Systems, programs, and methods

Abstract

There was a risk that a user who received an invitation from another user might unintentionally join a chat room they did not wish to participate in. [Solution] The system includes a chat execution unit that enables voice chat between terminals used by multiple accounts participating in a single room; a setting unit that sets each account that is friends with the first account as the first state account for the first account based on operations performed by the user of the first account; a determination unit that determines whether predetermined conditions are met, including the fact that the first state account for the first account is not currently participating in the room, when an invitation operation is performed by the user of the second account to invite the first account to the room; and a notification unit that, if the predetermined conditions are met, notifies the terminal used by the first account that the first account has been invited to the room.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to systems, programs, and methods.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-199134) discloses a technique that enables a user to open a virtual room on a server and then invite other users to the virtual room to enjoy conversations.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A user who has received an invitation to a virtual room may inadvertently participate in a virtual room that they do not wish to join.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (Configuration 1) A system according to an embodiment includes a chat execution unit that executes a voice chat between terminals used by each of a plurality of accounts participating in one room, a setting unit that sets each account having a friend relationship with a first account as a first state account for the first account based on an operation by the user of the first account, a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined condition including that the first state account for the first account is not participating in the room is satisfied when an invitation operation is performed by the user of a second account to invite the first account to the room, and a notification unit that, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, notifies the terminal used by the first account that the first account has been invited to the room.

[0006] (Configuration 2) In Configuration 1, the terminal used by the first account displays a room list that lists at least one room to which the first account has been invited by other accounts, and the room that satisfies the predetermined conditions.

[0007] (Configuration 3) In Configuration 2, the terminal used by the first account obtains information about the invited rooms and displays the rooms that meet the predetermined conditions in the room list.

[0008] (Configuration 4) In Configuration 2 or Configuration 3, when the terminal used by the first account receives a predetermined operation from the user of the first account while the room list is being displayed, it will display rooms that do not meet the predetermined conditions.

[0009] (Configuration 5) In Configuration 2, the terminal used by the first account acquires information about rooms that meet predetermined conditions, displays the acquired rooms that meet the predetermined conditions in the room list, and when it receives a predetermined operation from the user of the first account, it acquires information about rooms that do not meet the predetermined conditions, and displays the acquired rooms that do not meet the predetermined conditions in the room list.

[0010] (Configuration 6) In Configuration 1, the terminal used by the first account is subject to the prescribed terms If the conditions are met, information indicating that you have been invited to the chat will be retrieved.

[0011] (Configuration 7) In any of Configurations 1 to 6, the specified conditions include that no blocked accounts for the first account are currently participating in the room.

[0012] (Configuration 8) In any of Configurations 1 to 7, the settings unit, in response to the pre-configuration operation when the first account sends a friend request to the third account to become friends, sets the third account as the first status account for the first account when the third account accepts the friend request.

[0013] (Configuration 9) In any of Configurations 1 to 8, the settings unit sets each account that is friends with the first account as a second-state account, which is different from the first-state account, based on the actions of the first account's user, and which is displayed as a candidate account to invite to the room by the first account.

[0014] (Configuration 10) In Configuration 9, the settings unit has the user select an account from among the accounts in a friend relationship to be the second state account, and sets the account that was not selected as the first state account.

[0015] (Configuration 11) In Configuration 9, if predetermined conditions are met, the notification unit notifies the user that the first account has been invited to the room, regardless of whether or not a friend who is neither a first-state account nor a second-state account for the first account is participating in the room.

[0016] (Configuration 12) In any of Configurations 1 to 11, the specified conditions include that the first state account is not scheduled to participate.

[0017] (Configuration 13) A program according to one embodiment is a program used in a system including a server having one or more processors and a plurality of terminals managed by the server, the program causing one or more processors to perform voice chat between terminals used by each of a plurality of accounts participating in one room; setting each account that is friends with the first account as the first state account for the first account based on an operation by the user of the first account; determining whether predetermined conditions are met, including the fact that the first state account for the first account is not currently participating in the room, when an invitation operation is made by the user of the second account to invite the first account to the room; and if the predetermined conditions are met, causing the terminal used by the first account to notify that the first account has been invited to the room.

