Patent ID: 7058897
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus for exchanging information with other information processing apparatuses over a network, said apparatus comprising: first record control means for controlling the recording of information relating to at least one community composed of a plurality of users; second record control means for controlling the recording of information relating to said plurality of users; first generation means for generating a first set of information corresponding to a virtual space capable of being utilized by said plurality of users using said other information processing apparatuses; second generation means for generating a second set of information including an information list showing said community a first user participates in from information relating to said plurality of users; a display which displays at least a portion of the virtual space and said information list; first output control mean, for controlling the output to said other information processing apparatuses, of said first set of information generated by said first generation means, and said second set of information generated by said second generation means, and an input control means for controlling the input front said other information processing apparatuses, of a fourth set of information showing the operation by said first user for giving a third set of information showing a specified community to a second user, from among the second set of information generated by said second generation means, within said virtual space generated by said first generation means, wherein the third set of information is represented by an icon, where the first user can deliver the third set of information to said second user by dragging and dropping the icon onto a representation of said second user, within the virtual space, wherein said first record control means controls the recording of information relating to said community shown by said third set of information, on the basis of said fourth set of information with inputs controlled by said input control means, and wherein said second record control means controls the recording of information relating to said first user and said second user, on the basis of said fourth set of information with inputs controlled by said input control means.