screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20C of a general user CC who is subscribed to the third course, "Free Member". On this screen, the content display area TR3 shows, as an example rather than a limitation, a Type 3 message content TMC4 with the text "Next lesson reservation..." based on the fact that User CC has booked a studio lesson. Below that, the sent message content UMC3 is displayed, which is a message that User CC sent to the official user "LL Yoga Studio" with the text "I would like to take a break from the lesson." In addition, only the Type 3 message content TMC5 with the text "Is it alright to cancel today's lesson at 7 PM?" is displayed.

[0248] By way of example rather than limitation, the transmitted message content UMC3 is not transmitted to the terminal 40 of the official user "LL Yoga Studio". Also, by way of example rather than limitation, based on the membership course of the sender being a type 3 course, even if the transmitted message content is a message with the same content, the type 2 message content SMC3 is not automatically generated by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0249] Here, a third message delivery process is introduced in the message delivery process in FIGS. 1-11. FIG. 1-16 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in the third message delivery process. In this figure, in order from the left, an example of the processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A (the terminal 20 of the general user A.A), the processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, and the processing executed by the control unit 41 of the terminal 40A (the terminal 40 of the official user A) is shown. In this flowchart, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the case where the message types are type 1 messages and type 2 messages is considered, but the same processing can be realized even when type 3 messages and the like are included.

[0250] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20A, by way of example rather than limitation, based on a user input, transmits inquiry message information including a message to the official user A to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (A1505).

[0251] When receiving the inquiry message information from the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14, the control unit 11 of the server 10, by way of example rather than limitation, refers to the official account friend data and determines whether the membership course of the sender account is a type 1 course (S1515). If it is determined that the sending account's membership course is a Type 1 course (S1515: YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends inquiry message information to the terminal 40A via the communication interface 14 (S1535).

[0252] If the communication interface 42 determines that it has received inquiry message information from the server 10 (C1510: YES), the control unit 41 of the terminal 40A displays the received inquiry message information on the display unit 44 (C1530). Then, based on the user input of the terminal 40A, the control unit 41 of the terminal 40A sends reply message information to the server 10 via the communication interface 42 (C1550). If it is determined that no query message information is received from server 10 (C1510:NO), the control unit 41 of terminal 40A terminates processing.

[0253] When the control unit 11 of the server 10 receives reply message information from terminal 40A via the communication interface 14, it sends first-type message information, including the reply message information, to terminal 20A via the communication interface 14 (S1555). Then, the control unit 11 of the server 10 terminates the process.

[0254] If it is determined that the sending account's membership course is a Type 2 course (S1515: NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10 executes an automatic response message information generation process that generates an automatic response message based on the received inquiry message information (S1575). Then, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits the Type 2 message information, including the automatic response message information, to the terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (S1595). Finally, the control unit 11 of the server 10 terminates the process.

[0255] Furthermore, in the automated response message information generation process, it is possible, or not possible, to change the content of the generated message based on the membership course, not as an exclusive example.

[0256] In this modified version, the server 10 receives a message (not limited to, but an example of a second message) sent from a general user's terminal 20 (not limited to, but an example of a first terminal) via the communication interface 14, and then sends a response message (not limited to, but an example of a third message) based on this message, which will be displayed in the talk room, to the general user's terminal 20 via the communication interface 14. Furthermore, after receiving the first information, the server 10, based on having received the above-mentioned first message (not limited to, but an example of the second message) sent from the general user's terminal 20 via the communication interface 14, sends a response message (not limited to, but an example of the fourth message) that is different from the above-mentioned response message displayed in the talk room, to the general user's terminal 20 via the communication interface 14. As an example of the effects of the modified configuration obtained with this setup, the server, upon receiving the second message sent from the first terminal, sends a third message based on this second message to the first terminal, which is displayed in the chat room. On the other hand, after receiving the first information, the server can send a fourth message, different from the third message, to the first terminal, which is displayed in the chat room, based on receiving the second message sent from the first terminal of the user of the first account. In other words, if the server receives the first information and then receives the same message (second message) again from the first terminal, it can send a message (fourth message) to the first terminal that is different from the message (third message) sent before receiving the first information.

[0257] In this case, the third message may be an automated response message, and the fourth message may be a manual response message. As an example of the effects of this modification, the server can send an automated response message to the first terminal before receiving the first information, and then send a manual response message to the first terminal after receiving the first information.

[0258] <First variation (3)> In the first embodiment, an example was given in which different membership courses can be set under the same official application ID, but the invention is not limited thereto. As an example, instead of being limited, you could associate a different official application ID with each membership course.

[0259] Figure 1-17 shows an example of the data structure of a second official account management database 155B, which is another example of the official account management database 155. The second official account management database 155B stores official account management data as management data for each official account.

[0260] Each official account management data will store, not limited to, but as an example, the official application ID, official username, membership course name, monthly fee, other registration information, and official account friend data.

[0261] The membership course name corresponds to the membership course name in the official account membership management data in the first official account management database 155A. Similarly, the monthly fee corresponds to the monthly fee in the official account membership management data in the first official account management database 155A. Other registration information may include, in addition to other registration information in the first official account management database 155A, various types of information such as message display mode definition information for this official application ID, benefit information for joining a membership course, and icon information specific to the membership course. Furthermore, unlike the official account friend data in the first official account management database 155A, the membership course ID is not stored in the official account friend data.

[0262] Thus, even with different official application IDs, by setting multiple different membership course names for the same official username, it may be possible to achieve the same functional management as the official account membership management data in the first official account management database 155A.

[0263] <First variation (4)> In the first embodiment, the display method of message content shown on the chat room screen was made different depending on the membership course, but the embodiment is not limited to this. As an example, rather than being limited to specific cases, you could set a priority order for displaying message content and change the display order according to that priority. Additionally, depending on the membership course, the display position within the chat room may differ (for example, Type 1 message content may be displayed in the upper left, Type 2 message content in the lower left, etc.).

[0264] Furthermore, while we have decided to add badges to icons for each membership course on the chat room screen and chat list screen, this is not the only option. For example, you could change the icon for each membership course.

[0265] <First variation (5)> In the first embodiment, a regular user selects a membership course when adding the official account as a friend, but this is not limited to that. For example, when a regular user adds the official account as a friend, the free membership course is automatically selected. Subsequently, for example, the user may be able to be moved to a membership course that requires payment based on their actions or input.