[0018] (Configuration 14) A method according to one embodiment is a method used in a system including a server having one or more processors and a plurality of terminals managed by the server, the method comprising: causing one of the plurality of terminals to perform a voice chat between terminals used by each of a plurality of accounts participating in a single room; causing each account that is friends with the first account to be set as the first state account for the first account based on an operation by the user of the first account; causing the second account to determine whether, when an invitation operation is made by the user of the second account to invite the first account to a room, certain conditions are met, including that the first state account for the first account is not currently participating in the room; and, if the certain conditions are met, causing the terminal used by the first account to be notified that the first account has been invited to a room. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1]It is a schematic diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server included in the information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a game terminal included in the information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the setting process of the friend relationship. [Figure 5] It is an example of a flowchart showing the processing when the chat application is launched. [Figure 6] It is an example of the display screen in step S202. [Figure 7] It is an image diagram showing the state of chat friend classification. [Figure 8] It is a sequence diagram showing the flow in which an overlay notification is performed. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart for explaining the determination process in step S301. [Figure 10] It is an example of a display screen showing an example of an overlay notification. [Figure 11] It is an example of the main menu screen of the chat application. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of a sequence diagram of a list display of virtual rooms. [Figure 13] It is an example of a display screen showing a list of display rooms. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the details of a virtual room invited from account B. [Figure 15] It is an example of a display screen showing a list of non-display rooms. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the details of a virtual room invited from account C. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the details of a virtual room invited from account D.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] This embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0021] <Embodiment> [A. Overview] An example configuration of the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment. The information processing system 100 is a system that provides communication services between accounts using server Sr1. An account is information for identifying a user. All account-related information generated in the information processing system 100 may be stored in server Sr1.

[0022] In the information processing system 100 of this embodiment, one account can invite at least one other account to communicate. Communication includes at least one of voice communication and text communication, but this embodiment will primarily describe voice communication.

[0023] Communication is achieved by executing a communication application program 364 stored on each terminal. The communication application program 364 is a program for executing a chat application (referred to as a "chat app").

[0024] Multiple accounts participating in the same communication group (hereinafter referred to as "virtual room") while the chat application is running can communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the chat application allows users to communicate with each other within a virtual room while one or more accounts stream games. Hereinafter, communication via the chat application will simply be referred to as "chat." Note that the chat application does not necessarily need to be able to stream games.

[0025] Communication between a game terminal associated with an account participating in a virtual room and one or more other game terminals associated with one or more other accounts participating in the virtual room may be enabled when predetermined conditions are met. Server Sr1 may perform at least part of the process of determining whether or not these predetermined conditions are met.

[0026] One of the predetermined conditions for communication between accounts is that a friend relationship is established. A friend relationship is a relationship that allows specific functions to be provided to two accounts. A user enters the friend code of a specific account they wish to set as their friend into their device and applies to become friends with that account. Within a virtual room, each account only needs to be friends with at least one other account, but not with all other accounts.

[0027] The functions provided by establishing a friend relationship may include, for example, displaying friend information (such as the friend's online status, the title of the game the friend is playing, and information indicating how and when the friendship was established), sending invitations to online games, and playing games together as a team. Note that a friend relationship is a relationship that enables communication functions, and other functions are not necessarily provided.

[0028] In this embodiment, a friend relationship refers to a relationship that links accounts in both directions. For example, if a friend relationship is established between accounts A and B, account A becomes a friend of account B, and account B also becomes a friend of account A.

[0029] In this embodiment, the user classifies chat-related friends for each account with which they have a friend relationship. In this embodiment, the chat-related friend classification includes a first classification and a second classification. Accounts classified as first classification (hereinafter referred to as "first classification accounts") are, for example, friends with whom the user does not intend to chat. Accounts classified as second classification (hereinafter referred to as "second classification accounts") are, for example, friends with whom the user intends to chat.

[0030] In this embodiment, friend classifications related to chat are stored in a one-way manner, unlike friend relationships. For example, even if account B is set as a second-category account for account A, account A may be set as a first-category account for account B, or account A may not have set a friend classification for account B.

[0031] In the following, when an account issues a command to create a virtual room and invites friends to the virtual room created in response to that command, that account will be referred to as the "host account." The host account may only invite accounts of its own Category 2 to the virtual room. In this embodiment, when the host account selects friends to invite to the virtual room, the information processing system 100 will consider the host account's selection process. Only accounts in category 2 from the perspective of the host will be displayed to the host's account as potential invitation candidates for the virtual room.

