Information providing device, information providing method and computer program

Abstract

To provide information output that is highly convenient to a user.SOLUTION: There is provided an information providing device that comprises a control part which uses access authority information on a second user different from a first user to request personal information on the second user from a service providing device providing the personal information at a request for the personal information on the second user from a user terminal that the first user uses, and transmits the personal information on the second user acquired from the service providing device to the user terminal of the first user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for providing personal information. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, systems for conducting conversations and conferences over a network have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for conducting a conference over a network while displaying a captured facial image of a user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-213013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although technologies for communicating with others through conversations and the like have been available for some time, it has been difficult to obtain personal information about others (such as information showing their current situation or schedule), and sufficient convenience has not been realized. This problem is not necessarily limited to systems for conversations or meetings, but is a common problem in systems that can output information.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables information output that is more convenient for users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information providing device that includes a control unit that, in response to a request from a user terminal used by a first user for personal information of a second user who is different from the first user, requests the personal information of the second user from a service providing device that provides the personal information using the access authority information of the second user, and transmits the personal information of the second user obtained from the service providing device to the user terminal of the first user.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned information providing device, wherein the control unit provides only a portion of the personal information of the second user to the first user, or modifies a portion of the personal information of the second user and provides it to the first user, in accordance with predetermined conditions when providing the personal information of the second user to the first user.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned information providing device, wherein the control unit first uses the access authority information of the first user to request personal information of the second user from the service providing device, and if the personal information is not obtained by this request, uses the personal information of the second user to request personal information of the second user from the service providing device.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned information providing device, wherein when the control unit obtains the personal information of the second user using the personal information of the second user, the control unit provides only a portion of the personal information of the second user to the first user, or modifies a portion of the personal information of the second user and provides it to the first user, in accordance with predetermined conditions.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is an information provision method comprising the steps of: a computer receiving a request for personal information of a second user, who is different from the first user, from a user terminal used by the first user; in response to the request, the computer requesting the personal information of the second user from a service provision device that provides the personal information using the second user's access authority information; and a computer transmitting the personal information of the second user obtained from the service provision device to the user terminal of the first user.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as an information providing device that, in response to a request from a user terminal used by a first user for personal information of a second user who is different from the first user, requests the personal information of the second user from a service providing device that provides the personal information using the access authority information of the second user, and transmits the personal information of the second user obtained from the service providing device to the user terminal of the first user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present invention makes it possible to realize information output that is more convenient for the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a conversation control system 100 of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of a user terminal 10. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the conversation control device 20. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of a service providing device 50. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing specific examples of images displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a user state setting image. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of an icon image 41. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing specific examples of images displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing specific examples of images displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. FIG. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing specific examples of images displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. FIG. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing specific examples of images displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing specific examples of images displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing another specific example of an image displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a sequence chart showing an outline of the processing flow when personal information is displayed on the user terminal 10. [Figure 15] 10 is a sequence chart showing an outline of the processing flow when personal information is displayed on the user terminal 10. [Figure 16] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 900 applied to the present embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the processing flow of the conversation control system 100 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Specific configuration examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a conversation control system 100 of the present invention. The conversation control system 100 is a specific example of a system that allows personal information of others to be provided. The conversation control system 100 is a system that allows users operating user terminals 10 to have conversations with each other via a network 90. The conversation control system 100 includes a plurality of user terminals 10, a conversation control device 20, and a service providing device 50. The plurality of user terminals 10 and the conversation control device 20 are connected to each other via the network 90 so that they can communicate with each other. The conversation control device 20 and the service providing device 50 are connected to each other via the network 90 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0015] The network 90 may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network 90 may be configured by combining multiple networks. The network through which the user terminal 10 and the conversation control device 20 communicate and the network through which the conversation control device 20 and the service providing device 50 communicate may be the same network or different networks.

[0016] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of user terminal 10. User terminal 10 is configured using information devices such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, portable game console, stationary game console, dedicated device, etc. User terminal 10 includes a communication unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an audio input unit 14, an audio output unit 15, an imaging unit 16, a memory unit 17, and a control unit 18.

[0017] The communication unit 11 is a communication device. The communication unit 11 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 11 communicates data with other devices via a network 90 in accordance with the control of the control unit 18. The communication unit 11 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0018] The operation unit 12 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse or tablet), buttons, and a touch panel. The operation unit 12 is operated by a user when inputting user instructions to the user terminal 10. The operation unit 12 may be an interface for connecting an input device to the user terminal 10. In this case, the operation unit 12 inputs an input signal generated by the input device in response to a user input to the user terminal 10. The operation unit 12 may be configured using a microphone and a voice recognition device. In this case, the operation unit 12 performs voice recognition on words spoken by the user and inputs character string information of the recognition result to the user terminal 10. In this case, the voice recognition process may be performed by the control unit 18. In this case, the microphone constituting the operation unit 12 may be configured integrally with the voice input unit 14 described below. The operation unit 12 may be configured in any way as long as it is capable of inputting user instructions to the user terminal 10.

[0019] The display unit 13 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 13 displays image data used in the conversation control system 100. The display unit 13 may be an interface for connecting an image display device to the user terminal 10. In this case, the display unit 13 generates a video signal for displaying the image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the display unit 13.

