JPH11126163A - Communication system and control method of the system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] The present invention is to easily identify a person who meets various conditions from an unspecified number of terminal users and to transfer personal information such as his / her own name and mail address to the unspecified number of terminals. It can be found without making it public to users,
An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of easily exchanging information with a found partner. SOLUTION: An agent of each terminal has personal information on an owner, and can move to a server 7 or another terminal to exchange information and negotiate with other agents. In the server 7, the agent of each terminal is stored in the terminal agent storage memory 44a,
Operate each agent autonomously. Each agent compares each other's owner data (public data) with another agent, and establishes a match-making (set) with an agent having a predetermined commonality. For each set, each agent of the set is transmitted to the terminal of one of the agents.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system and a control method of the system. The present invention relates to a communication system that can be found without disclosing it to the unspecified number of terminal users, and a control method of the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic bulletin board system (BBS: Bulletin Board System) is known as one of main menus provided in a personal computer communication service.
This electronic bulletin board system is one of message exchange systems using a computer, and an electronic mail system (EMS: Electronic Mail System) is a one-to-one exchange between terminal users. By writing a message from its own terminal to the common area of the host computer (server), it is possible to contact and provide information to an unspecified number of terminal users.

For example, if the user wants to get acquainted with a person having a common hobby using the electronic bulletin board system, the user needs to enter his / her general information (for example, age, gender, hobby, personal appeal) and desired information to the other party. Then, it writes its own mail address information and the like as a message in the common area of the server. As a result, an e-mail that also serves as a self-introduction is sent to the message poster from a terminal user who has read this message and also wants to know a person with a similar hobby,
In this way, the message poster can get acquainted with a person having a common hobby via the electronic bulletin board system.

[0004] In addition, another technique called an agent system is known. This is described, for example, in JP-A-9-17.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 9910, a user gives user information to an agent of each terminal, and each agent having this user information exchanges information with each other at a service center to obtain personal information of another agent. (The so-called match-making method).

[0005]

However, such conventional electronic bulletin board systems and agent systems have the following problems.

That is, the electronic bulletin board system can contact and provide information to an unspecified number of terminal users, but on the other hand, an e-mail from a large number of terminal users who browsed the message flooded the message poster. In some cases. In such a case, the message poster takes a lot of time and effort to read all the e-mails and to create a reply e-mail for each terminal user who sent the e-mail, There was a problem that it was cumbersome and inconvenient.

[0007] In addition, in such an electronic bulletin board system, personal information such as its own name and mail address is disclosed to an unspecified large number of terminal users, which is insufficient from the viewpoint of privacy protection. There was one side.

Further, in the agent system, it is possible to obtain information of a partner without disclosing personal information to an unspecified number of terminal users. In order to exchange the information, the terminal user has to exchange the information by himself / herself, for example, by using e-mail.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is possible to easily identify a person who meets various conditions from an unspecified number of terminal users, and to transfer personal information such as his / her own name and mail address. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system and a control method of the system that can be found without disclosing the information to the unspecified number of terminal users and that can easily exchange information with the found person.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
It comprises a plurality of communication terminals and a server, each of which has an agent that operates autonomously in response to various processing requests and uses a variety of programs and data stored in a memory to perform processing in accordance with the contents of each request. The agent of each communication terminal can move to the server or another communication terminal,
Each of the communication terminals and the server is a communication system having a common platform or a multi-platform environment for autonomously operating an agent of another communication terminal, and the agent of each of the communication terminals is an agent of the communication terminal. Having personal information about the owner and moving to the server to exchange or negotiate with each other's agents on other communication terminals,
It is possible to move to another communication terminal and exchange information with the owner of the terminal, and each of the communication terminals transmits and receives the agent of the communication terminal and the other communication terminal to and from the server and other communication terminals. Communication means, agent storage means for storing an agent of the communication terminal or an agent of another communication terminal received by the communication means, and an agent of the communication terminal or an agent of another communication terminal stored in the agent storage means Control means for autonomously operating the server, the server stores communication means for transmitting and receiving an agent of each communication terminal with each communication terminal, and stores each agent received by this communication means The terminal agent storage means to be operated and the agents stored in the terminal agent storage means are operated autonomously. Each of the agents operated by the control unit compares personal information about the owner with each other stored in the terminal agent storage unit and determines a predetermined common A pair with the agent having the property, and the control means transmits each agent of the set to the communication terminal of any agent by the communication means for each of the formed sets. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an agent that operates autonomously in response to various processing requests and substitutes for processing corresponding to the contents of each request using various programs and data stored in a memory. A plurality of communication terminals each having a server and a server, wherein the agent of each communication terminal is movable to the server or another communication terminal, and each of the communication terminals and the server autonomously controls the agent of the other communication terminal. A communication system having a common platform or a multi-platform environment for operating the communication terminal, wherein the agent of each communication terminal has personal information regarding the owner of the communication terminal, and moves to the server to perform another communication. Exchange information and negotiate with the agent of the terminal, move to the terminal or another communication terminal, and It is possible to exchange information with the owner, and each of the communication terminals transmits and receives an agent of the communication terminal or another communication terminal to or from the server or another communication terminal by communication means. Storing the agent of the other communication terminal received by the communication means in the agent storage means, and autonomously operating the agent of the communication terminal and the agent of the other communication terminal stored in the agent storage means by the control means. The server receives the agent of each communication terminal from each of the communication terminals by the communication means, stores the received agents in the terminal agent storage means, and stores the received agents in the terminal agent storage means. Each of the activated agents is operated autonomously by the control means, and each of the activated agents is operated. Comparing personal information about each other's owner with another agent stored in the terminal agent storage means, and establishing a pair with an agent having a predetermined commonality, wherein the control means For each set that has been established, each agent of the set is transmitted to the communication terminal of one of the agents by the communication means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agent which operates autonomously in response to various processing requests and substitutes for processing in accordance with the contents of each request by using various programs and data stored in a memory. A plurality of communication terminals each having a server and a server, wherein the agent of each communication terminal is movable to the server or another communication terminal, and each of the communication terminals and the server autonomously controls the agent of the other communication terminal. A method for controlling a communication system having a common platform or a multi-platform environment for operating the communication terminal, wherein the agent of each communication terminal has personal information regarding the owner of the communication terminal, and moves to the server. Exchange or negotiate with each other's agents on other communication terminals,
It is possible to move to another communication terminal and exchange information with the owner of the terminal, and each of the communication terminals exchanges an agent of the communication terminal or another communication terminal with the server or another communication terminal. It is possible to store the agent of the communication terminal and the received agent of the other communication terminal in a memory, and to operate the stored agent of the communication terminal and the agent of the other communication terminal autonomously, The server receives the agent of each communication terminal from each of the communication terminals, stores the received agents in a memory, operates each of the stored agents autonomously, and operates each of the agents. Compare personal information about each other's owner with other agents stored in the memory, and In established a set, the server, for each set of said established, it is characterized by sending one of the sets each agent of the communication terminal of the agent.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, an agent which operates autonomously in response to various processing requests and substitutes for processing in accordance with the contents of each request using various programs and data stored in a memory. A plurality of communication terminals each having a server and a server, wherein the agent of each communication terminal is movable to the server or another communication terminal, and each of the communication terminals and the server autonomously controls the agent of the other communication terminal. A method for controlling a communication system having a common platform or a multi-platform environment for operating the communication terminal, wherein the agent of each communication terminal has personal information regarding the owner of the communication terminal, and moves to the server. Exchange or negotiate with each other's agents on other communication terminals,
It is possible to move to another communication terminal and exchange information with the owner of the terminal, and each of the communication terminals exchanges an agent of the communication terminal or another communication terminal with the server or another communication terminal. It is possible to store the agent of the communication terminal and the received agent of the other communication terminal in a memory, and to operate the stored agent of the communication terminal and the agent of the other communication terminal autonomously, The server receives the agent of each communication terminal from each of the communication terminals, stores the received agents in a memory, operates each of the stored agents autonomously, and operates each of the agents. Compare personal information about each other's owner with other agents stored in the memory, and In established a set, the server, for each set of said established, transmits either the set each agent of the communication terminal of the agent.

