CN111159568A

CN111159568A - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Info

Publication number: CN111159568A
Application number: CN201911010432.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 织田京太
Original assignee: New Chain Co Ltd
Current assignee: New Chain Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-07
Filing date: 2019-10-23
Publication date: 2020-05-15
Also published as: JP7070879B2; JP2020077211A

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that, when a user is retrieved in a social network service (SNS), it is possible to quickly distinguish whether or not the user has communicated with the detected user in the past. The information processing apparatus includes: a user information storage unit that stores information related to users who have registered with the SNS; a message transmitting and receiving unit that transmits and receives messages between users; a message storage unit that stores transmitted and received messages; The searcher accepts the input of search conditions for searching users other than the searcher; the search unit searches for users in the user information storage unit based on the search conditions; the message history check unit checks whether the registered users matching as a result of the search are relative It exists in the sender/receiver of the searcher; and the output unit, when the result of the check is that it exists as the sender or the receiver, outputs a flag indicating the situation together with the registered user that matches.

Description

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for providing a social network service.

Background

Conventionally, techniques related to a search method for a user in a social network service have been proposed. For example, patent document 1 discloses a user search method for the purpose of improving the validity of a search result. In the user search method, the client device acquires geographical position information of the user after detecting transmission of a search command by the user, and transmits a search request including the geographical position information of the user and a user identifier to the server. The server stores search request information including geographic position information and a user identifier that the received search request has, and a reception time at which the search request has been received, determines whether or not there is search request information that satisfies a requirement among the previously stored various search request information, and returns information related to the user corresponding to the search request information that satisfies the requirement to the client apparatus when there is search request information that satisfies the requirement.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2015-507295

As in the related art, in a social network service in which a large number of users are registered, accuracy in searching for a user who is a member registered with the social network service is required. If there is a user of interest among the users detected by the search, a message, mail, or the like is transmitted to communicate with the user.

However, in a social network connected with a business as a center, when it is confirmed whether or not a new communication is performed based on a relationship of a message or the like transmitted or received before, it is necessary to use a communication tool such as a mail program or a communication program separately and search again in the tool in order to confirm whether or not a communication with a user of interest has been performed before, which takes time and effort.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can quickly distinguish whether or not a user has previously acquired communication with a detected user when the user is searched for in a social network service.

In order to solve the above problem, an information processing apparatus that provides a social network service including at least a communication service between users and a search service for searching for a user, includes: a user information storage unit that stores information related to a registered user who has registered a social network service; a message transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting/receiving a message between registered users; a message storage unit for storing the message transmitted and received by the message transmission and reception unit; an input unit that accepts, from a searcher who is a registered user, input of a search condition for searching for a registered user other than the searcher; a search unit for searching for a registered user in the user information storage unit based on the search condition input to the input unit; a message history checking unit that checks whether or not a registered user matching the search result of the search unit exists as a sender or a receiver to the searcher in the message storage unit; and an output unit that outputs a flag indicating that the message history check unit has checked that the message history check unit has been found to be a sender or a receiver, together with the registered user who is the matched sender.

Thus, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that, after checking whether or not a registered user detected by performing a search is a sender or a receiver with respect to a searcher, outputs a flag indicating the presence of the registered user together with the detected registered user when the registered user is present, thereby making it possible to quickly distinguish whether or not communication with the detected user has been obtained before in a social network service.

The information processing apparatus may be characterized in that the flag is output so as to distinguish whether the registered user who matches is either one of the sender and the receiver or both of the sender and the receiver.

Thus, by outputting the flag so as to distinguish whether the detected registered user is the sender or the receiver, it is possible to clarify which party has paid attention.

In order to solve the above problem, an information processing method for providing a social network service including at least a communication service between users and a search service for searching for a user, comprising: storing information related to a registered user who registered with the social network service; receiving and transmitting messages between registered users; storing the transmitted and received message; receiving, from a searcher who is a registered user, an input of a search condition for searching for a registered user other than the searcher; searching the registered user based on the received searching condition; checking whether a registered user matched as a result of the search exists as a sender or a receiver with respect to the searcher; and outputting a flag indicating that the user is present as the sender or the receiver together with the registered user who is the matched user, if the result of the check is that the user is present as the sender or the receiver.

Thus, it is possible to provide an information processing method capable of promptly discriminating, in a social network service, whether or not communication has been previously obtained with a detected user by checking whether or not a registered user detected by searching is a sender or a receiver with respect to a searcher and, if present, outputting a flag indicating the presence together with the detected registered user.

