Information processing system, method and program for providing messaging services

Abstract

To provide a mechanism that can improve usability in messaging services.SOLUTION: An account management unit 112 accepts login using each account. When a child logs in using a child account, a message control unit 113 accepts selection of a stamp message to be sent from among a plurality of stamp messages. On the other hand, when a guardian logs in using a parent account, the message control unit 113 accepts selection of a stamp message or a text message to be sent from among the plurality of stamp messages and a plurality of text messages.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a method for providing a messaging service, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, messaging services that enable real-time message exchanges (so-called chats) between users using computer terminals such as personal computers and smartphones have become widely popular (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In messaging services, not only simple text messages consisting of only characters but also stamps (including those with text; hereinafter collectively referred to as stamp messages) that express emotions and moods such as joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness can be used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Currently, it has been pointed out that users of messaging services, regardless of their usage position, have the same types of messages (message types) that can be handled, resulting in low usability.

[0006] In view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention is made, and one of its objectives is to provide a mechanism capable of improving the usability in messaging services.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system that provides messaging services to logged-in users, comprising: a first reception unit that accepts logins with a first account; a second reception unit that accepts logins with a second account; and a message control unit that sends a message to a recipient based on the operation of the user logged in with the first or second account, wherein the message control unit controls the selection of messages so that the messages that the logged-in user can send differ depending on whether they are logged in with the first account or the second account. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism that can improve the usability of messaging services. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the functional modules for the service provider server. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the essential components of a user terminal. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram showing the main processing flow of the messaging service. [Figure 5A] This diagram illustrates the chat screen when a text message is selected. [Figure 5B] This diagram illustrates the chat screen when a stamp message is selected. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the chat screen when messages and photos associated with each event are received. [Figure 7] This is an example diagram showing a chat screen when a child selects a stamp message. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes embodiments of the messaging service according to the present invention applied to an online learning service. Note that identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0011] A. Embodiment Figure 1 shows the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1 includes a service provision server 10 and user terminals 20. The number of user terminals 20 can be arbitrarily set according to the system design, etc.

[0012] The service provider server 10 and the user terminal 20 are connected via a communication network N. The communication network N may be any of the following: the internet, LAN, telephone line, corporate network, mobile communication network, Bluetooth®, WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), other communication lines, or a combination thereof, and may be wired or wireless.

[0013] The service provider server 10 is a server that provides online learning services and messaging services. Specifically, the service provider server 10 provides content such as lecture videos and learning materials to the student's user terminal 20 via the communication network N, while also enabling real-time message exchange (chat) between the student and others (such as parents or friends). Students can increase their number of friends as they progress through the learning lessons, but this will be explained later.

[0014] The service providing server 10 is a general-purpose computer and may be composed of a single computer or may be composed of a plurality of computers distributed on a communication network. The service providing server 10 includes a control device 11 and a storage device 12. The control device 11 includes, as hardware, a CPU, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, and a bus connecting these. The control device 11 realizes various functions by executing a program stored in the ROM or the like by the CPU. The storage device 12 is a hard disk drive or the like.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional modules realized by the CPU of the control device 11 executing a program stored in the ROM or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the functional modules include a content control unit 111, an account management unit 112, and a message control unit 113.

[0016] The content control unit 111 distributes optimal content to each learner according to the progress of learning and the like.

[0017] The account management unit (first reception unit, second reception unit) 112 manages the accounts used by children who are learners and the accounts used by the protectors of the learners, and accepts logins to each account. For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the account used by a child is referred to as a "child account", and the account used by a protector is referred to as a "parent account". In this embodiment, it is set such that the message types that can be sent to the recipient are different when logging in with a child account and when logging in with a parent account. Details will be described later, but when logging in with a child account, only a stamp message can be sent, whereas when logging in with a parent account, not only a stamp message but also a text message such as a fixed-form sentence can be sent. Note that the number of each account that can be created can be arbitrarily set. For example, up to three child accounts may be created for one parent account.