[0014] Further, the invention described in claim 3 is based on claim 1,
Or the communication system according to 2, wherein the agent of each of the communication terminals, when moving to the communication terminal of any one of the agents for each of the established sets, gives the user of the moved communication terminal a personal information relating to its own owner. Report information.

[0015] The invention according to claim 5 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
4. In the communication system according to any one of 4, the agent of each of the communication terminals moves to the communication terminal of any of the agents for each of the established sets, and associates the user of the moved communication terminal with its own owner. After reporting the personal information, the personal information of the user is obtained, and after returning to its own communication terminal, the obtained personal information of the partner user is reported to the owner.

Therefore, according to the first, third, fifth and ninth aspects of the present invention, the agents of the respective communication terminals having the personal information of the respective terminal owners have their own servers based on the personal information of the respective owners. A search is made for a partner agent that is considered to match the owner of the partner agent, and the partner agent and the agent move to either the communication terminal of the partner agent or their own communication terminal. Then, the agent that has moved to the terminal of the other party reports personal information about the owner of the terminal to the user of the terminal, acquires personal information about the user of the destination terminal, returns to the terminal of the terminal, and returns to the owner. On the other hand, the obtained personal information of the partner user is reported.

With such a system control configuration, unlike the electronic bulletin board system, a large number of terminal users who have read a message are not flooded with e-mails, and the problem of cumbersome and inconvenient use does not occur. In addition, there is no need to disclose personal information such as own name and mail address to an unspecified number of terminal users. Furthermore, for example, in a personal computer communication service, a terminal user does not have to perform a series of operations such as accessing a forum, a SIG (Special Interest Group), etc., and searching for a desired partner. Give me As a result, in the communication system, a function for getting to know a new friend (terminal user) and its usability can be improved.

In the communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the personal information relating to the owner of the communication terminal is determined from public information and private information. That is, each of the agents may own and disclose only the information for publication as personal information relating to the owner when moving from the own communication terminal to the server or another communication terminal.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, if information such as the owner's name, e-mail address, telephone number, and address is set as non-public information, it is possible to establish a match between the matched user and the other user. However, the non-public information does not need to be known to the other party until the information is disclosed from each other, and the privacy of each other can be respected.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the second aspect, when reporting personal information on the own owner at a visited terminal, the common information of the public information is reported. A configuration may be provided in which only items for which the property is established are disclosed, and for other items, means for setting the level or condition of secrecy or disclosure are provided.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the agent discloses only the information of items having commonality among the disclosure personal information relating to its own owner to the match-make partner user. With respect to the information of items other than the above, the owner himself / herself can regulate the disclosure of his / her personal information to the match-making partner, for example, by setting the level or condition of secrecy or disclosure.

The invention described in claim 6 is the first invention.
5. In the communication system according to any one of 5, the agent of each of the communication terminals moves to the communication terminal of any of the agents for each of the established sets, and relates to its own owner to the user of the moved communication terminal. After reporting the personal information, when returning to the communication terminal of the user, it is possible to bring back the mail entrusted to the owner from the user.

Therefore, it is possible to send a mail to the match-made partner user via the agent. Particularly, as described in the effect of claim 2, the e-mail address of the match-making partner is set as non-public information, and when the partner's e-mail address is unknown, the partner is better known. It is a very effective way to get them.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the agent of each of the communication terminals has the content of input or operation by the owner at its own communication terminal. For example, a configuration may be provided in which a learning function is provided for learning information about the owner's preferences, interests, and the like, and the information obtained by this learning function is used as personal information regarding the owner.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the agent can determine a match-making partner on the condition of information about the owner's preference and interests obtained by the learning function.

In the communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the agent of each of the communication terminals may have an identification code, and the server may include an agent for each of the communication terminals. Further comprising an identification code storage means for storing the identification code and the identification code of the partner agent who wants to meet again in association with each other, and the control means of the server, for each agent stored in the terminal agent storage means, If both agents who wish to reconnect with reference to the identification code storage means are stored in the terminal agent storage means,
The configuration may be such that the two agents are controlled so as to establish a pair preferentially.

According to the invention described in claim 8, when the visitor at one visit does not understand the partner user well,
By notifying the server that you wish to return,
Match-making is performed preferentially between the own agent and the partner agent. Therefore, it is possible to better know the other user through the agent, and then to share information such as name, e-mail address, telephone number, address, etc. with each other to become friends.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, a basic outline of the present invention will be described below. In the computer network according to the present invention, each terminal has an agent function. This agent function operates autonomously in response to a simple command input by the user. For example, it accesses a server etc. to perform information search processing, ticket reservation, etc., and adjusts personal schedule based on such information By performing situational recognition and judgment based on its own knowledge base and performing appropriate processing automatically, it is possible to reduce the operational burden on the user and act as a personal secretary for the user. Is a possible man-machine interface.

The agent function in each terminal has, for example, appearance images of humans, animals, virtual creatures, etc., in order to make it easier for the user to use and approach. Agent (agent function) based on the appearance image
Can be recognized. The agent has a conversation function with the user, and has a learning function of learning the preference of the owner, the object of recent interest, and the like based on information obtained through the conversation with the user (owner).
The agent has information obtained by the learning function and other personal information (eg, name data, address data, mail address data, etc. of the owner) as owner information.

Further, this agent is not limited to its own terminal, but is also a mobile agent that can move to another terminal or server via a computer network based on a command input from a user or its autonomy. In a destination terminal, a server, or the like, various processes can be executed by utilizing its hardware resources, stored data, and the like. As can be seen from the above, the network has a multi-platform environment in which an agent of another terminal can be activated (can execute various processes) in each terminal and server, or a common platform.

According to the present invention, in such a computer network, there is provided a server which has the above-mentioned owner information and which mediates between agents which symbolize each terminal owner, and in which the server negotiates between the agents. Another object of the present invention is to provide a match-making function that allows the user to find a partner who meets various conditions from an unspecified number of terminal users by performing proxy negotiations on behalf of the owner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a function for easily exchanging information with the match-making partner found in this way.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration will be described. FIG.
1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 to which the present invention is applied. A communication system 1 shown in FIG.
, A personal computer (PC) 3, a communication line 4, a computer network 5, a dedicated line 6, and a server 7.

A communication terminal 2 and a personal computer (PC) 3 are PIM (Personal Information) for managing personal information such as an address book, a calendar, and a schedule.
mation manager) function, a mail transmission / reception function for transmitting / receiving electronic mail (hereinafter abbreviated as mail) to / from another communication terminal 2 or personal computer 3 via the computer network 5, a man-machine interface. The terminal device has an agent function and the like, and is given a unique mail address (identification number) to itself.

Each of the communication terminals 2 is a dedicated terminal in which hardware and a control program for realizing the above-mentioned functions are incorporated in advance.
Is a control program (application program) stored in a magnetic or optical storage medium detachably attachable to the main body or a storage medium constituted by a semiconductor memory, for example, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a memory card, or the like. This is a general-purpose terminal capable of realizing each function of the communication terminal 2 by loading the program into the internal memory and executing the program.

The communication line 4 is a line for connecting the communication terminals 2 and the personal computers 3 to the computer network 5, and is, for example, a public line network (PSTN: Pu).
blicSwitched Telephone Network) and Integrated Services Digita (ISDN)
l Network) etc.