In order to solve the above problem, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method for providing a social network service including at least a communication service between users and a search service for searching for a user, the program including: storing information related to a registered user who registered with the social network service; receiving and transmitting messages between registered users; storing the transmitted and received message; receiving, from a searcher who is a registered user, an input of a search condition for searching for a registered user other than the searcher; searching the registered user based on the received searching condition; checking whether a registered user matched as a result of the search exists as a sender or a receiver with respect to the searcher; and outputting a flag indicating that the user is present as the sender or the receiver together with the registered user who is the matched user, if the result of the check is that the user is present as the sender or the receiver.

Thus, it is possible to provide a program that, after checking whether or not a registered user detected by searching is a sender or a receiver with respect to a searcher, outputs a flag indicating the presence of the registered user together with the detected registered user when the registered user is present, thereby making it possible to quickly distinguish whether or not communication with the detected user has been obtained before in a social network service.

Effects of the invention

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can quickly distinguish whether or not a user has previously acquired communication with a detected user when the user is searched for in a social network service.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a social network service system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a social network service processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a communication (messenger) function and a search function in the social network service processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a social network service processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a retrieval function in the social network service processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a main display screen output by the social network service processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) The main picture of the blog function, (B) the main picture of the tweet function, (D) the main picture of the Q & a (question answering) function, (E) the main picture of the community function, (F) the main picture of the news function, (G) the main picture of the asset analysis function, (H) the main picture of the search function, and (I) the main picture of the communication function.

Fig. 7 is an output display example of the output section of the social network service processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an output display example of an output section of the social network service processing apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is an example of a table of management information of a message space in a message storage part of a social network service processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an example of a table of a database of a message space in a message storage part of a social network service processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is an example of a table of user information in the user information storage section of the social network service processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the reference symbols

1 social network service System (SNS System)

100 Social Network Service (SNS) processing apparatus (information processing apparatus)

10 control part

11 message transmitting/receiving unit

12 search unit

13 message history checking unit

14 input unit

15 output part

20 storage part

21 message storage part

22 user information storage unit

30 communication unit

200 user's terminal

300 network

F10 communication function

F20 search function

F30 blog functionality

F40 text pushing function

F50Q & A function

F60 Community function

F70 News function

F80 asset analysis function

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

< first embodiment >

With reference to fig. 1 to 11, a social network service system 1 and a social network service processing apparatus 100 (information processing apparatus) in the present embodiment will be described. In this specification, the social network service processing device is also referred to as an SNS processing device.

As shown in fig. 1, the social network service system 1 is a system including an SNS processing device 100 and a plurality of terminals 200 capable of communicating with each other by connecting to a network 300. The SNS processing device 100 processes, executes, and controls functions of social network services. The terminal 200 displays information related to the social network service to a user who uses the social network service, and accepts an operation by the user.

The network 300 is an arbitrary communication line or communication network that can realize information processing and data-related communication between the SNS processing device 100 and the terminal 200. Thus, the network 300 may be a Wide Area Network (WAN), a wired network, a fiber optic network, a wireless network (e.g., a mobile or cellular network), a cellular or telecommunications network (e.g., WIFI, Long Term Evolution (LTE) network), or any suitable combination thereof. Network 300 may include one or more portions of a private network, a public network (e.g., the internet), or any suitable combination thereof. These are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the SNS processing device 100 as a server. The SNS processing device 100 is, for example, a server computer, and is accessed by a plurality of terminals 200 to realize a function of a social network service. The terminal 200 is an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a smartphone, and is operated by a user who is a member of the social network service. The server has a function as, for example, a Web server, and provides a service related to the social network service to the user of the terminal 200 through the browser.

The SNS processing device 100 includes: an arithmetic device 110 (control unit 10) composed of a CPU (Central processing unit); a storage unit 20 including a Memory 111 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (random access Memory) and an external storage device 120 such as a hard disk or a Memory; a communication device 130 (communication unit 30) serving as a network interface connected to the network 300; an input device 150 such as a keyboard and a mouse for use by a manager of the server; an output device 140 such as a display and a printer for displaying various information; and a medium drive device 122 that drives a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disk read Only Memory), reads and writes software and programs recorded in the recording medium, and is connected to each other via a transmission path 101 including a system bus such as an internal bus, an external bus, and an expansion bus.

The control Unit 10 realizes its function by an arithmetic Unit 110 (CPU) and collectively controls the SNS Processing device 100. The control unit 10 has an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program defining various processing procedures, required data, and the like, and executes various information processing based on the stored program.

The storage unit 20 realizes its functions by the memory 111 and the external storage device 120, and stores various databases, tables, files, and the like. The storage unit 20 stores a computer program for performing various processes in cooperation with the OS and issuing instructions to the control unit 10. These computer programs are programs for various programs provided by websites, and programs for realizing functions provided as social network services.