[0020] The voice input unit 14 is configured using a microphone. The voice input unit 14 may be configured as a microphone itself, or may be configured as an interface for connecting a microphone as an external device to the user terminal 10. The microphone acquires the speech of the user who is having a conversation. The voice input unit 14 outputs data of the voice acquired by the microphone to the control unit 18.

[0021] The audio output unit 15 is configured using an audio output device such as a speaker, headphones, or earphones. The audio output unit 15 may be configured as the audio output device itself, or may be configured as an interface for connecting the audio output device to the user terminal 10 as an external device. It is desirable that the audio output device outputs audio so that the user having a conversation can hear the audio. The audio output unit 15 outputs audio corresponding to the audio signal output by the control unit 18.

[0022] The imaging unit 16 is configured using an imaging device such as a camera. The imaging unit 16 may also be an interface for connecting an imaging device such as a camera to the user terminal 10. The imaging unit 16 is preferably installed in a position where it can capture an image of the user's face. In this case, the imaging unit 16 captures an image of the user's face and generates still image or video data (hereinafter referred to as "captured image data"). The imaging unit 16 outputs the generated captured image data to the control unit 18. The captured image data is one form of provided video. The provided video is a video provided from a user terminal 10 or an information device to another user terminal 10. Specific examples of provided video include a video (captured image data) captured by the imaging unit 16 of the user terminal 10 and a video showing a screen shared on the user terminal 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "shared screen"). The shared screen is, for example, a window selected by the user, a window displaying a selected file, a selected desktop, or the like. The video showing the shared screen may reflect operations performed by the user on the screen at any time. For example, when a user operates the position of a cursor, the display position of the cursor changes on the shared screen in response to the operation.

[0023] The storage unit 17 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 17 stores data used by the control unit 18. The storage unit 17 may function as, for example, a user information storage unit 171. The user information storage unit 171 stores information about the user operating the user terminal 10 (hereinafter referred to as "user information"). The user information may include, for example, user identification information (hereinafter referred to as "user identification information"), the user's handle name, user icon data, and user attribute information. The handle name is the name (nickname or real name) used by the user when having a conversation in the conversation control system 100. The icon data is image data used by the user when having a conversation in the conversation control system 100. The attribute information may include, for example, information about the user's age, gender, and affiliation.

[0024] The control unit 18 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The control unit 18 functions as a display control unit 181, a conference control unit 182, and a conversation control unit 183 by the processor executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 18 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)), as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0025] The display control unit 181 receives display information from the conversation control device 20 via the communication unit 11. The display control unit 181 generates an image signal based on the acquired display information and displays it on the display unit 13. At this time, the display control unit 181 controls the display within the display area of the application in which the application of the conversation control system 100 is running. For example, if the application of the conversation control system 100 is a web browser, display control is performed within the web browser window. If the web browser is displayed full screen, display control is performed on the entire display screen of the display unit 13.

[0026] The display information may be, for example, image data representing the image itself to be displayed. In this case, the entity that generates the image data (image data generation unit) is the display information generation unit 233 of the conversation control device 20. The display information may be, for example, data representing information required to generate the image to be displayed (for example, information about the conference room (participants, number of participants, etc.), the number of divided areas to be displayed, the shape of the image area to be displayed in each divided area, the position, size, and display mode of the conference room, and information representing the user's position, personal information of the user, and an icon image of the user). In this case, the display control unit 181 generates image data to be displayed on the display unit 13 based on the display information. In this case, the entity that generates the image data (image data generation unit) is the display control unit 181.

[0027] The conference control unit 182 controls a conference virtually established in the conversation control device 20. For example, when a user operates the operation unit 12 to instruct the creation of a new conference room, the conference control unit 182 performs processing for creating the new conference room. When the user of the user's own device (user terminal 10) has set up the setting to transmit captured image data to other user terminals 10, the conference control unit 182 transmits captured image data captured by the imaging unit 16 to the other device. The other device serving as the destination may be, for example, the conversation control device 20. In this case, the captured image data is transmitted via the conversation control device 20 to other user terminals 10 connected to the same conference room as the user's own device (user terminal 10). The other device serving as the destination may be other user terminals 10 connected to the same conference room as the user's own device (user terminal 10). When the user of the user's own device (user terminal 10) has set up the setting to transmit a shared screen to other user terminals 10, the conference control unit 182 transmits video data showing the shared screen of the user's own device to the other device. The other device serving as the destination may be, for example, the conversation control device 20. In this case, the video data of the shared screen is transmitted to the other user terminals 10 connected to the same conference room as the user terminal 10 via the conversation control device 20. The other device to which the data is transmitted may be another user terminal 10 connected to the same conference room as the user terminal 10.

[0028] The conversation control unit 183 controls conversations between multiple users participating in the conversation control system 100. A conversation between multiple users may be, for example, a conversation between multiple users participating in a conference room (hereinafter referred to as a "conference room conversation"). When the user of the user's own device (user terminal 10) is participating in a conversation, the conversation control unit 183 controls the conversation between multiple users including the user of the user's own device. In this case, the conversation control unit 183 transmits, for example, audio data input from the audio input unit 14 to the conversation control device 20 via the communication unit 11. When the conversation control unit 183 receives audio data from the conversation control device 20, it outputs the received audio data from the audio output unit 15. When the user of the user's own device (user terminal 10) is not participating in the conversation, the conversation control unit 183 controls the conversation between multiple users excluding the user of the user's own device. In this case, the conversation control unit 183 receives audio data of a conversation between other users and outputs it from the audio output unit 15. The audio data output from the audio output unit 15 may be received from another user terminal 10 via the conversation control device 20, or may be received directly from another user terminal 10 connected in accordance with the control of the conversation control device 20.