The computer network 5 is a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area) in which a plurality of computers are connected by a communication line to enable data communication.
Network) or the like, and an electronic mail system (EM) is provided to terminals such as the communication terminals 2 and the personal computers 3.
S: Electronic Mail System), providing services such as an information retrieval system. Further, the computer network 5 is connected to another computer network or the Internet (the Internet) via a dedicated line 6, so that the terminal can access the other computer network or the Internet via the computer network 5. can do.

The server 7 is connected to the communication terminal 2 via the dedicated line 6, the computer network 5, and the communication line 4.
And personal computers 3 ...
It has a network management function for system management of the computer network 5, a match-making function for mediating agents of each terminal, and the like.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the communication terminal 2 shown in FIG. In the figure, a communication terminal 2 includes a main body 2a and a pen 2
b. A display unit 11 is provided on the front of the main body 2a, and the display unit 11 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD). On the liquid crystal display of the display unit 11, a transparent position detection tablet 11a is overlaid. The position detecting tablet 11a detects a pen input by the pen 2b by a pressure-sensitive method. When a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined level is applied to the position detecting tablet 11a by a pen tip, the position of the pressurizing point is detected. XY coordinate data is detected.

A power switch 12 for instructing power ON / OFF switching by a pressing operation is provided on the left and lower side of the display unit 11, and a speaker (described later) provided inside the main body 2a is provided above the power switch 12. A large number of sound holes 13 are provided in a circular shape for outputting sounds and information sounds from the speakers 31) to the outside.

Further, an opening / closing lid 14 is provided on the right side of the main body 2a.
An external power supply terminal 14a for supplying power and a serial input / output terminal for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external device (for example, a personal computer) by wired communication are provided inside the open / close lid 14. An output terminal 14b;
And a communication terminal 14c for exchanging various data with the computer network 5 and the server 7 via the communication line 4. An Ir window 15 for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external device by infrared communication is provided below the opening / closing lid 14.

A communication cable such as RS-232C (serial type) can be connected to the serial input / output terminal 14b, and the communication terminal 2 and the communication line 4 (telephone) are connected to the communication terminal 14c. Line) can be connected.

A slide storage lid 16 for storing a battery (primary battery or secondary battery) serving as a power supply for driving the communication terminal 2 in the main body 2a is provided on the rear side and below the main body 2a. Have been.

The pen 2b is a pointing device for inputting XY coordinate data on the display screen (on the position detecting tablet 11a).

In the communication terminal 2, the pen input function (pen 2b + position detection tablet 11a) is of a pressure-sensitive type. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described contents. The connection method may be used. Furthermore, a touch input function using a touch panel for position detection instead of the pen input function, or a configuration including a mouse, a trackball, or the like as a pointing device may be used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the communication terminal 2. In the figure, a communication terminal 2 is a display unit 1 shown in FIG.
1, a key input unit 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a communication modem 24, a control unit 25, a coordinate detection unit 26, and a storage device 2.
7, a storage medium 28, a D / A converter 29, a notification sound generation circuit 30, a speaker 31, an I / O port 32, and an infrared communication unit 33. Each unit is connected by a bus 34.

The key input unit 21 is provided with the power switch 12 described above and a memory (a storage medium 28 described later) provided inside the main body 2a inside the slide housing lid 16.
And a reset switch (not shown) for resetting the stored contents of the keys to the initial state.

The ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 corresponds to FIG.
As shown in (1), it is composed of a basic control program memory 22a, a character data memory 22b, a FEP memory 22c, and a voice data memory 22d.

The basic control program memory 22a includes, for example, a display control program for driving the LCD of the display unit 11, and a write / read control for writing and reading data to and from the RAM 23 and the storage medium 28. A control program, such as a control program, that governs basic control of each unit in the communication terminal 2 is stored.

The character data memory 22b stores hiragana,
Character data (character data) such as katakana, kanji, alphabets, numbers, and symbols are stored. Also,
Japanese FEP (Front End Pr.) Is stored in the FEP memory 22c.
ocessor), and character string data selected and specified by the pen 2b from the soft keyboard (see FIG. 14B) displayed on the display unit 11 and
It is possible to convert Hiragana to Kanji or Katakana.

The voice data memory 22d stores the response information stored in the storage device 27 in the form of voice conversion when the response information to the input command or data is output by voice in the conversation process with the user. Digital audio data corresponding to fixed phrases, words, and characters to be converted into audio data by the processing program is stored.

The RAM (Random Access Memory) 23
When various control processes are executed by the control unit 25, a memory area for temporarily storing various data to be processed is formed. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory configuration of the RAM 23. In the figure, a RAM 23 is composed of a transmission data memory 23a, a reception data memory 23b, a speech synthesis memory 23c, and a work memory 23d.

The transmission data memory 23a stores the communication modem 2
4 (e.g., mail, an agent object for implementing an agent function, etc.) to be transmitted to an external destination terminal or the server 7 via the I / O port 3
2, or a memory area for temporarily storing data (for example, address book data, schedule data, etc.) to be transmitted to an external device via the infrared communication unit 33.

The reception data memory 23b stores data (for example, mail, search information data, agent objects, etc.) received from the destination terminal or the server 7 via the communication modem 24, the I / O port 32, or the infrared communication unit. 33 received from an external device (for example,
A memory area for temporarily storing address book data, schedule data, etc.) is formed.

The voice synthesizing memory 23c uses a voice synthesizing LSI in the control unit 25, which will be described later, to output an RO when responding to input commands or data in response to voice.
A memory area (work area) for generating digital voice data of the response information is formed by using digital voice data corresponding to fixed phrases, words, and characters stored in the voice data memory 22d of M22.

When various control processes are executed by the control unit 25, the work memory 23d develops programs that control the control processes and various data used for the control processes, or processes the data by the control processes. A memory area for temporarily storing data is formed.

The communication modem 24 is connected to the computer network 5 via the communication terminal 14c, the modular cable, and the communication line 4 (telephone line), and exchanges data with the destination terminal or the server 7 via the computer network 5. This is a modulation / demodulation device that modulates transmission data (digital signal) into an analog signal in a voice band in order to put it on a telephone line when performing communication, and conversely demodulates the received analog signal into a digital signal.

The control unit 25 includes a ROM 22 and a storage medium 28.
(Central Processing Unit) that controls each unit of the communication terminal 2 according to various control programs stored in the CPU
For example, when outputting response information to an input command or data by voice, under the control of the CPU, the response information is converted into voice data based on a voice conversion processing program stored in the storage device 27, and D / A converter 29
And a voice synthesis LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit) for outputting voice as a voice through the speaker 31, and has an internal clock 25a for measuring the current time (year, month, day, hour, minute, second). .

When the power switch 12 is pressed, the control unit 25 executes a main control process (see FIG. 13) described later. In this main control process, the control unit 2
5 activates the agent of the communication terminal 2 stored in the agent object storage area 28b of the storage medium 28, and performs various processing corresponding to the mode specified by pen input (for example, PIM mode processing, Mail mode processing, information search mode processing, match make mode processing, conversation mode processing, etc.). It should be noted that the details of these various processes will be described in detail later in the description of the operation.

The coordinate detecting section 26 is constituted by the above-described position detecting tablet 11a, detects XY coordinate data of the point of pressure applied by the pen point, and outputs the data to the control section 25.

The storage device 27 has a storage medium 28 in which programs, data, and the like are stored.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. In the storage medium 28, various control programs described later are stored in the form of program codes readable by the control unit 25. In addition, various types of information such as agent objects described later, received mail, address book data, schedule data, and the like are stored. Data is stored. The storage medium 28 may be provided fixedly to the storage device 27, or may be
May be detachably attached to the camera.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a memory configuration of the storage medium 28. In the figure, a storage medium 28 includes a program storage area 28a, an agent object storage area 28b, a character image data storage area 28c,
It is composed of a data storage area 28d.

