JP7586884B2 - Terminal device and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a terminal device and an information processing program.

As remote work increases, opportunities for employees working in the same workplace to chat with each other have decreased. In order to deepen friendships between employees, it may be prudent to use chat apps during work hours.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses technology relating to a method of a call between multiple participants using a secret conversation. In the technology related to Patent Document 1, objects showing images of multiple participants are displayed on the screen of a user's terminal device, and the user moves the object of a participant that the user wants to include in the secret conversation group to a specified area by dragging and dropping it. The user repeats this drag-and-drop process to include multiple participants in the secret conversation group.

JP 2021-064944 A

However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user performs the same operations whether there is one or multiple participants to include in the chat group, and when there are multiple participants, the user must repeat the operations for a single participant as many times as there are participants. Because the operations for a single participant and for multiple participants are the same, the user is required to perform operations with many steps.

The present invention aims to provide a terminal device that enables a user of a chat app to start a chat with one other user or multiple other users with simpler operations than those of conventional technology.

A terminal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a display device that displays an image and accepts touch operations on a display surface of the image, a communication device that communicates with a call management device that manages calls between users, a display control unit that causes the display device to display a plurality of user images corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of users with whom a conversation can be held based on information received via the communication device, and a display control unit that, when a first touch operation is performed on a first user area including a first user image among the plurality of user images, identifies the first user corresponding to the first user image as a conversation partner and, when a second touch operation is performed on the first user area, identifies the first user corresponding to the first user image as a conversation partner. When the first touch operation is performed, the identification unit identifies that a conversation partner other than the first user is specified, and when the first touch operation is performed on a second user area including a second user image among the multiple user images after the second touch operation is received, identifies the second user corresponding to the second user image and the first user as conversation partners, and a request unit transmits a request to the call management device via the communication device to request the first user or the pair of the first user and the second user identified by the identification unit as conversation partners.

A preferred embodiment of the information processing program of the present invention includes a display device that displays an image and accepts touch operations on a display surface of the image, and a computer connected to a communication device that communicates with a call management device that manages calls between users. The display device includes a display control unit that causes the display device to display multiple user images that correspond one-to-one to multiple users with whom a conversation can be held based on information received via the communication device, and, when a first touch operation is performed on a first user area that includes a first user image among the multiple user images, identifies a first user corresponding to the first user image as a conversation partner and performs a touch operation on the first user area. When a second touch operation is performed on the second user area, the control unit determines that a conversation partner other than the first user is specified, and when the first touch operation is performed on a second user area including a second user image among the plurality of user images after the second touch operation is received, the control unit functions as an identification unit that identifies the second user corresponding to the second user image and the first user as conversation partners, and a request unit that transmits a request to the call management device via the communication device to request the first user or the pair of the first user and the second user specified by the identification unit as conversation partners.

According to the present invention, a user of a chat app can start a chat with one other user or with multiple other users with simple operations compared to conventional technology.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a call management system 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a call management device 10. 1 is a table showing an example of the configuration of a user database UDB. 13 shows an example of a screen that the display control unit 115 causes the terminal device 20-1 used by the user U1 to display. 13 is an example of a third display screen DI3. 13 is an example of a fourth display screen DI4. 13 is an example of a seventh display screen DI7. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device 20. 8. Example of the eighth display screen DI8. Example of the 9th display screen DI9. 12. An example of a twelfth display screen DI12. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 20. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 20. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 20.

1: Configuration of the First Embodiment Hereinafter, a configuration of a call management system 1 including a terminal device 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12C.

1-1: Overall Configuration Fig. 1 shows the overall configuration of the call management system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the call management system 1 includes a call management device 10, and terminal devices 20-1, 20-2, ..., 20-K, ..., 20-N. N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. K is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than N. In this embodiment, the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N have the same configuration. However, terminal devices with different configurations may be included.

The terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N are devices that allow users to talk to each other using a chat app. The terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N correspond one-to-one to multiple users. In this embodiment, user U1 uses terminal device 20-1. User U2 uses terminal device 20-2. Similarly, user UK uses terminal device 20-K. User UN uses terminal device 20-N. The terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N are, for example, smartphones or tablet devices. In this embodiment, calls made by users using a chat app are basically calls using voice. However, calls using a chat app are not limited to calls using voice, and may be calls using text information, for example.

The call management device 10 is a server that provides chat application functions to the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N. The call management device 10 also manages calls between the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N. The call management device 10 communicates with each of the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N via the communication network NET to provide the chat application functions and manage the calls.

2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the call management device 10. The call management device 10 includes a processing device 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a display device 14, and an input device 15. The elements of the call management device 10 are connected to each other using a single or multiple buses for communicating information.

The processing device 11 is a processor that controls the entire call management device 10. The processing device 11 is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 11 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and registers. Some or all of the functions of the processing device 11 may be realized using hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. The processing device 11 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

The storage device 12 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 also stores a number of programs including the control program PR1 executed by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 also stores a user database UDB. Figure 3 is a table showing an example of the configuration of the user database UDB. The user database UDB stores information indicating the user name, affiliation, connection status, call status, call partner, and available call time period for each user. Note that the table shown in Figure 3 shows data on N users, users U1 to UN. However, the number of users is merely an example, and data on any number of users can be stored in the user database UDB.

"User name" indicates the name of each user U. In the table illustrated in FIG. 3, each user name is indicated by the symbols "U1" to "UN", but in reality, it may be the personal name of each user U or the nickname of each user U.

"Affiliation" indicates the group to which each user U belongs. For example, if the chat app provided by the call management device 10 is shared within a company, "Affiliation" may be the name of the department to which each user U belongs.

"Connection status" is information indicating whether the terminal device 20 used by each user U is connected to the call management system 1. The connection status is represented by a flag, either "online" or "offline." In the table illustrated in FIG. 3, the "online" flag shown in the row of user U1 indicates that the terminal device 20-1 used by user U1 is connected to the call management system 1. On the other hand, the "offline" flag shown in the row of user U5 indicates that the terminal device 20-5 used by user U5 is not connected to the call management system 1.

