JP2005057706A - Presence information providing method, presence management server, computer program and user terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a presence information providing system, presence management server, etc., capable of easily grasping a future communication state of a user terminal. <P>SOLUTION: In this presence information providing system, a schedule management server manages schedule information, and the presence management server manages profile information required to acquire the schedule information, confirms contents of the presence information periodically or by request. When communication is not available, the presence management server acquires user's profile information, further acquires the schedule information on the basis of the profile information, and updates the presence information of the user terminal by extracting from the acquired schedule information the next communicable time showing that the incommunicable user terminal is next communicable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a presence information providing system capable of transmitting and receiving presence information and message information between a plurality of terminals.

  In order to exchange message information between a plurality of client devices (such as personal computers) connected via a network such as the Internet, information distribution systems using electronic mail (E-mail), chat, and the like have become widespread.

  Furthermore, in order to transmit a message to a specific group by e-mail, a method for setting and transmitting a plurality of addresses or a group address for a user group of terminals satisfying a specific condition is transmitted. A method for exchanging information is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, as an information distribution system as described above, the utilization of a system using instant messaging is increasing. This instant messaging has the advantage that an instant message can be transmitted to a group of specific client users registered in advance connected to the network while grasping the current connection status of the transmission destination.

JP 2003-134161 A

  However, in the information distribution system in which the information (presence information) indicating the current connection status can be exchanged between terminals (clients), if the presence information of the transmission destination to which the instant message is transmitted indicates “cannot communicate”, the transmission source It was difficult to determine when the instant message should be sent to the destination.

  In a LAN environment to which a plurality of personal computers (PCs) are connected, there is a case where a schedule management server exists, and the schedule management server may manage schedule information.

  In the above case, it is possible to grasp the time that is convenient for the next connection from the schedule information of the users belonging to the terminals that cannot communicate, but only the convenient connection time is extracted from the schedule information. Is complicated and inefficient.

  In particular, when the terminal is a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, the processing and functions are limited compared to a PC, etc., which is convenient for users who belong to terminals that cannot communicate from the mobile phone side in the future. It was difficult to keep track of time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved presence information providing system capable of easily grasping the future communication status of a user terminal. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a schedule management server connected to a communication network for managing user schedule information, and a presence connected to the communication network for managing at least user presence information. A presence information providing system is provided that includes a management server and a user terminal that is connected to a communication network and transmits message information according to presence information of a destination user. In the presence information providing system, the schedule management server includes a schedule management unit for managing the schedule information of users belonging to the user terminal, and the presence management server includes at least information necessary for acquiring the user's schedule information. Profile information management unit that manages profile information that includes information about the presence information, and if the presence information indicates that communication with the user terminal is not possible, obtain profile information for users belonging to the user terminal The schedule information stored in the schedule management server based on the profile information and the schedule information acquisition unit that acquires the schedule information stored in the schedule management server via the communication network, and the user terminal that cannot communicate from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit Next communication And a presence updating unit for updating the presence information of the user terminal based on the next communication available time. A presence information requesting unit that requests presence information including the next communicable time and a display unit that displays presence information including the next communicable time are provided to the management server. .

  According to the present invention, in the presence information providing system, the schedule management server manages the schedule information of each user, and the presence management server indicates the next communication indicating the next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information. Extract possible time. The extracted next communicable time is updated and managed so as to be included in the presence information on the user terminal. Furthermore, presence information including the next communicable time is provided in response to a request from the user terminal. Alternatively, when there is a request for presence information from the user terminal, the presence management server extracts the next communicable time from the schedule information, adds the next communicable time to the presence information, and provides it to the user terminal. With this configuration, the user terminal can display the presence information including the next communicable time transmitted via the communication network, and the user belonging to the user terminal can use the other party in the future from the presence information. It is possible to quickly grasp the next communicable time after the person terminal. Accordingly, message information can be quickly transmitted and received between the transmission source and the transmission destination, and smooth communication can be achieved.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a presence management server is provided that manages presence information of users who are connected to a communication network and belong to at least a user terminal. The presence management server includes a profile information management unit that manages at least profile information including information necessary for acquiring user schedule information, and a profile information acquisition unit that acquires profile information according to the contents of the presence information. Based on the profile information acquired by the profile information acquisition unit, the user's schedule information is obtained from the schedule information acquisition unit to be acquired and the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit to determine the next communicable time after the user terminal. And a presence updating unit for updating the presence information of the user terminal based on the extracted next available communication time.

  According to the present invention, the presence management server extracts the next communicable time indicating the next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information. The extracted next communicable time is updated and managed so as to be included in the presence information on the user terminal. Furthermore, presence information including the next communicable time is provided in response to a request from the user terminal. Alternatively, when there is a request for presence information from the user terminal, the presence management server extracts the next communicable time from the schedule information, adds the next communicable time to the presence information, and provides it to the user terminal. With this configuration, the user terminal can display the presence information including the next communicable time transmitted via the communication network, and the user belonging to the user terminal can use the other party in the future from the presence information. It is possible to quickly grasp the next communicable time after the person terminal. Accordingly, message information can be quickly transmitted and received between the transmission source and the transmission destination, and smooth communication can be achieved.

  User schedule information may be managed by a schedule management server connected to the communication network. With this configuration, information management processing can be distributed.

  The profile information acquisition unit can be configured to check the presence information and acquire the profile information of the user belonging to the user terminal when the content of the presence information indicates that the user terminal cannot communicate. With this configuration, by acquiring profile information, it is possible to acquire schedule information of user terminals that are currently incapable of communication and cannot communicate, and at least the next communication can be performed from the schedule information without repeated communication attempts. Can be extracted.

  The next communicable extraction unit may be configured to extract the next communicable time from the schedule information based on the schedule attribute.

  The next communicable extraction unit may be configured to extract the next communicable time by searching for free time from the schedule information.

  The idle time in the schedule information may be configured to be at least 5 minutes. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently find an appropriate time for communication.

  The profile information is configured to include at least one of at least one of a user ID, a password, a storage location where the user's schedule information is stored, a model name of the schedule management server, a schedule information format, and a schedule information version. May be.

  The storage location of the schedule information may be different at least for each version of the schedule information. With this configuration, it is possible to improve storage efficiency for storing schedule information.

  The schedule information acquisition unit changes the acquisition format for acquiring the schedule information according to the contents indicated by the profile information. With this configuration, the schedule information acquisition unit can acquire the schedule information regardless of the format of the managed schedule information. Schedule information suitable for various formats can be acquired automatically.

  The schedule information acquisition unit may be configured to vary the range for acquiring the schedule information so that the next communicable time can be acquired. The schedule information acquisition unit extends the range for acquiring the schedule information. You may comprise.

  The presence information may be configured to include at least one of a user status indicating the user status, a communication status of the user terminal, and a next communicable time of the user terminal. With such a configuration, by providing the presence information relating to the user terminal or the user belonging to the user terminal, the efficiency of the message information transmission process of the user terminal can be improved.

  With this configuration, the schedule information acquisition unit is periodically started. Even if there is no request from the user terminal, the schedule information is periodically acquired, the next available communication time is extracted, and a new It can be updated at the next communication available time.

  The schedule information may include terminal schedule information indicating the schedule of the user terminal.

  The profile information management unit may further be configured to manage profile information including information necessary for acquiring terminal schedule information.

  The next communicable extraction unit may be configured to extract the next communicable time from the terminal schedule information.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer is connected to a communication network and functions as a presence management server that manages at least user presence information belonging to a user terminal. A program is provided. The computer program includes profile information management means for managing profile information including at least information necessary for acquiring user schedule information, profile information acquisition means for acquiring profile information according to the contents of presence information, and Based on the profile information acquired by the profile information acquisition unit, the schedule information acquisition means for acquiring the user's schedule information, and the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit indicate the next communicable time after the user terminal. It is characterized by functioning as a presence management server comprising a next communication possible extraction means for extracting a communication possible time and a presence update means for updating presence information of a user terminal based on the extracted next communication possible time. .

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a schedule management server that manages user schedule information and at least a presence management server that manages user presence information are connected via a communication network. A user terminal is provided which is connected and transmits message information according to the contents indicated by the presence information of the destination user. The user terminal includes a presence information requesting unit for requesting presence information including a next communicable time extracted by the presence management server from user schedule information, and a display unit for displaying presence information including the next communicable time. It is characterized by comprising. With such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently transmit and receive message information and to promote smooth communication by displaying a time when communication is possible next to the other user terminal with high visibility and speed.

  The presence information may be configured to include at least one of a user status indicating the user status, a communication status of the user terminal, and a next communicable time of the user terminal.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer is used to manage a schedule management server for managing user schedule information and a presence management server for managing at least user presence information. A computer program is provided that is connected via a communication network and functions as a user terminal that transmits message information according to the contents indicated by the presence information of a destination user. A user comprising presence information requesting means for requesting presence information including the next communicable time extracted by the presence management server from the user's schedule information, and display means for displaying presence information including the next communicable time It is characterized by functioning as a terminal.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a schedule management server connected to a communication network and managing user schedule information, and connected to the communication network to manage at least user presence information. A presence information providing method for providing presence information using a presence management server and a user terminal that transmits message information according to presence information of a user connected to a communication network is provided. In the presence information providing method, the presence management server confirms the contents of the presence information, and when the contents of the presence information indicate that the user terminal cannot communicate, the schedule information of the users belonging to the user terminal is acquired. A profile information acquisition step for acquiring profile information including at least information necessary for the schedule, and a schedule in which the schedule information stored in the schedule management server is acquired via the communication network based on the profile information by the presence management server. An information acquisition step; a next communication possible extraction step for extracting a next communicable time indicating a next communicable time from a schedule information acquired by the presence management server; and a presence management server Based on the next available communication time A presence update step in which the presence information of the user terminal is updated, a presence information request step in which presence information including the next available communication time is requested from the presence management server by the user terminal, and a user And a display step of displaying presence information including the next communicable time by the terminal.

  User schedule information may be managed by a schedule management server connected to a communication network.

  The profile information acquisition step may be configured to check the presence information and acquire the profile information of the user belonging to the user terminal when the content of the presence information indicates that the user terminal cannot communicate. With this configuration, by acquiring profile information, it is possible to acquire schedule information of user terminals that are currently incapable of communication and cannot communicate, and at least the next communication can be performed from the schedule information without repeated communication attempts. Can be extracted.

  The next communicable extraction step may be configured to extract the next communicable time from the schedule information based on the attribute of the schedule. The next communicable extraction step is performed by searching for free time from the schedule information. You may comprise so that communication time may be extracted.

  The profile information is configured to include at least one of at least one of a user ID, a password, a storage location where the user's schedule information is stored, a model name of the schedule management server, a schedule information format, and a schedule information version. May be.

  The schedule information acquisition step may be configured to change the acquisition format for acquiring the schedule information according to the contents indicated by the profile information. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically acquire schedule information conforming to an acquirable format regardless of at least the format of the managed schedule information.

  The schedule information acquisition step may be configured to vary the range for acquiring the schedule information so that the next communicable time can be acquired, and the schedule information acquisition step may extend the range for acquiring the schedule information. You may comprise.

  The presence information may be configured to include at least one of a user status indicating the user status, a communication status of the user terminal, and a next communicable time of the user terminal.

  The schedule information acquisition step may be configured to perform processing periodically. With this configuration, even if there is no request from the user terminal, schedule information is periodically acquired, the next communicable time is extracted, and updated to a new next communicable time.

  The schedule information may include terminal schedule information indicating the schedule of the user terminal.

  The profile information may further include information necessary for acquiring terminal schedule information.