[0032] In the following, accounts invited to a virtual room by the host account may be referred to as "inviting accounts." The host account can invite multiple accounts as inviteing accounts to a single virtual room. In this case, when an account is invited to a virtual room as an inviteing account, other invited accounts invited to that virtual room are not necessarily Category 2 accounts for that account. That is, other invited accounts invited to the virtual room may be Category 1 accounts for that account. Similarly, when an account is invited to a virtual room as an inviteing account, the host account of that virtual room may be a Category 1 account for that account.

[0033] In this embodiment, the information processing system 100 modifies the method of notifying a certain inviter account that they have been invited to a virtual room depending on whether all accounts that can participate in the virtual room are not first-category accounts for that inviter account, or whether at least one of all other accounts that can participate in the virtual room is a first-category account for that inviter account. In this embodiment, "accounts that can participate in the virtual room" includes the host account that created the virtual room and all accounts invited by that host account. "Eligible to participate" includes not only being currently participating in the virtual room, but also being invited but not participating, or having joined and then left. In this embodiment, an account that has left a virtual room can rejoin the virtual room.

[0034] [B. Overall configuration] The information processing system 100 may include a server Sr1 and several terminals numbering in the tens, hundreds, or even more. These terminals may include dedicated game terminals, smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc. The terminals included in the information processing system 100 and the server Sr1 can connect to each other via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the internet. In the example shown in Figure 1, game terminals 30A and 30B are illustrated among the terminals included in the information processing system 100.

[0035] Game terminals 30A and 30B are, for example, dedicated information processing devices for providing games to users. Hereinafter, game terminals 30A and 30B will be collectively referred to as "game terminal 30". Each of game terminals 30A and 30B includes a game application program 361, terminal-side account information 362, and a communication application program 364. The game application program 361 is a program for executing a game application. Game terminal 30 may be portable, stationary, or hybrid. Game terminal 30 may also be a general-purpose PC, smartphone, tablet, etc., capable of executing the game application program.

[0036] The terminal-side account information 362 contains information about individual accounts associated with the game terminal 30. Game terminals 30A and 30B are associated with accounts A and B, respectively. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, information about accounts A and B is included in the terminal-side account information 362 within game terminals 30A and 30B. The communication application program 364 is a program for sending and receiving voice messages between users in a virtual room. Accounts A and B can each run the game application program 361 while simultaneously running the communication application program 364 to chat with each other.

[0037] Furthermore, multiple accounts may be associated with the game terminal 30. In other words, the terminal-side account information 362 may contain information on multiple accounts. Also, the same account may be associated with multiple terminals.

[0038] [C. Hardware Configuration Example] In the following section, using Figures 2 and 3, we will describe an example of the hardware configuration of the server Sr1 and game terminal 30 that constitute the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of server Sr1 included in the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 2, server Sr1 includes a communication unit 13, one or more processors 14, memory 15, and storage 16. These components are connected to each other via a bus 17 so as to be able to communicate data. Note that server Sr1 may be a dedicated information processing device for managing accounts and performing communication, or it may be implemented using a general-purpose server.

[0040] The communication unit 13 communicates with multiple terminals included in the information processing system 100 via a network NW. The communication unit 13 has at least one of the hardware necessary for wired communication and the hardware necessary for wireless communication. Note that all or part of the processing of the communication unit 13 may be implemented by the processor 14.

[0041] The processor 14 is a processing entity (processing means) for executing the processing provided by the server Sr1. In this disclosure, the term "processor" means, for example, a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The term "processor" includes processing circuits that execute processing according to instruction codes written in a program, processing circuits that integrate multiple functions such as a SoC (System on Chip), and hardwired circuits.

[0042] Memory 15 is a volatile memory device (storage medium) accessible by the processor 14, and for example, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) may be used. Storage 16 is accessible by the processor 14. It is a non-volatile storage device (storage medium), and for example, a hard disk or flash memory may be used. The storage 16 may also be a storage medium that can be attached to or removed from the server Sr1, such as an optical disc or cartridge.

[0043] Storage 16 stores the management program 162, account information 164, friend information 165, and chat friend classification information 166. The processor 14 reads the management program 162, loads it into memory 15, and executes it. In this specification, the term “memory” includes at least both volatile memory and non-volatile storage.

[0044] The management program 162 is a program that enables chat between game terminals 30 used by each of the multiple accounts participating in a single room, and is a program that manages, for example, the process of executing communication between accounts and the process of notifying invitations to communication. The account information 164 is information about all accounts registered in the information processing system 100, and may include the user's name, age, email address, ID, password, etc. for each account.

