Chat system, method for providing chat service, and program

Abstract

When a web service screen of a web service used by a user is displayed on a user terminal of the user, a chat request reception unit (201) of a chat system (1) receives, from the user terminal, a chat request for the user to chat with another user, the chat request being managed by the chat service used by the user. When the chat request is received, a chat service providing unit (203) provides the user with the chat service.

Description

Chat system, chat service providing method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a chat system, a method for providing a chat service, and a program.

[0002]

[0003] Conventionally, chat services that allow users to chat with other users have been known. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes an information processing system that enables chat between users who browse a website that lists products or services offered by an electronic commerce service and an operator who accepts inquiries about the products or services listed on the website.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-003464

[0004] However, the information processing system of Patent Document 1 merely enables chat between users and operators as part of customer support, and therefore does not sufficiently improve the convenience of users who use the chat service.

[0005] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience of users who use chat services.

[0006] A chat system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a chat request receiving unit that, when a web service screen of a web service used by a user is displayed on the user's user terminal, receives a chat request from the user terminal for the user to chat with another user managed by the chat service used by the user, and a chat service providing unit that, when the chat request is received, provides the chat service to the user.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the convenience of users who use chat services.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a chat system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browser window displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browser window displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browser window displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browser window displayed on a user terminal. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions implemented in the chat system. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web service database. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a chat service database. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing executed in the chat system. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions implemented in a chat system of a modified example. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal.

[0009] [1. Hardware Configuration] An example of an embodiment of a chat system, a method for providing a chat service, and a program according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a chat system. For example, the chat system 1 includes a web service server 10, a chat service server 20, and a user terminal 30. Each of the web service server 10, the chat service server 20, and the user terminal 30 is connected to a network N such as the Internet or a LAN.

[0010] The web service server 10 is a server computer that provides web services to users. Web services are services provided to users via the web. Web services are also called online services. In this embodiment, a business support service that supports users' business operations will be described as an example of a web service. For example, groupware is an example of a business support service. The business support service may also be a service that is not classified as groupware.

[0011] The web service may be any service. The web service is not limited to a business support service. For example, the web service may be a service that provides an Internet encyclopedia, a service that provides a corporate homepage, a service that provides news articles, a video distribution service, a website search service, a service that manages emails, a social networking service, or any other service.

[0012] For example, the web service server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 includes at least one processor. The storage unit 12 includes at least one of a volatile memory such as RAM and a non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The communication unit 13 includes at least one of a communication interface for wired communication and a communication interface for wireless communication.

[0013] The chat service server 20 is a server computer that provides a chat service to users. The chat service enables chats between users who are logged in to the chat service. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the provider of the chat service and the provider of the web service are the same, but these providers may be different from each other. For example, the chat service server 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The hardware configurations of the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the communication unit 23 may be similar to those of the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13, respectively.

[0014] The user terminal 30 is a computer of a user who uses the web service and chat service. In this embodiment, an example is given in which other users who are chat partners of the user also use the web service and chat service, but the other users only need to use at least the chat service and do not need to use the web service. Although only one user terminal 30 is shown in Figure 1, it is assumed that other users also use the user terminal 30.

[0015] For example, the user terminal 30 is a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a wearable terminal. The user terminal 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, an operation unit 34, and a display unit 35. The hardware configurations of the control unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the communication unit 33 may be similar to those of the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13, respectively. The operation unit 34 is an input device such as a mouse or a touch panel. The display unit 35 is a liquid crystal or organic EL display.

[0016] The programs stored in the storage units 12, 22, and 32 may be supplied via the network N. The hardware configurations of the web service server 10, the chat service server 20, and the user terminal 30 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 . For example, at least one of the web service server 10, the chat service server 20, and the user terminal 30 may include at least one of a reading unit (e.g., a memory card slot) that reads a computer-readable information storage medium and an input / output unit (e.g., a USB terminal) for direct connection to an external device. A program stored in an information storage medium may be supplied to at least one of the web service server 10, the chat service server 20, and the user terminal 30 via at least one of the reading unit and the input / output unit.

[0017] Furthermore, the chat system 1 only needs to include at least one computer. The computers included in the chat system 1 are not limited to the example of FIG. 1. For example, the chat system 1 may include only the chat service server 20 and the user terminal 30. In this case, the web service server 10 exists outside the chat system 1. The chat system 1 may also include only the chat service server 20. In this case, the web service server 10 and the user terminal 30 exist outside the chat system 1. The chat system 1 may also include the chat service server 20 and another server computer.

[0018] [2. Overview of the Chat System] In this embodiment, an example is taken of a case where a user belonging to an organization such as a company uses a web service and a chat service. For example, the organization to which the user belongs subscribes to the web service and the chat service. The user uses the web service and the chat service as a member of the organization that subscribes to the web service and the chat service. For example, the user can use the web service and the chat service to communicate with other users of the same organization.

[0019] For example, a user uses a web service and a chat service from the browser of the user terminal 30. It is assumed that the user has previously registered to use the web service and the chat service. When the user logs in to the web service from the browser of the user terminal 30, the user terminal 30 displays a web service screen showing the content of the web service on the display unit 35.

[0020] 2 to 5 are diagrams showing examples of browser windows displayed on the user terminal 30. As shown in the upper part of Fig. 2, the user terminal 30 displays a web service screen SC1 in tab T1 of window W. In this embodiment, the cloud-based business support service corresponds to the web service, and therefore various contents that support the user's business are displayed on the web service screen SC1.

[0021] The content displayed on the web service screen SC1 may be publicly known content. In the example shown at the top of Figure 2, the user terminal 30 displays, on the web service screen SC1, a list of records registered in an app, which is a type of database, as content for the business support service. For example, the user terminal 30 may also display other content, such as thread posts, user schedules, emails, expense reports, or company regulations, on the web service screen SC1.

[0022] In this embodiment, the browser of the user terminal 30 is assumed to support extended functions. An extended function is a program that allows a user to add specific functions to the browser. The extended function may include data referenced by the program. The mechanism of the extended function may be similar to that adopted by known browsers. The user can select any extended function and add it to the browser. When the user selects and adds an extended function to the browser, the selected extended function is installed on the user terminal 30. The extended function can be called from the browser at any time.

[0023] In this embodiment, an example is taken of a case where a chat service is provided as a browser extension. When a user selects a chat service extension and adds it to the browser, the user terminal 30 downloads data of the chat service extension from the chat service server 20. The user terminal 30 installs the chat service extension based on the data downloaded from the chat service server 20.

[0024] For example, when installation of the chat service extension is complete, the user terminal 30 displays an icon I1 indicating the chat service extension in the menu field of the tab T1. When the user selects the icon I1, the user terminal 30 activates the chat service extension. When the chat service extension is activated, the user terminal 30 displays a chat service screen SC2 indicating the content of the chat service on the display unit 35, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 2 .