[0266] Figure 1-18 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 in this modified example. The left side of Figure 1-18 shows, as an example rather than an example, an example of the home screen of a messaging application displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20A of a general user AA. As an example, not limited to this case, when a user taps the official user "LL Yoga Studio" item in the "Recommended Official Accounts" menu, the display will transition to the chat room screen shown in the center of Figure 1-18.

[0267] In the center of Figure 1-18, the content display area TR1 shows, as an example and not an exemption, the following third-type message content TMC2 with the text "Thank you for registering as a free member" and third-type message content TMC10 with the text "Why not consider joining our advantageous paid membership course? Click here for details!", based on the fact that user AA has been automatically enrolled in the "Free Member" course as a membership course. This third-type message content can also be considered, as an example and not an exemption, as information that guides the user to associate their first account with their second account as a first-type message.

[0268] As an example, and not limited to this example, when a link within the third type of message content TMC10 is tapped, the display transitions to the official account membership selection screen on the right side of Figure 1-18.

[0269] On this screen, based on the fact that user AA is enrolled in the "Free Member" course, the text on the enroll button JBT3 is displayed as "Enrolled" and in an inverted black and white display mode. As an example, and not limited to specific situations, when the user taps the join button JBT1, the membership course changes to the "Premium Member" course, and the display changes to the chat room screen.

[0270] This modified example shows a configuration in which information (not limited to, but an example of second type information) that guides the user to associate their own user general account with an official account is displayed in a talk room (not limited to, but an example of a chat room) that includes the user's own user general account and official account. As an example of the effects of such a configuration, and not an exhaustive one, the user of the first account can, based on the second information displayed in a chat room including the first and second accounts, select the first type from the first and second types, thereby causing the terminal to request an association between the first and second accounts as the first type.

[0271] Furthermore, this modified example shows a configuration in which, as a second type, the user's general account and official account are associated, and then as a first type, the user's general account and official account are associated. One example of the effects of this modified configuration is that initially, the first and second accounts are associated as a second type, and later, the first and second accounts are associated as a first type.

[0272] <Second Example> In the first embodiment, an example was given in which a general user subscribes to one of the membership courses of a specific official user, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The second embodiment, as an example rather than an extension, is an embodiment that allows a regular user to subscribe to any multiple membership courses from a specific official user's membership courses.

[0273] The contents described in the second embodiment are applicable to any of the other embodiments or any of the other modifications. Furthermore, components identical to those previously mentioned are given the same symbols, and their explanation is omitted.

[0274] Figure 2-1 shows another example of official account membership management data in the first official account management database 155A. Official account membership management data stores, as an example but not limited to, the membership course ID, membership course name, monthly fee, and other information, in addition to the maximum capacity and current number of members, all associated with each other.

[0275] The maximum capacity is the maximum number of general users who can join this membership course; it is not a limit, but rather the name registered by an official user when setting up a membership course is remembered.

[0276] The current number is the number of general accounts or general users subscribed to this membership course, and is not limited to a specific number. For example, it starts at "0" and is incremented by the control unit 11 of server 10 during the official account friend addition process.

[0277] <Display screen> Figures 2-2 to 2-3 show an example of the screen transitions displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. Figures 2-2 to 2-3 are examples, not limited to, of the messaging application screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20A of a general user AA.

[0278] Figure 2-2 (left side) is an example of a home screen similar to the one shown on the left side of Figure 1-8. As an example, not limited to this case, when a user taps the official user "MM Cafe" item in the "Recommended Official Accounts" menu, the display transitions to the official account membership selection screen shown in the center of Figure 2-2.

[0279] Below the current location display area, the icon and username of the official user "MM Cafe" selected on the home screen are displayed. Below that, as examples rather than being limited, the following are displayed: the Type 1 course display area FCR2, the Type 2 course display area SCR2, and the Type 3 course display area TCR2.

[0280] In the Type 1 course display area FCR2, to the right of the membership course name, "Coffee Member," it is displayed that the number of people who can join this membership course (i.e., "Maximum capacity - Current number") is "28 people remaining." To the right of that, a coffee cup icon badge, which is awarded to those who belong to the "Coffee Member" course, is displayed. Below the membership course name, information about the benefits granted to those who belong to the "Coffee Member" course is displayed. Below the benefits information, the monthly fee for this membership course (in this case, "2,000 yen / month") is displayed. To the right of the monthly fee, a join selection button SBT1, indicated by the word "Select," is displayed, allowing the user to choose to join this membership course.

[0281] In the Type 2 course display area SCR2 and the Type 3 course display area TCR2, the same content as in the Type 1 course display area FCR2 is displayed, not as an limitation but as an example. Also, the subscription selection buttons SBT2 and SBT3 are displayed with a reversed "Selected" indicator when they are tapped and selected, not as an limitation but as an example.

[0282] At the bottom of the screen, a "Join Membership" button (JBT4) is displayed, indicating the user's choice of membership course.

[0283] As an example, and not limited to this case, when the join button JBT4 is tapped by a user, the display transitions to the chat room screen shown on the right side of Figure 2-2. On this screen, the words "MM Cafe" are displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the user's current location is the OA chat room screen with the official username "MM Cafe," along with two badges indicating the membership plan the user is subscribed to.

[0284] In Figure 2-2, on the right side, the content display area TR4 displays Type 2 message content SMC6 and Type 2 message content SMC7, based on the example (not limited to) that user AA selected and joined the "Snack Member" membership course. Also, based on the example (not limited to) that user AA selected and joined the "Lunch Member" membership course, Type 3 message content TMC6 and Type 3 message content TMC7 are displayed.

[0285] In the rich menu display area RM4, based on the fact that user AA is subscribed to the "Snack Member" course, the "Dessert Recipe Video Viewing" function button SRB2 and the "Secret Lunch Reservation" function button TRB2 are displayed.

[0286] The chat room screen on the left in Figure 2-3 is not a limited example, but rather an example of the display screen after some time has passed since the chat room screen on the right in Figure 2-2. In Figure 2-3, on the left, the content display area TR4 shows the second type of message content SMC8, based on the fact that user AA selected and joined the "Snack Member" membership course, not as an example but as a limitation. Also, based on the fact that user AA selected and joined the "Lunch Member" membership course, not as an example but as a limitation, the third type of message content TMC8 is displayed.

[0287] As an example, and not limited to this case, when the chat room menu button displayed to the right of the current location display area is tapped, the chat room menu TM1 for configuring various functions in this chat room is displayed. The Talk Room Menu TM1 is configured to display, as an example and not limited to, a "Notification Off" button to stop message notifications for this OA Talk Room, an "Invite" button to invite friends to this OA Talk Room, a "Membership" button to unsubscribe from or change your membership plan, and a "Block" button to block messages from this official user.