[0029] 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the conversation control device 20. The conversation control device 20 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server device. The conversation control device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0030] The communication unit 21 is a communication device. The communication unit 21 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 21 communicates data with other devices via the network 90 in accordance with the control of the control unit 23. The communication unit 21 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0031] The storage unit 22 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 22 stores data used by the control unit 23. The storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a conference room information storage unit 221, an access authority information storage unit 222, a disclosure condition information storage unit 223, and a user status conversion information storage unit 224.

[0032] The conference room information storage unit 221 stores information about conference rooms (hereinafter referred to as "conference room information"). A conference room is a virtual room set up in the conversation control system 100 for users to have conversations. The conference room information may include, for example, information indicating the name set for the conference room. The conference room information may further include information indicating the users currently in the conference room.

[0033] The access permission information storage unit 222 stores information (access permission information) used when requesting the service providing device 50 to provide personal information. The access permission information is, for example, an access token. Such access permission information may be issued in advance using technologies such as OAuth, OpenID Connect, and SAML. The access permission information storage unit 222 stores the access permission information issued for each user, who is a user of the conversation control system 100, in association with the user.

[0034] The disclosure condition information storage unit 223 stores the disclosure condition information. The disclosure condition information indicates the conditions for personal information to be disclosed when a user to whom personal information is to be disclosed (hereinafter referred to as the "disclosure recipient user") is different from a user to whom personal information is to be disclosed to the disclosure recipient user (hereinafter referred to as the "disclosure target user"). The disclosure condition information may be defined for each combination of a disclosure recipient user and a disclosure target user, or may be defined as conditions common to each combination. The disclosure condition information may not be applied if the personal information of the disclosure target user can be obtained using the access authority information of the disclosure recipient user. In this case, all of the obtained personal information of the disclosure target user may be provided to the disclosure recipient user.

[0035] The disclosure condition information may indicate, for example, the type of information to be disclosed and the type of information not to be disclosed. The disclosure condition information may define that the type of information not to be disclosed be disclosed in different ways. For example, with regard to the schedule information of a disclosure target user, information regarding the time of each schedule may be defined as information to be disclosed, while the name of the schedule (e.g., the name of the meeting if it is a meeting schedule) and the people involved in the schedule (e.g., the participants if it is a meeting schedule) may be defined as information not to be disclosed. Furthermore, the name of the schedule may be defined to be disclosed simply as "Planned."

[0036] The user status conversion information storage unit 224 stores user status conversion information. The user status conversion information is information indicating rules for converting user status information included in personal information (hereinafter referred to as "pre-conversion status information") into user status information (hereinafter referred to as "converted status information") defined by the conversation control system 100. For example, if there are six types of pre-conversion status information: available, busy, do not respond, temporarily away, away from work, and offline, and there are three types of post-conversion status information: welcome, flat, and zone, the user status conversion information may be defined as information indicating which type of post-conversion status information each type of pre-conversion status information is converted to.

[0037] The control unit 23 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 23 functions as a user control unit 231, a conference room control unit 232, a display information generation unit 233, a conversation control unit 234, and a personal information control unit 235 by the processor executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 23 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., an SSD), as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0038] The user control unit 231 performs control processing related to users. For example, the user control unit 231 may perform processing for logging in (for example, authentication processing) for a user who accesses the conversation control device 20.

[0039] The conference room control unit 232 performs control processing related to conference rooms. For example, when the conference room control unit 232 receives an instruction from the user terminal 10 to set up a new conference room, it may generate conference room information based on the received information and register it in the conference room information storage unit 221. When a predetermined operation to join a conference room is performed by a user, the conference room control unit 232 performs processing to allow the user to join the conference room if predetermined conditions are met. For example, the conference room control unit 232 updates the conference room information storage unit 221 to register that a new user has joined the conference room.

[0040] The display information generation unit 233 generates information (display information) required to generate images to be displayed on the user terminal 10. The display information may include, for example, the number of divided areas, the shape of the image area to be displayed on each divided area, information about the currently installed conference room, and information about the user of each user terminal 10 accessing the conversation control device 20 (including the user's personal information). The display information may also be information about the image itself to be displayed on the user terminal 10. The display information generation unit 233 transmits the generated display information to the user terminal 10.

[0041] The conversation control unit 234 receives voice data from the user terminals 10. The conversation control unit 234 generates voice data to be output to each user terminal 10 (hereinafter referred to as "conversation voice data") and transmits the conversation voice data to each user terminal 10. The conversation control unit 234 may generate the conversation voice data based on, for example, what kind of conversation the user of each user terminal 10 is participating in. For example, the conversation control unit 234 may transmit, to each user's user terminal 10, conversation voice data including voices received from the user terminals 10 of all users participating in the conference room that the user is in.