[0025] In this embodiment, an example is given in which the user terminal 30 uses a function called a side panel of a browser to display the chat service screen SC2 on the display unit 35. The side panel is a display area that is part of the window W. The side panel may have the same function as known browsers. The user can switch the display of the side panel on and off. For example, if the user selects the "x" in the upper right corner of the chat service screen SC2, the chat service screen SC2 displayed as the side panel will disappear.

[0026] The chat service screen SC2 may be displayed at any position in the window W. The display position of the chat service screen SC2 is not limited to the right side of the web service screen SC1 as shown at the bottom of FIG. 2. For example, the chat service screen SC2 may be above, to the left, or below the web service screen SC1. Furthermore, although the chat service screen SC2 is displayed outside the tab T1, the chat service screen SC2 may also be displayed within the tab T1. In other words, the web service screen SC1 and the chat service screen SC2 may be displayed within the same tab T1.

[0027] Furthermore, the user terminal 30 may use a browser function other than the side panel to display the chat service screen SC2 on the display unit 35. For example, the user terminal 30 may use a screen splitting function of the browser to display the chat service screen SC2 on the display unit 35. The screen splitting may be a function similar to that of a known browser. The user terminal 30 may display the chat service screen SC2 in a tab separate from the tab T1. The user terminal 30 may display the chat service screen SC2 in a window separate from the window W.

[0028] For example, a user logs in to the chat service from the chat service screen SC2 as a member of the organization to which the user belongs. The user enters a user ID and password for the chat service in input forms F20 and F21. The user ID and password may be unique to the chat service, or the user ID and password for another service may be used. The other service may be a web service or a service different from the web service. When the user selects button B22, the user logs in to the chat service as a member of the organization that has subscribed to the chat service.

[0029] For example, once a user has logged in, the user terminal 30 displays a list of chats in which the user is participating on a chat service screen SC2, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 3. The user can chat one-on-one with other users (users U2 to U4 in the example at the top of Fig. 3), or can participate in a group chat in which multiple other users are participating (the group chat for the Project Z group in the example at the top of Fig. 3). The user can also search for chats in which they are participating.

[0030] For example, when a user selects button B23, the user terminal 30 displays a chat service screen SC2 on the display unit 35, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 3, for the user to create a new chat. The user can create a new chat by selecting other users to participate in the chat. When a new chat is created, the new chat is added to the list of chats in the upper part of Fig. 3. The user can also delete an existing chat. The mechanism for creating and deleting chats may be a known mechanism.

[0031] For example, when a user selects a chat from the list of chats, the user terminal 30 displays the content of the selected chat on the chat service screen SC2, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 4. In the example shown in the upper part of Fig. 4, the user terminal 30 displays a group chat for Project Z for website management on the chat service screen SC2. The web service screen SC1 displayed next to the chat service screen SC2 displays the content of an app related to Project Z.

[0032] For example, while checking the content displayed on the web service screen SC1, the user chats with other users participating in the group chat for Project Z on the chat service screen SC2 displayed next to it. The user can input a new message into the input form F24. When the user selects the button B25, the message entered into the input form F24 is posted to the group chat for Project Z. Similarly, when a user wants to chat one-on-one with another user, the user can check the content displayed on the web service screen SC1 while conducting a one-on-one chat on the chat service screen SC2 displayed next to it.

[0033] In this embodiment, even if the user changes the web service screen SC1, the chat service screen SC2 remains displayed as shown in the lower part of Figure 4. Therefore, even if the user changes the web service screen SC1, the chat service screen SC2 does not disappear. The user can chat with other users on the chat service screen SC2 while displaying any content on the chat service screen SC2. Even if the user displays a screen other than the web service in the tab T1, the chat service screen SC2 remains displayed as is.

[0034] In this embodiment, even if a user creates a new tab T2 or switches from tab T1 to tab T2, the display of the chat service screen SC2 remains as is, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 5 . Therefore, even if a user creates a new tab T2 or switches from tab T1 to tab T2, the chat service screen SC2 does not disappear. The user can chat with other users on the chat service screen SC2 by creating a new tab T2 or switching from tab T1 to tab T2. A search service such as "CCC Search" displayed on tab T2 is also an example of a web service. A web service screen SC1 for the search service is displayed on tab T2.

[0035] Note that other users who are chat partners with a user only need to use at least the chat service. Other users do not need to use the same web service as the user. For example, other users may chat with a user without viewing the same web service screen SC1 as the user. Other users may chat with a user while viewing a different web service screen SC1 from the user, or while viewing a screen other than the web service. Other users may chat with a user without viewing a screen other than the chat service. In other words, only the chat service screen SC2 may be displayed on the user terminal 30 of the other users, and the web service screen SC1 may not be displayed.

[0036] As described above, the chat system 1 of this embodiment provides users with a chat service by utilizing a browser extension function. While checking the content of a web service on the web service screen SC1, the user can chat with other users on the chat service screen SC2 displayed next to it. This eliminates the need for the user to switch back and forth between the web service screen SC1 and the chat service screen SC2, thereby improving user convenience with the chat system 1. Details of the chat system 1 will be described below.

[0037] 3. Functions Implemented in the Chat System FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of functions implemented in the chat system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0038] [3-1. Functions Realized by the Web Service Server] For example, the web service server 10 includes a data storage unit 100 and a web service providing unit 101. The data storage unit 100 is realized by the storage unit 12. The web service providing unit 101 is realized by the control unit 11.

[0039] [Data Storage Unit] The data storage unit 100 stores data necessary for providing a web service. For example, the data storage unit 100 stores a web service database DB1 that stores various data for the web service.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of web service database DB1. For example, web service database DB1 stores the organization ID of an organization that has subscribed to a web service, organization data such as the organization name, user IDs and passwords of users belonging to the organization, and personal user data such as the user name. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the user ID for the web service and the user ID for the chat service are different from each other, but these user IDs may be the same. When an organization subscribes to a web service, web service server 10 issues an organization ID for the organization and creates a new record in web service database DB1. The new record stores data about the organization and data such as the user IDs of users belonging to the organization.

[0041] The data stored in web service database DB1 is not limited to the example in FIG. 7 . Any data of a web service may be stored in web service database DB1. For example, web service database DB1 may store content data for a web service. The content data for a web service may be application record data, message data exchanged in a thread, schedule data, file management data, email data, or other data. These data may be stored in a database separate from web service database DB1.

[0042] Furthermore, the data stored in the data storage unit 100 is not limited to the example of this embodiment. The data storage unit 100 may store any data necessary for providing a web service. For example, the data storage unit 100 may store a database in which various URLs in a web service are stored. The database may store content data corresponding to each URL. The data storage unit 100 can store publicly known data necessary for providing a publicly known web service.