[0288] As an example, not limited to this case, when the "Block" button is tapped, the display transitions to the chat room screen shown in the center of Figure 2-2. In this chat room screen, the notification display area NT1 is displayed in the content display area TR4, based on the fact that the user is subscribed to a membership course with a monthly fee.

[0289] The notification display area NT1 is configured to show, as an example (not limited to specific cases), the text "You are subscribed to a paid membership," an illustration of a pleading bear, the membership course you are subscribed to, and its monthly fee. At the bottom of the notification display area NT1, there is a "Block" button to cancel the membership course and prevent further charges, and a "Cancel" button to cancel the blocking operation.

[0290] As an example, not limited to this case, when the "Block" button is tapped, the display transitions to the chat room screen shown on the right side of Figure 2-2. In this chat room screen, the content display area TR4 shows not only the Type 2 message content SMC8 and Type 3 message content TMC8, but also Type 2 message content SMC9 and Type 3 message content TMC9 indicating that the user has withdrawn from the membership course.

[0291] Below that, a system message SM1 is displayed, indicating that a message from the official user "MM Cafe" has been blocked.

[0292] Furthermore, in the chat room screen shown in the center of Figure 2-2, if the "Turn off notifications" button is tapped, a warning message similar to that displayed in the notification display area NT1 may be displayed. In this case, the process of canceling the membership course and stopping message incoming notifications in the OA chat room may be performed.

[0293] <Processing> Regarding the processing, as an example, rather than being limited, it accepts one or more membership course IDs that a user of terminal 20A wishes to subscribe to. Furthermore, the official account membership course selection information may include multiple membership course IDs.

[0294] In the process of adding a friend to an official account, the control unit 11 of the server 10, for example, refers to the official account management database 155 and reads the official account membership management data of the official account management data specified in the official account friend addition request information. Then, for example, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines whether the number limit determination condition "maximum capacity - current number > 0" is met for each membership course specified in the official account membership course selection information.

[0295] If the server 10 determines that the user limit criteria are met, the control unit 11 of the server 10 adds the general application ID of terminal 20A and the membership course ID that met the user limit criteria to the official account friend data of the official account management data specified in the official account friend request information, and stores it in memory. In this case, the membership course ID in the official account friend data may include multiple membership course IDs. On the other hand, if it is determined that the conditions for determining the number of users are not met, the control unit 11 of the server 10 does not perform the above-mentioned storage process.

[0296] Furthermore, if it is determined that the conditions for determining the number of participants are not met, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may, for example, send membership course capacity limit information via the communication I / F 14 to the terminal 20A, indicating that the membership course the user wishes to join has already reached its capacity. Upon receiving the membership course capacity limit information, the terminal 20A may display it on the display unit 24.

[0297] <Effects of the second example> In this embodiment, when a general user's terminal 20 sends first information and the control unit 21 performs processing related to blocking the official account, the display unit 24 displays information such as a system message indicating that it cannot receive messages sent from the official account (not limited to, but an example of information regarding the inability to receive messages sent from a second account). As an example of the effects of the embodiment obtained by this configuration, if the terminal of the user of the first account performs a process related to blocking the second account after sending the first information, it can inform the user that it will not be able to receive messages sent from the second account by displaying information on the display unit indicating that it will not be able to receive messages sent from the second account.

[0298] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the server 10 obtains the current number of accounts associated with official accounts as a first type (not limited to a specific number, but an example of the number of accounts associated with a second type as a first type) via the control unit 11. The server 10 then has the control unit 11 perform processing based on the obtained number of accounts, such as storing accounts and sending membership course capacity limit information to the general user's terminal 20 (not limited to a specific number, but an example of processing based on the number of accounts). As an example of the effects of this configuration, the server can obtain the number of accounts associated with the second account as the first type, and then perform processing based on the obtained number of accounts.

[0299] Furthermore, in this case, the above process may also include a process that, if the conditions for determining the number of users are not met (for example, not a limit, but when the number of accounts reaches a set number), does not send the message (first message) for the membership course that the general user wishes to join to the general user's terminal 20, even if the first information is received. As an example of the effects of this configuration, if the number of accounts associated with the second account as a first type reaches a set number, even if the first information is received from the terminal of the first account user, the first message will not be sent to the first terminal.

[0300] <Second variation (1)> The above embodiment shows an example where blocking messages requires leaving the membership course, but it is not limited to this. For example, blocking and stopping incoming notifications could be performed while remaining enrolled in the membership course.

[0301] In this case, for example, and not limited to this case, if message content is sent to terminal 20 while blocked or incoming call notifications are disabled, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 may, for example, display a warning message on the display unit 24 asking whether or not the user has forgotten to cancel their membership course.

[0302] Alternatively, and not limited to this, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may, upon receiving a message transmission request to a terminal 20 that is blocked or has incoming notification disabled, send a warning message to the terminal 20 requesting that the block or incoming notification disabled state be lifted, instead of the requested message.

[0303] <Second variation (2)> In the above embodiment, the number of members allowed for each membership course can be checked when adding an official user as a friend, but this is not the only example. For instance, the maximum number of members or the current number of members for each membership course could be displayed in the "Recommended Official Accounts" section on the home screen, the chat list screen, the OA chat room screen, etc.

[0304] <Third Example> The first and second embodiments illustrate examples related to participation in an OA talk room, but are not limited to these examples. The third embodiment is an example, not an exhaustive one, of a case where a regular user participates in a talk room (hereinafter referred to as an "open talk room") for communication with one or more other regular users.

[0305] In open talk rooms, it may be possible to allow general users to create open talk rooms that are not limited to specific groups, but rather allow general users who share the same interests to participate. When general users participate in an open talk room, it may be possible to allow them to participate using a nickname different from the general username registered in the general account registration data 153, but this may not be limited to specific groups. An open talk room can also be called an open chat room, or not.

[0306] The contents described in the third embodiment are applicable to any of the other embodiments or other modifications. Furthermore, components identical to those previously mentioned are given the same symbols, and their explanation is omitted.

[0307] Figure 3-1 shows an example of information stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The memory unit 15 stores, as an example but not limited to, an application management processing program 151, general account registration data 153, and an official account management database 155, as well as an open chat account management database 157.

[0308] The Open Chat Account Management Database 157 is a management database for managing open talk rooms in messaging applications, and an example of its data structure is shown in Figure 3-2. The Open Chat account management database 157 stores Open Chat account management data as management data for each Open Chat room.

[0309] Each open chat account management data will store, not limited to but as an example, the open chat ID, open chat name, other registration information, open chat membership management data, and open chat friend data.