[0042] When personal information is included in the display information, the personal information control unit 235 acquires the personal information of the user to be displayed (disclosure target user) from the service providing device 50. The personal information control unit 235 determines whether or not to disclose all of the acquired personal information to the disclosure destination user. For example, the personal information control unit 235 determines the information to be disclosed according to the conditions stored in the disclosure condition information storage unit 223. The personal information control unit 235 passes the information to be disclosed out of the personal information of the disclosure target user to the display information generation unit 233. In this case, the display information generation unit 233 generates display information using the information to be disclosed.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the service providing device 50. The service providing device 50 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server device. The service providing device 50 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a control unit 53. The service providing device 50 may be configured as a device that manages information including personal information. For example, the service providing device 50 may be a device that provides groupware or a chat tool.

[0044] The communication unit 51 is a communication device. The communication unit 51 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 51 communicates data with other devices via the network 90 in accordance with the control of the control unit 53. The communication unit 51 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0045] The storage unit 52 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 52 stores data used by the control unit 53. The storage unit 52 may function as, for example, a personal information storage unit 521 and an access authority information storage unit 522.

[0046] The personal information storage unit 521 stores personal information for each user. The personal information may include, for example, the user's schedule information, the user's attribute information (e.g., information about the user's age, sex, and affiliation), and the user's contact information (e.g., mobile phone number, email address, extension number, account name for communication tool, etc.).

[0047] Schedule information may include, for example, the name of the registered event (e.g., the name of the meeting, the name of the customer when a visitor arrives, the name of a regular meeting, the name of the department for a departmental meeting, etc.), event attributes (e.g., an external meeting, an internal meeting, returning home, a meal, a web conference, etc.), the names of the event participants, information indicating the location of the event (the name of the conference room, the name of the facility, the name of the store, etc.), the start and end times of the event, etc.

[0048] The personal information storage unit 521 also stores information indicating users who can access the personal information of each user. The accessible users may be defined as whether or not they can access all of a user's personal information, or whether or not they can access each item of a user's personal information. For example, it may be defined that user B can access (read) all of user A's personal information. For example, it may be defined that user B can access schedule information among user A's personal information, but cannot access other information.

[0049] The access permission information storage unit 522 stores access permission information for each user. When a request for obtaining personal information using the access permission information is made from the user terminal 10 or the conversation control device 20, it may be determined whether or not access is possible using the access permission information stored in the access permission information storage unit 522.

[0050] The control unit 53 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 53 functions as a personal information control unit 531 and an information provision control unit 532 when the processor executes a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 53 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., an SSD), as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0051] The personal information control unit 531 controls the personal information recorded in the personal information storage unit 521. For example, when the personal information control unit 531 receives an instruction to newly register or update personal information from the user of the user terminal 10 who has properly logged in to its own device (service providing device 50), the personal information control unit 531 registers new personal information in the personal information storage unit 521 or updates registered information in accordance with the instruction.

[0052] The information provision control unit 532 provides the personal information recorded in the personal information storage unit 521 to other devices (for example, the user terminal 10 or the conversation control device 20). The information provision control unit 532 may provide the personal information based on, for example, information indicating accessible users stored in the personal information storage unit 521. The information provision control unit 532 may further provide the personal information based on access authority information stored in the access authority information storage unit 522.

[0053] Next, the relationship between the images displayed on the user terminal 10 and the conversational voice data output when each image is displayed will be described.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. In FIG. 5, the display unit 13 displays a conference room area image 30, a conversation area 31, a listening area 32, an icon image 41, and an operation area image 901. The display unit 13 displays an image of a virtual space in which a conference room can be set up. The virtual space is mainly composed of a conference room area and an area outside the conference room. The conference room area is displayed as the conference room area image 30. The area outside the conference room (hereinafter referred to as the "outdoor area") is the area represented by the symbol 91, and is an area in which icon images 41 of users who are not in the conference room are displayed.

[0055] The conference room area image 30 includes a conversation area 31 and a listening area 32. A user whose icon image 41 is displayed in the conversation area 31 can converse with other users whose icon image 41 is displayed in the conversation area 31 of the same conference room. In other words, the voices of the users whose icon image 41 is displayed in the conversation area 31 are transmitted and received between them. In the following description, entering a conference room means that the icon image 41 is displayed in the conversation area 31. In other words, entering a conference room means that a user is in a state where they can converse with other users in the room.

[0056] A user whose icon image 41 is displayed in the listening area 32 (hereinafter referred to as a "listening user") can listen to the conversation of the user whose icon image 41 is displayed in the conversation area 31 of that conference room (a user who has entered the conference room). However, the listening user cannot speak in that conference room. In other words, the voice uttered by the listening user is not output at the user terminals 10 of other users who have entered the conference room or at the user terminals 10 of other listening users in that conference room.

[0057] The conference room area image 30 is represented as a geometric image showing an area of a predetermined size. In the example of this embodiment, the conference room area image 30 is represented as a circular image. The name of the conference room 311 is displayed near the center of the conference room area image 30. In the example of FIG. 5, "Chat" is the name of the conference room. By displaying the name of the conference room, even a user located in the outdoor area 91 can roughly guess what kind of conversation is taking place in the conference room without entering the conference room.

[0058] An enter button 312 and a details button 313 may be displayed inside the conference room area image 30. The enter button 312 is a button for requesting entry into the conference room. In response to the entry button 312 being operated by a user located in the outdoor area 91, the conference room control unit 232 determines that the user is requesting entry into the conference room. In response to the request, the conference room control unit 232 determines whether or not to permit entry, and controls the user's entry in accordance with the determination result.

