JP3910581B2 - COMMUNICATION CONTROL DEVICE, TERMINAL DEVICE, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control device, a terminal device, a communication system, and a communication method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a subscriber status notification device that notifies a calling subscriber of the status of a partner subscriber before calling in response to a request from a calling subscriber (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there is a communication system that notifies a communication source user of communication means that can be used by both a communication destination user and a communication source user (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Furthermore, on the Internet, an instant message service (Instant Message service, hereinafter referred to as “IM service”) that can always display the status of other users online has become widespread. In recent years, services for providing voice calls by a large number of users have been provided.
JP 2000-236391 A JP 2001-249878 A

  However, according to the conventional subscriber status notification device, notification system, and IM service, the user can check the status of other users and the communication means that can be used, but detailed information regarding the communication currently being performed. Could not be confirmed. Therefore, the user cannot grasp what kind of communication is currently performed. Therefore, the user cannot confirm communication information during communication, participate in communication during communication, and cannot perform communication by a large number of users.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to confirm information related to communication during communication and participate in communication during communication.

  The communication control apparatus according to the present invention participates in communication information based on a communication information storage means for storing information related to communication during communication (hereinafter referred to as “communication information”) and a request for providing communication information from a participating terminal. Communication information providing means provided to the terminal, and connection control means for controlling connection between the communicating terminal and the participating terminal based on a request for connection between the participating terminal and the communicating terminal.

  A terminal device that wishes to participate in communication during communication is referred to as a “participating terminal”. A terminal device in communication is called a “terminal in communication”. Also, one of the communicating terminal devices is identified as the communicating terminal, and the terminal device communicating with the identified communicating terminal is referred to as a “partner terminal”. Further, the user of the participating terminal is referred to as “participant who wants to participate”, the user of the communicating terminal is referred to as “user in communication”, and the user of the partner terminal is referred to as “partner user”.

  According to such a communication control device, it is possible to store communication information related to communication during communication and provide communication information to participating terminals. Furthermore, the communication control apparatus can control the connection between the communicating terminal and the participating terminal based on the connection request from the participating terminal to the communicating terminal. Therefore, the applicant who wants to participate can confirm communication information related to the communication during communication and participate in the communication during communication.

  It is preferable that the connection control means inquires of the communicating terminal whether connection with the participating terminal is possible based on the connection request, and controls the connection based on a response from the communicating terminal to the inquiry. According to this, the communication control device can control the connection between the communicating terminal and the participating terminal in consideration of the intention of the communicating user.

  Further, it is preferable that the communication information providing means restricts the provision of communication information based on at least one of communication information provision conditions determined for each participant who wishes to participate or during communication. By restricting on the basis of the applicant who wants to participate, the communication control device can communicate information to a participant who is not permitted to provide communication information, such as a participant who does not want to provide communication information about the user. Can be prevented. Moreover, by limiting based on the provision conditions defined for each communication, the communication control apparatus can cope with a case where the user wants to set the availability of the communication information for each communication.

  The terminal device according to the present invention provides communication information related to communication during communication, communication information requesting means for requesting the communication control device for controlling connection between the terminal in communication and the participating terminal, and communication It is characterized by comprising receiving means for receiving information and connection request means for requesting the communication control device to connect to a communicating terminal.

  According to such a terminal device, the communication information can be received by requesting the communication control device to provide communication information related to the communication under communication. The terminal device can request the communication control device to establish a connection with the communicating terminal. Therefore, the applicant who wants to participate can confirm communication information related to the communication during communication and participate in the communication during communication.

  The communication system according to the present invention includes communication information storage means for storing communication information relating to communication during communication, and communication information providing means for providing communication information to a participating terminal based on a request for providing communication information from the participating terminal. And a connection control means for controlling connection between the communicating terminal and the participating terminal based on a request for connection between the participating terminal and the communicating terminal.

  The communication method according to the present invention provides communication information regarding communication during communication to a participating terminal based on a request for communication information from the participating terminal, and based on a request for connection with the communicating terminal by the participating terminal. The connection between the communicating terminal and the participating terminal is controlled.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the user can participate in communication during communication after confirming information related to communication during communication.

〔Communications system〕
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of mobile devices 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, a multi-user connection server 20, a network 30, and an exchange 40. 1 and 2, data communication is indicated by a solid line and voice communication is indicated by a dotted line. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a case where the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b make a voice call and are communicating, and the mobile device 10c later participates in a voice call between the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b. Show.

  The mobile devices 10a to 10c are terminal devices. The mobile device 10b is a communicating terminal, and the mobile device 10a is a partner terminal. The mobile device 10c is a participating terminal that wishes to participate in communication performed by the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b. The user 1b of the mobile device 10b is a communicating user, the user 1a of the mobile device 10a is a partner user, and the user 1c of the mobile device 10c is a participant who wants to participate. The multi-user connection server 20 is a communication control device that provides communication information related to communication during communication and controls connection between the communicating terminal and the participating terminal. The exchange 40 is provided in the network 30.

  The mobile devices 10b and 10c include communication units 11b and 11b, input units 12b and 12c, audio output units 13b and 13c, display units 14b and 14c, storage units 15b and 15c, and control units 16b and 16c. Prepare. The mobile device 10a has the same configuration as the mobile devices 10b and 10c. Hereinafter, the mobile devices 10b and 10c will be described as an example.

  The communication units 11b and 11c communicate with the multi-user connection server 20 and other mobile devices via the network 30. The communication units 11b and 11c function as receiving means for receiving communication information when the mobile device becomes a participating terminal. The communication units 11 b and 11 c obtain communication information provision requests from the control units 16 b and 16 c and transmit the communication information provision requests to the multi-user connection server 20. The communication information provision request requests the communication control device to provide communication information, and includes the user ID of the applicant who wants to participate and the user ID of the user who wants to know the communication information (hereinafter referred to as “target user”). The communication information provision request may include user IDs of a plurality of target users. The user ID is data for identifying the user, and a telephone number or a mobile device number can be used. In this embodiment, a telephone number is used as the user ID.

  And the communication parts 11b and 11c receive the communication information provided from the multi-user connection server 20 as a response to the communication information provision request. The communication information is information relating to communication during communication, and includes, for example, the type of communication means used, the user and partner user in communication, the group to which the user and partner user are in communication, the roaming state, and the like. A user can belong to a specific group. For example, there are types of groups such as family, friends, and work. The group can be indicated by using a group ID for identifying the group such as a group name or a telephone number assigned to the group. The types of communication means include communication means capable of voice communication, communication means capable of moving image communication, communication means capable of data communication, and the like. If the target user is not communicating, the communication units 11b and 11c receive the communication status of the target user from the multi-user connection server 20 as a response to the communication information provision request. The communication state to be received includes a standby state where communication is possible but communication is not performed, out of service area where communication is not possible, or power off. The communication units 11b and 11c input the received communication information and communication state to the control units 16b and 16c.