[0310] An Open Chat ID is information used to identify an Open Chat Room. This open chat ID is preferably a unique value for each open chat room, and is not limited to, but is an example where a unique value (unique value) is set and stored for each open chat room by server 10.

[0311] The Open Chat name is the name of this Open Talk Room, and is not limited to any specific name. For example, it stores the name registered by a user on device 20 when they create an Open Talk Room.

[0312] Other registration information may include various types of information such as the general application ID of the general user who is the administrator of this open talk room, information about the open talk room's topic, the open talk room's icon information, and information that defines how the open talk room will be displayed.

[0313] Open chat membership management data is data used to manage membership courses for becoming friends in this open chat room. It is not limited to this, but for example, it stores associated information such as the membership course ID, membership course name, monthly fee, and other relevant details.

[0314] The membership course ID, membership course name, monthly fee, and other information may be structured similarly to the official account membership management data, not as an example, but as a general rule.

[0315] For example, instead of being limited, if the membership course name is "Not Available," you may prevent members from becoming friends with this open chat room (i.e., from joining the open chat room). Also, the monthly fee may be set within a range, allowing you to charge any amount within that range. Furthermore, taking into consideration the second embodiment, a capacity limit may be set for each membership course.

[0316] Furthermore, the money charged to this open chat room as a monthly fee is not limited to a specific recipient; for example, it may be credited to the account of the open chat room administrator.

[0317] Open chat friend data is used to identify general accounts that are friends with (participating in) this open chat room. It is not limited to specific examples, but may include, for instance, a nickname, a general application ID, a membership course ID, and a monthly subscription amount. Furthermore, the Open chat friend data may also be linked to and stored information such as the registration date and time.

[0318] The nickname is a temporary username (display name) in this open chat room. It is not limited to any specific name; for example, the name registered by user 20 when joining this open chat room will be stored.

[0319] The monthly subscription amount is data used to record the monthly subscription fee set by this general account. It is not limited to specific amounts; for example, it will record the subscription fee set by user 20 when they join this open chat room.

[0320] The general application ID and membership course ID may be structured similarly to official account friend data, not as a limitation, but as an example.

[0321] <Display screen> Figures 3-3 to 3-5 show an example of the screen transitions displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. Figures 3-3 to 3-5 are examples, not limited to, of the messaging application screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20A of a general user AA.

[0322] Figure 3-3 (left side) is another example of the home screen shown in Figure 1-8 (left side). On this screen, instead of displaying a limited list of official accounts, the "Recommended Open Chats" menu is displayed as an example, showing a list of open chat rooms that users of device 20A are recommended to add as friends. On this screen, the "Recommended Open Chats" menu displays, as an example, the names and icons of the open chats "XX Super Friends Club," "Dedicate Your Heart to Team NN," and "Idol ZZ Fans Gather," based on the user information of device 20A.

[0323] As an example, not limited to this, when a user taps the open chat name "Idol ZZ Fans Gather" in the "Recommended Open Chats" menu, the display will transition to the open chat membership selection screen shown in the center of Figure 3-3.

[0324] On this screen, the words "Open Chat Membership" are displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the current location is the Open Chat Membership selection screen of the messaging application.

[0325] Below the current location display area, a membership course selection area CSR1 is displayed to show information about membership courses related to open talk rooms that the user of terminal 20A can add as friends.

[0326] In the membership course selection area CSR1, the icon and username of the open talk room "Idol ZZ Fan Gathering" selected on the home screen are displayed, along with the text "Participation requires payment" indicating that payment is required to join this open talk room. Below that, a list is displayed showing the required fees to subscribe to each membership course, from "Regular" to "God."

[0327] Below the membership course selection area CSR1, a billing amount input area BAR1 is displayed for the user on terminal 20A to enter the billing amount. Below that, a join button JBT5 is displayed, indicated by the words "Join" to join the open talk room with the billing amount entered in the billing amount input area BAR1. On this screen, the charge amount input area BAR1 is configured to allow changes to the charge amount in increments of 100 yen, not as a limitation, but as an example. It also displays that "100 yen / month" is selected as the charge amount.

[0328] As an example, and not limited to this, when the join button JBT5 is tapped, the display transitions to the open chat membership selection screen on the right side of Figure 3-3.

[0329] On this screen, below the current location display area, a membership course confirmation area CCR1 is displayed to show information about the membership course that the user of terminal 20A is subscribed to. The Membership Course Confirmation Area CCR1 is configured to display the Open Chat name and the Membership Course name based on the subscription amount selected in the Membership Course Selection Area CSR1. Below that, there are areas for entering a nickname and an icon for use within the Open Chat room. At the bottom of the Membership Course Confirmation Area CCR1, a "Join" button for joining an open talk room and a "Cancel" button for withdrawing are displayed based on the information shown in the Membership Course Confirmation Area CCR1.

[0330] As an example, not limited to this case, when the user taps the "Join" button, the display transitions to the chat room screen shown on the left side of Figure 3-4. On this screen, the words "Idol ZZ Fan Gathering" are displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the user's current location is the open chat room screen of the open chat named "Idol ZZ Fan Gathering". To the right of the words, a medal icon is displayed, indicating that the user "AA" has been enrolled in the "Regular" membership course, as their monthly payment was "100 yen".

[0331] The content display area TR5 shows, as an example rather than a limited one, a system message SM2 indicating that a general user with the nickname "AAA" has joined, an open message content OMC1 with the text "Welcome, AAA!", an open message content OMC2 with the text "Nice to meet you~", and an open message content OMC3 with the text "Nice to meet you~".

[0332] As an example, not an exhaustive list, the display style (icon badge, text color, and background color) differs between Open Message Content OMC1, Open Message Content OMC2, and Open Message Content OMC3. This is because each message sender has a different membership plan.

[0333] As an example, not limited to this case, in addition to the above message, an open message content OMC4 with the text "Tell me AAA's favorite song!" is displayed in the content display area TR5. And as an example, not limited to this case, when the talk room menu button is tapped, the display transitions to the talk room screen in the center of Figure 3-4.

[0334] On this screen, the display format for Open Message Content OMC4 and Open Message Content OMC3 is the standard white background with black text, as this is an example rather than a specific display, because the message sender's membership course is the same "Regular" course.

[0335] As an example, not limited to this case, when the "Membership" button is tapped in the Talk Room menu TM2, the display transitions to the Talk Room screen shown on the right side of Figure 3-4.

