Community system and community processing device

Abstract

The system includes a summary posting unit 105 which classifies a plurality of pieces of posted information posted on a community site until a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied into one or more categories according to the contents of each piece of information, generates summarized posted information that compiles information relating to the one or more categories into a list, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site, thereby enabling users to recognize what categories of posts are being made on the community site and the various categories of posts that are actually being made, thereby enabling the users to further expand communication based on the information and activate communication within the community.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a community system and a community processing device, and is particularly suitable for use in a system in which a computer and a plurality of users can post comments on a community site and communicate with each other. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, social networking services (SNS) have come to be used more and more as a communication tool on the Internet, with many users posting various types of information on SNS. Groups (also called communities or circles) are formed within SNS, and users who join the groups can freely exchange information with each other. Multiple groups are sometimes formed on SNS, each with a different theme, and users can select and join a group that matches their hobbies and interests.

[0003] In light of this background, various systems have been proposed to support information exchange in communities (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 discloses a system that enables one community to automatically provide useful information to another community, and aims to efficiently share knowledge between communities. Patent Document 2 discloses a system that aims to enable a user to accurately participate in a community that deals with a desired topic, even if the topics in the community change from time to time.

[0004] The system described in Patent Document 1 manages multiple virtual communities that serve as forums for discussion, and classifies and accumulates messages posted to each virtual community from each client terminal by topic. In addition, summary information (conclusions for conversations (threads)) that summarizes the messages accumulated in the virtual community by topic is managed for each virtual community. The summary information for a given virtual community is then provided to other virtual communities that are determined to have discussions similar to that of the given virtual community.

[0005] In the system described in Patent Document 2, a classification is continuously assigned to topics in a specific community based on multiple posting data that is continuously sent from a client device to the specific community, and information indicating the assigned classification is output to a client device that accesses the specific community. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-342347 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-227711 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Although there are various purposes for using social media for users who participate in communities and for businesses that operate communities, what is commonly desired in all cases is the activation of the community. However, neither of the systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above provides a mechanism for activating the community.

[0008] That is, the system described in Patent Document 1 provides summary information of the results of discussions in a given community to other communities, but does not stimulate information exchange within a community. Also, the system described in Patent Document 2 presents a constantly changing topic classification to users participating in a community, thereby encouraging users whose topics no longer meet their needs to leave the community, but does not stimulate information exchange within a community.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a mechanism for revitalizing social media communities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention classifies multiple pieces of posted information posted on a community site before a specified trigger condition is met into one or more categories according to the content of each piece of information, generates summarized posted information that summarizes information about the one or more categories in a list, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention configured as described above, users can recognize what categories are being posted on the community site, i.e., the various categories of posts that are actually being posted, and can make new discoveries and discoveries. If there is a category that interests them, they can expand their communication by replying to posts in that category, etc. This makes it possible to activate communication within the community. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a community system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2]2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of summarized posted information posted by a summary posting section in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the server device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a server device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation of a first mode of the server device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation of the server device in a second mode according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a processing timing of a server device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of summarized posted information posted by a summary posting section in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a community system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the community system of the first embodiment is configured to include a server device 10 (corresponding to a community processing device in the claims) and a plurality of user terminals 20. The server device 10 and the user terminals 20 are connected via a communication network 30 such as the Internet or a mobile phone network.

[0014] The community system of the first embodiment enables users using the computer of the server device 10 and the user terminal 20 to communicate by posting free comments within a community site formed in an online virtual space by the server device 10. A user can post messages from the user's own computer, or can post replies to information posted by a computer or other users. A computer can also post messages from the user's own computer, or can post replies to information posted by a user.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server device 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the server device 10 according to the first embodiment includes, as functional configurations, an initial keyword registration unit 101, a derived keyword generation unit 102, a keyword related posting unit 103, a posted information receiving unit 104, and a summarized posting unit 105. The server device 10 according to the first embodiment also includes, as storage media, a keyword storage unit 11 and a posted information storage unit 12.

[0016] The functional blocks 101 to 105 can be configured by either hardware or software. For example, the functional blocks 101 to 105 are realized by the operation of a program stored in a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory under the control of a microcomputer configured with a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. In addition to the CPU, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or the like may be used.

[0017] The initial keyword registration unit 101 registers initial keywords (corresponding to "given keywords" in the claims) used to generate posted messages when a computer initiates a posting. For example, an administrator of a community site using one of the user terminals 20 specifies an arbitrary keyword from the user terminal 20, which is accepted by the initial keyword registration unit 101 and registered in the server device 10 as an initial keyword.

[0018] Alternatively, the initial keyword registration unit 101 may generate an arbitrary keyword and register it as the initial keyword. As an example of a method of generating a keyword, one keyword may be randomly extracted from a dictionary database in which a large number of keywords are recorded. Alternatively, a question sentence for which the keyword is to be answered may be input as a prompt to a large-scale language model (LLM), and the keyword output from the LLM as a result may be used as the initial keyword. In this case, the initial keyword registration unit 101 generates the question sentence using a predetermined template sentence. One or more template sentences may be prepared in advance, and if there are multiple template sentences, one of them is selected and used.

[0019] The initial keyword registration unit 101 executes registration of initial keywords periodically or irregularly. For example, it executes registration of initial keywords at intervals such as once every day or once every two days. The number of initial keywords to be registered each time is arbitrary, but it is assumed that it is one, for example.

[0020] The derived keyword generating unit 102 generates one or more derived keywords based on an initial keyword every time the initial keyword is registered by the initial keyword registration unit 101. The derived keywords generated by the derived keyword generating unit 102 are used to generate posted text. The derived keywords are words related to the initial keyword, such as synonyms, associated words, and co-occurring words with respect to the initial keyword.