"Call status" is information indicating the current call status of each user. The call status is represented by one of the flags "available for calling", "in call", and "unavailable for calling". In the table illustrated in FIG. 3, the "available for calling" flag shown in the row of user U1 indicates that user U1 is currently available for calling and is waiting. In the table illustrated in FIG. 3, the "in call" flag shown in the row of user U4 indicates that user U4 is currently in a call with one or two other users. In the table illustrated in FIG. 3, the "unavailable for calling" flag shown in the row of user U5 indicates that user U5 is currently unable to make a call. For example, if the current time is not included in the "available for calling time period" for user U5 described later, the "unavailable for calling" flag is set in the "call status" column corresponding to user U5. Alternatively, if the terminal device 20-5 used by user U5 is not connected to the call management device 10, a "call not possible" flag is set in the "call status" column corresponding to user U3.

"Call partner" is information that indicates the call partner of user U when the "Call status" column has the "In call" flag set. In the table illustrated in FIG. 3, "U7" shown in the row of user U4 indicates that the call partner of user U4 is user U7. Also, "U6, U9" shown in the row of user UN indicates that the call partners of user UN are two people, user U6 and user U9.

"Available call time periods" indicate the time periods during which each user U can make calls. In the table illustrated in FIG. 3, the two pieces of data shown in the row for user U1, "November 1st 10:00-16:00" and "November 4th 15:00-18:00", indicate that user U1 can make calls from 10:00-16:00 on November 1st and from 15:00-18:00 on November 4th. Note that in the data for user U1, data indicating the two time periods, "November 1st 10:00-16:00" and "November 4th 15:00-18:00", as described above, are stored as "available call time periods". However, storing data indicating two time periods in "available call time periods" is merely an example, and data indicating any number of time periods may be stored.

In FIG. 2, the communication device 13 is hardware as a transmitting/receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 13 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, and a communication module. The communication device 13 may have a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 13 may also have a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE 1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

The display device 14 is a device that displays images and text information. The display device 14 displays various images under the control of the processing device 11. For example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel are suitable for use as the display device 14.

The input device 15 accepts operations from the administrator of the call management device 10. For example, the input device 15 includes a keyboard, a touchpad, a touch panel, or a pointing device such as a mouse. Here, if the input device 15 includes a touch panel, it may also serve as the display device 14.

The processing device 11 reads out and executes the control program PR1 from the storage device 12. As a result, the processing device 11 functions as a user management unit 111, an acquisition unit 112, a management unit 113, a generation unit 114, a display control unit 115, and a call control unit 116.

The user management unit 111 manages data related to user U of the chat app provided by the call management device 10. Specifically, as an example, the user management unit 111 stores new data related to user U1 in the user database UDB based on data acquired from the terminal device 20-1 via the communication network NET in response to an operation performed by user U1. Alternatively, the user management unit 111 updates the data related to user U1 stored in the user database UDB based on the data. The same applies to other users U, including users U2 and U3.

The acquisition unit 112 acquires a request request from the terminal device 20 used by the user U to request another user U to be a conversation partner. As an example, the acquisition unit 112 acquires a request request from the terminal device 20-1 used by the user U1 to request another user, user U2 or user U3, to be a conversation partner. The acquisition unit 112 also acquires a request response, which is a response to the request request, from the terminal device 20 used by each of the other users U. The request response is either an acceptance of the request request or a rejection of the request request. In the above description, the acquisition unit 112 acquires a request request from the terminal device 20-1 and acquires a request response from the other terminal device 20. However, this example is merely an example. The acquisition unit 112 can acquire a request request from any terminal device 20. The acquisition unit 112 can also acquire a request response to the request request from the arbitrary terminal device 20 from any terminal device 20 other than the arbitrary terminal device 20.

The acquisition unit 112 also acquires time information indicating the time periods during which users U1 to UN are available to make calls from each of the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N. The acquisition unit 112 outputs the acquired time information to the user management unit 111. The user management unit 111 updates the data stored in the "Available Call Time Periods" column in the user database UDB, as described above, based on the time information acquired from the acquisition unit 112.

The management unit 113 manages first user information indicating one or more users who are currently available for calls based on the time information indicated by the data stored in the "Available Call Time Zone" column in the user database UDB and the current time. For example, if the current time is 12:00 on November 1, based on the data stored in the user database UDB shown in FIG. 3, the first user information is set to User U1, User U2, User U3, User U4, User U6, User U7, User U9, User U10, and User UN.

In addition, in the chat app provided by the call management device 10, if the number of users who can participate in one call is limited, the management unit 113 may further exclude users who are already in a call with the maximum number of users of the limited number from the first user information. For example, if the current time is 12:00 on November 1, based on the user database UDB shown in FIG. 3, the initial first user information is set to user U1, user U2, user U3, user U4, user U6, user U7, user U9, user U10, and user UN as described above. However, if the maximum number of people who can participate in a call at the same time is three, since user U6, user U9, and user UN are currently participating in a call with three people, the management unit 113 may exclude user U6, user U9, and user UN from the first user information. In other words, in this case, the first user information is set to user U1, user U2, user U3, user U4, user U7, and user U10.

In addition, in a chat app provided by the call management device 10, if a time limit is set for each call, the management unit 113 manages the calls so that the call time does not exceed the time limit. For example, in a chat app where the time limit for each call is set to three minutes, the management unit 113 forcibly terminates the calls between multiple users U when the call time between the multiple users U reaches three minutes.

In FIG. 2, the generation unit 114 generates second user information for each of the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N connected to the call management device 10, excluding the users U1 to UN of the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N from the one or more users U1 to UN who are available for communication and are indicated in the first user information.

For example, when the first user information is set to user U1, user U2, user U3, user U4, user U7, and user U10, the generation unit 114 generates second user information indicating user U2, user U3, user U4, user U7, and user U10 from the first user information excluding user U1 as second user information corresponding to the terminal device 20-1 used by user U1. The generation unit 114 also generates second user information indicating user U1, user U3, user U4, user U7, and user U10 from the first user information excluding user U2 as second user information corresponding to the terminal device 20-2 used by user U2.