[0043] [Web Service Providing Unit] The web service providing unit 101 provides a web service to a user. When the web service providing unit 101 provides a web service to a user, it means that the web service providing unit 101 transmits data of a web service screen SC1 to the user terminal 30. For example, when the user specifies an arbitrary URL of a web service, the web service providing unit 101 generates data of a web service screen SC1 corresponding to the URL specified by the user. The web service providing unit 101 transmits the generated data to the user terminal 30, thereby providing the web service to the user.

[0044] The data of the web service screen SC1 may be in any format. When a browser is used as in this embodiment, the data of the web service screen SC1 is data written in a markup language such as HTML. When a program dedicated to web services is used instead of a browser, the data of the web service screen SC1 may be data necessary for the program to display some screen. The data of the web service screen SC1 is assumed to be stored in the data storage unit 100.

[0045] [3-2. Functions Realized by the Chat Service Server] For example, the chat service server 20 includes a data storage unit 200, a chat request receiving unit 201, a login processing execution unit 202, and a chat service providing unit 203. The data storage unit 200 is realized by the storage unit 22. The login processing execution unit 202, the chat request receiving unit 201, and the chat service providing unit 203 are each realized by the control unit 21.

[0046] [Data Storage Unit] The data storage unit 200 stores data necessary for providing a chat service. For example, the data storage unit 200 stores a chat service database DB2 that stores various data for the chat service.

[0047] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the chat service database DB2. For example, the chat service database DB2 stores the organization ID of the organization that has subscribed to the chat service, organization data such as the organization name, user IDs and passwords of users belonging to the organization, and personal user data such as the user names. When an organization subscribes to the chat service, the chat service server 20 issues an organization ID for the organization and creates a new record in the chat service database DB2. The new record stores the organization data and data such as the user IDs of users belonging to the organization. When an organization subscribes to the web service, the subscription to the chat service may also be completed automatically.

[0048] The data stored in the chat service database DB2 is not limited to the example in FIG. 8 . The chat service database DB2 may store any data related to the chat service. For example, the chat service database DB2 may store content data for the chat service. The content data for the chat service may be data for identifying the chat in which the user participates (e.g., a chat ID), data on messages exchanged in the chat, data on reactions to messages, data such as files registered in the chat, or other data. These data may be stored in a database separate from the chat service data.

[0049] Furthermore, the data stored in the data storage unit 200 is not limited to the example of this embodiment. The data storage unit 200 may store data necessary for providing a chat service. For example, the data storage unit 200 may store data for a chat service as an extension function of a browser. When a user selects an extension function of the chat service from the browser, the chat service server 20 transmits the data to the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 installs the extension function of the chat service based on the data.

[0050] [Chat Request Acceptance Unit] When a web service screen SC1 of a web service used by a user is displayed on the user's user terminal 30, the chat request acceptance unit 201 accepts a chat request from the user terminal 30 for the user to chat with another user managed by the chat service used by the user. When the web service screen SC1 is displayed on the user terminal 30, this refers to a state in which the user terminal 30 is displaying the web service screen SC1 on the display unit 35. In this state, the user can make a chat request.

[0051] For example, a user can perform an operation to request a chat on the window W displaying the web service screen SC1. In this embodiment, selecting the icon I1 corresponds to the operation to request a chat. The operation to request a chat may be any operation and is not limited to selecting the icon I1. For example, the operation to request a chat may be an operation in which the user selects a predetermined item from a menu on the window W, an operation in which the user selects a predetermined item on another window displayed from the window W, or an operation on the web service screen SC1.

[0052] Other users managed by the chat service are other users whose user IDs are managed by the chat service. The other users can also be referred to as chat partners with whom the user chats. The other users do not have to be real people. The other users may be AI (Artificial Intelligence) registered as one of the users in the chat service. AI is sometimes called a bot. In this case, the AI ​​may have a user ID, just like the other users.

[0053] In this embodiment, other users in the organization to which the user belongs correspond to other users managed by the chat service. For example, other people in the same project (team) as the user in the organization to which the user belongs correspond to other users managed by the chat service. The other users are not operators of the chat service, but other users in the same organization as the user. The other users may be people who work in cooperation with the user and may belong to a different organization from the user. Because the user may chat with external people, the other users managed by the chat service are not limited to people in the organization to which the user belongs.

[0054] A chat request is data in a predetermined format indicating that a user requests to use chat. The chat request may be data in a format defined by the API of the chat service or the like. In this embodiment, when a user selects icon I1 to activate an extended function of the chat service, the user terminal 30 transmits a chat request to the chat service server 20. The chat request receiving unit 201 receives the chat request transmitted when the storage function of the chat service is activated. When a user selects icon I1 while not logged in to the chat service, a request for the user to log in to the chat service is transmitted to the chat service server 20, and this request corresponds to a chat request.

[0055] The chat request may be another request. For example, a login processing request sent when a user selects button B22 on the chat service screen SC2 at the bottom of FIG. 2 may correspond to a chat request. For example, a chat request may be a request sent when a user selects a chat from a list of chats, a request sent when a user enters a new message, a request sent when a user creates a new chat, a request sent when a user reacts to another user's message, or other requests. Furthermore, a chat request may be sent to the chat service server 20 when the web service screen SC1 is not displayed on the user terminal 30. In this case, the chat request receiving unit 201 receives a chat request sent when the web service screen SC1 is not displayed on the user terminal 30.

[0056] [Login Process Execution Unit] The login process execution unit 202 executes login process for a user to log in to the chat service. In this embodiment, the organization to which the user belongs has subscribed to the chat service, and therefore the login process execution unit 202 executes login process for the user to log in to the organization to which the user belongs, among multiple organizations managed by the chat service. When a user logs in to an organization, this means that the user logs in to the chat service as a member of the organization. In other words, this means that the user logs in to the chat service with a user ID associated with an organization ID.

[0057] For example, the login process execution unit 202 acquires a user ID and password entered by the user from the user terminal 30. The login process execution unit 202 executes the login process by determining whether the user ID and password entered by the user are stored in the chat service database DB2. If the login process execution unit 202 determines that the user ID and password entered by the user are not stored in the chat service database DB2, it determines that the login process has failed, and if it determines that the user ID and password entered by the user are stored in the chat service database DB2, it determines that the login process has succeeded.

[0058] If a user belongs to multiple organizations that have subscribed to the chat service, the organization to which the user is to log in may be identified by the user ID. In this case, the user ID used by the user to log in to one organization is different from the user ID used by the user to log in to another organization. The login process execution unit 202 identifies which organization the user is attempting to log in to based on the user ID entered by the user.

