JP3910580B2 - 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 usable communication means before starting communication, but can check the status and communication means during communication. I couldn't. Therefore, if a user who is communicating such as a voice call wants to communicate with a large number of users by joining a third party other than the user currently participating in the communication, the communication is interrupted once. After confirming the status of the third party and available communication means, it was necessary to start communication including the third party.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a user in communication to check information related to a third party, invite the third party to the communication, and participate in the communication.

  The communication control device according to the present invention is communicating third party information based on a third party information storage means for storing third party information related to the third party and a third party information provision request from the communicating terminal. Third-party information providing means to be provided to the terminal, and connection control means for controlling the connection between the communicating terminal and the third-party terminal based on a request for connection between the communicating terminal and the third-party terminal. It is characterized by.

  A terminal device in communication is called a “terminal in communication”. One of the terminal devices in communication is specified as a terminal in communication, and the type of another terminal device is specified based on the relationship with the specified terminal in communication. A terminal device in communication with a communicating terminal is referred to as a “partner terminal”. A terminal device other than the communicating terminal and the partner terminal, that is, a terminal device not participating in the communication performed by the communicating terminal and the partner terminal is referred to as a “third party terminal”. In addition, a user of a communicating terminal is referred to as a “communication user”, and a user of a partner terminal is referred to as a “partner user”. A user of a third party terminal that is a user other than the communicating user and the other user is referred to as a “third party”. Communication includes data communication, voice communication, moving image communication, and the like.

  According to such a communication control device, the third party information can be stored and the third party information can be provided to the communicating terminal. Furthermore, the communication control device can control the connection between the communicating terminal and the third party terminal based on the request for the connection with the third party terminal by the communicating terminal. By connecting the communicating terminal and the third party terminal, the communicating terminal, the partner terminal connected to the communicating terminal, and the third party terminal are connected. Therefore, the communicating user can acquire and confirm the third party information during the communication, invite the third party to the communication during the communication, and can participate.

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

  Further, it is preferable that the third party information providing means restricts the provision of the third party information based on the user during communication. According to this, the communication control device can provide third party information to a communicating user who is not permitted to provide third party information, such as a communicating user whose third party does not want to provide third party information. Can be prevented. For example, a third party sets restrictions on provision of third party information. Furthermore, it is preferable that the third party information providing means provides at least one of the state of the third party or the type of communication means provided in the third party terminal as the third party information. According to this, the user in communication can determine whether or not to invite a third party to communication based on the state of the provided third party and the type of communication means provided in the third party terminal.

  The terminal device according to the present invention provides third party information relating to a third party, and requests the communication control device that controls connection between the communicating terminal and the third party terminal to provide the third party information during communication. 3rd party information requesting means, receiving means for receiving third party information during communication, and connection requesting means for requesting the communication control device to connect to a third party terminal during communication. To do.

  According to such a terminal device, during communication, the communication control device can be requested to provide third party information, and the third party information can be received. The terminal device can request the communication control device to connect to the third party terminal during communication. Therefore, the communicating user can acquire and confirm the third party information during the communication, invite the third party to the communication during the communication, and can participate.

  The communication system according to the present invention includes a third party information storage means for storing third party information relating to a third party, and a third party information communicating terminal based on a third party information provision request from the communicating terminal. And a connection control means for controlling the connection between the communicating terminal and the third party terminal based on the request for the connection with the third party terminal by the communicating terminal. Features.

  The communication method according to the present invention provides third-party information related to a third party to a communicating terminal based on a third-party information provision request from the communicating terminal, and is connected to the third-party terminal by the communicating terminal. Based on the request, the connection between the communicating terminal and the third party terminal is controlled.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a user in communication can check information related to a third party, invite the third party to communication during communication, and allow the user to participate.

〔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. 1 and 2, when the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b perform a voice call and are in communication, the mobile device 10c is connected between the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b by invitation of the mobile device 10b later. The case of participating in a voice call is shown.

  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 third party terminal that does not 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 third party. The multi-user connection server 20 is a communication control device that provides third-party information regarding a third party and controls connection between the communicating terminal and the third-party 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 third party information during communication when the mobile device becomes a communicating terminal. The communication units 11b and 11c acquire a third party information provision request from the control units 16b and 16c, and transmit the request to the multi-user connection server 20 during communication. The third-party information provision request is a request for provision of third-party information, and includes a user ID of a user in communication and a user ID of a third party who desires provision. 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 third party information provided from the multi-user connection server 20 as a response to the third party information provision request during communication. The communication units 11b and 11c input the received third party information to the control units 16b and 16c. The third party information includes, for example, a name such as a third party's real name or nickname, an e-mail address, a group to which the third party belongs, a type of communication means provided in the third party terminal, and a third party status.