[0059] The details button 313 is a button for displaying detailed information about the conference room. In response to operating the details button 313, a details display area is displayed on the screen. The details display area displays detailed information about the conference room, as well as buttons and input boxes for performing operations on the conference room. For example, the name of the conference room, a button for changing the name of the conference room, an input box for entering the changed name of the conference room, etc. may be displayed.

[0060] The icon image 41 is an image that indicates the virtual position of the user and information about the user. The icon image 41 may be displayed according to icon data included in the user information, for example.

[0061] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a user status setting image. In response to a predetermined operation, a user status setting image 911 is displayed on the screen. In Fig. 6, the user status setting image 911 shows an example of displaying icon images and character strings for three user statuses: "Welcome," "Flat," and "Zone." These three user statuses are specific examples of post-conversion status information.

[0062] "Welcome" indicates, for example, that the user has accessed the conversation control device 20 and is available for conversation, and is actively interested in having a conversation. "Flat" indicates, for example, that the user has accessed the conversation control device 20 and is available for conversation, and is either willing to have a conversation or not. "Zone" indicates, for example, that the user has accessed the conversation control device 20 and is only browsing the screen, but is not going to operate the device for a while, or is not interested in having a conversation. The specific examples of user states described above are merely examples, and user states may be defined in other ways.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the icon image 41. The icon image 41 may be configured to indicate a user status. In the specific example shown in FIG. 7, the icon image 41 includes a user status image 42 that indicates a user status. The user status image 42 is an image that indicates a user status. The user status image 42 may be configured to indicate a user status, for example, by shape or color. For example, an icon image of each user status shown in the user status setting image 511 may be displayed as the user status image 42. The display content of the user status image 42 may be determined based on, for example, post-conversion status information obtained by converting the user status information (pre-conversion status information) of the user acquired from the service providing device 50 based on the user status conversion information.

[0064] The manner in which the user status is indicated in the icon image 41 does not need to be limited to the manner in which the user status image 42 is used. For example, the user status may be indicated in a manner in which the color of the icon image 41 itself changes depending on the user status. For example, if the status is welcome, the icon image 41 may be displayed in a normal color, if the status is flat, the icon image 41 may be displayed in a sepia color, and if the status is zone, the icon image 41 may be displayed as a black and white image (for example, a binary image).

[0065] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. In the example of FIG. 8, icon images 41 (41_1 and 41_2) of two users and a conference room area image 30 of one conference room are displayed. No users have yet participated in the conference room indicated by the conference room area image 30. The two users have not participated in any conference room. Therefore, the icon images 41_1 and 41_2 are displayed in the outdoor area 91, not inside the conference room area image 30.

[0066] A user who wishes to participate in a conference room can do so (enter) the conference room by performing a predetermined operation. For example, a user can join the conference room by operating the entry button 312 in the conference room area image 30 in which the user wishes to participate. Note that the operation for entering the room does not have to be limited to the above. If entry restrictions are set for the conference room, only users who are permitted to enter according to the entry restrictions can enter the conference room.

[0067] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. In the example of FIG. 9, one user is participating in a conference room with the theme of chatting. Therefore, an icon image 41 (41_2) of one user is displayed inside the conference room area image 30 indicating the conference room with the theme of chatting. At this point, there are no other users participating in the same conference room as the user of icon image 41_2. Therefore, the user of icon image 41_2 cannot converse with other users in the conference room with the theme of chatting.

[0068] When a user of icon image 41_1 in the outdoor area 91 performs an operation to join a conference room with a chat theme, the users participating in the conference room are notified that there is another user who wishes to join. For example, a predetermined sound (e.g., a door knock) may be output from the user terminal 10 of each user. The users to be notified may be all users participating in the conference room, or only a predetermined subset of users (e.g., the user who is the administrator of the conference room).

[0069] After the notification, if a predetermined condition is met, the user of icon image 41_1 can participate in the conference room with a chat theme. The predetermined condition may be, for example, simply that a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, etc.) has passed, or that participation has been permitted by a predetermined user (e.g., the conference room administrator, a participant, etc.), or that a participation condition preset for the conference room has been met. Also, a predetermined condition may not be set. In that case, all users who wish to participate can participate in the conference room (e.g., a conference room with a chat theme).

[0070] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. In the example of FIG. 10, two users are participating in a conference room with the theme of chatting. Therefore, icon images 41 (41_1 and 41_2) of the two users are displayed inside the conference room area image 30 indicating the conference room with the theme of chatting. At this point, the user of the icon image 41_1 and the user of the icon image 41_2 are participating in the same conference room. Therefore, the user of the icon image 41_1 and the user of the icon image 41_2 can have a conversation in the conference room with the theme of chatting. In other words, users participating in the same conference room can have a conversation using the user terminal 10.

[0071] More specifically, the process is as follows: The user terminal 10 of a user participating in a conference room receives and outputs voice data spoken by other users participating in the same conference room. The user terminal 10 of a user participating in a conference room also transmits the voice data spoken by that user to the conversation control device 20. This transmission causes the voice data to be output at the user terminals 10 of the other users participating in the same conference room. When a user represented by icon image 41_3 in the outdoor area 91 performs an operation to participate in a conference room with a chat theme, after certain conditions are met, the user represented by icon image 41_3 can participate in the conference room with a chat theme.

