JP2025117539A - Message sending and receiving system, message sending and receiving method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

A message sending and receiving system, a message sending and receiving method, and a computer program are provided.
[Solution] A message sending and receiving system is a message sending and receiving system in which a server device controls the sending and receiving of messages between client devices corresponding to different accounts. Each time a message is sent to a specific account, the server device notifies the sender that sending the message requires a sending cost, accepts a request to send a message to the specific account that involves payment of the sending cost, and in response to the request, receives payment of the sending cost from the sender and grants monetary value corresponding to part or all of the sending cost to the specific account, and delivers the message to the client device of the specific account.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a message sending and receiving system, a message sending and receiving method, and a computer program.

SNS (Social Network Services) have become widespread, allowing users to interact with other users via text, audio, and video. With many SNSs, users can receive the same services as other users, with the exception of whether or not they are charged by the service provider or whether or not certain conditions are met, and there is no difference between sender and receiver.

SNS is used by users not only to exchange messages, but also as a medium for disseminating business and content related to them. When messages, images, or videos are viewed by an unspecified number of people, the sender's message gains influence, and SNS functions highly as an advertising medium for senders and users alike.

On SNS, each user can become a follower of a specific sender in order to keep track of messages from that sender. On SNS, senders can also close the visibility of their messages so that they can only send messages and videos to their followers. There are also systems that allow real-time communication by permitting message exchange with celebrities if certain conditions (fees apply) are met (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, as mentioned above, in order to reach an unspecified number of people with information, there are also cases where no special conditions are set for becoming a follower, information is made available to non-followers, and there are no restrictions on message exchange.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-006674

In addition to providing incentives to creators based on the number of times their content is played and viewed, we hope that the system will also provide appropriate incentives for individual interactions between creators, including celebrities, and other users.

The present invention aims to provide a message sending and receiving system, a message sending and receiving method, and a computer program.

In one embodiment of the message sending and receiving system disclosed herein, a server device controls the sending and receiving of messages between client devices corresponding to different accounts. Each time a message is sent to a specific account, the server device notifies the sender that sending the message requires a sending cost, accepts a request to send a message to the specific account that involves payment of the sending cost, and, in response to the request, receives payment of the sending cost from the sender and grants monetary value corresponding to part or all of the sending cost to the specific account, and delivers the message to the client device of the specific account.

In one embodiment of the message sending and receiving system of the present disclosure, the specific account may be authenticated as the sender of a message, image, or video that is distributed to followers.

In a message sending and receiving system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the server device may determine the sending cost each time a message is sent based on the message sending history of the sender of the message, the message receiving history of a specific recipient account, and/or settings by the specific account.

According to this disclosure, messages to a specific account require a transmission cost to be paid, and that transmission cost is refunded to that specific account.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a message sending and receiving system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a client device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of a client device of a general user. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a message sending and receiving process in a message sending and receiving system. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a message sending and receiving process in a message sending and receiving system. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message transmission screen displayed on a client device on the general user side; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen display on a client device on the caller side. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of other examples of screen display on the client device on the caller side.

The present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to drawings showing embodiments thereof. In the following embodiment, a message sending and receiving system according to the present disclosure will be described.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a message sending and receiving system 100. The message sending and receiving system 100 includes a client device 2 used by the sender and each user, and a server device 1 that controls message sending and receiving. The client device 2 is a smartphone or tablet device used by the sender and each user. A general-purpose smartphone or tablet device functions as a client device 2 of the message sending and receiving system using a message app described below. Account data distinguishes whether the device is being used by the sender or each user. The server device 1 can send and receive data with each client device 2 via a network N. The network N includes the Internet or a carrier network, and the client device 2 can exchange messages with other client devices 2 via the server device 1 using wireless or wired communication.

