Program, information processing method, and terminal

Abstract

To provide a program, a method, and a terminal that improve convenience related to using stickers.SOLUTION: In a communication system 1, a program, which causes a terminal displaying a chat room in which content is displayed to perform, causes the terminal to perform control for combining a first stamp and a second stamp by a terminal 20A based on input from a user of the terminal 20A, to create, by a server 10, a third stamp in which the first stamp and the second stamp are combined, based on control, and to cause terminals 20A and 20B to display the third stamp in the chat room as one content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1-11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In messenger applications for online communication, stamps (stickers) are sometimes used to broaden the range of user expressions that can be sent and received. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for filtering conversation messages such as stamp messages contained in a chat room. However, with the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, there may be cases where it is difficult to send effective stamps to users who are conversation partners in the chat room. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-119740 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of using stickers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a program to be executed on a terminal displaying a chat room in which content is displayed causes a control unit of the terminal to execute control for combining a first sticker and a second sticker based on input from a user of the terminal, and causes the terminal to display a third sticker combining the first sticker and the second sticker in the chat room as first content based on the control. According to a second aspect of the present invention, an information processing method for a terminal displaying a chat room in which content is displayed includes: executing control for combining a first sticker and a second sticker by a control unit of the terminal based on input from a user of the terminal; and displaying a third sticker combining the first sticker and the second sticker in the chat room as first content based on the control. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a terminal displaying a chat room in which content is displayed includes a control unit that performs control to combine a first sticker and a second sticker based on input from a user of the terminal, and a display unit that displays a third sticker combining the first sticker and the second sticker in the chat room as first content based on the control. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1-1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1-2] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by a control unit of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a storage unit of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of account registration data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a stamp set management database according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by a control unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a storage unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-8] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-9] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-10] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-11] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-12] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of arrange stamp information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1-13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a first modified example. [Figure 1-14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a first modified example. [Figure 2-1] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2-3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] <Compliance with legal matters> It should be noted that the disclosures set forth herein are subject to compliance with the laws of the country of implementation, such as communications privacy, as required for the implementation of the disclosures.

[0008] <Embodiment> In this specification, for the sake of clarity, there are places where the words "for example" or "for example" are used, but please note that not only these places but also the entire embodiment described below are not limited to the contents of these descriptions.

[0009] An embodiment for implementing a program etc. according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The production of a terminal of the claimed invention (terminal of the claimed invention) may include the concept that, for example, a program (e.g., an application program) described in this specification is received (or received and stored in) on a terminal owned (possessed) by a user, thereby creating a state in which the functions of the claimed invention can be realized on the terminal (creating a state in which the claimed invention can be executed).

[0011] Furthermore, the production of the system of the claimed invention (the system of the claimed invention) may include the concept that, for example, a state in which the functions of the claimed invention of the system are realizable (a state in which the claimed invention is executable is created) is created by receiving a program (e.g., an application program) described in this specification transmitted from a server included in the system at a terminal included in the system (or by storing the received program in the terminal).

[0012] In this specification, a system may be configured to include, for example, a plurality of devices. The plurality of devices may be a combination of devices of the same type, a combination of devices of different types, or a combination of devices of the same type and devices of different types. A system can also be thought of as, for example, a number of devices working together to perform some kind of processing.

[0013] Furthermore, a system relating to a client (client device) and a server can be considered to be, for example, at least one of the following: (1) Terminals and servers (2) Server (3) Terminal

[0014] (1) is, for example, a system including at least one terminal and at least one server. An example of this is a client-server system.

[0015] The server is configured, for example, by the following devices, and may be a single device or a combination of multiple devices.

[0016] Specifically, a server is configured to have, for example, at least one processor (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, APU: Accelerated Processing Unit, DSP: Digital Signal Processor (e.g., ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.), computer device (processor + memory), control device, arithmetic device, processing device, etc., and may be configured to have multiple of the same type of device (e.g., CPU + CPU, homogeneous multi-core processor, etc.), or multiple of different types of device (e.g., CPU + DSP, heterogeneous multi-core processor, etc.), or may be a combination of multiple devices (e.g., processor + computer device, processor + arithmetic device, multiple devices made heterogeneous, etc.). The processor may be a virtual processor.

[0017] Furthermore, when a server performs some processing, if the server is configured with a single device, the processing described in the embodiments is performed by the single device. Furthermore, if the server is configured with multiple devices, some processing may be performed by one device, and other processing may be performed by another device. For example, if the server is configured with a processor and an arithmetic device, the processor may perform a first processing, and the arithmetic device may perform a second processing. Furthermore, when a plurality of devices are used, the devices may be located at positions physically separated from one another.

[0018] Furthermore, the functions of the server may be provided in the form of, for example, PaaS, IaaS, or SaaS in cloud computing.

[0019] The control unit of the system can be at least one of the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server. That is, for example, the control unit of the system can be either (1A) only the control unit of the terminal, (1B) only the control unit of the server, or (1C) both the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server.

[0020] Furthermore, the control and processing (hereinafter collectively referred to as "control, etc.") performed by the control unit of the system may be performed by (1A) only the control unit of the terminal, (1B) only the control unit of the server, or (1C) both the control unit of the terminal and the control unit of the server. In addition, in (1C), for example, some of the controls performed by the control unit of the system may be performed by the control unit of the terminal, and the remaining controls may be performed by the control unit of the server. In this case, the allocation (allocation) of the controls may be equal or may be allocated in different proportions.

[0021] Furthermore, when referring to the communication unit of a server, if the server is configured with a single device, it may refer to the communication unit itself that the single device has, or if the server is configured with multiple devices, it may be configured to include each communication unit that each device has. For example, if a server has a first device and a second device, and the first device has a first communication unit and the second device has a second communication unit, the communication unit of the server may be considered to include the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

[0022] (2) can be, for example, a system consisting of multiple servers (hereinafter referred to as a "server system") In this case, the configuration of each server can be similarly applied to the configuration described above.

[0023] The control etc. performed by the server system may be performed by only one of the multiple servers (2A), by only the other servers (2B), or by both the one server and the other servers (2C). In addition, in (2C), for example, one server may perform some of the control, etc., performed by the server system, and another server may perform the remaining control, etc. In this case, the allocation (allocation) of the control, etc. may be equal or may be allocated in different proportions.

[0024] (3) can be, for example, a system made up of multiple terminals. This system can be, for example, the following system. A system that gives server functions to terminals (distributed system). This can be realized using blockchain technology, for example. A system in which terminals communicate wirelessly with each other. This can be achieved by using short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to communicate in a P2P (peer-to-peer) format.

[0025] The above is not limited to the control unit, but also applies to each functional unit such as an input / output unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, and a clock unit that may be components of the system.

[0026] In the following embodiment, for example, a system including a terminal and a server (for example, a client-server system) will be illustrated. It is also possible to apply the server system described in (2) above as the server.

[0027] Furthermore, instead of a system including a terminal and a server, it is also possible to apply a system that does not include a server, such as the system (3) above. In this case, the embodiment can be configured based on the above-mentioned blockchain technology. Specifically, for example, data stored and managed in a server described in the following embodiment is stored on the blockchain. Then, a terminal generates a transaction to the blockchain, and when the transaction is approved on the blockchain, the data stored on the blockchain is updated.

[0028] It should be noted that even when the term "terminal" is used, this is not limited to the meaning of a terminal as a client device in a client server. That is, a terminal may include the concept of a device that is not in a client-server context. Furthermore, when a part or all of the inventions described in this specification are executed by a program installed in a terminal, the program may be a program that has been installed in the terminal beforehand at the time of shipping the terminal (for example, a program pre-installed by the terminal manufacturer), or a program that is additionally installed after shipping the terminal. In other words, it also includes the case where a program included in an application or the like that is installed by the terminal seller or end user via a predetermined recording medium or a wired connection to a server or a connection via the Internet executes the inventions described in this specification.

[0029] Furthermore, in this specification, the expression "through a communication I / F" is used as appropriate. This may indicate, for example, that a device transmits and receives various information and data via a communication I / F (via a communication unit) based on the control of a control unit (such as a processor).

[0030] Furthermore, in this specification, when the terms "related to" or "related to" are used, such as "B related to A" or "B related to A," it may mean "B" that has some kind of relationship with "A." Specific examples of this will be described later.

[0031] Furthermore, in this specification, when a device performs processing on two or more objects, such as "sending A and B" or "receiving A and B," this may include performing "A" and "B" at the same time (hereinafter referred to as "simultaneous"), and performing "A" and "B" at different times (hereinafter referred to as "non-simultaneous"). For example, when referring to transmitting first information and second information, this may include both the concepts of transmitting the first information and the second information at the same time and transmitting the first information and the second information at different times. In addition, taking into account the lag (time lag), "simultaneous" may include "almost simultaneously."

[0032] Note that even though "A" and "B" are performed at different times, this only needs to be done with "A" and "B" as the processing targets, and the purposes do not necessarily have to be the same. For example, when transmitting first information and second information as described above, it is sufficient to transmit the first information and second information, and this may include cases where the first information and second information are transmitted for the same purpose, as well as cases where the first information and second information are transmitted for different purposes.

[0033] In the following embodiments, a messaging service is exemplified as an example of a service that allows users to chat (hereinafter referred to as a "chat service"). Furthermore, an application that realizes the chat service is referred to as a "chat application," and an application that realizes the messaging service is referred to as a "messaging application." A chat application may, for example, allow users to chat in chat rooms. In the following embodiments, the name of the messaging application may be shown as "Messaging App" on the screen images.

[0034] Note that messaging services (MS) (including instant messaging services (IMS)) can also be considered one form of social networking services (SNS). Therefore, messaging services and social networking services may or may not be distinguished. In other words, messaging services may be included in social networking services.