[0045] Friend information 165 indicates which of the registered accounts have a friend relationship with each other. Chat friend classification information 166 is the friend classification related to chat mentioned above (hereinafter simply referred to as "chat friend classification"). This information indicates whether a friend of an account is set as a Category 1 account, a Category 2 account, or not set for that account.

[0046] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a game terminal 30 included in an information processing system 100 according to this embodiment. The game terminal 30 includes a display 31, an operation unit 32, a communication unit 33, one or more processors 34, memory 35, storage 36, a camera Cm, a microphone Mk, a speaker Sp, and a bus 39.

[0047] The display 31 displays an image generated as a result of information processing performed by the processor 34. The operation unit 32 receives input from the user operating the game terminal 30. The operation unit 32 may include, for example, at least one of push buttons, control levers, touch panels, mice, and keyboards.

[0048] Each component included in the game terminal 30 is connected to each other via a bus 39, enabling data communication. The game terminal 30 uses a microphone Mk, a camera Cm, and a speaker Sp to enable voice chat communication between accounts.

[0049] The components such as the display 31, control unit 32, microphone Mk, camera Cm, and speaker Sp do not necessarily have to be included in the game terminal 30. For example, at least one of the display 31, control unit 32, microphone Mk, camera Cm, and speaker Sp may be an external device separate from the game terminal 30 that can be connected to the game terminal 30 by wire or wireless connection.

[0050] The storage device 36 stores the game application program 361, terminal account information 362, friend setting program 363, and communication application program 364.

[0051] The game application program 361 may be downloaded to the game terminal 30 via a network from, for example, an application distribution server (not shown), or it may be read from a physically connected separate storage medium. The friend setting program 363 is a program that requests friend relationships from other accounts and accepts requests received from other accounts.

[0052] Communication application program 364 is an application for communicating with friends. Communication application program 364 includes an overlay notification process that superimposes an invitation to a virtual room from the host account onto the game execution screen, game title selection screen, etc., in response to the invitation being received. The overlay notification may be superimposed on the screen regardless of the content of the currently displayed screen.

[0053] [D. Chat Friend Classification Settings] In the information processing system 100 of this embodiment, the game terminal 30 associated with the invited account displays an overlay notification indicating that the invited user has been invited to a virtual room if all accounts that can join the invited virtual room are not first-category accounts for the invited user's account. The following explanation of the overlay notification will use an example where account B is the host account and invites multiple invite accounts, including account A.

[0054] Account A has set up accounts as friends, and classifies them as Category 1 accounts. Alternatively, it can be set as a second-category account. In this embodiment, in order for account A to set a chat friend classification for a specific account, account A must have a friend relationship with that specific account.

[0055] First, we will explain an example of how a friend relationship is established between accounts A and B using Figure 4. Figure 4 is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the process of setting up a friend relationship. The game terminal 30A associated with account A executes the friend setting program 363 and sends a friend request to the server Sr1 to add account B as a friend (step S101).

[0056] Server Sr1 sends a friend request from account A to game terminal 30B associated with account B (step S102). Game terminal 30B sends a message to server Sr1 indicating that it has accepted the friend request based on account B's actions (step S103).

[0057] Server Sr1 receives friend permission from account B and sets up a friend relationship between accounts A and B (step S104). Specifically, Server Sr1 adds information indicating the friend relationship between accounts A and B to the friend information 165. In step S104, Server Sr1 notifies game terminals 30A and B that a friend relationship has been set up between accounts A and B.

[0058] Figure 5 is an example of a flowchart showing the process when a chat application is launched. Based on the execution of the communication application program 364, the game terminal 30A implements the process shown in Figure 5.

[0059] The game terminal 30A accepts the user's selection of the account to log in with (step S200). In this embodiment, account A is selected as the account to log in with. The game terminal 30A determines whether or not there are any friends of the logged-in account that have not been assigned a chat friend classification (step S201). Hereinafter, friends who have not been assigned a chat friend classification will be referred to as "unclassified friends".

[0060] If all of account A's friends have been assigned the chat friend classification (NO in step S201), the game terminal 30A terminates processing. Note that the timing of selecting the account to log in to is not limited; for example, it may be done when the game terminal 30A is started. Also, for example, if the game terminal 30A is associated with only one account, an account does not need to be selected in step S200.