For example, all or any part of the processing functions provided in the SNS processing device 100, particularly the processing functions performed by the control unit 10, may be realized by a CPU and a program translated and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware based on wired logic. In addition, the program may be recorded in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium containing programmed instructions for causing the CPU to execute the processing described in the present embodiment, and read into the SNS processing device 100 via the medium drive device 122 as necessary. The recording medium includes any "portable physical medium" such as a DVD. Therefore, a recording medium storing a program for executing the processing or the processing method described in this specification also constitutes the present invention. The computer program is loaded into the RAM and executed, and configures the control unit 10 in cooperation with the CPU.

Further, the program may be stored in an application server connected to the SNS processing device 100 via an arbitrary network, and all or a part thereof may also be downloaded as needed. The "program" is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or description method, and may be in the form of source code, binary code, or the like. The "program" is not necessarily limited to a program configured as a single unit, and includes a program configured as a plurality of modules or libraries distributed and a program that realizes its function in cooperation with a single program typified by an OS. Further, as for the specific structure and reading process for reading the recording medium and the mounting process after reading and the like in each of the above-described apparatuses, a known structure and process may be used.

The SNS processing device 100 may be configured as an information processing device such as a known personal computer or workstation, or may be configured as such an information processing device to which an arbitrary peripheral device is connected. In addition, the SNS processing device 100 can also be implemented by installing software (including programs, data, and the like) that implements the processing described above. The SNS processing device 100 is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit and may be partially or wholly configured according to the load of the function.

The communication device 130 receives data and the like from the terminal 200 via the network 300 and transmits the data and the like to the operation device 110, and transmits data and the like generated by the operation device 110 to the terminal 200 via the network 300. Communication device 130 is a Network interface for connecting to terminal 200 via Network 300, and more specifically, is a communication device such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card.

The input device 150 and the output device 140 are controlled by the arithmetic device 110 via an input-output interface. The arithmetic unit 110 acquires data and the like from the input device 150 and outputs the generated data and the like to the output device 140. The input device 150 is typically a device directly connected locally to a server, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, but may also be a device that remotely accesses and operates the SNS processing device 100 via the network 300. The output device 140 is also typically a device such as a display or a printer that is directly connected locally to the server, but may also be a device that is remotely connected via the network 300.

In the present specification, the term "output" includes a case where the arithmetic device 110 outputs to a device other than the arithmetic device 110. For example, "output" includes: the case where the computing device 110 (control unit 10) outputs the data to the network 300 connected to the terminal 200 via the transmission path 101 and the communication device 130; the case where the arithmetic device 110 (control unit 10) outputs the data to the remote device via the transmission path 101 and the output device 140; and a case where the arithmetic device 110 (control unit 10) outputs the data to the media drive device 122 loaded with the external storage device 120 or the writable recording medium via the transmission path 101.

Referring to fig. 2, the function of the SNS processing device 100 will be described. The SNS processing device 100 provides a social network service related to work or business by using, as members, business persons related to the transaction or maintenance management of real estate for investment, lawyers or judicial agents for assisting the business persons, insurance agents, and other business persons (users in a narrow sense), and general consumers (users in a broad sense) who receive the service from the business persons. In the SNS processing device 100, a user registers and becomes a member to receive a social network service. More specifically, the SNS processing device 100 includes a communication function F10, a search function F20, a blog function F30, a tweet function F40, a Q & a function F50, a community function F60, a news function F70, and an asset analysis function F80.

The communication function F10 is a function of assisting communication between users in a narrow sense, between users in a broad sense, and between a user in a narrow sense and a user in a broad sense, and is a so-called chat function of exchanging messages in a conversational manner. The communication function F10 has a message space that stores messages sent and received between users and can be viewed/edited only by the user. When a request from the user is received, the control unit 10 reads the message in the message space of the user from the storage unit 20 and outputs the read message via the communication unit 30. The communication function F10 has a user interface that displays messages sent and received between the users in a time series arrangement.

The retrieval function F20 is a function for retrieving a member registered with the social network service. The search is performed mainly by inputting a search condition of a narrow user to be found from the narrow users by the wide and narrow users. The search function F20 receives a search condition input by a user, searches a database (the user information storage unit 22 shown in fig. 3) storing information on users who are members of the social network service for a user in a narrow sense matching the search condition, and outputs a user who satisfies the search condition. Details will be described later.