  The next communicable extraction step may be configured to extract the next communicable time from the terminal schedule information.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a schedule management server connected to a communication network and managing user schedule information, and connected to the communication network to manage at least user presence information. A presence information providing system is provided that includes a presence management server and a user terminal that is connected to a communication network and transmits message information according to presence information of a destination user. In the presence information providing system, the schedule management server includes a schedule management unit for managing the schedule information of users belonging to the user terminal, and the presence management server includes at least information necessary for acquiring the user's schedule information. Information management unit that manages profile information that includes the schedule information, the schedule information acquisition unit that acquires the schedule information stored in the schedule management server based on the profile information via the communication network, and the schedule information acquisition unit A determination schedule information extraction unit for extracting determination schedule information as a determination material for determining the next communicable time from the user terminal, and a determination schedule information management unit for managing the extracted determination schedule information; Be equipped The user terminal, for the presence management server, requests determination schedule information via the communication network, and a display unit for displaying the determination schedule information transmitted from the presence management server. It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, in the presence information providing system, the schedule management server manages the schedule information of each user, and the presence management server determines the next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information. Judgment schedule information as a judgment material is extracted. The extracted determination schedule information is stored in a determination schedule information management unit, and provides determination schedule information in response to a request from a user terminal as needed. Alternatively, when there is a request from the user terminal, the presence management server extracts the determination schedule information and provides it to the user terminal. With this configuration, the user terminal can display the judgment schedule information transmitted via the communication network, and the user belonging to the user terminal can now follow the partner user terminal from the judgment schedule information. Can be predicted with a very high probability. Accordingly, message information can be quickly transmitted and received between the transmission source and the transmission destination, and smooth communication can be achieved.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a presence management server is provided that manages presence information of users who are connected to a communication network and belong to at least a user terminal. A profile information management unit that manages profile information including information necessary to acquire at least user schedule information; a schedule information acquisition unit that acquires user schedule information based on the profile information; and a schedule information acquisition unit Judgment schedule information extraction unit for extracting judgment schedule information as judgment material for judging the next communicable time from the user terminal from the schedule information acquired by the user, and judgment schedule information management for managing the extracted judgment schedule information It is characterized by providing a part.

  According to the present invention, the presence management server extracts determination schedule information that is a determination material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information. The extracted determination schedule information is stored in a determination schedule information management unit, and provides determination schedule information in response to a request from a user terminal as needed. Alternatively, when there is a request from the user terminal, the presence management server extracts the determination schedule information and provides it to the user terminal. With this configuration, the user terminal can display the judgment schedule information transmitted via the communication network, and the user belonging to the user terminal can now follow the partner user terminal from the judgment schedule information. Can be predicted with a very high probability. Accordingly, message information can be quickly transmitted and received between the transmission source and the transmission destination, and smooth communication can be achieved.

  User schedule information can be configured to be managed by a schedule management server connected to a communication network.

  The schedule information acquisition unit may be configured to vary the range for acquiring the schedule information so that the determination schedule information can be extracted.

  The schedule information acquisition unit may be configured to extend the range for acquiring the schedule information. With this configuration, the determination schedule information can be reliably extracted from the schedule information, or the next communication available time can be extracted collectively for a predetermined period in the near future.

  The determination schedule information extraction unit may be configured to extract at least the daily schedule information of the user as the determination schedule information.

  The user's daily schedule information may be configured to be the current day's schedule information.

  The determination schedule information management unit may be configured to manage the determination schedule information for each user belonging to the user terminal.

  The profile information is configured to include at least one of at least one of a user ID, a password, a storage location where the user's schedule information is stored, a model name of the schedule management server, a schedule information format, and a schedule information version. May be. With this configuration, the schedule information can be acquired regardless of the type of the schedule management server that manages the schedule information, the data format of the schedule information, or the version difference.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer is connected to a communication network and functions as a presence management server that manages at least user presence information belonging to a user terminal. A program is provided. The computer program includes a profile information management unit for managing profile information including information necessary for acquiring at least user schedule information, schedule information acquisition means for acquiring user schedule information based on the profile information, and The schedule information extracting means for extracting the judgment schedule information as a judgment material for judging the next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit, and managing the extracted judgment schedule information It is characterized by functioning as a presence management server including a judgment schedule information management means.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a schedule management server that manages user schedule information and at least a presence management server that manages user presence information are connected via a communication network. A user terminal that is connected and transmits message information according to the contents indicated by the presence information of the destination user is provided. The user terminal includes a determination schedule information requesting unit for requesting determination schedule information as a determination material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal extracted from the user's schedule information by the presence management server, and a determination schedule And a display unit for displaying information.

  The determination schedule information requesting unit may be configured to request determination schedule information of users belonging to the user terminal that cannot communicate with the user terminal in the presence information.

  The determination schedule information may be configured to include at least the daily schedule information of the user.

  The user's daily schedule information may be configured to be the current day's schedule information.

  The determination schedule information may be configured to be managed for each user belonging to the user terminal.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer is used to manage a schedule management server for managing user schedule information and a presence management server for managing at least user presence information. A computer program is provided that is connected via a communication network and that functions as a user terminal that transmits message information in accordance with the contents indicated by the presence information of a destination user. The computer program includes determination schedule information requesting means for requesting determination schedule information that is used as a determination material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal extracted from the user's schedule information by the presence management server, and determination schedule information. It is characterized by functioning as a user terminal including display means for displaying.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a schedule management server connected to a communication network and managing user schedule information, and connected to the communication network to manage at least user presence information. A presence information providing method for providing presence information using a presence management server and a user terminal that transmits message information according to presence information of a user connected to a communication network is provided. In the presence information providing method, the schedule information stored in the schedule management server is based on profile information including information necessary for acquiring the schedule information of the user managed by the presence management server. The schedule information acquisition step acquired via the communication network and the presence management server extract from the acquired schedule information judgment schedule information that serves as a judgment material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal. Judgment schedule information extraction step, Judgment schedule information management step for storing and managing the extracted judgment schedule information, and the user terminal via the communication network Decision schedule to request A broadcast request step is characterized by including a display step of displaying the determined schedule information.

  User schedule information may be managed by a schedule management server connected to a communication network.

  The schedule information acquisition step may be configured to vary the range in which the schedule information is acquired so that the determination schedule information can be extracted.

  The schedule information acquisition step may be configured to extend the range for acquiring the schedule information.

  The determination schedule information extraction step may be configured to extract at least the user's daily schedule information as the determination schedule information.

  The user's daily schedule information may be configured to be the current day's schedule information.

  The determination schedule information management step may be configured to manage the determination schedule information for each user belonging to the user terminal.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the user terminal can acquire and display the presence information including the next communicable time, and the user belonging to the user terminal can use the presence information from now on. It is possible to quickly grasp the next communicable time after the partner user terminal. Therefore, message information can be quickly transmitted and received between the transmission source and the user terminal of the transmission destination and the user terminal, and smooth communication can be achieved.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(1. Presence information provision system)
First, the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a presence information providing system according to the first embodiment. In this specification, the presence information providing service is a general term for all services that notify the status of presence information of a user terminal or a user (user) as a destination, for a fee or free of charge.

  First, the instant message delivery system applied to the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment basically uses instant messaging technology. The instant messaging technology has the same purpose as a conventional chat or e-mail delivery system in that message information is transmitted to a specific party via a network.

  However, the instant message delivery system, for example, shows the current status (whether it is logged in or during a meal) of the other party to be contacted, and the current status of the user terminal of the other party (communication is possible, communication is not possible, etc.). It differs in that it has a presence function that is displayed as presence information and a messaging function that can immediately transmit message information to the other party.

  As described above, presence information is generally information indicating the current connection status, communication status indicating the communication status of each terminal such as communication enabled or disabled, or information such as meals, meetings, and movements. It consists of a user status indicating the status of the user belonging to the terminal. Note that the presence information according to the first embodiment is not limited to the case of indicating the current connection status, but includes the case of indicating the current or future connection status.

  In this messaging function, an IM server 104 that relays an instant message between a user terminal on the transmission side (information processing terminal 101, mobile phone 106) and a user terminal on the reception side sends an instant message from the user terminal on the transmission side. Immediately after receiving the message, it can be realized by transmitting the instant message to the receiving user terminal in communication. In the instant message delivery system having such a messaging function, when the mobile phone that is an emergency connection is the receiving side, the receiving-side user terminal accesses the server by regular communication or the like and performs processing for retrieving the message. .

  The always-on connection means a state in which IP addresses are held and terminals can communicate with each other on a communication network. A dial-up connection or the like corresponds to a constant connection. In addition, since a terminal such as a mobile phone which is an emergency connection acquires an IP address from the server for each communication and releases the IP address when the communication ends, the mobile phone cannot be always connected. The terminal that is an emergency connection according to the first embodiment will be described by taking a mobile phone as an example, but is not limited to such an example.

  In addition, the instant message delivery system differs from the chat delivery system in that it has the presence function, can send and receive messages only with pre-registered partners, and has a message display format.

  For example, by registering a group including the mobile phone 106b, the information processing terminal 101b, and the information processing terminal 101n shown in FIG. 1, messages can be exchanged with the other party in the group. Basically, one terminal is registered for one user, but a plurality of terminals can be registered for one user. For example, in the case of a plurality of terminals, this can be implemented by assigning an address for transmitting an instant message and a user ID to each terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a presence information providing system 100 includes a presence management server 103 and an information processing terminal 101 connected to each other via a communication network 102 and a mobile phone 106 via a communication network 105. The presence management server 103 and the IM server 104 are connected to each other.

  Further, the presence information providing system 100 also includes a billing server 107 and a time synchronization server 108. The accounting server 107 and the time synchronization server 108 are connected to the communication network 102 and the communication network 105.

  The presence management server 103 is further internally connected to an instant message server (hereinafter referred to as IM server) 104. Accordingly, of the information received by the presence management server 103 via the communication network 102 or the communication network 105, for example, instant message information or the like is transferred to the IM server 104.

  The IM server 104 according to the first embodiment has been described by way of an example in which the configuration is different from the presence management server 103, but is not limited to this example. For example, the IM server 104 and the presence This can be implemented even when the management server 103 is integrally configured.

  The information processing terminal 101 (101a, 101b,..., 101n) and the mobile phone 106 (106a, 106b,..., 106n) are user terminals, and will be described later. A presence information providing service can be used by accessing the presence management server 103 via 105.

  The user terminal has a function of referring to presence information or schedule information. In other words, the schedule reference function has the function of receiving presence information related to each user terminal and displaying it, the function of transmitting its own presence information, and the function of receiving and displaying the schedule information of each user terminal. Have.

  The presence information indicating that the user terminal cannot communicate indicates that the presence management server has determined that “communication is not possible” because the user terminal is currently powered off, on standby, or stopped.

  The target users who use the presence information provision system according to the first embodiment are all company employees belonging to corporate organizations, residents belonging to neighborhood associations, teachers and students belonging to educational institutions such as universities. The user can be exemplified.

  In order to send and receive instant messages from a plurality of information processing terminals 101 or mobile phones 106 shown in FIG. 1, appropriate information processing terminals 101a and mobile phones 106b are configured as a group. Note that a user (user) belonging to one information processing terminal 101 or mobile phone 106 is referred to as a buddy or the like as a component. Further, the user belonging to the terminal indicates a user who uses the terminal or a user who logs in from the terminal by inputting a user ID and a password.