[0059] For example, even if a user belongs to multiple organizations that have subscribed to the chat service, the user ID used by the user to log in to one organization may be the same as the user ID used by the user to log in to other organizations. In this case, the user may select the organization to log in to when logging in. The login process execution unit 202 logs the user in to the organization selected by the user. The login process execution unit 202 may also log the user in to all of the multiple organizations to which the user belongs.

[0060] For example, when a user logs in to the chat service, the login processing execution unit 202 associates the user ID of the user with login data indicating that the user is currently logged in and records the data in the data storage unit 100. The login data may be a session ID for maintaining a session. Based on the login data, the chat service server 20 provides a chat service to the currently logged-in user without requesting the user to log in again.

[0061] [Chat Service Providing Unit] When a chat request is accepted, the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service to the user. When the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service to the user, this means that the chat service providing unit 203 transmits data of the chat service screen SC2 to the user terminal 30. In the example of Figures 2 to 5, the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service to the user by transmitting all or part of the data of the chat service screen SC2 in Figures 2 to 5 to the user terminal 30.

[0062] 2 to 5, the chat service screen SC2 may be a screen for accepting input of a user ID and password for logging in to the chat service by the user, a screen showing a list of chats in which the user is participating, a screen showing messages exchanged in chats, or a screen for the user to create a new chat. The chat service screen SC2 is not limited to these examples. The chat service screen SC2 may be any screen related to the chat service. For example, the chat service screen SC2 may be a screen for the user to specify settings for the chat service, or a screen for the user to input search conditions for the chat service.

[0063] The data of the chat service screen SC2 may be in any format. When a browser is used as in this embodiment, the data of the chat service screen SC2 is data written in a markup language such as HTML. When a program dedicated to web services is used instead of a browser, the data of the chat service screen SC2 may be data necessary for the program to display some screen. The data of the chat service screen SC2 is assumed to be stored in the data storage unit 200.

[0064] In this embodiment, the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service to the user as an extension of the browser in the user terminal 30. Processing on the user terminal 30 side for the user to use the chat service is executed by the extension of the browser. For example, when the user selects icon I1 to activate the extension of the chat service, the user terminal 30 transmits a chat request. Since the login process is executed first, the chat service providing unit 203 provides the chat service to the user by transmitting data of the chat service screen SC2 shown at the bottom of FIG. 2. Displaying the chat service screen SC2 for the login process is also an example of providing a chat service. The login process is executed by the login process execution unit 202.

[0065] For example, the chat service providing unit 203 provides a user with a chat service that allows the user to chat with other users who belong to the organization to which the user has logged in. The login process for the user to log in to the chat service as a member of the organization is as described in the function of the login process execution unit 202. In the example at the top of Fig. 3, the chat service providing unit 203 provides the user with a chat service by transmitting data of a chat service screen SC2 that shows a list of chats between the user and other users in the same organization. The data showing the list of chats is assumed to be stored in the chat service database DB2 or another database.

[0066] For example, the chat service providing unit 203 transmits data for a chat service screen SC2 of the chat service to the user terminal 30 as data different from the web service screen SC1. In this embodiment, since a browser is used, these data are HTML data. The chat service providing unit 203 transmits HTML data for the chat service screen SC2 to the user terminal 30 as data different from the HTML data for the web service screen SC1. Therefore, the HTML data for the web service screen SC1 and the HTML data for the chat service screen SC2 are not combined into one.

[0067] At least one of the web service screen SC1 and the chat service screen SC2 may be displayed by a program other than a browser. For example, at least one of a program dedicated to web services and a program dedicated to chat services may be installed on the user terminal 30. In this case, the chat service providing unit 203 may provide a chat service to the user based on at least one of these programs. In this case, the chat service providing unit 203 may transmit data for displaying the chat service screen SC2 to the user terminal 30 as data separate from data for displaying the web service screen SC1.

[0068] [3-3. Functions Realized by User Terminal] For example, the user terminal 30 includes a data storage unit 300, a display control unit 301, and an operation reception unit 302. The data storage unit 300 is realized by the storage unit 32. The display control unit 301 and the operation reception unit 302 are each realized by the control unit 31.

[0069] [Data Storage Unit] The data storage unit 300 stores data necessary for a user to use at least one of a web service and a chat service. For example, the data storage unit 300 stores a browser for displaying at least one of a web service screen SC1 and a chat service screen SC2. For example, the data storage unit 300 may store at least one of a program dedicated to the web service and a program dedicated to the chat service.

[0070] [Display Control Unit] The display control unit 301 displays various screens for at least one of the web service and the chat service on the display unit 35. For example, the display control unit 301 displays a web service screen SC1 on the display unit 35 based on data received from the web service server 10. The display control unit 301 displays a chat service screen SC2 on the display unit 35 based on data received from the chat service server 20.

[0071] In this embodiment, the display control unit 301 displays the chat service screen SC2 next to the web service screen SC1 in the same window W. That is, the display control unit 301 displays the web service screen SC1 and the chat service screen SC2 side by side. In the example of Figures 2 to 5, the display control unit 301 displays the chat service screen SC2 to the right of the web service screen SC1.

[0072] The positional relationship between the web service screen SC1 and the chat service screen SC2 is not limited to the examples in Figures 2 to 5. For example, the display control unit 301 may display the chat service screen SC2 above, to the left, or below the web service screen SC1. The display control unit 301 maintains the display of the chat service screen SC2 even when the web service screen SC1 transitions to another screen or is switched to another tab T2 within the window W. Because the chat service screen SC2 is data separate from the data of the web service screen SC1, the display of the chat service screen SC2 is maintained.

[0073] [Operation Receiving Unit] The operation receiving unit 302 receives various operations for at least one of the web service and the chat service. For example, the operation receiving unit 302 receives operations for at least one of the web service screen SC1 and the chat service screen SC2. Data indicating the operation content received by the operation receiving unit 302 is appropriately transmitted to at least one of the web service server 10 and the chat service server 20.

[0074] 4. Processing Executed in the Chat System FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of processing executed in the chat system 1. The processing in FIG. 9 is executed by the control units 11, 21, and 31 executing programs stored in the storage units 12, 22, and 32, respectively. The processing in FIG. 9 is an example of processing included in a method for providing a chat service. Note that, when the processing in FIG. 9 is executed, it is assumed that the user has added an extended function for the chat service to the browser.

[0075] 9, the web service server 10 executes a login process for a user to log in to a web service with the user terminal 30 based on the web service database DB1 (S1). In S1, when the user inputs a user ID and password for the web service, the web service server 10 executes the login process by determining whether the user ID and password received from the user terminal 30 exist in the web service database DB1.