In the program storage area 28a, a main control process (see FIG. 13), a conversation mode process 2 (see FIG. 17), a communication modem 24, an I / O port 32, and an infrared communication unit 33, which will be described later, are used. Various programs such as communication processing for data communication with external devices and the meaning of analyzing and analyzing the classification and semantic content of input contents and instruction contents by pen input from the user, executed by agents. Analysis processing program, dictionary search program used for the semantic analysis processing, voice conversion processing program for converting response information to input and instructions from the user into voice data, conversation contents with the user (owner) and search information contents A learning processing program for learning the owner's preferences, recent interests, and the like based on the information is stored.

Agent object storage area 28b
Is a memory area for storing an agent object (procedure + data) for realizing the agent function. This agent object storage area 28b
Stores the agent (agent object) of the communication terminal 2 and, when a match-making is established with an agent of another terminal by a match-making function described later, the partner agent ( Agent object).

FIG. 7 shows an outline of the agent object. The agent object operates autonomously in response to a simple command input by a user, performs situation recognition and judgment based on its own knowledge base, and utilizes various control programs and the like stored in the program storage area 28a. A procedure section describing procedures for automatically executing appropriate processes (functions), data used in the processes (functions) executed by the series of procedures, and the situation recognition and judgment are appropriately performed. And a data section for storing data and the like to be referred to.

As shown in FIG. 7, the procedure section is roughly divided into a series of procedure sections relating to the basic agent function and a series of procedure sections relating to the additional agent function. The basic agent function is a function provided to the communication terminal 2 in advance, and the additional agent function is
, A communication medium 24, an I / O port 32, an infrared communication unit 3
3 is an additional function of an agent that can be obtained by communication from an external device through the third device or the like.

As a series of procedures relating to the basic agent function, an information search function for searching and acquiring appropriate information via the computer network 5 or the Internet according to a simple keyword input by the user and reporting the information to the owner, input by the user A schedule management function that manages the owner's schedule by writing schedule marks and time data to the calendar based on the set schedule data and ticket reservation, setting an alarm before a predetermined time before the scheduled time, a simple user E-mail management, such as specifying the sender of the e-mail according to the keyword input, acquiring the e-mail address from the address book data, transmitting the e-mail, and setting the report order according to the classification and importance of the received e-mail E-mail management function, mobile To the server 7 as an agent, learns about the owner's preferences and recent interests based on information obtained through conversations with the owner, and a function for inter-agent communication to perform proxy negotiations with other agents on behalf of the owner. In addition, a series of procedures related to the learning function of learning the habit of the owner during the conversation (for example, ending with “da!”, Etc.) and reflecting it in the conversation contents of the self (agent) are described. I have.

As a series of procedures relating to the additional agent function, for example, filtering which analyzes the contents of a large number of search information obtained by the information search function and narrows down the search information to only appropriate search information according to the needs of the owner. Procedures related to the function, a news function for periodically acquiring information on the owner's preferences and recent interests obtained by the learning function via the computer network 5 or the Internet and reporting the information to the owner are described. I have.

As shown in FIG. 7, the data section is composed of owner data, agent data, conversation data, visited user data, and the like. The owner data is data on the owner information obtained by the learning function and other personal information on the owner (for example, the owner's name data, address data, mail address data, etc.).

FIG. 8 shows a specific example of the owner data.
Shown in As shown in the figure, the owner data includes “Area”, “Gender”, “Gender” as the public data of the owner to be disclosed to the other party when the server 7 performs proxy negotiation with another agent by inter-agent communication.
It has personal information such as "age", "blood type", "constellation", "self-introduction", "preference", "recently interested", etc., and as private data, "name", "school / Company, address, email address, phone number,
Contains personal information about the owner, such as "date of birth".

Regarding “preferences” and “recent interests” in the owner data, data directly input by the owner and data on the owner's preferences and recent interests obtained by the learning function are included. Is stored.

As shown in FIG. 9, the agent data is stored in a name data assigned to the agent by the owner, an identification code for identifying the agent of each terminal, and a character image data storage area 28c described later. Character image data (appearance image data and its respective part image data) of the agent assigned by the owner from among a plurality of appearance images of humans, animals, virtual creatures, etc., and action history data of the agent. You.

Returning to FIG. 7, the conversation data includes the habit of the owner at the time of the conversation obtained by the learning function (for example,
Data used at the time of conversation with the owner, such as data having an ending in "daze!" Or topic information (open information) obtained on the network by the agent, is stored.

The visited user data includes information on the partner user obtained from the conversation contents with the partner user when the agent moves (visits) to the terminal of the partner agent whose match is made by the match making function described later, The acquired personal information (public data) of the other user is stored.

The character image data storage area 28c
Assignable to the agent function of the communication terminal 2;
For example, it is a memory area for storing a plurality of appearance images of humans, animals, virtual creatures, and the like, and character image data such as each part image constituting each appearance image. The terminal user can select an appearance image to be assigned to his / her agent from a plurality of appearance images stored in the character image data storage area 28c.

The data storage area 28d is a memory area for storing various data such as various dictionary data used in the semantic analysis processing, created mail and received mail, address book data, schedule data, and the like.

D / A (Digital to Analog) converter 29
Is controlled by the control unit 25 in the speech synthesis memory 23 of the RAM 23.
The digital audio data transferred from c is converted to analog audio data and output to the speaker 28. The notification sound generation circuit 30 generates analog notification sound data based on the drive signal input from the control unit 25, and outputs
8 is output.

The speaker 31 outputs a sound or a notification sound to the outside through the notification sound hole 13 based on the analog sound data or the analog notification sound data input from the D / A converter 29 or the notification sound generation circuit 30. .

The I / O (Input / Output) port 32
This interface controls input / output of serial data exchanged between the communication terminal 2 and an external device (for example, a personal computer or the like) connected via the serial input / output terminal 14b and the communication cable.

The infrared communication unit 33 provides an IrDA (InfraredData Association) between the communication terminal 2 and an external device.
) Is an infrared interface for performing infrared communication of the type, and controls transmission and reception of data and the like transmitted and received by infrared communication.

Specifically, the infrared communication section 33 includes a modulation section for modulating transmission data to be transmitted to an external device having an infrared communication function into an Ir signal, and an Ir window 15 for modulating the modulated Ir signal with an infrared pulse. A transmission LED for transmitting to the external device through the infrared device, a photodiode for receiving an Ir signal transmitted from the external device by an infrared pulse through the Ir window 15, and demodulating the received Ir signal as reception data. And a demodulation unit.

Next, FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the server 7. The server 7 has a network management function for performing system management of the computer network 5 such as, for example, managing transmission and reception of e-mail sent and received between terminals in the computer network 5 and each server symbolizing each terminal owner. It has a match-making function that allows agents to mediate between agents and to negotiate on behalf of the owners on behalf of the owner to find a partner meeting various conditions from an unspecified number of terminal users.

In FIG. 10, the server 7 has an input unit 4
1, subscriber management memory 42, ROM 43, RAM 44,
Communication control unit 45, control unit 46, display unit 47, printing device 4
8 and a storage device 49, and each unit is connected by a bus 50.

The input unit 41 includes a key input unit and a mouse. The key input unit has character keys, numerical keys, cursor keys, and other keys, and various operation signals corresponding to each key input operation by the user. Is output to the control unit 46.
The mouse is a pointing device for selecting and displaying icons and operation menus displayed on the display screen of the display unit 47, and outputs relative position coordinate data and a click signal to the control unit 46.