The display control unit 115 causes the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N to display images showing other users who can talk to the users U1 to UN of the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N, based on the second user information generated for each of the terminal devices 20-1 to 20-N connected to the call management device 10. For example, the display control unit 115 causes the terminal device 20-1 to display images showing the users U2, U3, U4, U7, and U10 as other users who can talk to the user U1 of the terminal device 20-1, based on the second user information corresponding to the terminal device 20-1. Also, for example, the display control unit 115 causes the terminal device 20-2 to display images showing the users U1, U3, U4, U7, and U10 as other users who can talk to the user U2 of the terminal device 20-2, based on the second user information corresponding to the terminal device 20-2.

FIG. 4 is an example of a screen that the display control unit 115 causes the terminal device 20-1 used by the user U1 to display. In FIG. 4, the first display screen DI1 is, as an example, an example of a screen that is displayed when the user U1 launches the chat app according to this embodiment on the terminal device 20-1. As shown in FIG. 4, the first display screen DI1 includes a user area AR2 corresponding to the user U2. The user U2 is an example of a "first user". Similarly, the first display screen DI1 includes user areas AR3 to AR6 that correspond one-to-one to each of the users U3 to U6. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 4, the first display screen DI1 includes five user areas AR2 to AR6 that correspond to the users U2 to U6. However, the number of user areas AR included in the first display screen DI1 may be any number.

User area AR2 includes a user image P2 that shows user U2 as the first user. Similarly, user areas AR3 to AR6 each include user images P3 to P6 that correspond one-to-one to users U3 to U6 and show those users U3 to U6.

Each of the user areas AR2 to AR6 displays the user names N2 to N6 of the users U2 to U6 and the call statuses ST2 to ST6.

Also, as shown in the user areas AR5 and AR6, when the call status ST5 and ST6 are "on a call", the user images PP5 and PP6 of the call partners of users U5 and U6 are displayed in the user areas AR5 and AR6, respectively.

In FIG. 2, when the acquisition unit 112 acquires, as an example, a request from the terminal device 20-1 of the user U1 to designate the user U2 as the first user as the call partner, the call control unit 116 manages the users U1 and U2 as a call group. The call control unit 116 also transmits a request request to the terminal device 20-2 used by the user U2 as the first user to request participation in the call group. The acquisition unit 112 acquires a request response that is a response to the request request from the terminal device 20-2. If the request response acquired by the acquisition unit 112 indicates acceptance, the call control unit 116 relays communication for the call between the terminal device 20-1 used by the user U1 and the terminal device 20-2 used by the user U2. On the other hand, if the request response acquired by the acquisition unit 112 indicates rejection, the call control unit 116 ends management of the call group.

In FIG. 4, as will be described later in detail, when user U1 attempts to designate only user U2 as the first user as the call partner, the user taps the user area AR2 corresponding to user U2. As a result, a request to designate user U2 as the first user as the call partner is transmitted from terminal device 20-1 to call management device 10. When acquisition unit 112 in call management device 10 acquires the request, call control unit 116 manages user U1 and user U2 as a call group. In addition, call control unit 116 transmits a request request to terminal device 20-2 to request participation in the call group. If the request response acquired by acquisition unit 112 from terminal device 20-2 indicates acceptance, call control unit 116 relays communication for the call between terminal device 20-1 and terminal device 20-2. On the other hand, if the request response acquired by acquisition unit 112 indicates rejection, call control unit 116 ends management of the call group.

As will be described in detail later, when user U1 attempts to designate both user U2 as the first user and the second user as call partners, user U2 first presses and holds the user area AR2 corresponding to user U2. As a result, in the terminal device 20-1, the second display screen DI2 is displayed in a manner that covers a part of the first display screen DI1. The second display screen DI2 displays a user image P2 indicating user U2 as the first user, the user name N2 of user U2, affiliation G2, connection status C2, and available call time zone T2. The second display screen DI2 also displays a first icon I1 for selecting the second user, and a second icon I2 for requesting a call.

That is, the display control unit 115 causes the terminal device 20-1 to display the time periods during which user U2 is available to make calls, based on time information acquired from the terminal device 20-2 of user U2.

When user U1 taps the first icon I1, the second display screen DI2 disappears and the entire first display screen DI1 is displayed again. When user U1, as the second user, attempts to designate user U3 as the other party of a call, he or she taps the user area AR3 corresponding to user U3.

Figure 5 is an example of the third display screen DI3 that is displayed when user U1 taps on user area AR3. As with the second display screen DI2, the third display screen DI3 displays a user image P2 indicating user U2 as the first user, the user name N2 of user U2, affiliation G2, connection status C2, and available call time zone T2. Furthermore, the third display screen DI3 displays a user image P3 indicating user U3 as the second user, the user name N3 of user U3, affiliation G3, connection status C3, and available call time zone T3.

Figure 6 shows an example of the fourth display screen DI4 that is displayed when user U1 taps the second icon I2 and enters a call state with both users U2 and U3. At the top of the fourth display screen DI4, a user image P2 representing user U2, who is the call partner of user U1, a username N2 of user U2, a user image P3 representing user U3, and a username N3 of user U3 are displayed. In addition, if a time limit is set for the call time with users U2 and U3, a third icon I3 for requesting a display of the remaining time is displayed in the center of the fourth display screen DI4.

Furthermore, a fifth display screen DI5 is displayed in a manner that covers a part of the fourth display screen DI4. On the fifth display screen DI5, a fourth icon I4 for ending the call, a fifth icon I5 for muting a microphone 26 (described below) that is used to pick up the voice of user U1, and a sixth icon I6 for emitting the voices of users U2 and U3 from a speaker 27 (described below) are displayed.

When the user U1 taps the third icon I3, the fourth display screen DI4 changes to the sixth display screen DI6. In the sixth display screen DI6, a seventh icon I7 that displays the remaining time of the call is displayed in the center.

Specifically, when user U1 touches the third icon I3 on the terminal device 20-1, a query request is sent from the terminal device 20-1 to the call management device 10 to inquire about the remaining time of the call between users U. The acquisition unit 112 acquires the query request. When the acquisition unit 112 acquires the query request, the display control unit 115 causes the terminal device 20-1 to display the remaining time of the call between users U1, U2, and U3 in response to the query request.