The blog function F30 is a function of providing a website displayed in time series for a user with respect to a topic such as business, personal experience, news related to work, or current affairs. The blog function F30 is the same function as a blog that is generally provided on the internet. The blog function F30 assists a certain user in sending a topic or article to an unspecified user who is registered with the social network service or an unspecified large number of users who access the internet. In the case where a user who has read a blog resonates with a text or the like provided through the blog function F30 or wants to make a consultation at work, the user of a text may be paid attention to the user in the below-described tweet function F40 or a question may be posed to the user of the text in the Q & a function F50 in order to establish a new personal relationship with the user of the text first.

The tweet function F40 is a function also called a microblog function, and is a function by which a user issues his/her own opinion, feeling, situation, and the like in a short sentence, and the user who pays attention to the user can browse the post and the like. Since the contents to be distributed are short texts and are easily updated, a large number of distributions can be performed, and since a reply can be made to the distribution, near real-time exchange can be performed.

The Q & a function F50 is a function of assisting a user in asking questions of questionable contents or contents required for services or the like to a specific user or a non-specific user, and answering the questions by other users. For example, a general user (a general user) may ask another general user (a general user) about the content of the question, or may ask a business person (a narrow user) who manages the real estate for a purchase of the invested real estate. Further, the business person (user in a narrow sense) may have a function of consulting a judicial agent (user in a narrow sense) about the registration of the real estate. The user who receives the consultation establishes the interpersonal relationship by quickly making an appropriate answer to the consultation.

The community function F60 is a function of facilitating communication within a group of users interested in a particular interest or topic. The bulletin board may be a bulletin board that can be accessed only by users belonging to the group, or may have a message space that can be accessed only by users belonging to the group.

The news function F70 is a function for a service person who provides the social network service or the SNS processing device 100 to issue a contact item/notification item or the like related to the social network service or the SNS processing device 100 to a member.

The asset analysis function F80 is a function for assisting a general user in investment analysis of the investment real estate owned by the user. The user can comprehensively and angularly analyze own real estate.

Each of the above-described functions outputs a screen (user interface) of a smartphone as the terminal 200 shown in fig. 6. Of course, the SNS processing device 100 may also have a function of outputting a screen to a personal computer. The SNS processing device 100 outputs a homepage shown in this figure (a) to a user who has accessed the provided social network service, and causes it to be displayed on the user's smartphone. On the homepage, icons named "news", "blog", "community", "big Q & a", "search service person", "my property", "tweet", and "correspondence" are displayed, and the corresponding function is called by touching the icon by the user.

For example, when the user touches a "news" icon on the homepage, a signal generated by the touch is transmitted to the SNS processing device 100 via the network 300, thereby calling the news function F70. The called news function F70 outputs a screen as shown in the drawing (F) and issues a contact item, a notification item, and the like to the user.

In addition, when the user touches the "blog" icon on the homepage, a signal generated by the touch is transmitted to the SNS processing device 100, thereby calling the blog function F30. The called blog function F30 outputs a screen as shown in this figure (B), and outputs a list of subscribed blogs. The blog function F30 outputs the content of the blog touched on the screen and causes it to be appropriately displayed on the smartphone.

In addition, when the user touches the "community" icon on the homepage, a signal generated by the touch is transmitted to the SNS processing device 100, thereby calling the community function F60. The invoked community function F60 outputs a screen as shown in this drawing (E), and outputs a list of participating communities. The community function F60 outputs the content in the community touched on the screen, and causes the content to be appropriately displayed on the smartphone.

In addition, when the user touches the "Q & a of the person" icon on the homepage, a signal generated by the touch is passed to the SNS processing device 100, thereby calling the Q & a function F50. The called Q & a function F50 outputs a screen as shown in this diagram (D), and outputs a list of Q & as of interest. The Q & a function F50 outputs the content of the Q & a touched on the screen, and appropriately displays the content on the smartphone.

When the user touches the "my asset" icon on the homepage, a signal generated by the touch is transmitted to the SNS processing device 100, thereby calling the asset analysis function F80. The called asset analysis function F80 outputs a screen as shown in the drawing (G), and outputs a list of assets as investment real estate relating to the user who performs the operation, and information such as the balance status thereof, and appropriately displays the list on the smartphone.

Further, when the user touches the "tweet" icon on the homepage, a signal generated by the touch is transmitted to the SNS processing device 100, thereby calling the tweet function F40. The invoked tweet function F40 outputs a screen as shown in this drawing (C), and outputs a list of users concerned and a screen for writing a tweet by themselves. The text pushing function F40 outputs the published content of the user touched on the screen, and appropriately displays the content on the smartphone. Further, the tweet function F40 outputs a screen of a user interface including an input area for a user who performs an operation to distribute content, and also outputs and displays content distributed by himself.

