Abstract: Each of node servers provided in a cluster system connected to load balancers includes a storage portion for storing node-session information that associates a session ID and a node server in charge with each other and node life/death information, a node checking portion for, when receiving a message sent from any one of the load balancers, judging whether or not a node server in charge of the session of the message is functioning normally, and a node reassigning portion for updating the node-session information so that the node server in charge of the session is changed to an alternative node server and sending data indicating the alternative node server to a load balancer different from the load balancer that has sent the message. This allows the cluster system to process messages from a plurality of load balancers efficiently even when the node server is not functioning normally.

Abstract: Method and system for reporting to a source user before communication begins communication means usable by both the source and a destination user. Operable communication means at each user's information terminal are stored in a list DB 2 in advance for each user. A selection device 1 receives a destination user designation from the source user who is requesting communication, and acquires the usable communication means of the destination user and the source user respectively from the list DB 2. There are also cases in which the selection device 1 acquires communication means usable by the source user from the selection device 1 or a user terminal 4. Next, the selection device 1 creates a candidate list describing communication means which both parties can use, and sends it from a WWW server, for example, to the source user terminal. Before communication begins, the candidate list is displayed at the source user terminal by a WWW browser, for example.

Abstract: A communication control apparatus that manages a media condition and a communication state of communication terminals in an integrated manner and optimizes a communication terminal environment according to events of various types is provided.

Abstract: A ubiquitous communication system that can be used without changing a user ID etc. of a terminal of others or causing problems such as information leakage is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for providing area information anticipates the user's mode of transportation and provides only information specific to the anticipated mode of transportation.

Abstract: To enable reporting user status more precisely and over a wide range, the present invention includes an information terminal PC1 having a generating device, a mobile terminal M having a transmitting device, and an information terminal PC2 having a receiving device. The information terminal PC1 and the mobile terminal M can communicate directly wirelessly or through a wire. The mobile terminal M and the information terminal PC2 can communicate in real time via status notification devices. The information terminal PC1 reports the user status it detected to a mobile terminal M that is in a communicable area. The mobile terminal M sends the user status to the information terminal PC2 via the status notification device if the user status it received is the status of the user that has been stored therein in advance.

Abstract: A reservation acceptance system is provided that accepts requests of reservations from customers so that the resources can be used efficiently.

Abstract: In an information delivery apparatus and method, when a user who transmits information updates information to be transmitted, based on a profile of each user desiring delivery of the information, the order of delivering the updated information, that is, from which user the updated information should be sequentially delivered, is determined beforehand, and information delivery matching a status of the user at a delivered end.

Abstract: A virtual space communication system includes a virtual space management computer which manages information regarding a virtual space, a plurality of client computers each of which receives information regarding the virtual space from the virtual space management computer and generates communication information used in the virtual space, each of the plurality of client computers having an object state changing unit for changing a state of an object included in the virtual space, and a communication management computer which intermediates communications regarding communication information and information representing change of a state of an object among the plurality of client computers sharing the virtual space. The virtual space communication system further comprises a changing unit for, when a state of an object is changed in one of the plurality of client computers, changing information of the virtual space managed by the virtual space management computer based on a changed state of the object.

Abstract: Change of an identifier is reported without causing trouble to user agents. When a user agent A changes an identifier “A1” of a client 2a that he/she operates, notification recipients of a new identifier “A2” are automatically decided and the notification is carried out accordingly. It is desired that the recipients of the new identifier be preferably determined so as not to include unnecessary notification recipients, taking their relationship with the user agent A into consideration. For this reason, the maximum range of the notification recipients of the identifier is limited to be within watchers of the user agent A. The watchers are the notification recipients of user agent A's presence information, and therefore, it is assumed that there is little need for the identifier to be told to others who are not the watchers.

Abstract: In a presence system in which one user users a plurality of terminals, dynamically changing buddy lists are synchronized between the terminals. A presence notification message is sent to all the terminals of the user. The timing of sending includes, for example, when the presence information of a buddy is updated, when a new buddy is set, when display attribute information is updated, when a buddy is cancelled, and when a presence notification of unknown presentity is made. Thus, when one user uses a plurality of terminals in the presence system, dynamically changing buddy lists can be synchronized between the terminals. In addition, the display formats of the buddy lists do not differ from one terminal to another, and the same display format is attained.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal having a phonebook with information corresponding to alternative communication services. The information can be entered remotely from another mobile communication terminal. When a sender selects a recipient and a service from the phonebook, the mobile phone displays the information with the phonebook. The sender selects the most convenient and available communication service for the selected recipient. In an alternative embodiment, a mobile communication network maintains communication statuses of a plurality of mobile communication terminals in a status database. Upon detection of a status change of one of the mobile communication terminals, a notifying portion notifies the other mobile communication terminals of the status change.