Figure 7 is an example of a seventh display screen DI7 that is displayed when user U1 taps the user area AR2 corresponding to user U2 on the first display screen DI1 shown in Figure 4 in order to attempt to specify only user U2 as the first user as the call partner, and then a call state is established with user U2. On the seventh display screen DI7, a user image P2 representing user U2 and a username N2 of user U2 are displayed, but unlike the fourth display screen DI4 and the sixth display screen DI6, a user image P3 representing user U3 and a username N3 of user U3 are not displayed.

1-3: Configuration of Terminal Device Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 includes a processing device 21, a storage device 22, a communication device 23, a display device 24, an input device 25, a microphone 26, and a speaker 27. The elements of the terminal device 20 are connected to each other using a single or multiple buses for communicating information.

The processing device 21 is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 20. The processing device 21 is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 21 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and registers. Some or all of the functions of the processing device 21 may be realized using hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. The processing device 21 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

The storage device 22 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 21. The storage device 22 also stores a number of programs including the control program PR2 executed by the processing device 21. Note that the control program PR2 may be, for example, a program downloaded from the call management device 10.

The communication device 23 is hardware as a transmitting/receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 23 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, and a communication module. The communication device 23 may have a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 23 may also have a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE 1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In particular, in this embodiment, the communication device 23 communicates with a call management device 10 that manages calls between users U.

The display device 24 is a device that displays images and text information. The display device 24 displays various images under the control of the processing device 21. For example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel are suitably used as the display device 24.

The input device 25 accepts operations from the user U. For example, the input device 25 includes a keyboard, a touchpad, a touch panel, or a pointing device such as a mouse. Here, when the input device 25 includes a touch panel, it may also function as the display device 24. Alternatively, the display device 24 may include the input device 25. In other words, the display device 24 may display images and text information, and may also accept touch operations on the display surface of the images.

The microphone 26 picks up voice and outputs voice data based on the picked up voice to the processing device 21. For example, when user U1 uses the terminal device 20-1 to talk to users U2 and U3, the microphone 26 picks up the voice of user U1 and outputs voice data based on the picked up voice to the processing device 21.

The speaker 27 is a device that emits audio. The speaker 27 emits various types of audio under the control of the processing device 21. For example, audio data, which is a digital signal, is converted into an analog audio signal by a DA converter (not shown). The amplitude of the audio signal is amplified by an amplifier (not shown). The speaker 27 emits audio represented by the audio signal after the amplitude has been amplified. For example, when user U1 uses the terminal device 20-1 to talk to users U2 and U3, the speaker 27 emits the audio of users U2 and U3.

The processing device 21 reads out and executes the control program PR2 from the storage device 22. As a result, the processing device 21 functions as an authentication unit 211, a display control unit 212, a determination unit 213, an identification unit 214, a request unit 215, an acquisition unit 216, and a call unit 217.

The authentication unit 211 authenticates the user U of the terminal device 20. Specifically, when the user U1 connects the terminal device 20-1 to the call management system 1 and uses the chat app according to this embodiment, the authentication unit 211 authenticates the user U1 when the user U1 logs in to the chat app.

Based on the information received via the communication device 23, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display multiple user images P that correspond one-to-one to multiple users U with whom conversation is possible.

As described above, the display control unit 115 of the call management device 10 causes the terminal device 20-1 to display the first display screen DI1 exemplified in FIG. 4. In this case, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display the first display screen DI1 based on information received from the call management device 10 via the communication device 23. The first display screen DI1 includes user images P2 to P6 that correspond one-to-one to multiple users U2 to U6 with whom conversation is possible. Each of the user images P2 to P6 is included in the user areas AR2 to AR6.

The determination unit 213 determines whether a touch operation is a first touch operation or a second touch operation based on the time that a person's finger contacts the display surface of the display device 24. Here, a tap on the user area AR2, mainly performed by the user U1, is an example of a "first touch operation." Also, a long press on the user area AR2, mainly performed by the user U1, is an example of a "second touch operation."

As an example, if the display device 24 has a touch panel as the input device 25, the determination unit 213 determines whether the touch operation performed by the user U1 is a first touch operation or a second touch operation based on the time that the user U1's finger contacts the touch panel.

When a first touch operation is performed on a first user area AR2 among the multiple user areas AR2 to AR6, the identification unit 214 identifies the first user U2 corresponding to the first user image P2 included in the first user area AR2 as the conversation partner. In addition, when a second touch operation is performed on the first user area AR2, the identification unit 214 identifies that a conversation partner other than the first user U2 is specified.

As described above, on the first display screen DI1 illustrated in FIG. 4, when user U1 attempts to designate only user U2 as the first user as the conversation partner, user U1 taps the user area AR2 corresponding to user U2. In this case, the identification unit 214 identifies the first user U2 corresponding to the first user image P2 included in the first user area AR2 as the conversation partner.

When user U1 attempts to designate both user U2 as the first user and the second user as call partners on the first display screen DI1, user U2 first presses and holds the user area AR2 corresponding to user U2. In this case, the identification unit 214 identifies that a conversation partner other than the first user U2 will be designated.

Furthermore, when a first touch operation is performed on a second user area AR3 among the multiple user areas AR2 to AR6 after receiving a second touch operation, the identification unit 214 identifies the second user U3 and the first user U2 corresponding to the second user image P3 included in the second user area AR3 as conversation partners.

Specifically, when user U1 taps the first icon I1 on the second display screen DI2 illustrated in FIG. 4, the second display screen DI2 disappears and the entire first display screen DI1 is displayed again. When user U1, as the second user, attempts to designate user U3 as a call partner, he/she taps the user area AR3 including the user image P3 corresponding to user U3. In this case, the identification unit 214 identifies the second user U3 corresponding to the second user image P3 and the first user U2 as conversation partners.

In FIG. 8, the request unit 215 transmits a request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to request that user U2 as the first user identified by the identification unit 214, or a pair of user U2 as the first user and user U3 as the second user, be a conversation partner. As a result, as described above, the acquisition unit 112 provided in the call management device 10 acquires the request request.