  Further, when the mobile device becomes a participating terminal, the communication units 11b and 11c make a call to the communicating terminal as shown in FIG. 1 during communication of the communicating terminal, or a large number of users as shown in FIG. A connection request is transmitted to the connection server 20. The communication units 11b and 11c transmit to the communicating terminal in accordance with instructions from the control units 16b and 16c. The connection request is for requesting the communication control device to connect to the communicating terminal, and includes the user ID of the applicant who wants to participate and the user ID of the communicating user who wants to connect. The communication units 11b and 11c acquire connection requests from the control units 16b and 16c, and transmit connection requests to the multi-user connection server 20 in accordance with instructions from the control units 16b and 16c. Further, the communication units 11b and 11c receive from the multi-user connection server 20 a rejection result notification that notifies the communicating terminal that the connection request has been rejected.

  Further, when the mobile station becomes a communicating terminal, the communication units 11b and 11c receive an inquiry from the multi-user connection server 20 as to whether or not a connection with a participating terminal is possible during communication, and send it to the control units 16b and 16c. input. The inquiry about whether or not connection is possible includes user information related to the applicant. The inquiry preferably includes the minimum user information necessary for the user during communication to determine whether or not connection is possible. For example, the inquiry includes the name of the applicant who wants to participate, the group to which the applicant wants to participate, and the type of communication means provided in the participating terminal. The inquiry is preferably composed of text data, image data, and voice data, and inquiries are made using characters, images, and sounds.

  When the communicating user wants to know detailed information about the applicant who wants to participate, the communication units 11b and 11c acquire the detailed information provision request from the control units 16b and 16c, and are communicating with the multi-user connection server 20. Send. The detailed information provision request is for requesting provision of detailed user information (hereinafter referred to as “detailed information”) regarding the applicant who wants to participate, and the user ID of the user who is in communication and the user ID of the applicant who wants to participate are provided. Including. And the communication parts 11b and 11c receive during communication the detailed information provided from the multi-user connection server 20 as a response to the detailed information provision request. The communication units 11b and 11c input the received detailed information to the control units 16b and 16c.

  The detailed information includes, for example, a name such as a real name or a nickname of the applicant who wishes to participate, an e-mail address, a group to which the applicant desires to belong, a type of communication means provided in the participating terminal, a status of the applicant. Status includes communication status, location, eating, sleeping, moving, commuting, going to school, going home, working, meeting, leaving, studying, housework, sports, shopping, watching movies Medium, free time, user's emotion, mobile device operation mode, etc. The communication state includes communication, standby, out of service area, and power off. Further, when communication is in progress, the communication status includes the communication information. In this embodiment, the status is classified into “communication status”, “position”, and “other status”. All states other than the communication state and position are classified as other states.

  Further, the communication units 11b and 11c acquire the approval notification or rejection notification from the control units 16b and 16c, and transmit the approval notification or rejection notification to the multi-user connection server 20 during communication according to the instructions of the control units 16b and 16c. . The acceptance notice is a notice for accepting the connection with the participating terminal. The rejection notification is a notification for rejecting the connection with the participating terminal.

  The communication units 11b and 11c receive a participant notification from the multi-user connection server 20 and input it to the control units 16b and 16c when the mobile device becomes a partner terminal. The participant notification notifies the counterpart terminal that the participating terminal participates in communication performed with the communicating terminal.

  Furthermore, the communication units 11b and 11c transmit user information regarding the users 1b and 1c of the mobile devices 10b and 10c to the multi-user connection server 20. The user information transmitted to the multi-user connection server 20 is used when providing communication information and detailed information. The communication units 11 b and 11 c obtain user information registration requests from the control units 16 b and 16 c and transmit them to the multi-user connection server 20. The user information registration request is a request for registering user information to the multi-user connection server 20, and includes user information associated with a user ID. The user information includes, for example, the user name, mail address, group to which the user belongs, the type of communication means provided in the mobile device, the user status, and the like. In addition, after transmitting the user information registration request once, the communication units 11b and 11c may transmit a user information registration request including only user information that needs to be updated among user information. Further, the communication units 11b and 11c may transmit a user information registration request that does not include user information that needs to be updated frequently, such as the user status.

  Further, the communication units 11 b and 11 c transmit communication information provision conditions to the multi-user connection server 20. The provision condition transmitted to the multi-user connection server 20 is used to restrict provision of communication information. In the present embodiment, a provision condition that designates a user or group permitted to provide communication information using a user ID, a group name, or a group ID is used. Hereinafter, users and groups permitted to provide communication information are referred to as “public members”. The communication units 11 b and 11 c acquire the provision condition notification from the control units 16 b and 16 c and transmit the notification to the multi-user connection server 20. The provision condition notification includes a provision condition associated with the user ID.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 11c of the mobile terminal 10c that is a participating terminal transmits a communication report provision request to the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication, and receives communication information from the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication. To do. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 11c transmits to the mobile device 10b, which is a communicating terminal, by voice communication. Or the communication part 11c transmits the connection request | requirement which requests | requires the connection with the mobile apparatus 10b which is a terminal in communication by data communication to the multi-user connection server 20 as shown in FIG. The communication unit 11b of the mobile device 10b, which is a communicating terminal, receives an inquiry from the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication. Although not shown, the communication unit 11b transmits a detailed information provision request to the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication, and receives detailed information from the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication. Then, the communication unit 11b transmits an acceptance notification and a rejection notification to the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication. Further, the communication unit of the mobile device 10a receives the participant notification by data communication. Although not shown, the communication units of the mobile devices 10a to 10c transmit user information registration requests and provision condition notifications to the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication.

  The input units 12b and 12c acquire the input contents from the users 1b and 1c and input them to the control units 16b and 16c. The input units 12b and 12c can use keys and a microphone. When the users 1b and 1c become interested parties, the users 1b and 1c designate the target user and input a request for providing communication information to the input units 12b and 12c. For example, the users 1b and 1c input a request for providing communication information by selecting a user ID and pressing a predetermined key to input the request for providing communication information. When the users 1b and 1c wish to participate in communication between the communicating terminal and the partner terminal, the users 1b and 1c specify the communicating user who wants to connect to the input units 12b and 12c, and communicate with the communicating terminal. Enter a connection request. For example, the users 1b and 1c input the connection request by selecting the user ID of the user in communication and pressing a predetermined key for inputting the connection request.

  The users 1b and 1c can confirm the communication information provided from the multi-user connection server 20, and can determine whether or not to request connection with the communicating terminal based on the communication information. For example, the users 1b and 1c are users who are communicating if the communication means provided in the participating terminal matches the communication means used for the communication being performed, the members of the group to which the user belongs are communicating with each other, When the other user is a user who wants to communicate, it is determined to request connection with the communicating terminal, and the connection request is input to the input units 12b and 12c. On the other hand, the users 1b and 1c, when the communication means included in the participating terminal and the communication means used for communication during communication do not match, or when the communication is not between members of the group to which the user belongs, When the user is not the user who wants to communicate, it is determined not to request connection with the communicating terminal.