[0336] On this screen, tapping the "Membership" button displays the membership course selection area CSR2, superimposed on the content display area TR5, not exclusively, but as an example. On this screen, the billing amount has been changed to "600 yen / month" based on the input in the billing amount input area BAR2 in the membership course selection area CSR2. As an example, and not limited to this case, when the change button CBT1, which is indicated by the word "Change" to change the amount entered in the amount input area BAR2, is tapped, the display will transition to the open chat membership selection screen on the left side of Figure 3-5.

[0337] On this screen, in the content display area TR5, below the open message content OMC4, the system message SM3 is displayed with the text "AAA has been upgraded" because the billing amount has been changed and the membership course has been changed to "Star". Below that, an open message content OMC5 is displayed with the words "I love everything!". The display format of Open Message Content OMC5 changes, not exclusively, but as an example, similar to Open Message Content OMC2, which also uses the "star" icon.

[0338] As an example, and not limited to this case, if the "Membership" button is tapped again in the Talk Room menu TM2, the display will transition to the Talk Room screen shown in the center of Figure 3-5, also as an example. Then, based on the input in the billing amount input area BAR2 in the membership course selection area CSR2, the billing amount is changed to "0 yen / month", and when the change button CBT1 is tapped, the display transitions to the open chat membership selection screen on the right side of Figure 3-5, not limited to this, but as an example.

[0339] On this screen, the billing amount has been changed to "0 yen / month," and because participation in the open talk room is no longer possible, the notification area NT2 displays the message "You have been forcibly removed from the chat room." Furthermore, since the user has returned to the open chat membership selection screen, they can no longer view the messages in the open talk room.

[0340] Furthermore, if the charge amount is changed to "0 yen / month," it may be possible to have the user remain able to participate in the open talk room for the duration that the subscription is active (for example, until the end of the month if it is a monthly fee), and then become unable to participate in the open talk room once the subscription becomes invalid.

[0341] Furthermore, if a user becomes unable to participate in an open talk room, message content posted to the open talk room during the period when their paid subscription was active may remain viewable. Additionally, new posts from the user who is unable to participate in the open talk room may be blocked. Finally, after a paid subscription is deactivated, the user may still be able to enter (participate in) the open talk room, but posted message content may no longer be displayed.

[0342] <Processing> Regarding the processing, as an example rather than a limitation, it is possible to perform the same processing as shown in Figure 1-11 by applying open chat account management data to official account management data, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0343] Here, the aforementioned Type 1 course and Type 2 course may be defined as follows.

[0344] Pattern (A) Type 1 Course: A paid membership course that allows participation in open talk rooms. Type 2 Course: A free membership course that does not allow participation in open talk rooms. Furthermore, it may be possible to set up multiple membership courses within the Type 1 course (not limited to just one, but for example, "Standard," "Star," and "God").

[0345] The second type of course is not limited to any specific course, but for example, it can be the course identified by the membership course ID "M000" in the open chat membership management data shown in Figure 3-2 (unavailable to join). Therefore, the general application ID of a general user who selects this course may or may not be stored (associated) in the open chat friend data shown in Figure 3-2.

[0346] Pattern (B) Type 1 Course: A paid membership course that allows participation in open talk rooms. Course 2: A paid membership course that allows participation in open talk rooms. In this case, instead of being limited, as an example, if the monthly fee membership requirements are not met, it may be possible to prevent users from joining any membership course. In other words, if the monthly fee membership requirements are not met, the general application ID of a general user may not be stored (associated) with the open chat friend data shown in Figure 3-2. Additionally, open talk rooms may be configured to deliver both Type 1 and Type 2 messages, regardless of the membership plan. Pattern (B) can be considered an example of an implementation where, in Pattern (A), it is possible to set up multiple membership courses within a Type 1 course.

[0347] In Pattern (B), instead of being limited, it is also possible to assign members to different open talk rooms depending on their membership course, or to have different messages delivered within the same open talk room.

[0348] <Effects of the third embodiment> This embodiment, as an example and not an exemption, shows a configuration in which an account associated with information that identifies an open talk room as a first type (a paid course, not an exemption) (an example of a second account, not an exemption) can participate in the open talk room. As an example of the effects of this configuration, accounts associated with a second account as a first type can be made to participate in an open chat room. This makes it possible for users with specific interests to communicate easily, for example, rather than being limited to any particular group. Furthermore, for example, by requiring a fee to participate in the open chat room, it becomes possible for highly engaged users to communicate with each other.

[0349] In this case, if the account is no longer associated with the first type, participation in the open talk room may be restricted. As an example of the effects obtained by this configuration, it is possible to provide the user with an incentive to maintain the association with the second account as a first type.

[0350] <Third variation (1)> The above example illustrates a scenario where messages are delivered within the same open chat room regardless of the membership plan, but it is not limited to this. For example, each membership plan could belong to a different open chat room. In this case, messages may be delivered independently to each open talk room, or both Type 1 and Type 2 messages may be delivered to open talk rooms in the Type 1 course, while only Type 2 messages may be delivered to open talk rooms in the Type 2 course.

[0351] Furthermore, regardless of membership course, if users belong to the same open chat room, it may be possible to have a system where, for example, once a set number of users (not limited to a specific number, but for example, "30 people") is reached, any general users who join after that are automatically assigned to a different open chat room.

[0352] <Fourth Example> The fourth embodiment, as an example rather than an extension, is an embodiment in which ordinary users who have become friends with an official account can chat with each other using a chat room that allows them to send and receive messages to each other. In the following, a chat room where regular users who have added an official account as a friend can send and receive messages will be referred to as a "related chat room." Furthermore, the related chat room may be a type of group chat room or OA chat room provided as a perk feature in a designated membership course on the official account. Alternatively, the related chat room may be a type of open chat room associated with the official account. In other words, the related chat room may be a type of open chat room as shown in the third embodiment.

[0353] The contents described in the fourth embodiment are applicable to any of the other embodiments or any of the other modifications. Furthermore, components identical to those previously mentioned are given the same symbols, and their explanation is omitted.

[0354] Figures 4-1 to 4-2 show an example of screen transitions displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20 in this embodiment. Figures 4-1 to 4-2 are examples, not limiting, of the messaging application screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20A of general user AA.

[0355] Figure 4-1 (left side) is an alternative example of the home screen shown in Figure 1-8 (left side). On this screen, the "Recommended Official Accounts" menu displays the names and icons of several official users, including "XX Super," "LL Yoga Studio," "MM Cafe," and "ZZ Fan Club."