(2. Configuration of each component of the presence information providing system)
Next, the configuration of each component constituting the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

(2.1 Communication network 102)
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 102 according to the first embodiment will be described. The communication network 102 connects the presence management server 103 and the information processing terminal 101 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. Typically, it is a public line network such as the Internet, but an Internet VPN (VPN: VPN) using IPsec (IP Security Protocol) for encryption using a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), and the Internet network. It also includes a closed circuit network such as a virtual private network (IP) or an IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-VPN) using a closed network. The connection medium may be a fiber optic cable using FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), a coaxial cable using Ethernet (registered trademark) or a twisted pair cable, or wireless using a wired communication such as IEEE802.11b, a satellite communication network, etc. Including.

(2.2 Communication network 105)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 105 according to the first embodiment is a network composed of a mobile carrier that connects the presence management server 103 and the mobile phone 106 so that they can communicate with each other.

  In general, the communication network 105 does not transmit information from the presence management server 103 unilaterally, but first, information from the mobile phone 106 is transmitted to the presence management server 103 or the IM server 104, so that presence information is transmitted. Communication from the management server 103 or the IM server 104 is possible. Note that the communication network 105 according to the first embodiment can be implemented even in the case where bi-directional communication is possible by communicating from the presence management server 103 or the IM server 104 as in the communication network 102.

(2.3 Information processing terminal 101)
Next, the information processing terminal 101 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the information processing terminal according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing terminal 101 is a user terminal used by a user, creates instant message information, and communicates with another information processing terminal 101 or mobile phone 106 belonging to the same group via a communication network 102. A device that transmits to The information processing terminal 101 is always connected to the communication network 102, and the information processing terminal 101 and the presence management server 103 or the instant message server 104 are capable of bidirectional communication.

  The information processing terminal 101, as shown in FIG. 1, delivers a video image via a communication network by imaging a subject computer, encoding a subject computer, a desktop personal computer, a desktop personal computer, and encoding the subject. This corresponds to a video communication device that can be used.

  The information processing terminal 101 according to the first embodiment has been described by taking a case corresponding to a notebook personal computer, a desktop personal computer, or a video communication device as an example. However, the information processing terminal 101 is not limited to this example. (Personal Digital Assistant), a TV apparatus including an input device such as a remote controller or a keyboard, or a portable terminal may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing terminal 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 120, an input unit 121, a display unit 122, a storage unit 123, a bus 124, a transmission / reception unit 125, a message, A creation unit 126 and a presence information request unit 129 are provided.

  The CPU 120 controls processing / instructions and the like of each unit included in the information processing terminal 101. In addition, various programs including programs used for the IM service and the like stored in the storage unit 123 are activated, and display control of the display unit 122 is performed. Further, switching between instant message information or e-mail information is controlled according to presence information.

  The storage unit 123 is a storage device that stores at least the instant message information transmitted via the communication network 102, the instant message information created by itself, and the like. The storage unit 123 is exemplified by an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) or a hard disk drive.

  The input unit 121 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, a trackpad, a stylus pen, or a joystick that can receive an operation instruction from the user, or a keyboard, but is not limited to such an example.

  The display unit 122 displays at least text corresponding to the message part of the instant message information, a moving image, a still image, or the like, and can also output voice or the like. Further, the display unit 122 displays presence information of the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 belonging to the group received via the communication network.

  The bus 124 is a general term for buses configured in the information processing terminal 101 such as an internal bus, a memory bus, and an input / output (I / O) bus. The bus 124 transmits data sent from each unit to each unit that is the destination of the data.

  The transmission / reception unit 125 transmits or receives various information via the communication network 102. The received information is transmitted to the bus 124 by the transmission / reception unit 125. Information transmitted from the bus 124 to the transmission / reception unit 125 is transmitted via the communication network 102.

  When the message creation unit 126 is instructed to generate instant message information by the input unit 121, the message creation unit 126 generates instant message information according to the instruction from the input unit 121. The generated instant message information is transmitted via the communication network 102.

  The instant message information created by the message creation unit 126 is displayed on the display unit 122. The message creation unit 126 according to the first embodiment may be an IM service program controlled by the CPU 120. The program is stored in the storage unit 123 and is executed by calling the program from the CPU 120 as appropriate.

  Further, although the message creation unit 126 according to the first exemplary embodiment has been described by taking the case of creating instant message information as an example, the message creation unit 126 is not limited to such an example. Even when creating e-mail information in an e-mail, electronic mail) format, the present invention can be implemented.

  In response to an instruction from the input unit 121, the presence information request unit 129 requests the instructed presence information from the presence management server 103 via the communication network 102. By acquiring the presence information as instructed, the next communicable time included in the presence information can be grasped, and an instant message in accordance with the schedule of the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 can be transmitted accurately.

  In addition, the storage unit 123 according to the first embodiment has been described by taking the case where the information processing terminal 101 is provided as an example. However, the storage unit 123 is not limited to such an example. Even when a configuration for connection is adopted, this can be implemented.

  Note that the information processing terminal 101 according to the first embodiment accesses the presence management server 103 or the instant message server 104 by using a program such as an IM service browser or an application program. Further, data transmitted from the presence management server 103 or the instant message server 104 is displayed on the display unit 122 of the information processing terminal 101 by a program for IM service.

(2.4 Mobile phone 106)
Next, the mobile phone 106 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile phone 106 is a telephone set that includes at least the display unit 122 or the input unit 128 and can make a phone call by a mobile carrier and carry it. Further, the mobile phone 106 can send and receive instant message information and the like to the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 via the communication network 105.

  The input unit 128 includes a plurality of buttons for inputting a telephone number or text and a cross key for selecting a menu or the like displayed on the display unit 122. The input unit 128 according to the first embodiment is not limited to such an example. For example, the input unit 128 is implemented even when a jog dial, a joystick, or the like that is selected by rotating the dial is provided. Is possible.

  Further, as described above, the instant message information is created and displayed on the display unit 122 by operating the input unit 128. Also, presence information of other mobile phones 106 or information processing terminals 101 belonging to the group is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile phone 106 is a user terminal used by a user, creates instant message information, and communicates with other information processing terminals 101 or mobile phones 106 belonging to the same group via a communication network 105. A transmitting device. Since the mobile phone 106 is connected to the communication network 106 in an emergency and first accesses the presence management server 103 or the instant message server 104 from the mobile phone 106, the mobile phone 106 does not correspond to bidirectional communication.

  Communication between the mobile phone 106 and the presence management server 103 is always started by activation from the mobile phone 106 side. Therefore, communication from the presence management server 103 to the mobile phone 106 cannot be started.

  The schematic configuration of the mobile phone 106 according to the first embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except that it further includes a regular communication unit (not shown). Since the configuration is almost the same as that of the information processing terminal 101, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The regular communication unit accesses the presence management server 103 via the communication network 105 every predetermined time, confirms whether the presence information of other devices or users belonging to the group has been changed, and checks the mobile phone 106. Queries the presence of instant message information addressed to the user to which the user belongs.

  The presence information providing system according to the first embodiment has been described by taking the case where the mobile phone 106 is configured as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example unless it is always connected to the communication network. For example, the cellular phone 106 can be implemented by a portable terminal such as a PDA or a terminal such as a digital camera having a communication function.

(2.5 Instant Message Server 104)
Next, the instant message server according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the instant message server according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the instant message server (IM server) 104 includes a CPU 140, an input unit 141, a display unit 142, a transmission / reception unit 143, a message box management unit 144, and a storage unit 145. .

  The CPU 140 controls processing / instructions and the like of each unit included in the IM server 104. In addition, various programs such as a program for managing instant message information used in the IM service stored in the storage unit 145 for each user inbox are started. Further, in the case of e-mail other than the instant message, control is performed so as to forward it to a mail server (not shown).

  The message box management unit 144 stores the instant message information received from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 which is a user terminal in an inbox assigned to each user terminal (mobile phone 106, information processing terminal 101). , Manage.

  Therefore, the message box management unit 144 can store at least large-capacity information such as instant message information. The message box management unit 144 can exemplify a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a disk array composed of a plurality of hard disks.

  When there is an inquiry about the presence or absence of instant message information from the presence management server 103 to the reception box of the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101, the message box management unit 144 checks the corresponding reception box and the instant message information exists. In this case, the data is transferred to the transmission / reception unit 145 for transmission to the destination mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101. Note that in the case of the information processing terminal 101 whose destination is always connected, instant message information is stored in the reception box, and at the same time, the message box management unit 144 is the destination information processing terminal 101 as in the PUSH type or the like. May be sent to.

  The input unit 141 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, a trackpad, a stylus pen, or a joystick that can receive an operation instruction from an administrator who manages the IM server 104, a keyboard, and the like. It is not limited.

  The display unit 142 displays a console screen (not shown) for managing at least instant message information transmitted from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101. The display unit 142 displays log information or the operating status of the IM server 104.

  The bus 146 is a generic name for buses configured in the IM server 104 such as an internal bus, a memory bus, and an input / output (I / O) bus. The bus 146 transmits data sent from each unit to each unit that is the destination of the data.

  Since the transmission / reception unit 143 is externally connected to the presence management server 103, the transmission / reception unit 143 transmits various information such as instant message information to the presence management server 103 or receives information from the presence management server 103. The presence management server 103 transmits the information transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 143 to the transmission destination via the communication network 102 or the communication network 105.

  The storage unit 145 is a storage device that stores at least a program for processing storage of received instant message information, inquiry about the presence or absence of instant message information, and the like. The storage unit 145 may be an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a hard disk drive, or the like.

  Further, the storage unit 145 included in the IM server 104 according to the first embodiment has been described as an example provided in the IM server 104. However, the storage unit 145 is not limited to this example, Even when a configuration for external connection with the IM server 104 is employed, the present invention can be implemented.

  The IM server 104 according to the first embodiment has been described as an example in which the configuration is different from the presence management server. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the IM server 104, the presence management server 103, May be configured integrally.

(2.6 Presence Management Server 103)
Next, the presence management server according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the presence management server according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the presence management server 103 includes a CPU 156, an input unit 157, a communication status determination unit 158, a display unit 159, a presence update unit 160, a presence DB 161, a bus 163, a profile DB ( Database) 186, profile information management unit 185, transmission / reception unit 169, storage unit 170, schedule information acquisition unit 180, next communicable extraction unit 181, presence management unit 182, profile information acquisition unit 184, A user information management unit 166, a user DB 165, and an authentication unit 187 are provided.

  The presence management server 103 is a server on which a presence DB 161 that enables updating of presence information of users belonging to the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 and each client is installed.

  The CPU 156 controls processing / instructions and the like of each unit included in the presence management server 103. In addition, various programs such as a program for managing presence information used in the IM service stored in the storage unit 170 for each user belonging to the user terminal and the user terminal are started.

  The input unit 157 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, a trackpad, a stylus pen, or a joystick that can receive an operation instruction from an administrator who manages the presence management server 103, a keyboard, and the like. It is not limited to.

  The display unit 159 displays a console screen (not shown) for managing the communication status updated based on at least regular communication from the mobile phone 106 or the communication status of the information processing terminal 101. The display unit 142 displays log information or the operating status of the presence management server 103.

  The presence update unit 160 receives the next communicable time extracted by the next communicable extractor 181 from the next communicable extractor and requests the presence manager 182 to update the presence information of the corresponding user in the presence DB 161. As a result, the next communicable time stored previously is updated. By updating the next communicable time, it is possible to know when the information processing terminal 101 or the mobile phone 106 is connected to the presence management server in the future.

  The presence information related to the information processing terminal 101 or the user terminal of the mobile phone 106 becomes “communication impossible” when the user logs out from the presence management server 103 and remains in the logged-in state without any response / request. When the predetermined time elapses, the case where the device itself is in a stopped / power-off state can be exemplified.