In addition, when the user touches the "messenger" icon on the homepage, a signal generated by the touch is transmitted to the SNS processing device 100, thereby calling the messenger function F10. The called communication function F10 outputs a screen as shown in this drawing (I), and outputs a list of users who have exchanged messages and a screen for newly creating a message by themselves. The communication function F10 outputs a message exchanged with the user touched on the screen, and appropriately displays the message on the smartphone.

In addition, when the user touches the "search service person" icon on the homepage, a signal generated by the touch is transmitted to the SNS processing device 100, thereby calling the retrieval function F20. The called search function F20 outputs a screen as shown in fig. H, and outputs a list of service providers (users in a narrow sense) who meet the search conditions. The search function F20 outputs information on the service person touched on the screen, and appropriately displays the information on the screen of the smartphone or the personal computer. Details will be described later.

Referring to fig. 3, the SNS processing device 100 including the control unit 10, the storage unit 20, and the communication unit 30 will be described focusing on the search function F20. The retrieval function F20 assists the member registered with the social network service in retrieving other members according to the retrieval conditions. The SNS processing device 100 having the search function F20 described above includes: a user information storage unit 22 that stores information on a registered user who has registered the social network service in the storage unit 20; a message transmitting/receiving unit 11 for transmitting/receiving a message transmitted/received between registered users of the operation terminal 200 to/from the control unit 10; a message storage unit 21 for storing the message transmitted and received by the message receiving unit 11 in the storage unit 20; an input unit 14 that receives, in the control unit 10, an input of a search condition for searching for a registered user other than a searcher from the searcher; a search unit 12 for searching for a registered user in the user information storage unit 22 based on the search condition input to the input unit 14 by the control unit 10; a message history check unit 13 for checking in the control unit 10 whether or not the registered user corresponding to the search result of the search unit 12 exists as a sender or a receiver to the searcher in the message storage unit 21; and an output unit 15 that outputs a flag indicating that the message history check unit 13 has checked that the message history check unit is present as a sender or a receiver, together with the registered user who matches the message history check unit, when the message history check unit 10 checks that the registered user is present.

The message transmitting/receiving unit 11 waits for a message from the user transmitted from the terminal 200 via the communication unit 30, and receives the message when the message is transmitted. The transmitted message is composed of message meta information indicating a message from which user corresponding to which message space, and the content of the message (text information, image information, and the like transmitted by the user). When receiving a message, the messaging unit 11 refers to the message space management information (shown in fig. 9) and the user information (shown in fig. 11) stored in the user information storage unit 22, and checks which message space corresponds to the message and from which user the message is.

The message storage unit 21 stores messages transmitted and received by the message transmitting and receiving unit 11 between a certain user and another user for each message space. Examples of a table of management information of a message space and a table of a database including messages of the message space in the message storage unit 21 will be described with reference to fig. 9 and 10. The table of message space management information shown in fig. 9 has, in the column: an inherent message space ID that is numbered when the message space is created; a list of accessing users that can access the message space; a name corresponding to the message space ID for an accessible user, i.e., a message space name; and storing the database names of the messages in the message space. In the figure, as an example, 6 message space IDs are stored as records, and when a message space is newly created, the message space IDs are numbered and the records are added.

The message transmitting/receiving unit 11 and the message storage unit 21 will be described more specifically. For example, even if a message is transmitted from UID0001 registered in the user information to MS0002 in a message space that UID0001 cannot access, the message transmitting/receiving unit 11 does not receive the message. On the other hand, when a message is transmitted from UID0001 to MS0001 in a message space accessible to UID0001, the message transmitting/receiving unit 11 receives the message. In this way, in the case of an authorized user corresponding to an authorized message space, the message transmission/reception unit 11 transfers the message space, the sending user, and the message content to the message storage unit 21 of the storage unit 20.

Further, the message transmitting/receiving unit 11 stores the message transmitted from the message storage unit 21, and then refers to the message space management information to transmit the message to a user other than the UID0001 who is the sender and can access the message space. For example, when UID0001 transmits a message to MS0001 in the message space, the message transmitting/receiving unit 11 transmits the received message to UID 0002. When UID0001 transmits a message to MS0006 in the message space, the message transmission/reception unit 11 transmits the received message to UID0006 and UID 0009. In this way, since messages are exchanged between the user who is a member and the other users who are members via the message space, the message transmitting/receiving unit 11 transmits and receives messages transmitted and received between the member users in the message space.