  In addition, when the users 1b and 1c become users in communication, when accepting the connection in response to an inquiry as to whether or not the connection with the participating terminal is possible, the user 1b and 1c inputs the acceptance of the connection to the input units 12b and 12c. When the users 1b and 1c reject the connection, they input a connection rejection to the input units 12b and 12c. For example, the users 1b and 1c input the acceptance or rejection of the connection by selecting the acceptance or rejection of the connection from the options in the inquiry. The users 1b and 1c can check the user information regarding the participation applicant included in the inquiry from the multi-user connection server 20, and can determine whether to accept or reject the connection with the participating terminal. Further, when the user 1b or 1c wants to confirm the detailed information, the user 1b or 1c designates a participant who wishes to participate and inputs a request for providing detailed information to the input units 12b and 12c. Then, the users 1b and 1c can check the detailed information provided from the multi-user connection server 20 and determine whether or not to accept the connection with the participating terminals. In addition, the users 1b and 1c use the input units 12b and 12c to input a user ID, user information, provision conditions, and the like.

  The voice output units 13b and 13c output information by voice. The display units 14b and 14c display information using characters and images. The audio output units 13b and 13c and the display units 14b and 14c are configured to display the communication information received by the communication units 11b and 11c, inquiries, detailed information, participant notifications, input contents from the input units 12b and 12c, and the like. It is acquired from 16c and output or displayed. The storage units 15b and 15c store user IDs, user information, and the like.

  The control units 16b and 16c control the mobile devices 10b and 10c. The control units 16b and 16c function as communication information requesting means for requesting the communication control device to provide communication information when the mobile device becomes a participating terminal. The control units 16b and 16c create communication information provision requests, input the communication information to the communication units 11b and 11c, and instruct the multi-user connection server 20 to transmit, thereby requesting communication information provision.

  The control units 16b and 16c request the provision of communication information according to the requests of the users 1b and 1c. When acquiring the communication information provision request from the input units 12b and 12c, the control units 16b and 16c create a communication information provision request including the specified user ID and input the communication information provision request to the communication units 11b and 11c. In addition, the control units 16b and 16c may request provision of communication information for a member of a group to which the participation applicant belongs or a predetermined specific user. In this case, the control units 16b and 16c acquire user IDs of members and specific users from the storage units 15b and 15c, create communication information provision requests including the acquired user IDs, and input the communication information provision requests to the communication units 11b and 11c. . The control units 16b and 16c may request provision of communication information regarding a plurality of target users.

  Further, the control units 16b and 16c function as connection request means for requesting the communication control device to connect to the communicating terminal when the mobile device becomes a participating terminal. The control units 16b and 16c instruct the communication units 11b and 11c to make a call to the communicating terminal, thereby requesting a connection with the communicating terminal during the communication of the communicating terminal. In this case, the control units 16b and 16c request the multi-user connection server 20 to connect to the communicating terminal via the exchange 40. Alternatively, the control units 16b and 16c create connection requests, input the communication requests to the communication units 11b and 11c, and instruct the multi-user connection server 20 to transmit them. Request connection. In this way, the mobile devices 10b and 10c request participation in communication during communication.

  The control units 16b and 16c request connection with the communicating terminal according to the requests of the users 1b and 1c based on the communication information. When the control units 16b and 16c obtain connection requests from the input units 12b and 12c, the control units 16b and 16c call the specified user ID of the communicating user and send the request to the communicating terminal. Alternatively, the control units 16b and 16c create a connection request including the user ID of the designated communicating user and input the connection request to the communication units 11b and 11c.

  In addition, the control units 16b and 16c may request a connection with a communicating terminal according to a request standard for requesting a connection and communication information. For example, when the communication means provided in the participating terminal matches the communication means used for the communication during communication, when the members of the group to which the user belongs are communicating with each other, a specific user is communicating If the user is a user, a request criterion such as requesting connection with a communicating terminal can be set. The request criteria are stored in the storage units 15b and 15c. The control units 16b and 16c obtain the request criteria from the storage units 15b and 15c and compare them with the received communication information. When the request criteria and the communication information match, the control units 16b and 16c transmit to the user ID of the communicating user and transmit to the communicating terminal. Or control part 16b, 16c produces the connection request | requirement containing the user ID of the user in communication, and inputs it into communication part 11b, 11c.

  In addition, when the mobile device becomes a communicating terminal, the control units 16b and 16c respond to an inquiry as to whether or not a connection with a participating terminal is possible. When the control units 16b and 16c obtain the acceptance or rejection of the connection from the input units 12b and 12c, the control units 16b and 16c create an acceptance notification or a rejection notification, input them to the communication units 11b and 11c, and send them to the multi-user connection server 20 To respond to the inquiry. When receiving a request for providing detailed information from the input units 12b and 12c when receiving the inquiry, the control units 16b and 16c create a detailed information provision request including the user ID of the applicant who wants to participate, and perform communication. Input to the units 11b and 11c and instruct the multi-user connection server 20 to transmit.

  Furthermore, the control units 16b and 16c acquire the user IDs, user information, and provision conditions of the users 1b and 1c themselves from the input units 12b and 12c and the storage units 15b and 15c. The control units 16b and 16c create user information registration requests by associating the acquired user IDs of the users 1b and 1c with the user information of the users 1b and 1c. Further, the control units 16b and 16c create provision condition notifications by associating the provision conditions of the users 1b and 1c with the acquired user IDs of the users 1b and 1c. Then, the control units 16b and 16c input the created user information registration request and provision condition notification to the communication units 16b and 16c, and instruct them to be transmitted to the multi-user connection server 20.

  In addition, the control units 16b and 16c obtain the communication information received by the communication units 11b and 11c, the inquiry about whether or not to connect to the participation terminal, detailed information, and the participant notification from the communication units 11b and 11c, and the audio output unit. 13b and 13c and display units 14b and 14c. The control units 16b and 16c store the information received by the communication units 11b and 11c and the input content acquired from the input units 12b and 12c in the storage units 15b and 15c.

  The network 30 includes a radio access network and a core network. The exchange 40 includes an interface 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43. The interface 41 communicates with the mobile devices 10a, 10b, 10c and the multi-user connection server 20.

  When receiving a call transmitted from the participating terminal to the communicating terminal, the interface 41 inputs the call to the control unit 43. Then, the interface 41 acquires a connection confirmation request from the control unit 43 and transmits it to the multi-user connection server 20. The connection confirmation request is for confirming whether or not the joining terminal that requests connection with the communicating terminal and the communicating terminal may be connected to the multi-user connection server 20, and communicates with the applicant who wants to participate. Contains the user ID of the middle user.

  Further, the interface 41 receives instructions for incoming calls, outgoing calls, and incoming calls from the multi-user connection server 20 and inputs the received instructions to the control unit 43. In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 43, the interface 41 causes the terminal that is in communication to receive a call transmitted from the participating terminal. Alternatively, the interface 41 generates a call to the participating terminal and the communicating terminal according to an instruction from the control unit 43, and causes the participating terminal and the communicating terminal to receive the generated call. Thereafter, the interface 41 connects communication between the participating terminal, the communicating terminal, and the counterpart terminal. In FIG. 1, the interface 41 causes the mobile device 10 b to receive a call from the mobile device 10 c. In FIG. 2, the interface 41 generates a call to the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b, and causes the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b to receive the generated call. Thereafter, the interface 41 connects a voice call between the mobile device 10c, the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10a. Further, the interface 41 discards the call transmitted from the participating terminal without causing the terminal in communication to receive the call in accordance with the instruction to cancel the incoming call from the control unit 43.