[0356] As an example, not limited to this case, when a user taps the official user "ZZ Fan Club" item in the "Recommended Official Accounts" menu, the display transitions to the chat room screen shown in the center of Figure 4-1. On this screen, the words "ZZ Fan Club" are displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the current location is the OA chat room screen with the official username "ZZ Fan Club".

[0357] In the center of Figure 4-1, the content display area TR6 shows, as an example rather than a limitation, a Type 4 message content QMC1 with the words "Thank you for joining the fan club!" based on the fact that user AA has been automatically enrolled in Type 4, a membership course that does not require payment, on this official account. Below that, a Type 4 message content QMC2 with the words "You can use member-only features depending on the amount you pay!" is displayed, indicating that it is possible to change the membership course by making a payment. Further below that, a payment button BBT1 with the words "Pay Now" is displayed, allowing users to change their membership course by making a payment.

[0358] In this example, the rich menu display area RM5 is displayed below the content display area TR6. The rich menu display area RM5 shows the "Fan Club Chat Participation" button TRB3, which is available when you are subscribed to the first course, the "God" course, the second course, the "Star" course, or the third course, the "Regular" course; the "New Song PV Advance Viewing" button SRB3, which is available when you are subscribed to the "God" course or the "Star" course; and the "Live Advance Reservation" button FRB3, which is available when you are subscribed to the "God" course. The "Fan Club Chat Participation" button (TRB3), the "New Song PV Advance Viewing" button (SRB3), and the "Live Advance Reservation" button (FRB3) are displayed in a grayed-out format and their functions are disabled, not as a limitation but as an example, based on the current membership course being the 4th course.

[0359] As an example, and not limited to this example, when the payment button BBT1 is tapped, the display will transition to the official account membership selection screen on the right side of Figure 4-1.

[0360] In the membership course selection area CSR3, the icon and username of the OA talk room "Idol ZZ Fan Club" are displayed, along with the text "Choose your payment amount" prompting the user to make a payment. Below that, a list is displayed showing the required fees to subscribe to each membership course, from "Regular" to "God."

[0361] Below the membership course selection area CSR3, a billing amount input area BAR3 is displayed for the user on terminal 20A to enter the billing amount. Below that, a join button JBT6 is displayed, indicated by the words "Bill" to change the OA talk room membership course based on the billing amount entered in the billing amount input area BAR3. On this screen, the charge amount input area BAR3 is configured to allow changes to the charge amount in increments of 100 yen, not as a limitation, but as an example. It also shows that "200 yen / month" is selected as the charge amount.

[0362] Note that the official account membership selection screen may differ from this screen and, as an example, allow users to select any membership course from multiple options, taking into consideration the first and second examples.

[0363] As an example, not limited to this case, when the join button JBT6 is tapped, the display transitions to the chat room screen shown on the left side of Figure 4-2. On this screen, based on the fact that the membership course has been changed to the "Regular" course due to billing, the content display area TR6 displays system message SM4 indicating that the membership course of general user AA has become the "Regular course". Additionally, in the rich menu display area RM5, the "Join Fan Club Chat" function button TRB3 is enabled, and its grayed-out display is removed.

[0364] As an example, not limited to this, when the "Join Fan Club Chat" function button TRB3 is tapped, the display transitions to the related chat room participation screen in the center of Figure 4-2. On this screen, below the current location display area, a membership course confirmation area CCR2 is displayed to show information about the membership course that the user of terminal 20A is subscribed to. The Membership Course Confirmation Area CCR2 is configured to display the Membership Course name based on the subscription amount selected in the Membership Course Selection Area CSR3. Below that, there are areas for entering a nickname and an icon used within the associated chat room. At the bottom of the Membership Course Confirmation Area CCR2, there are two buttons displayed: a "Join" button to join a related chat room based on the information displayed in the Membership Course Confirmation Area CCR2, and a "Cancel" button to leave the chat room.

[0365] As an example, and not limited to this example, when the "Join" button is tapped by the user, the display transitions to the chat room screen shown on the right side of Figure 4-2. On this screen, the words "ZZ Fan Club Chat" are displayed within the current location display area, indicating that the user's current location is the chat room screen associated with the chat named "Fan Club Chat". To the right of the words, a medal icon is displayed, indicating that the general user "AA" is a member of the membership course named "Regular".

[0366] The content display area TR7 shows, as an example rather than a limited one, system message SM5 indicating that a general user with the nickname "AAA" has joined, related message content RMC1 with the text "Welcome, AAA!", related message content RMC2 with the text "Nice to meet you~", and related message content RMC3 with the text "Nice to meet you~".

[0367] For example, related message content RMC1, related message content RMC2, and related message content RMC3 will have different display characteristics (for example, the icon badge, text color, and background color). This is because each message sender has a different membership plan.

[0368] Furthermore, in the chat room screen on the left side of Figure 4-2, a third-type message content (not limited to this example, but an example) regarding guidance and participation in a related chat room (in this example, the fan club chat room) sent from the OA account and received by terminal 20A may be displayed below the system message SM4. This third-type message content (not limited to this example, but an example) may include a link with text such as, "Thank you for joining the fan club. If you'd like, please use the chat room that is only for paid course members!". And, not limited to this example, the related chat room participation screen in the center of Figure 4-2 may be displayed based on user input in response to the link in that third-type message content.

[0369] Furthermore, as an example rather than an exclusive one, referring to the third embodiment, participation in the relevant chat room may be restricted, for example rather than an exclusive one, when billing for the official account membership is stopped. Restrictions on participation may include making it impossible to view the relevant chat room at all, or preventing the display of message content delivered to the relevant chat room during the period in which participation is restricted.

[0370] Alternatively, and this is not limited to specific cases, but as an example, after joining a related chat room, it may be possible to change the subscription amount or membership course using the chat room menu.

[0371] Furthermore, in the example above, only accounts with paid courses (not limited to specific courses, but for example, courses 1 through 3) are allowed to participate in the relevant chat rooms, but this is not limited to this. For example, instead of limiting it to a specific category, accounts on the free course (for example, the fourth course) (accounts that have simply added the official account as a friend) could also be allowed to participate in the related chat room. In other words, the above-mentioned related chat room could be a chat room that any general account that meets the condition of being friends with the official account (regardless of whether it is a paid or free account) can participate in.

[0372] This modified example shows that a general user's terminal 20 receives information via the communication I / F 22 regarding participation in a related talk room (which may be considered an open talk room) (which may be considered a chat group) that includes an account different from the user's own general account, and is associated with an official account (which may be considered a second account, not a limited one) as a first type (which may be considered a paid course, not a limited one). The general user's terminal 20 then displays the received participation information on the display unit 24. As an example of the effects of this configuration, the terminal of a user of the first account can receive information about joining a chat group that includes accounts different from the first account, which are associated with the second account as the first type, and then display this information to inform the user. Furthermore, this allows the user of their terminal to join a chat group that includes accounts different from the first account, which are associated with the second account as the first type.