For example, in FIG. 4, when user U1 taps the first user area AR2, the identification unit 214 identifies user U2 as the first user. When user U2 is identified, the request unit 215 transmits a request to request user U2 as the first user to be a conversation partner to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23.

Alternatively, in FIG. 4, when user U1 displays the second display screen DI2 by long pressing the first user area AR2, taps the first icon I1, and then taps the second user area AR3 on the first display screen DI1, the identification unit 214 identifies user U2 as the first user and user U3 as the second user. After that, user U1 taps the second icon I2 to request a call. When the second icon I2 is tapped, the request unit 215 transmits a request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to request that user U2 as the first user and user U3 as the second user be conversation partners.

When a specific icon is touched, the request unit 215 sends an inquiry request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to inquire about the remaining time of the call between users U. For example, the third icon I3 in FIG. 6 is an example of a "specific icon." When the display control unit 212 receives a response to the inquiry request from the call management device 10 via the communication device 23, it causes the display device 24 to display the remaining time indicated by the response to the inquiry request. For example, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display the remaining time using the seventh icon I7 illustrated in FIG. 6.

As described above, when a request is sent from terminal device 20-1 to call management device 10 to specify user U2 as the first user as the call partner, for example, call control unit 116 of call management device 10 manages user U1 and user U2 as a call group. In addition, call control unit 116 sends a request request to terminal device 20-2 to request participation in the call group. When the request response acquired from terminal device 20-2 by acquisition unit 112 of call management device 10 indicates acceptance, call control unit 116 sends a request response indicating the acceptance to terminal device 20-1. Acquisition unit 216 acquires the request response.

In this case, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been accepted. After the terminal device 20-1 transmits a request to the call management device 10 to specify only user U2 as the first user as the call partner, if the terminal device 20-1 receives a request response indicating acceptance from the call management device 10, the display control unit 212 causes the seventh display screen DI7 illustrated in FIG. 7 to be displayed as a screen indicating that the request has been accepted.

The call unit 217 controls the communication device 23 to execute a call with another terminal device 20-2 used by the accepted user U2 via the call management device 10. As described above, the call control unit 116 relays communication for the call between the terminal device 20-1 and the terminal device 20-2.

On the other hand, if the request response acquired by the acquisition unit 112 of the call management device 10 from the terminal device 20-2 indicates a refusal, the call control unit 116 transmits the request response indicating the refusal to the terminal device 20-1. The acquisition unit 216 acquires the request response.

In this case, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been rejected. As an example, when the terminal device 20-1 transmits a request to the call management device 10 to specify only user U2 as the first user as the call partner, and then receives a request response indicating rejection from the call management device 10, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been rejected. FIG. 9 is an example of an eighth display screen DI8 as such a screen. The eighth display screen DI8 includes a user image P2 of user U2, a user name N2 of user U2, an eighth icon I8 indicating that the call cannot be made, and a ninth icon I9 used to erase the eighth display screen DI8.

As another example, when a request is sent from the terminal device 20-1 to the call management device 10 to specify user U2 as the first user and user U3 as the second user as the call partner, the call control unit 116 of the call management device 10 manages user U1, user U2, and user U3 as a call group. The call control unit 116 also sends a request request to the terminal devices 20-2 and 20-3 to request them to join the call group. If the request response acquired by the acquisition unit 112 of the call management device 10 from one of the terminal devices 20-2 and 20-3 indicates acceptance, the call control unit 116 sends a request response indicating the acceptance to the terminal device 20-1. The acquisition unit 216 acquires the request response. In this case, the call unit 217 controls the communication device 23 to execute a call with one of the terminal devices 20-2 and 20-3 used by the user who accepted, via the call management device 10.

In this case, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that one user has accepted the request. FIG. 10 is an example of a ninth display screen DI9 as a screen indicating that one user has accepted the request. After the terminal device 20-1 transmits a request to the call management device 10 to specify user U2 as the first user and second user U3 as the call partner, when a request response indicating acceptance from user U2 is obtained from the call management device 10, the display control unit 212 causes the ninth display screen DI9 to be displayed as a screen indicating that the request has been accepted. The ninth display screen DI9 includes a user image P2 indicating user U2, a user name N2 of user U2, and a third icon I3, similar to the seventh display screen DI7.

In addition, when the display control unit 212 has not received a request response indicating that the user U3 has rejected the request before the request response indicating acceptance from the user U2, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the user U3 has not responded to the request. In other words, when the terminal device 20-1 has already received a request response indicating acceptance from the user U2 but has not yet received a request response to the request from the user U3, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the user U3 has not responded to the request. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 212 displays the tenth display screen DI10 in a manner that covers a part of the ninth display screen DI9 as a screen indicating that the user U3 has not responded to the request. The tenth display screen DI10 includes a user image P3 indicating the user U3, a user name N3 of the user U3, and a tenth icon I10 indicating that the user U3 is waiting for a response.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the fifth display screen DI5 is displayed in a manner that covers a portion of the tenth display screen DI10.

Alternatively, the call unit 217 may execute the call on the condition that after receiving from the call management device 10 a request response indicating that one of user U2 and user U3 has accepted, the call unit 217 receives from the call management device 10 a request response indicating that the other of user U2 and user U3 has also accepted. Also, if the call unit 217 receives from the call management device 10 a request response indicating that one of user U2 and user U3 has rejected the request, the call unit 217 may not execute the call. In this case, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the call will not be executed.

Figure 11 is an example of the 12th display screen DI12, which is a screen indicating that the call will not be made. Note that the example shown in Figure 11 shows a case where user U3 rejects the request. In the example shown in Figure 11, the 12th display screen DI12 is displayed in a manner that covers a part of the 11th display screen DI11. The 11th display screen DI11 includes a user image P2 of user U2 and a user name N2 of user U2. The 12th display screen DI12 includes a user image P3 of user U3, a user name N3 of user U3, an 11th icon I11 indicating that the call cannot be made, and a 12th icon I12 used to erase the 11th display screen DI11 and the 12th display screen DI12. When the user U1 taps the twelfth icon I12 to erase the eleventh display screen DI11 and the twelfth display screen DI12, the display control unit 212 may display the first display screen DI1 as shown in FIG. 4, or may display the second display screen DI2 in a manner that covers a part of the first display screen DI1.