  Further, the update of the presence update unit 160 according to the first embodiment is performed immediately after receiving the next communicable time extracted by the next communicable extraction unit 181. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and a predetermined number of cases , It may be a case of updating in batches for each group or the like. At that time, the presence update unit 160 includes a storage unit (not shown) such as a cache memory.

  The presence DB 161 stores, for each user, a user status indicating the status of a user belonging to the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 and a communication status of the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101. The user situation indicates, for example, user behavior such as “meal”, “meeting”, “driving a car”, and the like by referring to the user situation from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101. , The user can be used as a judgment material when sending instant message information to other users belonging to the group.

  The communication status stores the communication status (communication enabled, communication disabled, etc.) of each terminal (mobile phone 106 or information processing terminal 101). By referring to the communication status, the user can use it as a judgment material when transmitting instant message information to other users belonging to the group. In particular, the communication status of the mobile phone 106 is updated by the presence update unit 106 as needed.

  In addition, the user status is changed as needed in response to a request from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 belonging to the user. For example, the user status is changed from “meal” to “meeting”. Further, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, when there is no response from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 for a predetermined time, the user status may be automatically changed to “in meeting”. Further, for example, when there is no response from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 for a predetermined time and the time zone is one of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the user status is automatically “Lunch Or the like. The presence information includes the user status and the communication status. The presence DB 161 will be described later.

  Also, depending on the communication status, the message creation unit 126 can create email information in the email format instead of instant message information that requires real-time performance. Therefore, it is possible to reliably transmit to the transmission destination and convey the message to the transmission destination user.

  The presence management unit 182 acquires the presence information of the user belonging to the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 and the user belonging to the terminal from the presence DB 161, and provides the presence information to the requesting terminal. 169. Also, presence information is updated in response to a request from the presence update unit 160.

  The bus 163 is a general term for buses configured in the IM server 104 such as an internal bus, a memory bus, and an input / output (I / O) bus. The bus 163 transmits the data sent from each unit to each unit that is the destination of the data.

  The user DB 165 is a database that stores user information necessary for authentication when the IM service is used. Examples of the user information include login information such as an “address” that is a destination of instant message information, a user ID necessary for using the IM service from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101, and the like. The data structure of the user DB 165 will be described later.

  The user information management unit 166 provides information necessary for authenticating a login for using the IM service from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101.

  When there is a login request from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 to the presence management server 103, the authentication unit 187 authenticates the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101. Information necessary for authentication is transmitted from the user information management unit 166.

  The transmission / reception unit 169 receives data transmitted from the IM server 104 or receives data via the communication network 102 and the communication network 105. Further, data is transmitted to the IM server 104 or data is transmitted via the communication network 102 and the communication network 105.

  The storage unit 170 is a storage device that stores at least a program for processing a request such as management of presence information including communication status and user status, or reference of presence information from a user terminal. The storage unit 170 can be exemplified by an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a hard disk drive, or the like.

  The profile DB 186 stores a plurality of profile information. The profile information is information necessary for acquiring schedule information held by the schedule management server 109. Specifically, the user ID and password of each user for logging in to the schedule management server 109, the storage location of schedule information, and the like can be exemplified. Here, the storage location of the schedule information indicates, for example, the location of the schedule management server 109 represented by an IP address or the like, or the location where the schedule management server 109 stores the schedule information. The profile DB 186 will be described in detail later.

  The profile information management unit 185 provides profile information necessary for acquiring schedule information from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 to the request source profile information acquisition unit 184.

  The profile information acquisition unit 184 acquires profile information of each user terminal of the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 from the profile information management unit 185 and transfers the profile information to the schedule information acquisition unit 180. The profile information acquisition unit 184 can be implemented even when the content of the profile information to be transferred is changed according to the acquired profile information. For example, the case where the place where the schedule information is stored is converted according to the type and version of the schedule information can be exemplified. This is because the storage location may be different for each version, or the schedule management server 109 may be different for each type of schedule information. Even if the version of each schedule information is new or the type of schedule information is changed, if the relationship between the type / version of the schedule information and the storage location is registered, the profile information acquisition unit 184 can perform uniform conversion. Can do.

  The schedule information acquisition unit 180 requests the schedule management server 109 for the schedule information of each user terminal of the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 based on the profile information acquired from the profile information acquisition unit 184. After the request, the requested schedule information is transmitted from the schedule management server 109, so that the schedule information acquisition unit 180 can acquire the schedule information.

  Based on the storage location of the schedule information determined by the schedule information acquisition unit 180, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 acquires the schedule information of each client. From the acquired schedule information, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 also determines whether or not the next communicable time can be extracted, and until the client side can collect information that is likely to be determined, the schedule management server 109 The schedule management server 109 also arranges a series of communication contents as necessary. In addition, differences in the type and version of schedule information managed by the schedule management server 109 at the connection destination are also dealt with.

  The next communicable extraction unit 181 extracts the next communicable time from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit 180. When the next communicable extraction unit 181 extracts the next communicable time, the next communicable time is transmitted to the presence update unit 160. If the next communicable time is not extracted, nothing is notified to the presence update unit 160.

  Further, the next communicable extraction unit 181 is activated every predetermined time. Therefore, when the next communicable extraction unit 181 is activated, a series of processing for extracting the next communicable time is started. The process for extracting the next communication available time will be described later.

(2.7 Schedule Management Server 109)
Next, the schedule management server 109 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the schedule management server 109 according to the first embodiment.

  The schedule management server 109 is a server having functions for registering, displaying, changing, and deleting the daily schedule information of each user. The daily schedule information can be registered in units of 10 minutes, for example, and information such as “conference” from 10:00 to 10:20 can be registered in the schedule management server 109.

  The schedule information can be shared by the group to which the user belongs. The schedule information according to the first embodiment has been described by taking a user as an example. However, the schedule information is not limited to this example. For example, the schedule information of a terminal is registered separately from the user. There may be. For example, information such as “communication is possible” from 10:10 to 18:50 is registered in the schedule information of the terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the schedule management server 109 according to the first embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 190, an input unit 191, a display unit 192, a schedule management unit 193, a schedule DB 194, , A transmission / reception unit 195, a storage unit 196, a schedule authentication unit 197, a schedule user information management unit 198, a schedule user DB 199, and a bus 200.

  The CPU 190 controls processing / instructions and the like of each unit included in the schedule management server 109. In addition, various programs including programs used for the IM service and the like stored in the storage unit 196 are started.

  The storage unit 196 is a storage device that at least temporarily stores contents requested from each mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 and the presence management server 103. The storage unit 196 is exemplified by an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) or a hard disk drive.

  The input unit 191 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, a trackpad, a stylus pen, or a joystick that can receive an operation instruction from the user, or a keyboard, but is not limited to such an example.

  The display unit 192 can display at least text, a moving image, a still image, and the like, and can also output sound and the like. The display unit 192 displays schedule information and the like of the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 belonging to the group received via the communication network.

  The bus 200 is a general term for buses configured in the schedule management server 109 such as an internal bus, a memory bus, and an input / output (I / O) bus. The bus 200 transmits data sent from each unit to each unit that is the destination of the data.

  The transmission / reception unit 195 transmits or receives various information via the communication network 102. The received information is transmitted to the bus 200 by the transmission / reception unit 195. Information transmitted from the bus 200 to the transmission / reception unit 195 is transmitted via the communication network 102.

  Further, the storage unit 196 according to the first embodiment has been described as an example provided in the schedule management server 109. However, the storage unit 196 is not limited to such an example, and the storage device 196 includes the schedule management server 109 and an external device. Even when a configuration for connection is adopted, this can be implemented.

  When there is a request for schedule information from the schedule information acquisition unit 180 provided in the presence management server 103, the schedule authentication unit 197 authenticates the schedule information acquisition unit 180. Information necessary for authentication is transmitted from the schedule user information management unit 198.

  The authentication by the schedule authentication unit 197 is performed based on, for example, a user ID and a password necessary for logging in to the schedule management server 109 included in the profile information transmitted from the schedule information acquisition unit 180.

  The schedule user DB 198 is a database that stores schedule user information necessary for authentication when acquiring schedule information. Examples of the schedule user information include login information such as the user ID, password, and user affiliation name of the user whose schedule information is managed. The data structure of the schedule user DB 199 will be described later.

  The schedule user information management unit 198 acquires the schedule user information necessary for the login process to be performed when the schedule information acquisition unit 198 requests acquisition of the schedule information based on the user ID and the like, and the schedule authentication unit 197 To provide.

  The schedule management unit 193 manages the schedule DB 194 and searches for the requested schedule information in response to a request from the schedule information acquisition unit 180 in which login has been normally performed in advance.

  The schedule DB 194 is a database in which schedule information is stored for each user belonging to each terminal. The data structure of the schedule DB 194 will be described later.

(3. Data structure)
Here, the data structure of each information applied to the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

(3.1 Schedule database 194)
First, the data structure of the schedule database 194 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic data structure of the schedule database according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the schedule database 194 is set with a daily schedule for each user who uses the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101. Each user accesses the schedule management server 109 in advance and registers a daily schedule.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the schedule database 194 includes a plurality of schedule information including a user name 3622, a schedule 3624, and the like. The user name 3622 stores schedule information including user names (A, B,...), And the user name is the name of a user who uses the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment. is there.

  The schedule 3624 stores the user's schedule information registered by the user, and describes, for example, the date, time, schedule contents, and the like. The schedule database 194 including the user name 3622 and the schedule 3624 can be registered in advance by each user who uses the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment.

(3.2 Schedule User Database 242)
Next, the data structure of the schedule user database 194 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic data structure of the schedule user database according to the first embodiment.

  The schedule user database 242 is for accessing a schedule management server and authenticating a user who uses the schedule information. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of schedule user information of users registered in advance are stored. Yes. The schedule user database 242 includes a user name 2421, a user ID 2422, a password 2423, a department name 2424, and the like.

  The user name 2421 is the name of the user who uses the schedule management server. The user ID 2422 is an identifier (code) for specifying the user (or the user terminal owned by the user), and is composed of a combination of characters or numbers. The password 2423 is a password specified by the user, and is composed of, for example, a 7-digit number or a character. The department name 2424 is the name of the department to which the user belongs, but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the department name 2424 may be a contact address such as an address or a telephone number in addition to the department.

(3.3 User Database 165)
Next, the data structure of the user database 165 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the data structure of the user database according to the first embodiment.

  In the user database 165, a plurality of pieces of user information including authentication for login, addresses of instant message information, and the like are stored in groups. As shown in FIG. 8, “Mr. A” to “Mr. E” belong to the group included in the user database 165.

  When there is one group and five users belong to the group, a user database 165 having a set of five user information is configured. The user database 165 is not limited to one group, and may be composed of a plurality of groups.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the data structure of the user database 165 includes a user (user) user ID 4622, a password 4623, an address 4624 indicating the destination of the instant message information, and a communication accessing the presence management server of each user. It comprises at least a history 4625.

  For example, in the user information of “Mr. A” shown in FIG. 9, the user ID 4622 is “12345”, the password 4623 is “1xba85”, and the address 4624 is “aaa@mony.co.jp”.

  Further, a plurality of communication histories are added to the user information of “Mr. A”. The first communication history has a date of 6/23, a time of 10:00:15, and a communication time of 40 seconds. It becomes. Similarly, the second communication history has a date of 6/23, a time of 09:29:10, and a communication time of 15 seconds.

  The data structure of the user database 165 according to the first embodiment has been described by taking as an example a case where the data structure of the user database 4165 includes a user ID 4622, a password 4623, an address 4624, and a communication history 4625, but is not limited to this example. .

(3.4 Presence database 161)
Next, the data structure of the presence database 161 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the data structure of the presence database according to the first embodiment.