[0021] As an example of a method for generating derived keywords, a dictionary database that records relationships between many synonyms and associative words may be referenced to extract synonyms or associative words for the initial keyword. Alternatively, a large number of sentences stored in a sentence database may be analyzed to detect co-occurring words for the initial keyword. In this case, the posted information storage unit 12 may be used as the sentence database.

[0022] Alternatively, a question sentence for asking the user to answer the derived keyword may be input as a prompt to the LLM, and the keyword output from the LLM as a result may be used as the derived keyword. In this case, the derived keyword generating unit 102 generates a question sentence using the initial keyword registered by the initial keyword registering unit 101 and a predetermined template sentence. One or more template sentences may be prepared in advance, and if there are multiple template sentences, one of them is selected and used.

[0023] The derived keyword generating unit 102 stores the generated derived keyword together with the initial keyword from which it was generated in the keyword storage unit 11. As described above, the registration of the initial keyword is repeatedly executed, and one or more derived keywords are generated each time an initial keyword is registered, so that many keywords are successively stored in the keyword storage unit 11. At this time, it is not necessary to additionally store keywords that are the same as keywords already stored in the keyword storage unit 11. Alternatively, keywords may be stored successively by categorizing them according to the timing of generation, regardless of whether they are the same as keywords already stored.

[0024] In the first embodiment, it is not essential to provide the derived keyword generating unit 102, but it is preferable to provide the derived keyword generating unit 102 in order to increase the variation of keywords used in generating posted messages. In particular, when a word designated by the administrator of the community site is to be registered as an initial keyword in the initial keyword registration unit 101, it is effective to generate derived keywords by the derived keyword generating unit 102.

[0025] The keyword-related posting unit 103 generates posting information of a message based on a plurality of keywords (including the initial keywords registered by the initial keyword registration unit 101 and the derived keywords generated by the derived keyword generation unit 102) stored in the keyword storage unit 11, and posts (communicates) the message on the community site. Hereinafter, this posting information is referred to as keyword-related posting information. The keyword-related posting information posted by the keyword-related posting unit 103 is displayed on the community site and is made viewable by users on the user terminal 20.

[0026] When the derived keyword generating unit 102 is omitted, only the initial keywords repeatedly registered by the initial keyword registering unit 101 are stored in the keyword storage unit 11. In this case, the keyword related posting unit 103 generates posting information for a message based on the initial keywords stored in the keyword storage unit 11, and posts the information on the community site.

[0027] The keyword-related posting unit 103 generates keyword-related posted information and posts it on the community site, for example, every time a keyword is stored in the keyword storage unit 11. For example, the keyword-related posting unit 103 may input a question to be answered by the posted text as a prompt to the LLM, and use the posted text output from the LLM as the keyword-related posted information. In this case, the keyword-related posting unit 103 generates the question text using a keyword extracted from the keyword storage unit 11 and a predetermined template text. One or more template texts may be prepared in advance, and if there are multiple template texts, one of them is selected and used.

[0028] Here, the keyword-related posting unit 103 selects one of the multiple keywords stored in the keyword storage unit 11, and generates keyword-related posted information using the selected keyword. The number of keywords selected each time is arbitrary, but for example, one. Also, the number of pieces of keyword-related posted information generated from one keyword each time is arbitrary, but for example, one. That is, as an example, the keyword-related posting unit 103 extracts one keyword from the keyword storage unit 11 each time a keyword is stored in the keyword storage unit 11, and generates one piece of keyword-related posted information using the extracted keyword.

[0029] The posted information receiving unit 104 receives a plurality of pieces of posted information posted on the community site by a plurality of users from the user terminal 20. Each time the posted information receiving unit 104 receives posted information from the user terminal 20, it sequentially stores the information in the posted information storage unit 12. Although not shown as a functional block in FIG. 2, the posted information stored in the posted information storage unit 12 is displayed on the community site and made viewable by users on the user terminal 20.

[0030] The posted information received by the posted information receiving unit 104 from the user terminal 20 includes a first type of posted information originating from the user himself / herself, a second type of posted information that is a reply to keyword-related posted information posted by the keyword-related posting unit 103, and a third type of posted information that is a reply to posted information posted by another user. The posted information received by the posted information receiving unit 104 includes information that can identify what type of posted information it is.

[0031] The summary posting unit 105 classifies the multiple pieces of posted information stored in the posted information storage unit 12 until a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied into one or more categories according to their contents, generates summarized posted information that compiles information related to the one or more categories into a list, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site. The generated category is, for example, a topic that the posted information deals with. The summarized posted information posted by the summary posting unit 105 is displayed on the community site and made available for viewing by users on the user terminal 20.

[0032] The posted information processed by the summary posting unit 105 is the second type of posted information described above, that is, posted information posted by multiple users as a reply to keyword-related posted information posted by the keyword-related posting unit 103 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as reply posted information to a computer).

[0033] The trigger condition is a condition that should be satisfied as a trigger for generating summarized posted information by the summary posting unit 105, which will be described later. For example, the trigger condition for generating summarized posted information can be that the number of reply posted information to a computer posted by a plurality of users as a reply to keyword-related posted information reaches a threshold value (a predetermined number such as 5).

[0034] In this case, when the first five pieces of reply information to a computer are posted after the keyword-related posted information is posted, the summary posting unit 105 performs classification on the five pieces of posted information. Then, when another five pieces of reply information to a computer are posted, the summary posting unit 105 performs further classification on the five pieces of posted information. After that, such classification processing is continued sequentially for every five pieces of reply information to a computer.

[0035] The fact that a certain number of reply information to computers is posted means that there are a certain number of users who are interested, concerned, or sympathetic to the keyword-related posted information, and it is considered that there is a possibility that communication can be further developed based on the summarized posted information. Conversely, if the number of reply information to computers posted is less than the certain number, it is considered that the number of users who are interested, concerned, or sympathetic to the keyword-related posted information is small, and it is difficult to further develop communication. Therefore, the number of reply information to computers posted is used as a trigger condition to generate summarized posted information.