  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.

  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 status includes during communication, communication is possible but standby is not performed, communication is not possible, or power is off. Further, the communication state includes more detailed communication information regarding communication such as the communication means being used, the other user, the group in communication, the group to which the other user belongs, and the roaming state. 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.

  In this embodiment, the third-party information provision request includes, as third-party information, a list request for requesting provision of a third-party status list including the third-party name, communication status, and other status; The person information includes a detailed information request for requesting provision of detailed information including the name of a third party, a communication state, a position, other state, and a type of communication means. First, the communication units 11b and 11c transmit a list request and receive a third party state list as a response. After that, when acquiring the detailed information request from the control units 16b and 16c, the communication units 11b and 11c transmit the detailed information request and receive the detailed information as a response.

  Further, when the mobile unit becomes a communicating terminal, the communication units 11b and 11c transmit to a third party terminal during communication as shown in FIG. 1, or a large number of users during communication as shown in FIG. A connection request is transmitted to the connection server 20, or an incoming call is accepted during communication. The communication units 11b and 11c transmit to a third party terminal during communication in accordance with instructions from the control units 16b and 16c. The connection request is for requesting the communication control device to connect to a third party terminal, and includes a user ID of a user who is communicating and a user ID of a third party who desires connection. 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 during communication 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 third party terminal that the connection request has been rejected.

  Further, when the mobile device becomes a third party terminal, the communication units 11b and 11c receive an inquiry from the multi-user connection server 20 as to whether or not connection with the communicating terminal is possible, and input it to the control units 16b and 16c. To do. The inquiry about whether or not connection is possible includes communication information related to the communication performed by the communicating terminal. For example, the inquiry includes, as communication information, the communication means being used, a communication member such as a communicating user and a partner user, a group to which the communication member belongs, and the like.

  Further, the communication units 11 b and 11 c obtain user information provision requests from the control units 16 b and 16 c and transmit them to the multi-user connection server 20. The user information provision request is for requesting provision of user information of a communicating user or a partner user, and includes a user ID of a third party and a user ID of the communicating user or the partner user who desires to provide. And the communication parts 11b and 11c receive the user information of the communicating user and the other user provided from the multi-user connection server 20 as a response to the user information provision request. The communication units 11b and 11c input the received user information to the control units 16b and 16c. 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, the communication units 11b and 11c acquire an approval notification or a rejection notification from the control units 16b and 16c, and transmit an approval notification or a rejection notification to the multi-user connection server 20 in accordance with the instructions of the control units 16b and 16c. The acceptance notification is a notification for accepting the connection with the communicating terminal. The rejection notification is a notification for rejecting the connection with the communicating 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 third party terminal participates in the 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 as third-party information, information regarding a communicating user, or a partner user. 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. 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.

  In addition, the communication units 11 b and 11 c transmit user 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 third-party information, information regarding a user in communication, and a partner user. In the present embodiment, a provision condition that designates a user or a group that is permitted to provide user information by using the user ID of the user or the group name or group ID of the group is used. A user or group permitted to provide user information is referred to as a “public member”. 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 11b of the mobile device 10b, which is a communicating terminal, transmits a third party information provision request to the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication, and the multi-user connection server 20 transmits the third party information. Is received by data communication. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 11b transmits to the mobile device 10c, which is a third party terminal, by voice communication. Or the communication part 11b transmits the connection request | requirement which requests | requires the connection with the mobile apparatus 10c which is a third party terminal by data communication to the multi-user connection server 20 as shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 11c of the mobile device 10c, which is a third party terminal, receives an inquiry from the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication. Although not shown, the communication unit 11c transmits a user information provision request to the multi-user connection server 20 by data communication, and the user information of the communicating user and the other user from the multi-user connection server 20 as data. Receive by communication. And the communication part 11c transmits a notice of consent 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 users in communication and wish to provide third party information during communication between the communicating terminal and the counterpart terminal, the users 1b and 1c desire to provide the input units 12b and 12c. Specify the third party to enter, and enter a request to provide third-party information. For example, the users 1b and 1c select a third-party user ID and input a request for provision of third-party information by pressing a predetermined key to input a request for provision of third-party information. To do. First, the users 1b and 1c input a request for providing a third party status list to the input units 12b and 12c as a request for providing third party information. After confirming the third party status list, the users 1b and 1c specify a third party who wants to know more detailed information as a request for providing third party information, and input a request for providing detailed information. Input to 12b and 12c.