  The presence database 161 stores, as presence information, the user status indicating the current status of actions taken by the user and the communication status of the user terminal (the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101) used by the user in groups. . As shown in FIG. 10, for example, “Mr. A” to “Mr. E” belong to one group included in the presence database 161.

  When there is only one group and five users belong to the group, a presence database 161 is formed with five sets of presence information. The presence database 161 is not limited to a single group, and may be composed of a plurality of groups, and one or more users belong to the group.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the data structure of the presence database 161 includes a user (user) user ID 2622, a user situation 2623 representing the current situation of the user, and a communication representing the communication situation of the user terminal (mobile phone 106). It comprises at least a status 2624 and a next communicable time 2625 indicating when the next communicable state is established.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, since the user status of “Mr. A” is “meal”, the user of the transmission source can predict that “Mr. A” is highly likely not to receive instant message information. . Further, since the user status of “Mr. E” is “accepting”, it can be predicted that instant message information can be received. If the user status is blank and nothing is set, such as “Mr. C”, this indicates that the terminal is not logged in to the presence management server 103 and the IM service is not being used.

  Further, for example, since the communication status of the terminal of “Mr. C” is “communication is possible”, the transmission source user can predict that “Mr. C” is very likely to receive the instant message information. Further, since the communication status of the terminal of “Mr. A” is “communication impossible”, it can be predicted that the user at the transmission source is very likely to be unable to receive Mr. A even if an instant message is transmitted.

  Further, when the communication status 2624 is “communication impossible”, the next communicable time 2625 is set to a time zone in which the next communication is possible. If there is no time for the next communication on the current day, “None” is set.

  For example, a time zone in which communication is possible, such as “14: 0 to 15:00”, is set as the next communicable time of “Mr. A”. Note that the time width necessary for determining that communication is possible is, for example, at least 5 minutes or more.

  The communication status 2624 of the presence database 161 is determined according to the status of regular communication from the information processing terminal 101 or the mobile phone 106. For example, if regular communication is not performed continuously for more than one hour, it is determined that the communication is stopped, and the terminal is updated so that communication is disabled even if communication is possible.

  Further, in the presence database 161 according to the first embodiment, the case where only one terminal is used for the IM service per user ID has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and per user ID. This can be implemented even when a plurality of terminals use the IM service at the same time. The same instant message information is transmitted to the plurality of user terminals, or is transmitted to any one of the plurality of user terminals.

(3.5 Profile database 186)
Next, the data structure of the profile database 186 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the data structure of the profile database 186 according to the first embodiment.

  The profile database 186 stores profile information including information necessary for acquiring the schedule information stored in the schedule DB 194.

  The profile information is a database that links user IDs and passwords necessary for each client to connect to the schedule management server 109, and the storage location of the schedule information. Further, the type, version, and schedule management server of the schedule information 109 types and server version information are also stored for each user.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the data structure of the periodic communication history database 167 includes a user name 5622, a user (user) user ID 5623, a password 5624 as a user password, and a storage location indicating a storage location of the schedule information. 5625, a type 5626 indicating the type of schedule information, and a version 5627 indicating the version of the schedule information. The storage location 5625 indicates the name of the schedule management server 109 in which the schedule information is stored. However, the storage location 5625 is not limited to this example, and may be, for example, the IP address of the schedule management server 109 based on IPv4 or IPv6.

  As shown in FIG. 11, for example, in the profile information of “Mr. A”, the user name 5622 is “Mr. A”, the user ID 5623 is “ABC ...”, the storage location 5625 “TOKYO-SERVER01”, The type 5626 is “software ABC”, and the version 5627 is “version 5.0”.

  The data structure of the regular communication history database 167 according to the first embodiment has been described by taking as an example a case where the data structure is configured of a user name 5622, a user ID 5623, a storage location 5625, a type 5626, and a version 5627. , It is not limited to such an example.

(4. Operation of presence information providing system)
Next, an embodiment of the operation of the presence information providing system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of the next communication available time extraction process according to the first embodiment. It is.

  First, before the operation of the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment is started, the schedule database 194 and the schedule user database 199 managed by the schedule management server 109, the user database 165 managed by the presence management server 103, and so on. Various information is registered in advance in each database such as the profile database 186.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, in order to acquire schedule information, the profile database 186 managed by the presence management server 103 is accessed to acquire profile information (S1201). Note that the profile information acquisition process (S1201) is called in the extraction process periodically performed by the next communicable extraction unit 181 shown in FIG.

  Next, the schedule management server 109 acquires the schedule information of the corresponding user (S1202), and after acquiring the schedule information, extracts the next communicable time from the schedule information (S1203). ).

  Note that the communicable time (communication time) is a time during which an instant message can be transmitted and received, and is a time during which the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 can communicate in real time via the network.

  When the next communicable time is extracted (S1203), the presence updating unit 160 updates the next communicable time of the user terminal in the presence information of the user to the extracted next communicable time (S1204). .

  Each user terminal accesses the presence management server 103 at any time and acquires presence information of a transmission destination and own presence information, thereby displaying the presence information on the display unit (S1205). The display unit 122 displays the communication information of the user terminal including the next communicable time and the user status of users belonging to the user terminal.

  Further, processing subsequent to profile information acquisition (S1201) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13. First, the presence management server 103 periodically calls the next communicable extraction unit 181.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the next communicable extraction unit 181 waits for a predetermined time until it is called by the CPU 156 provided in the presence management server 103 (S1301). When called, next communication available extraction section 181 determines whether or not extraction of next communication available time and update of presence information have been completed for all mobile phones 106 or information processing terminals 101 registered in presence database 161. Is inquired of the presence management unit 182 (S1302).

  As a result of the inquiry, if the update process has been completed for all information processing terminals 101 or mobile phones 106 (user terminals) (YES), the subsequent process is not performed and the process returns to the standby process (S1301). If the update has not been completed for all user terminals (NO), a subsequent user ID acquisition process (S1303) is first performed.

  In the user ID acquisition process (S1303), a user ID is acquired by extracting user information from the user database 165 managed by the user information management unit 166.

  Next, the next communicable extraction unit 181 calls the schedule information acquisition unit 180 for the purpose of acquiring schedule information necessary for extracting the next communicable time (S1304), and uses the acquired user ID as the schedule information. The data is transmitted to the acquisition unit 180.

  Based on the user ID, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 acquires the schedule information of the terminal whose communication status of the user terminal stored in the presence database 161 is “communication impossible” (S1305).

  Whether or not the communication status is “communication impossible” is determined based on the periodic communication performed with the mobile phone 106 for the purpose of confirming the presence or absence of an instant message addressed to the user or the information processing terminal 101. The presence management server determines whether or not it is connected by communication every predetermined time.

  When the schedule information of the corresponding user is acquired (S1305), the next communicable extractor 181 then extracts the next communicable time from the schedule information (S1306).

  In the time extraction by the next communicable extraction unit 181, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the schedule attributes such as “progress meeting”, “meal”, “document description”, etc. are confirmed in the schedule information of Mr. A. Among the above attributes, for example, in the case of an attribute such as “self-seat” or “rest”, it is determined that the communication is possible.

  Further, the current time is obtained from a timer (not shown) provided in the presence management server 103, and the next communicable time that is the earliest time from the current time is extracted. It should be noted that the next communicable time to be extracted is not limited to one, and two or three may be extracted as candidates.

  Also, based on the above attributes, if there is no time zone in which communication is possible, the free time for which no schedule is registered is checked to determine whether there is a time zone in which communication is possible.

  For example, in the case of “Mr. A” shown in FIG. 7, if the current time is 13:00, it is “meal” until 14:00 on June 24, but “document explanation” starts at 15:00. Until there is free time. Therefore, the next communicable extraction unit 181 extracts the above 14:00:00 to 15:00 as a communicable time zone (S1306). For example, when the idle time is less than 5 minutes, a restriction may be set in advance such that it is not determined that the communication is possible.

  Next, when the next communication available time is extracted by the next communication available extraction unit 181 (S1306), the next communication available extraction unit 181 transfers the next communication available time and the user ID to the presence update unit 160.

  The presence update unit 160 requests the presence management unit 182 to update the presence database 161 to update the presence database 161 based on the received next communication available time and the user ID (S1307). .

  When the presence information is updated (S1307), the next communicable extractor 181 obtains the user ID from the user database 165 or the like, and searches for a user terminal corresponding to “communication impossible” next (S1308). ).

  The series of operations for extracting the next communicable time by the next communicable extractor 181 is thus completed. Here, referring to FIG. 14, the schedule information acquisition process according to the first embodiment (S1305). ) Will be described in more detail.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, the called schedule information acquisition unit 180 calls the profile information management unit 185 for the purpose of acquiring profile information necessary for acquiring schedule information (S1401).

  Next, when profile information corresponding to the user ID is acquired by the profile information management unit 185 (S1402), the schedule information acquisition unit sets schedule request information for requesting schedule information based on the profile information. Generate (S1403).

  In the generation of the schedule request information (S1403), the schedule information acquisition unit 184 changes the format of the schedule request information, which is an acquisition format, according to the setting contents of the profile information.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, depending on the type of schedule information, the range and contents of the requested schedule information may be changed, such as requesting schedule information for one day, requesting schedule information for two days, etc. In addition, even if the same software is an older version, the format of the schedule information is different, so the schedule information is converted to a format suitable for the version so that the schedule information can be requested accurately.

  Next, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 transmits the generated schedule request information via the communication network 102 (S1404).

  After transmitting the schedule request information (S1404), the schedule information acquisition unit 180 receives the schedule information transmitted from the schedule management server 109 via the communication network 102 (S1405).

  Next, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 checks whether the next communicable time can be extracted from the acquired schedule information, including a format check (S1406). For example, the acquired schedule information is inspected when the schedule is filled up all day or when the vacation is on.

  As a result of the inspection (S1406), when the next communicable extraction unit 181 can predict that the next communicable time can be extracted (YES), the schedule information acquisition unit 180 ends the schedule information acquisition process.

  If it is predicted that the next communicable time cannot be extracted by the next communicable extraction unit 181 (NO) as a result of the inspection (S1406), the range for acquiring the schedule information is further expanded (S1407), and the schedule request information is again obtained. Is transmitted to the schedule management server 109.

  For example, the schedule information is expanded by one day to request schedule information for the next day or schedule request information for requesting schedule information for a few days. From the above, the schedule information acquisition process by the schedule information acquisition unit 180 ends.

  Next, the profile information acquisition process performed by the calling process (S1401) of the profile information management unit 185 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the profile information acquisition process according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the profile information management unit 185 is called, the profile information management unit 185 acquires the corresponding profile information on the basis of the user ID transferred from the schedule information acquisition unit 180, so that the profile database 186 Is accessed (S1501).

  Next, the profile information management unit 185 searches the profile database 186 for profile information corresponding to the user ID (S1502), and acquires the corresponding profile information as a result of the search (S1503).

(Presence information display processing)
Here, the case where the presence information according to the first embodiment is displayed on the display unit 122 provided in the mobile phone 106 (S1205) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an outline of presence information display processing according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 17 shows a schematic configuration of a display unit on which presence information according to the first embodiment is displayed. It is explanatory drawing shown.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the presence information display process (S1205), first, a menu item (not shown) displayed on the display unit 122 is displayed by the input unit 128 provided in the mobile phone 106. "Is selected.

  When the “display presence information” is selected, the name of the user whose presence information is desired to be displayed is displayed, and the desired user name is selected. Note that only the user names in the group registered in advance are displayed as the user names to be displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

  After the selection is completed, the transmission / reception unit 125 transmits the request information to the presence management server 103 in order to request presence information (S1601). Before transmitting the request information (S1601), it is necessary to log in to the presence management server 103 after authentication by the authentication unit 187 provided in the presence management server 103.