In the message sending and receiving system 100 disclosed herein, messages, images, or videos can be sent from the server device 1, linked to the account data registered as the sender. Client devices 2 linked to account data registered as other general users can access (view) messages, images, or videos from the sender and can also send messages addressed to the sender. However, in the message sending and receiving system 100 disclosed herein, sending a message requires the payment of a specific cost for each message sent. This cost is separate from the communication costs required to use the network N and the usage fee for the message sending and receiving system 100, and is different from charges based on the number of characters. This cost is mainly used to return the cost to the sender of the message, rather than to the operator of the message sending and receiving system 100.

In the message sending and receiving system 100 of the present disclosure, a general user is required to bear the cost and procedure for each message sent. In other words, a general user obtains the right to send a message to a sender by paying the cost. Incurring the cost of sending a message to a sender clearly contributes to a direct return to the sender, not to the group to which the sender belongs, which gives the message sender a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, by imposing the cost and procedure for each message, a certain hurdle is placed on sending a message, which is expected to reduce the opportunity for unnecessarily directing goodwill or ill will toward the sender. The cost required for sending a message is not limited to a direct payment in legal tender, such as a withdrawal from a linked bank account or payment by credit card. Users may also be required to purchase points or items that can be used within the message sending and receiving system 100 in advance, and the consumption of those points or items may be considered as the cost. The points or items may be gifted by the operator of the message sending and receiving system 100. The cost is not limited to monetary value and may also be labor. In other words, sending a message may require some action linked to the messaging app. Furthermore, senders can expect to be able to reduce the burden of receiving messages from general users by having the cost refunded. Receiving messages can be seen as part of their job as a sender, and they can be interpreted as receiving compensation for that job. By having that cost refunded to the sender, it can be expected that the burden on the message receiver can be offset. The refund to the sender can be some or all of the points or items consumed as a cost, and the cost refund can be paid directly to the sender as legal tender or electronic money, or it can be achieved by converting the points or items into legal tender or electronic money.

This section describes the configuration of a message sending and receiving system 100 that implements a system in which a general user pays the cost of sending a message to the account data registered as the sender, and uses that cost to provide incentives to the sender, as described above.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device 1. In the following explanation, the server device 1 is described as a single server computer, but it may also be configured as multiple server computers connected to each other for distributed processing.

The server device 1 includes a processing unit 10, a memory unit 11, and a communication unit 12. The processing unit 10 is a processor that uses a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and/or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processing unit 10 executes processing as a message app server based on a message sending/receiving program P1 stored in the memory unit 11.

The storage unit 11 uses non-volatile memory such as a hard disk, flash memory, or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 11 stores data referenced by the processing unit 10. The storage unit 11 stores account data and content data, as described below. The storage unit 11 stores the number of points and items used within the app that are given to each user. The storage unit 11 stores a message sending and receiving program P1. The message sending and receiving program P1 may be a message sending and receiving program P9 stored in the non-temporary storage medium 9 that the processing unit 10 reads and copies to the storage unit 11. The message sending and receiving program P1 may also be a program downloaded by the processing unit 10 from another program server via the communication unit 12 and stored therein.

The communication unit 12 realizes communication with the client device 2 via the network N. Specifically, the communication unit 12 is a network card. The communication unit 12 may be a wireless communication module that connects to a carrier network, or a wireless communication module for Wi-Fi. The processing unit 10 can send and receive data to and from the client device 2 via the communication unit 12.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client device 2. As described above, the client device 2 is a smartphone or tablet terminal. The client device 2 may also be a desktop or laptop personal computer. The client device 2 includes a processing unit 20, a memory unit 21, a communication unit 22, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, and an audio input/output unit 25. The processing unit 20 is a processor using a CPU and/or GPU. The processing unit 20 causes a general-purpose computer to function as the client device 2 of the message sending and receiving system 100 of the present disclosure by using a message application program (hereinafter referred to as the message app) P2 stored in the memory unit 21.