In the first record, MS0001 as a message space ID, UID0001 and UID0002 as a list of accessing users, UID0002 as a name of the message space for the user of UID0001, UID0001 as a name of the message space for the user of UID0002, and DB0001 as a database name are stored. The second record similarly stores MS0002 as a message space ID, UID0003, UID0004, and UID0005 as a list of accessing users, group a as a name of the message space for the user of UID0003, group B as a name of the message space for the user of UID0004, group C as a name of the message space for the user of UID0005, and DB0002 as a database name.

Similarly, in the third record, MS0003 as a message space ID, UID0001 and UID0006 as a list of visiting users, UID0006 as a name of the message space for the user of UID0001, UID0001 as a name of the message space for the user of UID0006, and DB0003 as a database name are stored. Although description will be omitted for the following records, in this table example, the user of UID0001 can access 4 message spaces (MS0001, MS0003, MS0004, and MS0006), and the user of UID0002 can access two message spaces (MS0001 and MS 0005). The table of the message space management information is an example, and for example, although the database storing messages is provided for each message space in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and a table may be provided for each message space in one database.

In fig. 10, a database DB0001 storing messages in the message space MS0001 and a database DB0003 storing messages in the message space MS0003 are shown as an example. The table of the database DB0001 has, in columns, the date of receiving a message, the time of receiving a message, the transmitting user who transmitted a message, the receiving user who received a message, and the content of a message. Database DB0003 also has the same columns.

In the database DB0001, since the first message of "underwriting care" (MSG1) is transmitted from the user of UID0002 to the user of UID0001, the message transmitting/receiving unit 11 receives the message, recognizes that the message is from UID0002 corresponding to the message space MS0001 from the message meta information, and stores the message in the database DB0001 corresponding to the message space MS 0001. At this time, the message storage unit 21 also stores the time stamp at this time and the UID0002 as the transmitting user in the column of the transmitting user. Further, the message transmitting/receiving section 11 stores, as a user who performs reception, UID0001 of another user who can access the message space MS0001 in the message storage section 21, and transmits the message to UID 0001.

Since the above-described messages of the user of UID0001 to the user of UID0002 immediately send replies of "thank each other today" (MSG2), the messaging section 11 receives the message and, likewise, stores the message in the database DB0001 corresponding to the message space MS 0001. Then, after a while, since a message "today's meeting record will be sent later" (MSG3) is sent from the user of UID0002 to the user of UID0001, the messaging section 11 receives the message and similarly stores the message in the database DB 0001. Corresponding to the message, the user of UID0001 replies "trouble you, baill" (MSG4), and the message is stored as the last message in MS 0001.

In the database DB0003, since the first message "subject care, today's thank you" (MSG11) is transmitted from the user of UID0001 to the user of UID0006, the message transmitting/receiving unit 11 receives the message, recognizes that the message is from UID0001 corresponding to the message space MS0003, and stores the message in the database DB0003 corresponding to the message space MS 0003. At this time, the message storage unit 21 also stores the timestamp and the UID0001 of the transmitting user in the field of the transmitting user. Similarly, the message transmitting/receiving unit 11 stores the UID0006 of another user who can access the message space MS0003 in the message storage unit 21 as a user to receive the message, and transmits the content of the message to the UID 0006.

Since the user of UID0006 transmits a reply of "thank you each other" (MSG22) to the above-described message of the user of UID0001, the message transmitting and receiving section 11 receives the message and similarly stores the message in the database DB 0003. Then, since a message "the evaluation ticket will be sent later according to your request" (MSG33) is transmitted from the user of UID0001 to the user of UID0006, the message is received by the messaging section 11, and similarly, stored in the database DB 0003. Corresponding to this message, the user of UID0006 replies "bailey" (MSG44), which is stored as the last message in MS 0003.

When a search is instructed by a searcher, which is a registered user, in the terminal 200 to perform a search on a screen (such as a service staff list screen shown in fig. 6 (H)) in which search conditions are input, the input unit 14 receives input of search conditions for searching registered users other than the searcher via the communication unit 30. The search unit 12 acquires the search condition received by the input unit 14.

The search unit 12 searches the user information storage unit 22, which stores information on users who are members of the social network service, for users who meet the search condition based on the search condition acquired from the input unit 14, and outputs users who satisfy the search condition as shown in fig. 7 or 8. The user information storage 22 stores information related to registered users who have registered the social network service. As shown in fig. 11, information related to registered users is stored in a table of user information. The table of user information has, in a column, attributes of a unique user ID, which is numbered when a user is newly registered, and user IDs such as a name, a mail address, an address, a nearest station, a holiday, an industry, and an introduction of the user. In the figure, as an example, 4 member users are stored as records, and when a new member is registered, the user ID is numbered and the record is added.