  Next, when the presence management unit 182 provided in the presence management server 103 receives the request information, the presence management unit 182 acquires the corresponding presence information from the presence database 161 using the user ID belonging to the requesting mobile phone 106 as a key.

  The transmission / reception unit 169 transmits the presence information to the requesting mobile phone 106 via the communication network 105. Therefore, the mobile phone 106 can acquire presence information (S1602).

  After acquiring the presence information (S1602), the display unit 122 provided in the mobile phone 106 displays the presence information including the user status or communication status (S1603).

  As shown in FIG. 17, presence information is displayed on the display unit 122 according to the first embodiment. Among the areas of the display unit 122, the display area 243 includes a display area 244 (244-1, 244-2, 244-3) for displaying each user's user name and the next communicable time, and user status and usage. And a display area 246 (246-1, 246-2, 246-3) in which the communication status of the person terminal is displayed.

  Note that, in the display area 243 according to the first embodiment, the case where three user names, the next communicable time, and presence information are displayed has been described as an example, but the display area 243 is limited to such an example. For example, any number of users may be used, for example, when the names of five users, the next communicable time, and presence information are displayed.

  In the display area 246-1, presence information is displayed in which the user status is “meal” and the communication status is “communication disabled”. In addition, a mobile phone icon is displayed, and an “x” mark indicating a communication failure due to communication failure is displayed on the icon.

  Even if the transmission source user sends an instant message, it is not delivered to Mr. A. However, the user of the transmission source can visually recognize the display of the next communicable time “14: 0 to 15:00” in the display area 244-1 so that it is appropriate to send an instant message to Mr. A. Can be ascertained.

  In the display area 246-2, presence information whose user status is “meeting” and whose communication status is “communication impossible” is displayed. Similarly to the presence area 246-1, a personal computer icon with an “x” mark is displayed, and the next communication available time “15:30 to 15:50” is also displayed in the display area 244-2.

  Further, the display area 246-3 displays presence information having a user status of “moving” and a communication status of “communication enabled”. In the presence display area 246-3, a mobile phone icon indicating that communication is possible is displayed. Since communication is possible, the “x” mark is not displayed.

  Although the case where the presence information according to the first embodiment is displayed on the display unit 122 provided in the mobile phone 106 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the presence information is not limited to the information processing terminal. Even if it is displayed on the display unit 122 included in 101, the present invention can be implemented. Note that the layout of the display unit 122 may be different from that of the mobile phone 106.

  The presence information is grasped mainly for the purpose of arriving quickly and reliably when creating an instant message from the information processing terminal 101 or the mobile phone 106 as a transmission source.

  Therefore, when the communication status of the destination terminal is “communication impossible”, the presence management server 103 automatically extracts the time zone in which communication is possible from now on, based on the plan registered in advance in the schedule information. Therefore, it is possible to accurately predict the current or future communication status of each terminal for which only the current presence information can be grasped, and provide it as presence information to each mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101.

(Second Embodiment)
A presence information providing system in the case of providing schedule information managed by a schedule management server instead of providing presence information to each terminal will be described. In the presence information providing system according to the second embodiment, schedule information is provided to the terminal side instead of presence information. The schedule information is a determination index for grasping the presence information of the transmission partner.

(5. Configuration of each component of the presence information providing system)
Next, the configuration of each component constituting the presence information providing system according to the second embodiment will be described. Differences from the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

  First, the presence information providing system according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, since the communication network 102, the communication network 105, and the accounting server 107 have substantially the same configuration, detailed description thereof is omitted.

(5.1 Information processing terminal 101)
Next, an information processing terminal 101 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 18. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing terminal according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing terminal 101 is a user terminal used by a user, creates instant message information, and communicates with another information processing terminal 101 or mobile phone 106 belonging to the same group via a communication network 102. A device that transmits to The information processing terminal 101 is always connected to the communication network 102, and the information processing terminal 101 and the presence management server 103 or the instant message server 104 are capable of bidirectional communication.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the information processing terminal 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 120, an input unit 121, a display unit 122, a storage unit 123, a bus 124, a transmission / reception unit 125, A message creation unit 126 and a determination schedule information request unit 131 are provided. It differs from the information processing terminal according to the first embodiment in that it further includes a determination schedule information request unit 131. Hereinafter, the history request unit 129 that is a difference will be described.

  The determination schedule information request unit 131 requests the presence management server 103 for determination schedule information extracted from the schedule information of each user stored in the determination schedule database 407 of the presence management server 103. The determination schedule information request unit 131 requests the user schedule information specified by the input unit 121. It is necessary to log in to the presence management server 103 before requesting.

(5.2 Mobile phone 106)
Next, the mobile phone 106 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile phone 106 includes at least the display unit 122 or the input unit 128. It is a phone with a shape that can be carried and carried by radio by a portable carrier. Furthermore, instant message information and the like can be transmitted / received to / from the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 via the communication network 105.

  The input unit 128 includes a plurality of buttons for inputting a telephone number or text and a cross key for selecting a menu or the like displayed on the display unit 122. The input unit 128 according to the second embodiment is not limited to such an example. For example, the input unit 128 is implemented even when a jog dial, a joystick, or the like that is selected by rotating the dial is provided. Is possible.

  Further, as described above, the instant message information is created and displayed on the display unit 122 by operating the input unit 128. Also, presence information of other mobile phones 106 or information processing terminals 101 belonging to the group is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile phone 106 is a user terminal used by a user, creates instant message information, and communicates with other information processing terminals 101 or mobile phones 106 belonging to the same group via a communication network 105. A transmitting device. Since the mobile phone 106 is connected to the communication network 106 in an emergency and first accesses the presence management server 103 or the instant message server 104 from the mobile phone 106, the mobile phone 106 does not correspond to bidirectional communication. The mobile phone 106 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the information processing terminal 101 according to the second embodiment described above except for the items described above. Omitted.

  In the presence information providing system according to the second embodiment, the case where the mobile phone 106 is configured has been described as an example. However, the presence information providing system is not limited to this example unless it is always connected to the communication network. For example, the mobile phone 106 can be implemented by a portable terminal such as a PDA or a terminal such as a digital camera having a communication function.

(5.3 Instant Message Server 104)
Next, the instant message server according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1, but the detailed description is omitted because the configuration is almost the same as that of the instant message server according to the first embodiment. To do.

(5.4 Presence Management Server 103)
Next, the presence management server according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a presence management server according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the presence management server 103 includes a CPU 156, an input unit 157, a display unit 159, a bus 163, a profile DB (database) 186, a profile information management unit 185, a transmission / reception unit 169, A storage unit 170, a schedule information acquisition unit 180, a profile information acquisition unit 184, a user information management unit 166, a user DB 165, an authentication unit 187, a schedule information extraction unit 403, a determination schedule information management unit 405, A determination schedule database 407.

  Therefore, compared to the information processing terminal according to the first embodiment, the presence management server 103 according to the second embodiment includes a schedule information extraction unit 403, a determination schedule information management unit 405, and a determination schedule database. 407 is further provided. Hereinafter, the history request unit 129 that is a difference will be described.

  The presence management server 103 is a server on which a presence database 161 that enables updating of presence information of users belonging to the above-described terminals of the mobile phone 106 or the information processing terminal 101 and each client is installed.

  The schedule information extraction unit 403 further examines and determines the future communicable time zone of the user terminal such as the transmission destination on the user terminal side from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit 180. Then, extract information necessary for judgment. Specifically, exemplify the case of extracting the schedule information corresponding to the current time within 5 hours from the schedule of the current day from the schedule information stored in the schedule database 194 shown in FIG. Can do. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to such an example and can be implemented under any extraction conditions.

  The determination schedule information management unit 405 manages the determination schedule database 407 and searches for the requested determination schedule information in response to a request from the information processing terminal 101 or the mobile phone 106 in which login has been normally performed in advance. The determination schedule information is managed for each user such as a user ID for logging in in advance. However, the determination schedule information is not limited to such an example. For example, an identifier (usage for identifying a user terminal, not for each user). Or the like). The user terminal ID can exemplify a MAC address or the like.

  The determination schedule database 407 is a database in which determination schedule information serving as an index for determining the next communicable time is stored for each user belonging to each terminal. Note that the judgment schedule information is information in which only necessary items are extracted from the schedule information managed by the schedule management server 109. The data structure of the determination schedule database 407 will be described later.

(5.5 Schedule Management Server 109)
Next, the schedule management server according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Since the configuration is almost the same as that of the schedule management server 109 according to the first embodiment, a detailed description will be given. Omitted.

(6. Operation of presence information providing system)
Next, an embodiment of the operation of the presence information providing system according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the presence information providing system according to the second embodiment. The following description of the operation of the presence information providing system will be described by taking the case of using the mobile phone 106 as an example, but is not limited to this case, and can be implemented even in the case of the information processing terminal 101. It is.

  First, as shown in FIG. 20, before requesting judgment schedule information from the judgment schedule information request unit 131 provided in the mobile phone 106 to the presence management server 103 (S2101), it is provided in the presence management server 103 as a request destination in advance. Profile information is stored in the profile database 186, and schedule information needs to be stored in the schedule database 194 of the schedule management server 109.

  When requesting judgment schedule information to the presence management server 103 (S2201), authentication is performed by the authentication unit 187 acquiring the requesting user ID and password from the user information management unit 166.

  If the authentication is successful, the user ID acquired by the authentication unit 187 is transferred to the determination schedule information management unit 405 (S2102). The determination schedule information management unit 405 that has acquired the user ID accesses the determination schedule database 407.

  The determination schedule information management unit 405 searches for the corresponding determination schedule information from the determination schedule database 407 based on the user ID (S2103).

  As a result of the search (S2103), when the determination schedule information management unit 405 acquires the corresponding determination schedule information (S2104), the determination schedule information is transmitted to the mobile phone 106 via the transmission / reception unit 169 ( S2105).

  As a result of the search (S2103), if the determination schedule information management unit 405 cannot acquire the corresponding determination schedule information (S2104), the determination schedule information management unit 405 acquires the schedule information. Is activated (S2106).

  When the schedule information acquisition unit 180 acquires the schedule information corresponding to the user ID from the schedule information management unit 193 provided in the schedule management server 109, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 transfers the schedule information to the schedule information extraction unit 403. Judgment schedule information which is a judgment material for the time corresponding to the possible time is extracted (S2107). Note that the acquisition of schedule information according to the second embodiment has almost the same configuration as the schedule information acquisition process according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

(6.1 Judgment Schedule Database 407)
Here, the data structure of the determination schedule database 407 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a data structure of a determination schedule database according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the judgment schedule database 407 is composed of a plurality of judgment schedule information. From the determination schedule information, the determination schedule extraction unit 405 extracts only information necessary for determining the next communicable time from the schedule information.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the determination schedule database 407 includes a plurality of pieces of determination schedule information including a user name 8622, a schedule 8624, and the like. The user name 8622 stores determination schedule information including user names (Mr. A, Mr. B,...), And the user name is the name of a user who uses the presence information providing system according to the second embodiment. It is.

  For the schedule 8624, for example, only schedule information for one day of the current day or schedule information registered within 5 hours from the current time is extracted from the schedule information registered by the user and stored in the judgment schedule database 407. The Note that the present invention is not limited to this example, and any extraction condition can be used.

(6.2 Regular Judgment Schedule Information Acquisition Process)
Next, periodic determination schedule information acquisition processing according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of processing for acquiring periodic determination schedule information according to the second embodiment.