  In addition, when the users 1b and 1c become communicating users and wish to connect to a third party terminal during communication between the communicating terminal and the counterpart terminal, the input units 12b and 12c are Specify the third party that you want to connect to and enter the request for connection with the third party terminal. For example, the users 1b and 1c input a connection request by selecting a third party user ID and pressing a predetermined key for inputting the connection request.

  The users 1b and 1c can check the third party information provided from the multi-user connection server 20, and can determine whether to request connection with a third party terminal based on the third party information. For example, when the communication status of the third party terminal is waiting, the users 1b and 1c do not bother the third party even if they are invited to the communication, such as when the status of the third party is idle or returning home. If it can be determined, if the communication means provided in the third party terminal matches the communication means used for communication during communication, or if a third party is located near the communicating user or the other user, It is determined that a connection with the terminal is requested, and the connection request is input to the input units 12b and 12c. On the other hand, when the communication status of the third party terminal is in communication or out of service area, the users 1b and 1c inconvenience the third party if invited to the communication, such as during a meeting or during a meal. If the communication means of the third party terminal does not match the communication means used for communication during communication, or if a third party is located away from the communicating user or the other user And decide not to request connection with a third party terminal.

  Furthermore, when the user 1b or 1c becomes a third party, the user 1b or 1c inputs a connection permission to the input units 12b or 12c when accepting the connection in response to an inquiry as to whether or not the connection with the communicating terminal is possible. To do. For example, the users 1b and 1c input the connection acceptance by selecting the connection acceptance from the options in the inquiry. When the users 1b and 1c reject the connection, they input a connection rejection to the input units 12b and 12c. The users 1b and 1c can confirm the communication information included in the inquiry from the multi-user connection server 20, and can determine whether to accept or reject the connection with the communicating terminal based on the communication information.

  Further, when the users 1b and 1c want to confirm the user information of the communicating user and the other user, the users 1b and 1c specify the communicating user and the other user and input a request for providing user information to the input units 12b and 12c. . Then, the users 1b and 1c can check the user information provided from the multi-user connection server 20, and determine whether or not to accept the connection with the communicating terminal based on the user information of the communicating user and the other user. . 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 control the control units 16b and 16c with third party information and inquiries received by the communication units 11b and 11c, notification of participants, input contents from the input units 12b and 12c, and the like. To get and output or display. 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 third party information requesting means for requesting provision of third party information during communication when the mobile device becomes a communicating terminal. During the communication, the control units 16b and 16c create a third party information provision request, input it to the communication units 11b and 11c, and instruct the multi-user connection server 20 to transmit the third party information. Request.

  The control units 16b and 16c request provision of third party information during communication in accordance with the requests of the users 1b and 1c. When the control units 16b and 16c obtain requests for provision of third party information from the input units 12b and 12c, the control units 16b and 16c create a third party information provision request including the specified third party user ID, 11c. In addition, during the communication, the control units 16b and 16c are members of a group to which the communicating user belongs, a user who corresponds to a third party, or a third party information of a user who corresponds to a third party with a predetermined specific user. You may request an offer. In this case, the control units 16b and 16c acquire the user IDs of the members excluding the counterpart users and the user IDs of the specific users excluding the counterpart users from the storage units 15b and 15c, and the third party information including the acquired user IDs A provision request is created and input to the communication units 11b and 11c.

  First, the control units 16b and 16c create a list request as a third party information provision request and input it to the communication units 11b and 11c. Thereafter, the control units 16b and 16c acquire the request for providing detailed information from the input units 12b and 12c, create a detailed information request as a third party information request, and input the request to the communication units 11b and 11c.

  Furthermore, the control units 16b and 16c function as connection request means for requesting the communication control device to connect to a third party terminal during communication when the mobile device becomes a communicating terminal. Control part 16b, 16c requests | requires connection with a 3rd party terminal by instruct | indicating to communication part 11b, 11c to transmit with respect to a 3rd party terminal during communication. In this case, the control units 16b and 16c request the multi-user connection server 20 to connect to a third party terminal via the exchange 40. Alternatively, the control units 16b and 16c create a connection request during communication, input the communication request to the communication units 11b and 11c, and instruct the multi-user connection server 20 to transmit the connection request. Request. In this way, the mobile devices 10b and 10c invite a third party to communicate during communication.

  The control units 16b and 16c request connection with a third-party terminal during communication in accordance with the requests of the users 1b and 1c based on the third-party information. When the control units 16b and 16c obtain a connection request from the input units 12b and 12c, the control units 16b and 16c transmit the specified third party user ID to the third party terminal. Or control part 16b, 16c produces the connection request | requirement containing the user ID of the designated third party, and inputs it into communication part 11b, 11c.