[0035] In the following embodiments, an example of a messaging service is an IMS (Instant Messaging Service) that transmits and receives simple messages between a plurality of devices (for example, terminals) via a server. An instant messaging application, for example, may allow users to talk in talk rooms.

[0036] A chat room (for example, a talk room) can be a UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphical User Interface) that allows each user to view content transmitted and received between terminals of multiple users.

[0037] In a messaging service, a user can exchange messages via a chat room by, for example, registering any account as a "friend."

[0038] Note that "friend" may refer to a relationship between a first user and a second user when, for example, the first user's account and the second user's account in a messaging application are unilaterally or bilaterally associated. For example, if a first user's account and a second user's account are mutually associated, the first user and the second user may be said to be "friends." Also, if a first user's account is associated with a second user's account, the first user and the second user may be said to be "friends" even if the second user's account is not associated with the first user's account.

[0039] In addition, talk rooms can include one-on-one user talk rooms (hereinafter referred to as "one-on-one talk rooms"), group talk rooms including multiple users (hereinafter referred to as "group talk rooms"), and talk rooms with OA businesses (for example, businesses affiliated with messaging service providers) (hereinafter referred to as "OA talk rooms"), etc.

[0040] Furthermore, a messaging application account that is an account of a business operator and not a general user may be referred to as an "OA (Official Account)," and the user of this official account may be referred to as an "official user." This may also be referred to as an "official account user" or an "official account business operator," etc. In contrast, a messaging application account that is owned by a user who is not an OA provider is called a "general account," and a user of a general account is called a "general user." This may also be called a "general account user," etc. In other words, messaging application accounts may include general accounts and official accounts.

[0041] Furthermore, an OA business may also be able to use a terminal similar to that of a user with a general account to send and receive messages to and from other devices via the server.

[0042] Furthermore, a message (message information) is, for example, information that defines a sender and a destination used in a messaging service, and may be information that is made up of identification information (message ID) for identifying the message and message content. Furthermore, the message content may refer to the contents of the message excluding the message ID, for example. The message content may be one or more pieces of content.

[0043] Moreover, information set as identification information for identifying a message is called a "message ID." It can also be considered that message content included in messages with the same message ID is identified by this message ID. Therefore, identification information for identifying a message can also be considered to be essentially synonymous with identification information for identifying message content. Alternatively, individual identification information (message content ID) may be set for each message content, but this is not required.

[0044] The content may include, for example, text content in text format, image content in image format (including at least one of still images and moving images), and sound content in sound format (including voice). In addition, it may also include operation content such as buttons and icons for user operations, and link content such as URIs (including URLs).

[0045] The text may include, for example, at least one of national characters represented by character codes, extended characters, machine-dependent characters, numbers, symbols, figures, and codes. The text does not have to include at least one of the above characters, extended characters, machine-dependent characters, numbers, symbols, figures, and signs, and may include other text.

[0046] The image may include at least one of various types of image information such as an icon, a button, a stamp, a pictogram, and a banner image.

[0047] Unlike the above definition, it is possible to define that a superordinate concept of a message is content, or that content and message are synonymous, but it is not necessary to define them in this way.

[0048] <First Example> In the first embodiment, for example, in a chat room including a first user and a second user, the first user selects a plurality of stamps (which may also be called "stickers"), and then transmits and receives the selected stamps as a single content in the chat room. The contents described in the first embodiment can be similarly applied to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples.

[0049] In the following embodiments, a stamp that is a collection of multiple stamps is referred to as an "arranged stamp." An arranged stamp may also be called an "arranged sticker." For example, an arranged stamp may be said to be a new stamp made up of a combination of any of the following stamps. Normal stamps (single image stamps) Animated stamps (moving stamps) Custom stamps (stamps combining usernames, etc.) Message stamps (stamps that can be combined with text messages) Pop-up stamps (stamps that expand to cover the entire screen) -Sound stamps (stamps with sound effects) Of the stamps, for example, certain types of stamps (for example, pop-up stamps and stamps with sounds) may be made unavailable for use as arranged stamps. Furthermore, the arranged stamp may be configured to be able to be combined with pictograms in addition to stamps. Also, for example, stamps or stamp sets (sticker sets) designated by a messaging service provider may be made unavailable for use as customized stamps.

[0050] Arranged stamps can be considered a type of content. In other words, arranged stamps are not a set of stamps that are combined and sent consecutively, but rather a single messaging content made up of a set of stamps that is sent and received. Arranged stamps can also be considered a single stamp (sticker) that is a combination of multiple stamps (stickers).

[0051] In the following description, the user of terminal 20A communicating with server 10 that provides messaging services is referred to as "user AA," the user of terminal 20B as "user BB," the user of terminal 20C as "user CC," and so on.

[0052] <System configuration> 1-1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a communication system 1 according to this embodiment. In the communication system 1, for example, a server 10 is connected to one or more terminals 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C, ...) via a network 30.

[0053] The server 10 has a function of providing, for example, a messaging service to a terminal 20 or the like owned by a user via a network 30 . The server 10 can also be expressed as a messaging service server, an IMS server, etc. In this embodiment, for example, the user of the server 10 is a company that provides a messaging service (a messaging service provider). Note that the number of servers 10 and the number of terminals 20 connected to the network 30 are not limited to those described above. In this embodiment, the "messaging service" is a service provided by a business operator (server 10) such as a company that provides messaging services, and may be provided to a user (user terminal 20), for example.

[0054] The terminal 20 (terminal 20A, terminal 20B, terminal 20C, etc.) may be any information processing terminal capable of implementing the functions described in each embodiment. The terminal 20 includes, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone (feature phone), a computer (e.g., a desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), a media computer platform (e.g., a cable or satellite set-top box, digital video recorder), a handheld computer device (e.g., a PDA (personal digital assistant), an email client, etc.), a wearable device (glasses-type device, watch-type device, etc.), a VR (Virtual Reality) terminal, a smart speaker (a device for voice recognition), or other types of computers or communication platforms. The terminal 20 may also be referred to as an information processing terminal.

[0055] The configurations of terminal 20A, terminal 20B, and terminal 20C can be the same, for example. Furthermore, as necessary, the terminal used by user X may be expressed as terminal 20X, and user information in a predetermined service associated with user X or terminal 20X may or may not be expressed as user information X. The user information is information of a user associated with an account used by the user in a predetermined service. The user information includes, for example, information associated with the user, such as the user's name, user icon image, user age, user gender, user address, user hobbies and interests, and user identifier, which is input by the user or assigned by the predetermined service, and may be any one of these, or a combination thereof, or may not be all of these.

[0056] The network 30 serves to connect the devices that make up the communication system 1. In other words, the network 30 refers to a communication network that provides connection paths so that the above-mentioned various devices can be connected and then transmit and receive data.

[0057] One or more portions of network 30 may or may not be a wired or wireless network. Network 30 may include, for example, an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular network, integrated service digital networks (ISDN), wireless LAN, long term evolution (LTE), code division multiple access (CDMA), Bluetooth, satellite communications, etc., or a combination of two or more thereof. Network 30 may include one or more networks 30.

[0058] The server 10 (which is not limited to an example of a server, information processing device, or information management device) has a function of providing a predetermined service (a messaging service in this embodiment) to the terminal 20, etc. The server 10 may be any device that is an information processing device that can realize the functions described in each embodiment. The server 10 includes, for example, a server device, a computer (e.g., a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, etc.), a media computer platform (e.g., a cable or satellite set-top box, a digital video recorder), a handheld computer device (e.g., a PDA, an email client, etc.), or other types of computers or communication platforms. The server 10 may also be referred to as an information processing device. When there is no need to distinguish between the server 10 and the terminal 20, the server 10 and the terminal 20 may or may not each be referred to as an information processing device.

[0059] [Hardware (HW) configuration of each device] The hardware configuration of each device included in the communication system 1 will be described.

[0060] (1) Device hardware configuration FIG. 1-1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal 20. The terminal 20 includes, for example, a control unit 21 (CPU: central processing unit), a storage unit 28, a communication I / F 22 (interface), an input / output unit 23, a clock unit 29A, and a position calculation information detection unit 29B. The HW components of the terminal 20 are connected to each other, for example, via a bus B. It is not essential that the HW configuration of the terminal 20 includes all of the components. For example, the terminal 20 may or may not be configured so that individual components or multiple components can be removed.

[0061] The communication I / F 22 transmits and receives various data via the network 30. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication is possible. The communication I / F 22 has a function of communicating with various devices such as the server 10 via the network 30. The communication I / F 22 transmits various data to various devices such as the server 10 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 21. The communication I / F 22 also receives various data transmitted from various devices such as the server 10 and transmits it to the control unit 21. The communication I / F 22 may also be simply referred to as a communication unit. When the communication I / F 22 is configured as a physically structured circuit, it may also be referred to as a communication circuit.

[0062] The input / output unit 23 includes a device for inputting various operations to the terminal 20, a device for outputting processing results processed by the terminal 20, etc. The input / output unit 23 may be an integrated input unit and an output unit, or may be separate input unit and output unit, or may not be so.

[0063] The input unit is realized by any one or a combination of all types of devices that can accept input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the control unit 21. The input unit includes, for example, a touch panel, a touch display, hardware keys such as a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a camera (for operation input via moving images), and a microphone (for operation input by voice).

[0064] The output unit is realized by any one or a combination of all types of devices that can output the processing results processed by the control unit 21. The output unit includes, for example, a touch panel, a touch display, a speaker (audio output), a lens (for example, 3D (three dimensions) output or hologram output), a printer, etc.

[0065] By way of example only, the input / output unit 23 includes, for example, a display unit 24, a sound input unit 25, a sound output unit 26, and an imaging unit 27.