[0036] Here, the summary posting unit 105 generates a category for each of the multiple posted information according to its contents. For example, the summary posting unit 105 inputs a question for assigning a category to the LLM as a prompt, and uses the category output from the LLM as a result as a category for the multiple posted information. At this time, the summary posting unit 105 generates a question using the multiple posted information read from the posted information storage unit 12 and a predetermined template sentence each time a trigger condition is satisfied. One or more template sentences may be prepared in advance, and if there are multiple template sentences, one of them is selected and used.

[0037] For example, when classification is performed in units of five posted information, the following cases may occur: a first case in which the categories generated for the five posted information are all different and five different categories are assigned; a second case in which the categories generated for less than five posted information are the same and two, three, or four categories are assigned; and a third case in which the categories generated for the five posted information are all the same and one category is assigned.

[0038] The summary posting unit 105 generates summarized posted information and posts it on the community site when multiple categories are given to multiple pieces of posted information, that is, when the first or second case occurs, instead of all the same category being given to the multiple pieces of posted information. By generating and posting summarized posted information when multiple categories are generated, it is possible to make users aware that the computer-related reply posted information, which is a reply from multiple users to one piece of keyword-related posted information, relates to a variety of topics. In other words, it is possible to make users aware of the various topics being discussed on the community site.

[0039] The summarized posted information posted on the community site includes at least one of the following: the name of the category, a description of the category, and examples of posted information belonging to the category. For example, the summarized posted information may be a list of the names of a plurality of categories.

[0040] Alternatively, the summarized posted information may include the names of a plurality of categories and examples of reply posted information to a computer belonging to each category. The example reply posted information to a computer may be the entire text or a part of the reply posted information. For example, it is possible to determine a maximum number of characters to be shown as an example, and include information copied from the beginning of the reply posted information to a computer within the number of characters in the summarized posted information.

[0041] Alternatively, the summarized posting information may include the names of a plurality of categories, examples of reply posting information to a computer belonging to each category, and an explanation of each category. In this example, the summarized posting unit 105 may input, as a prompt, a question requesting the assignment of a category and the creation of an explanation to the LLM, and generate the summarized posting information using the category names and explanations output from the LLM as a result, and the examples of reply posting information to a computer.

[0042] As another generation method, the summary posting unit 105 may execute the generation of categories and the generation of explanations in two stages. For example, in the first stage, the summary posting unit 105 generates a question requesting the assignment of a category using a plurality of computer-directed reply posted information read from the post information storage unit 12 and a predetermined template sentence each time a trigger condition is satisfied, and inputs the question as a prompt to the LLM, thereby generating one or more categories. In the subsequent second stage, the summary posting unit 105 generates an explanation for each of the plurality of categories generated in the first stage by generating a question requesting the assignment of an explanation using one or more computer-directed reply posted information belonging to the category, a category name, and a predetermined template sentence, and inputs the question as a prompt to the LLM.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of summarized posted information posted by the summary posting unit 105. The summarized posted information shown in Fig. 3 includes category names 31, descriptions 32 of each category, and examples 33 of reply posted information to a computer belonging to each category.

[0044] The summary posting unit 105 may generate summarized posted information and post it on the community site only when the condition that a category commonly assigned to a plurality of pieces of posted information is included is satisfied, that is, in the second case, in addition to the condition that a plurality of pieces of posted information are assigned a plurality of categories. In this case, the number of pieces of posted information included in one category may be recorded in the summarized posted information. In this way, by posting the summarized posted information only when a situation in which a plurality of users post about the same topic is included, the summarized posted information can make users aware of homogeneous categories in which a plurality of users are commonly interested.

[0045] In the second case, the summarized posted information may be generated only when there are a plurality of sets of posted information to which the same category is assigned, or when only a category commonly assigned to a plurality of posted information is included. The former means that the summarized posted information is generated only when three types of categories are generated by a combination of two posted information, two posted information, and one posted information, or when two types of categories are generated by a combination of two posted information and three posted information. The latter means that the summarized posted information is generated only when two types of categories are generated by a combination of two posted information and three posted information. In the former case, the summarized posted information may be generated only for two types of categories generated from two posted information and two posted information. In this way, the summarized posted information can make users recognize only the homogeneous categories in which a plurality of users are commonly interested.

[0046] The summary posting unit 105 may not execute the process of generating summarized posted information for keyword-related posted information if a predetermined number of pieces of reply posted information to a computer are not posted within a predetermined time after the keyword-related posted information is posted by the keyword-related posting unit 103. After the summarized posted information has been posted once, if a predetermined number of pieces of reply posted information to a computer are not posted within a predetermined time after the most recent summarized posted information was posted, the process of generating summarized posted information for that keyword-related posted information may be stopped.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the server device 10 according to the first embodiment configured as above. In Fig. 4, the initial keyword registration unit 101 registers one initial keyword KW0. When the initial keyword KW0 is registered, the derived keyword generation unit 102 generates one or more derived keywords KW1 to KWm (m ≥ 1) based on the initial keyword KW0. The initial keyword registration unit 101 and the derived keyword generation unit 102 repeatedly execute such processing, and sequentially store sets of keywords KW0 to KWm in the keyword storage unit 11.

[0048] The keyword-related posting unit 103 selects one keyword KWi from among a plurality of keywords (a plurality of sets of keywords KW0 to KWm) stored in the keyword storage unit 11 at each timing when a keyword is stored in the keyword storage unit 11, and generates keyword-related posted information using the selected keyword KWi. Then, the generated keyword-related posted information is posted on the community site.