The conventional search function searches for user information based on search conditions, and generally directly outputs user information that matches the search conditions. However, in a social network connected with a service as a center, such as the SNS processing device 100, there is a case where it is desired to know whether or not a member user detected by searching has a relationship with a previously exchanged message or the like. In this case, in order to confirm whether or not the detected and focused user has communicated with the past, it is necessary to separately use a communication tool such as a mail program or a communication program and search again in the tool, which takes time and effort. When a user is searched for in the social network service, the search function F20 according to the present invention can quickly distinguish whether or not communication with the detected user has been obtained before, as described below.

The message history check unit 13 acquires the registered user which the search unit 12 searches for and detects in the user information storage unit 22. Then, the message history check unit 13 checks whether the detected user exists as a sender or a receiver with respect to the searcher in the message storage unit 21. For example, when the user of UID0001 searches for a user of "real estate sales", the search unit 12 that has acquired the search condition of "real estate sales" from the input unit 14 searches for the user under the search condition, and detects users of UID0002 and UID0003 as shown in fig. 11. Then, the message history check unit 13 checks whether or not the users UID0002 and UID0003 have previously communicated with the user UID0001 of the searcher.

Specifically, the message history check unit 13 refers to the message space management information (shown in fig. 9) in the message storage unit 21, and checks whether or not the user of UID0002 or UID0003 can access the message space accessible by the user of UID 0001. Since the user of UID0002 can access MS0001 accessible by UID0001, message history check unit 13 recognizes that the user of UID0002 exists as a sender or a receiver with respect to the user of UID0001 as a searcher. On the other hand, since the user of UID0003 cannot access the message space accessible by UID0001, the message history check unit 13 recognizes that the user of UID0003 is not present as a sender or a receiver with respect to the user of UID0001 as a searcher.

Alternatively, the message history check section 13 may check whether UID0001 is stored in the transmitting user or the receiving user, and UID0002 or UID0003 is stored in the receiving user or the transmitting user in the database of the message space (shown in fig. 10). For example, in a database of DB0001, UID0002 is identified as the sender and recipient relative to UID 0001. If only MSG1 is exchanged in the database, it is recognized that UID0002 is only the sender with respect to UID 0001.

When the registered user detected by the search unit 12 as a result of the check by the message history check unit 13 is a sender or a receiver, the output unit 15 outputs a flag indicating that registered user to the registered user, and when the registered user does not exist, outputs the registered user without the flag. For example, as shown in fig. 7, in "リアンコネクション", "(strain) オーナーズガーデン AAA", "(strain) オーナーズガーデン BBB" which satisfy the search condition, the output unit 15 outputs a flag of "exchange with message" and a detected user together with "リアンコネクション" and "(strain) オーナーズガーデン BBB" which have been exchanged with messages before by the searcher, and displays the flag on the terminal 200 of the searcher. On the other hand, the output unit 15 outputs the detected user to the "(company) オーナーズガーデン AAA", which has not been exchanged with the searcher before although it meets the search condition, without adding a flag such as "exchange with message", and displays the user on the terminal 200.

That is, the searcher can perform further communication as a user who has previously communicated with the corresponding user to whom the flag indicating the situation is added as a result of the search, and conversely, can start communication as a user who first communicates with the corresponding user to whom the flag is not added. In this way, it is possible to provide the SNS processing device 100 capable of quickly distinguishing whether or not communication with a detected user has been obtained before in a social network service by, after checking whether or not a registered user detected by searching is a sender or a receiver with respect to a searcher, outputting a flag indicating the presence of the registered user together with the detected registered user if the registered user is present.

In addition, as described above, when the message history check unit 13 checks whether the detected registered user is stored in the transmitting user or the receiving user in the database (shown in fig. 10) of the message space, a flag indicating that fact may be output so as to distinguish whether the registered user who matches is either the sender or the receiver or both the sender and the receiver. In this way, by outputting the flag so as to distinguish whether the detected registered user is the sender or the receiver, it is possible to clarify which party has paid attention.

Referring to fig. 5, a control flow in the SNS processing device 100 will be described focusing on the search function F20. In addition, S in the flowchart indicates the meaning of step. In step S100, the input unit 14 of the SNS processing device 100 receives a search condition specified by the searcher from the terminal 200 of the searcher via the network 300 and the communication unit 30. In step S102, the search unit 12 searches for the user information stored in the user information storage unit 22 based on the search condition received by the input unit 14.