[0061] If there are unclassified friends among account A's friends (YES in step S201), the game terminal 30A performs a setting process that prompts the user to set a chat friend classification for those unclassified friends (step S202). In other words, the game terminal 30A prompts the user to decide whether to set the unclassified friend as a first-classification account or a second-classification account.

[0062] Figure 6 shows an example of the display screen Im1 in step S202. Display screen Im1 is the screen displayed on the display 31 of the game terminal 30A. On display screen Im1, accounts B to E are displayed as uncategorized friends of account A.

[0063] In this embodiment, the information processing system 100 causes account A to select a friend to be set as a second-category account on the display screen Im1. As an example, this is shown in Figure 6. As shown above, a message prompting the user to select a friend to chat with is displayed at the top of the Im1 screen. Account A can select from multiple uncategorized friends displayed within the Im1 screen.

[0064] Accounts B through E are displayed as "Uncategorized Friends" within areas R1 through R4, respectively, on the display screen Im1. Areas R1 through R4 each contain the icons IcB through IcE and the account names of accounts B through E. Note that the names "Accounts B through E" shown in parentheses in Figure 6 are for reference only and do not necessarily need to be displayed on the display screen Im1.

[0065] Account A can select at least one of the regions R1 to R4. Each of the regions R1 to R4 may be displayed with different color schemes depending on whether it is selected by Account A or not, or a sign may be displayed near the selected region when it is selected.

[0066] Area R5 is a button for setting the selected account as a second-category account. In this embodiment, account A selects area R5 while accounts B and C are selected, for example. As a result, accounts B and C are set as second-category accounts for account A. On the other hand, accounts D and E, which were not selected on display screen Im1, are set as first-category accounts for account A in this embodiment. That is, accounts D and E are set as first-category accounts based on the user's operation of "setting accounts A and C as second-category accounts". Accounts D and E are set as first-category accounts based on the operation "area R5 is selected while accounts D and E were not selected by the user".

[0067] In this embodiment, accounts D and E are set as first-category accounts, reflecting the user's intention not to set them as second-category accounts. Area R5 may be, for example, a button for making a provisional decision, and if area R5 is selected, a screen may be displayed to confirm whether to set the selected account as a first-category account.

[0068] Furthermore, the information processing system 100 may, instead of having the user select an account to be set as a second-category account from among the uncategorized friends on the display screen Im1, have the user select an account to be set as a first-category account. The information processing system 100 may also have a function to change the displayed uncategorized friends to a state where they are all selected at once.

[0069] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the state of chat friend classification. As an example, Figure 7 shows the chat friend classifications set by accounts A and B. As explained in Figure 6, accounts B and C are set as second-category accounts for account A, and accounts D and E are set as first-category accounts for account A. Furthermore, Figure 7 shows examples of when friend relationships are subsequently established between account A and accounts F and G. Account F is an unclassified friend for account A, while account G is classified as a second-category account for account A.

[0070] In the example shown in Figure 7, account B has friend relationships with all accounts A, C through F, and all friends are set as second-category accounts for account B. Chat friend classification is stored unidirectionally for each account. Information indicating the chat friend classification of each account may be stored in server Sr1 as chat friend classification information 166. The primary key that uniquely identifies the information indicating the chat friend classification is the account It may consist of the account's identification information and the identification information of friends associated with that account.

[0071] [E. Overlay Notification] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of overlay notifications. With the chat friend classification shown in Figure 7 set, the game terminal 30B accepts the login of account B and then receives a command from the user of account B to invite friends to the chat. The user of account B selects at least one account from among account B's friends as the account to invite to the chat. Below, we will explain an example in which account B selects accounts A, C, and F as accounts to invite to the chat. In this example, account B is the host account, and accounts A, C, and F are the inviter accounts.

[0072] The game terminal 30B performs an invitation process, sending information that identifies the organizer account and the invited accounts to the server Sr1 (step S300). In this embodiment, the game terminal 30B sends information to the server Sr1 to identify account B, which is the organizer account, and information to identify the invited accounts A, C, and F. Upon receiving the invitation process, the server Sr1 performs a determination process based on predetermined conditions (step S301). In this embodiment, the server Sr1 performs a determination process for each of the invited accounts A, C, and F to determine whether predetermined conditions are met, including that all accounts that can participate in the virtual room are not first-category accounts for each of the invited accounts.