[0049] The posted information receiving unit 104 sequentially receives reply posted information to a computer 1 to n (n≧1) posted by a plurality of users from the user terminal 20 as replies to keyword-related posted information. The posted information receiving unit 104 receives posted information of the first to third types posted by a plurality of users on the community site, and identifies and recognizes reply posted information to a computer of the second type 1 to n that has been posted in reply to the keyword-related posted information.

[0050] Each time the summary posting unit 105 receives a predetermined number (e.g., five) of computer-to-computer reply posted information in response to keyword-related posted information, the summary posting unit 105 classifies the predetermined number of posted information into one or more categories, and if multiple categories are assigned to the predetermined number of posted information, generates summarized posted information and posts it on the community site.

[0051] The example in Fig. 4 shows an example in which two categories C1-1, C1-2 are generated from the first five pieces of reply posted information to a computer 1-5, and summarized posted information S1 is generated by compiling information related to the two categories C1-1, C1-2 into a list. Also, Fig. 4 shows an example in which three categories C2-1-C2-3 are generated from the next five pieces of reply posted information to a computer 6-10, and summarized posted information S2 is generated by compiling information related to the three categories C2-1-C2-3 into a list.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server device 10 of the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 5 shows the flow of processing executed starting from the registration of one initial keyword.

[0053] First, the initial keyword registration unit 101 registers one initial keyword (step S1). When the initial keyword is registered, the derived keyword generation unit 102 generates one or more derived keywords based on the registered initial keyword (step S2), and stores the generated derived keywords together with the initial keyword from which they were generated in the keyword storage unit 11 (step S3).

[0054] Next, the keyword-related posting unit 103 selects one keyword from among the multiple keywords stored in the keyword storage unit 11 at this point in time. Then, the keyword-related posting unit 103 generates keyword-related posted information using the selected keyword, and posts the generated keyword-related posted information on the community site (step S4).

[0055] Thereafter, the summary posting unit 105 determines whether or not the number of reply posted information to a computer received by the posted information receiving unit 104 as a reply to the keyword-related posted information has reached a predetermined number (step S5). If it is determined that the number of received reply posted information to a computer has reached a predetermined number, the summary posting unit 105 classifies the predetermined number of posted information into one or more categories, and if multiple categories are assigned to the predetermined number of posted information, generates summarized posted information and posts it on the community site (step S6). Then, the process returns to step S5.

[0056] After returning from step S6 to step S5, the summary posting unit 105 determines whether or not the number of reply posted information to a computer received by the posted information receiving unit 104 as a reply to the keyword-related posted information has further reached a predetermined number. If it is determined that the number of received reply posted information to a computer has reached the predetermined number, the summary posting unit 105 generates summarized posted information for the predetermined number of posted information and posts it on the community site (step S6). Similarly, the summary posting unit 105 generates and posts summarized posted information every time it receives a predetermined number of reply posted information to a computer.

[0057] If it is determined in step S5 that the number of reply postings to the computer has not yet reached a predetermined number, the summary posting unit 105 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the keyword-related posting information was posted in step S4 if no summarized posting information has been posted yet, or whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the summarized posting information was posted in step S6 if one summarized posting information has already been posted (step S7).

[0058] Here, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed, the process returns to step S5. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the summary posting unit 105 stops the process of generating the summarized posted information (step S8) and ends the process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5. Note that in step S7, it may be determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the keyword-related posted information was posted, regardless of whether or not the summarized posted information has been posted once.

[0059] As described in detail above, in the first embodiment, multiple pieces of computer-to-computer reply posting information posted on a community site before a specified trigger condition is met are classified into one or more categories according to their respective contents, and when multiple categories are assigned to the multiple pieces of computer-to-computer reply posting information, summarized posting information that lists information relating to the multiple categories is generated and posted on the community site.

[0060] According to the first embodiment configured as described above, the user can recognize what categories are posted in response to keyword-related posted information in the community site, that is, the various categories of reply posted information to computers that are actually posted, and can make new discoveries and discoveries. If there is a category that interests the user, the user can expand communication by replying to the reply posted information to computers in that category. This makes it possible to activate communication within the community.

[0061] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The overall configuration of the community system according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in Fig. 1. However, a server device 10A is used in place of the server device 10.

[0062] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server device 10A according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 2 denote the same functions, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted here.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 6, the server device 10A according to the second embodiment includes, as a functional configuration, a keyword-related posting unit 103A and a summary posting unit 105A instead of the keyword-related posting unit 103 and the summary posting unit 105 shown in Fig. 2. The server device 10A according to the second embodiment further includes, as a functional configuration, a category keyword setting unit 111 and a second derived keyword generating unit 112. The server device 10A according to the second embodiment further includes, as a storage medium, a second keyword storage unit 13.

[0064] The functional blocks shown in Fig. 6 can be configured by either hardware or software, similar to the functional blocks shown in Fig. 2. For example, the functional blocks are realized by the operation of a program stored in a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory under the control of a microcomputer configured with a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. In addition to the CPU, a DSP or the like may be used.

[0065] The keyword-related posting unit 103A has a first mode in which keyword-related posted information is generated using the initial keyword registered by the initial keyword registration unit 101 as a given keyword, and a second mode in which keyword-related posted information is generated based on a keyword indicating a category (hereinafter, referred to as a category keyword) generated by the summary posting unit 105A, and executes a process of generating keyword-related posted information by switching from the first mode to the second mode. After switching from the first mode to the second mode, the keyword-related posting unit 103A repeatedly executes the process of the second mode one or more times as long as a category is generated by the summary posting unit 105A. The process contents of the keyword-related posting unit 103A executed in the first mode and the second mode are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0066] The summary posting unit 105A generates summarized posted information for computer-related reply posted information posted from the user terminal 20 as a reply to the keyword-related posted information posted by the keyword-related posting unit 103A in the first mode, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site. In addition, the summary posting unit 105A generates summarized posted information for computer-related reply posted information posted from the user terminal 20 as a reply to the keyword-related posted information posted by the keyword-related posting unit 103A in the second mode, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site. The processing contents of the summary posting unit 105A executed in the first mode and the second mode are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0067] The category keyword setting unit 111 sets a category keyword indicating a category generated by the summary posting unit 105A during processing in the first and second modes. When there are multiple categories generated by the summary posting unit 105A, the category keyword setting unit 111 selects one of the categories and sets a category keyword indicating the selected category.