  The schedule information acquisition unit 180 is periodically called and started by a timer (not shown) or the like in order to extract determination schedule information. As shown in FIG. 22, first, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 waits for a predetermined time until it is called by a timer or the like (S2301).

  Next, when the schedule information acquisition unit 180 is called, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 is a terminal that is “communication impossible” among all the mobile phones 106 or information processing terminals 101 registered in the user database 165 or the like. In step S2302, the schedule management server 109 is inquired whether the acquisition of the schedule information and the extraction of the judgment schedule information have been completed.

  As a result of the inquiry, if the extraction process has been completed for all information processing terminals 101 or mobile phones 106 (user terminals) (YES), the subsequent process is not performed and the process returns to the standby process (S2301) again. If the update has not been completed for all user terminals (NO), a subsequent user ID acquisition process (S2303) is first performed.

  In the user ID acquisition process (S2303), the user ID is acquired by extracting user information from the user database 165 managed by the user information management unit 166.

  Next, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 acquires schedule information of a terminal whose communication status of the user terminal stored in the presence database 161 is “communication impossible” based on the user ID (S2304).

  Whether or not the communication status is “communication impossible” is determined based on the periodic communication performed with the mobile phone 106 for the purpose of confirming the presence or absence of an instant message addressed to the user or the information processing terminal 101. The presence management server determines whether or not it is connected by communication every predetermined time.

  The schedule information acquisition process (S2304) has substantially the same configuration as the schedule information acquisition process according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  When the schedule information of the corresponding user is acquired (S2304), next, the schedule information acquisition unit 180 transfers the schedule information to the determination schedule information extraction unit 403.

  Upon receiving the schedule information, the determination schedule information extraction unit 403 extracts determination schedule information, which is a material for determining a time when communication can be performed next in the schedule information (S2305).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the determination schedule information extraction unit 403 extracts only the schedule information on the date of the day to be extracted (June 24th) from Mr. A's schedule information.

  Further, the judgment schedule information extraction unit 403 acquires the current time of the day from a timer (not shown) provided in the presence management server 103, and extracts schedule information up to 4 hours from the current time as judgment schedule information. To do.

  The determination schedule information extraction unit 403 according to the second embodiment is not limited to such an example. For example, when the registration of schedule information for the current day is buried all day, the schedule information is automatically extracted from the schedule information for the next day. It can be implemented even when it is extracted as judgment schedule information.

  Next, when the determination schedule information is extracted by the determination schedule information extraction unit 403 (S2305), the determination schedule information extraction unit 403 transfers the determination schedule information and the user ID to the determination schedule information management unit 405.

  The determination schedule information management unit 405 stores / updates the determination schedule database 407 based on the received determination schedule information and the user ID (S2306). Therefore, the client can acquire the determination schedule information of the corresponding user by making a request to the determination schedule information management unit 405.

  When the determination schedule information is updated (S2306), the schedule information acquisition unit 180 acquires a user ID from the user database 165 or the like, and searches for a terminal corresponding to “communication impossible” next (S2308).

(6.3 Judgment schedule information display process)
Here, a case where the determination schedule information according to the second embodiment is displayed on the display unit 122 provided in the mobile phone 106 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the determination schedule information display process according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the determination schedule information display process starts with “display determination schedule information” from a menu item (not shown) displayed on the display unit 122 by the input unit 128 provided in the mobile phone 106. Is selected.

  When the “display of judgment schedule information” is selected, the name of the user who wants to display the judgment schedule information is displayed, and the desired user name is selected. The user name to be displayed is only the user name when the terminal “cannot communicate” among the user names in the group registered in advance, but is not limited to this example.

  After the selection is completed, the transmission / reception unit 125 transmits the request information to the presence management server 103 in order to request the determination schedule information (S2401). Before transmitting the request information (S2401), it is necessary to log in to the presence management server 103 after authentication by the authentication unit 187 provided in the presence management server 103.

  Next, upon receiving the request information, the judgment schedule information 405 provided in the presence management server 103 acquires the relevant judgment schedule information from the judgment schedule database 407 using the user ID belonging to the requesting mobile phone 106 as a key. . The determination schedule information management unit 405 requests the schedule information acquisition unit 180 to acquire the schedule information when the determination schedule information cannot be retrieved.

  The transmission / reception unit 169 transmits the determination schedule information to the requesting mobile phone 106 via the communication network 105. Therefore, the mobile phone 106 can acquire the determination schedule information (S2402).

  After acquiring the determination schedule information (S2402), the display unit 122 provided in the mobile phone 106 displays the determination schedule information that serves as an index for determining when the other terminal can communicate (S2403).

(6.4 Judgment schedule information display screen)
Here, a display screen of determination schedule information applied to the presence information providing system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a display unit on which determination schedule information according to the second embodiment is displayed.

  Before requesting judgment schedule information (S2401), first, "display judgment schedule information" is selected from a menu item (not shown) displayed on the display unit 122 by the input unit 128 provided in the mobile phone 106. The

  When the “display of judgment schedule information” is selected, the name of the user who wants to display the judgment schedule information is displayed, and the desired user name is selected. Note that the user name to be displayed is displayed only when the terminal of the user name in the group registered in advance indicates “cannot communicate”, but is not limited to such an example.

  After the selection is completed, the mobile phone 106 transmits the request information to the presence management server 103 in order to request the judgment schedule information. As described above, the requested schedule information requested by the display unit 122 provided in the mobile phone 106 is obtained. It is displayed (S2403).

  As shown in FIG. 24, the periodic communication history information is displayed on the display unit 122 according to the second embodiment. Among the areas of the display unit 122, the display area 242 displays a list of requested determination schedule information.

  Therefore, the user belonging to the mobile phone 106 that acquired the determination schedule information refers to the determination schedule information. For example, “Mr. A” has a time zone of 9:00:00 to 12:30 or 14:00 to 15:00. Can be determined as a time during which communication is possible.

  The mobile phone 106 according to the second embodiment has been described by way of example of displaying the acquired determination schedule information. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, the next communication provided in the mobile phone 106 is possible. There may be a case in which the next communicable time is extracted by each mobile phone 106 by an extracting unit (not shown). At this time, the mobile phone 106 may receive the above-described next communication possible extraction module configured by a software program such as JAVA (registered trademark) from the presence management server 103.

  In addition, the mobile phone 106 according to the second embodiment accesses an ASP (Application Service Provider) presence management server 103 and extracts the next communicable time from the acquired determination schedule information. The presence management server 103 may be requested.

  Further, the case where only the determination schedule information is displayed on the display unit 122 provided in the mobile phone 106 according to the second embodiment has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. This can be implemented even when the user status is displayed in the presence information together with the information.

  By displaying the judgment schedule information and the user situation on the display unit 122, it becomes possible to grasp the relevance between the user situation and the user schedule, and it is possible to judge more detailed next communication possible time. It becomes.

  The determination schedule information according to the second embodiment has been described by taking the case where it is displayed on the display unit 122 provided in the mobile phone 106 as an example. However, the determination schedule information is not limited to this example. Even if it is a case where it displays on the display part 122 with which the processing terminal 101 is equipped, it can implement. Note that the layout of the display unit 122 provided in the information processing terminal 101 may be different from that of the mobile phone 106.

  Note that the presence information providing system according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be implemented even when a mobile gateway server (not shown) is further provided for the mobile phone 106.

  The mobile gateway server acts as a proxy for a mobile terminal such as the mobile phone 106 with many applications that can be operated, receives a request from another terminal (client), or receives a request from the mobile phone 106, and receives the request. It is a server having a role of transmitting and receiving a response to.

  In addition, the mobile gateway server manages presence information of the mobile phone 106 and stores instant messages from the information terminal device 101. When there is a regular communication from the mobile phone 106, the mobile gateway server stores the stored instant messages. Send it.

  The sender that sends the instant message refers to the presence information or judgment schedule information generated based on the schedule information, and when the next communication is possible with the user terminal that cannot communicate. It is possible to efficiently and quickly obtain useful information such as why the connection is impossible and how long the next communicable time is.

  Further, the user terminal may receive the communication status of the “communication disabled” terminal analyzed by the presence management server 103 through communication with the terminal such as regular communication as presence information of the “communication disabled” terminal. I can do it. For example, the presence management server 103 retrieves the next idle time from the acquired schedule information of the “communication impossible” terminal, and if the idle time is from 18:00 to 19:00 on that day, The available communication time can be determined as “today 18:00” and provided to each user terminal.

In addition, since the presence management server 103 determines the next communicable time of the “communication-impossible” user terminal on behalf of the mobile terminal, the display screen for mobile terminals and mobile terminals with various restrictions on application development are the same as the PC. Thus, it becomes possible to easily acquire the next communicable time of the “communication impossible” client.

  For example, the presence management server 103 can determine that the communication status of the mobile phone 106 is “communication impossible” when communication from the mobile phone 106 is interrupted for a certain period of time, and distribute it to other user terminals.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, this invention is not limited to this example. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be envisaged within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

  In the above embodiment, the case where each unit included in the information processing terminal 101, the mobile phone 106, the presence management server 103, the IM server 104, and the billing server 107 is made up of hardware has been described as an example. It is not limited to examples. For example, each unit may be a program composed of modules.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the message information applied to the presence information providing system has been described by taking the case of instant message as an example. However, the message information is not limited to this example as long as it is message information. It can be implemented even in the case of e-mail and the like instead of information.

  The present invention can be applied to a presence information providing system capable of transmitting / receiving presence information and message information between a plurality of terminals.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the presence information provision system concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the information processing terminal concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the mobile telephone concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the instant message server concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the presence management server concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the schedule management server 109 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic data structure of the schedule database concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic data structure of the schedule user database concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the data structure of the user database concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the data structure of the presence database concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the data structure of the profile database 186 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of the presence information provision system concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the extraction process of the next communication possible time concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the acquisition process of the schedule information concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the acquisition process of the profile information concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the presence information display process concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the display part where the presence information concerning 1st Embodiment was displayed. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the information processing terminal concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the presence management server concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of the presence information provision system concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the data structure of the judgment schedule database concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the acquisition process of the periodic judgment schedule information concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the judgment schedule information display process concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the display part on which the judgment schedule information concerning 2nd Embodiment was displayed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Presence information provision system 101 Information processing terminal 102 Communication network 103 Presence management server 104 Instant message server 105 Communication network 106 Cellular phone 107 Billing server 109 Schedule management server

Claims (56)