[0076] If the login process in S1 is successful, the web service server 10 executes a process to display a web service screen SC1 between the web service server 10 and the user terminal 30 (S2). In S2, the web service server 10 transmits data of the web service screen SC1 corresponding to the URL specified by the user to the user terminal 30. Thereafter, the user can specify any URL in the tab T1 to transition to the web service screen SC1. The user may specify a URL in any manner. The user may specify a URL by manually entering the URL string, or by selecting a website registered in a bookmark. The user may also specify a URL by selecting a link indicated by the search results of a search service.

[0077] The user terminal 30 accepts the selection of icon I1 as an operation for launching the extended function of the chat service (S3). Upon accepting the selection of icon I1, the user terminal 30 launches the previously installed extended function of the chat service (S4). In S4, the user terminal 30 launches the extended function of the chat service using the mechanism of the browser's extended function. The user terminal 30 sends a chat request to the chat service server 20 (S5). Here, it is assumed that the user has not yet logged in to the chat service. Therefore, the chat request sent in S5 is a request for the user to log in to the chat service. The chat service server 20 accepts the chat request from the user terminal 30 (S6).

[0078] The chat service server 20 executes a login process between the user terminal 30 and the chat service server 20 based on the chat service database DB2, allowing the user to log in to the chat service (S7). In S7, the chat service server 20 transmits data of a chat service screen SC2, which accepts input of a user ID and password for the chat service, to the user terminal 30, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 2. The user terminal 30 displays the chat service screen SC2 on the display unit 35 based on the data. When the user inputs the user ID and password for the chat service, the chat service server 20 executes the login process by determining whether the user ID and password received from the user terminal 30 exist in the chat service database DB2.

[0079] If the login process in S7 is successful, the chat service server 20 executes a process to display the chat service screen SC2 with the user terminal 30, thereby providing the user with a chat service (S8). Thereafter, the user terminal 30 can display the content of the chat selected on the chat service screen SC2 on the chat service screen SC2 or create a new chat by communicating with the chat service server 20. The user can also chat on the chat service screen SC2 while switching the display of the web service screen SC1 or creating a new window W or a new tab T2.

[0080] 5. Summary of the Embodiment The chat system 1 of the present embodiment accepts a chat request from the user terminal 30 when the web service screen SC1 is displayed on the user's user terminal. When the chat request is accepted, the chat system 1 provides a chat service to the user. This allows the chat system 1 to improve user convenience. For example, a user can view web service content on the web service screen SC1 while chatting with other users of the same project on the chat service screen SC2 displayed next to it. This eliminates the need for the user to switch back and forth between the web service screen SC1 and the chat service screen SC2, thereby improving user convenience. Furthermore, the user can chat about business related to the web service screen SC1 on the chat service screen SC2 while viewing the web service screen SC1 in the same window W. Therefore, the chat system 1 provides smooth communication to the user and improves the efficiency of the user's business.

[0081] Furthermore, the chat system 1 executes a login process for a user to log in to an organization to which the user belongs, among multiple organizations managed by the chat service. The chat system 1 provides the user with a chat service that enables the user to chat with other users who belong to the organization to which the user has logged in. This allows the chat system 1 to improve the convenience of users who belong to an organization. For example, since a user can chat with other users who belong to the same organization, the chat system 1 can realize smooth communication within the organization to which the user belongs.

[0082] Furthermore, the chat system 1 transmits data for a chat service screen SC2 of the chat service to the user terminal 30 as data different from the web service screen SC1. This allows the chat system 1 to display the chat service screen SC2 as a separate screen from the web service screen SC1. For example, the chat system 1 can maintain the display of the chat service screen SC2 even when the user transitions from the web service screen SC1. This prevents the user from being unable to check the chat when the user transitions from the web service screen SC1. This also applies when the user switches from tab T1 to tab T2. The user can chat with other users while browsing the chat service screen SC2 and switching the web service screen SC1 to do research, so the chat system 1 can improve the efficiency of the user's work.

[0083] Furthermore, the chat system 1 provides a chat service to users as an extension of the browser on the user terminal 30. This allows the chat system 1 to provide the chat service only to users who require it. Users can decide whether or not to use the chat service based on their own preferences. By providing the chat service as an extension of the browser, the chat system 1 makes it easy to introduce the chat service. By utilizing the mechanism of the browser extension, the chat system 1 can reduce the introduction cost of the chat service.

[0084] [6. Modifications] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0085] 10 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized in the modified chat system 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the modified chat system 1 realizes an information acquisition unit 204 and an extended function providing unit 205. For example, the information acquisition unit 204 and the extended function providing unit 205 are realized by the control unit 21.

[0086] [6-1. Variation 1] For example, a user may view web service content on a web service screen SC1 and use a chat service on a chat service screen SC2 displayed next to the web service screen SC1 to chat with other users about the content. For this reason, the chat system 1 may provide the user with a chat service that corresponds to the web service screen SC1 that the user is viewing.

[0087] The chat system 1 of variant 1 includes an information acquisition unit 204. The information acquisition unit 204 acquires information about the web service corresponding to the web service screen SC1. Hereinafter, this information will be referred to as web service information. The web service information is not information about the entire web service, but information about the page of the web service. For example, the web service information is information that allows the chat service server 20 to identify the web service screen SC1. In variant 1, an example is given in which the web service information indicates the URL of the web service screen SC1. For example, when a user activates an extended function of the chat service, the user terminal 30 transmits to the chat service server 20 web service information indicating the URL of the web service screen SC1 that is currently being displayed. The information acquisition unit 204 acquires web service information indicating the URL of the web service screen SC1 from the user terminal 30.

[0088] For example, when a user performs a screen transition on the web service screen SC1, the user terminal 30 transmits to the chat service server 20 web service information indicating the URL of the web service screen SC1 after the screen transition. The information acquisition unit 204 acquires the web service information from the user terminal 30. When the user creates a new window W or tab T2 or switches from tab T1 to tab T2, the user terminal 30 may also transmit to the chat service server 20 web service information indicating the URL of the web service screen SC1 displayed in the window W or tab T2. The process of the user terminal 30 transmitting the web service information is executed by an extended function of the browser. The information acquisition unit 204 acquires the web service information from the user terminal 30.

[0089] Note that if the web service and the chat service are linked to each other, the information acquisition unit 204 may acquire web service information from the web service server 10. In this case, startup information (e.g., an image or text) for activating an extended function of the chat service may be displayed on the web service screen SC1. When the user selects the startup information of the web service screen SC1, the user terminal 30 transmits a notification indicating this to the web service server 10. The notification may include the URL of the web service screen SC1 currently being displayed. If the web service server 10 manages the URL of the web service screen SC1 currently being displayed on the user terminal 30, the notification may not include the URL.