[0018] The message control unit 113 controls the transmission of messages based on the operations of users (children and guardians) logged in with each account. Specifically, when a child logs in with a child account, the message control unit 113 accepts the selection of a stamp message to be transmitted from among a plurality of stamp messages. On the other hand, when a guardian logs in with a parent account, the message control unit 113 accepts the selection of a stamp message and / or a text message to be transmitted from among a plurality of stamp messages as well as a plurality of text messages. The message control unit 113 transmits the selected message to the recipient based on such a selection operation.

[0019] The storage device 12 stores a content management table 121, a user information management table 122, a message management table 123, a character management table 124, and the like. The content management table 121 stores a teaching material ID that identifies lecture content, video content for lectures, and the like.

[0020] The user information management table 122 records, for each user, child account information for the learner (child), parent account information for the guardian, an identifier indicating the correspondence between the child and the guardian, contract course information, learning indicators (total learning time, total number of learning times, number of consecutive learning days, learning time per week, etc.), and the like. Each account information registers basic information of the user such as an account ID, a password, a name, and an email address.

[0021] The message management table 123 registers various stamp messages (Ms), text messages (Mt), and photos (e.g., image files) (Pt) that can be used in the messaging service. In this embodiment, stamp messages (Ms) are assumed to include stamps that express emotions, along with messages that express those emotions in English or Japanese, but this is not the only option; for example, only stamps may be used. Text messages (Mt) may be standard phrases such as everyday greetings or expressions of appreciation, but they may also be messages freely entered by the user (parent / guardian).

[0022] The character management table 124 contains icons for various characters (such as a giraffe, elephant, dog, and cat) that students, guardians, and friends use when exchanging messages.

[0023] User terminal 20 is a computer terminal used by users (students and guardians) to access the information processing system 1, and can be a tablet device, personal computer (PC), notebook PC, smartphone, or other terminal device.

[0024] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main components of the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 includes a processor 21, an input device 22, a display device 23, a communication interface 24, and a storage device 25. The input device 22 is a touch panel or keyboard, etc. The display device 23 is a liquid crystal display, etc. The storage device 25 stores learning applications (AP) 251 for using online learning services and messaging applications (AP) 252 for using messaging services, etc. Next, the flow of the messaging service, which is characteristic of this embodiment, will be described.

[0025] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the main processing flow of the messaging service. The process shown in Figure 4 is intended to simulate situations such as (1) when a parent sends a message to their child (student), (2) when a predetermined event occurs during the child's learning and a message related to that event is sent to the child, and (3) when the child sends a stamp message. It is assumed that the child and parent already have a child account and a parent account, respectively.

[0026] (When a parent sends a message to their child) The parent accesses the parent account using the user terminal 20 and logs in to the service provider server 10 (Step Sa1). The service provider server 10 determines whether or not to accept the login based on the account information (account ID, password, etc.) entered by the parent. If the login is accepted by the service provider server 10, the parent selects a message to send to the child using the user terminal 20 (Step Sa2). As already explained, a parent logged in with the parent account can send not only stamp messages (Ms) but also text messages (Mt).

[0027] Figure 5A is an example of the chat screen F1 when a text message Mt is selected, and Figure 5B is an example of the chat screen F2 when a stamp message Ms is selected. The top of the chat screens F1 and F2 displays the message exchange (chat) with the child. Specifically, messages sent by the child are displayed in the upper left half of the chat screens F1 and F2, and messages sent by the parent are displayed in the upper right half of the chat screens F1 and F2. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the chat screens F1 and F2, tabs Tb1 and Tb2 are displayed for switching between selectable message types. Parents can switch between selectable message types by using tabs Tb1 and Tb2. Specifically, parents tap tab Tb1 to send a text message (Mt) to their child, while they tap tab Tb2 to send a stamp message (Ms).