[0068] The category to be selected is arbitrary. However, it is limited to the category for which summarized post information has been generated. For example, it is possible to randomly select one category from the multiple categories for which summarized post information has been generated. Alternatively, a category containing multiple pieces of post information may be preferentially selected. A category containing multiple pieces of post information is a topic that is commonly discussed by multiple users, and is considered to indicate a high possibility of further development of communication.

[0069] The keyword indicating the category is, for example, the category name. When the summary posting information generated by the summary posting unit 105A includes an explanatory text of the category, a word extracted from the explanatory text may be set as the category keyword. Note that, in the first mode processing starting from the registration of an initial keyword and the subsequent one or more second mode processings, it is preferable that the keyword set as the category keyword is a word different from the initial keyword and a word different from any word that has already been set as a category keyword in the series of processing.

[0070] The second derived keyword generating unit 112 generates one or more derived keywords based on a category keyword every time the category keyword setting unit 111 sets the category keyword. The derived keywords generated by the second derived keyword generating unit 112 are words related to the category keyword. The second derived keyword generating unit 112 generates words that are subordinate concepts to the category keyword instead of or in addition to synonyms, associative words, and co-occurring words for the category keyword. The method of generating derived keywords may be the same as that of the derived keyword generating unit 102.

[0071] The second derived keyword generating unit 112 stores the generated derived keyword together with the category keyword from which it was generated in the second keyword storage unit 13. When the processing in the second mode is repeatedly executed, one or more derived keywords are generated every time a category keyword is set by the category keyword setting unit 111, so that many keywords are successively stored in the second keyword storage unit 13.

[0072] In the second embodiment, it is not essential to provide the derived keyword generation unit 102 and the second derived keyword generation unit 112, but it is preferable to provide the derived keyword generation unit 102 and the second derived keyword generation unit 112 in order to increase the variation of keywords used to generate posted messages. When the derived keyword generation unit 102 and the second derived keyword generation unit 112 are provided, the keyword-related posting unit 103A executes the process as follows.

[0073] That is, in the first mode, the keyword-related posting unit 103A generates keyword-related posting information based on the keywords stored in the keyword storage unit 11 by the processing of the initial keyword registration unit 101 and the derived keyword generation unit 102, and posts the generated information on the community site. Also, in the second mode, the keyword-related posting unit 103A generates keyword-related posting information based on the keywords stored in the second keyword storage unit 13 by the processing of the category keyword setting unit 111 and the second derived keyword generation unit 112, and posts the generated information on the community site.

[0074] 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining an example of operation of the server device 10A according to the second embodiment configured as described above. FIG. 7A shows an example of operation in the first mode, and FIG. 7B shows an example of operation in the second mode. Note that [1] at the end of the reference numerals means the first mode, and [2] means the second mode. The example of operation in the first mode shown in FIG. 7A is the same as the example of operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0075] 7A, the initial keyword registration unit 101 registers one initial keyword KW0[1]. When the initial keyword KW0[1] is registered, the derived keyword generation unit 102 generates one or more derived keywords KW1[1] to KWm[1] (m≧1) based on the initial keyword KW0[1]. The initial keyword registration unit 101 and the derived keyword generation unit 102 repeatedly execute such processing, and sequentially store sets of keywords KW0[1] to KWm[1] in the keyword storage unit 11.

[0076] The keyword-related posting unit 103A selects one keyword KWi[1] from among a plurality of keywords (a plurality of sets of keywords KW0[1] to KWm[1]) stored in the keyword storage unit 11 at each timing when a keyword is stored in the keyword storage unit 11, and generates keyword-related posted information using the selected keyword KWi[1]. Then, the generated keyword-related posted information is posted on the community site.

[0077] The posted information receiving unit 104 sequentially receives reply posted information to a computer 1 to n (n≧1) posted by a plurality of users from the user terminal 20 as replies to keyword-related posted information. The posted information receiving unit 104 receives posted information of the first to third types posted by a plurality of users on the community site, and identifies and recognizes reply posted information to a computer of the second type 1 to n that is a reply to keyword-related posted information posted based on the initial keyword KW0[1].

[0078] Each time the summary posting unit 105A receives a predetermined number (e.g., five) of computer-to-computer reply posted information in response to keyword-related posted information, the summary posting unit 105A classifies the predetermined number of posted information into one or more categories, and if multiple categories are assigned to the predetermined number of posted information, generates summarized posted information and posts it on the community site.

[0079] 7A shows an example in which two categories C1-1[1] and C1-2[1] are generated from the first five pieces of computer-related reply posted information 1-5, and summarized posted information S1[1] is generated by compiling information related to the two categories C1-1[1] and C1-2[1] into a list. Also, FIG. 7A shows an example in which three categories C2-1[1] to C2-3[1] are generated from the next five pieces of computer-related reply posted information 6-10, and summarized posted information S2[1] is generated by compiling information related to the three categories C2-1[1] to C2-3[1] into a list.

[0080] 7B, the category keyword setting unit 111 arbitrarily selects one category from among the multiple categories C1-1[1], C1-2[1], C2-1[1] to C2-3[1], ... generated by the summary posting unit 105A in the first mode, and sets a keyword indicating the selected category as the category keyword KW0[2]. The example of FIG. 7B shows a state in which the category C1-2[1] is selected and the category keyword KW0[2] is set.