[0072] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. In the example of FIG. 11, three users are participating in a conference room with the theme of chatting. Therefore, icon images 41 (41_1, 41_2, and 41_3) of the three users are displayed inside the conference room area image 30 indicating the conference room with the theme of chatting. At this point, the user of icon image 41_1, the user of icon image 41_2, and the user of icon image 41_3 are participating in the same conference room. Therefore, the user of icon image 41_1, the user of icon image 41_2, and the user of icon image 41_3 can have a conversation in the conference room with the theme of chatting. The same applies when four or more users participate in the same conference room.

[0073] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. In the example of FIG. 12, a personal information display area 60 is displayed, which is an area where an image showing personal information is displayed. In the example of FIG. 12, the personal information of the user represented by the icon image 41_2 (hereinafter referred to as the "second user") is displayed on the user terminal 10 operated by the user represented by the icon image 41_1 (hereinafter referred to as the "first user"). The personal information display area 60 displays an icon image 61, a name 62, user status information 63, action buttons 64, and schedule information 65. Such a personal information display area 60 may be displayed by operating the icon image 41 of the disclosure target user, for example. Specific examples of such an operation include a tap operation and a click operation using a pointer 71. In the example of FIG. 12, the disclosure destination user is the first user, and the disclosure target user is the second user.

[0074] The icon image 61 is the icon image 41 of the disclosure target user. The name 62 is the name of the disclosure target user, and a nickname may be used. The user status information 63 indicates the user status information of the disclosure target user. The action button 64 is a button for performing a predetermined action on the disclosure target user. For example, in response to operating the action button 64, an operation may be performed to call (invite) the disclosure target user to a predetermined conference room.

[0075] Schedule information 65 includes schedule information of the disclosure target user. In the example of FIG. 12, a schedule from 11:00 to 14:00 is displayed as schedule information 65. Schedule information is displayed in two rows, upper and lower, in schedule information 65. For example, the upper row may display schedule information for the day of the operation, and the lower row may display schedule information for the day after the operation. In the example of FIG. 12, the disclosure destination user (first user) has legitimate authority to obtain personal information of the disclosure target user (second user). Therefore, the schedule information of the disclosure target user (second user) is displayed as is. In other words, the name of the meeting and information about participants in the schedule are displayed as is.

[0076] 13 is a diagram showing another specific example of an image displayed on the display unit 13 of the user terminal 10. In the example of FIG. 13, the disclosure destination user (first user) does not have the legitimate authority to obtain the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user). Therefore, the schedule information of the disclosure target user (second user) is displayed in a modified form according to the disclosure condition information stored in the disclosure condition information storage unit 223. In other words, the name of the meeting and information about the participants in the schedule are hidden and replaced with the words "Planned."

[0077] FIG. 14 is a sequence chart showing an outline of the processing flow when personal information is displayed on the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 is operated by a first user (disclosure recipient user). An operation is performed on the user terminal 10 to instruct the display of personal information of a second user (disclosure target user) (step S101). In response to this operation, the user terminal 10 generates a personal information display request including user identification information of the user of the user terminal 10. The personal information display request includes information indicating the disclosure target user and information indicating an instruction to display the personal information. The user terminal 10 transmits the personal information display request to the conversation control device 20 (step S102).

[0078] The personal information control unit 235 of the conversation control device 20 reads out the access authority information of the disclosure destination user (in this case, the first user) from the access authority information storage unit 222. The personal information control unit 235 generates a personal information acquisition request including the read access authority information. The personal information acquisition request includes information indicating the disclosure target user (e.g., user identification information). The personal information control unit 235 transmits the personal information acquisition request to the service providing device 50 (step S103).

[0079] When the information provision control unit 532 of the service providing device 50 receives the personal information acquisition request, it determines whether the requester of the information has legitimate authority for the requested information based on the access authority information used in the personal information acquisition request (step S104). In the example of FIG. 14, legitimate authority is recognized. That is, the disclosure destination user (first user) has been set with authority to request disclosure of information from the service providing device 50. This may be determined depending on whether access authority information of the disclosure destination user (first user) is registered in the access authority information storage unit 522.

[0080] Furthermore, the disclosure destination user (first user) has legitimate authority to access the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user) in the service providing device 50. This may be determined depending on whether or not it is registered in the personal information storage unit 521 that the disclosure destination user (first user) is allowed to access the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user).

[0081] The information provision control unit 532 reads out the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user) from the personal information storage unit 521 (step S105). The information provision control unit 532 transmits a personal information acquisition response including the read out personal information to the requesting device, that is, the conversation control device 20 (step S106).

[0082] When the personal information control unit 235 of the conversation control device 20 receives the personal information acquisition response, it reads out the personal information included in the personal information acquisition response. In the process shown in FIG. 14, the acquired personal information is personal information acquired using the access authority information of the disclosure destination user (first user). Therefore, the personal information control unit 235 passes all of the acquired personal information to the display information generation unit 233. That is, if the acquired personal information is personal information acquired using the access authority information of the disclosure destination user (first user), the conversation control device 20 can use all of the acquired personal information as display information. On the other hand, if the acquired personal information is personal information acquired using access authority information other than that of the disclosure destination user (first user) (e.g., access authority information of the disclosure target user), the conversation control device 20 can use only a portion of the acquired personal information as display information. In this case, the personal information control unit 235 determines the personal information that can be used based on the conditions defined in the disclosure condition information storage unit 223.