[0028] After selecting the message type in this way, the parent selects a message to send to the child from among several messages and sends it (Step Sa3). When the service provider server 10 receives the message selection operation from the parent's user terminal 20, it sends the message selected by the parent to the child's user terminal 20. The child's user terminal 20 receives the message selected by the parent (Step Sa4) and displays it on the chat screens F1 and F2. The child can check the message type and content received from the parent in real time through the chat screens F1 and F2.

[0029] (When a specific event occurs during a child's learning, and a message associated with that event is sent to the child.) As the child progresses through learning using System 1, events occur at the timings shown in (A) to (D) below (Step Sb1). When an event occurs, the service provider server 10 sends a message associated with the event (in this case, a text message Mt is assumed) to the child's user terminal 20 (Step Sb2). (A) When the lesson ends and you make more friends (B) When a stage is cleared by completing multiple lessons and you advance to the next stage. (C) When receiving a photo from a friend after the lesson has ended (D) If you clear all lessons and stages

[0030] <<When the lesson ends and you gain more friends>> When a child finishes a lesson, the service server 10 randomly selects a new "friend" character (for example, a giraffe or an elephant). Then, the service server 10 accesses the message management table 123 and selects a message associated with this event (for example, "Hello!"). The service server (message control unit) 10 sends the selected message to the child's user terminal 20 as a message from the new "friend". The service server 10 may randomly select a message associated with the event, but it may also take into account the progress of the lesson (for example, the correct answer rate or the frequency of lessons) when making its selection.

[0031] <<When you clear a stage and advance to the next stage by completing multiple lessons>> When a child completes several lessons and clears a specific stage (for example, "Introducing Yourself in English"), the service provider server 10 randomly selects one or more "friend" characters from the "friend" characters that have been added in that stage. The service provider server 10 then accesses the message management table 123 and selects a message associated with this event (for example, "Congratulations!"). The service provider server (message control unit) 10 sends the selected message to the child's user terminal 20 as a message from a "friend". Alternatively, instead of selecting one or more "friends," all "friends" added in that stage may be selected. Also, if there are multiple messages associated with the event, they can be selected randomly.

[0032] <<When receiving photos from a friend after the lesson has finished>> When a child completes a specific mission during a lesson (for example, "Let's speak in English!"), the service server 10 selects the character who became a "friend" during that lesson after the lesson ends. The service server 10 then accesses the message management table 123 and selects a message associated with this event (for example, "Nice to meet you") and a memorable photo from the lesson (for example, an image). The service server (message control unit) 10 sends the selected message and photo to the child's user terminal 20 as a message and photo from a "friend". If there are multiple messages and photos associated with the event, they can be selected randomly.

[0033] <<If you have cleared all lessons and stages>> When the child completes all lessons and stages (i.e., finishes the content), the service server 10 selects all the "friends" characters. The service server 10 then accesses the message management table 123 and selects a message associated with this event (for example, "You did it! You did it!"). The service server 10 sends the selected message to the child's user terminal 20 as a message from all the "friends".

[0034] When the child's user terminal 20 receives a text message Mt or photo Pt associated with each event (step Sb3), as shown in Figure 6, for example, it displays them on the chat screen F3. The child can check messages and photos received from "friends" in real time through the chat screen F3.

[0035] (When a child sends a stamp) For example, when a child replies to a message received from a "friend," they select a stamp message Ms by tapping the chat screen. As shown in Figure 7, multiple stamp messages Ms are displayed on the chat screen F4 on the child's user terminal 20. After the child selects the stamp message Ms they want to reply with, they tap the send button B1. Once this operation is performed, the child's user terminal 20 sends the selected stamp message Ms to the service provider server 10 (step Sc1). When the service provider server 10 receives a stamp message Ms, it reads the message associated with the received stamp message Ms (hereinafter assumed to be a text message Mt) from the message management table 123 and replies to the child's user terminal 20 (step Sc2). When the child's user terminal 20 receives the reply message to the stamp message Ms from the service provider server 10, it displays it on the chat screen. The child can check messages received from "friends" in real time via the chat screen. The above example described a case where a child replies with a stamp message (Ms) to a message received from a "friend," but this is not the only example. It is also possible to reply with a stamp message (Ms) to a message received from a parent or guardian.