[0073] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the decision-making process in step S301. In step S301, Server Sr1 executes the process shown in Figure 9. Based on the invitation process in step S300, Server Sr1 identifies the organizer account and the invited accounts using account information 164 (step S3011). In this embodiment, Server Sr1 identifies organizer account B and invited accounts A, C, and F.

[0074] Server Sr1 refers to account information 164, friend information 165, and chat friend classification information 166 (step S3012). This allows Server Sr1 to identify the established friend relationships and chat friend classification information between the inviter account and the host account.

[0075] Server Sr1 determines whether predetermined conditions are met for each invited account (step S3013). In this embodiment, Server Sr1 determines whether all accounts that can join the virtual room are first-class accounts for each of invited accounts A, C, and F.

[0076] Server Sr1 determines that a predetermined condition is met (YES in step S3013) if all accounts that can join the virtual room are not first-class accounts for a certain inviter account, and registers that inviter account to the notification list (step S3014). If that inviter account is account A, then referring to Figure 7, accounts B, C, and F are not first-class accounts for account A. Therefore, Server Sr1 adds account A to the notification list. The notification list is a list of accounts that receive notifications of overlay information.

[0077] Server Sr1 determines that the predetermined conditions are not met (NO in step S3013) if at least one of all accounts that can join the virtual room is a Class 1 account for a certain inviter account, and adds that inviter account to the hidden list. Register the account (step S3015). Server Sr1 may simply discard the information of the invitation account without registering it to the anonymous list.

[0078] Returning to Figure 8, Server Sr1 executes the process of sending overlay information to the invited accounts registered in the notification list (step S302). In this embodiment, since at least account A is registered in the notification list, Server Sr1 sends overlay information to the game terminal 30A associated with account A. The overlay information is information that causes the game terminal 30A to send an overlay notification.

[0079] Based on receiving the overlay information, the game terminal 30A displays an overlay notification (step S303). Figure 10 shows an example of a display screen Im2 illustrating an example of an overlay notification. The display screen Im2 includes an area R8 that is superimposed on the game execution screen, etc. Area R8 displays information indicating that account A has been invited to chat by account B. The game terminal 30A may also display other notifications indicating that an invitation to chat has been made along with the overlay notification. Such an overlay notification may be displayed regardless of which account is logged into the game terminal 30A, or it may only be displayed if account A is logged in. If no account is logged into the game terminal 30A, the overlay notification may or may not be displayed.

[0080] If at least one of the organizer account B and the inviter accounts C and F is a Class 1 account for account A, or if accounts D and E are able to join the virtual room, server Sr1 will not send overlay information to game terminal 30A. As a result, if a Class 1 account for account A is able to join the virtual room, overlay information will not be sent to game terminal 30A, and game terminal 30A will not send an overlay notification.

[0081] Therefore, the information processing system 100 can prevent an account from mistakenly joining a virtual room that is not intended for chatting, for example, but is open to accounts of category 1. Furthermore, users do not need to consider whether or not they should join a virtual room that is open to accounts not intended for chatting.

[0082] Server Sr1 may, without performing the decision-making process in step S301, generate and send overlay information to all game terminals 30 associated with the invited account obtained in the invitation process. Server Sr1 may also send room information, including information identifying accounts that can participate in the virtual room, to each game terminal 30 along with the overlay information. Each game terminal 30 may determine, based on the received room information, whether or not its own Class 1 account can participate in the virtual room, and send an overlay notification according to the determination result. In other words, the decision-making process to determine whether or not predetermined conditions are met may be performed by game terminal 30A instead of server Sr1.

[0083] In this embodiment, the entity executing the decision process to determine whether predetermined conditions are met is server Sr1. If the predetermined conditions are not met, the generation and transmission of overlay information are not performed, thereby reducing the processing load on server Sr1 and the amount of communication between server Sr1 and the game terminal 30.

[0084] Furthermore, the predetermined conditions may include conditions other than the condition that the list of eligible accounts does not include accounts in category 1. In this embodiment, the predetermined conditions include the condition that blocked accounts, which have been blocked by an inviting account, cannot join the virtual room. A blocked account is an account selected by the user. For example, a blocked account is one that is restricted from playing online games with the user in question, or from sending a friend request to that user. A blocked account does not necessarily have to be friends with the user in question.