  Further, the interface 41 acquires a status notification from the control unit 43 and transmits it to the multi-user connection server 20. The status notification notifies the user connection server 20 of the user status, and includes the status of the user associated with the user ID of the user. The exchange 40 notifies the user's position and communication status as the user status. The storage unit 42 stores the user state in association with the user ID.

  The control unit 43 controls the exchange 40. The control unit 43 acquires a call transmitted from the participating terminal to the communicating terminal from the interface 41. The control unit 43 creates a connection confirmation request including the user ID of the user wishing to participate in the acquired call and the user in communication, inputs the request to the interface 41, and instructs the multi-user connection server 20 to transmit it.

  In addition, the control unit 43 obtains an instruction for incoming calls, outgoing calls, and incoming call cancellations from the multi-user connection server 20 from the interface 41. In accordance with the acquired instruction, the control unit 43 instructs the interface 41 to receive a call from the participating terminal to the communicating terminal or to discard the call from the participating terminal without receiving the call to the communicating terminal. Or Alternatively, the control unit 43 instructs the interface 41 to generate a call to the participating terminal and the communicating terminal, and to cause the participating terminal and the communicating terminal to receive the generated call. After instructing the incoming call, the control unit 43 controls communication between the participating terminal to which the interface 41 is connected, the communicating terminal, and the partner terminal.

  Furthermore, the control unit 43 detects the state of the user. For example, the control unit 43 detects the position based on the position recording request received by the interface 41 from the mobile devices 10a to 10c. The control unit 43 detects the roaming state based on the roaming-out notification and the roaming-in notification received by the interface 41 from the mobile devices 10a to 10c. Based on the presence or absence of a paging response from the mobile devices 10a to 10c in response to a paging request (simultaneous call) transmitted by the interface 41, the control unit 43 detects whether it is within a service area, out of service area, or in a power-off state. Based on whether the interface 41 is connected to the communication, the content of the connected communication, etc., the control unit 43 is in a call, standby, out-of-service state or power-off state, or in communication Detects the communicating user, the other user, the communication means being used, and the like.

  The control unit 43 creates a status notification by associating the detected user status with the user ID, and inputs the status notification to the interface 41. The control unit 43 may create a status notification when a change in the status is detected, or may create a status notification periodically. The control unit 43 can detect a change in the state by comparing the detected state with the state stored in the storage unit 42. The control unit 43 stores the detected state in the storage unit 42 in association with the user ID.

  The multi-user connection server 20 includes a user information database 21, a public member database 22, a network interface 23, a registration unit 24, and a control unit 25. The user information database 21 stores user information including communication information and functions as communication information storage means for storing communication information. The user information database 21 stores user information in association with the user ID.

  In this embodiment, the user information database 21 stores, as user information, a user name, an email address, a group to which the user belongs, a type of communication means provided in the mobile device, and a user status. The user information database 21 stores communication means capable of voice communication as “voice call”, communication means capable of moving image communication as “videophone”, and “OK” when the mobile device includes the communication means. If the mobile device is not provided, “NG” is stored. In addition, in this embodiment, since all the mobile devices 10a to 10c can perform data communication, the user information database 21 does not store whether or not communication means capable of data communication is provided. In a communication system in which a mobile device capable of data communication and a mobile device capable of data communication are mixed, whether or not communication means capable of data communication is provided is also stored.

  Further, the user information database 21 stores the user status in “communication status”, “position”, and “other” indicating other statuses. The user information database 21 stores, as a communication state, any one of communication, standby, out-of-service area, or power-off. The user information database 21 stores information such as “during a voice call” and “during a videophone call” including the communication means used during communication. Further, the user ID of the other user is also stored. In this way, the user information database 21 stores communication information. Further, “out of service area” or “power off” is collectively stored as “out of service area”.

  For example, the user information database 21 is associated with the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c, and as the user information of the user 1c, the name “Bob”, the mail address “bob@docomo.ne.jp”, the group “Family”, communication means “voice call OK, videophone NG”, communication status “waiting”, position “Tokyo”, and other “free time” are stored. In addition, the user information database 21 is associated with the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b, and as the user information of the user 1b, the user name “Nancy”, the mail address “Nancy@docomo.ne.jp”, The group “family”, communication means “voice call OK, videophone OK”, communication status “voice call in progress: 090-3333-3333”, position “Yokohama”, and other “homecoming” are stored. Further, the user information database 21 is associated with the user ID “090-3333-3333” of the user 1a, as the user information of the user 1a, the user name “Tom”, the mail address “Tom@docomo.ne.jp”, The group “family”, communication means “voice call OK, video phone OK”, communication status “voice call in progress: 090-2222-2222”, position “Yokohama”, and other “meal” are stored.

  The public member database 22 is provision condition storage means for storing communication information provision conditions. The public member database 22 stores provision conditions specifying users and groups who are permitted to provide communication information. The public member database 22 stores the user ID of the user who is a public member, the group name of the group, and the group ID in association with the user ID of the user who is permitted to provide. For example, the public member database is associated with the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b and the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the public member user 1c who is permitted to provide communication information related to the user 1b. ”And the user ID“ 090-3333-3333 ”of the user 1a.

  The network interface 23 communicates with the mobile devices 10 a to 10 c via the exchange 40 and the network 30. The network interface 23 receives a communication information provision request and a connection request from the participating terminals and inputs them to the control unit 25. The network interface 23 receives an acceptance notification, a rejection notification, and a detailed information provision request from the communicating terminal, and inputs them to the control unit 25. The network interface 23 receives the connection confirmation request from the exchange 40 and inputs it to the control unit 25.

  The network interface 23 acquires communication information and a rejection result notification from the control unit 25 and transmits them to the participating terminals. The network interface 23 obtains an inquiry about whether or not connection with the participating terminal is possible and detailed information from the control unit 25 and transmits it to the communicating terminal. The network interface 23 acquires the participant notification from the control unit 25 and transmits it to the counterpart terminal. The network interface 23 acquires from the control unit 25 instructions for incoming calls, outgoing calls, and incoming calls to the exchange 40 and transmits them to the exchange 40.

  The network interface 23 receives the user information registration request and the provision condition notification from the mobile devices 10 a to 10 c and inputs them to the registration unit 24. The network interface 23 receives the status notification from the exchange 40 and inputs it to the registration unit 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the network interface 23 receives a communication information provision request and a connection request from the mobile terminal 10c that is a participating terminal by data communication, and transmits the communication information to the mobile terminal 10c by data communication. The network interface 23 sends an inquiry about whether or not to connect to the participating terminal and detailed information to the mobile device 10b, which is a communicating terminal, by data communication, and sends an acceptance notification, a rejection notification, and a detailed information provision request from the mobile device 10b. Receive by communication. The network interface 23 transmits a participant notification to the mobile device 10a, which is the counterpart terminal, by data communication. Although not shown, the network interface 23 receives a user information registration request and a provision condition notification from the mobile devices 10a to 10c by data communication.