  Further, the control units 16b and 16c may request connection with a third party terminal during communication in accordance with a request standard for requesting connection and third party information. For example, if the communication status of the third-party device is waiting, if the status of the third-party device is considered not to cause trouble to the third-party even if invited to the communication, such as when it is free or at home, Connection with a third party terminal when a third party is located near the communicating user or the other user if the communication means provided by the third party terminal matches the communication means used for communication during communication It is possible to set a request standard such as requesting. 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 third party information. When there is third party information that matches the request criteria, the control units 16b and 16c send the user ID of the matching third party to the third party terminal. Alternatively, the control units 16b and 16c create a connection request including the matching third party user ID and input the connection request to the communication units 11b and 11c.

  In addition, when the mobile device becomes a third party terminal, the control units 16b and 16c respond to an inquiry about whether or not connection with the communicating 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 the control units 16b and 16c receive a request for providing user information from the input units 12b and 12c when receiving an inquiry, the control units 16b and 16c include a user who includes the user ID of the specified communicating user or the other user. An information provision request is created and input to the communication units 11b and 11c, and an instruction is sent to the multi-user connection server 20.

  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 receive third-party information such as third-party status lists and detailed information received by the communication units 11b and 11c from the communication units 11b and 11c, inquiries about whether or not a connection with a communicating terminal is possible, and communication. The user information of the middle user and the other user and the participant notification are acquired and input to the audio output units 13b and 13c and the 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 the interface 41 receives a call transmitted from the communicating terminal to the third party 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 communicating terminal requesting connection with the third-party terminal and the third-party terminal may be connected to the multi-user connection server 20, and communicating. Includes user IDs of users and third parties.

  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. The interface 41 causes a third party terminal to receive a call transmitted from the communicating terminal in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 43. Alternatively, the interface 41 generates a call to the communicating terminal and the third party terminal according to an instruction from the control unit 43, and causes the generated terminal and the third party terminal to receive the generated call. Thereafter, the interface 41 connects communication between the communicating terminal, the partner terminal, and the third party terminal. In FIG. 1, the interface 41 causes the mobile device 10c to receive a call from the mobile device 10b. In FIG. 2, the interface 41 generates a call to the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c, and causes the generated call to be received by the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c. Thereafter, the interface 41 connects a voice call among the mobile device 10a, the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10c. Further, the interface 41 discards the call transmitted from the communicating terminal without receiving the call to the third party terminal 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 communicating terminal to the third party terminal from the interface 41. The control unit 43 creates a connection confirmation request including the communicating user ID and third party user ID included in the acquired call, inputs them to the interface 41, and instructs the multi-user connection server 20 to transmit them.

  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 communicating terminal to the third party terminal, or discards the call from the communicating terminal without receiving the call to the third party terminal. Or instruct them to Alternatively, the control unit 43 instructs the interface 41 to generate a call to the communicating terminal and the third party terminal, and to cause the generated terminal and the third party terminal to receive the generated call. After instructing the incoming call, the control unit 43 controls communication between the communicating terminal, the partner terminal, and the third party terminal to which the interface 41 is connected.

  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. And when the users 1a-1c become a third party, the user information of the users 1a-1c stored in the user information database 21 is used as the third party information. In this way, the user information database 21 functions as third party information storage means for storing third party information relating to third parties. When the users 1a to 1c become communicating users or other users, the user information of the users 1a to 1c stored in the user information database 21 is used as user information related to the communicating users and the other users. 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. When communication is in progress, the communication means used is stored, such as “during a voice call” or “videophone call”. Further, the user ID of the other user is also stored. 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 provision conditions for third party information. The public member database 22 stores provision conditions specifying users and groups permitted to provide user 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 “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c, and the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the public member user 1b who is permitted to provide the user information of the user 1c. ”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 third party information provision request and a connection request such as a list request and a detailed information request from the communicating terminal, and inputs them to the control unit 25. The network interface 23 receives an acceptance notification, a rejection notification, and a user information provision request from a third party 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 third-party information such as a third-party status list and detailed information, and a rejection result notification from the control unit 25 and transmits them to the communicating terminal. The network interface 23 obtains, from the control unit 25, an inquiry as to whether or not connection with the communicating terminal is possible, user information of the communicating user and the other user, and transmits the information to the third party 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 FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the network interface 23 receives a third party information provision request and a connection request from the mobile device 10b which is a communicating terminal by data communication, and transmits the third party information to the mobile device 10b. Send by communication. The network interface 23 sends an inquiry as to whether or not connection with the communicating terminal is possible, and transmits user information of the communicating user and the other user to the mobile device 10c, which is a third-party terminal, by data communication, and provides an approval notification and user information provision. The request is received from the mobile device 10c by data 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 third party information, inquiries, user information of communicating users and other users, and participant notifications 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 third party information, user information, an inquiry, 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 third party information providing means for providing third party information to the communicating terminal based on the third party information provision request from the communicating terminal. The control unit 25 restricts the provision of third party information based on the communicating user. The control unit 25 acquires a third party information provision request from the network interface 23. The control unit 25 searches the public member database 22 based on the third party user ID included in the acquired third party information provision request, and confirms the provision conditions for the communicating user.