[0085] [List of F rooms] The following explains how to view a list of invited rooms. An invited account may receive invitations from multiple different host accounts, in which case the invited account will be able to join multiple rooms. Users of the invited account can view the list of rooms described below and choose which room to join. Figure 11 is an example of the main menu screen Im3 of the chat application. The main menu screen Im3 may be displayed, for example, after executing the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0086] The main menu screen Im3 includes areas R6 and R7. Area R6 is a button for inviting friends to a chat, with the currently logged-in account as the host account. In this embodiment, when area R6 is selected, a list of secondary category accounts for the currently logged-in account may be displayed.

[0087] Area R7 is a button for joining a virtual room to which the currently logged-in account has been invited by another host account, when the logged-in account is the inviter account. In this embodiment, when Area R7 is selected, a list of rooms to which the logged-in account has been invited, but which are not accessible to the logged-in account's first-category accounts, is displayed.

[0088] In other words, the game terminal 30 does not display virtual rooms that a Class 1 account can join in the room list shown on the display 31 after area R7 is selected. Virtual rooms that a Class 1 account cannot join and that are displayed as part of the room list after area R7 is selected are called "displayed rooms," and virtual rooms that a Class 1 account can join and are therefore not displayed in the room list after area R7 is selected are called "hidden rooms." In this embodiment, the game terminal 30 displays a list of hidden rooms when it receives a predetermined operation from the user that is different from the selection of area R7.

[0089] The conditions for a room to be hidden may include conditions other than the condition that the list of eligible accounts does not include any Category 1 accounts, similar to the conditions for overlay notifications. In this embodiment, the conditions for a room to be hidden include the condition that blocked accounts blocked by the inviting account are not allowed to join the virtual room.

[0090] Figure 12 shows an example of a sequence diagram for displaying a list of virtual rooms. From Figure 12 onward, the display of a list of visible and hidden rooms will be explained using the game terminal 30A and account A. The game terminal 30A receives a command from the user to display a room when the user of account A selects area R7, and sends information to the server Sr1 indicating that the display command has been received (step S400).

[0091] Server Sr1 determines whether the account that sends the display command for a display room has been invited to a virtual room by another host account. If the account has been invited to a virtual room, Server Sr1 sends room information to the game terminal 30 about all virtual rooms (display rooms) that the account that sends the display command cannot join (step S401). The game terminal 30A displays the list of display rooms that the account cannot join (step S402) that it received from Server Sr1.

[0092] Next, the game terminal 30A can receive a command from the user to display hidden rooms by performing a predetermined operation (step S403). Based on the receipt of the command to display hidden rooms, the server Sr1 transmits room information regarding virtual rooms (hidden rooms) that the first category account can join (step S404). Based on the room information of the hidden rooms received from the server Sr1, the game terminal 30A displays a list of hidden rooms (step S405).

[0093] In the example in Figure 11, Server Sr1 performs a determination process in steps S401 and S404 for each virtual room to determine whether the predetermined conditions described in step S3013 of Figure 9 are met. Depending on the result of the determination process, Server Sr1 sends room information for virtual rooms that the first-classified account cannot join in step S401, and sends room information for virtual rooms that the first-classified account can join in step S402.

[0094] Figure 13 is an example of the Im4 display screen showing a list of display rooms. From Figure 13 onward, we will explain an example in which account A has been invited to four virtual rooms. The first room is a room to which accounts A and C have been invited by the host account B (hereinafter referred to as Room 1). As shown in Figure 7, account F is an uncategorized friend for account A. The second room is a room to which accounts A and B have been invited by account G (hereinafter referred to as Room 2).

[0095] The third room is the room to which accounts A and B have been invited by account D (hereinafter referred to as the third room). The fourth room is the room to which account A and the account that has been blocked by account A have been invited by account C (hereinafter referred to as the fourth room).

[0096] Both Room 1 and Room 2 are visible rooms because they are not rooms that Account A's Class 1 accounts can join. On the other hand, Room 3 is a hidden room because Account A's Class 1 account (Account D) can join. Furthermore, Room 4 is a hidden room because it is a room that Account A's blocked accounts can join.

[0097] Figure 13 shows a list of rooms that Account A cannot join as a Class 1 account. This list includes two rooms: one to which Account A has been invited by Account B, and another to which Account A has been invited by Account G. The display screen Im4 in Figure 13 can be displayed, for example, when area R7 of the main menu screen Im3 is selected by the user of Account A. Areas R9 and R10 show the virtual rooms to which Account A has been invited by Accounts B and G, respectively.