In the above explanation, an example was described in which user U2 is the "first user" and user U3 is the "second user." However, this is merely an example. Each of the first user and the second user may be any user U.

2: Operation of the embodiment FIGS. 12A to 12C are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment.

In step S1, the processing device 21 functions as a display control unit 212. Based on information received via the communication device 23, the processing device 21 causes the display device 24 to display a plurality of user images P that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of users with whom conversation is possible. More specifically, the processing device 21 causes the display device 24 to display a plurality of user areas AR that include each of the plurality of user images P.

In step S2, the processing device 21 functions as the determination unit 213. The processing device 21 determines whether a first touch operation or a second touch operation has been performed on the first user area AR2 among the multiple user areas AR2 to AR6. If the first touch operation has been performed on the first user area AR2, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S3. If the second touch operation has been performed on the first user area AR2, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S10.

In step S3, the processing device 21 functions as the identification unit 214. The processing device 21 identifies the first user U2 corresponding to the first user image P2 included in the first user area AR2 as the conversation partner.

In step S4, the processing device 21 functions as a request unit 215. The processing device 21 transmits a request to request user U2, who is the first user, as a conversation partner to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23.

In step S5, the processing device 21 functions as the acquisition unit 216. The processing device 21 acquires a request response from the call management device 10. If the request response indicates acceptance, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S6. On the other hand, if the request response indicates refusal, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S8.

In step S6, the processing device 21 functions as the display control unit 212. The processing device 21 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been accepted.

In step S7, the processing device 21 functions as the call unit 217. The processing device 21 controls the communication device 23 to execute a call with another terminal device 20-2 used by the accepted user U2 via the call management device 10. After the call between the terminal device 20-1 and the terminal device 20-2 is completed, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S1.

In step S8, the processing device 21 functions as the display control unit 212. The processing device 21 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been rejected.

In step S9, the processing device 21 functions as the display control unit 212. The processing device 21 erases the screen displayed in step S8 based on an operation performed by the user U1. Thereafter, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S1.

In step S10, the processing device 21 functions as the identification unit 214. The processing device 21 identifies that a conversation partner other than the first user is specified.

In step S11, the processing device 21 functions as the determination unit 213. The processing device 21 determines whether or not a first touch operation has been performed on a second user area AR3 among the multiple user areas AR2 to AR6. If the first touch operation has been performed on the second user area AR3, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S12. If the first touch operation has not been performed on the second user area AR3, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S11.

In step S12, the processing device 21 functions as an identification unit 214. The processing device 21 identifies the first user U2 and the second user U3 corresponding to the second user image P3 included in the second user area AR3 as conversation partners.

In step S13, the processing device 21 functions as a request unit 215. The processing device 21 transmits a request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to request that user U2 as the first user and user U3 as the second user be conversation partners.

In step S14, the processing device 21 functions as the acquisition unit 216. The processing device 21 acquires a request response from user U2 and a request response from user U3 from the call management device 10. If at least one of the two request responses indicates acceptance, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S15. On the other hand, if both request responses indicate refusal, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S17.

In step S15, the processing device 21 functions as the display control unit 212. The processing device 21 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been accepted.

In step S16, the processing device 21 functions as the call unit 217. The processing device 21 controls the communication device 23 to execute a call with at least one of the other terminal device 20-2 used by the user U2 and the other terminal device 20-3 used by the user U3 via the call management device 10. After the two-way call between the terminal device 20-1 and the terminal device 20-2, the two-way call between the terminal device 20-1 and the terminal device 20-3, or the three-way call between the terminal device 20-1, the terminal device 20-2, and the terminal device 20-3 is completed, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S1.

In step S17, the processing device 21 functions as the display control unit 212. The processing device 21 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been rejected.

In step S18, the processing device 21 functions as the display control unit 212. The processing device 21 erases the screen displayed in step S17 based on an operation mainly performed by the user U1. Thereafter, the processing device 21 executes the process of step S1.

3: Effects of the embodiment According to the above description, the terminal device 20 includes the display device 24, the communication device 23, the display control unit 212, the identification unit 214, and the request unit 215. The display device 24 displays an image and accepts a touch operation on the display surface of the image. The communication device 23 communicates with the call management device 10 that manages calls between users U. The display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a user area AR including a plurality of user images P corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of users U who can converse, based on information received via the communication device 23. When a first touch operation is performed on a user area AR2 including a first user image P2 among the plurality of user areas AR, the identification unit 214 identifies the first user U2 corresponding to the first user image P2 as a conversation partner. When a second touch operation is performed on the first user area AR2, the identification unit 214 identifies that a conversation partner other than the first user U2 is specified. When the first touch operation is performed on a second user area AR3 including a second user image P3 among the multiple user areas AR after receiving the second touch operation, the identification unit 214 identifies the second user U3 and the first user U2 corresponding to the second user image P3 as conversation partners. The request unit 215 transmits a request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to request the first user U2 or the pair of the first user U2 and the second user U3 identified by the identification unit 214 as conversation partners.

Since the terminal device 20 has the above configuration, the user U1 of the terminal device 20-1 can start a two-person chat with the first user U2 or a three-person chat with the first user U2 and the second user U3 with a simple operation. The user U1 of the terminal device 20-1 switches the content of the operation between inviting only the first user U2, who is one other user, and inviting two users, the first user U2 and the second user U3, who are multiple other users. As a result, the user of the terminal device 20-1 can switch between inviting one user U or inviting two users U with a single operation.

Furthermore, according to the above description, the terminal device 20 further includes a determination unit 213. The determination unit 213 determines whether the above-mentioned touch operation is a first touch operation or a second touch operation based on the time that the person's finger contacts the display surface.