[0373] In this case, instead of being limited, for example, accounts associated with an official account as Category 1 (for example, a paid course) may be accounts that can participate in the related chat room, while accounts associated with an official account as Category 2 (for example, a free course) may be accounts that cannot participate in the related chat room. As an example of the effects of this configuration, accounts associated with the second account as a first type can be allowed to participate in the related chat room, while accounts associated with the second account as a second type cannot participate in the related chat room. This makes it possible, not limited to but as an example, for users of accounts associated with the second account as a first type to communicate with each other.

[0374] Furthermore, in this case, if an account that was previously associated with an official account as a first-class account is then associated with an official account as a second-class account, participation in the related chat room may be restricted. As an example of the effects obtained by this configuration, it is possible to provide the user with an incentive to maintain the association with the second account as a first type.

[0375] <Example 5> The fifth embodiment, as an example rather than an limitation, is an example of how an official user can check information about the official account they operate.

[0376] The contents described in the fifth embodiment are applicable to any of the other embodiments or any of the other modifications. Furthermore, components identical to those previously mentioned are given the same symbols, and their explanation is omitted.

[0377] Figures 5-1 to 5-2 show an example of the screen transitions displayed on the display unit 24(44) of the terminal 20(40) in this embodiment. Figures 5-1 and 5-2 are examples, not limited to specific cases, of the official account management screen of a messaging application displayed on the display unit 44 of terminal 40A of official user A (in this example, the operator of "LL Yoga Studio").

[0378] In Figure 5-1, the top of the official account management screen displays an overview area of ​​the official account management screen.

[0379] At the far left of the overview display area, the words "Official Account Manager" are displayed along with the messaging application's icon, indicating that this is the official account management screen for the messaging application.

[0380] To the right of that, as an example rather than a limited one, are displayed the icon registered by the official user when registering for the messaging application, a star icon indicating that it is an official account, and the official username of the user using the messaging application, "LL Yoga Studio". Furthermore, to the right of the words "LL Yoga Studio," there is a downward-pointing triangle icon, which is not a specific icon but rather an example, used to display a pull-down menu when switching between official accounts being managed.

[0381] To the right of that, as an example and not a limited one, the number of general accounts that are friends with this official account (number of friends) is displayed along with a double human-shaped icon. As an example and not a limited one, Figure 5-1 shows that the number of friends for the official account "LL Yoga Studio" is "180".

[0382] On the right side of the overview display area, as an example (not limited to this), there are buttons for changing official account registration information, indicated by a human-shaped icon with the word "Account," and a help button indicated by a question mark icon with the word "Help." For example, when a user taps the "Change Registration Information" button, the screen transitions to a registration information change screen where they can change the registration details of this official account (for example, contact phone number, etc.). Furthermore, as an example (not limited to specific cases), when a user taps the help button, the screen transitions to a help screen explaining how to use the official account management screen.

[0383] Below the overview display area, the global menu display area GMM1 is displayed, allowing official users to select from various menus related to official account management. On this screen, the global menu display area GMM1 shows, as an example rather than an exclusive one, a home menu selection tab labeled "Home" for authenticating and deleting friends and managing message sending, and an analysis menu selection tab labeled "Analysis" for analyzing trends in the number of friends and the number of messages sent. Figure 5-1 shows the analysis menu selection tab displayed in the foreground, indicating that the analysis menu selection tab is selected.

[0384] Below the global menu display area GMM1, the left pane displays the local menu display area LMM1, which, as an example rather than a limitation, shows the menu selection tab (in this case, the analysis menu selection tab) and related function menus selected in the global menu display area GMM1. The local menu display area LMM1 displays, as an example and not an exhaustive list, an analysis menu selection tab and related function menus, including, as an example and not an exhaustive list, a membership analysis menu button labeled "Membership" for analyzing and displaying the membership courses of general users registered as friends, a message analysis menu button labeled "Messages" for analyzing and displaying the message sending status, and a coupon analysis menu button labeled "Coupons" for analyzing and displaying the coupon usage status. Figure 5-1 shows that the membership analysis menu button is highlighted, indicating that it is selected.

[0385] Additionally, the right pane displays, as an example rather than a limited set of examples, the menu button selected in the local menu display area LMM1 and its corresponding report display area RPR1. In Figure 5-1, based on the selection of the message analysis menu button in the local menu display area LMM1, the words "Membership Report" are displayed in the report display area RPR1, indicating that an analysis of the membership of the general users who are friends is being performed.

[0386] Below that, a table titled "Number of Membership Types" is displayed, which, as an example rather than a limited list, allows you to see a list of the membership course types of your 180 friends. This screen shows that there are 100 general users belonging to the "Free Member" membership plan, 60 general users belonging to the "Standard Member" membership plan, and 20 general users belonging to the "Premium Member" membership plan.

[0387] Below that, a table titled "Monthly Membership Revenue" is displayed, which, as an example rather than a limited one, shows the revenue that this official user can earn as a result of being charged a monthly fee to a general user for each membership course. For the sake of simplicity, we will use an example where the messaging service provider does not charge a fee and gives the full amount to the official user.

[0388] Here, it is displayed that the monthly fee for "Standard Membership" is "400 yen" and the monthly fee for "Premium Membership" is "800 yen". Below that, it is displayed that the revenue from general users belonging to "Standard Membership" is "24,000 yen" and the revenue from general users belonging to "Premium Membership" is "16,000 yen", and the total monthly revenue is "40,000 yen".

[0389] Below that, as an example rather than a limited one, a graph of "Monthly Usage Fee Balance" is displayed, illustrating how the balance between the usage fees for official accounts in the messaging service and the revenue from charges for each membership course changes depending on the number of messages sent to the OA chat room.

[0390] Here, as an example rather than a limited one, consider a scenario where sending a message to a "free member" incurs a fee of "1 yen" per message, but sending messages to "premium members" and "standard members," who require payment, does not incur any charges.

[0391] The graph shows that when the number of messages sent exceeds "400," the message sending fee to "free members" exceeds the monthly membership revenue.

[0392] Figure 5-2 shows another example of the official account management screen. In Figure 5-2, the Home Menu Selection tab is displayed in the front of the global menu display area GMM1, indicating that the Home Menu Selection tab is selected.