[0066] The display unit 24 is realized by any one of all types of devices or a combination thereof that can display according to the display data written to the frame buffer. The display unit 24 includes, for example, a touch panel, a touch display, a monitor (e.g., a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED)), a head mounted display (HDM), a projection mapping, a hologram, a device that can display images, text information, etc. in air (which may or may not be a vacuum), etc. Note that these display units 24 may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D.

[0067] The sound input unit 25 is used to input sound data (including voice data; the same applies below.) The sound input unit 25 includes a microphone and the like. The sound output unit 26 is used to output sound data and includes a speaker and the like. The imaging unit 27 is used to acquire image data (including still image data and moving image data; the same applies below.) The imaging unit 27 includes a camera and the like.

[0068] When the input / output unit 23 is a touch panel, the input / output unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be disposed opposite each other and have approximately the same size and shape.

[0069] The clock unit 29A is a built-in clock of the terminal 20, and outputs time information (timekeeping information). The clock unit 29A is configured to include, for example, a clock that uses a crystal oscillator. The clock unit 29A can also be expressed as, for example, a timekeeping unit or a time information detection unit.

[0070] The clock unit 29A may or may not have a clock that conforms to the NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) standard or the like.

[0071] The position calculation information detection unit 29B is a functional unit that detects (measures) information (hereinafter referred to as "position calculation information") necessary for the control unit 21 to calculate (measure) the position of its own terminal 20. The position calculation information detection unit 29B can also be expressed as, for example, a position calculation sensor unit.

[0072] The position calculation information detection unit 29B includes, for example, a satellite positioning sensor (satellite positioning unit) which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System), an inertial measurement sensor (inertial measurement unit (IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit))) which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using an inertial navigation system, a UWB positioning sensor (UWB positioning unit) which is a sensor or unit for calculating the position of the terminal 20 using UWB (Ultra Wide Band), and the like.

[0073] The satellite positioning unit includes, for example, an RF receiving circuit that converts RF (Radio Frequency) signals, including positioning satellite signals transmitted from positioning satellites and received by an antenna (not shown), into digital signals, and a baseband processing circuit that performs correlation calculation processing on the digital signals output from the RF receiving circuit to capture the positioning satellite signals, and outputs information such as satellite orbit data and time data extracted from the positioning satellite signals as information for position calculation.

[0074] The inertial measurement unit has an inertial sensor that is a sensor that detects information necessary for calculating the position of the terminal 20 by inertial navigation calculation. The inertial sensor includes, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis gyro sensor, and outputs the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor as information for position calculation.

[0075] The UWB positioning unit includes, for example, an ultra-wideband RF (Radio Frequency) receiving circuit that converts an ultra-wideband RF signal, including an ultra-wideband pulse signal for positioning transmitted from a positioning beacon and received by an antenna not shown, into a digital signal, and a relative position calculation processing circuit that calculates the relative position between the terminal 20 and the positioning beacon based on the digital signal output from the ultra-wideband RF receiving circuit. For example, the UWB positioning unit may or may not cause the terminal 20 to function as a positioning beacon by transmitting an ultra-wideband RF signal including an ultra-wideband pulse signal for positioning from an antenna not shown.

[0076] Control unit 21 calculates the position of its own terminal 20 at regular intervals or specific intervals based on the position calculation information detected by position calculation information detection unit 29B, for example. The position of the terminal is referred to as the "terminal position," and the calculated terminal position is referred to as the "calculated terminal position." Control unit 21 may, but need not, associate the calculated terminal position with the date and time when the calculated terminal position was calculated and store the calculated terminal position in storage unit 28 as calculated terminal position history data.

[0077] The control unit 21 has a physically structured circuit for executing the functions realized by the codes or instructions contained in the program, and is realized by, for example, a data processing device built into hardware. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be expressed as a control circuit.

[0078] The control unit 21 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0079] The storage unit 28 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the operation of the terminal 20. The storage unit 28 includes various storage media, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). The storage unit 28 may or may not be expressed as a memory.

[0080] Terminal 20 stores program P in storage unit 28, and by executing this program P, control unit 21 executes the processing of each unit included in control unit 21. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 28 causes terminal 20 to realize each function executed by control unit 21. Furthermore, this program P may or may not be expressed as a program module.

[0081] (2) Server hardware configuration FIG. 1-1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the server 10. In FIG. The server 10 includes, for example, a control unit 11 (CPU), a storage unit 15, a communication I / F 14 (interface), an input / output unit 12, a display unit 13, and a clock unit 19. The components of the HW of the server 10 are connected to each other, for example, via a bus B. Note that the HW of the server 10 does not necessarily have to include all components as the configuration of the HW of the server 10. For example, the HW of the server 10 may or may not be configured so that individual components or multiple components can be removed.

[0082] The control unit 11 has circuits that are physically structured to execute functions realized by the codes or instructions contained in the program, and is realized, for example, by a data processing device built into hardware.

[0083] The control unit 11 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), but may also be a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC, or an FPGA. In the present disclosure, the control unit 11 is not limited to these.

[0084] The storage unit 15 has a function of storing various programs and various data required for the operation of the server 10. The storage unit 15 is realized by various storage media such as an HDD, an SSD, and a flash memory. However, in the present disclosure, the storage unit 15 is not limited to these. Furthermore, the storage unit 15 may or may not be expressed as a memory.

[0085] The communication I / F 14 transmits and receives various data via the network 30. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication is possible. The communication I / F 14 has a function of communicating with various devices such as the terminal 20 via the network 30. The communication I / F 14 transmits various data to various devices such as the terminal 20 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 11. The communication I / F 14 also receives various data transmitted from various devices such as the terminal 20 and transmits it to the control unit 11. The communication I / F 14 may also be simply referred to as a communication unit. When the communication I / F 14 is configured as a physically structured circuit, it may also be referred to as a communication circuit.

[0086] The input / output unit 12 includes a device for inputting various operations to the server 10, a device for outputting processing results processed by the server 10, etc. The input / output unit 12 may be an integrated input unit and an output unit, or may be separate input unit and output unit, or may not be the same.

[0087] The input unit is realized by any one of or a combination of all types of devices that can accept input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the control unit 11. The input unit is typically realized by hardware keys such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse. Note that the input unit may or may not include, for example, a touch panel, a camera (for operation input via moving images), or a microphone (for operation input by voice).

[0088] The output unit is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices that can output the processing results processed by the control unit 11. The output unit includes, for example, a touch panel, a touch display, a speaker (sound output), a lens (for example, 3D (three dimensions) output or hologram output), a printer, etc.

[0089] By way of example only, the input / output unit 12 includes a display unit 13, for example.

[0090] The display unit 13 is realized by a display or the like. The display is typically realized by a monitor (for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED)). The display may or may not be a head-mounted display (HDM) or the like. These displays may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D. In the present disclosure, the display is not limited to these.

[0091] The clock unit 19 is a built-in clock of the server 10, and outputs time information (timekeeping information). The clock unit 19 is configured to have, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock) as a hardware clock, a system clock, etc. The clock unit 19 can also be expressed as, for example, a timekeeping unit or a time information detection unit.

[0092] (3) Other Server 10 stores program P in storage unit 15, and by executing this program P, control unit 11 executes the processes of each unit included in control unit 11. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 15 causes server 10 to realize each function executed by control unit 11. This program P may or may not be expressed as a program module. The same applies to other devices.

[0093] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the description will be given assuming that the CPU of the terminal 20 and / or the server 10 executes the program P to realize the present invention. The same applies to other devices.

[0094] The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and / or the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not realize each process not only by a CPU having a control circuit but also by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), or a dedicated circuit. These circuits may be realized by one or more integrated circuits, and multiple processes shown in each embodiment may or may not be realized by a single integrated circuit. LSIs may also be called VLSIs, super LSIs, ultra LSIs, etc. depending on the degree of integration. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be expressed as a control circuit. The same applies to other devices.

[0095] Furthermore, the program P (e.g., a software program, a computer program, or a program module) of each embodiment of the present disclosure may or may not be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can store the program P in a "non-transitory tangible medium." The program P may or may not be intended to realize part of the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the program P may or may not be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure in combination with a program P already recorded on a storage medium.

[0096] The storage medium may include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (e.g., field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific ICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards, or drives, any other suitable storage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these. The storage medium may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of volatile and nonvolatile, as appropriate. The storage medium is not limited to these examples and may be any device or medium capable of storing the program P. Furthermore, the storage medium may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0097] The server 10 and / or the terminal 20 can implement the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by reading out the program P stored in the storage medium and executing the read out program P. The same applies to other devices.

[0098] Furthermore, the program P of the present disclosure may or may not be provided to the server 10 and / or the terminal 20 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting a program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). The server 10 and / or the terminal 20 executes the program P downloaded via the Internet or the like, for example, to realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment. The same applies to other devices.

[0099] In addition, each embodiment of the present disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal in which the program P is embodied by electronic transmission. At least a part of the processing in the server 10 and / or the terminal 20 may or may not be realized by cloud computing configured by one or more computers. At least a part or all of the processing in the terminal 20 may or may not be performed by the server 10. In this case, at least a part or all of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may or may not be performed by the server 10. At least a part or all of the processing in the server 10 may or may not be performed by the terminal 20. In this case, at least a part or all of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 11 of the server 10 may or may not be performed by the terminal 20. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the judgment configuration in the embodiments of the present disclosure is not essential, and a predetermined process may or may not be performed when the judgment condition is met, or when the judgment condition is not met.

[0100] The program of the present disclosure is implemented using, for example, a scripting language such as ActionScript or JavaScript (registered trademark), a compiler language such as Objective-C or Java (registered trademark), or a markup language such as HTML Living Standard.

[0101] [Functional configuration of each device] (1) Server functional configuration FIG. 1-2 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The control unit 11 includes, for example, an application management processing unit 111 as a functional unit.