In step S104, the message history check unit 13 acquires information of the registered user matching the search condition searched by the search unit 12. In step S106, the message history check unit 13 searches the message storage unit 21 based on the acquired information (user ID) of the registered user to check whether or not the message has been transmitted or received to or from the searcher in the past. In the case of a registered user who has transmitted and received a message to and from the searcher in the past, the output unit 15 adds a flag indicating this in S108. If the registered user is not transmitting, the output unit 15 skips S108 and does not add a flag indicating the same. In S110, the output unit 15 outputs a list (list) of registered users that match the search condition. That is, the output unit 15 outputs a flag indicating that to a registered user who has transmitted and received a message in the past, and outputs a flag indicating that to a registered user who has not transmitted and received a message so that the flag is not attached, and displays the output on the terminal 200 of the searcher.

The social network service at least including a communication service between users and a search service for searching users includes: storing information related to a registered user who registered with the social network service; receiving and transmitting messages between registered users; storing the transmitted and received message; receiving, from a searcher who is a registered user, an input of a search condition for searching for a registered user other than the searcher; searching the registered user based on the received searching condition; checking whether a registered user matched as a result of the search exists as a sender or a receiver with respect to the searcher; and outputting a flag indicating that the user is present as the sender or the receiver together with the registered user who is the matched user, if the result of the check is that the user is present as the sender or the receiver. In this way, it is possible to provide an SNS processing method capable of quickly distinguishing whether or not communication with a detected user has been obtained before in a social network service by, after checking whether or not a registered user detected by searching is a sender or a receiver with respect to a searcher, outputting a flag indicating the presence of the registered user together with the detected registered user if the registered user is present.

Further, a program for causing a computer to execute the SNS processing method described above is loaded into the RAM and executed, and constitutes the control unit 10 in cooperation with the CPU. Such a program enables a computer to execute an SNS processing method that can quickly distinguish whether or not communication has been previously obtained with a detected user in a social network service by outputting a flag indicating a registered user detected by a search for a searcher, if any, together with the detected registered user after checking whether or not the registered user is a sender or a receiver with respect to the searcher.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and can be implemented by a configuration within a range not departing from the contents described in the claims. That is, although the present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to specific embodiments, various modifications can be made in the number and other detailed configurations of the above-described embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the technical spirit and the object of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the SNS processing device for providing the social network service using, as users, the business persons related to the transaction or maintenance management of the real estate for investment, the business persons who support the business persons, and the general consumers who receive the service from the business persons has been described as an example, but the SNS processing device is not limited to this. For example, the social network service to which the present invention is applied may be a social network service in which business persons related to buying and selling or using stocks and general consumers who receive service from the business persons are users, a social network service in which business persons in retail stores or restaurants and general consumers who use the stores are users, a social network service in which the business persons are connected in a friend relationship, or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the communication function of exchanging messages in a conversation manner has been mainly described as the function of acquiring communication between users, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a mail function of exchanging communications in a more focused sentence, rather than in a conversation manner, may be used. Therefore, the message in the present specification is assumed to include a mail.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus that provides a social network service including at least a communication service between users and a search service for searching for a user, comprising:

a user information storage unit that stores information related to a registered user who has registered the social network service;

a message transmitting/receiving unit that transmits/receives a message between the registered users;

a message storage unit that stores messages transmitted and received by the message transmission and reception unit;

an input unit that accepts, from a searcher who is the registered user, input of a search condition for searching for the registered user other than the searcher;

a search unit configured to search the registered user in the user information storage unit based on a search condition input to the input unit;

a message history checking unit that checks whether the registered user matching the search result of the search unit exists as a sender or a receiver with respect to a searcher in the message storage unit; and

and an output unit configured to output a flag indicating that the registered user is matched with the registered user when the registered user exists as a sender or a receiver as a result of the check by the message history check unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

the flag is output so as to distinguish whether the registered user who matches is either one of a sender and a receiver or both of the sender and the receiver.

3. An information processing method, which provides a social network service at least including a communication service between users and a retrieval service for retrieving users, wherein the information processing method comprises the following steps:

storing information related to a registered user who registered with the social networking service;

messaging between the registered users;

storing the transmitted and received message;

receiving, from a searcher who is the registered user, an input of a search condition for searching for the registered user other than the searcher;

searching the registered user based on the received searching condition;

checking whether the registered user conformed as a result of the search exists as a sender or a receiver with respect to the searcher; and

if the result of the check is that the registered user is a sender or a receiver, a flag indicating that the registered user is a sender or a receiver is output together with the matched registered user.

4. A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method that provides a social network service including at least a communication service between users and a retrieval service for retrieving a user, wherein the information processing method comprises:

messaging between the registered users;

storing the transmitted and received message;

searching the registered user based on the received searching condition;