[0393] The local menu display area LMM2 displays, as an example and not an exhaustive list, the Home menu selection tab and related function menus, including, as an example and not an exhaustive list, a message delivery menu button labeled "Message Delivery" for sending messages, a coupon delivery menu button labeled "Coupon Delivery" for issuing coupons, and a rich menu management menu button labeled "Create Rich Menu" for creating rich menus configured within this official account's talk room (chat room). Figure 5-2 shows that the message delivery menu button is highlighted, indicating that it is selected.

[0394] In the lower right pane of the global menu display area GMM1, the menu buttons selected in the local menu display area LMM2 and their corresponding distribution management display area CMR1 are displayed, not as an example but as an illustration. In Figure 5-2, based on the selection of the message delivery menu button in the local menu display area LMM2, the text "Scheduled Message Delivery" is displayed in the delivery management display area CMR1, indicating that a message to be delivered (sent) from the official account is created in advance.

[0395] Below that, a message sending date and time selection area is displayed, indicated by the words "Sending Date and Time". The sending date and time selection area is configured to display three areas for specifying the sending date and time for each membership course: a "Premium Member" sending date and time setting area, a "Standard Member" sending date and time setting area, and a "Free Member" sending date and time setting area.

[0396] This screen shows that in the "Premium Member" sending date and time setting area, "March 3, 20XX, 19:00" is specified as the message sending date and time. Furthermore, in the "Standard Member" sending date and time setting area, "5 minutes after the Premium Member" date and time is specified, and in the "Free Member" sending date and time setting area, "10 minutes after the Standard Member" date and time is specified.

[0397] Below the send date and time selection area, a content description area is displayed for entering the message content of the message you are creating. At the top of the content description area, as an example and not an exhaustive list, there are text selection buttons indicated by a speech bubble icon for entering text as message content, stamp selection buttons indicated by a face icon for entering stamps as message content, still image selection buttons indicated by a mountain icon for sending still images as message content, and video selection buttons indicated by a film icon for sending videos as message content.

[0398] In Figure 5-2, the text selection button is selected, and therefore it is highlighted. As a result, a text input box is displayed at the bottom of the content description area. Below the text input box, an emoji input button, indicated by the word "Emoji," is displayed for specifying emojis as text.

[0399] In the lower right corner of the distribution management display area CMR1, there is a message distribution reservation button RBT1, indicated by the words "Distribution Reservation," which is used to distribute the message content entered in the content description area at the date and time specified in the transmission date and time selection area.

[0400] As an example, not limited to specific situations, when the message delivery reservation button RBT1 is tapped by a user, the message entered in the content description area will be delivered to general users who are subscribed to the "Premium Member" membership course at "March 3, 20XX, 19:00". Similarly, the message entered in the content description area will be delivered to general users who are subscribed to the "Standard Member" membership course at "March 3, 20XX, 19:05". And the message entered in the content description area will be delivered to general users who are subscribed to the "Free Member" membership course at "March 3, 20XX, 19:15".

[0401] <Effects of the 5th Example> This embodiment shows a configuration in which a terminal 40 of an official user of an official account (not limited to this, but an example of a terminal of a user of a second account) displays information about a general account that has been associated with an official account as at least a first type on the display unit 44. As an example of the effects of this configuration, it becomes possible to make information about the first account, which has been associated with the second account as at least one type, accessible to the user of the second account. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0402] 1. Communication System 10 servers 20(40) terminals 30 Networks

Claims

1. A program executed on the terminal of the user of the first account to process chats with the second account, The mapping between the first account and the second account involves a mapping between the first type and the second type. When requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the first type, the first information is transmitted by the communication unit of the terminal, and when requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the second type, the second information is transmitted by the communication unit. When the first information is transmitted, the communication unit receives a first message for the first type and a first object for selection or input for the first type that is different from the first message, and displays the first message and the first object in a chat room including the first account and the second account, which is displayed on the display unit of the terminal. When the second information is transmitted, the communication unit receives a second message for the second type and a second object for selection or input for the second type that is different from the second message, and displays the second message and the second object in the chat room.

2. The program according to claim 1, When the first information is transmitted, the first message, the first object, and the second object are received by the communication unit, and the first message, the first object, and the second object are displayed in the chat room.

3. The program according to claim 2, The first object and the second object are displayed in a different area of ​​the chat room from the area where the first message is displayed.

4. A program according to claim 2 or claim 3, The first object and the second object are displayed in different ways.

5. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The first object is a service associated with the second account, and is an object relating to the first service that is available to the account associated with the second account as the first type.

6. L according to claim 5, The first object is an input object, When the first object is displayed in the chat room, the terminal's control unit performs processing related to using the first service based on the input of the terminal's user to the first object.

7. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The second object is a service associated with the second account, and is an object relating to a second service that is available to the account associated with the second account as a second type.

8. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The second object is a service associated with the second account, and is an object relating to the second service that is available to the account associated with the second account as a first type and the account associated with the second account as a second type.

9. A program according to claim 7 or claim 8, The second object mentioned above is an input object, When the second object is displayed in the chat room, the terminal's control unit performs processing related to using the second service based on the input of the terminal's user to the second object.

10. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The first-class (premium) category is a category that requires a fee. The second category mentioned above is a category that does not require payment.

11. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The first and second categories of the billing system are types of charges. The first category has a higher charge than the second category.

12. A method for processing information on the terminal of a user of the first account that performs processing related to chat with the second account, The mapping between the first account and the second account involves a mapping between the first type and the second type. When requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the first type, the first information is transmitted by the communication unit of the terminal, and when requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the second type, the second information is transmitted by the communication unit. When the first information is transmitted, the communication unit receives a first message for the first type and a first object for selection or input for the first type that is different from the first message, and displays the first message and the first object in a chat room including the first account and the second account, which is displayed on the display unit of the terminal. When the second information is transmitted, the communication unit receives a second message for the second type and a second object for selection or input for the second type that is different from the second message, and displays the second message and the second object in the chat room.

13. The terminal of the user of the first account that processes chat with the second account, The mapping between the first account and the second account involves a mapping between the first type and the second type. Display unit and The system includes a communication unit that transmits first information when requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the first type, and transmits second information when requesting the association between the first account and the second account as the second type, When the first information is transmitted, the communication unit receives a first message for the first type and a first object for selection or input for the first type that is different from the first message, and displays the first message and the first object in a chat room including the first account and the second account, which is displayed on the display unit. When the second information is transmitted, the communication unit receives a second message for the second type and a second object for selection or input for the second type that is different from the second message, and displays the second message and the second object in the chat room.

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