[0102] The application management processing unit 111 has a function of executing application management processing in accordance with an application management processing program 151 stored in the storage unit 15, for example.

[0103] FIG. 1-3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The storage unit 15 stores, for example, an application management processing program 151 executed as application management processing, account registration data 153, and a stamp set management database 155.

[0104] The account registration data 153 is registration data relating to the account of the application (music application in this embodiment), and an example of the data configuration is shown in FIG. 1-4. The account registration data 153 stores, for example, a user name, an application ID, and other registration information in association with each other.

[0105] The user name is the name of the account of the terminal 20 that uses this application, and for example, the name that the user of the terminal 20 registers when using the application is stored.

[0106] The application ID is information used to identify an application account, or the account itself. This application ID is preferably a value that is unique for each account, and for example, a unique value (proper value) is set and stored by the server 10 for each account. The application ID is information associated with the terminal 20 or the user of the terminal 20, and is an example of information about the terminal or information about the user of the terminal.

[0107] Other registration information may include various types of information, such as identification information for identifying terminal 20, the telephone number (terminal telephone number) of terminal 20, an email address (terminal email address), and authentication information such as passwords (login password, authentication password, etc.) used for various authentications in applications. The other registration information may also store, for example, stamp set IDs that can be used (transmitted) by the account identified by the application ID. The stamp set IDs will be described later.

[0108] The identification information for identifying the terminal 20 may be, for example, a terminal ID (for example, an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)).

[0109] For example, the other registered information may be stored in association with user information.

[0110] Note that the application ID may or may not be replaced with a "user ID." Furthermore, if the application allows only one account to be registered per terminal 20, for example, "identification information for identifying the terminal 20 = identification information for identifying the user of the terminal 20 = application ID" may be used.

[0111] Also, for example, it may or may not be possible to assign multiple terminal IDs to one application ID. In this case, it may or may not be possible to simultaneously launch an application on multiple terminals 20 using one application ID as an identification (login) target.

[0112] Furthermore, instead of various IDs such as application IDs, it is also possible to apply a method of managing accounts using information such as terminal phone numbers. In this case, instead of storing information on IDs such as application IDs in account registration data 153, information on terminal telephone numbers and the like can be stored in account registration data 153. It is also possible to have one-to-one correspondence between information on IDs such as application IDs and information on terminal telephone numbers and the like, without replacing information on IDs such as application IDs with information on terminal telephone numbers and the like, but this is not required.

[0113] In the following embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that one account is registered for one terminal 20. Furthermore, in this case, as described above, "identification information for identifying terminal 20 = identification information for identifying the user of terminal 20 = application ID," so the term "user of the account" used in the following explanation may or may not be substantially synonymous with "terminal of the account."

[0114] The stamp set management database 155 is a database for managing information about stamp sets created and registered by, for example, messaging service providers, users, etc., and an example of the data configuration thereof is shown in FIG. 1-5. Stamp set management data is stored as management data for each stamp set in the stamp set management database 155. A stamp set may be said to be a collection of stamps, each of which is a collection of individual stamps grouped together by character or the like.

[0115] In each stamp set management data, for example, a stamp set ID, a stamp set name, a creator application ID, other stamp set information, and stamp management data are stored in association with each other.

[0116] The stamp set ID is information for identifying a created stamp set, and for example, when a stamp set is registered, a unique value (proper value) is set and stored for each stamp set by the server 10.

[0117] The stamp set name is the name of the stamp set, and for example, the name set by the user when registering the stamp set is stored.

[0118] The creator application ID is information for identifying the user who created this stamp set, and for example, the application ID of the user who created the stamp set, registered in the account registration data 153, is stored. If the user who created the stamp set is a user of the server 10 (the administrator of the service), the creator application ID may store identification information indicating the administrator. Furthermore, the user (creator) who created the stamp set may be the owner of the stamp set, and it may be that "creator = owner" or "creator ≠ owner."

[0119] Other stamp set information may also include various other information such as a description of the stamp set, the selling price of the stamp set, and the period during which the stamp set can be used (expiration date).

[0120] The stamp management data is data for managing information about each stamp included in the stamp set. The stamp management data stores, for example, a stamp ID, stamp attributes, and stamp image URI in association with each other.

[0121] The stamp ID is information for identifying a stamp in a stamp set, and is, for example, assigned a unique value (e.g., a serial number) for each stamp and stored by the server 10. For example, by specifying the stamp set ID and the stamp ID, an individual stamp (stamp image) can be specified.

[0122] The stamp attribute is label information for identifying the meaning or situation associated with the stamp. For example, the stamp attribute may be set to attributes such as "greeting," "thanks," "affirmative," "negative," "fun," "cute," and "scary." The stamp attributes may be set by the user for each stamp when registering a stamp set, or may be automatically set based on the results of image semantic analysis of the stamp images performed by the server 10 after the stamp set is registered.

[0123] The stamp image URI is information indicating the storage location of the registered stamp image. For example, when a stamp image is registered, the server 10 stores the location where the image file of the stamp image is saved.

[0124] As a type of setting related to a stamp or stamp set, it may be possible to set, for example, whether or not the stamp or stamp set can be used as an arranged stamp (setting related to whether or not the user can select the stamp as an arranged stamp). This setting may be performed automatically by the server 10, or manually by the creator or owner as described below.

[0125] (2) Functional configuration of the terminal FIG. 1-6 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The control unit 21 includes, as a functional unit, an application processing unit 211 for executing application processing in accordance with an application processing program 281 stored in the storage unit 28, for example.

[0126] FIG. 1-7 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 in this embodiment. The storage unit 28 stores, for example, an application processing program 281 to be executed as application processing, and an application ID 283 corresponding to the terminal 20 or the account of the user of the terminal 20.

[0127] <Display screen> Examples of display screens will be described below. The transitions of the display screens described below are merely examples of transitions of the display screens for realizing the technique of the present disclosure. In the transitions of the display screens exemplified below, the display of some of the display screens may be omitted, or other display screens may be added. Furthermore, the terms used on the display screens described below may differ from the terms used in the processes described thereafter (some terms may not be consistent).

[0128] In the following, for example, the terminal 20 is a smartphone equipped with a display unit 24 that is a vertically long display. In the smartphone, for example, a touch panel that functions as an input unit is disposed opposite the display, forming a touch screen. When an element such as an icon, button, item, or input area is displayed on the display, and a part of the touch panel that faces the area where the element is displayed is operated by the user, a program associated with the element or a subroutine of the program may be executed.

[0129] Note that there may be cases where the flow of screen transitions is explained by showing a specific screen displayed on different terminals 20 within one drawing or across multiple drawings. In this case, for example, a specific screen may be displayed on a different terminal 20 based on (triggered by) at least one of the following: - Automatically displayed A notification (including a push notification, etc.; the same applies below) is sent to the terminal 20, and is displayed when the user performs an operation in response to the notification. No notification is sent to the terminal 20, but it is displayed when the user performs a predetermined operation on the application. A notification is sent to the terminal 20, and the message is displayed when the user performs a predetermined operation on the application that sent the notification.

[0130] In the following, an example will be given in which the terminal 20A of user AA is used as an account for sending arranged stamps.

[0131] 1-8 and 1-9 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this embodiment.

[0132] The left side of FIG. 1-8 shows an example of a talk room screen displayed on terminal 20A, and the left side displays a screen of a one-to-one talk room in which user BB is the talk partner (chat partner).

[0133] The chat room screen is configured to display an area CR where content and similar information are displayed (hereinafter referred to as the "content display area"), and for example, content sent by the user (content originating from the user) may be displayed on the right side of the screen, and content sent by the other user (content originating from the other user) may be displayed on the left side of the screen. The content may also be displayed in association with information that allows the sender to be specified or identified, such as a registered icon image of the user. The content may also be displayed in a speech bubble. In this case, the text in the speech bubble may be considered to be the content, or the speech bubble may be considered to be the content. Also, depending on the type of content or the information contained in the content, it may be possible not to display the content in a balloon.

[0134] Also, for example, a message input area MIR for inputting content to be sent to the talk room is displayed at the bottom of the talk room screen.

[0135] On this screen, the content display area CR displays message content CT1 in which user BB asks about the test results, and message content CT2 in which user AA expresses gratitude to user BB for helping him study.

[0136] For example, when the user presses and holds the stamp send button BT1 in the message input area MIR, the display changes to the chat room screen shown in the center of FIG. 1-8. This screen is configured so that, for example, when the stamp send button BT1 is pressed and held, the arrange canvas area CP is displayed. The arrange canvas area CP is an area where the user places individual stamps that form the basis of the arranged stamp. The arrange canvas area CP may be an example of a second area where the user manipulates the first and second stickers to create a third sticker. The arrangement canvas area CP may be displayed based on some other operation, not limited to a long press of the stamp transmission button BT1. The operation for displaying the arrangement canvas area CP may be a sound input.

[0137] When a normal stamp is sent, a preview area may be displayed to allow the user to check the stamp to be sent. In this case, the arrange canvas area CP may be set to be displayed at a position corresponding to the position set as the display position of the preview area (for example, the center position is the same), or it may be set to be displayed at a different position (for example, the center position is different). In addition, the preview area and the arrange canvas area CP may be the same size, but since the arrange canvas area CP is an area where the user places individual stamps that form the basis of the arrange stamp, the display size of the arrange canvas area CP may be set to a size larger than the size set as the display size of the preview area.

[0138] Also, for example, the stamps in the stamp set specified in the stamp set selection area SSR are configured to be displayed in a list in the stamp selection area STR. The stamp selection area STR may be an example of a first area that displays stickers that the user of the terminal can use, including a first sticker and a second sticker. On this screen, the stamp set "Idol XX Stamp 1" (the stamp set from the stamp set management data shown at the forefront in Figure 1-5) is selected in the stamp set selection area SSR, and the individual stamps included in the stamp set "Idol XX Stamp 1" are displayed in a row in the stamp selection area STR.