The memory unit 21 uses non-volatile memory such as flash memory or SSD. The memory unit 21 stores data referenced by the processing unit 20. The memory unit 21 stores account data for senders or general users. The memory unit 21 is capable of storing videos and text. The message application P2 is downloaded from the server device 1 or another program server device via the communication unit 22 and stored in the memory unit 21 in an executable format. Alternatively, the message application P2 may be a message application P2 stored in the non-temporary storage medium 8 that is read by the processing unit 20 and copied to the memory unit 21.

The communication unit 22 enables communication with the server device 1 and other communication devices via the network N. Specifically, the communication unit 22 may be a wireless communication device that connects to a carrier network, or a wireless communication device for Wi-Fi. The processing unit 20 can send and receive data to and from the server device 1 via the communication unit 22.

The display unit 23 is a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 23 is, for example, a display with a built-in touch panel. The processing unit 20 displays the text, images, or video of the message provided by the server device 1 on the display unit 23 based on the message app P2.

The operation unit 24 is a user interface that allows input and output to and from the processing unit 20, and is a touch panel built into the display unit 23. The operation unit 24 may also be a physical button. The operation unit 24 may also use a microphone from the audio input/output unit 25.

The audio input/output unit 25 includes a speaker and a microphone. The processing unit 20 can convert audio collected by the microphone of the audio input/output unit 25 into data. The audio input/output unit 25 may also convert the collected audio into text using a voice recognition engine. Based on the message app P2, the processing unit 20 causes the audio of videos provided by the server device 1 and the audio of messages being read aloud to be output from the audio input/output unit 25.

In the message sending and receiving system 100 configured as described above, the client device 2 distinguishes between sender account data and general user account data, as described above. Account data is issued upon application to the provider of the message app P2 (the management company of the server device 1). Conditions for receiving sender account data include, for example, being a business owner and an entity that sends advertisements and public relations information for some business. For example, sender account data is issued when it is verified that the person is a sole proprietor such as a talent in the entertainment industry, an actor, an athlete, or a cast member in the adult entertainment business, or a corporate public relations officer. General user account data is issued without any particular conditions by downloading the message app P2 and registering as a user as a viewer of content from the sender. Each general user account data can be linked to multiple account data of follower senders, based on the user's selection. Account data of followers for each sender and account data of follower senders for each general user account data are stored on the server device 1 (user data).

By using the account data issued to the sender to use the message app P2 and logging in to the server device 1, the sender can upload messages, images, or videos to the server device 1 for their followers. The uploaded messages, images, or videos are stored as content data on the server device 1 and are sent to general users as content from the sender.

When a general user uses the message app P2 with account data issued to them as a general user and logs in to the server device 1, the general user can view content from senders they have registered as followers, one by one. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example screen on a client device 2 for a general user. Figure 4A shows the general user's portal screen 230 (the screen that is first displayed after logging in), and Figure 4B shows the page of a sender selected from the sender list included in the portal screen 230.

Figure 4A shows an example of a portal screen 230 for a general user with the account name "XYZ." The portal screen 230 includes a list of callers that "XYZ" is following in message application P2. As shown in Figure 4A, user "XYZ" is following callers "Alice," "Bob," and "Carol," and Figure 4A displays a panel 231 for each of the callers that the user is following.

Figure 4B shows an example screen that is displayed when the panel 231 for sender "Alice" is selected on the portal screen 230 of Figure 4A. Figure 4B shows a sender screen 232 for sender "Alice". The sender screen 232 includes a display area 233 for the sender's image, profile, etc., and a content display area 234 for content sent by the sender. A message and image from the sender are displayed in the content display area 234 shown in the example screen of Figure 4B.

The content display area 234 displays an interface 235 for accepting message transmissions. When the operation unit 24 detects that the interface 235 has been selected, such as by tapping, the processing unit 20 enables a general user using the client device 2 displaying the portal screen 230 to send a message to the sender. As described above, sending a message requires specific procedures, as shown below. Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure for message transmission and reception processing in the message transmission and reception system 100.