Abstract: Restricting the setting of presence information by presentities. Among other forms of presence information, restricted presence information that a user agent cannot determine him/herself is established. If among other forms of presence information “game score” is for example made restricted presence information, only user agent B, being a game administrator, would be able to determine the “game score.” When user agent A's game score is updated by user agent B, the game score is reported to user agent A's Watcher C.

Abstract: An “introducing” information generating part of an introducing part generates “introducing” information based on data in a buddy list storing part, in accordance with an instruction of a user of the introduction origin system, and notifies an introduction destination system of the “introducing” information through an “introducing” information notifying part. A buddy list registering part of the introduction system registers a user to a buddy list based on the “introducing” information and generates registration information. A registration information notifying part notifies the introduction target system of the registration information. Furthermore, the registration information notifying part notifies the introduction target system of “introduced” information representing that introduction is received. An “introduced” recognizing part of the introduction target system recognizes an introduction relationship.

Abstract: Plural client computers 10 manipulates by individual users, a data management computer 200, and a host computer 100 are mutually connected through a network NW. The data management computer 200 manages the VRML file expressing a virtual space, and also transfers the VRML file to each client computer 10 through the network NW according to the request from each client computer 10. Each client computer 10 displays the virtual space according to the VRML file, and also displays in inside of the virtual space the object capable of updating the property data by the manipulation of the user. The host computer 100 manages the property data (position, shape, speech text, etc.) of the object changed by the operation inputted by the user at each client computer 10, so that the users of the client computers 10 sharing the same virtual space can communicate with each other through the behavior and speech of the objects in the virtual space.

Abstract: There is provided a communication management apparatus for managing a joining of symbols in a virtual world in a message communication system in which a plurality of user terminals are interconnected, the plurality of user terminals sharing the virtual world comprising a plurality of virtual spaces, and the symbols each defined for the associated one of the user terminals which will join the virtual world, and messages are exchanged among a plurality of user terminals corresponding to a plurality of symbols which have entered the same virtual space. In accordance with the communication management apparatus, the upper limit of number of symbols (users) capable of joining in the communication area is defined for each communication area. According to the communication management apparatus, it is possible to provide a user management system abounding in flexibility.

Abstract: When a new customer appears in a shop, the customer is registered in an advertisement server 1 with shop terminal 2. When the customer registers an advertiser in his buddy list, an advertisement is distributed to user terminal 4. Namely, by registering an advertisement of the advertiser in buddy list system 4 as if the advertisement of the advertiser is status information of the advertiser, the advertisement is distributed to the user terminal 4 via the buddy list system 3. To persuade a customer to register an advertiser in his buddy list, the advertiser provides an incentive for a customer registering the advertiser in his buddy list (hereinafter referred to as registration customer). Incentive is, for example, adding a premium to points granted to the customer according to purchase history.

Abstract: In a communication system in which a server, who offers information, and clients, who receive information offering service, are connected with each other via a network, the server has a communication mode selection unit for switching over a communication mode for each client between a one-way communication mode in which information is offered to clients on a one-way basis and a two-way communication mode in which messages are transmitted to clients and messages transmitted from the clients are received.

Abstract: There is provided a communication apparatus, adapted to be used as a user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a plurality of user terminals are interconnected, the plurality of user terminals sharing virtual worlds and avatars (symbols) of users each operating an associated one of the user terminals, and messages are exchanged among the plurality of user terminals while creating an atmosphere such that as if one's own self enters the virtual world and has conversations. In the communication apparatus, the users (symbols) are classified into a plurality of categories, and action contents of the symbols are controlled in accordance with the categories. According to the communication apparatus, a symbol with a great deal of individuality is produced, so that a virtual world full of variety may be implemented.

Abstract: Plural client computers 10 manipulated by individual users, a data management computer 200, and a host computer 100 are mutually connected through a network NW. The data management computer 200 manages the VRML file expressing a virtual space, and also transfers the VRML file to each client computer 10 through the network NW according to the request from each client computer 10. Each client computer 10 displays the virtual space according to the VRML file, and also displays in inside of the virtual space the object capable of updating the property data by the manipulation of the user. The host computer 100 manages the property data (position, shape, speech text, etc.) of the object changed by the operation inputted by the user at each client computer 10, so that the users of the client computers 10 sharing the same virtual space can communicate with each other through the behavior and speech of the objects in the virtual space.