Since the terminal device 20 has the above configuration, it is possible to seamlessly switch between inviting only the first user U2 and inviting both the first user U2 and the second user U3 by switching only the contact time of the screen on the terminal device 20-1 between an operation to invite only the first user U2 and an operation to invite both the first user U2 and the second user U3.

According to the above description, the terminal device 20 further includes a call unit 217. When a request response to a request request received from the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 indicates acceptance of the request, the call unit 217 controls the communication device 23 to execute a call with another terminal device 20 used by the accepted user U via the call management device 10. When the request response indicates acceptance of the request, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been accepted. When the request response indicates rejection of the request, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the request has been rejected.

Since the terminal device 20 has the above configuration, when the first user U2 performs an operation indicating acceptance of the first user U2's request to join, the user U1 can talk to the first user U2.

According to the above description, the request request indicates that the first user U2 and the second user U3 are requested to be conversation partners. When the request response indicates that one of the first user U2 and the second user U3 has accepted the request, the call unit 217 controls the communication device 23 to execute a call with another terminal device used by the one user U via the call management device 10. When the request response indicates that one of the first user U2 and the second user U3 has accepted the request, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the one user U has accepted the request. When the display control unit 212 has not received a request response indicating that the other of the first user U2 and the second user U3 has rejected the request before the request response, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the other user U has not responded to the request.

Since the terminal device 20 has the above configuration, when the first user U2 performs an operation indicating acceptance of the participation request from the first user U2, the user U1 can talk to the first user U2. Also, when the second user U3 has not yet performed an operation indicating acceptance of the participation request from the second user U3, the user U1 can wait for the second user U3.

According to the above description, the request request indicates that the first user U2 and the second user U3 are requested to be conversation partners. If the request response indicates that one of the first user U2 and the second user U3 has accepted the request, the call unit 217 executes the call on the condition that a request response indicating that the other user U has accepted the request is received from the call management device 10 via the communication device 23. If the request response indicates that one of the first user U2 and the second user U3 has rejected the request, the call unit 217 does not execute the call. If the request response indicates that one of the first user U2 and the second user U3 has rejected the request, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a screen indicating that the call will not be executed.

Since the terminal device 20 has the above configuration, when at least one of an operation indicating a refusal to join the first user U2 and an operation indicating a refusal to join the second user U3 is performed, a call between the users U1, the first user U2, and the second user U3 of the terminal device 20-1 is not started in the first place.

Furthermore, according to the above description, the call management device 10 manages calls so that the call time does not exceed the time limit. The display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display a predetermined icon during a call. When the predetermined icon is touched, the request unit 215 transmits an inquiry request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to inquire about the remaining time of the call between users U. When the display control unit 212 receives a response to the inquiry request via the communication device 23, it causes the display device 24 to display the remaining time indicated by the response to the inquiry request.

Since the terminal device 20 has the above configuration, the remaining available time is displayed to the terminal device 20-1 from the call management device 10 only after a specified operation is performed from the terminal device 20-1, thereby reducing the communication load by suppressing the amount of communication data.

According to the above description, the control program PR2 as an information processing program causes a computer connected to a display device 24 that displays an image and accepts a touch operation on the display surface of the image, and a communication device 23 that communicates with a call management device 10 that manages calls between users U, to function as a display control unit 212, a specification unit 214, and a request unit 215. The display control unit 212 causes the display device 24 to display multiple user images P that correspond one-to-one to multiple users U who can converse, based on information received via the communication device 23. When a first touch operation is performed on a first user area AR2 that includes a first user image P2 among the multiple user areas AR, the specification unit 214 specifies the first user U2 corresponding to the first user image P2 as the conversation partner. When a second touch operation is performed on the first user area AR2, the specification unit 214 specifies that a conversation partner other than the first user U2 is specified. When the first touch operation is performed on the second user area AR3 including the second user image P3 among the multiple user images P after receiving the second touch operation, the identification unit 214 identifies the second user U3 and the first user U2 corresponding to the second user image P3 as conversation partners. The request unit 215 transmits a request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to request the first user U2 or the first user U2 and the second user U3 identified by the identification unit 214 as conversation partners.

Since the control program PR2 has the above configuration, the user U1 of the terminal device 20-1 can start a two-person chat with the first user U2 or a three-person chat with the first user U2 and the second user U3 with a simple operation. The user U1 of the terminal device 20-1 switches the content of the operation between inviting only one other user, the first user U2, and inviting two other users, the first user U2 and the second user U3. As a result, the user of the terminal device 20-1 can switch between inviting one user U or inviting two users U with a single operation.

4: Modifications The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Specific modifications are exemplified below. Two or more of the following examples may be combined.

4-1: Modification 1
In the above embodiment, when the first touch operation is performed on the first user area AR2 including the first user image P2 among the multiple user images P, the identification unit 214 identifies the first user U2 corresponding to the first user image P2 as the conversation partner. In addition, when the identification unit 214 identifies the first user U2 as the conversation partner, the request unit 215 transmits a request request to request the user U2 as the conversation partner to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23. However, after the identification unit 214 identifies the first user U2 as the conversation partner, the user U1 taps a "request button" for requesting a call, for example, similar to the second icon I2 shown in FIG. 5, and then the request unit 215 may transmit a request request to request the user U2 as the conversation partner to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23.

In the above embodiment, when a first touch operation is performed on a second user area AR3 among the multiple user areas AR after a second touch operation is performed on the first user area AR2, the identification unit 214 identifies the first user U2 and the second user U3 as conversation partners. After the identification unit 214 identifies the first user U2 and the second user U3 as conversation partners, the user U1 taps the second icon I2, and the request unit 215 transmits a request request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to request the first user U2 and the second user U3 as conversation partners. However, the request unit 215 may transmit a request request to the call management device 10 via the communication device 23 to request the first user U2 and the second user U3 as conversation partners without the user U1 tapping the second icon I2.

4-2: Modification 2
In the above embodiment, when the user U1 taps the third icon I3 on the fourth display screen DI4 shown in Fig. 6, the remaining time of the call is displayed by the seventh icon I7 on the sixth display screen DI6. However, the remaining time of the call may be displayed constantly on the fourth display screen DI4 from the start of the call.