When the processing unit 20 of the client device 2 detects that the interface 235 for sending a message has been selected (step S201), it identifies the account data of the sender of the message and the account data of the general user who is the sender (step S202). The processing unit 20 specifies the identified account data and sends a confirmation request to the server device 1 (step S203).

When the processing unit 10 of the server device 1 receives a confirmation request from the client device 2 (step S101), it acquires the account data of the destination and the sender specified in the confirmation request (step S102) and determines the cost of sending the message (step S103).

In step S103, in a first example, the processing unit 10 reads from the storage unit 11 and determines the transmission cost set for the account data of the destination sender. The transmission cost may be set by the provider of the message app P2, or may be set individually by the sender. The sender may also be able to set the transmission cost for each general user account. In a second example, the processing unit 10 may calculate the transmission cost using an algorithm included in the message sending and receiving program P1 based on the sender's number of followers, the number of messages received, the reception frequency, the number of messages sent by the sender (general user), and/or the sending frequency. For example, the more messages are sent, the higher the calculated transmission cost per message. The unit of transmission cost may be set from points or items in the message app P2, legal tender (bank payment, credit, electronic money, etc.), or cryptocurrency, or may be selectable by the sender or the sender receiving the message.

The processing unit 10 transmits data for the message transmission screen, including the determined transmission cost, to the client device 2 (step S104). In step S104, the processing unit 10 may also transmit data on the message transmission history stored for the account data of the sender specified in the confirmation request. The processing unit 10 may also transmit data on the balance of electronic money or points in the account linked to the sender's account data.

When the processing unit 20 of the client device 2 receives the message sending screen data sent from the server device 1 (step S204), it displays the message sending screen on the display unit 23 based on the received data (step S205). The processing unit 20 uses the message sending screen to present the general user with the sending cost required to send the message (step S206), and determines whether the user has confirmed their intention to send the message after paying the sending cost (step S207). The message sending screen displayed in steps S205 and S206 also includes text and images indicating that the sending cost will be refunded to the sender of the destination message.

If it is determined that the intention to send a message has been confirmed (S207: YES), the processing unit 20 accepts the message content on the message sending screen (step S208). The processing unit 20 then sends a message request to the server device 1, including the accepted message content (text, image, or video) and the account data of the recipient and sender (step S209). The processing procedures of steps S207-S209 may be reversed, or some may be omitted, and confirmation of the intention to send a message is not required.

If it is determined in step S207 that the intention to send a message could not be confirmed (S207: NO), the processing unit 20 will abort and terminate the message processing, and will return to displaying, for example, the sender screen 232.

When the processing unit 10 of the server device 1 receives the message request (step S105), it executes a payment process to have the sending cost determined in step S103 paid based on the sender's account data included in the message request (step S106). The processing unit 10 then executes a process to grant legal tender, cryptocurrency, or points of the same value as part or all of the sending cost to the account data of the sender, who is the destination of the message (step S107).

In step S106, the processing unit 10 executes, for example, a settlement process for the transmission cost from the sender's account data at that timing. In step S106, the processing unit 10 performs a process of subtracting the transmission cost from the points, items, or electronic money balance associated with the sender's account data. The processing unit 10 may also perform a process of debiting the transmission cost in legal tender units from a bank account linked to the sender's account data. In step S106, payment for the sender's account data or message transmission may be made from a credit card settlement system.

In step S107, the processing unit 10 increases the balance of points, items, or electronic money associated with the sender's account data. The processing unit 10 may also perform processing to transfer the money to a bank account associated with the sender's account data, which is the recipient of the message. The unit of monetary value subtracted in step S106 and the unit of monetary value increased in step S107 may or may not match, and the sender may pay the transmission cost in legal tender and the recipient may be given points to cover the transmission cost, or vice versa. A portion of the transmission cost may be collected as a fee by the provider of message app P2.