[0090] For example, when the web service server 10 receives a notification from the user terminal 30, it transmits to the chat service server 20 web service information indicating the URL of the currently displayed web service screen SC1, along with terminal identification information for identifying the user terminal 30 (e.g., data indicating the IP address or session ID of the user terminal 30). The information acquisition unit 204 acquires the web service information and terminal identification information from the web service server 10. The chat service server 20 can identify which web service screen SC1 is displayed on which user terminal 30 based on the web service information and terminal identification information. The information acquisition unit 204 may acquire web service information from a computer other than the web service server 10 and the user terminal 30.

[0091] The web service information is not limited to the URL of the web service screen SC1. The web service information may be other information related to the web service screen SC1. For example, the web service information may indicate only a portion of the URL of the web service screen SC1 (for example, only the portion of the URL after the domain, or only the portion of the URL that identifies the web service screen SC1). The web service information may indicate an ID assigned to the web service screen SC1, a portion of the web service screen SC1 that the user is viewing, a portion of the web service screen SC1 that the user has selected, all or part of the code of the web service screen SC1, or meta information of the web service screen SC1.

[0092] The chat service providing unit 203 of the first modification provides a chat service to a user based on the web service information. That is, the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service to a user according to the web service information. For example, the chat service providing unit 203 determines, based on the web service information, at least one of multiple other users managed by the chat service as the user's chat partner. The chat service providing unit 203 may determine only one person as the chat partner, or may determine multiple people as the chat partner. The chat service providing unit 203 provides the user with a chat service that allows the user to chat with the chat partner.

[0093] For example, the chat service providing unit 203 determines, based on the web service information, at least one of a plurality of other users who is viewing the same web service screen SC1 as the user as a chat partner. The chat service providing unit 203 records currently viewed data in the data storage unit 200, which associates the URL indicated by the web service information acquired by the information acquisition unit 204 with the user ID of the user currently viewing the web service screen SC1 at that URL. The chat service providing unit 203 can identify a combination of users viewing the same web service screen SC1 based on the currently viewed data.

[0094] For example, when web service information of a certain user is acquired, the chat service providing unit 203 identifies at least one other user who is viewing the same web service screen SC1 based on the currently viewed data. The chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat between the user and the identified at least one other user to these users. The chat service providing unit 203 may generate a new chat room in which these users will participate, or, if a chat room has already been generated, may add the user as a participant in the chat room.

[0095] The method by which the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service according to the web service information is not limited to the above example. The chat service providing unit 203 may refer to the web service information when providing the chat service. For example, the chat service providing unit 203 may provide a chat service according to the web service information as in Variation 2 described below. The chat service providing unit 203 may provide a chat service according to the web service information by sending an instruction to the user terminal 30 to acquire a screenshot of a web service screen SC1 indicated by the web service information, and displaying a chat service screen SC2 including the screenshot acquired from the user terminal 30 on the user terminal 30.

[0096] For example, the chat service providing unit 203 may provide a chat service according to the web service information by displaying a chat service screen SC2 designed according to a URL indicated by the web service information on the user terminal 30. Alternatively, the web service information may indicate all or part of the content displayed on the web service screen SC1, rather than a URL. In this case, the chat service providing unit 203 may provide a chat service according to the web service information by displaying a chat service screen SC2 including all or part of the content indicated in the web service information on the user terminal 30.

[0097] The chat system 1 of the first modification acquires web service information indicating a web service screen SC1. The chat system 1 provides a chat service to a user based on the web service information. This allows the chat system 1 to provide the user with a flexible chat service that corresponds to the web service information, thereby further improving user convenience. For example, by providing the user with a flexible chat service that corresponds to the web service screen SC1 that the user is viewing, the chat system 1 can provide the user with a chat service that makes it easier for the user to communicate with other users.

[0098] Furthermore, the chat system 1 determines, based on the web service information, at least one of multiple other users managed by the chat service as the user's chat partner, and provides the user with a chat service that allows the user to chat with the chat partner. This allows the chat system 1 to allow the user to chat with the optimal chat partner according to the web service information. For example, the chat system 1 can save the user the trouble of searching for and selecting a chat partner.

[0099] Furthermore, based on the web service information, the chat system 1 determines, as a chat partner, at least one of the multiple other users who is viewing the same web service screen SC1 as the user. This allows the chat system 1 to allow users viewing the same web service screen SC1 to chat with each other. For example, the chat system 1 can eliminate the need for a user to manually specify other users viewing the same web service screen SC1 to start a chat. Since a user can chat with other users viewing the same web service screen SC1, smooth communication can be achieved.

[0100] [6-2. Modification 2] For example, the method by which the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service according to the web service information is not limited to the example described in Modification 1. The chat service providing unit 203 of Modification 2 determines, based on the web service information, at least one of multiple other users who is related to the business on the web service screen SC1 as the chat partner. The other user related to the business is the other user who is in charge of the business of the content shown on the web service screen SC1. For example, if the content is an expense claim, the other user related to the business is the other user in accounting who is in charge of expense processing. If the content is company regulations, the other user related to the business is the other user in general affairs who manages the company regulations.

[0101] The data storage unit 200 of the second modification stores chat partner data indicating the relationship between the web service information (URL in the second modification) of the web service screen SC1 and the user ID of another user related to the work on the web service screen SC1 (i.e., another user who is suitable as a chat partner). At least one user ID is associated with one URL in the chat partner data. For example, the URL of the expense application web service screen SC1 and the user ID of another user in charge of accounting are associated with the chat partner data. The URL of the company regulations web service screen SC1 and the user ID of another user in charge of general affairs are associated with the chat partner data.

[0102] For example, the chat service providing unit 203 acquires at least one user ID associated with a URL indicated by the web service information based on the chat partner data. The chat service providing unit 203 determines another user indicated by the acquired at least one user ID as the user's chat partner. The chat service providing unit 203 provides the user with a chat service according to the web service information by transmitting data of a chat service screen SC2 indicating a chat between the user and the determined chat partner to the user terminal 30. The chat service providing unit 203 may present the other users indicated by the acquired at least one user ID to the user as chat partner candidates, and then determine the candidate selected by the user as the user's chat partner.

[0103] For example, when a user is viewing a web service screen SC1 for expense reports, the chat service providing unit 203 determines, as the user's chat partner, another user in charge of accounting who is associated with the URL of the web service screen SC1. When a user is viewing a web service screen SC1 for company regulations, the chat service providing unit 203 determines, as the user's chat partner, another user in charge of general affairs who is associated with the URL of the web service screen SC1. When multiple other users are associated with the web service screen SC1 that the user is viewing, the chat service providing unit 203 may select one of the multiple other users based on a predetermined condition (e.g., the other user's job title or schedule), or may present the multiple other users to the user as chat partner candidates and allow the user to select a chat partner.