As shown in FIG. 11, the subscriber management memory 42 stores, for each subscriber, name data, an identification code of the owning agent, and personal information (name, school / company, address, mail address, telephone number, date of birth, etc.). , Etc.), a reunion request flag, and the identification code of the partner agent who wants the reunion are stored in association with each other.

The ROM 43 stores a basic control program for controlling the basic control of each unit in the server 7, a hiragana,
Character data (character data) such as Chinese characters, alphabets, and symbols are stored.

The RAM 44 forms a memory area for temporarily storing various data to be processed when the control unit 46 executes various control processes. This RAM 44
Is composed of a terminal agent storage memory 44a and a work memory 44b.

The terminal agent storage memory 44a stores each agent object transferred or transferred from each terminal to the server 7 for match making. Then, the terminal agent storage memory 44
The plurality of agents stored in a are negotiated with other agents in the terminal agent storage memory 44a based on the public data of each other's owner (see FIG. 8) by the inter-agent communication function (see FIG. 16). And the other agent who wants to make a match (ie,
Find the other user).

When various control processes are executed by the control unit 46, the work memory 44b develops a program for controlling the process and various data used for the control process, or processes the data by the control process. A memory area for temporarily storing data is formed.

The communication control unit 45 is connected to the computer network 5 via the dedicated line 6 and controls communication when data is transmitted / received to / from each terminal via the computer network 5.

The control unit 46 includes a ROM 43 and a storage device 49.
It is a central processing unit that controls each unit of the server 7 according to various control programs stored in a storage medium in the server.
Specifically, the control unit 46 performs a communication control process described below (FIG. 1).
5), and upon receiving a line connection signal from each terminal, establishes a communication line with the terminal and analyzes communication contents from the terminal. When the agent object is received from the terminal, the agent object is stored in the terminal agent storage memory 44a of the RAM 44. In this way, the terminal agent storage memory 44a stores the agent object of each terminal, and stores each agent (agent object).
Executes the later-described agent-to-agent communication process (see FIG. 16), negotiates with other agents, and finds the partner agent who wants to make a match.

Further, the control unit 46 controls the subscriber management memory 4
In step 2, when "1" is stored in the "reunion request flag" item and the identification code of the partner agent who wants to reconnect is stored in the "identification code of partner agent" item,
When the agent of this terminal moves to the server 7 for match making and the partner agent who wants to meet again moves to the server 7 in the same manner, both agents are preferentially matched and made. To control.

The display 47 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tub).
e) and is configured by an LCD or the like, and displays input display data on a display screen. Further, the printing device 48 prints the input print data such as a subscriber list on a predetermined sheet.

The storage device 49 has a storage medium for storing programs, data, and the like, and this storage medium is constituted by a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. In this storage medium, for example, various control programs, such as a communication control process (see FIG. 15) described later, are stored in the form of program codes readable by the control unit 46. Data is stored. The above is the configuration of the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.

When the agent of each terminal moves from its own terminal to the server 7 or another terminal as a mobile agent, the owner data (see FIG. 8) stored in the data section is protected from the viewpoint of security. Own and move only public data as personal information about the owner. That is, the private data is left in the terminal itself and not carried. In addition, each terminal and server 7 on the network separately have data (including a program: open information) accessible by an agent of another terminal and inaccessible data. That is, the agent can access only the open information in the server 7 or another terminal.

Further, communication system 1 in the present embodiment may have a configuration as shown in FIG. 12, the same components as those of the configuration of the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] In the figure, a communication system 10 includes a communication terminal 2 shown in FIG.
And a dedicated line 6, a communication line network 8 and a server 9. The communication line network 8 is a line that connects the communication terminal 2 or the personal computer 3 to the server 9, and is composed of, for example, a PSTN or ISDN.

The server 9 is connected to each terminal such as the communication terminal 2 and the personal computer 3 via the communication line network 8 and the communication terminal 2 via the computer network connected via the dedicated line 6 and the Internet. And a personal computer 3 (terminal), a mail management function, a match-making function for mediating agents of the terminals, and the like.

Then, as described above, the server 9
Each terminal is connected to a computer network or the Internet via the dedicated line 6 so that each terminal can access the computer network or the Internet via the server 9 and enjoy services such as an e-mail system and an information search system. Can be. The above is the description of the modified example of the communication system.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the communication terminal 2
The main control processing executed by the control unit 25 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 and the screen display example shown in FIG.

When the power switch 12 is pressed, the control unit 25 reads out a control program relating to the main control processing stored in the storage medium 28 via the storage device 27 and expands it in the work memory 23 d of the RAM 23.
The process is started.

First, the control unit 25 initializes and stores the agent object storage area 28b of the storage medium 28.
After performing the initial processing such as the activation of the agent of the communication terminal 2 and the display of the mode selection screen shown in FIG. 14A (step S1), whether or not the mode has been selected by pen input Is determined (step S2), and if any mode is selected by pen input, various processes corresponding to the mode selected by the user are executed from step S3. Hereinafter, the processing content in each mode will be described.

When the PIM mode is selected and designated in step S2, the control section 25 shifts to PIM mode processing (step S3). At this time, the agent
The schedule management function (see FIG. 7) is activated autonomously according to the selection designation of the PIM mode (step S4), and a schedule book, a calendar, an address book, etc. are displayed on the display screen according to a simple instruction by pen input. And updates and registers schedule data and address book data in response to data input by the pen 2b.

At this time, the agent writes, for example, a schedule mark or time data on the calendar in accordance with the input of the schedule data of the owner, sets an alarm a predetermined time before the scheduled time, or If there are overlapping schedules,
The operation of the owner regarding the PIM data is assisted by, for example, notifying the owner by voice. Then, after ending a series of PIM mode processes, the control unit 25 returns to step S2.

When the mail mode is selected and specified in step S2, the control section 25 shifts to a mail mode process (step S5). At this time, the agent autonomously activates the mail management function (see FIG. 7) in accordance with the mail mode selection designation, and, for example, when sending a mail, selects the transmission partner according to a simple keyword input by the owner. Identify and obtain the e-mail address from the address book data and send the e-mail to the other party.If there are multiple received e-mails addressed to yourself, set the order of the report according to the classification and importance etc. (Step S6).

When the information search mode is selected and designated in step S2, the control section 25 shifts to information search mode processing (step S7). At this time, the agent autonomously activates the information search function (see FIG. 7) in accordance with the selection designation of the information search mode, and, for example, via the computer network 5 or the Internet in response to a simple keyword input by the owner. It assists the owner's operation related to the information search, such as searching for, acquiring and reporting appropriate information to the owner (step S8).

When the match making mode is selected and designated in step S2, the control section 25 shifts to a match making mode process (step S9). When the match-making mode is selected and designated, the agent first determines whether or not a disclosure condition has been set by the owner (step S10).
The condition data is stored in the data section in the agent object of the own (step S11).

[0107] The disclosure condition is, for example, that only information on items having commonality among disclosure personal information relating to the owner is disclosed to the matchmaking partner, and information on other items is kept secret. Or conditions for restricting the disclosure level in stages for the information of the other items.

Then, the agent reads out the communication processing program from the program storage area 28a of the storage medium 28, starts it, establishes a communication line with the server 7, and establishes itself (agent object) through the communication modem 24. Terminal agent storage memory 4 of server 7
4a (step S13).

Thereafter, the agent negotiates with other agents in the terminal agent storage memory 44a based on the public data (see FIG. 8) of each other by another agent communication process (see FIG. 16) described later. And make a match with the other agent.

When the conversation mode is selected and designated in step S2, the control section 25 shifts to conversation mode processing (step S14). In this conversation mode process, the control unit 25 first determines whether or not the agent of the matchmaking partner is visiting the terminal (step S15). If the agent of the matchmaking partner is visiting the terminal, Then, a later-described conversation mode process 2 (see FIG. 17) set as a subroutine of the main control process is executed (step S16),
A conversation mode process is performed with the agent of the match-making partner and the agent of the terminal.