  Specifically, the control unit 25 first, as the third party information provision request, the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b who is a communicating user and the user ID “0” of the user 1c who is a third party. 090-1111-11 "and a list request including user IDs of other third parties, user A and user B, 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 “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c. Since the control unit 25 includes the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b as a public member, the user 1b is permitted to provide user information of the user 1c as third party information. Confirm. Similarly, the control unit 25 confirms the public members associated with the user IDs of the user A and the user B. As a result, the control unit 25 confirms that the user 1b is permitted to provide user information of the user A as third party information but is not permitted to provide user information of the user B. .

  The control unit 25 searches the user information database 21 based on the user ID of the third party who is permitted to provide the third party information to the communicating user, and retrieves the third party user information from the user information database 21. Is acquired as third party information. Then, the control unit 25 inputs the acquired third party information to the network interface 23 and transmits it to the communicating terminal using the telephone number that is the user ID of the communicating terminal included in the third party information provision request. By instructing, third party information is provided to the communicating terminal. The control unit 25 acquires the mail address of the communicating terminal from the user information database 21 based on the user ID of the communicating terminal included in the third party information provision request, and uses the mail address for the network interface 23. You may instruct | indicate to transmit to the terminal in communication. In this way, the control unit 25 restricts the provision of third party information based on the communicating user. Therefore, the multi-user connection server 20 provides third party information to a communicating user who is not permitted to provide third party information, such as a communicating user who does not want to provide third party information. Provision can be prevented.

  Specifically, the control unit 25 displays the user information registered in association with the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c who is permitted to provide the user information to the user 1b. Obtained from the database 21. First, the control unit 25 acquires the name “Bob” of the user 1c, the communication state “waiting”, and the other state “free” necessary for the third party state list. The control unit 25 acquires the user information of the user A in the same manner. The control unit 25 creates a third party state list based on the acquired user information and inputs it to the network interface 23. As a result, the control unit 25 uses the name “Bob” of the user 1c as shown in FIG. 3A, the communication state “waiting”, the other state “free time”, the name “user A” of the user A, the communication A third-party state list including the state “out of service” and the other state “meeting” can be provided to the mobile device 10b. Then, the third party status list is displayed on the display unit 14b. As described above, the control unit 25 does not provide the user information of the user B who does not permit the user 1b to provide the user information to the mobile device 10b. In addition, the control unit 25 can provide third party information regarding a plurality of third parties, and the mobile device 10b can acquire third party information regarding a plurality of third parties.

  The user 1b determines that the user A is not invited to the communication at this point because the user A is out of the service area or is in a meeting. And the user 1b requests | requires only the detailed information regarding the user 1c. The control unit 25 acquires a detailed information request including the user ID of the user 1c from the network interface 23 as a third party information provision request. The control unit 25 includes the name “Bob” of the user 1c necessary for the detailed information registered in association with the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c, the communication status “waiting”, the position “Tokyo”, The other state “free time” and the type of communication means “voice phone call OK, video phone call NG” are acquired from the user information database 21.

  The control unit 25 creates detailed information based on the acquired user information and inputs the detailed information to the network interface 23. As a result, the control unit 25 displays the name “Bob” of the user 1c as shown in FIG. 3B, the communication state “waiting”, the position “Tokyo”, the other state “free time”, the communication means type “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. Thus, it is preferable that the control unit 25 provides at least one of the state of the third party or the type of communication means provided in the third party terminal as the third party information. According to this, the user in communication can determine whether or not to invite a third party to communication based on the state of the provided third party and the type of communication means provided in the third party terminal.