  The network interface 23 transmits communication information, inquiry, detailed information, and participant notification to the mobile devices 10a to 10c as, for example, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data). According to this, even when the multi-user connection server 20 does not know the mail addresses of the mobile devices 10a to 10c, information can be transmitted to the mobile devices 10a to 10c. The network interface 23 may transmit communication information, an inquiry, detailed information, and a participant notification to the mobile devices 10a to 10c by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

  The registration unit 24 registers user information in the user information database 21. The registration unit 24 acquires a user information registration request from the network interface 23. The registration unit 24 stores the user information included in the user information registration request in the user information database 21 in association with the user ID included in the user information registration request. The registration unit 24 registers the provision conditions in the public member database 22. The registration unit 24 acquires a provision condition notification from the network interface 23. The registration unit 24 stores the public member included in the provision condition notification in the public member database 22 in association with the user ID of the user who permits the provision included in the provision condition notification.

  If the user ID included in the acquired user information registration request or notification of provision conditions has already been registered in the user information database 21 or the public member database 22, the registration unit 24 sends new user information or public members to the user. It is stored in the information database 21 or the public member database 22 and updated. When the registration unit 24 acquires a user information registration request including only user information that needs to be updated, only the user information that needs to be updated may be newly stored in the user information database 21 and updated.

  Also, the registration unit 24 acquires a status notification from the network interface 23. The registration unit 24 stores the state included in the state notification in the user information database 21 in association with the user ID included in the state notification. At this time, for example, the registration unit 24 stores the state included in the state notification from the exchange 40 only when the state based on the user information registration request from the mobile devices 10a to 10c is not stored. You may make it give priority to the notification of the state from 1a-1c. The registration unit 24 may store both the state included in the user information registration request and the state included in the state notification in the user information database 21 in parallel. Further, when the user ID included in the status notification does not exist in the user information database 21, the registration unit 24 does not store the status, and the status notification from the exchange 40 indicates that the user who has already registered the user information. It may be used only for updating user information.

  The control unit 25 controls the multi-user connection server 20. The control unit 25 functions as communication information providing means for providing communication information to the participating terminals based on a request for providing communication information from the participating terminals. The control unit 25 restricts the provision of communication information based on the applicant who wants to participate. The control unit 25 acquires a communication information provision request from the network interface 23. The control unit 25 searches the public member database 22 based on the user ID of the target user included in the acquired communication information provision request, and confirms the provision conditions of the target user.

  Specifically, the control unit 25 first, as the communication information provision request, the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c who is a desire to participate and the user ID “090-2222” of the user 1b who is the target user. -2222 ”and the communication information provision request including the user IDs of the other target users, user A and user C, are acquired from the network interface 23. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 25 confirms the public members registered in the public member database 22 in association with the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b. Since the public ID includes the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c, the control unit 25 confirms that the provision of communication information related to the user 1b is permitted. Similarly, the control unit 25 confirms the public members associated with the user IDs of the user A and the user C. As a result, it is assumed that the control unit 25 confirms that the user 1c is permitted to provide communication information related to the user A but is not allowed to provide communication information related to the user C.

  The control unit 25 searches the user information database 21 based on the user ID of the target user who is permitted to provide communication information to the applicant who wants to participate, and acquires communication information related to the target user from the user information database 21. And the control part 25 inputs the acquired communication information into the network interface 23, and instruct | indicates to transmit to a participating terminal using the telephone number which is a user ID of the participating applicant contained in a communication information provision request | requirement, Provide communication information to participating terminals. Note that the control unit 25 obtains the mail address of the participating terminal from the user information database 21 based on the user ID of the applicant who wants to participate, and instructs the network interface 23 to transmit communication information to the participating terminal using the mail address. May be. In this way, the control unit 25 restricts the provision of communication information based on the applicants who want to participate. Therefore, the multi-user connection server 20 can prevent communication information from being provided to participation applicants who are not permitted to provide communication information, such as those who wish to participate in which the target user does not want to provide communication information related to the target user.

  Specifically, the control unit 25 displays the communication information registered in association with the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b who is permitted to provide the communication information to the user 1c. Obtained from the database 21. First, the control unit 25 acquires the name “Nancy” of the user 1b, the group “family”, and the communication state “during voice call: 090-3333-3333”. The control unit 25 acquires the name “Tom” of the partner user and the group “Family” from the user information database 21 based on the user ID “090-3333-3333” of the partner user included in the communication state. The control unit 25 acquires communication information related to the user A in the same manner.

  The control unit 25 creates a conversation list including communication information related to a plurality of communications based on the acquired communication information, and inputs the conversation list to the network interface 23. As a result, the control unit 25 uses the name “Nancy” of the user 1b who is the user in communication as “communication information regarding the user 1b as shown in FIG. The name “Tom”, the group “family” to which the communicating user and the other user belong, the communication information regarding the user A, the name “Mr. A” of the user A who is the communicating user, and “ It is possible to provide the mobile device 10c with a conversation list that includes “TV phone”, the name of the other user “Mr. B”, the user in communication and the group “friend” to which the other user belongs. Then, the conversation list is displayed on the display unit 14c. As described above, the control unit 25 does not provide the mobile device 10c with communication information related to the user C who does not permit the user 1c to provide communication information. Moreover, the control part 25 can provide the communication information regarding several communication, and the mobile device 10c can acquire the communication information regarding several communication.

  When the target user is not communicating, the control unit 25 provides the participating terminal with the communication state of the target user as a response to the communication information provision request. The control unit 25 acquires the communication state of the target user from the user information database 21 and inputs it to the network interface 23, and the network interface 23 transmits the communication state to the participating terminals.

  Further, the control unit 25 functions as a connection control unit that controls the connection between the communicating terminal and the participating terminal based on a request for connection between the participating terminal and the communicating terminal. Based on the connection request, the control unit 25 inquires of the communicating terminal whether connection with the participating terminal is possible, and controls the connection based on a response from the communicating terminal to the inquiry. Furthermore, the control part 25 provides the user information regarding a candidate who wishes to participate to the communicating terminal when making an inquiry.

  In a case where a connection terminal requests a connection with a communicating terminal by sending a call to the communicating terminal, the control unit 25 includes the user ID of the user who is communicating and the user who is communicating and transmitted from the exchange 40. A connection confirmation request is acquired from the network interface 23. When the participating terminal requests connection with the communicating terminal by transmitting a connection request, the control unit 25 sends a connection request including the user ID of the communicating user and the communicating user transmitted from the participating terminal. Obtained from the network interface 23.

  First, the control unit 25 creates an inquiry as to whether or not the communicating terminal can be connected to the participating terminal based on the acquired connection confirmation request and connection request. The control unit 25 acquires, from the user information database 21, user information relating to the applicant who wants to participate provided from the user information database 21 based on the connection confirmation request or the user ID of the applicant who is included in the connection request. The control unit 25 acquires, for example, the name of the applicant who wants to participate, the group to which the applicant desires to belong, the type of communication means included in the participating terminal, and the like. The control unit 25 includes the acquired user information regarding the applicant who wants to participate, and creates an inquiry for inquiring whether connection with the participating terminal is possible. It is preferable that the control unit 25 is composed of text data, image data, and audio data, and creates a device that makes an inquiry using characters, images, and sounds. The control unit 25 inputs the created inquiry to the network interface 23 and instructs it to be transmitted to the communicating terminal using the telephone number that is the user ID of the communicating user included in the connection confirmation request or the connection request. The control unit 25 acquires the mail address of the communicating user from the user information database 21 based on the user ID of the communicating user, and transmits an inquiry to the communicating terminal using the mail address to the network interface 23. You may instruct.