In addition, steps S106 and S107 may be processed together as a payment process in which cryptocurrency equivalent to the transmission cost is directly transferred from the wallet address linked to the sender's account data to the wallet address linked to the recipient's account data, while a portion of the cryptocurrency is collected as a fee. The processing unit 10 may also execute the payment process to transfer electronic money or points from an account associated with the sender's account data to an account associated with the sender's account data, rather than just cryptocurrency.

The processing of step S107 may be replaced by processing that does not involve the awarding of legal tender, cryptocurrency, or points, but rather awards a score based on the message reception record to the account data of the sender, who is the recipient of the message. The reception record may be a score proportional to the number of times a message has been received, or may be a weighted score corresponding to the transmission cost calculated based on the sender's past performance or the number of transmissions. The cumulative score of the reception record associated with the sender's account data forms the basis for the calculation processing described below.

The processing unit 10 stores the processing results of steps S106 and S107 (step S108), and stores the message content included in the message request in association with time information for the account data of the destination sender (step S109). The processing unit 10 stores the message content in association with time information for the sender's account data as a transmission history (step S110). The processing unit 10 transmits the message transmission result to the client device 2 (step S111).

The processing unit 20 of the client device 2 receives the message transmission result (step S210) and ends the message sending and receiving process. In this case, the display returns to the sender screen 232.

In step S208 and/or step S109, a check may be performed on the content of messages from general users. A check may be automatically performed to ensure that the content of the messages does not violate public order and morals or contain violent content.

Of the processing procedures shown in Figures 5 and 6, steps S203, S101-S104, and S204 may be skipped, and confirmation of cost payment may be performed in step S207. Furthermore, if the message sending cost is set to a fixed value, steps S203, S101-S104, and S204 may be skipped.

7A shows an example of a message sending screen displayed on the client device 2 of a general user. FIG. 7A shows an example of a message sending screen 236 displayed when interface 235 is selected on the sender screen 232 shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 7A, the message sending screen 236 includes a display area 237 displaying the amount of the sending cost determined by the server device 1 and the client device 2, a confirmation button 238 for indicating the intention to send a message, and a cancel button 239 for indicating no intention to send a message. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the display area 237 displays a fixed amount of "100 pt" set by the provider of the message app P2 in units of points within the app. The display area 237 shown in FIG. 7A also includes a point balance of "1,000 pt" linked to the account data of the general user who will be the message sender, and data indicating the number of messages sent to date. When the cancel button 239 is selected on FIG. 7A, the processing unit 20 of the client device 2 returns the screen to the sender screen 232 shown in FIG. 4B.

In the message sending and receiving system 100 of the present disclosure, according to the procedures shown in Figures 5 and 6, each time a message is sent, confirmation is obtained that the sending cost will be borne and the message will be sent, as shown in Figure 7. It is also shown that the sending cost is returned directly to the sender, rather than to the group to which the sender belongs or the service provider.

Figure 7B shows an example of the message sending screen 236 displayed when the confirmation button 238 is selected in Figure 7A. The message sending screen 236 shown in Figure 7B includes a message area 240 for accepting message content, and a send button 241. The message sender can enter text into the message area 240 using the operation unit 24, or select and enter an image or video. When the send button 241 is selected, such as by tapping, the processing unit 20 accepts the text, image, or video entered in the message area 240 as the message content (S208) and sends it to the server device 1.

This makes it clear that the benefits directly go back to the sender, giving the message sender a sense of accomplishment. By indicating that the sending costs must be borne, the number of unnecessary messages sent by general users to senders is reduced, easing the burden on senders.

Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example screen display on the sender's client device 2. Figure 8A shows a portal screen 242 when the message app P2 is launched on the client device 2 and the sender logs in using their account data. The example shown in Figure 8A shows an example of the portal screen 242 for a sender with the account name "Alice." The portal screen 242 includes a settings menu 243, a sending menu 244 for content such as messages, a list 245 of messages from followers, and an account menu 246 for points or electronic money accounts within the app.