[0081] When the category keyword KW0[2] is set, the second derived keyword generating unit 112 generates one or more derived keywords KW1[2] to KWp[2] (p≧1) based on the category keyword KW0[2]. The category keyword setting unit 111 and the second derived keyword generating unit 112 repeatedly execute such processing every time a category is generated by the summary posting unit 105A, and store the sets of keywords KW0[2] to KWp[2] in the second keyword storage unit 13 one by one.

[0082] The keyword-related posting unit 103A selects one keyword KWj[2] from among a plurality of keywords (a plurality of sets of keywords KW0[2] to KWp[2]) stored in the second keyword storage unit 13 at each timing when a keyword is stored in the second keyword storage unit 13, and generates keyword-related posted information using the selected keyword KWj[2]. Then, the generated keyword-related posted information is posted on the community site.

[0083] The posted information receiving unit 104 sequentially receives reply posted information to a computer 1 to q (q≧1) posted by a plurality of users from the user terminal 20 as replies to keyword-related posted information. The posted information receiving unit 104 receives posted information of the first to third types posted by a plurality of users on the community site, and identifies and recognizes reply posted information to a computer 1 to q of the second type that is a reply to keyword-related posted information posted based on the category keyword KW0[2].

[0084] Each time the summary posting unit 105A receives a predetermined number (e.g., five) of computer-to-computer reply posted information in response to keyword-related posted information, the summary posting unit 105A classifies the predetermined number of posted information into one or more categories, and if multiple categories are assigned to the predetermined number of posted information, generates summarized posted information and posts it on the community site.

[0085] 7B shows an example in which three categories C1-1[2] to C1-3[2] are generated from the first five pieces of computer-directed reply posted information 1 to 5, and summarized posted information S1[2] is generated by compiling information related to the three categories C1-1[2] to C1-3[2] into a list. Also, FIG. 7B shows an example in which two categories C2-1[2] and C2-2[2] are generated from the next five pieces of computer-directed reply posted information 6 to 10, and summarized posted information S2[2] is generated by compiling information related to the two categories C2-1[2] and C2-2[2] into a list.

[0086] Although not shown in the figure, the category keyword setting unit 111 arbitrarily selects one of the multiple categories C1-1[2] to C1-3[2], C2-1[2], C2-2[2], ... generated by the summary posting unit 105A in the first processing of the second mode, and sets a keyword indicating the selected category as a new category keyword KW0[2]. Then, the same processing as in FIG. 7B is executed again. After that, the processing of the second mode shown in FIG. 7B is repeatedly executed as long as the condition that a predetermined number of computer-related reply posting information is posted within a predetermined time from the timing of the most recent summary posting information is satisfied.

[0087] As described in detail above, in the second embodiment, the processing modes of the keyword-related posting unit 103A include a first mode in which keyword-related posting information is generated based on an initial keyword and posted, and a second mode in which keyword-related posting information is generated based on a category keyword indicating a category generated by the summary posting unit 105A and posted, and the first mode is switched to the second mode and executed, and the processing of the second mode is repeatedly executed as long as predetermined conditions are satisfied.

[0088] As a result, not only is summarized post information generated and posted once based on computer-to-computer reply post information to which multiple users have responded expressing interest, concern, and sympathy in keyword-related post information, but keyword-related post information is posted again based on keywords indicating the category that were assigned when the summarized post information was generated, thereby expanding the scope of conversation based on keyword-related post information relating to categories in which multiple users have expressed interest, concern, and sympathy, and further developing communication.

[0089] When generating derived keywords from a category keyword, derived keywords with subordinate concepts to the category keyword are also generated, so it is possible to post keyword-related information that encourages communication that delves deeper into the topic indicated by the category keyword. This not only broadens the topic, but also leads to communication that delves deeper into a single topic.

[0090] Furthermore, since summarized posting information is re-posted based on computer-to-computer reply posting information replied to by a plurality of users in response to newly posted keyword-related posting information based on a category keyword, it is possible to increase opportunities for users to make new discoveries and realize new things, and this can lead to further development of communication.

[0091] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The overall configuration of the community system according to the third embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1. However, a server device 10B is used instead of the server device 10. The third embodiment is a further application of the second embodiment.

[0092] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server device 10B according to the third embodiment. In Fig. 8, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 6 denote the same functions, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted here.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 8, a server device 10B according to the third embodiment includes, as functional components, a keyword-related posting unit 103B and a summary posting unit 105B instead of the keyword-related posting unit 103A and the summary posting unit 105A shown in FIG.

[0094] The functional blocks shown in Fig. 8 can be configured by either hardware or software. For example, the functional blocks are realized by the operation of a program stored in a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory under the control of a microcomputer configured with a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. In addition to the CPU, a DSP or the like may be used.

[0095] In the third embodiment, the keyword-related posting unit 103B alternately switches between the process in the first mode and the first process in the second mode. For example, the process in the first mode and the first process in the second mode are alternately switched every day. The second and subsequent processes in the second mode are executed sequentially.

[0096] In addition, in each of the first and second modes, the processing up to the posted information receiving unit 104 and the processing of the summarized posting unit 105B are alternately switched and executed on a daily basis. In this case, the timing of the processing of the summarized posting unit 105B is the same as the timing of the processing up to the posted information receiving unit 104, which is executed for the posting of keyword-related posted information related to the category generated by the processing. The meaning of "the same timing" will be described later.

[0097] 9 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the above processing timing. As shown in FIG. 9, on the first day, the initial keyword registration unit 101, the derived keyword generation unit 102, the keyword related posting unit 103B, and the posted information receiving unit 104 perform processing as the first mode processing.