  Next, when there is a detailed information provision request from the communicating terminal, the control unit 25 provides the detailed information to the communicating terminal based on the detailed information provision request. The control unit 25 acquires a detailed information provision request from the network interface 23. The control unit 25 searches the user information database 21 based on the user ID of the applicant who wants to participate included in the acquired detailed information provision request, and acquires detailed information from the user information database 21. The control unit 25 acquires, for example, the name of the applicant who wants to participate, the type of communication means included in the participation terminal, the state of the applicant who wants to participate. The control unit 25 provides the detailed information to the communicating terminal by inputting the acquired detailed information to the network interface 23 and instructing the terminal to transmit to the communicating terminal. As described above, the control unit 25 provides the user information regarding the applicant who wants to participate, makes an inquiry, or provides detailed information, thereby providing information regarding the applicant who wants to participate to the communicating terminal.

  Then, the control unit 25 acquires an acceptance notification and a rejection notification transmitted from the communicating terminal from the network interface 23. When the control unit 25 obtains the acceptance notification, and when the participating terminal requests connection with the communicating terminal by transmitting to the communicating terminal, the control unit 25 sends the call transmitted from the participating terminal to the communicating terminal. The switch 40 is instructed to make an incoming call. In addition, when the participating terminal requests connection with the communicating terminal by transmitting a connection request, a call is made to the participating terminal and the communicating terminal, and the generated call is received at the participating terminal and the communicating terminal. The switch 40 is instructed to do so.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 25 obtains the rejection notification, when the participating terminal requests connection with the communicating terminal by transmitting to the communicating terminal, the control unit 25 receives an incoming call from the participating terminal. The switch 40 is instructed to cancel. The control unit 25 generates an incoming / outgoing instruction and an incoming call cancellation instruction, inputs them to the network interface 23, and instructs the exchange 40 to send the incoming / outgoing call / incoming call. Instruct. In this way, the control unit 25 controls the connection between the participating terminal and the communicating terminal.

  Furthermore, when acquiring the approval notification, the control unit 25 creates a participant notification for the partner terminal, inputs it to the network interface 23, and instructs the partner terminal to transmit it. In addition, when the rejection notification is acquired, the control unit 25 creates a rejection result notification for the participating terminal, inputs it to the network interface 23, and instructs the participating terminal to transmit it.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mobile device 10c requests connection between the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b in a voice call and requests participation in the voice call. In the case of FIG. 1, the control unit 25 acquires a connection confirmation request from the exchange 40 from the network interface 23. In the case of FIG. 2, the control unit 25 acquires a connection request from the mobile device 10 c from the network interface 23. The connection confirmation request and the connection request include the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c who wants to participate and the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b who is the communicating user. Based on the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c, the control unit 25 moves from the user information database 21 the name “Bob” of the user 1c who is a participant who wishes to participate, the group “family”, and a movement that is a participating terminal. The communication means “voice call” provided in the machine 10c is acquired.

  Then, the control unit 25 connects to the participating terminal, creates a “multi-user communication request” for requesting communication by a large number of users as an inquiry, and inputs it to the network interface 23. The multi-user communication request includes user 1c's name “Bob”, group “family”, and communication means “voice call” included in the mobile device 10c as user information related to the applicant. In addition, the multi-user communication request includes “view information” for requesting detailed information, “connect” for accepting connection with a participating terminal and transmitting an acceptance notification, and rejecting connection with a participating terminal by rejecting the connection. It includes three choices of “decline” to send. As a result, the control unit 25 uses the communication means “voice call”, the participant “Bob”, the group “family”, the three options “view information”, “connect”, as shown in FIG. A multi-user communication request including “reject” can be provided to the mobile device 10b. Then, a multi-user communication request is displayed on the display unit 14b.

  When the user 1b selects “view information”, the control unit 25 sends a detailed information provision request including the user ID of the user 1b who is a communicating user and the user ID of the user 1c who is a participant who wishes to participate in the network interface 23. Get from. The control unit 25 registers the name “Bob” of the user 1c registered in association with the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c, the communication state “waiting”, the position “Tokyo”, and the other state “free time”. ”, The type of communication means“ voice call OK, TV phone NG ”is acquired from the user information database 21. The control unit 25 creates detailed information based on the acquired user information and inputs it to the network interface 23. As a result, the control unit 25 displays the name “Bob” of the user 1c as shown in FIG. 4B, the communication state “waiting”, the position “Tokyo”, the other state “free time”, the type of communication means “voice”. Detailed information including “phone OK, TV phone NG” can be provided to the mobile device 10b. Detailed information is then displayed on the display unit 14b.

  When the user 1b confirming the user information of the user 1c decides to accept the participation and selects “connect”, the control unit 25 acquires an acceptance notice from the network interface 23. As shown in FIG. 1, when the mobile device 10c requests the connection to the mobile device 10b by transmitting to the mobile device 10b, the control unit 25 sends a call transmitted from the mobile device 10c. The switch 40 is instructed to make the mobile station 10b receive a call. As a result, a call from the mobile device 10c arrives at the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b are connected. The mobile device 10c participates in a voice call between the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the mobile device 10c requests connection to the mobile device 10b by transmitting a connection request to the multi-user connection server 20, the control unit 25 transmits the mobile device 10c and A call is made to the mobile device 10b, and the exchange 40 is instructed to make the generated call come to the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b. As a result, a call arrives at the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b are connected. The mobile device 10c participates in a voice call between the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b. Further, the control unit 25 notifies the participant to the mobile device 10a before giving an instruction to the exchange 40. The control unit 25 creates a participant notification including user information of the applicant who wants to participate such as the name of the user 1 c and inputs it to the network interface 23.

〔Communication method〕
As shown in FIG. 1, a procedure of a communication method when a connection with a communicating terminal is requested by transmission to the communicating terminal will be described with reference to FIG. First, the mobile device 10b transmits to the mobile device 10a (S101). The exchange 40 causes the mobile device 10a to receive a call from the mobile device 10b (S102). The mobile device 10a responds to the incoming call (S103). In response to the response from the mobile device 10a, the exchange 40 starts control of communication between the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10a (S104), and the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10a start voice communication. (S105). After step (S104), steps (S104) to (S118) are performed during a voice call between mobile device 10b and mobile device 10a so as to be surrounded by a dotted line.

  The mobile device 10c transmits a communication information provision request for requesting provision of communication information related to the target user including the user 1b to the multi-user connection server 20 (S106). The multi-user connection server 20 confirms public members who are permitted to provide communication information regarding the target user (S107). The multi-user connection server 20 provides communication information regarding the target user including the user 1c as a public member to the mobile device 10c (S108). The mobile device 10c confirms the provided communication information, and determines that the mobile device 10b requests participation in a voice call with the mobile device 10a (S109).