Further, the control unit 25 functions as connection control means for controlling the connection between the communicating terminal and the third party terminal based on the request for the connection with the third party terminal by the communicating terminal. The control unit 25 inquires of the third party terminal whether the connection with the communicating terminal is possible based on the connection request, and controls the connection based on a response from the third party terminal to the inquiry. Further, the control unit 25 provides communication information related to the communication performed by the communicating terminal when making the inquiry to the third party terminal. When requesting the connection with the user terminal, the control unit 25 acquires from the network interface 23 a connection confirmation request including the communicating user ID and the third party user ID transmitted from the exchange 40. When the communicating terminal transmits a connection request to request a connection with the third party terminal, the control unit 25 includes the communicating user and the third party user ID transmitted from the communicating terminal. A connection request is acquired from the network interface 23.

  First, the control unit 25 creates an inquiry as to whether or not the third party terminal can be connected to the communicating terminal based on the acquired connection confirmation request and connection request. The control unit 25 acquires communication information related to communication performed by the communicating user from the user information database 21 based on the connection confirmation request and the user ID of the communicating user included in the connection request. For example, the control unit 25 acquires the communication means used, the communication member, the group to which the communication member belongs, and the like. The control unit 25 creates an inquiry that includes the acquired communication information and inquires whether connection with the communicating terminal is possible. The control unit 25 inputs the created inquiry to the network interface 23 and instructs the third party terminal to transmit it using a telephone number that is a user ID of the third party terminal included in the connection confirmation request or the connection request. The control unit 25 acquires the mail address of the third party terminal from the user information database 21 based on the connection confirmation request or the user ID of the third party terminal included in the connection request, and sends the mail address to the network interface 23. May be used to instruct transmission to a third party terminal. Thus, the control part 25 provides the communication information regarding the communication which the terminal in communication performs when making an inquiry by creating an inquiry including the communication information to the third party terminal.

  Next, when there is a user information provision request from the third party terminal, the control unit 25 provides the third party terminal with the user information of the communicating user and the other user based on the user information provision request. The control part 25 restrict | limits provision of the information regarding the user in communication and an other party user based on a third party. The control unit 25 acquires a user 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 communicating user and the other user included in the acquired user information provision request, and confirms the provision conditions for the third party. The control unit 25 searches the user information database 21 based on the user ID of the communicating user or partner user who is permitted to provide the user information to the third party, and the communicating user or partner from the user information database 21. Get user information for a user. Then, the control unit 25 inputs the acquired user information to the network interface 23 and instructs the third party terminal to transmit the user information to the third party terminal, thereby providing the third party terminal with the user information of the communicating user and the other user.

  Then, the control unit 25 acquires an acceptance notification and a rejection notification transmitted from the third party terminal from the network interface 23. When the control unit 25 obtains the approval notification and the terminal in communication requests the connection to the third party terminal by transmitting to the third party terminal, the control unit 25 sends a call transmitted from the terminal in communication. The switch 40 is instructed to make the third party terminal receive the call. In addition, when the communicating terminal requests connection with the third party terminal by transmitting a connection request, a call to the communicating terminal and the third party terminal is generated, and the generated call is transmitted to the communicating terminal and The switch 40 is instructed to make the third party terminal receive the call.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 25 obtains the rejection notice, the communication unit transmits the request to the third party terminal by transmitting to the third party terminal. The switch 40 is instructed to cancel the incoming call. 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 communicating terminal and the third party 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 communicating terminal, inputs it to the network interface 23, and instructs to transmit to the communicating terminal.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b in a voice call request connection to the mobile device 10c, and invite the mobile device 10c to 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 b from the network interface 23. The connection confirmation request and the connection request include the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b who is the communicating user and the user ID “090-1111-1111” of the user 1c who is the third party. Based on the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b, the control unit 25 searches the user information database 21 for the name “Nancy” of the user in communication, the group “family”, 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.

  Then, the control unit 25 creates a “multi-user communication request” as a query for requesting communication by a large number of users by connecting to a communicating terminal, and inputs the request to the network interface 23. The multi-user communication request includes communication means “voice call” used, communication member “Tom, Nancy”, and group “family” to which the communication member belongs, as communication information regarding communication performed by the user 1b. In addition, the multi-user communication request includes “view information” for requesting detailed user information of the communicating user and the other user, “connect” for accepting the connection with the communicating terminal and transmitting an acceptance notice, It includes three choices of “no” to refuse the connection with the terminal and send a rejection notice. As a result, the control unit 25 performs communication means “voice call”, communication member “Tom, Nancy”, group “family”, three options “view information”, “connect” as shown in FIG. , A multi-user communication request including “reject” can be provided to the mobile device 10c. Then, a multi-user communication request is displayed on the display unit 14c.