[0139] In the stamp selection area STR, stamps that cannot be selected as arranged stamps (stamps that are set so that they cannot be placed) may be displayed in a grayed-out state to notify the user that they cannot be used. Stamps that cannot be selected as arranged stamps may be considered as stickers that cannot be combined.

[0140] In addition, in the stamp set selection area SSR, stamp sets that cannot be selected as arranged stamps may not be displayed or may be displayed in a grayed-out display mode. Alternatively, a display mode other than grayed-out may be used, and selectable stamps and non-selectable stamps may be displayed in some other manner that allows the user to recognize them (for example, by adding icons).

[0141] For example, when a user selects stamp ST1 and drags and drops it into the arrangement canvas area CP, the display changes to the chat room screen shown on the right side of Figure 1-8. The drag and drop operation may be an example of an operation to move a sticker displayed in the first area to the second area. On this screen, a stamp ST1 arranged by the user is displayed in the arrange canvas area CP. For example, when the "x" icon displayed in the upper right corner of the stamp ST1 is tapped, the stamp ST1 is removed from the arrange canvas area CP.

[0142] It may also be possible to adjust the size (enlargement / reduction) and placement of stamp ST1, such as rotation, based on user operations on adjustment handles displayed below stamp ST1. Also, it may be possible to change the display position (placement) of stamp ST1 on the arrange canvas area CP by dragging stamp ST1 in the arrange canvas area CP.

[0143] Similar operations can be used to place multiple stamps in the arrange canvas area CP. For example, in the chat room screen on the left side of Figure 1-9, a stamp set different from the "Idol XX Stamp 1" above is selected in the stamp set selection area SSR, and the individual stamps included in the selected stamp set are displayed side by side in the stamp selection area STR. Then, stamp ST3 is dragged and dropped from the stamp selection area STR into the arrange canvas area CP, and the arrange canvas area CP displays three stamps: stamp ST1, stamp ST2, and stamp ST3. It should be noted that the arrange canvas area CP may be configured to allow multiple stamps of the same type to be arranged, such as stamp ST1 and stamp ST1.

[0144] Furthermore, when multiple stamps are arranged in the arrange canvas area CP, for example, by tapping on any stamp, the tapped stamp may be placed in the foreground. This allows the user to express the desired stamp overlap. Furthermore, based on the concept of layers, stamps may be arranged on any layer, and the overlap of stamps may be adjusted.

[0145] The number of stamps that can be placed in the arrange canvas area CP may also be settable, which prevents the arrange stamps from becoming too crowded and causing the display to become blurred.

[0146] For example, when one or more stamps are placed in the arrange canvas area CP, the send button BT2 appears in the message input area MIR. For example, when the send button BT2 is tapped, an arranged stamp that combines the stamps placed in the arrange canvas area CP is sent, and the display changes to the chat room screen in the center of Figure 1-9.

[0147] On this screen, arranged stamp content CT3 is displayed below message content CT2. The arranged stamp content CT3 may be called a single stamp (stamp image) or may be called content (content image) made up of multiple stamps.

[0148] For example, when the user taps the stamp send button BT1 in the message input area MIR, the display changes to the chat room screen shown on the right side of Figure 1-9. On this screen, based on the user selecting the stamp sending history icon (history icon) in the stamp set selection area SSR, stamps including the arranged stamp AS1 sent on the left side of Figure 1-9 are displayed in the stamp sending history display area SHR. For example, by tapping on arranged stamp AS1, the user can easily send arranged stamps without having to select and arrange multiple stamps again.

[0149] The arranged stamp may be stored (added to) in the stamp transmission history in the terminal 20 or the server 10, for example, in association with the application ID of the user of the terminal 20. In addition, the arranged stamps stored in the stamp transmission history may be displayed in the stamp transmission history display area SHR, etc., as described above, so that the arranged stamp selected by the user can be transmitted. Note that, as will be described in detail later, the arranged stamps stored in the stamp transmission history may be combined with other arranged stamps.

[0150] Here, the following patterns can be considered as examples of arrangement stamps. - Placing multiple copies of the same stamp (including mass placement). - Arrange multiple stamps of the same category. A category may be a classification based on similarities or commonalities. For example, stamps included in the same stamp set or stamps associated with the same stamp attributes may be classified as stamps of the same category. - A series of stamps that were previously sent consecutively are now placed to show the flow of the story. - Place multiple copies of the same stamp, changing the size, angle, etc. -Combine stamps with and without text. - Place stamps from different categories that are out of the ordinary. By using these arranged stamps, users can easily express more emotionally what they want to communicate to others in messenger applications. Also, the display space can be reduced compared to the conventional method of displaying multiple stamps.

[0151] FIG. 1-10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20B in this embodiment. The left side of Figure 1-10 shows an example of the lock screen of terminal 20B. This screen displays a notification NT1 from a messaging application, informing user AA that user AA has sent an arranged stamp to user BB. An arranged stamp contains multiple stamps, but there is only one notification of receipt of the arranged stamp. Therefore, the user does not need to check all of the successive notifications, as would be the case if multiple stamps were sent individually, and can easily confirm the intent of the notification. Note that notification NT1 may be a push-type notification (push notification) or another type of notification.

[0152] For example, when the user taps the notification NT1, the display changes to the chat room screen shown in the center of Figure 1-10. On this screen, the arranged stamp content CT3 sent by the user AA is displayed in the content display area CR.

[0153] For example, when the arranged stamp content CT3 is tapped, the display changes to the stamp purchase screen shown on the right side of Figure 1-10. This screen is configured to display a list of stamp set names that include the stamps that make up the arranged stamp content CT3. Also, below the stamp set names, purchase buttons are displayed that allow user BB to purchase stamp sets that he or she does not own. Note that for stamp sets that are distributed free of charge, an obtain button may be displayed instead of a purchase button. This allows users to easily identify stamps included in the arranged stamp content and make them available for purchase, and also helps users who receive the arranged stamp content to inherit the arranged stamps they received and send similar arranged stamps.

[0154] <Processing> 1-11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment. From the left, this figure shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A of user AA, an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, and an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20B of user BB. Note that the processes described below are merely examples of processes for realizing the method of the present disclosure, and are not limited to these. Furthermore, other steps may be added to the processing described below, or some steps may be omitted (deleted) from the processing described below.

[0155] First, terminal 20A transmits chat request information to the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (omitted) to request a chat with the user of terminal 20B via a talk room, for example, based on an input to the input / output unit 23 of terminal 20A (for example, a user input (such as a user operation input or sound input); the same applies below). Upon receiving the chat request information from terminal 20A via the communication I / F 14 (omitted), the server 10 executes chat start processing to conduct a chat between terminal 20A and terminal 20B via the talk room (S110). In the chat start processing, the server 10 generates, for example, a talk room ID for identifying the talk room, and transmits the generated talk room ID to each terminal 20 participating in the talk room via the communication I / F 14 (omitted).

[0156] For example, when a talk room ID is received from the server 10 via the communication I / F 22 (omitted), the terminals 20A and 20B execute a chat start process to conduct a chat between the terminals 20A and 20B via the talk room (A110-B110). In the chat start process, each terminal 20 displays, for example, a talk room screen on the display unit 24.

[0157] The chat request information may be transmitted from the terminal 20B to the server 10.

[0158] For example, based on a user input to the terminal 20A, the terminal 20A executes a stamp selection process (A120). In the stamp selection process, the terminal 20A allows the user of the terminal 20A to select an arbitrary stamp from stamps that the user can use, and acquires the stamp set ID and stamp ID of the selected stamp. Prior to the stamp selection process, terminal 20A may transmit stamp set list request information requesting a list of available stamp sets to server 10. Upon receiving the stamp set list request information, server 10 may refer to account registration data 153 to identify stamp set IDs that can be used by the application ID that transmitted the stamp set list request information, and may transmit list request information regarding the available stamp sets to terminal 20A by referring to stamp set management database 155.

[0159] Then, the terminal 20A executes stamp placement processing (A130). In the stamp placement processing, the terminal 20A acquires placement information of the selected stamp (for example, stamp placement position coordinates on the arrange canvas, stamp placement angle, stamp enlargement / deformation rate, stamp display order, etc.) based on, for example, a user input.

[0160] Next, the terminal 20A determines whether or not to finish arranging the stamps in the arrange stamps, for example, based on a user input (A140). If it is determined that the arrangement should be continued (A140: NO), the terminal 20A returns the process to, for example, the stamp selection process (A120).

[0161] When it is determined that the arrangement is to be ended (A140: YES), the terminal 20A transmits the one or more selected stamps and arranged stamp information relating to the arrangement thereof to the server 10 (A150).

[0162] FIG. 1-12 shows an example of the structure of arrange stamp information for one arrange stamp. The arranged stamp information is composed of a list in which each line contains the configuration information for one stamp that makes up the arranged stamp, for example, linked with the stamp set ID, stamp ID, and stamp placement information. The arranged stamp information may also be referred to as the configuration information of the arranged stamp.

[0163] Returning to FIG. 1-11, for example, when it is determined that arrange stamp information has been received from terminal 20A (S120: YES), server 10 executes arrange stamp content information creation processing (S130). When it is determined that arrange stamp information has not been received (S120: NO), the server 10, for example, waits for reception of arrange stamp information.

[0164] In the arranged stamp content information creation process, the server 10 reads each stamp image included in the arranged stamp from the stamp image URI based on the arranged stamp information, arranges the stamp images based on the stamp arrangement information, and creates (renders) arranged stamp content information, which is a single image in which the stamp images are arranged.

[0165] The server 10 may store the received arranged stamp information or arranged stamp content information in arranged stamp history information (not shown) in association with the application ID of the terminal 20A. This allows the arranged stamps used by the user to be called up as a history, and makes it possible to compile information on what stamp combinations are used in arranged stamps.