  The mobile device 10c requests connection with the mobile device 10b by transmitting to the mobile device 10b (S110). The exchange 40 transmits a connection confirmation request for confirming whether or not the mobile station 10c and the mobile station 10b may be connected to the multi-user connection server 20 (S111). The multi-user connection server 20 includes user information related to the user 1c, and transmits an inquiry for inquiring whether or not the connection to the mobile device 10c is possible to the mobile device 10b by, for example, HTTP (S112). The mobile device 10b confirms the user information included in the inquiry and determines to accept the participation of the mobile device 10c in the voice call between the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10a (S113). Note that the mobile device 10b may request detailed information from the multi-user connection server 20 after step (S112). In this case, the multi-user connection server 20 provides detailed information to the mobile device 10b. Then, the mobile device 10b may confirm the provided detailed information and decide to accept the participation of the mobile device 10c.

  The mobile device 10b transmits a consent notice to the multi-user connection server 20 (S114). The multi-user connection server 20 transmits a participant notification notifying that the user 1c participates in the voice call to the mobile device 10a (S115). Furthermore, the multi-user connection server 20 instructs the exchange 40 to receive a call from the mobile device 10c to the mobile device 10b (S116). The exchange 40 causes the mobile device 10b to receive a call from the mobile device 10c (S117). Then, the mobile device 10b responds to the incoming call (S118). In response to the response from the mobile device 10b, the exchange 40 starts control of communication between the mobile device 10c, the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10a (S119), and the mobile device 10c moves with the mobile device 10b. Participate in a voice call with the machine 10a (S120). Thereafter, a voice call is performed between the mobile device 10c, the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10a so as to be surrounded by a one-dot chain line.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a procedure of a communication method when a connection request is transmitted to the multi-user connection server 20 to request connection with a communicating terminal will be described with reference to FIG. Steps (S201) to (S209) similar to steps (S101) to (S109) are performed. After step (S204), steps (S204) to (S220) are performed during a voice call between mobile device 10b and mobile device 10a so as to be surrounded by a dotted line.

  Following the step (S209), the mobile device 10c transmits a connection request for requesting connection with the mobile device 10b to the multi-user connection server 20 by, for example, HTTP (S210). Next, steps (S211) to (S214) similar to steps (S112) to (S115) are performed. Further, the multi-user connection server 20 instructs the exchange 40 to make a call to the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b and to make the generated call come to the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b (S215).

  The exchange 40 generates a call to the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b (S216). The exchange 40 causes the generated calls to be received by the mobile devices 10c and 10b (S217) and (S218). Then, the mobile devices 10c and 10b respond to the incoming call (S219) and (S220). The exchange 40 receives the responses from the mobile devices 10c and 10b, and starts control of the communication between the mobile device 10c, the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10a (S221). The mobile device 10c is controlled by the mobile device 10b. And participate in a voice call with the mobile device 10a (S222). Thereafter, a voice call is performed between the mobile device 10c, the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10a so as to be surrounded by a one-dot chain line.

〔effect〕
According to the communication system 1, the multi-user connection server 20, and the communication method, the multi-user connection server 20 can store communication information and provide the communication information to the mobile device 10c that is a participating terminal. Further, the multi-user connection server 20 can control connection between the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b based on a request for connection with the mobile device 10b that is a communicating terminal by the mobile device 10c. Therefore, the user 1c can acquire and confirm communication information related to communication during communication such as a voice call between the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10a when the user 1c wants to participate in the current communication. Then, the user 1c can request and participate in communication between the mobile devices 10b and 10a in communication based on the acquired communication information. For example, if it is known that the user's own family is in a voice call, when the user wants to participate in the voice call, the user acquires communication information indicating that the family is making a voice call, and goes to the voice call. Can be requested to participate.

  Furthermore, the control unit 25 inquires of the mobile device 10b whether the connection with the mobile device 10c is possible based on the connection request, and controls the connection based on a response from the mobile device 10b to the inquiry. Therefore, the multi-user connection server 20 can control the connection between the mobile device 10c and the mobile device 10b in consideration of the intention of the user 1b. Moreover, the control unit 25 provides the mobile device 10b with user information related to the applicant who wants to participate when making an inquiry. Therefore, the user 1b requested to participate can determine whether or not the connection to the mobile device 10c is possible after confirming the user information, and can accept or reject the participation.

  Further, according to the mobile device 10c, it is possible to request communication information from the multi-user connection server 20 and receive communication information related to the user 1b. The mobile device 10c can request the multi-user connection server 20 to connect to the mobile device 10b in communication. Therefore, the user 1c can acquire and confirm communication information related to communication during communication such as a voice call between the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10a when the user 1c wants to participate in the current communication. Then, the user 1c can request and participate in communication between the mobile devices 10b and 10a in communication based on the acquired communication information.

[Example of change]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the multi-user connection server 20 may include a communication database 26 shown in FIG. 7 instead of the public member database 22. The communication database 26 functions as communication information storage means and provision condition storage means. The communication database 26 stores communication information and provision conditions for each communication during communication. The communication database 26 stores communication information and provision conditions in association with the group ID to which the communicating user and the other user belong. Since the communication database 26 stores communication information and provision conditions for each communication, when one group performs a plurality of communications, the communication database 26 stores a plurality of communication information and provision conditions corresponding to one group ID.

  The communication database 26 stores, as communication information, the group name to which the communicating user and partner user belong, the communicating user and partner user who are communicating members, and the communication means used. The communication database 26 stores user IDs and names of communicating users and counterpart users as information indicating communication members. The communication database 26 stores the user who has started communication as the communicating user in the first record. The communication database 26 stores communication information provision conditions determined for each communication during communication. The communication database 26 stores the availability of disclosure indicating whether or not the provision of the communication information of the communication is permitted as the provision condition. The communication database 26 stores the case where the provision is permitted as “public” and the case where the provision is not permitted as “non-public”.

  For example, the communication database 26 associates the group ID “090-1234-5678” with the group name “family” of the group in communication and the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b who is the user in communication. The name “Nancy”, the user ID “090-3333-3333” and the name “Tom” of the user 1a who is the other user, the communication means used “voice call in progress”, and “public” as provision conditions are stored. In addition, the communication database 26 associates the group ID “090-2234-5678” with the group name “friend” of the group in communication, and the user ID “090-4444-4444” of the user A who is in communication. The name “Mr. A”, the user ID “090-5555-5555” and the name “Mr. B” of the user B who is the other user, the currently used communication means “TV phone”, and “public” as provision conditions are stored. . Further, the communication database 26 associates the group ID “090-3234-5678” with the group name “work” of the group in communication and the user ID “090-6666-6666” of the user C who is in communication. Stores the name “Mr. C”, the user ID “090-7777-7777” and the name “Mr. D” of the other user D, the communication means being used “data communication in progress”, and “private” as provision conditions To do.