  When the user 1c selects “view information”, the control unit 25 sets the user ID of the user 1c who is a third party, the user ID of the user 1b who is the communicating user, and the user ID of the user 1a who is the other user. A user information provision request is acquired from the network interface 23. The control unit 25 checks the public members registered in the public member database 22 in association with the user IDs of the users 1a and 1b. When the user ID of the user 1c is included in the public member and the user 1c can confirm that the provision of the user information of the users 1a and 1b is permitted, the control unit 25 determines the user 1a and 1b. User information is provided to the user 1c.

  The control unit 25 registers the name “Nancy” of the user 1b registered in association with the user ID “090-2222-2222” of the user 1b, the communication status “voice call in progress”, the position “Yokohama”, and the other status “ “Returning home” and the type of communication means “voice phone OK, video phone OK” are 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 uses the name “Nancy” of the user 1b as shown in FIG. 4B, the communication state “Voice call”, the position “Yokohama”, the other state “Returning home”, and the type of communication means. Detailed information including “voice call OK, TV phone OK” can be provided to the mobile device 10c. Detailed information is displayed on the display unit 14c. The control unit 25 provides the user information of the user 1a in the same manner.

  When the user 1c who has confirmed the user information of the users 1a and 1b decides to accept the invitation and participate, and selects “connect”, the control unit 25 acquires an acceptance notification from the network interface 23. As shown in FIG. 1, when the mobile device 10b requests the mobile device 10c to connect to the mobile device 10c as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 25 sends a call sent from the mobile device 10b. The exchange 40 is instructed to make the mobile station 10c receive a call. As a result, a call from the mobile device 10b arrives at the mobile device 10c, and the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c 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 10b requests connection to the mobile device 10c by transmitting a connection request to the multi-user connection server 20, as shown in FIG. A call to the mobile device 10c is generated, and the exchange 40 is instructed to cause the generated call to be received by the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c. As a result, a call arrives at the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c, and the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c 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 third-party information of the third party who has become a participant, such as the name of the user 1 c, and inputs the notification to the network interface 23.

〔Communication method〕
As shown in FIG. 1, the procedure of the communication method when a connection with a third party terminal is requested by transmission to the third party 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 10a and the mobile device 10b (S104), and the mobile device 10a and the mobile device 10b start a voice call. (S105). After step (S104), steps (S104) to (S118) are performed during a voice call between mobile device 10a and mobile device 10b so as to be surrounded by a dotted line.

  The mobile device 10b transmits a third party information provision request for requesting provision of third party information regarding a third party including the user 1c to the multi-user connection server 20 (S106). The multi-user connection server 20 checks the public members who are permitted to provide the requested third party information (S107). The multi-user connection server 20 provides the mobile device 10b with third party information regarding a third party including the user 1b as a public member (S108). The mobile device 10b confirms the provided third party information and determines to invite the mobile device 10c to the call (S109). Note that after step (S108), the mobile device 10b may further request detailed information regarding the user 1c from the multi-user connection server 20. In this case, the multi-user connection server 20 provides detailed information of the user 1c to the mobile device 10b as third party information. Then, the mobile device 10b may proceed to step (S109), confirm the detailed information of the provided user 1c, and decide to invite the mobile device 10c.

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

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

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the procedure of the communication method when a connection request with a third party terminal is requested by transmitting a connection request to the multi-user connection server 20 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 10a and mobile device 10b so as to be surrounded by a dotted line.

  Following the step (S209), the mobile device 10b transmits a connection request for requesting connection with the mobile device 10c 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 10b and the mobile device 10c and to make the generated call come to the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c (S215).

  The exchange 40 generates a call to the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c (S216). The exchange 40 causes the generated calls to arrive at the mobile devices 10b and 10c (S217) and (S218). Then, the mobile devices 10b and 10c respond to the incoming call (S219) and (S220). The exchange 40 receives the response from the mobile devices 10b and 10c, and starts control of the three-way communication between the mobile device 10a, the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10c (S221), and the mobile device 10c is controlled by the mobile device 10a. And participate in a voice call between the mobile device 10b (S222). Thereafter, a voice call is performed between the mobile device 10a, the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10c 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 user information and provide it as third-party information to the mobile device 10b that is a communicating terminal. . Further, the multi-user connection server 20 can control the connection between the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c based on a request for connection with the mobile device 10c, which is a third party terminal, by the mobile device 10b. By connecting the mobile device 10b and the mobile device 10c, the mobile device 10b, the mobile device 10a connected to the mobile device 10b, and the mobile device 10c are connected. Therefore, when a user 1b who is a communicating user wants to invite a user 1c, who is a third party, to communicate during communication such as a voice call with the user 1a, which is the other user, Acquired and confirmed as third party information. And based on the acquired third party information, the user 1b can invite the user 1c to the communication between the mobile devices 10a and 10b during the communication, and can participate. Therefore, the user 1b can invite the user 1c to the communication using the communication means which the user 1c who is a third party desires, for example.