[0104] The chat system 1 of the second modification example determines, based on the web service information, at least one of a plurality of other users who is related to the business on the web service screen SC1 as a chat partner. This allows the chat system 1 to allow the user to chat with the most appropriate chat partner related to the business on the web service screen SC1 that the user is viewing. For example, the chat system 1 eliminates the need for the user to search for the most appropriate person to contact regarding the business on the web service screen SC1 that the user is viewing, thereby further improving user convenience. The chat system 1 can also prevent the user from chatting with other users who are unrelated to the business on the web service screen SC1 that the user is viewing.

[0105] [6-3. Modification 3] For example, even if the URL is the same, the content of the web service screen SC1 may differ depending on the user. If the web service screen SC1 is an email management screen, emails received at each user's email address may be displayed at the same URL. In this case, emails received at each user's email address are displayed on the web service screen SC1, so even if the URL is the same, the content of the web service screen SC1 will differ depending on the user. If a chat service were provided in such a case, it could confuse the user, so it may be better not to provide the chat service.

[0106] The chat service providing unit 203 of the third modification example determines whether to provide a chat service to a user based on the web service information. For example, the chat service providing unit 203 determines whether the URL indicated by the web service information is a specific URL. The specific URL is a URL that has been predetermined as a URL at which chat services are not provided. The specific URL may be designated by a chat service provider or by an administrator of the organization to which the user belongs.

[0107] For example, the specific URL is the URL of the web service screen SC1 on which each user's email is displayed, as described above. The specific URL may be a predetermined URL. For example, the specific URL may be the URL of the web service screen SC1 on which the user manages their tasks, the URL of the web service screen SC1 on which the user manages their schedule, or another URL. URL data indicating a URL at which the chat service is not provided is assumed to be pre-stored in the data storage unit 200. The URL data may indicate a URL at which the chat service is provided, rather than a URL at which the chat service is not provided. In this case, the chat service providing unit 203 does not provide the chat service to the user if the URL indicated by the web service information is not indicated in the URL data, and provides the chat service to the user if the URL indicated by the web service information is indicated in the URL data.

[0108] In variant example 3, a URL for which a chat service is not provided is indicated in the URL data. The chat service providing unit 203 determines whether the URL indicated by the web service information is indicated in the URL data. If the chat service providing unit 203 determines that the URL indicated by the web service information is indicated in the URL data, it decides not to provide the chat service to the user. If the chat service providing unit 203 determines that the URL indicated by the web service information is not indicated in the URL data, it decides to provide the chat service to the user. Note that if the web service screen SC1 is identified by data other than a URL, data indicating the web service screen SC1 identified by the other data is assumed to be pre-stored in the data storage unit 200 instead of the URL data.

[0109] For example, if it is determined that the chat service should not be provided to the user, the chat service providing unit 203 does not provide the chat service to the user. That is, in this case, the chat service providing unit 203 does not transmit data of the chat service screen SC2 to the user terminal 30. The chat service providing unit 203 may transmit data of the chat service screen SC2 to the user terminal 30, but an error message may be displayed. In this case, the actual content of the chat is not displayed on the chat service screen SC2. If it is determined that the chat service should be provided to the user, the chat service providing unit 203 provides the chat service to the user. That is, in this case, the chat service providing unit 203 transmits data of the chat service screen SC2 to the user terminal 30.

[0110] The chat system 1 of the third modification example determines whether to provide a chat service to a user based on the web service information. This allows the chat system 1 to provide the chat service to a user viewing a web service screen SC1 that is optimal for providing the chat service. For example, if a web service screen SC1 is displayed that would confuse the user if the chat service were to be provided to the user, the chat system 1 can decide not to provide the chat service to the user, thereby further improving user convenience.

[0111] [6-4. Variation 4] For example, a chat service may offer an extension created by a party other than the chat service provider. Unlike the extensions described in the embodiments, this extension is a program for adding specific functions to the chat service. In other words, the extension of Variation 4 is not an extension that allows a user to use the chat service itself in a browser, but an extension that allows a user to use the chat service more conveniently. The chat service extension may be a browser extension or a function different from the browser extension. For example, the chat service extension may be a plug-in that a user can add later to the chat service, or may be implemented as a software keyboard extension as in Variation 5 described below.

[0112] In the fourth modification, the actual data of the extended function is stored in the data storage unit 200. A user can add any of a variety of extended functions. An administrator of the organization to which the user belongs, rather than the user, may select the extended function to be used by the organization. The extended function may be any function related to chat. For example, the extended function may be a screenshot function for taking a screenshot of the web service screen SC1 displayed together with the chat service screen SC2, a function for searching data within the organization, a function for inviting other users to a chat according to the topic of the chat, a function for creating a summary of messages exchanged in the chat, a function for creating a translation of messages exchanged in the chat, or other functions.

[0113] For example, the other person who creates the extended function may be a user of an organization that has signed a contract with the chat service, or may be a person who has not signed a contract with the chat service but is contracted to create the extended function. Once the other person who creates the extended function creates the extended function for the chat service, they upload it to the chat service server 20. The content of the extended function for the chat service is reviewed by the chat service provider. The extended function for the chat service that is approved by the chat service provider is added to the data storage unit 200. The extended function for the chat service is then made available for use by the user.

[0114] The chat system 1 of the fourth modification example includes an extended function providing unit 205. The extended function providing unit 205 provides the user with an extended function for the chat service created by a party other than the chat service provider. For example, when the user selects an extended function for the chat service, the extended function providing unit 205 transmits data of the extended function to the user terminal 30. Upon receiving the data of the extended function, the user terminal 30 records it in the data storage unit 300 and installs the extended function. The extended function may operate on the chat service server 20 without transmitting the data of the extended function to the user terminal 30.

[0115] For example, the extended function providing unit 205 provides a chat service to the user based on the data of the extended function. If the extended function of the chat service is a screenshot function for taking a screenshot of the web service screen SC1 displayed together with the chat service screen SC2, the extended function providing unit 205 transmits data of the extended function having the screenshot function to the user terminal 30, thereby transmitting the extended function of the chat service to the user. The user terminal 30 takes a screenshot by installing the data and executing the extended function. The user terminal 30 may transmit the screenshot to the chat service server 20. The extended function providing unit 205 may display the screenshot on the chat service screen SC2.

[0116] The chat system 1 of Variation 4 provides users with extended chat service functions created by parties other than the chat service provider. This allows the chat system 1 to provide users with extended functions that are additional functions of the chat service, further increasing user convenience. Furthermore, because the chat system 1 provides users with additional functions created by parties other than the chat service provider, it can provide users with various additional functions that cannot be provided by the chat service provider alone.

[0117] [6-5. Modification 5] For example, in the embodiment, the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service to a user as an extended function of a browser, but the chat service providing unit 203 may provide a chat service to a user in other ways. Modification 5 takes as an example a case where the chat service providing unit 203 provides a chat service to a user as an extended function of a software keyboard. The software keyboard is a virtual keyboard displayed on the display unit 35 of the user terminal 30.