[0083] The display information generation unit 233 generates display information (for example, display information for the personal information display area 60) using available personal information. The display information generation unit 233 transmits the display information to the user terminal 10 that is the sender of the personal information display request (step S107). Upon receiving the display information, the user terminal 10 displays the received display information (display information including personal information) (step S108). In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the display information is generated based on all of the personal information without concealing any part of the personal information. For example, information indicating the name of the meeting, participants, etc., is displayed as is with regard to the schedule information.

[0084] Fig. 15 is a sequence chart showing an outline of the processing flow when personal information is displayed on the user terminal 10. In Fig. 15, the first user (disclosure destination user) does not have the legitimate authority to obtain the personal information of the second user (disclosure target user). Therefore, steps S101 to S103 are the same as the processing in Fig. 14, but in the processing of step S104, it is determined that the first user does not have the legitimate authority.

[0085] That is, the following determination is made. First, the disclosure destination user (first user) has been granted authority to request disclosure of information from the service providing device 50. This may be determined based on whether or not access authority information of the disclosure destination user (first user) is registered in the access authority information storage unit 522. The determination result is the same as that in FIG. 14. On the other hand, the disclosure destination user (first user) does not have legitimate authority to access the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user) in the service providing device 50. This may be determined based on whether or not it is registered in the personal information storage unit 521 that the disclosure destination user (first user) has access to the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user).

[0086] The information provision control unit 532 transmits error information to the conversation control device 20 (step S201). When the personal information control unit 235 of the conversation control device 20 receives the error information, it generates a proxy acquisition request. The proxy acquisition request is a request for personal information of the disclosure target user using the access authority information of the disclosure target user, rather than the access authority information of the disclosure destination user. The personal information control unit 235 transmits the proxy acquisition request to the service providing device 50 (step S202).

[0087] When the information provision control unit 532 of the service providing device 50 receives the proxy acquisition request, it determines whether the requester of the information has legitimate authority for the requested information, based on the access authority information used in the proxy acquisition request (step S203). In the example of FIG. 15, legitimate authority is recognized. That is, the disclosure target user (second user) has been set with authority to request disclosure of information from the service providing device 50. This may be determined depending on whether access authority information of the disclosure target user (second user) is registered in the access authority information storage unit 522.

[0088] Furthermore, the disclosure target user (second user) has legitimate authority to access the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user) in the service providing device 50. This may be determined depending on whether or not it is registered in the personal information storage unit 521 that the disclosure target user (second user) has access to the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user). Since the disclosure target user (second user) is the person in question who owns the personal information, the disclosure target user (second user) generally has legitimate authority to access his or her own personal information.

[0089] The information provision control unit 532 reads out the personal information of the disclosure target user (second user) from the personal information storage unit 521 (step S204). The information provision control unit 532 transmits a proxy acquisition response including the read out personal information to the conversation control device 20, which is the requesting device (step S205).

[0090] When the personal information control unit 235 of the conversation control device 20 receives the proxy acquisition response, it reads out the personal information included in the proxy acquisition response. In the process shown in FIG. 15, the acquired personal information is personal information acquired by a proxy acquisition request using the access authority information of the disclosure target user (second user). Therefore, the personal information control unit 235 selects information that can be provided from the acquired personal information in accordance with the disclosure conditions stored in the disclosure condition information storage unit 223 (step S206). Then, the selected personal information (which may be personal information with a portion replaced with different wording, etc.) is output to the display information generation unit 233.

[0091] The display information generation unit 233 generates display information (for example, display information in the personal information display area 60) using the personal information selected as available information in accordance with the disclosure conditions. The display information generation unit 233 transmits the display information to the user terminal 10 that is the sender of the personal information display request (step S207). Upon receiving the display information, the user terminal 10 displays the received display information (display information including the personal information) (step S208). In this case, the display information is generated with some of the personal information obscured, as shown in FIG. 13. For example, with regard to schedule information, information indicating the name of the meeting, participants, etc. is obscured and is displayed using the uniform phrase "busy."

[0092] The conversation control system 100 configured in this manner can realize information output that is more convenient for users. Specifically, the conversation control system 100 can output personal information of the disclosure target user. This allows the disclosure destination user to more easily obtain personal information of others (disclosure target users), improving convenience. In this case, the personal information of the disclosure target user is not disclosed to an unspecified number of people, but is output to the disclosure destination user who has legitimate authority. Furthermore, for disclosure destination users who do not have legitimate authority, only a portion of the information is disclosed, or a portion of the information is modified and disclosed, in accordance with the disclosure conditions. This makes it possible to achieve improved convenience while maintaining the security of the personal information. Furthermore, in order to disclose a portion of the personal information to disclosure destination users who do not have legitimate authority, the personal information is acquired using the access authority of the disclosure target user through a proxy acquisition request. This makes it possible to acquire personal information from the service providing device 50 by legitimate methods, rather than by improper methods.

[0093] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 900 applied to this embodiment. The information processing device 900 includes a processor 901, a main memory device 902, a communication interface 903, an auxiliary memory device 904, an input / output interface 905, and an internal bus 906. The processor 901, the main memory device 902, the communication interface 903, the auxiliary memory device 904, and the input / output interface 905 are communicably connected to each other via the internal bus 906. The information processing device 900 may be applied to, for example, a user terminal 10, a conversation control device 20, and a service providing device 50. In this case, for example, the communication units 11, 21, and 51 may be configured using the communication interface 903. For example, the memory units 17, 22, and 52 may be configured using the auxiliary memory device 904. Furthermore, the control units 18, 23, and 53 may be configured using the processor 901 and the main memory device 902.