Further, the control unit 25 determines whether the above-described step S15
If it is determined in step S17 that the match-making partner agent has not visited the terminal, the process proceeds to step S17.
The following conversation mode process 1 with the agent of the terminal is executed. In the conversation mode process 1, the agent displays its own appearance image on the display unit 11 (step S17), and stores the conversation image (see FIG. 7) in the data section of the agent object on the network. Conversation with the owner based on the obtained topic information (open information) and the like.

At this time, the agent activates the voice conversion processing program stored in the program storage area 28a of the storage medium 28, and interacts with the owner by voice. As shown in (1), the user interacts with the agent by selecting and specifying a character from the soft keyboard displayed on the display unit 11 with the pen 2b and inputting a word. Also, the agent communicates with the owner in the program storage area 28.
The contents of the conversation are understood using the semantic analysis processing program, the dictionary search program, the learning processing program, and the like stored in a, and the conversation is continued.

The owner interacts with his / her own agent in this manner to obtain topic information (open information) obtained by the agent on the network.
And so on.

The agent learns data on the owner's preferences, recent interests, and the like from the conversation with the owner, and stores the learning in the data section of the agent object of the agent and the owner data (see FIG. 8). It stores data on the owner's preferences, recent interests, and the like. It also learns the habit of the owner from the content of the conversation with the owner (for example, the ending of the word ends with “!”), And reflects the data in the agent object of the own agent, The learned habit data is stored in the application data (see FIG. 7) (step S18).

When the agent returns after visiting the terminal of the match-making partner, the agent obtains the personal information of the partner user obtained at the terminal of the visiting partner stored as the visiting user data (see FIG. 7). Report information (public data) and information about the other user obtained from the conversation with the other user to the owner. Further, when an e-mail is entrusted from the partner user, this e-mail is reported to the owner (step S19). The above is the operation procedure of the main control process executed in the control unit 25 of the communication terminal 2.

Next, communication control processing executed by the control unit 46 of the server 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The control unit 46 continues the reception standby state (step T1), and upon receiving a line connection signal from each terminal (step T2), establishes a communication line with the terminal, and performs communication from the terminal. Is analyzed (step T3).

Then, the control unit 46 determines whether or not the agent object has been received from the terminal (step T4). If not, the control unit 46 executes a process according to the communication content from the terminal (step T5). Then, the communication control process ends. In addition, the control unit 46 performs the above-described step T
4, when it is determined that the agent object has been received, the agent object is stored in the terminal agent storage memory 44a (step T).
6).

In the terminal agent storage memory 44a,
In this way, the agent object of each terminal is stored, and in the memory 44a, each agent (agent object) executes an inter-agent communication process (see FIG. 16) described later to negotiate with another agent, and Find the partner agent you want to make. The above is the operation procedure of the communication control processing executed in the control unit 46 of the server 7.

Next, the inter-agent communication processing executed by each agent in the terminal agent storage memory 44a of the server 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the agent (agent object) moves from its own terminal to the terminal agent storage memory 44a of the server 7, it executes the inter-agent communication processing. First, the agent outputs a communication request signal to another agent in the memory 44a (step U1), and determines whether a response signal to the communication request signal has been received from another agent (step U2). If no response signal has been received, the process returns to step U1.

When receiving the response signal, the agents exchange each other's owner data (public data: see FIG. 8) with the partner agent that transmitted the response signal (step U3), and The degree of commonality between the owner data of the other party and the owner data of the partner is analyzed (step U4). The analysis of the degree of commonality includes, for example, determining the degree of commonality of a plurality of item data items specific to the owner data of the own device and that of the other party. It is determined whether or not there is the above.

Then, the agent determines whether or not the owner data of its own and the partner have a degree of commonness equal to or higher than a predetermined level (step U5). End the agent-to-agent communication (step U6), and
Return to 1. If the agent determines in step U5 that the owner data of the self and the partner have a common degree equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the agent transmits a match-make signal to the partner agent (step U5).
7).

Next, the agent determines whether or not a match-make signal has been received from the partner agent (step U8), and if the match-make signal has not been received from the partner agent within a predetermined time. Determines that matchmaking is not established, and determines in step U6
After completing the inter-agent communication with the partner agent, the process returns to step U1.

Further, the agent determines in step U7
When it is determined that the match-make signal has been received from the partner agent in (1), it is determined that match-make has been established (step U9), and then the order of visits to the terminals with the partner agent is determined (step U1).
0). Then, the agent and the partner agent move from the server 7 to any terminal via the computer network 5 in accordance with the determined visit order (step U11). The above is the operation procedure of the inter-agent communication process executed by each agent in the terminal agent storage memory 44a of the server 7.

Next, conversation mode processing 2 executed as a subroutine of the above-described main control processing (see FIG. 13) in control section 25 of communication terminal 2 is shown in FIG.
This will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

If the control unit 25 determines in step S15 of the main control process (see FIG. 13) that the agent of the match-making partner is visiting the terminal, the conversation stored in the storage medium 28 is performed. The control program relating to the mode processing 2 is read out and read from the RAM 2
3 is expanded in the work memory 23d, and the processing is started.

When the conversation mode process 2 is executed, the agent of the terminal and the agent of the match-making partner respectively display their own appearance images on the display unit 11 (step S21) and have a conversation with the owner. Here, the conversation process by the agent of the terminal is the same as the conversation mode process 1 shown in steps S17 and S18 of the above-described main control process (see FIG. 13), and a description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, the match-making partner agent determines the terminal based on the owner data (see FIG. 8: disclosure data) and conversation data (see FIG. 7) stored in the data section of the agent object of the match-making party. The conversation process with the owner of the terminal is performed, and in this conversation, the owner's preferences, recent interests, recent status, and the like are reported to the owner of the terminal (step S22). At this time, if the disclosure condition is set by the owner of the match-making partner agent, the report content is regulated based on the disclosure condition.

[0129] The owner of the terminal can know information about the other user (only open information of the other user) by having a conversation with the match-making partner agent brought by the own agent in this way. .

The agent of the match-making partner reports the information on the owner of the match to the owner of the terminal in this way, and when the execution of other event processing is completed, the agent of the terminal changes the information on the owner. The personal information (data for disclosure) is acquired and stored as visiting user data in the data section of the agent object of the user, and the owner of the terminal is notified of returning to the terminal (step S2).
3) Ask the owner of the terminal whether or not to bring an e-mail addressed to the owner when returning (step S)
24).

When the owner of the terminal instructs to bring a mail, the mail specified by the owner is stored in the data section of its own agent object, and is transmitted from the terminal via the computer network 5. Move to own terminal (step S2
5). The owner can notify the user of the match-making partner of his / her private personal information by writing his / her name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, etc. in the mail given to this partner agent. It is.

If the agent of the match-making party is instructed in step S24 by the owner of the terminal that he or she does not need to have an e-mail, then the owner of the terminal decides whether or not he wishes to meet again. (Step S26). Then, when the owner instructs that a reunion is desired, the match-making partner agent stores a message to that effect in the data section of its own agent object and moves to its own terminal via the computer network 5. (Step S27).

At this time, the agent of the terminal obtains the identification code of the partner agent (step S28), reads out the communication processing program from the program storage area 28a of the storage medium 28, starts it, and activates the server 7
Data communication is performed between the server and the subscriber management memory 42 of the server 7, the "owning request flag" item of the own owner is set to "1", and the acquired identification information is set in the "identification code of the partner agent" item. The code is stored (Step S29).