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

  Further, according to the mobile device 10b, during communication such as a voice call, it is possible to request the multi-user connection server 20 to provide third party information and receive user information related to the user 1c as third party information. The mobile device 10b can request the multi-user connection server 20 to connect to the mobile device 10c during communication. Therefore, the user 1b who is a communicating user can acquire and confirm user information regarding the user 1c as third-party information during communication. And based on the acquired third party information, the user 1b can invite the user 1c to the communication between the mobile devices 10a and 10b during the communication, and can participate.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible. For example, the user information database 21, the public member database 22, the registration unit 24, and the control unit 25 may be provided in separate servers. In the above embodiment, the case where the mobile device 10c is invited to the voice call when the mobile device 10a, 10b is performing the voice call has been described as an example. However, the present invention uses moving image communication. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the mobile device 10c is invited to a videophone call or chat during communication such as a videophone call or chat using data communication. The mobile device can also be set not to accept any invitation. When the multi-user connection server 20 receives a connection confirmation request or a connection request for a mobile device that has been set to accept no invitations, the multi-user connection server 20 notifies the communicating terminal that connection is not possible.

  Furthermore, the multi-user connection server 20 may forcibly connect the communicating terminal and the third party terminal without inquiring the third party terminal. Further, the communicating terminal may request connection with a plurality of third party terminals and invite a plurality of third party terminals to the communication. Note that the multi-user connection server 20 has a communication system 1 that is limited by the processing capacity of the exchange 40 or the multi-user connection server 20 or the allowable traffic volume when receiving a request for connection with a plurality of third party terminals. The connection with some third party terminals may be rejected based on the number of connectable users.

It is a figure which shows the communication system in the case of requesting | requiring connection with a third party terminal by transmission to the third party terminal 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 a third party terminal 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 terminal in communication which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display part of the third party 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 a third party terminal by transmission to the third party 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 | requiring connection with a 3rd party terminal by transmission of the connection request | requirement to the multi-user connection server which concerns on embodiment 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 30 network 40 exchange 41 interface 42 storage unit 43 control unit

Claims (7)

Third party information storage means for storing third party information including the type of communication means provided in the third party terminal ;
A third party information providing means for providing the third party information to the communicating terminal based on a third party information providing request from the communicating terminal;
By said communicating terminal, on the basis of the request for the connection with the third party terminal comprising communication means matches the communication means communicating terminal is used in communication is being performed, the consistent with the communicating terminal connecting the third party terminal comprising a communication unit, a communication control device, characterized in that it comprises a connection control unit that the third party terminal performs a control to participate in the communication.   The connection control means inquires of the third party terminal whether connection with the communicating terminal is possible based on the connection request, and controls the connection based on a response from the third party terminal to the inquiry. The communication control apparatus according to claim 1.   The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third party information providing unit restricts the provision of the third party information based on a communicating user. The communication control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third party information providing unit further provides a state of the third party as the third party information. Providing third party information including the type of communication means provided in the third party terminal, to the communication control apparatus for controlling the connection between communicating terminal and the third party terminal, provides the third party information during communication A third party information request means for requesting,
Receiving means for receiving the third party information during communication;
For the communication control device, request the third party terminal connected to the third party terminal comprising communication means matches the communication means used for communication to invite to the communication, during the communication And a connection requesting means. Third party information storage means for storing third party information including the type of communication means provided in the third party terminal ;
A third party information providing means for providing the third party information to the communicating terminal based on a third party information providing request from the communicating terminal;
Wherein by communicating terminal based on a request of connection with the third party terminal comprising communication means matches the communication means, wherein during communication terminal is being used in communication is being performed, the said communicating terminal third And a connection control means for performing control for connecting the third party terminal to the communication. Based on the third-party information provision request from the communicating terminal, the third-party information including the type of communication means included in the third-party terminal is provided to the communicating terminal,
Wherein by communicating terminal based on a request of connection with the third party terminal comprising communication means matches the communication means, wherein during communication terminal is being used in communication is being performed, the said communicating terminal third A communication method , wherein a control is performed to connect a third party terminal to the communication and to connect the third party terminal to the communication.

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