  The mobile device 10b, which is a communicating terminal, transmits the communication information and provision condition registration request to the multi-user connection server 20 when starting communication. Specifically, the control unit 16b associates with the group ID of the group to which the communicating user and the other user belong, the group name, the user ID of the communicating user and the other user and their names, the communication means used, A registration request including availability of disclosure is created, and the communication unit 11b transmits the registration request to the multi-user connection server 20. Then, the registration unit 24 of the multi-user connection server 20 registers the communication information and provision conditions included in the registration request transmitted when communication is started from the communicating terminal in the communication database 26.

  The mobile terminal 10c, which is a participating terminal, requests the multi-user connection server 20 to provide communication information by specifying a group ID. Specifically, the control unit 16 c creates a communication information provision request including the user ID of the applicant who wants to participate and the group ID of the group that wants to know the communication information, and the communication unit 11 c transmits to the multi-user connection server 20. First, the control unit 25 of the multi-user connection server 20 searches the communication database 26 based on the group ID included in the communication information provision request from the participating terminal, and provides the communication information associated with the group ID. Check the conditions.

  For example, when the communication information provision request includes group IDs “090-1234-5678”, “090-2234-5678”, and “090-3234-5678”, the control unit 25 uses the group ID “ The communication information registered in association with “090-1234-5678”, “090-2234-5678”, and “090-3234-5678” is checked. The control unit 25 sets the communication information of the group IDs “090-1234-5678” and “090-2234-5678” to “public”, and the communication information of the group ID “090-3234-5678” to “private”. Make sure.

  The control unit 25 acquires, from the communication database 26, communication information associated with a group ID whose availability is “public” and whose provision of communication information is permitted. And the control part 25 provides communication information to a participating terminal by inputting the acquired communication information into the network interface 23, and instruct | indicating to transmit to a participating terminal. In this way, the control unit 25 restricts the provision of communication information based on the provision condition of communication information determined for each communication during communication. Therefore, the multi-user connection server 20 can cope with a case where the user wants to set whether to provide the communication information for each communication.

  Specifically, the control unit 25 determines from the communication database 26 that the group name “family” and the communication member “Nancy” are based on the group ID “090-1234-5678” whose availability is set to “public”. , Tom ”, the user ID“ 090-2222-2222 ”of the communicating user, and the communication status“ Voice call ”based on the group ID“ 090-2234-5678 ”, the group name“ friend ”, the communication member“ A ” , Mr. B ”, the user ID“ 090-4444-4444 ”of the communicating user, and the communication status“ TV phone in progress ”are acquired. The control unit 25 creates a conversation list based on the acquired communication information and inputs it to the network interface 23.

  As a result, the control unit 25 uses the communication group name “family” as shown in FIG. 8 as the communication information related to the group ID “090-1234-5678”, the communication means used “voice call”, communication The member “Nancy, Tom” and the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the communicating user are used as the communication information regarding the group ID “090-2234-5678”, the group name “friend” being communicated, and the communication being used. A conversation list including means “TV phone”, communication members “Mr. A, Mr. B”, and user IDs “090-4444-4444” of users in communication can be provided to the mobile device 10c. Then, the conversation list is displayed on the display unit 14c. Thereafter, the mobile device 10c uses the user ID of the communicating user included in the conversation list to request connection with the communicating terminal in the same manner as in the above embodiment. In this way, by setting the user who has started communication as the user in communication, connection can be requested to the user who has started communication.

  Further, the user information database 21, the public member database 22, the registration unit 24, the control unit 25, and the communication database 26 may be provided in separate servers. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the mobile device 10c participates in the voice call when performing the voice call between the mobile devices 10a and 10b has been described as an example. The present invention can also be applied when participating in communication such as a videophone call using moving image communication or a chat using data communication. The mobile device can also be set not to accept any participation request. When the multi-user connection server 20 receives a connection confirmation request or a connection request for a mobile device set to accept no participation request, the multi-user connection server 20 notifies the participation terminal that connection cannot be made.

  Further, the multi-user connection server 20 may forcibly connect the participating terminal and the communicating terminal without making an inquiry to the communicating terminal. The participating terminal may request connection with a plurality of communicating terminals and participate in a plurality of communications. The multi-user connection server 20 is connected to the communication system 1 limited by the processing capacity of the exchange 40 or the multi-user connection server 20 or the allowable traffic amount when receiving a request for connection with a plurality of communicating terminals. Based on the number of possible users, etc., connection with some communicating terminals may be rejected.

It is a figure which shows the communication system in the case of requesting | connecting with the terminal in communication by transmission to the terminal in communication which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the communication system in the case of requesting | requiring a connection with the terminal in communication by transmission of the connection request | requirement to the multi-user connection server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display part of the participating terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display part of the terminal in communication which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication method in the case of requesting | requiring connection with the communicating terminal by the transmission to the communicating terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication method in the case of requesting | connecting with the terminal in communication by transmission of the connection request | requirement to the multi-user connection server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the communication database which concerns on the example of a change of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display part of the participating terminal which concerns on the example of a change of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 10a, 10b, 10c Mobile station 11b, 11c Communication part 12b, 12c Input part 13b, 13c Audio | voice output part 14b, 14c Display part 15b, 15c Storage part 16b, 16c Control part 20 Multi-user connection server 21 User information database 22 public member database 23 network interface 24 registration unit 25 control unit 26 communication database 30 network 40 switch 41 interface 42 storage unit 43 control unit

Claims (6)

Communication information storage means for storing communication information including the type of communication means used in communication during communication ;
Communication information providing means for providing the communication information to the participating terminal based on a request for providing communication information from the participating terminal;
Based on a request for connection with a communicating terminal by a participating terminal provided with a communicating means that matches the communicating means , the communicating terminal and the participating terminal provided with the matching communicating means are connected, and the participating terminal is A communication control device comprising connection control means for performing control for participation in communication.   The connection control means inquires of the communicating terminal whether connection with the participating terminal is possible based on the connection request, and controls the connection based on a response from the communicating terminal to the inquiry. The communication control device according to claim 1.   The communication information providing unit restricts the provision of the communication information based on at least one of the provision conditions of the communication information determined for each of the applicants who want to participate or the communication during the communication. The communication control apparatus according to 1 or 2. Communication information requesting means for providing communication information including the type of communication means used in communication during communication and requesting the communication control device for controlling connection between the communicating terminal and the participating terminal to provide the communication information When,
Receiving means for receiving the communication information;
If a communication means matches the communication means being the use, for the communication control device, and a connection request means for requesting to participate in connection with the communicating terminal to a communication in the communication A terminal device characterized by that. Communication information storage means for storing communication information including the type of communication means used in communication during communication ;
Communication information providing means for providing the communication information to the participating terminal based on a request for providing communication information from the participating terminal;
Based on a request for connection with a communicating terminal by a participating terminal provided with a communicating means that matches the communicating means , the communicating terminal and the participating terminal provided with the matching communicating means are connected, and the participating terminal is A communication system comprising connection control means for performing control for participation in communication. Based on the request for providing communication information from the participating terminal, providing the participating terminal with communication information including the type of communication means used in communication during communication ,
Based on a request for connection with a communicating terminal by a participating terminal provided with a communicating means that matches the communicating means, the communicating terminal and a participating terminal provided with the matching communicating means are connected, and the participating terminal communicates with the communicating terminal. A communication method characterized by performing control for participation in the network.

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