5: Others (1) In the above-described embodiment, ROM and RAM are given as examples of storage device 12 and storage device 22, but the storage device may be a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM), a register, a removable disk, a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, a database, a server, or any other suitable storage medium.

(2) In the above-described embodiments, the information, signals, etc. described may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the input and output information, etc. may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or may be managed using a management table. The input and output information, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or added to. The output information, etc. may be deleted. The input information, etc. may be transmitted to another device.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the determination may be made based on a value (0 or 1) represented using one bit, a Boolean value (true or false), or a comparison of numerical values (e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value).

(5) The order of the process steps, sequences, flow charts, etc. illustrated in the above-described embodiments may be changed as long as it is not inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order and are not limited to the particular order presented.

(6) Each function illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 12C is realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the method of realizing each functional block. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more devices that are physically or logically separated and connected directly or indirectly (e.g., using wires, wirelessly, etc.). A functional block may be realized by combining software with the one device or the multiple devices.

(7) The programs exemplified in the above-described embodiments should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names.

Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and/or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and/or wireless technologies are included within the definition of a transmission medium.

(8) In each of the above forms, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

(9) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

(10) In the above-described embodiment, the call management device 10 and the terminal device 20 may be a mobile station (MS). A mobile station may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable term. In this disclosure, the terms "mobile station", "user terminal", "user equipment (UE)", "terminal", etc. may be used interchangeably.

(11) In the above-mentioned embodiments, the terms "connected" and "coupled" or any variation thereof refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read with "access". As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and light (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

(12) In the above embodiments, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

(13) The terms "determining" and "determining" as used in this disclosure may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, search, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining something as "judging" or "determining", and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and the like as "judging" or "determining". Additionally, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc., to have been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering some action to have been "judged" or "decided." Additionally, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

(14) In the above embodiments, when the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or" as used in this disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive or.

(15) In this disclosure, where articles have been added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are plural.

(16) In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." In addition, the term may mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combined" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

(17) Each aspect/embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the execution. In addition, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is the case") is not limited to being an explicit notification, but may be performed implicitly (e.g., not notifying the specific information).

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended as an illustrative example and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

1...call management system, 10...call management device, 11...processing device, 12...storage device, 13...communication device, 14...display device, 15...input device, 20...terminal device, 21...processing device, 22...storage device, 23...communication device, 24...display device, 25...input device, 26...microphone, 27...speaker, 111...user management unit, 112...acquisition unit, 113...management unit, 114...generation unit, 115... Display control unit, 116...call control unit, 211...authentication unit, 212...display control unit, 213...determination unit, 214...identification unit, 215...request unit, 216...acquisition unit, 217...call unit, AR, AR1, AR2...user area, C2, C3...connection state, DI1...first display screen, DI2...second display screen, DI3...third display screen, DI4...fourth display screen, DI5...fifth display screen, DI6...sixth table display screen, DI7...seventh display screen, DI8...eighth display screen, DI9...ninth display screen, DI10...tenth display screen, DI11...eleventh display screen, DI12...twelfth display screen, G2, G3...affiliation, I1...first icon, I2...second icon, I3...third icon, I4...fourth icon, I5...fifth icon, I6...sixth icon, I7...seventh icon, I8...eighth icon , I9... 9th icon, I10... 10th icon, I11... 11th icon, I12... 12th icon, N2, N3... User name, P, P2, P3, PP5, PP6... User image, PR1, PR2... Control program, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6... Call status, T2, T3... Call available time zone, U1-U10, UK, UN... User, ST1-ST6... Call status

Claims (4)

a display device that displays an image and receives a touch operation on a display surface of the image;
a communication device that communicates with a call management device that manages calls between users;
a display control unit that causes the display device to display a plurality of user images corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of users with whom conversation can be conducted, based on information received via the communication device;
When a first touch operation is performed on a first user area including a first user image among the plurality of user images, a first user corresponding to the first user image is identified as a conversation partner;
specifying that a conversation partner other than the first user is designated when a second touch operation different from the first touch operation is performed on the first user area;
an identification unit that, when the first touch operation is performed on a second user area including a second user image among the plurality of user images after receiving the second touch operation, identifies a second user corresponding to the second user image and the first user as conversation partners;
a request unit that transmits a request to the call management device via the communication device to request the first user or the pair of the first user and the second user identified by the identification unit to be a conversation partner;
Equipped with
When the identification unit identifies the first user as the conversation partner, the display control unit causes the display device to display a call available time of the first user,
When the second user is identified by the identification unit as the conversation partner, the display control unit causes the display device to display the available call time of the second user. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether the touch operation is the first touch operation or the second touch operation based on the time that the person's finger contacts the display surface. The call management device manages calls so that the call duration does not exceed a time limit;
The display control unit causes the display device to display a predetermined icon during a call,
the request unit transmits, when the predetermined icon is touched, an inquiry request to the call management device via the communication device, for inquiring about a remaining time of the call between the users;
the display control unit, when receiving a response to the inquiry request via the communication device, causes the display device to display a remaining time indicated by the response to the inquiry request.
The terminal device according to claim 1 . a display device that displays an image and receives a touch operation on a display surface of the image;
A computer connected to a communication device that communicates with a call management device that manages calls between users,
a display control unit that causes the display device to display a plurality of user images corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of users with whom conversation can be conducted, based on information received via the communication device;
When a first touch operation is performed on a first user area including a first user image among the plurality of user images, a first user corresponding to the first user image is identified as a conversation partner;
specifying that a conversation partner other than the first user is designated when a second touch operation different from the first touch operation is performed on the first user area;
an identification unit that, when the first touch operation is performed on a second user area including a second user image among the plurality of user images after receiving the second touch operation, identifies a second user corresponding to the second user image and the first user as conversation partners;
a request unit that transmits a request to the call management device via the communication device to request the first user or the pair of the first user and the second user identified by the identification unit to be a conversation partner;
Function as a
When the identification unit identifies the first user as a conversation partner, the display control unit causes the display device to display a call available time of the first user,
When the second user is identified by the identification unit as a conversation partner, the display control unit causes the display device to display available call time of the second user.

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