[0094] (Variation) In the above-described embodiment, the conversation control device 20 provided personal information of another person (disclosure target user) to the user terminal 10. However, the device that provides personal information of another person to the user terminal 10 does not need to be limited to the conversation control device 20. For example, a device configured as an information providing device may be configured to provide personal information of the disclosure target user to the disclosure recipient user, like the above-described conversation control device 20. In this case, the information providing device may be configured to have functions of the conversation control device 20 excluding the configuration for conducting a conversation in a conference room. In this case, the information providing device executes the operations of the conversation control device 20 shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the personal information is output only in the form of display, but the output form of the personal information does not have to be limited to display. The personal information may be output as a voice reading a character string indicating the personal information from a speaker, or may be output in other forms.

[0096] The conversation control device 20, the service providing device 50, and the information providing device described above may each be implemented using multiple information processing devices. For example, taking the conversation control device 20 as an example, the storage unit 22 and the control unit 23 may be implemented in separate information processing devices, the storage unit 22 may be implemented in separate information processing devices, and the control unit 23 may be implemented in separate information processing devices.

[0097] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of the processing flow of the modified conversation control system 100. The conversation control system may execute processing according to the flow shown in Fig. 17. First, an operation is performed on the user terminal 10 to instruct display of personal information of a second user (disclosure target user) (step S301). The user terminal 10 transmits a personal information display request to the conversation control device 20 (step S302).

[0098] The personal information control unit 235 of the conversation control device 20 generates and transmits a proxy acquisition request (step S303). In the explanation of Fig. 15, a personal information acquisition request using the access authority information of the disclosure destination user was transmitted first, and then a proxy acquisition request was transmitted if an error occurred, but in the processing of Fig. 17, a proxy acquisition request is transmitted from the beginning.

[0099] When the information provision control unit 532 of the service providing device 50 receives the proxy acquisition request, it determines whether the requester of the information has legitimate authority for the requested information based on the access authority information used in the proxy acquisition request (step S304). In the example of FIG. 17, legitimate authority is recognized. The information provision control unit 532 reads out personal information of the disclosure target user (second user) from the personal information storage unit 521 (step S305). The information provision control unit 532 transmits a proxy acquisition response including the read personal information to the requesting device, the conversation control device 20 (step S306). The subsequent flow is the same as steps S206 to S208 in FIG. 15.

[0100] Even if the conversation control system 100 is implemented to perform processing in this manner, it will be possible to improve convenience in the same way as the conversation control system 100 implemented as shown in Figures 14 and 15 above.

[0101] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 100...conversation control system, 10...user terminal, 20...conversation control device, 11...communication unit, 12...operation unit, 13...display unit, 14...audio input unit, 15...audio output unit, 16...imaging unit, 17...storage unit, 171...user information storage unit, 18...control unit, 181...display control unit, 182...conference control unit, 183...conversation control unit, 21...communication unit, 22...storage unit, 221...conference room information storage unit, 222...access authority information storage unit, 223...disclosure condition information storage unit, 224...user state conversion information storage unit, 23...control unit, 231...user control unit, 232...conference room control unit, 233...display information generation unit, 234...conversation control unit, 235...personal information control unit, 30...conference room area image, 31...conversation area, 311...conference room name, 312... Enter button, 313... Details button, 32... Listening area, 41... Icon image, 91... Outdoor area, 50... Service providing device, 51... Communication unit, 52... Storage unit, 521... Personal information storage unit, 522... Access authority information storage unit, 53... Control unit, 531... Personal information control unit, 532... Information provision control unit

Claims

1. An information providing device comprising: a control unit that, in response to a request from a user terminal used by a first user for personal information of a second user who is different from the first user, requests the personal information of the second user from a service providing device that provides the personal information using the access authority information of the second user, and transmits the personal information of the second user obtained from the service providing device to the user terminal of the first user.

2. The information providing device of claim 1, wherein the control unit provides only a portion of the personal information of the second user to the first user, or modifies a portion of the personal information of the second user and provides it to the first user, in accordance with predetermined conditions when providing the personal information of the second user to the first user.

3. The information providing device of claim 1, wherein the control unit first requests the personal information of the second user from the service providing device using the access authority information of the first user, and if the personal information is not obtained by this request, requests the personal information of the second user from the service providing device using the personal information of the second user.

4. 4. The information providing device of claim 3, wherein when the personal information of the second user is obtained using the personal information of the second user, the control unit provides only a portion of the personal information of the second user to the first user, or modifies a portion of the personal information of the second user and provides it to the first user, in accordance with predetermined conditions.

5. A step in which a computer receives a request for personal information of a second user, which is a user different from the first user, from a user terminal used by the first user; a step of requesting the personal information of the second user from a service providing device that provides the personal information by using the access authority information of the second user in response to the request; a step of transmitting the personal information of the second user acquired from the service providing device to a user terminal of the first user by a computer; An information provision method having the above.

6. A computer program for causing a computer to function as an information providing device that has a control unit that, in response to a request from a user terminal used by a first user for personal information of a second user who is different from the first user, requests the personal information of the second user from a service providing device that provides the personal information using the access authority information of the second user, and transmits the personal information of the second user obtained from the service providing device to the user terminal of the first user.

Images