[0098] On the second day, the summary posting unit 105B processes multiple computer-to-computer reply posting information stored in the posting information storage unit 12 during the processing on the first day as a continuation of the first mode, and the category keyword setting unit 111, second derived keyword generation unit 112, keyword related posting unit 103B and posting information receiving unit 104 process as the second mode.

[0099] On the third day, the processing of the summary posting unit 105B is performed as a continuation of the second mode for the multiple computer-to-computer reply posted information stored in the second posted information storage unit 13 in the processing on the second day, and the processing of the category keyword setting unit 111, the second derived keyword generating unit 112, the keyword-related posting unit 103B, and the posted information receiving unit 104 is performed as processing in the second mode. In addition, the processing of the initial keyword registration unit 101, the derived keyword generating unit 102, the keyword-related posting unit 103B, and the posted information receiving unit 104 are also performed as new processing in the first mode.

[0100] The same process is repeated from the fourth day onwards.

[0101] In the third embodiment, the summarized posting unit 105B includes, in the summarized posting information, introduction information of the keyword-related posted information when any of a plurality of categories included in the generated summarized posting information matches a category corresponding to a keyword used when the keyword-related posting unit 103B generates the keyword-related posted information at the same timing as when the summarized posting information was generated. The same timing means "the same day" when processing is performed every other day as in FIG. 9.

[0102] The processing of this summary posting unit 105B will be described with reference to Fig. 9. During processing on the second day, summary posting unit 105B determines whether any of a plurality of categories included in the summarized posted information generated on the second day as processing in the first mode matches a category corresponding to a keyword used when keyword-related posted information was generated on the second day by keyword-related posted unit 103B as processing in the first second mode, and if it determines that there is a match, generates summarized posted information including information introducing the keyword-related posted information and posts it on the community site.

[0103] In addition, during processing on the third day, the summary posting unit 105B determines whether any of the multiple categories included in the summarized posting information generated on the third day as the first processing in the second mode matches a category corresponding to the keyword used by the keyword-related posting unit 103B when generating the keyword-related posting information on the third day as the second processing in the second mode, and if it determines that there is a match, generates summarized posting information including introduction information for the keyword-related posting information and posts it on the community site.

[0104] As described in detail in the first embodiment, when the summary posting unit 105B generates summarized posted information, it may generate a category but not generate summarized posted information including that category. Also, when the keyword-related posting unit 103B generates keyword-related posted information, it selects one of the multiple keywords stored up to that point in the keyword storage unit 11 or the second keyword storage unit 13 to generate the keyword-related posted information. Therefore, any one of the multiple categories included in the summarized posted information generated by the summary posting unit 105B may not necessarily match the category corresponding to the keyword selected from the keyword storage units 11, 13 by the keyword-related posting unit 103B.

[0105] Therefore, the summary posting unit 105B performs a category match determination, and if the category of the keyword-related posted information matches a category included in the summarized posted information, introduction information of the keyword-related posted information related to the same category is included in the summarized posted information, creating a situation in which it is easy for users to reply to the keyword-related posted information.

[0106] The introduction information can be, for example, link information to the posted keyword-related posted information. In this way, the user can easily view the keyword-related posted information by following the link information, and can easily reply to it. Note that instead of or in addition to the link information, the posted text of the keyword-related posted information itself or a summary thereof may be used as the introduction information.

[0107] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of summarized posted information incorporating introduction information of keyword-related posted information. In Fig. 10, the same elements as those included in the summarized posted information shown in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals. The summarized posted information shown in Fig. 10 includes introduction information 34 of keyword-related posted information in addition to a category name 31, a description 32 of the category, and an example 33 of computer-related reply posted information belonging to the category.

[0108] According to the third embodiment configured as described above, keyword-related posted information relating to a category introduced in the summarized posted information is posted in a form incorporated into the summarized posted information as introduction information, thereby providing a user with an environment in which they can easily access keyword-related posted information of a category in which they are interested by viewing the summarized posted information.

[0109] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the first mode processing and the second mode processing are executed in parallel at the same time (on the same day), so that the keyword-related posting information posted by the first mode processing can broaden the range of topics and widen the scope of user participation, while the keyword-related posting information posted by the second mode processing can provide in-depth topics and encourage more in-depth comments.

[0110] In the above first to third embodiments, examples have been described in which summarized posting information is generated when multiple categories are assigned to multiple pieces of computer-to-computer reply posting information (first or second case). However, summarized posting information may also be generated in the third case in which the categories generated for multiple pieces of posting information are all the same and only one category is assigned.

[0111] In this case, whatever comments a user makes in response to keyword-related posted information will always be included in the generation of summarized posted information. This allows users to post computer-directed reply information with peace of mind, without having to worry that their comments will be excluded from the list of summarized posted information. This provides an environment in which users can make comments without hesitation, which contributes to revitalizing communication on the community site.

[0112] In the above first to third embodiments, an example has been described in which one piece of keyword-related posted information is generated by selecting one of the multiple keywords stored in the keyword storage units 11 and 13, but two or more keywords may be selected to generate two or more pieces of keyword-related posted information. For example, in the third embodiment, first keyword-related posted information may be generated using a category keyword set by the category keyword setting unit 111 based on one of the categories generated by the summary posting unit 105, and second keyword-related posted information may be generated by selecting one of the multiple keywords stored in the second keyword storage unit 13 up to that point.

[0113] In this configuration, any one of the categories included in the summarized posted information generated by the summarized posting unit 105 will always match the category corresponding to the first keyword-related posted information at the same time, so it is possible to generate summarized posted information by incorporating introduction information of the first keyword-related posted information. In parallel with this, it is also possible to post the second keyword-related posted information using a keyword related to any category stored in the second keyword storage unit 13.