[0036] B. Variations The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For this reason, the above embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. For example, the order of the above processing steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel, as long as there is no inconsistency in the processing content.

[0037] In the embodiments described above, an English language learning service was used as an example, but it can also be applied to other learning services (for example, learning services for obtaining qualifications). Of course, it is not limited to learning services, but can also be applied to various online services (for example, online body shaping support services).

[0038] Furthermore, although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, a function (a so-called read receipt function) may be provided that allows the sender to know the status of the recipient's viewing of the sent message. For example, if a child sends a stamp message Ms to a "friend," a read receipt mark (icon) may be placed on the characters of the N (≧2) most recent "friends." [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1... Information processing system, 10... Service provision server, 11... Control device, 12... Storage device, 20... User terminal, 21... Processor, 22... Input device, 23... Display device, 24... Communication interface, 25... Storage device, 111... Content control unit, 112... Account management unit, 113... Message control unit, 121... Content management table, 122... User information management table, 123... Message management table, 124... Character management table, 251... Learning application, 252... Messaging application

Claims

1. An information processing system that provides messaging services to logged-in users, The first reception desk accepts logins using the first account, The second reception desk accepts logins using a second account, The system includes a message control unit that sends a message to a recipient based on an action taken by a user logged in with the first or second account, The message control unit, An information processing system that controls the selection of messages such that the degree of restrictions on messages that a logged-in user can send differs depending on whether they are logged in with the first account or the second account.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first account is the account of a child receiving the learning service, and the second account is the account of the child's guardian.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the only messages that a user logged in with the first account can send are stamp messages.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the messages that a user logged in with the second account can send are stamp messages or text messages.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the user can switch between the stamp message and the text message based on the user's tab operation.

6. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the message control unit, when a predetermined condition is met, sends a message to the user logged in with the first account, using a character that has become friends with the user.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is that the user completes a predetermined learning lesson.

8. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein there are multiple predetermined conditions, and for each predetermined condition, the message from the character who has become friends with the user is different.

9. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the message control unit transmits messages between a user logged in with the first account and a user logged in with the second account.

10. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the degree of restriction on the messages that can be sent is the degree of restriction on the types of messages that can be sent.

11. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the first account is an account of a child receiving a learning service, the second account is an account of the child's guardian, and the second account has a more relaxed degree of restrictions on the messages that can be sent than the first account.

12. An information processing system that provides messaging services to logged-in users, The first reception desk accepts logins using the first account, The second reception desk accepts logins using a second account, The system includes a message control unit that sends a message to a recipient based on an action taken by a user logged in with the first or second account, The message control unit, The message selection is controlled such that the messages that a logged-in user can send differ depending on whether they log in with the first account or the second account. If the predetermined conditions are met, a message will be sent to the user who logged in with the first account, from a character that has become friends with the user. Information processing system.

13. In a method of providing messaging services to logged-in users, The first registration step accepts login using the first account, The second registration step accepts logins using a second account, The step includes a message control step of sending a message to a recipient based on an action taken by a user logged in with the first or second account, In the message control step, A method for providing a messaging service that controls the selection of messages so that the degree of restrictions on messages that a logged-in user can send differs depending on whether they are logged in with the first account or the second account.

14. A computer that provides messaging services to logged-in users, The first reception desk accepts logins using the first account, The second reception desk accepts logins using a second account, It functions as a message control unit that sends a message to the recipient based on the actions of a user logged in with the first or second account. The message control unit, A program that controls the selection of messages so that the degree of restriction on messages that a logged-in user can send differs depending on whether they are logged in with the first account or the second account.

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