As described above, in the subscriber management memory 42 of the server 7, “1” is stored in the item of “re-association request flag”, and the identification code of the partner agent who wants to re-join is stored in the item of “identification code of partner agent”. Then
In the server 7, when the agent of this terminal moves to the server 7 for match making and the partner agent who wants to meet again similarly moves to the server 7, both agents preferentially match. Control to make it.

If the owner does not indicate that he wants to meet again in step S26, the match-making partner agent moves to his / her own terminal via computer network 5 (step S30).

With such a control configuration, the owner of the terminal can know open information about the partner user by having a conversation with the agent of the match-making partner brought by the own agent. As a result, if you want to be a friend, just write your name, address, email address, phone number, etc. in the email brought back by the partner agent, and exchange such emails with the other user, and If you're wondering if you should be, ask for a reunion,
It is possible to know more about the other user through the other agent. Further, when the partner does not meet his / her wish, the partner agent may be returned to the partner terminal as it is. In this way, an unspecified number of terminal users do not inadvertently know their personal information such as their name, address, email address, telephone number, etc.
It is possible to get a chance to get acquainted with a desired person from the terminal users. The above is the operation procedure of the conversation mode process 2 executed in the control unit 25 of the communication terminal 2.

As described above, according to the communication system 1 in the present embodiment, the agent of each terminal such as the communication terminal 2 or the personal computer 3 has personal information on the owner of the terminal and the server 7 and other terminals, it is possible to exchange information and negotiate with agents of other terminals, and each terminal communicates with the server 7 and other terminals by the communication modem 24. The agent of the terminal or another terminal is transmitted / received at the terminal, and the agent of the terminal or the agent of the other terminal received by the communication modem 24 is stored in the agent object storage area 28b of the storage medium 28. The agent of another terminal or the agent of another terminal can be operated autonomously by the control unit 25. The communication control unit 45 receives the agent of each terminal from the terminal by the communication control unit 45, stores the received agent in the terminal agent storage memory 44a of the RAM 44, and stores the stored agent in the control unit 46. Is operated autonomously, and each operated agent is stored in the terminal agent storage memory 4.
4a, each other's owner data (public data) is compared with another agent, and a match-making (set) is established with an agent having a predetermined commonality. The communication control unit 45 transmits each agent of the set to a terminal of one of the agents for each of the established sets.

Further, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, when the agent of each terminal moves to the terminal of one of the agents for each of the established sets, the agent of the terminal that has moved is notified to the user of the moved terminal. , And report personal information (public data) about their owners.

Further, according to the communication system 1 in the present embodiment, the agent of each terminal moves to the terminal of one of the agents for each of the established sets, and the agent of the moved terminal is instructed. In addition to reporting the personal information on the owner of the user and acquiring the personal information (public data) of the user and returning to the own terminal, the personal information of the acquired user is reported to the owner.

Therefore, the agents of the respective terminals having the personal information of the respective terminal owners search for the partner agent which is considered to match their own owner in the server 7 based on the personal information of the respective owners. The agent moves to either the terminal of the partner agent or its own terminal. Then, the agent that has moved to the terminal of the other party reports personal information about the owner of the terminal to the user of the terminal, acquires personal information about the user of the destination terminal, returns to the terminal of the terminal, and returns to the owner. On the other hand, the obtained personal information of the partner user is reported.

With such a system control configuration, as in the case of an electronic bulletin board system, a large number of terminal users who have read a message are not flooded with e-mails, so that there is no problem of cumbersome and inconvenient use. In addition, there is no need to disclose personal information such as own name and mail address to an unspecified number of terminal users. Further, for example, even if the terminal user does not perform a series of operations such as accessing a forum, a SIG, or the like in a personal computer communication service and searching for a desired partner, the agent provides a trigger for getting to know the partner.

Further, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the personal information of the own agent possessed by the agent of each terminal is composed of public data and private data. When the terminal moves from the terminal to the server 7 or another terminal, only the disclosure data is owned and moved as personal information relating to the owner.

Therefore, if information such as the owner's name, e-mail address, telephone number, and address is set as non-disclosure data, the non-disclosure data can be exchanged even with the match-make partner user. Until you disclose it, you do not need to be aware of it and you can respect each other's privacy.

Further, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, each terminal sets a disclosure condition for its own agent, so that the agent can report personal information on its own owner at the visited terminal. In the public information, only the items for which the commonality is established are disclosed, and for the other items, the level of the concealment or disclosure is controlled stepwise, and the contents of the own public information with respect to the match-making partner are controlled. Owners can regulate themselves.

Further, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the agent of each terminal moves to the terminal of one of the agents for each of the established sets, and the agent of the terminal that moved moves to the self. It is possible to bring back the mail entrusted to the owner by the user when returning to his / her terminal after reporting the personal information on the owner of the owner.

[0146] Therefore, it is possible to send a mail to the match-make partner user via the agent. This is particularly effective as a method for making the other party more aware of himself / herself when the e-mail address of the match-making partner is set as non-public data and the partner's e-mail address is unknown. .

Further, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the agent of each terminal learns information about the owner's preferences and interests from the contents of inputs and operations by the owner at his own terminal. A learning function is provided, and the information obtained by the learning function is included as personal information regarding the owner.

Therefore, the agent can determine a match-making partner on the condition of information on the owner's preference, interest, and the like obtained by the learning function.

Further, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the agent of each terminal has an identification code, and the server 7 reconciles the identification code with the agent of each terminal. The control unit 46 includes a subscriber management memory 42 for storing an identification code of a desired partner agent in association with the identification code. The control unit 46 refers to the subscriber management memory 42 for each agent stored in the terminal agent storage memory 44a. Both agents wishing to meet again are stored in the terminal agent storage memory 44.
If they are stored in a, control is performed such that the two agents are preferentially formed as a pair.

[0150] Therefore, in the case where the visitor is not sure of the partner user in one visit, the server 7 notifies the server 7 that he / she wants to revisit, so that his / her agent and the partner agent preferentially make a match. Is done.
Therefore, it is possible to better know the other user through the agent, and then to share information such as name, e-mail address, telephone number, address, etc. with each other to become friends.

As described above, the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course there is.

For example, in the above embodiment, the control configuration is such that each agent establishes a matchmaking on a one-to-one basis, but the control configuration may be such that each agent establishes a matchmaking with three or more agents. .

Further, in the above embodiment, when each agent moves from its own terminal, a control configuration may be adopted in which a copy of its own agent object is installed in the destination device. At this time, what is copied to the movement destination may be a part of the independently operable agent object. With such a control configuration, each agent function such as the information search function and the schedule management function shown in FIG. 7 can always operate in the terminal, and does not impair usability in the terminal.

[0154]

According to the invention as set forth in claims 1, 3, 5 and 9, the agents of the respective communication terminals having the personal information of the respective terminal owners can use their own servers in the server based on the personal information of the respective owners. A search is made for a partner agent that is considered to match the owner of the partner agent, and the partner agent and the agent move to either the communication terminal of the partner agent or their own communication terminal. Then, the agent that has moved to the terminal of the other party reports personal information about the owner of the terminal to the user of the terminal, acquires personal information about the user of the destination terminal, returns to the terminal of the terminal, and returns to the owner. On the other hand, the obtained personal information of the partner user is reported.

With such a system control configuration, unlike the electronic bulletin board system, a large number of terminal users who have read the message are not flooded with e-mails, so that there is no problem of cumbersome and inconvenient use. In addition, there is no need to disclose personal information such as own name and mail address to an unspecified number of terminal users. Further, for example, even if the terminal user does not perform a series of operations such as accessing a forum, a SIG, or the like in a personal computer communication service and searching for a desired partner, the agent provides a trigger for getting to know the partner. As a result, in the communication system, a function for getting to know a new friend (terminal user) and its usability can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, if information such as the owner's name, e-mail address, telephone number, and address is set as non-public information, it can be used even with a match-made partner user. In addition, the non-public information does not need to be known to the other party until the information is disclosed from each other, and the privacy of each other can be respected.