A schedule management server connected to the communication network for managing the user's schedule information, a presence management server connected to the communication network for managing the presence information of at least the user, and the presence information of the destination user connected to the communication network. Accordingly, a presence information providing system having a user terminal that transmits message information according to:
The schedule management server includes a schedule management unit that manages schedule information of the user belonging to the user terminal,
The presence management server includes a profile information management unit for managing profile information including at least information necessary for acquiring the user's schedule information;
A profile information obtaining unit for confirming the contents of the presence information and obtaining profile information of a user belonging to the user terminal when the presence information indicates that the user terminal cannot communicate;
A schedule information acquisition unit for acquiring the schedule information stored in the schedule management server based on the profile information via the communication network;
A next communicable extraction unit that extracts a next communicable time indicating a time during which the non-communicatable user terminal can communicate next from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit;
A presence update unit that updates presence information of the user terminal based on the next communicable time;
The user terminal, to the presence management server, a presence information requesting unit that requests presence information including the next communicable time;
A presence information providing system, comprising: a display unit configured to display presence information including the next communicable time. A presence management server for managing presence information of users connected to a communication network and belonging to at least a user terminal:
A profile information management unit for managing profile information including at least information necessary for acquiring the schedule information of the user;
A profile information acquisition unit that acquires the profile information according to the contents of the presence information;
Based on the profile information acquired by the profile information acquisition unit, the schedule information acquisition unit for acquiring the user's schedule information;
A next communicable extraction unit that extracts a next communicable time indicating a next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit;
A presence management server, comprising: a presence update unit that updates presence information of the user terminal based on the extracted next communicable time.   The presence management server according to claim 2, wherein the schedule information of the user is managed by a schedule management server connected to the communication network.   The profile information acquisition unit checks the presence information, and acquires profile information of a user belonging to the user terminal when the presence information indicates that communication with the user terminal is not possible. Item 3. The presence management server according to item 2.   The presence management server according to claim 2, wherein the next communicable extraction unit extracts the next communicable time from the schedule information based on an attribute of the schedule.   The presence management server according to claim 2, wherein the next communicable extraction unit extracts the next communicable time by searching for free time from the schedule information.   The profile information includes at least one of at least a user ID, a password, a storage location where the schedule information of the user is stored, a model name of the schedule management server, a format of the schedule information, or a version of the schedule information. The presence management server according to claim 2, wherein:   The presence management server according to claim 2, wherein the schedule information acquisition unit changes an acquisition format for acquiring the schedule information according to contents indicated by the profile information.   The presence management server according to claim 2, wherein the schedule information acquisition unit varies a range for acquiring the schedule information so that the next communicable time can be acquired.   The presence management server according to claim 9, wherein the schedule information acquisition unit extends a range for acquiring the schedule information.   The presence information includes at least one of a user status indicating a status of the user, a communication status of a user terminal, and a next communicable time of the user terminal. Presence management server.   The presence management server according to claim 2, wherein the schedule information acquisition unit is periodically started.   The presence management server according to claim 2, wherein the schedule information includes terminal schedule information indicating a schedule of a user terminal.   The presence management server according to claim 13, wherein the profile information management unit further manages profile information including information necessary for acquiring the terminal schedule information.   14. The presence management server according to 13, wherein the next communicable extraction unit extracts the next communicable time from the terminal schedule information. A computer program for causing a computer to function as a presence management server that is connected to a communication network and manages at least user presence information belonging to a user terminal:
Profile information management means for managing profile information including at least information necessary for acquiring the user's schedule information;
Profile information acquisition means for acquiring the profile information according to the contents of the presence information;
Schedule information acquisition means for acquiring the user's schedule information based on the profile information acquired by the profile information acquisition unit;
A next communicable extraction means for extracting a next communicable time indicating a next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit;
A computer program which functions as a presence management server including presence update means for updating presence information of the user terminal based on the extracted next communicable time. Message information corresponding to the contents indicated by the presence information of the destination user is connected to the schedule management server that manages the user's schedule information and at least the presence management server that manages the presence information of the user via a communication network. Is a user terminal that sends:
A presence information requesting unit for requesting presence information including a next communicable time extracted by the presence management server from the schedule information of the user;
A user terminal comprising: a display unit for displaying presence information including the next communicable time.   The presence information includes at least one of a user status indicating a status of the user, a communication status of a user terminal, and a next communicable time of the user terminal. User terminal. The contents indicated by the presence information of the destination user connected to the schedule management server for managing the schedule information of the user and at least the presence management server for managing the presence information of the user via a communication network. A computer program that functions as a user terminal that sends message information in response to:
Presence information requesting means for requesting presence information including a next communicable time extracted by the presence management server from the schedule information of the user;
A computer program which functions as a user terminal including display means for displaying presence information including the next communicable time. A schedule management server connected to the communication network for managing the user's schedule information, a presence management server connected to the communication network for managing the presence information of at least the user, and the presence information of the destination user connected to the communication network. Accordingly, a presence information providing method for providing presence information using a user terminal that transmits message information according to:
When the presence management server confirms the content of the presence information and the content of the presence information indicates that communication with the user terminal is not possible, it is necessary to acquire schedule information of users belonging to the user terminal. A profile information acquisition step for acquiring profile information including at least information;
A schedule information acquisition step in which the schedule information stored in the schedule management server is acquired by the presence management server via the communication network based on the profile information;
A next communicable extraction step in which a next communicable time indicating the next communicable time is extracted from the schedule information acquired by the presence management server;
A presence update step in which presence information of the user terminal is updated by the presence management server based on the next communicable time;
A presence information requesting step for requesting presence information including the next communicable time from the user terminal to the presence management server;
And a display step of displaying presence information including the next communicable time by the user terminal.   21. The presence information providing method according to claim 20, wherein the user schedule information is managed by a schedule management server connected to the communication network.   The profile information obtaining step confirms the presence information, and obtains profile information of a user belonging to the user terminal when the presence information indicates that the user terminal cannot communicate. Item 20. The presence information providing method according to Item 20.   21. The presence information providing method according to claim 20, wherein the next communicable extraction step extracts the next communicable time from the schedule information based on an attribute of the schedule.   21. The presence information providing method according to claim 20, wherein the next communicable extraction step extracts the next communicable time by searching for free time from the schedule information.   The profile information includes at least one of at least a user ID, a password, a storage location where the schedule information of the user is stored, a model name of the schedule management server, a format of the schedule information, or a version of the schedule information. 21. The presence information providing method according to claim 20, wherein the presence information is provided.   21. The presence information providing method according to claim 20, wherein the schedule information acquiring step changes an acquisition format for acquiring the schedule information according to contents indicated by the profile information.   21. The presence information providing method according to claim 20, wherein the schedule information acquiring step varies a range in which the schedule information is acquired so that the next communicable time can be acquired.   28. The presence information providing method according to 27, wherein the schedule information acquiring step extends a range for acquiring the schedule information.   21. The presence information according to claim 20, wherein the presence information includes at least one of a user status indicating the status of the user, a communication status of a user terminal, and a next communicable time of the user terminal. Presence information provision method.   21. The presence information providing method according to claim 20, wherein the schedule information obtaining step is periodically performed.   The method according to claim 20, wherein the schedule information includes terminal schedule information indicating a schedule of a user terminal.   The presence information providing method according to claim 31, wherein the profile information further includes information necessary for acquiring the terminal schedule information.   32. The presence information providing method according to 31, wherein the next communicable extraction step extracts the next communicable time from the terminal schedule information. A schedule management server connected to the communication network for managing the user's schedule information, a presence management server connected to the communication network for managing the presence information of at least the user, and the presence information of the destination user connected to the communication network. Accordingly, a presence information providing system having a user terminal that transmits message information according to:
The schedule management server includes a schedule management unit that manages schedule information of the user belonging to the user terminal,
The presence management server includes a profile information management unit for managing profile information including at least information necessary for acquiring the user's schedule information;
A schedule information acquisition unit for acquiring the schedule information stored in the schedule management server based on the profile information via the communication network;
A determination schedule information extraction unit that extracts determination schedule information serving as a determination material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit;
A judgment schedule information management unit for managing the extracted judgment schedule information,
A determination schedule information requesting unit for requesting the determination schedule information to the presence management server via the communication network;
A presence information providing system, comprising: a display unit configured to display the determination schedule information transmitted from the presence management server. A presence management server for managing presence information of users connected to a communication network and belonging to at least a user terminal:
A profile information management unit for managing profile information including at least information necessary for acquiring the schedule information of the user;
A schedule information acquisition unit for acquiring the schedule information of the user based on the profile information;
A determination schedule information extraction unit that extracts determination schedule information serving as a determination material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit;
A presence management server comprising: a determination schedule information management unit that manages the extracted determination schedule information.   36. The presence management server according to claim 35, wherein the user schedule information is managed by a schedule management server connected to the communication network.   36. The presence management server according to claim 35, wherein the schedule information acquisition unit varies a range in which the schedule information is acquired so that the determination schedule information can be extracted.   36. The presence management server according to claim 35, wherein the schedule information acquisition unit extends a range for acquiring the schedule information.   36. The presence management server according to claim 35, wherein the determination schedule information extraction unit extracts at least one day of schedule information of the user as the determination schedule information.   36. The presence management server according to claim 35, wherein the daily schedule information of the user is schedule information for the current day.   36. The presence management server according to claim 35, wherein the determination schedule information management unit manages the determination schedule information for each user belonging to the user terminal.   The profile information includes at least one of at least a user ID, a password, a storage location where the schedule information of the user is stored, a model name of the schedule management server, a format of the schedule information, or a version of the schedule information. 36. The presence management server according to claim 35, wherein: A computer program for causing a computer to function as a presence management server that is connected to a communication network and manages at least user presence information belonging to a user terminal:
A profile information management unit for managing profile information including at least information necessary for acquiring the schedule information of the user;
Schedule information acquisition means for acquiring the user's schedule information based on the profile information;
A determination schedule information extracting means for extracting determination schedule information that is a determination material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal from the schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit;
A computer program which functions as a presence management server including a judgment schedule information management means for managing the extracted judgment schedule information. A message is connected to the schedule management server that manages the user's schedule information and at least the presence management server that manages the presence information of the user via a communication network, and the message is sent according to the contents indicated by the presence information of the user at the transmission destination. A user terminal that sends information:
A determination schedule information requesting unit for requesting determination schedule information as a determination material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal extracted by the presence management server from the user's schedule information;
A user terminal comprising: a display unit that displays the determination schedule information.   45. The use according to claim 44, wherein the determination schedule information requesting unit requests the determination schedule information of a user belonging to the user terminal that cannot communicate with the user terminal in the presence information. Terminal.   45. The user terminal according to claim 44, wherein the determination schedule information includes at least schedule information of the user for one day.   The user terminal according to claim 46, wherein the daily schedule information of the user is schedule information of the day. The user terminal according to claim 44, wherein the determination schedule information is managed for each user belonging to the user terminal.
The contents indicated by the presence information of the destination user connected to the schedule management server for managing the schedule information of the user and at least the presence management server for managing the presence information of the user via a communication network. A computer program that functions as a user terminal to send message information according to:
A determination schedule information requesting unit for requesting determination schedule information as a determination material for determining a time when the presence management server can communicate next to the user terminal extracted from the user's schedule information;
A computer program that functions as a user terminal including display means for displaying the determination schedule information A schedule management server connected to the communication network for managing the user's schedule information, a presence management server connected to the communication network for managing the presence information of at least the user, and the presence information of the destination user connected to the communication network. Accordingly, a presence information providing method for providing presence information using a user terminal that transmits message information according to:
Based on profile information including information necessary for acquiring the user's schedule information managed by the presence management server by the presence management server, the schedule information stored in the schedule management server passes the communication network. Through which the schedule information acquisition step is acquired,
A determination schedule information extracting step by which determination schedule information serving as a determination material for determining the next communicable time of the user terminal is extracted from the acquired schedule information by the presence management server;
A judgment schedule information management step for storing and managing the extracted judgment schedule information;
A determination schedule information requesting step for requesting the determination schedule information to the presence management server via the communication network by the user terminal;
A presence information providing method comprising: a display step of displaying the determination schedule information.   51. The presence information providing method according to claim 50, wherein the user schedule information is managed by a schedule management server connected to the communication network.   51. The presence information providing method according to claim 50, wherein the schedule information acquiring step varies a range in which the schedule information is acquired so that the judgment schedule information can be extracted.   53. The presence information providing method according to claim 52, wherein the schedule information acquiring step extends a range for acquiring the schedule information.   51. The presence information providing method according to claim 50, wherein the determination schedule information extracting step extracts at least one day of schedule information of the user as the determination schedule information.   51. The presence information providing method according to claim 50, wherein the daily schedule information of the user is schedule information for the current day.   51. The presence information providing method according to claim 50, wherein the determination schedule information management step manages the determination schedule information for each user belonging to the user terminal.

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