[0114] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 10, 10A, 10B Server device 11 Keyword storage section 12 Posted information storage unit 13 Second Keyword Storage Section 20 User terminal 101 Initial Keyword Registration Section 102 Derived Keyword Generation Unit 103, 103A, 103B Keyword-related submission section 104 Posted Information Receiving Department 105, 105A, 105B Summary Submission Section 111 Category Keyword Setting Section 112 Second derived keyword generation section

Claims

1. a posted information storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of posted information posted by a plurality of users on the community site; a summary posting unit that classifies a plurality of pieces of posted information stored in the posted information storage unit into one or more categories according to the contents of each piece of posted information until a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, generates summarized posted information that compiles information about the one or more categories into a list, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site; The summary posting unit generates a category for each of the plurality of pieces of posted information according to its content, and when a plurality of categories are assigned to the plurality of pieces of posted information, the summary posting unit generates the summarized posted information and posts it on the community site, but when a plurality of categories are not assigned to the plurality of pieces of posted information, the summary posting unit does not generate the summarized posted information. A community system characterized by:

2. 2. The community system according to claim 1, wherein the summary posting unit generates the summarized posted information when there are a plurality of groups of posted information to which the same category is assigned.

3. 2. The community system according to claim 1, wherein the summarized posted information includes at least one of the name of the category, a description of the category, and examples of posted information belonging to the category.

4. A posting information storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of posting information posted by a plurality of users on a community site; a summary posting unit that classifies a plurality of pieces of posted information stored in the posted information storage unit into one or more categories according to the contents of each piece of posted information until a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, generates summarized posted information that compiles information about the one or more categories into a list, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site; a keyword-related posting unit that generates posted information related to a given keyword based on the given keyword and posts the generated keyword-related posted information on the community site; The summary posting unit generates the summarized posted information based on posted information posted by the plurality of users as replies to the keyword-related posted information. A community system characterized by:

5. a derived keyword generating unit that generates a derived keyword based on the given keyword; The keyword-related posting unit generates the keyword-related posting information based on at least one keyword among a plurality of keywords including the given keyword and the derived keyword generated by the derived keyword generating unit, and posts the generated information on the community site.

5. The community system according to claim 4.

6. 5. The community system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined trigger condition is that the number of pieces of posted information posted by the plurality of users as replies to the keyword-related posted information reaches a threshold value.

7. a category keyword setting unit that sets a keyword indicating the category generated by the summary posting unit; The keyword-related posting unit further generates the keyword-related posted information based on the category keywords set by the category keyword setting unit.

6. The community system according to claim 4 or 5.

8. a second derived keyword generating unit that generates derived keywords based on the category keywords set by the category keyword setting unit; The keyword-related posting unit generates the keyword-related posting information based on at least one keyword among a plurality of keywords including the category keyword set by the category keyword setting unit and the derived keyword generated by the second derived keyword generating unit, and posts the generated keyword-related posting information on the community site.

8. The community system according to claim 7.

9. 8. The community system according to claim 7, wherein the category keyword setting unit selects one of the plurality of categories generated by the summary posting unit, and sets a category keyword indicating the selected category.

10. The above keyword related post section, a first mode in which the keyword-related posted information is generated using an arbitrarily set initial keyword as the given keyword; a second mode in which the keyword-related posted information is generated based on the category keyword set by the category keyword setting unit, Switch from the first mode to the second mode and execute 8. The community system according to claim 7.

11. The community system described in claim 10, characterized in that the summary posting unit includes introductory information about the keyword-related posting information that is generated by the keyword-related posting unit at the same time as the generation of the summarized posting information, and that relates to the same category as one of the multiple categories included in the summarized posting information.

12. The community system described in claim 11, characterized in that the summary posting unit determines whether any of the multiple categories included in the summarized posting information matches a category corresponding to a keyword used by the keyword-related posting unit when generating the keyword-related posting information at the same time as the summarized posting information is generated, and if there is a match, includes introduction information for the keyword-related posting information in the summarized posting information.

13. a posted information storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of posted information posted by a plurality of users on the community site; a summary posting unit that classifies a plurality of pieces of posted information stored in the posted information storage unit into one or more categories according to the contents of each piece of posted information until a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, generates summarized posted information that compiles information about the one or more categories into a list, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site; The summary posting unit generates a category for each of the plurality of pieces of posted information according to its content, and when a plurality of categories are assigned to the plurality of pieces of posted information, the summary posting unit generates the summarized posted information and posts it on the community site, but when a plurality of categories are not assigned to the plurality of pieces of posted information, the summary posting unit does not generate the summarized posted information. A community processing device characterized by:

14. A posting information storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of posting information posted by a plurality of users on a community site; a summary posting unit that classifies a plurality of pieces of posted information stored in the posted information storage unit into one or more categories according to the contents of each piece of posted information until a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, generates summarized posted information that compiles information about the one or more categories into a list, and posts the summarized posted information on the community site; a keyword-related posting unit that generates posted information related to a given keyword based on the given keyword and posts the generated keyword-related posted information on the community site; The summary posting unit generates the summarized posted information based on posted information posted by the plurality of users as replies to the keyword-related posted information. A community processing device characterized by:

15. a category keyword setting unit that sets a keyword indicating the category generated by the summary posting unit; The keyword-related posting unit further generates the keyword-related posted information based on the category keywords set by the category keyword setting unit. The community processing device according to claim 14 .

16. The above keyword related post section, a first mode in which the keyword-related posted information is generated using an arbitrarily set initial keyword as the given keyword; a second mode in which the keyword-related posted information is generated based on the category keyword set by the category keyword setting unit, Switch from the first mode to the second mode and execute 16. The community processing device according to claim 15.

17. The community processing device described in claim 16, characterized in that the summary posting unit includes introductory information about the keyword-related posting information that is generated by the keyword-related posting unit at the same time as the generation of the summarized posting information, and that relates to the same category as one of a plurality of categories included in the summarized posting information.

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