The settings menu 243 is a menu for setting the sender's profile and the settings permitted for the sender's account data. The sending menu 244 is a menu for uploading content (messages, images, or videos) that the sender sends to followers to the server device 1. In Figure 8A, list 245 shows that a message from "XYZ" has arrived. List 245 includes a panel 247 for each follower, and selecting panel 247 transitions to a conversation screen for each follower. Figure 8B shows an example of the display of a message from "XYZ." Figure 8B shows an example of a conversation screen 248 for each pair of sender and follower. As shown in Figure 8B, messages from general users to senders are displayed on the conversation screen 248 for each pair of sender and general user. As shown in Figure 8B, the conversation screen 248 displays messages from the sender to followers and messages from general users. Conversation screen 248 shown in FIG. 8B displays content from sender "Alice" to followers and messages from "XYZ" for a pair of sender and general user "XYZ." In other words, messages from "XYZ" to "Alice" are not visible to other followers of "Alice." Conversation screen 248 may allow the sender to send an individual reply message to general user "XYZ" using reply button 249. There is no transmission cost for sending a message from the sender to a general user.

Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of another example screen display on the sender's client device 2. Figure 9 shows an example of an account screen 250 that is displayed when the account menu 246 on the portal screen 242 in Figure 8A is selected, such as by tapping. When the account menu 246 is selected, the total message sending costs for the sender's account data over a predetermined unit period (e.g., one year, one month, one week, etc.) are obtained from the server device 1 and displayed. The account screen 250 in Figure 9 shows that 120 messages were sent to the sender this month, totaling 11,000 points. The example screen shown in Figure 9 displays a breakdown button 251 for displaying a detailed breakdown of the total. When the breakdown button 251 is selected, the cumulative sending costs for each message sender over a predetermined unit period may be displayed (not shown). This may allow the sender to check which followers have sent the most messages and therefore paid the most sending costs. The account menu 246 may include a menu 252 for transferring the total amount of points or items awarded to the sender based on the sending cost to a bank account of legal tender or an electronic money account of an equivalent monetary value.

The total sending costs for the sender's account data shown in FIG. 9 over a predetermined unit period may be replaced with the cumulative total of message reception records. The total "11,000 pt" shown on the account screen 250 in FIG. 9 may not be the total sending costs, but may be the reward for the sender per predetermined unit period calculated by the processing unit 10 based on the reception record. For example, if the reception record score is "110,000," the processing unit 10 may convert this score to the in-app point unit "pt" using a relationship such as "1 pt per 10 scores." The conversion is not limited to in-app points, and may also be legal tender or cryptocurrency. Furthermore, this conversion formula may be set according to the sender's evaluation from general users, so that the higher the evaluation, the higher the calculated return rate. Furthermore, the "11,000 pt" shown on the account screen 250 may not be calculated by applying a conversion formula to the reception record score, but may be calculated as a reward for contributing to the message sending and receiving system 100 according to a rate calculated or selected depending on the level of the reception record score. In this case, the reward may be calculated, for example, by multiplying the rate by the commission profit of the message sending and receiving system 100 and the profit from advertising and public relations activities.

In this way, sending a message from the sender's followers to ordinary users, which involves the burden of sending the message to the sender, appears to return monetary value to the sender, the recipient of the message. Returning this monetary value to the sender offsets the burden on the sender of receiving messages from followers, and can motivate the sender to put more effort into sending messages in order to encourage followers to send messages to them. Senders, in turn, are motivated to intensify their advertising and public relations activities to increase the number of messages they receive as part of their work.