[0157] According to the invention described in claim 4, the agent discloses only the information of the item of common personality among the disclosure personal information relating to its own owner to the matched-make partner user, and other than that. The owner can regulate the disclosure of his / her personal information with respect to the match-making partner, for example, by setting the level or condition of concealment or disclosure for the information of the item.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a mail can be sent to a partner user who has made a match via an agent. Particularly, as described in the effect of claim 2, the e-mail address of the match-making partner is set as non-public information, and when the partner's e-mail address is unknown, the partner is better known. It is a very effective way to get them.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the agent can determine a match-making partner on the condition of information on the owner's preference, interest, and the like obtained by the learning function.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the case where it is difficult to know the other user in one visit, the server informs the server that he / she wants to visit again, so that his / her own agent and the other agent can be used. Is preferentially matched. Therefore, it is possible to better know the other user through the agent, and then to share information such as name, e-mail address, telephone number, address, etc. with each other to become friends.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the communication terminal 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the communication terminal 2 shown in FIG.

4 is a diagram showing an example of a memory configuration of a ROM 22 shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a memory configuration of a RAM 23 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a memory configuration of a storage medium 28 shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing an outline of an agent object stored in an agent object storage area 28b of the storage medium 28 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of owner data of the agent object shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of agent data included in the agent object shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a server 7 shown in FIG. 1;

11 is a diagram showing an example of a memory configuration of a subscriber management memory 42 shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modification of the communication system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 13 shows a control unit 25 in communication terminal 2 shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart of a main control process executed by the CPU.

14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display on the display unit 11 during the main control process shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a control unit 4 in the server 7 shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart of a communication control process executed by No. 6.

16 is a flowchart of an inter-agent communication process executed by each agent in the terminal agent storage memory 44a of the server 7 shown in FIG.

17 is a flowchart of a conversation mode process 2 executed as a subroutine of the main control process shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,10 Communication system 2 Communication terminal 2a Main unit 2b Pen 3 Personal computer (PC) 4 Communication line 5 Computer network 6 Dedicated line 7,9 Server 8 Communication line network 11 Display unit 11a Position detection tablet 12 Power switch 13 Sound hole 14 Opening / closing lid 14a External power supply terminal 14b Serial input / output terminal 14c Communication terminal 15 Ir window 16 Slide storage lid 21 Key input unit 22 ROM 22a Basic control program memory 22b Character data memory 22c FEP memory 22d Audio data memory 23 RAM 23a Transmission data memory 23b Reception data memory 23c Voice synthesis memory 23d Work memory 24 Communication modem 25 Control unit 25a Internal clock 26 Coordinate detection unit 27 Storage device 28 Storage medium 28a Program storage area 28b Agent object storage area 28c Character image data storage area 28d Data storage area 29 D / A converter 30 Notification sound generation circuit 31 Speaker 32 I / O port 33 Infrared communication unit 34 Bus 41 Input unit 42 Subscriber management memory 43 ROM 44 RAM 44a Terminal agent storage memory 44b Work memory 45 Communication control unit 46 Control unit 47 Display unit 48 Printing device 49 Storage device 50 Bus

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An autonomous operation in response to various processing requests,
It comprises a plurality of communication terminals and a server, each of which has an agent for performing processing corresponding to each request using various programs and data stored in the memory, and the agent of each communication terminal is connected to the server or another communication terminal. The communication terminal and the server are movable to a terminal, and the communication terminal and the server are a communication system having a common platform or a multi-platform environment for autonomously operating an agent of another communication terminal. The agent has personal information relating to the owner of the communication terminal, moves to the server, exchanges information and negotiates with the agent of another communication terminal, and moves to the terminal or another communication terminal. Information exchange with the owner of the terminal is possible. Communication means for transmitting / receiving an agent of the communication terminal or another communication terminal to / from the terminal; agent storage means for storing an agent of the communication terminal or an agent of another communication terminal received by the communication means; Control means for autonomously operating an agent of the communication terminal or an agent of another communication terminal stored in the storage means, wherein the server has an agent of each communication terminal between each of the communication terminals. Communication means for transmitting and receiving the data, terminal agent storage means for storing the agents received by the communication means, and control means for autonomously operating each agent stored in the terminal agent storage means, Each agent operated by this control means stores the terminal agent memory. Comparing personal information about each other's owner with another agent stored in the stage, a pair is established with an agent having a predetermined commonality, The control means, for each established pair And transmitting each agent of the set to the communication terminal of any of the agents by the communication means. 2. The personal information relating to its own owner possessed by the agent of each communication terminal is composed of information for public use and information for non-public use, and each agent communicates with the server or another communication terminal from its own communication terminal. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein when the user moves to the communication system, the user owns only the public information as personal information on the owner and moves. 3. The agent of each of the communication terminals, when moving to the communication terminal of any of the agents for each of the established sets, reports personal information relating to its own owner to the user of the moved communication terminal. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication is performed. 4. The personal information relating to the owner of the user,
When reporting at the visited terminal, means for publishing only items for which the commonality is established among the disclosure information, and for other items, means for setting the level or condition of concealment or disclosure. 3. The communication system according to 2. 5. The agent of each communication terminal moves to the communication terminal of one of the agents for each of the established sets, and reports personal information on its own owner to the user of the moved communication terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the personal information of the user is obtained, and after returning to its own communication terminal, the obtained personal information of the other user is reported to the owner. Communication system. 6. The agent of each of the communication terminals moves to the communication terminal of any of the agents for each of the established sets, and reports personal information on its own owner to the user of the moved communication terminal. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when returning to the communication terminal of the user, the user can bring back the mail entrusted to the owner of the communication terminal. 7. The agent of each of the communication terminals has a learning function of learning information about the owner's preferences and interests based on the input contents and operation contents of the owner in the own communication terminal. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the information as personal information on an owner. 8. The agent of each of the communication terminals has an identification code, and the server includes an identification code for each agent of each of the communication terminals;
The server further includes an identification code storage unit that stores the identification code of the partner agent that wants to meet again in association with the identification code, and the control unit of the server stores the identification code storage unit for each agent stored in the terminal agent storage unit. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein when both agents who wish to reconnect with reference to each other are stored in the terminal agent storage means, the two agents are controlled so as to preferentially form a pair. . 9. Operating autonomously in response to various processing requests,
It comprises a plurality of communication terminals and a server, each of which has an agent for performing processing corresponding to each request using various programs and data stored in the memory, and the agent of each communication terminal is connected to the server or another communication terminal. The communication terminal and the server are movable to a terminal, and each of the communication terminals and the server is a common platform for autonomously operating an agent of another communication terminal, or a control method of a communication system having a multi-platform environment, The agent of the communication terminal has personal information about the owner of the communication terminal, moves to the server, exchanges information and negotiates with the agent of another communication terminal, negotiates with the agent of the communication terminal, or performs other communication with the agent of the communication terminal. It is possible to move to the terminal and exchange information with the owner of the terminal, wherein each of the communication terminals is the server The agent of the communication terminal or another communication terminal is transmitted / received to / from another communication terminal, and the agent of the communication terminal or the received agent of the other communication terminal is stored in a memory. It is possible to autonomously operate an agent or an agent of another communication terminal, the server receives the agent of each communication terminal from each of the communication terminals, and stores the received agents in a memory. Then, each of the stored agents is operated autonomously, and each of the operated agents has a predetermined commonality by comparing personal information about the owner with other agents stored in the memory. The server establishes a pair with the agent, and for each of the pairs established, the server sends the pair to a communication terminal of one of the agents. Control method for a communication system, characterized by transmitting each agent.