[0118] A software keyboard extension is a program that allows a user to add specific functions to the default software keyboard. The extension may include data referenced by the program. The software keyboard extension may be an extension used in a known operating system. A user can select any extension and add it to the software keyboard. When a user selects an extension and adds it to the software keyboard, the selected extension is installed on the user terminal 30. The extension can be called from the software keyboard at any time.

[0119] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 30. In the fifth modification, the user terminal 30 is a smartphone. The user terminal 30 may be a tablet or another computer such as a personal computer. The user terminal 30 may be a computer having a software keyboard function. The chat service providing unit 203 of the fifth modification provides a chat service to the user as an extension function of the software keyboard in the user terminal 30.

[0120] For example, as shown in the upper left of Fig. 11 , the user terminal 30 displays a web service screen SC1 on the display unit 35 on a browser. The method for displaying the web service screen SC1 may be the same as in the embodiment. When a user activates a software keyboard by, for example, focusing on an input form on the web service screen SC1, the user terminal 30 displays a keyboard image KI representing a software keyboard on the display unit 35, as shown in the upper right of Fig. 11 . The software keyboard and its activation method may be the same as those used in known smartphones, etc. The user can freely switch between the default software keyboard and the software keyboard as an extended function.

[0121] For example, the keyboard image KI includes an icon I2 for the user to activate an extended function of the software keyboard. When the user selects the icon I2, the user terminal 30 activates a chat service as an extended function of the software keyboard that has been pre-installed. The user terminal 30 transmits a chat request to the chat service server 20. Processing on the user terminal 30 side is executed by a program that is an extended function of the software keyboard. The chat request receiving unit 201 receives the chat request in the same manner as in the embodiment. The login processing execution unit 202 executes login processing for the user to log in to the chat service in the same manner as in the embodiment.

[0122] For example, when a user logs in to a chat service, the chat service providing unit 203 transmits data of a chat service screen SC2 to the user terminal 30, similar to the embodiment. When the user terminal 30 receives the data of the chat service screen SC2 from the chat service server 20, the user terminal 30 displays the chat service screen SC2 as a keyboard image KI on the display unit 35, as shown in the lower left of FIG. 11 . The display of the chat service screen SC2 is executed by a program serving as an extended function of the software keyboard. The example in the lower left of FIG. 11 shows the chat service screen SC2 that is displayed when the user selects a chat from a list of chats. The user terminal 30 displays the chat service screen SC2 as a keyboard image KI so as to be superimposed on the web service screen SC1.

[0123] For example, when a user selects the button B26 for sending a message via the chat service, the chat service server 20 is notified of this. The chat service providing unit 203 transmits data for a chat service screen SC2 that accepts message input by the user. Based on this data, the user terminal 30 displays the chat service screen SC2 on the display unit 35 instead of the web service screen SC1, as shown in the lower right of FIG. 11 . The keyboard image KI enters a state in which it can accept text input by the user. When the user inputs and sends a message via the keyboard image KI, the chat service providing unit 203 reflects the user's message in the chat. Thereafter, as shown in the lower left of FIG. 11 , the user terminal 30 displays the chat service screen SC2 as the keyboard image KI on the display unit 35.

[0124] The chat system 1 of the fifth modification provides a chat service to users as an extension function of a software keyboard on the user terminal 30. This allows the chat system 1 to provide the chat service only to users who require it. Users can decide whether or not to use the chat service based on their own preferences. By providing the chat service as an extension function of the software keyboard, the chat system 1 makes it easy to introduce the chat service. By utilizing the mechanism of the software keyboard's extension function, the chat system 1 can reduce the introduction cost of the chat service.

[0125] [6-6. Other Modifications] For example, two or more of the modifications 1 to 5 may be combined.

[0126] For example, in the embodiment, an example was given in which a user uses a web service and a chat service subscribed to by the organization to which the user belongs, but the user may also subscribe to at least one of the web service and the chat service individually. A user may chat with other users who do not belong to the same organization, rather than with other users of the same organization. The chat service may be a service in which users viewing the same web service screen SC1 do not need to log in, and may be a chat service between users. Although an example was given in which the data of the web service screen SC1 and the data of the chat service screen SC2 are separate, these data may be the same data.

[0127] For example, the functions described as being realized by the chat service server 20 may be realized by the user terminal 30. In this case, the functions may be realized by a browser script or an application installed on the user terminal 30. For example, each function may be shared among multiple computers or may be realized by a single computer.

Claims

1. A chat system including: a chat request receiving unit that receives, from a user terminal, a chat request for the user to chat with another user managed by a chat service used by the user when a web service screen used by the user is displayed on the user terminal; and a chat service providing unit that provides the chat service to the user when the chat request is received.

2. The chat system according to claim 1, further including an information acquisition unit that acquires information on the web service corresponding to the web service screen, wherein the chat service providing unit provides the chat service to the user based on the information.

3. The chat service providing unit determines, based on the information, at least one of the plurality of other users managed by the chat service as a chat partner for the user, and provides the user with the chat service for the user to chat with the chat partner. The chat system according to claim 2.

4. The chat service providing unit according to claim 3 determines, based on the information, at least one of the plurality of other users who view the same web service screen as the user as the chat partner.

5. The web service is a business support service that supports the user's business, and the chat service providing unit determines, based on the information, at least one of the plurality of other users related to the business on the web service screen as the chat partner. The chat system according to claim 3.

6. The chat service providing unit determines, based on the information, whether to provide the chat service to the user. The chat system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. The chat system further includes a login process execution unit that executes a login process for the user to log in to the organization to which the user belongs among a plurality of organizations managed by the chat service. The chat service providing unit provides the user with the chat service for chatting with other users belonging to the organization to which the user has logged in. The chat system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The chat service providing unit transmits data of a chat service screen of the chat service to the user terminal as data different from the web service screen. The chat system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The chat system further includes an extension function providing unit that provides the user with an extension function of the chat service created by another person different from the provider of the chat service. The chat system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. The chat service providing unit provides the user with the chat service as an extension function of a browser in the user terminal. The chat system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. The chat service providing unit provides the user with the chat service as an extension function of a software keyboard in the user terminal. The chat system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. When a web service screen of a web service used by a user is displayed on the user terminal, a chat request for the user to chat with other users managed by the chat service used by the user is received from the user terminal. When the chat request is received, the chat service is provided to the user. A method for providing a chat service.

13. A program for causing a computer to function as a chat request reception unit that receives, from the user terminal, a chat request for chatting with another user managed by the chat service used by the user when a web service screen of the web service used by the user is displayed on the user terminal, and a chat service providing unit that provides the chat service to the user when the chat request is received.

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