Examples of application of the various functions of the message sending and receiving system 100 of the present disclosure will be described. The first example is a use case in which, for example, a host in an adult entertainment business is the sender and the customer is a general user. The host is authenticated as a sender based on their status as a sole proprietor and their registration number as a qualified invoice issuing business, and account data as the sender can be issued. As a sole proprietor, the host can send advertising messages that encourage customers to visit their adult entertainment business or use their business, and can use the message sending and receiving system 100 as an advertising medium. General users who are customers and followers of the host can use the message sending and receiving system 100 to find attractive host (followees) and enjoy content posted by the host. General users may be able to respond to content by stamping a "Like/Unlike" stamp in addition to the message. The cost of sending messages using the message sending and receiving system 100 of the present disclosure differs from systems in which money is sent directly to the host or from so-called social tipping for content posted by the host. Messages sent using the message sending and receiving system 100 are sent individually so that they cannot be seen by other followers. This differs from tipping, where a user bears the cost of sharing a live broadcast with other followers and livening up the broadcast space. Because individual messages can be sent and received between senders and general users on the conversation screen 248, the burden on senders of receiving messages can be reduced by the cost of sending.

The second example is a use case where the sender is a person qualified as an advisor, and the customer who wants to consult with the sender is a general user. The advisor is authenticated as the sender based on their qualifications and their registration number as a qualified billing issuer, and account data as the sender can be issued. The advisor can send articles, columns, and reports related to their qualifications and use the message sending and receiving system 100 as a public relations tool. The advisor's customers and general users who want to consult with the advisor can also use the message sending and receiving system 100 to search for advisors. They can then send questions to the advisor, paying the sending cost individually for each message. Since sent messages are not visible to other followers, individual consultations are also possible. The advisor can also provide their knowledge free of charge.

The third example is a use case where the sender is a celebrity or company with an official account on the SNS, and other users are general users. The message sending and receiving system 100 described above can also be applied to sending comments on existing SNS. In this case, it is also possible to apply a certain transmission cost to send messages to celebrities, companies, etc. who have verified official accounts on the SNS. Note that when applying the transmission cost burden of the message sending and receiving system 100 to an existing SNS, it is necessary to prevent general users from intentionally increasing the number of comments they send and passing the transmission cost for each comment (message sent) back to the sender. For example, when the number of messages received by the sender increases, a function can be added that drastically increases the fee paid to the provider of the message app P2 from the transmission cost, or drastically reduces the cost of each message sent to the sender, each time the number of times exceeds one or more thresholds.

The embodiments disclosed above are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications that are equivalent to and within the scope of the claims.

1 Server device 10 Processing unit 11 Storage unit P1 Message sending/receiving program (computer program)
2 Client device 21 Storage unit 22 Communication unit 23 Display unit P2 Message application

Claims (5)

In a message transmission/reception system in which a server device controls transmission and reception of messages between client devices corresponding to different accounts,
The server device
Informing the sender of a message addressed to a particular account each time the message is sent that a sending cost will be incurred;
Accepting a request to send a message to the particular account, which requires payment of the sending cost;
responding to the request by receiving payment from the sender of the transmission costs and crediting the particular account with monetary value corresponding to some or all of the transmission costs;
A messaging system that delivers the message to a client device of the particular account. The message sending and receiving system according to claim 1 , wherein the specific account is authenticated as a sender of messages, images, or videos that are distributed to followers. The message sending and receiving system of claim 1, wherein the server device determines the sending cost each time a message is sent based on the message sending history of the sender of the message, the message receiving history of the specific account of the destination, and/or settings by the specific account. a server device that controls transmission and reception of messages between client devices corresponding to different accounts,
Informing the sender of a message addressed to a particular account each time the message is sent that a sending cost will be incurred;
Accepting a request to send a message to the particular account, which requires payment of the sending cost;
responding to the request by receiving payment from the sender of the transmission costs and crediting the particular account with monetary value corresponding to some or all of the transmission costs;
The message is delivered to a client device of the specific account. A computer program that causes a computer to transmit and receive messages between client devices corresponding to different accounts,
The computer,
Informing the sender of a message addressed to a particular account each time the message is sent that a sending cost will be incurred;
Accepting a request to send a message to the particular account, which requires payment of the sending cost;
responding to the request by receiving payment from the sender of the transmission costs and crediting the particular account with monetary value corresponding to some or all of the transmission costs;
A computer program that executes a process of delivering the message to a client device of the specific account.