[0166] Then, the server 10 transmits arranged stamp content information to, for example, the terminals 20A and 20B which are terminals of the accounts participating in the chat room (S140).

[0167] The server 10 then determines whether to terminate the process (S190). If it is determined that the process should continue (S190: NO), the server 10 waits for reception of arrange stamp information, for example, and returns the process to S120. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process should end (S190: YES), the server 10 terminates the process.

[0168] When it is determined that the arrange stamp content information has been received (A160: YES), the terminal 20A outputs the received arrange stamp content information (for example, displays it on the display unit 24) (A170). If it is determined that arrange stamp content information has not been received (A160: NO), for example, terminal 20A waits for reception of arrange stamp content information.

[0169] The same applies to the terminal 20B (B160 and B170).

[0170] Then, the terminal 20A determines whether to end the process (A190). If it is determined that the process should be continued (A190: NO), the terminal 20A returns the process to, for example, A120. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process should be ended (A190: YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20A ends the process.

[0171] The same applies to the terminal 20B (B190).

[0172] It should be noted that the arranged stamp content information is not limited to being created by the server 10. For example, it may be created as follows. (Pattern A): Arrange stamp information is received from terminal 20A and server 10 creates arranged stamp content information (in the case described above). (Pattern B): When the arrangement of the stamps is completed, arranged stamp content information is created in terminal 20A and transmitted to server 10. Server 10 transmits the arranged stamp content information to terminals 20A and 20B. (Pattern C): When the arranged stamp information is received from the terminal 20A, the server 10 transmits the arranged stamp information to the terminals 20A and 20B. When the arranged stamp information is received from the server 10, the terminals 20A and 20B create and output arranged stamp content information.

[0173] When creating arranged stamp content information in the server 10, for example, the terminal 20 executes control to acquire various pieces of information related to the arranged stamp information (for example, identification information, placement position, placement rotation angle, and placement layer of each sticker). Then, the terminal 20 executes control to transmit the arranged stamp information to the server 10, for example.

[0174] When creating arrange stamp content information on terminal 20, for example, terminal 20 executes control to acquire each piece of information related to the arrange stamp information. Also, terminal 20 executes control to create (render) the arrange stamp content information based on the arrange stamp information, for example.

[0175] These controls are executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20, and may be an example of control for combining the first sticker and the second sticker.

[0176] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to this embodiment, a terminal 20 that displays a chat room (e.g., a talk room) in which content is displayed has a control unit 21 that executes control to combine a first sticker and a second sticker based on input from a user of the terminal 20, and based on this control, displays a third sticker that is a combination of the first sticker and the second sticker in the talk room as a single content. As an example of the effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, it becomes possible to display a third sticker that combines the first sticker and the second sticker as a single content in a chat room, enabling users to send and receive effective stamps, thereby improving convenience.

[0177] Furthermore, the above control may be executed based on the fact that the first sticker and the second sticker are (1) the same sticker. As an example of the effect of this configuration, it is possible to display a third sticker, which is a combination of the same stickers, in a chat room as a single piece of content. By combining the same stickers, it is possible to emphasize and express the user's emotions and what the user wants to convey.

[0178] The above control may also be performed based on the fact that the first sticker and the second sticker are (2) different stickers in the same category. As an example of the effect of this configuration, it is possible to display a third sticker, which is a combination of different stickers in the same category, as a single piece of content in a chat room. By combining different stickers in the same category, it is possible to emphasize and express the user's emotions and what the user wants to convey.

[0179] The above control may also be performed based on the fact that the first sticker and the second sticker are included in the same sticker set. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, it becomes possible to display a third sticker, which is a combination of stickers included in the same sticker set, as a single content in the chat room.

[0180] Furthermore, the terminal 20 may execute a control (first control) for changing the aspect (e.g., size or angle) of the first sticker based on an input (first input) from the user of the terminal 20, and this first control may be executed based on the fact that a setting has been made for the first sticker that allows the aspect to be changed. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, it becomes possible to create a third sticker by changing the aspect of the first sticker, thereby improving convenience.

[0181] Furthermore, the terminal 20 may display on the display unit 24 a first area (for example, a stamp selection area STR) that displays stickers that the user of the terminal 20 can use, including a first sticker and a second sticker. As an example of an effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the user of the terminal can know the stickers that can be used by checking the first area, thereby improving convenience.

[0182] In this case, a sticker (fourth sticker) that cannot be combined with the first sticker is displayed in the first area, and this fourth sticker may be displayed in a different display mode from the second sticker (for example, a grayed-out display mode). As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the user of the terminal can know which stickers are usable and which are not usable, thereby improving convenience.

[0183] Furthermore, the terminal 20 may display on the display unit 24 a second area (for example, an arrange canvas area CP) for allowing the user to manipulate the first sticker and the second sticker to create a third sticker. As an example of an effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the user of the terminal can create a third sticker by manipulating the first sticker and the second sticker in the second area, thereby improving convenience.

[0184] In addition, the first sticker and the second sticker may be displayed in the second area based on an operation of moving the first sticker and the second sticker displayed in the first area to the second area. As an example of the effect of an embodiment obtained by such a configuration, it is possible to display the first sticker and the second sticker in the second area by a simple operation of moving the first sticker and the second sticker displayed in the first area to the second area.

[0185] Furthermore, the terminal 20 may be configured to cause the control unit 21 to execute control to make the third sticker usable again (for example, control to store it in the sticker transmission history, etc.). As an example of an effect of this embodiment obtained by such a configuration, the user of the terminal can reuse the third sticker.

[0186] <First Modification Example (1)> In the above embodiment, the selected stamps are arranged on the arrange canvas, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the stamps may be arranged automatically.

[0187] FIG. 1-13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this modified example. In the chat room screen on the left side of Figure 1-13, message content CT4 is displayed in the content display area CR below arranged stamp content CT3, informing user BB that the test results he submitted were poor.

[0188] For example, when the user taps the stamp send button BT1 in the message input area MIR, the display changes to the chat room screen shown in the center of FIG. 1-13. On this screen, the arrangement canvas area CP is not displayed, but the stamp selection area STR, which allows you to send regular stamps one by one, is displayed. For example, if stamp ST4 is tapped repeatedly in the stamp selection area STR, the display changes to the chat room screen shown on the right side of Figure 1-13.

[0189] On this screen, arranged stamp content CT5 consisting of a number of stamps ST4 corresponding to the number of times the stamp ST4 has been tapped continuously (in this example, "5 times") is sent and displayed in the content display area CR below the message content CT4. In this way, instead of determining the placement of each stamp in the arrange canvas area CP, the stamp placement process may be executed in the terminal 20 or the server 10, and the arranged stamps may be sent by automatic placement. This allows the user to send arranged stamps more easily.

[0190] The layout of the automatic placement (for example, "large" or "small", "overlapping" or "separate", etc.) may be specified by the user. Also, when a user selects a first stamp, the number of first stamps to be placed on the arranged stamps may be determined based on user settings (e.g., "a lot" or "a few"), and multiple first stamps may be automatically placed.

[0191] This modified example shows a configuration in which, based on the selection of a first sticker by the user of terminal 20, terminal 20 performs control to combine the first sticker with a second sticker that is the same as the first sticker, and based on this control, displays a third sticker in the chat room as a single content. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, based on input by the terminal user regarding the first sticker, it becomes possible to display a third sticker that combines the first sticker with a second sticker that is the same as the first sticker as a single content in the chat room.

[0192] In this case, the third sticker may be a sticker based on the number of inputs made by the user of the terminal 20 to the first sticker. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, it becomes possible to display a third sticker based on the number of inputs made by the terminal user to the first sticker (for example, a third sticker combining a number of first stickers corresponding to the number of consecutive inputs) as a single content in a chat room.

[0193] <First Modification Example (2)> In the above embodiment, it is possible to set stamps or stamp sets that cannot be arranged in the arranged stamps, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a given first stamp may not be able to be combined with stamps included in stamp sets other than the first stamp set that includes the first stamp, but may be able to be combined with other stamps in the first stamp set as arranged stamps. It should be noted that the first stamp set may be combined with stamps included in other stamp sets that have the same creator (same creator application ID) as the first stamp set. The first stamp set may have the same owner.

[0194] Also, a given first stamp may not be able to be combined with other stamps, but an arranged stamp made up of multiple first stamps may be created. In this case, it may or may not be possible to change the size or angle.

[0195] This modified example shows a configuration in which the control for combining the first sticker and the second sticker is performed based on the fact that the first sticker and the second sticker are (3) different stickers by the same creator or the same owner. As an example of the effect of this modified example, it is possible to display a third sticker, which is a combination of different stickers by the same creator or owner, in a chat room as a single piece of content. Also, by enabling such settings (setting of restrictions), it is possible to allow terminal users to flexibly select stickers while taking copyright into consideration.

[0196] <First Modification (3)> In the above embodiment, the stamps to be arranged on the arranged stamps are selected by the user, but this is not limiting. For example, the terminal 20 or the server 10 may suggest stamps that are recommended for combination to the user of the terminal 20 by displaying them or the like.

[0197] In this case, for example, when a user selects a first stamp, the terminal 20 or the server 10 may suggest a second stamp that is recommended to be incorporated into the arranged stamp based on the stamp attributes of the first stamp.

[0198] FIG. 1-14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20A in this modification. The chat room screen on the left side of Figure 1-14 is, for example, the same as the chat room screen in the center of Figure 1-8, and the user is dragging and dropping a stamp ST1 into the arrangement canvas area CP. This changes the display to the chat room screen on the right side of Figure 1-14. On this screen, recommended stamps are selected in the stamp set selection area SSR to suggest stamps that are effective when combined with the stamps placed in the arrangement canvas area CP. In the recommended stamp display area RSR, stamps that have the same stamp attribute "Thanks" as stamp ST1 and that are available to user AA are displayed side by side.

[0199] In the recommended stamp display area RSR, stamps that can be used by the user AA may be displayed in descending order of stamp attribute similarity to the stamp ST1, based on the results of the language synonym analysis, for example. Furthermore, when another stamp set is selected in the stamp set selection area SSR, for example, the stamps in the set stamp set may be sorted and displayed in the stamp set selection area SSR in order of stamp attributes similar to stamp ST1. This allows the user to easily select stamps to be incorporated into the arranged stamps.

[0200] For example, when a first stamp is placed in the arrange canvas area CP, stamps having the same or similar stamp attributes may be automatically placed in the arrange canvas area CP based on the stamp attributes of the first stamp. Also, for example, when a first stamp is placed in the arrange canvas area CP, a second stamp having the same or similar stamp attributes may be automatically selected based on the stamp attributes of the first stamp, and an arrange stamp including the first stamp and the second stamp may be automatically placed and created.

[0201] Furthermore, a stamp that is recommended for combination may be suggested without the user having to select a first stamp. For example, when the stamp set selection area SSR (stamp selection area STR) is displayed and text expressing gratitude such as "Thank you" is entered in the message input area MIR, stamps with the stamp attribute "Thank you" may be listed in the stamp selection area STR.

[0202] In this modified example, attributes are associated with stickers, and the terminal 20 displays stickers that are recommended as combinations on the display unit 24 based on the attributes associated with the stickers. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, it becomes possible to suggest recommended sticker combinations to the terminal user based on the attributes associated with the stickers, thereby improving convenience.

[0203] In this case, the display unit 24 may display stickers that are recommended for combination with the sticker selected by the user of the terminal 20. As an example of the effect of this modified example obtained by such a configuration, it becomes possible to suggest to the user of the terminal stickers that are recommended to be combined with the sticker selected by the user of the terminal, thereby improving convenience.

[0204] <First Modification (4)> As mentioned above, the arranged stamp may be stored, for example, in a stamp transmission history, so that the user of the terminal 20 can reuse it. In this case, like regular stamps, arranged stamps may also be stored in association with stamp attributes. For example, an arranged stamp that is combined with a stamp with the stamp attribute "thanks" may be stored in association with the stamp attribute "thanks."

[0205] In this case, for example, the contents of the first variant example (3) may be applied, and the terminal 20 or the server 10 may suggest to the user of the terminal 20 arranged stamps that are recommended to be combined based on the stamp attributes associated with the arranged stamps.

[0206] The arranged stamps may be combined with regular stamps or arranged stamps. For example, when the number of combinations is two, combinations of "stamp + arranged stamp" and "arranged stamp + arranged stamp" may be possible. The same applies when the number of combinations is three or more, and combinations such as "stamp + stamp + arranged stamp," "stamp + arranged stamp + arranged stamp," and "arranged stamp + arranged stamp + arranged stamp" may be possible.

[0207] <Second Example> The second embodiment is an embodiment in which, for example, on the terminal 20, it is possible to set whether to allow or reject incorporation into arranged stamps based on input from the user who is the creator of the stamp set. The contents described in the second embodiment are similarly applicable to any of the other embodiments and other modified examples.

[0208] <Display screen> In the following description, for example, the creator (or registrant) of the stamp set of "Idol XX Stamp 1" and "Idol XX Stamp 3" is referred to as user CC. FIG. 2-1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20C in this embodiment.

[0209] The left side of Figure 2-1 is an example of a stamp set creation screen for creating, registering, and modifying stamp sets in a messaging application. The stamp set creation screen can also be called a stamp set setting information screen. The creator and modification of the stamp set may be performed by another application (for example, a stamp creation application) that can cooperate with the messaging application.

[0210] On this stamp set creation screen, for example, below the application menu ("Create Stamp Set"), a thumbnail image setting area for setting a thumbnail image of the stamp set and a stamp set name setting area for setting the stamp set name are displayed. Below this, a stamp set description setting area is displayed for setting a description of the stamp to be created.

[0211] Below the stamp set description setting area is an individual stamp editing area for creating and editing the individual stamps (stamp images) that make up the stamp set. In this image, the frames representing the eight stamps in the individual stamp editing area contain stamps with the stamp attribute "greetings" and stamps with the stamp attribute "thanks," etc. For example, you can create and edit individual stamps within a stamp set by tapping the boxes representing the individual stamps.

[0212] Below the individual stamp editing area, an arrangement permission setting switch APS is displayed, which allows you to set whether or not stamps included in this stamp set can be incorporated (added) into arranged stamps. In this screen, the arrangement permission setting switch APS indicates that incorporation into arranged stamps is permitted.

[0213] Below the arrangement permission setting switch APS, an arrangement history summary confirmation button ACB is displayed to check the summary information of the history of this stamp set being used as an arrangement stamp. Below this, a stamp set reflect button BT3 is displayed for reflecting edits and setting changes made on the stamp set creation screen and updating the stamp set.

[0214] For example, when the arrangement history summary confirmation button ACB is tapped, the display changes to the stamp arrangement history summary information display screen shown in the center of Figure 2-1. This screen is configured to display, for example, aggregate information about other stamps that have been combined with the stamp set being edited, "Idol XX Stamp 3," and placed in the arranged stamps, for each stamp set. This screen shows, for example, that "Idol XX Stamp 3" is most frequently combined with the stamp set included in "Rabbit Stamp," and is used in "40%" of arranged stamps that include stamps in "Idol XX Stamp 3." By referencing the aggregated information, stamp set creators can easily understand which stamp sets are frequently combined with their own stamp sets. Stamp set creators can also check whether arranged stamps that are combined with stamps they did not intend are becoming popular.

[0215] For example, when the stamp set name is tapped, more detailed tally information such as tally by stamp image may be referenced.

[0216] For example, if you tap the "OK" button at the bottom of the stamp arrangement history summary information display screen, the display will return to the stamp set creation screen. Then, for example, if you tap the arrangement permission setting switch APS, which sets the switch to not allow incorporation into arranged stamps, and then tap the stamp set reflection button BT3, the display will change to the stamp set creation screen shown on the right side of Figure 2-1. On this screen, a notification NT2 is displayed in the center of the screen indicating that the setting to cancel the permission to incorporate the stamp set into arranged stamps has been reflected.

[0217] FIG. 2-2 is an example of the talk room screen of the terminal 20A when "Idol XX Stamp 3" cannot be incorporated into the arranged stamps according to the flow of FIG. 2-1. For example, Figure 2-2 is the chat room screen that is displayed after Figure 1-13 in chronological order. Also, the operation in Figure 2-1 is assumed to be performed after the operation in Figure 1-13.

[0218] In the chat room screen on the left side of Figure 2-2, for example, the arrangement canvas area CP is displayed by pressing and holding the stamp send button BT1. Then, the stamp set "Idol XX Stamp 1" is selected in the stamp set selection area SSR, and stamp ST1 is dragged from the stamp selection area STR and placed in the arrangement canvas area CP.

[0219] When stamp ST1 is placed in the arrange canvas area CP, the display changes to the chat room screen shown in the center of Figure 2-2. On this screen, the stamp set "Idol XX Stamp 3" is selected in the stamp set selection area SSR, but in the stamp selection area STR, each stamp is displayed grayed out, indicating that they cannot be dragged. Additionally, the stamp selection area STR displays a message indicating that stamps from this stamp set cannot be incorporated into the arrange stamps.

[0220] For example, when the stamp sending history is selected in the stamp set selection area SSR, the display changes to the chat room screen shown on the right side of Figure 2-2. On this screen, of the arranged stamps AS1 and AS2 displayed in the stamp sending history display area SHR, an exclamation mark warning icon is displayed on arranged stamp AS1, which includes the "Idol XX Stamp 3" stamp, indicating that arranged stamp AS1 can no longer be resent.

[0221] If a specific arranged stamp becomes unusable after being sent, for example, the unusable arranged stamp (for example, arranged stamp AS1) may not be displayed in the stamp transmission history display area SHR.

[0222] Also, Figure 2-2 illustrates a case where the creator of the stamp set has set incorporation into an arranged stamp as not permitted, but it is also possible to similarly notify users that incorporation into an arranged stamp is not permitted if, for example, the stamp set's expiration date has expired and the stamp set is no longer usable.

[0223] <Processing> 2-3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device in this embodiment. From the left, this figure shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20C of user CC, and an example of processing executed by the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0224] It is assumed that prior to the processing, for example, a setting that allows incorporation into an arrange stamp is set as a default value in the stamp set.

[0225] For example, the terminal 20C transmits stamp set setting request information for editing a stamp set or changing settings to the server 10 based on a user input (A210). For example, the stamp set setting request information may include a stamp set ID.

[0226] When the stamp set setting request information is received from the terminal 20C, the server 10, for example, refers to the stamp set management database 155 and reads the stamp set management data specified in the stamp set setting request information. Then, the server 10 transmits stamp set setting information including various information about the stamp set to the terminal 20C (S210).

[0227] When the stamp set setting information is received from the server 10, the terminal 20C displays the received stamp set setting information on, for example, the display unit 24 (A220). For example, when it is determined that a request for stamp arrangement history aggregation information has been selected based on a user input for the displayed stamp set setting information, the terminal 20C transmits stamp arrangement history aggregation request information to the server 10 (A230).

[0228] When receiving the stamp arrangement history compilation request information from the terminal 20C, the server 10 executes, for example, a stamp arrangement history compilation process (S220). In the stamp arrangement history compilation process, the server 10, for example, refers to the arranged stamp history information and executes a cross-tabulation process or the like to acquire compilation information relating to the combination history of stamp sets in arranged stamps. Then, the server 10 transmits the stamp arrangement history summary information to the terminal 20C (S230).

[0229] When the stamp arrangement history compilation information is received from the server 10, the terminal 20C displays the received stamp arrangement history compilation information on, for example, the display unit 24 (A240). For example, if it is determined based on user input for the displayed stamp arrangement history summary information that the selection has been made to not allow stamps included in the stamp set to be incorporated into the arranged stamp (to disallow stamp arrangement) (A250: YES), terminal 20C sends stamp arrangement disallowance request information including the stamp set ID to server 10 (A260).

[0230] When it is determined that stamp arrangement non-permission request information has been received from the terminal 20C (S240: YES), the server 10 executes, for example, stamp set arrangement non-permission flag setting processing (S250). In the stamp set arrangement disallowance flag setting process, the server 10, for example, refers to the stamp set management data of the stamp set ID specified in the stamp arrangement disallowance request information, and stores arrangement disallowance flag information that prohibits incorporation into the arranged stamp in other stamp set information.

[0231] In this flowchart, an example is given in which incorporation into an arrange stamp is changed from permitted to prohibited, but incorporation into an arrange stamp may be changed from prohibited to permitted in a similar manner.

[0232] The processing at terminal 20A that creates and transmits arranged stamps may, for example, in the stamp selection process (S120) of Figure 1-11, make stamps in a stamp set for which arrangement non-permission flag information is set unselectable or hidden. In addition, when reading and sending an arranged stamp from the stamp transmission history, for example, the record of arrangement non-permission flag information is referenced for each stamp set ID of the arranged stamp information stored as history, and if arrangement non-permission flag information is set for any stamp set, the arranged stamp composed of that arranged stamp information may be made unable to be re-sent. The determination based on the arrangement non-permission flag information may be made in the terminal 20A or in the server 10.

[0233] <Effects of the second embodiment> This embodiment shows a configuration in which the control for combining the first sticker and the second sticker is executed based on the fact that the first sticker and the second sticker are set to be combinable. As an example of the effect of this embodiment obtained by such a configuration, stickers that cannot be combined can be prevented from being combined.

[0234] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal 20 of the sticker creator is configured to have the control unit 21 perform processing for setting up sticker combinations (for example, processing for setting up whether or not combinations are possible) based on input from the user. As an example of the effect of the embodiment obtained by such a configuration, a sticker creator can set settings related to sticker combinations using the terminal 20. For example, it becomes possible to set the sticker combinations that the creator has created to be prohibited, or change the setting from prohibited to permitted.

[0235] <Second Modification Example (1)> In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the creator of the stamp set can set whether or not to incorporate the stamps into the arranged stamps, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be possible to set whether or not to incorporate an arranged stamp based on the characteristics or type of the chat room to which the arranged stamp is sent.

[0236] Here, the types of talk rooms may be categorized as follows, for example. Closed chat room A chat room, such as a one-on-one chat room or group chat room, in which users must be invited by a user who belongs to the chat room to join. Open chat room A chat room, such as an open chat or OA chat room, where users do not need to be invited by a user who belongs to the chat room to participate. The open talk room may be a type of closed talk room.

[0237] For example, while it may be possible to create and send / receive customized stamps in a closed chat room, it may be possible to prevent the creation of customized stamps in an open chat room.Furthermore, it may be possible to prevent the calling and sending of customized stamps used in a closed chat room from the history in an open chat. This prevents the overuse of arranged stamps that include combinations or compositions that the stamp set creator did not intend in open chat rooms where an unspecified number of people participate.

[0238] It should be noted that this is not limited to the above, and even if it is an open chat room, it may be possible to set restrictions on participation.For example, it may be possible to set whether or not an open chat room can be incorporated into an arranged stamp based on the nature and type of the open chat room set by the administrator (the user who created the open chat room and was granted administrator privileges). For example, in an open chat room that anyone can join, it may be set up so that arranged stamps cannot be created or called up, while in an open chat room that requires a code set by an administrator or the administrator's approval to join, arranged stamps may be created and called up.

[0239] In this variant, chat rooms (e.g., talk rooms) include a first chat room (e.g., a closed talk room) that includes the user of terminal 20 and a first user associated with the user of terminal 20, and a second chat room (e.g., an open talk room) that includes the user of terminal 20 and a second user not associated with the user of terminal 20, and the display of the third sticker in the second chat room is more restricted than the display in the first chat room. As an example of the effect of such a modified configuration, the display of the third sticker in a second chat room that includes the user of the terminal and a second user that is not associated with the user of the terminal can be more restricted than the display in the first chat room.

[0240] <Second Modification Example (2)> In the above embodiment, the creator of the stamp set sets whether or not to incorporate the stamp into the arranged stamp, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the owner of a stamp set (e.g., the copyright holder of a specific character) and the creator of the stamp set (e.g., a designer authorized by the copyright holder) are different, the setting of whether or not to incorporate the stamp into an arranged stamp may be configured to be set by the terminal 20Z used by the owner of the stamp set. The processing on the terminal 20Z may be performed in the same manner as the processing in FIG. 2-3, for example.

[0241] Furthermore, the setting of whether or not to incorporate a stamp into an arranged stamp, which is set by the stamp set creator's terminal 20C, may be overwritten by the stamp set owner's terminal 20Z. In other words, the setting authority held by the stamp set owner may be set to take precedence over the setting authority held by the stamp set creator.

[0242] <Other> At least a part of the processing that is to be performed by the server 10 in the above embodiment may be performed by the terminal 20. Conversely, at least a part of the processing that is to be performed by the terminal 20 in the above example may be performed by the server 10.

[0243] The operator of the server 10 may also be a stamp set creation support service provider in cooperation with a messaging service provider. In this case, the processing described in the above embodiments may be realized by one server, or the processing described in the above embodiments may be shared and realized by a server system consisting of multiple servers. A system consisting of one or more servers may be defined as a server system, and the server of the present invention may be considered as a server system.

[0244] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, a server for distributing various applications (a server from which the terminal 20 downloads applications) may be configured as a server different from a server for providing the corresponding service (application). In other words, a server for distributing applications and a server for performing application management processing, etc., described in the above-described embodiments, etc., may be configured as physically separated servers, or may be configured as a single server.

[0245] Furthermore, applications are not limited to various application programs, but may also include, for example, a program that provides the functionality of another service as one function of a base application (for example, a program that provides the functionality of a stamp set creation support service as one function of a messaging application, or vice versa), a program for updating the base application, etc. Data used by application programs (which may include data for updating applications, etc.) may also be included.

[0246] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, for example, a method of realizing the present invention using a client-server system has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As mentioned above, the present invention may be realized by a system such as a distributed system in which the functions of a server or server system are provided to the terminal 20. For example, the processing described as being performed by a server or server system in the flowcharts described in the above embodiments may be performed by a terminal.

[0247] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the contents described in the above-mentioned embodiments, modifications, other embodiments, etc. can be applied in combination with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0248] 1. Communication Systems 10 Servers 20 terminals 30 Network

Claims

1. A program to be executed on a terminal that displays a chat room in which content is displayed, Executing control by a control unit of the terminal to combine the first sticker and the second sticker based on an input from a user of the terminal; Based on the control, the terminal is caused to display a third sticker that is a combination of the first sticker and the second sticker in the chat room as one content.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, The control is performed based on whether the first sticker and the second sticker are (1) the same sticker, (2) different stickers in the same category, or (3) different stickers by the same creator or owner.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, The control is performed based on the first sticker and the second sticker being included in the same sticker set.

4. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control is executed based on the fact that the first sticker and the second sticker are set to be combinable with each other.

5. 5. The program according to claim 4, causing the terminal to execute, by the control unit, a first control for changing an aspect of the first sticker based on a first input by a user of the terminal; The first control is executed based on the fact that a setting that allows the aspect of the first sticker to be changed has been made.

6. 2. The program according to claim 1, The terminal is caused to display, on a display unit of the terminal, a first area displaying stickers that can be used by a user of the terminal, including the first sticker and the second sticker.

7. 7. The program according to claim 6, In the first area, stickers that cannot be combined are displayed, and these stickers are displayed in a display mode different from stickers that can be combined.

8. 2. The program according to claim 1, The terminal is caused to display on a display unit of the terminal a second area for allowing the user to manipulate the first sticker and the second sticker to create the third sticker.

9. 9. The program according to claim 8, causing the terminal to display on a display unit of the terminal a first area in which stickers usable by the user of the terminal, including the first sticker and the second sticker, are displayed; The first sticker and the second sticker are displayed in the second area based on an operation of moving the first sticker and the second sticker displayed in the first area to the second area.

10. 2. The program according to claim 1, The terminal is caused to execute, by the control unit, a second control for making the third sticker usable again.

11. 2. The program according to claim 1, Stickers have attributes associated with them. The terminal is caused to display, on a display unit of the terminal, stickers that recommend combinations based on the attributes.

12. The program according to claim 11, The display unit displays stickers that are recommended to be combined with the sticker selected by the user of the terminal.

13. 2. The program according to claim 1, The chat rooms include a first chat room including a user of the terminal and a first user associated with the user of the terminal, and a second chat room including the user of the terminal and a second user not associated with the user of the terminal, The third sticker is displayed more restrictedly in the second chat room than in the first chat room.

14. An information processing method for a terminal that displays a chat room in which content is displayed, comprising: Executing control by a control unit of the terminal to combine the first sticker and the second sticker based on an input from a user of the terminal; The method includes displaying a third sticker, which is a combination of the first sticker and the second sticker, as one content in the chat room based on the control.

15. A terminal that displays a chat room in which content is displayed, a control unit that performs control to combine the first sticker and the second sticker based on an input from a user of the terminal; The chat room also includes a display unit that displays a third sticker, which is a combination of the first sticker and the second sticker, as one content in accordance with the control.

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