[0098] None of the accounts B, C, F, and G that can participate in Room 1 and Room 2 are Class 1 accounts for account A. Therefore, the two virtual rooms to which the organizer accounts B and G have invited are displayed as visible rooms in the room list on display screen Im4, as shown in Figure 13. Thus, the hidden rooms mentioned above are not displayed in display screen Im4, which shows the list of visible rooms. When regions R9 and R10 are selected, the game terminal 30A displays information about the respective rooms. Figure 14 shows an example of the display screen of display 31 when region R9 is selected.

[0099] Figure 14 shows an example of display screen Im5, which shows the details of a virtual room to which an invitation was sent from account B. Users of account A can understand information about the displayed room from display screen Im5. Display screen Im5 shows the members currently participating in the chat and those who have been invited. The members are shown. "Members currently participating in the chat" indicates accounts that are currently participating in the chat, and "Members being invited" indicates at least one of the accounts that have been invited but have not yet entered the virtual room, or accounts that have already left. In the example in Figure 14, user A can see that account B is participating in the virtual room, and that accounts C and F are available to join the room but have not yet entered. Display screen Im5 may also show account A that the chat friend classification for account F has not been set.

[0100] Next, the method for displaying hidden rooms will be described. In this embodiment, the information processing system 100 can display a list of hidden rooms by selecting area R11 in Figure 13. Area R11 is a button for displaying hidden rooms. When area R11 of the display screen Im4 is selected, the display screen of the display 31 transitions to Figure 15. The selection of area R11 may correspond to step S403 in Figure 12.

[0101] Figure 15 is an example of display screen Im6 showing a list of hidden rooms. Display screen Im6 includes areas R13 and R14. Areas R13 and R14 represent the 3rd and 4th rooms to which accounts D and C invited, respectively. The 3rd room is a hidden room because account D, which is the 1st category account for account A, can participate as the host. The 4th room is a hidden room because accounts that account A has set as blocked accounts can participate.

[0102] When area R13 is selected, the display screen of display 31 transitions to Figure 16. Figure 16 is an example of display screen Im7 showing the details of a virtual room to which account D has been invited. As shown in Figure 16, account D, which has been set as a Class 1 account by account A, is participating in the third room. Display screen Im7 also indicates that account D is a Class 1 account. This allows account A's user to understand why the third room is a hidden room by looking at display screen Im7. Even if account B is the host of the third room and accounts A and D are invited, the third room will still be a hidden room because account D, which is set as a Class 1 account, can participate. Account A can join the third room by selecting area R15.

[0103] Figure 17 shows an example of the display screen Im8 showing the details of a virtual room to which account C has invited. As shown in Figure 17, the fourth room is to which an account that has been set as a blocked account by account A has been invited. This allows the user of account A to see the display screen Im8 and understand why the fourth room is a hidden room. In the display screen Im8 showing the room details shown in Figure 17, information identifying the blocked account (account name, icon, etc.) is not displayed. Icon IcX is a generic icon that indicates a blocked account.

[0104] This allows the information processing system 100 to suggest that the blocked account has been invited, while suppressing the need to remind account A of information about the blocked account. If the blocked account has been invited to the virtual room, account A may not be able to join the virtual room even if they select area R16. In this case, area R16 may be displayed in a manner that allows it to be recognized as inactive as a button.

[0105] [G. Variation] The following describes other embodiments that are partially modified from the embodiments described above.

[0106] Each of the processors 14 and 34 may consist of a single chip or multiple chips. Each of the processors 14 and 34 and their associated processing circuits may consist of multiple computers interconnected by wired or wireless connections via a local area network or wireless network. The processors and associated processing circuits may also be configured as a cloud computer that remotely performs calculations based on input data and outputs the calculation results to other devices located at a distance.

[0107] In the example in Figure 1, the server Sr1 and the game terminal 30 are shown as a single device. However, the server Sr1 may be implemented as a collection of multiple devices. For example, the server Sr1 may consist of multiple servers. Similarly, the game terminal 30 may also be implemented as a collection of multiple devices. For example, the game terminal 30 may have separate configurations consisting of a main unit having at least a processor, a controller unit having at least an operation unit, and a display unit having at least a display.

[0108] In Figure 2, it was explained that account information 164, friend information 165, and chat friend classification information 166 are stored in the storage 16 of server Sr1. However, at least some of this information may be held by other external servers or game terminals 30 besides server Sr1.

[0109] The second category of accounts could be, for example, "favorite friends." