Management device, communication system, and communication method

Abstract

To easily register a new communication device in a communication system. [Solution] The management device includes an issuing unit that issues a connection ID to the first communication terminal when it receives a connection request from the first communication terminal, an acquiring unit that acquires the group ID of the communication group from the second communication terminal and the connection ID issued to the first communication terminal, and a registering unit that identifies a group list of the communication group based on the group ID and registers the connection ID in the group list.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device, a communication system, and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] In a communication system using the Internet, it is necessary to register information about terminal devices participating in a call in a server device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for allowing a new communication terminal to participate in a communication system when the terminal connection information of the new communication terminal is set in advance in the server as a communication terminal that is permitted to connect. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-252771 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, device information of communication devices to be included in the communication system must be registered in advance in a server device. In this case, as the number of communication devices increases, the registration process for the server device may become cumbersome. Also, it may be difficult to change device information once it has been registered in the server device.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a management device, a communication system, and a communication method that allow a new communication device to be easily registered in a communication system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The management device of the present disclosure includes an issuing unit that issues a connection ID to a first communication terminal when it receives a connection request from the first communication terminal, an acquiring unit that acquires a group ID of a communication group from a second communication terminal and the connection ID issued to the first communication terminal, and a registering unit that identifies a group list of the communication group based on the group ID and registers the connection ID in the group list.

[0007] The communication system of the present disclosure is a communication system including a first communication terminal, a second communication terminal, and a management device of the present disclosure, wherein the first communication terminal comprises a request unit that makes a connection request to the management device, a first acquisition unit that acquires a connection ID in response to the connection request from the management device, and a first output unit that outputs the connection ID acquired by the first acquisition unit; the second communication terminal comprises a second acquisition unit that acquires the connection ID output by the first output unit, and a second output unit that outputs the connection ID acquired by the second acquisition unit and a group ID of a communication group stored in a memory unit to the management device; and the management device comprises an issuance unit that issues the connection ID to the first communication terminal upon receiving a connection request from the first communication terminal, a third acquisition unit that acquires the group ID from the second communication terminal and the connection ID issued to the first communication terminal, and a registration unit that identifies a group list of the communication group based on the group ID and registers the connection ID in the group list.

[0008] The communication method disclosed herein is a communication method for a communication system including a first communication terminal, a second communication terminal, and a management device, and includes the steps of: the first communication terminal making a connection request to the management device; when the management device receives the connection request from the first communication terminal, issuing a connection ID to the first communication terminal; the first communication terminal acquiring the connection ID for the connection request from the management device; outputting the connection ID acquired by the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal; acquiring the connection ID output by the second communication terminal; outputting the connection ID acquired by the second communication terminal and a group ID of a communication group stored in a memory unit to the management device; the management device acquiring the group ID from the second communication terminal and the connection ID issued to the first communication terminal; and identifying a group list of the communication group based on the group ID and registering the connection ID in the group list. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a new communication device can be easily registered in a communication system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the communication method of the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the management device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of connection request processing according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the registration request process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the management device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of connection request processing according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the registration request process according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the management device according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and in the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] [First embodiment] (Communication Systems) A communication system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a management device 10 and a plurality of communication terminals 12. The communication system 1 is a PoC (Push to Talk over Cellular) communication system. The management device 10 and the plurality of communication terminals 12 are communicatively connected via a base station 14. The base station 14 may be a relay station. The management device 10 and the base station 14 are communicatively connected via a network N. The network N is, for example, the Internet network, but is not limited thereto. The plurality of communication terminals 12 are connected to the base station 14 via predetermined wireless communication and communicate with the management device 10 via the network N. Here, the wireless communication method for the predetermined wireless communication may be a mobile phone network such as LTE, or an Internet network such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The communication terminals 12 may also be configured to be connected to the Internet network via a wired connection and communicate with the management device 10.

[0014] It is assumed that the communication terminal 12A is the representative terminal of the communication group G1. It is assumed that the communication terminal 12A has already acquired the group ID of the communication group G1 from the management device 10. It is assumed that the communication terminal 12B is the communication terminal of a user who wishes to newly join the communication group G1. The communication terminal 12A is sometimes called the second communication terminal, and the communication terminal 12B is sometimes called the first communication terminal. In the communication system 1, the management device 10, the communication terminal 12A, and the communication terminal 12B execute predetermined processes, thereby enabling the communication terminal 12B to easily participate in group communication of the communication group G1. In the following, it is assumed that each communication terminal 12 included in the communication system 1 has the same configuration.

[0015] Specifically, in order to participate in the communication group G1, the communication terminal 12B makes a connection request to the management device managing the communication group G1 to connect to the communication group G1 (step S1). Next, the communication terminal 12B acquires a connection ID, which serves as a temporary user ID for connecting to the communication group G1, from the management device 10 (step S2). Next, the communication terminal 12A acquires from the communication terminal 12B the connection ID that the communication terminal 12B acquired from the management device 10 (step S3). Next, the communication terminal 12A transmits the group ID of the communication group G1 and the connection ID acquired from the communication terminal 12B to the management device 10 (step S4). Then, the management device 10 registers the connection ID acquired from the communication terminal 12A in the group list of the communication group G1 (step S5). In this way, the present disclosure enables the communication terminal 12B, which has not been registered in the communication group G1 beforehand, to easily participate in group communication of the communication group G1.

[0016] The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to a tour or the like, when a guide allows a tour participant to easily join a communication device owned by a tour visitor to a communication group for contacting the tour participant during the tour, thereby conducting group communication with the tour participant.The present disclosure can also be applied, for example, to an event venue or the like, when an event staff member easily joins a communication device owned by the event staff member to a communication group for group communication with the event staff.

[0017] (Management device) An example of the configuration of a management device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management device according to an embodiment.

[0018] 2, the management device 10 includes a communication unit 20, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 24. The management device 10 can be realized, for example, by a server device that manages group communication of PoC communication.

[0019] The communication unit 20 is a communication interface that performs communication between the management device 10 and an external device. The communication unit 20 executes communication between the management device 10 and the communication terminal 12, for example.

[0020] The storage unit 22 stores various types of information. The storage unit 22 stores information such as the contents of calculations performed by the control unit 24 and programs. The storage unit 22 stores, for example, a group list of communication groups for performing group communication. The group list includes a connection ID for allowing the communication terminal 12 to join a specific communication group. The storage unit 22 includes, for example, at least one of a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) and an external storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0021] The control unit 24 controls each unit of the management device 10. The control unit 24 includes, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The control unit 24 executes a program that controls the operation of the management device 10 according to the present disclosure. The control unit 24 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 24 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0022] The control unit 24 includes an issuing unit 30, an acquiring unit 32, a registering unit 34, and an output unit 36.

[0023] The issuing unit 30 issues various types of information related to the communication system 1. The issuing unit 30 issues, for example, a connection ID to the communication terminal 12. For example, the issuing unit 30 issues, to the communication terminal 12B that has made a connection request to participate in group communication, a connection ID for participating in the group communication.

[0024] The acquisition unit 32 acquires various types of information related to the communication system 1. For example, the acquisition unit 32 acquires various types of information from the communication terminal 12 via the communication unit 20. For example, the acquisition unit 32 acquires from the communication terminal 12A the group ID of the communication group and the connection ID issued to the communication terminal 12B.

[0025] The registration unit 34 registers various types of information related to the communication system 1. For example, the registration unit 34 identifies a group list corresponding to the group ID acquired by the acquisition unit 32. The registration unit 34 registers the connection ID acquired by the acquisition unit 32 in the identified group list.

[0026] The output unit 36 ​​outputs various information related to the communication system 1. For example, when the registration unit 34 registers the connection ID in the group list, the output unit 36 ​​transmits, via the communication unit 20, to the communication terminal 12A, response information indicating that the communication terminal 12B has been added to the communication group.

[0027] (Communication terminal) A configuration example of a communication terminal according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication terminal according to an embodiment.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 12 includes a camera 40, an input unit 42, a display unit 44, a microphone 46, a speaker 48, a first communication unit 50, a second communication unit 52, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiving unit 54, a memory unit 56, and a control unit 58.

[0029] The camera 40 captures an image. For example, the camera 40 captures an image of a two-dimensional code displayed on a display unit 44 of the other communication terminal 12. In this embodiment, the two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), but is not limited to this.

[0030] The input unit 42 accepts various input operations for the communication terminal 12. The input unit 42 is configured with, for example, a touch panel, buttons, switches, etc. When a touch panel is used as the input unit 42, the input unit 42 is disposed on the display unit 44.

[0031] The display unit 44 displays various images. For example, the display unit 44 displays a two-dimensional code including information of a connection ID acquired from the management device 10 for participating in group communication. The display unit 44 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like.

[0032] The microphone 46 detects sounds around the communication terminal 12. The microphone 46 detects the voice of the user of the communication terminal 12.

[0033] The speaker 48 outputs various sounds, for example, the sound of the user of the other communication terminal 12 who is the other party in the call.

[0034] The first communication unit 50 is a communication interface that communicates with the management device 10 using a first communication method. The first communication method is a communication method that communicates with the management device 10 via the network N using, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0035] The second communication unit 52 is a communication interface that communicates with another communication terminal 12 using a second communication method. The second communication method is, for example, a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0036] The GNSS receiving unit 54 is configured with a GNSS receiver that receives GNSS signals from GNSS satellites, etc. The GNSS receiving unit 54 outputs the received GNSS signals to the position information acquiring unit 70.

[0037] The storage unit 56 stores various types of information. The storage unit 56 stores information such as the contents of calculations performed by the control unit 58A and programs. The storage unit 56 includes at least one of a main storage device such as a RAM or a ROM, and an external storage device such as an HDD.

[0038] The control unit 58 controls each unit of the communication terminal 12. The control unit 58 has, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU or an MPU, and a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The control unit 58 executes a program that controls the operation of the communication terminal 12 according to the present disclosure. The control unit 58 may be realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 58 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0039] The control unit 58 includes a request unit 60, a first acquisition unit 62, a second acquisition unit 64, a first output unit 66, a second output unit 68, and a position information acquisition unit .

[0040] The request unit 60 makes various requests to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50. For example, the request unit 60 makes a connection request to the management device 10 to join a communication group designated by the user.

[0041] The first acquisition unit 62 acquires various types of information. The first acquisition unit 62 acquires a connection ID in response to the connection request made by the request unit 60 from the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50, for example.

[0042] The second acquisition unit 64 acquires various information. For example, the second acquisition unit 64 acquires a connection ID acquired by another communication terminal 12 from the management device 10. For example, the second acquisition unit 64 captures a two-dimensional code displayed on the other communication terminal 12 with the camera 40 and acquires the connection ID from the image of the captured two-dimensional code. This allows the user of the communication terminal 12 and the user of the other communication terminal 12 to meet face-to-face, thereby preventing unauthorized users from joining the communication group. The second acquisition unit 64 may acquire the connection ID output by the other communication terminal 12 using the second communication method, for example, via the second communication unit 52. In this case, the communication distance of the second communication method is preferably, for example, a distance that allows the user of the communication terminal 12 to recognize the user of the other communication terminal 12. This allows the user of the communication terminal 12 and the user of the other communication terminal 12 to meet face-to-face, thereby preventing unauthorized users from joining the communication group.

[0043] The first output unit 66 outputs various types of information. For example, the first output unit 66 outputs the connection ID acquired by the first acquisition unit 62. For example, the first output unit 66 causes the display unit 44 to display a two-dimensional code including information about the connection ID acquired by the first acquisition unit 62. For example, the first output unit 66 outputs information about the connection ID acquired by the first acquisition unit 62 to another communication terminal 12 via the second communication unit 52.

[0044] The second output unit 68 outputs various types of information to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50. The second output unit 68 outputs, for example, the connection ID acquired by the second acquisition unit 64 and the group list of communication groups stored in the storage unit 56 to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50.

[0045] The position information acquisition unit 70 acquires position information indicating the current position of the communication terminal 12. The position information acquisition unit 70 calculates the position information of the current position of the communication terminal 12 based on the GNSS signal received by the GNSS receiver unit 54 using a known method.

[0046] (Communication method) The processing flow of the communication method of the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of the communication method of the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0047] The request unit 60 of the communication terminal 12B makes a connection request to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50 to participate in group communication of the new communication group (step S10). In response to the connection request from the communication terminal 12B, the issuing unit 30 of the management device 10 refers to the storage unit 22 of the management device 10 via the communication unit 20, and issues an available ID as a connection ID to the communication terminal 12B (step S12).

[0048] The first acquisition unit 62 of the communication terminal 12B acquires the connection ID issued by the management device 10 (step S14). The first output unit 66 of the communication terminal 12B outputs the connection ID acquired in step S14 to the communication terminal 12A (step S16).

[0049] The second acquisition unit 64 of the communication terminal 12A acquires the connection ID output by the communication terminal 12B (step S18). The second output unit 68 of the communication terminal 12A outputs the group ID of the communication group to which the communication terminal 12B has made the connection request and the connection ID acquired in step S18 to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50 (step S20).

[0050] The acquisition unit 32 of the management device 10 acquires the group ID and connection ID output by the communication terminal 12A (step S22). The registration unit 34 of the management device 10 registers the acquired connection ID in the group list indicated by the acquired group ID (step S24). The output unit 36 ​​of the management device 10 outputs response information indicating that the connection ID has been registered in the group list to the communication terminal 12A (step S26).

[0051] By executing the process of FIG. 4, the communication terminal 12B can join the communication group and perform group communication.

[0052] (Management device processing) The flow of processing by the management device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the management device according to the first embodiment.

[0053] The issuing unit 30 determines whether or not a connection request has been made from the communication terminal 12B (step S30). If it is determined that a connection request has been made (step S30; Yes), the process proceeds to step S32. If it is not determined that a connection request has been made (step S30; No), the process proceeds to step S40.

[0054] If the determination in step S30 is Yes, the issuing unit 30 issues a connection ID to the communication terminal 12B via the communication unit 20 (step S32).

[0055] The acquisition unit 32 determines whether or not the connection ID and the group ID have been acquired from the communication terminal 12A via the communication unit 20 (step S34). If it is determined that the connection ID and the group ID have been acquired (step S34; Yes), the process proceeds to step S36. If it is not determined that the connection ID and the group ID have been acquired (step S34; No), the process proceeds to step S40.

[0056] If the determination in step S34 is Yes, the registration unit 34 registers the connection ID in the group list indicated by the group ID (step S36). The output unit 36 ​​outputs response information indicating that the connection ID has been registered in the group list to the communication terminal 12A (step S38).

[0057] The control unit 24 determines whether or not to end the process (step S40). For example, the control unit 24 determines to end the process when the group communication has ended. If it is determined to end the process (step S40; Yes), the process of FIG. 5 ends. If it is not determined to end the process (step S40; No), the process proceeds to step S30.

[0058] As described above, in the first embodiment, when the management device acquires the connection ID issued to the communication terminal that has made the connection request from the representative communication terminal of the communication group, the management device allows the communication terminal that has made the connection request to join the communication group. As a result, in the first embodiment, it is possible to easily allow a new communication terminal to join group communication without having to register the terminal information of the communication terminal in the management device in advance.

[0059] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the management device 10 performs a process of determining whether or not to allow the communication terminal 12B to participate in group communication based on the difference between the time when the connection ID is issued to the communication terminal 12B and the time when the group ID and the connection ID are acquired from the communication terminal 12A.

[0060] (Management device processing) The flow of processing by the management device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the management device according to the second embodiment.

[0061] The processes in steps S50 and S52 are the same as those in steps S30 and S32 shown in FIG. 5, respectively, and therefore will not be described further.

[0062] The issuing unit 30 associates the connection ID issued in step S52 with first time information indicating the time at which the connection ID was issued, and stores them in the storage unit 22 (step S54).

[0063] The process of step S56 is the same as the process of step S34 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] If the determination in step S56 is Yes, the registration unit 34 compares the first time information stored in the storage unit 22 with the second time information when the acquisition unit 32 acquired the connection ID from the communication terminal 12A, and determines whether the difference between the first time information and the second time information is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S58). If it is determined that the difference between the first time information and the second time information is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S58; Yes), the process proceeds to step S60. If it is not determined that the difference between the first time information and the second time information is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S58; No), the process proceeds to step S64.

[0065] The processes from step S60 to step S64 are the same as the processes from step S36 to step S40 shown in FIG. 5, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0066] As described above, in the second embodiment, if the difference between the time when a connection ID is issued to a communication terminal that has made a connection request and the time when the connection ID is acquired from the representative communication terminal of the communication group is less than or equal to a predetermined time, the second embodiment assumes that the process is legitimate if the time when the new communication terminal makes a connection request and the time when the representative communication terminal of the communication group outputs the connection ID to the management device are within a predetermined time, thereby improving the reliability of the process of registering to a communication group.

[0067] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the management device 10 performs a process of determining whether or not to allow the communication terminal 12B to participate in group communication based on the difference between the location where the communication terminal 12B made a connection request to the management device 10 and the location where the communication terminal 12A outputted the group ID and connection ID to the management device 10.

[0068] (Connection request processing) The connection request process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the connection request process according to the third embodiment.

[0069] The process shown in FIG. 7 is a process performed when the communication terminal 12 makes a connection request to the management device 10 in order to participate in group communication.

[0070] The position information acquisition unit 70 acquires the current position information of the communication terminal 12B as first position information based on the GNSS signal received by the GNSS reception unit 54 (step S70).

[0071] The request unit 60 sends a connection request to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50, including the first location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 70 (step S72).

[0072] The first acquisition unit 62 acquires the connection ID from the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50 (step S74).

[0073] The first output unit 66 outputs the connection ID acquired by the first acquisition unit 62 to the communication terminal 12 that is the representative communication terminal (step S76). Then, the processing in FIG.

[0074] The registration request process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the registration request process according to the third embodiment.

[0075] The process shown in FIG. 8 is a process performed when the communication terminal 12, which is the representative communication terminal, requests the management device 10 to register other communication terminals 12 in group communication.

[0076] The second acquisition unit 64 acquires a connection ID from another communication terminal 12 (step S80).

[0077] The position information acquisition unit 70 acquires the current position information of the device itself as second position information based on the GNSS signal received by the GNSS reception unit 54 (step S82).

[0078] The second output unit 68 outputs the second location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 70, the connection ID acquired by the second acquisition unit 64, and the group ID of the communication group to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50 (step S84).

[0079] The control unit 58 acquires the response information from the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50 (step S86). Then, the processing in FIG. 8 ends.

[0080] (Management device processing) The flow of processing by the management device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the management device according to the third embodiment.

[0081] The process of step S90 is the same as the process of step S30 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] If the determination in step S90 is Yes, the issuing unit 30 determines whether the connection request includes first location information indicating the location of the communication terminal 12B (step S92). If it is determined that the connection request includes the first location information (step S92; Yes), the process proceeds to step S94. If it is not determined that the connection request includes the first location information (step S92; No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0083] The process in step S94 is the same as the process in step S32 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0084] The issuing unit 30 associates the connection ID issued in step S94 with the first location information and stores them in the storage unit 22 (step S96).

[0085] The process of step S98 is the same as the process of step S34 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] If the determination in step S98 is Yes, the acquisition unit 32 determines whether or not second location information indicating the location of the communication terminal 12A has been acquired from the communication terminal 12A via the communication unit 20 (step S100). If it is determined that the second location information has been acquired (step S100; Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. If it is not determined that the second location information has been acquired (step S100; No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0087] If the determination in step S100 is Yes, the registration unit 34 compares the first location information stored in the storage unit 22 with the second location information acquired by the acquisition unit 32, and determines whether the difference between the first location information and the second location information is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S102). If it is determined that the difference between the first location information and the second location information is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S102; Yes), the process proceeds to step S104. If it is not determined that the difference between the first location information and the second location information is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S102; No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0088] The processes from step S104 to step S108 are the same as the processes from step S36 to step S40 shown in FIG. 5, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0089] As described above, in the third embodiment, the management device allows a communication terminal that has made a connection request to join a communication group if the difference between the location of the communication terminal that has made the connection request and the location of the representative communication terminal of the communication group is less than a predetermined value. As a result, in the third embodiment, if the location of the communication terminal that has made the connection request and the location of the representative communication terminal of the communication group are close to each other, it is assumed that the users are meeting face-to-face and that the processing is likely to be legitimate. Therefore, the third embodiment can increase the reliability of the registration process to a communication group.

[0090] [Fourth embodiment] A fourth embodiment will now be described. In the fourth embodiment, the management device 10 performs processing to determine whether or not to allow the communication terminal 12B to participate in group communication based on the unique information of the communication terminal 12B that makes a connection request.

[0091] (Connection request processing) The connection request process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the connection request process according to the fourth embodiment.

[0092] The process shown in FIG. 10 is a process performed when the communication terminal 12 makes a connection request to the management device 10 in order to participate in group communication.

[0093] The request unit 60 sends a connection request to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50, including the unique information for uniquely identifying the communication terminal 12B (step S120).

[0094] The first acquisition unit 62 acquires the connection ID from the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50 (step S122).

[0095] The first output unit 66 outputs the connection ID acquired by the first acquisition unit 62 together with the unique information of the communication terminal 12B to the communication terminal 12 that is the representative communication terminal (step S124). Then, the processing in FIG. 10 ends.

[0096] The registration request process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the registration request process according to the fourth embodiment.

[0097] The process shown in FIG. 11 is performed when the communication terminal 12, which is the representative communication terminal, requests the management device 10 to register other communication terminals 12 in group communication.

[0098] The second acquisition unit 64 acquires a connection ID including unique information of the other communication terminal 12 from the other communication terminal 12 (step S130).

[0099] The second output unit 68 outputs the connection ID including the unique information of the other communication terminal 12 acquired by the second acquisition unit 64 and the group ID of the communication group to the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50 (step S132).

[0100] The control unit 58 acquires the response information from the management device 10 via the first communication unit 50 (step S134). Then, the processing of FIG. 11 ends.

[0101] (Management device processing) The flow of processing by the management device according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the management device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0102] The process of step S140 is the same as the process of step S30 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] If the determination in step S140 is Yes, the issuing unit 30 determines whether the connection request includes the unique information of the other communication terminal 12 (step S142). If it is determined that the connection request includes the unique information of the other communication terminal 12 (step S142; Yes), the process proceeds to step S144. If it is not determined that the connection request includes the unique information of the other communication terminal 12 (step S142; No), the process proceeds to step S158.

[0104] The process in step S144 is the same as the process in step S32 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] The issuing unit 30 associates the connection ID issued in step S144 with the unique information of the other communication terminal 12 and stores them in the storage unit 22 (step S146).

[0106] The process of step S148 is the same as the process of step S34 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] If the determination in step S148 is Yes, the acquisition unit 32 determines whether or not the connection ID acquired from the communication terminal 12 that is the representative communication terminal via the communication unit 20 includes unique information of the other communication terminals 12 (step S150). If it is determined that the connection ID includes unique information of the other communication terminals 12 (step S150; Yes), the process proceeds to step S152. If it is not determined that the connection ID includes unique information of the other communication terminals 12 (step S150; No), the process proceeds to step S158.

[0108] If the determination in step S150 is Yes, the registration unit 34 compares the unique information stored in the storage unit 22 with the unique information acquired by the acquisition unit 32, and determines whether the unique information matches (step S152). If it is determined that the unique information matches (step S152; Yes), the process proceeds to step S154. If it is determined that the unique information does not match (step S152; No), the process proceeds to step S158.

[0109] The processes from step S154 to step S158 are the same as the processes from step S36 to step S40 shown in FIG. 5, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0110] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, if the unique information acquired from the communication terminal that has made the connection request matches the unique information acquired from the representative communication terminal of the communication group, the management device allows the communication terminal that has made the connection request to join the communication group. As a result, in the fourth embodiment, if the unique information acquired from the two terminal devices matches, it is assumed that the other communication terminals are performing normal processing with the management device and the representative communication terminal, thereby increasing the reliability of the registration process to the communication group.

[0111] The components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads and usage conditions. This distribution and integration configuration may also be performed dynamically.

[0112] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of these embodiments. Furthermore, the above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1. Communication Systems 10 Management device 12, 12A, 12B Communication terminal 14 Base station 20 Communications Department 22,56 Storage part 24,58,58A Control unit 30 Publishing Department 32 Acquisition Department 34 Registration Department 36 Output section 40 Camera 42 Input section 44 Display section 46 Mike 48 speakers 50 First Communications Department 52 Second Communications Department 54 GNSS receiver 60 Request part 62 First acquisition part 64 Second acquisition part 66 First output section 68 Second output section 70 Location information acquisition unit

Claims

1. an issuing unit that issues a connection ID to a first communication terminal upon receiving a connection request from the first communication terminal; an acquisition unit that acquires, from a second communication terminal, a group ID of a communication group and the connection ID issued to the first communication terminal; a registration unit that identifies a group list of the communication group based on the group ID and registers the connection ID in the group list; A management device comprising:

2. A communication system including a first communication terminal, a second communication terminal, and a management device, The first communication terminal a request unit that issues a connection request to the management device; a first acquisition unit that acquires a connection ID corresponding to a connection request from the management device; a first output unit that outputs the connection ID acquired by the first acquisition unit, The second communication terminal a second acquisition unit that acquires the connection ID output by the first output unit; a second output unit that outputs the connection ID acquired by the second acquisition unit and the group ID of the communication group stored in a storage unit to the management device, The management device an issuing unit that issues the connection ID to the first communication terminal upon receiving a connection request from the first communication terminal; a third acquisition unit that acquires the group ID and the connection ID issued to the first communication terminal from the second communication terminal; a registration unit that identifies a group list of the communication group based on the group ID and registers the connection ID in the group list. Communication system.

3. the issuing unit stores the connection ID and first time information at the time the connection ID was issued in a storage unit in association with each other; the registration unit compares the first time information with second time information obtained when the connection ID is acquired from the second communication terminal, and registers the connection ID in the group list if a difference between the first time information and the second time information is within a predetermined time. The communication system according to claim 2 .

4. the first communication terminal includes a first location information acquisition unit that acquires first location information of the first communication terminal; the second communication terminal includes a second location information acquisition unit that acquires second location information of the second communication terminal; the request unit transmits the first location information acquired by the first location information acquisition unit to the management device when making a connection request to the management device; the issuing unit stores the connection ID and the first location information in association with each other; the registration unit compares the first location information with the second location information obtained when the connection ID is acquired from the second communication terminal, and registers the connection ID in the group list when a difference between the first location information and the second location information is within a predetermined distance.

4. A communication system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A communication method for a communication system including a first communication terminal, a second communication terminal, and a management device, comprising: a step of the first communication terminal making a connection request to the management device; When the management device receives a connection request from the first communication terminal, the management device issues a connection ID to the first communication terminal; a step of the first communication terminal acquiring the connection ID in response to a connection request from the management device; a step of outputting the acquired connection ID by the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal; acquiring the connection ID output by the second communication terminal; outputting the acquired connection ID and the group ID of the communication group stored in a storage unit to the management device; the management device receives the group ID and the connection ID issued to the first communication terminal from the second communication terminal; identifying a group list of the communication group based on the group ID, and registering the connection ID in the group list; A communication method, including:

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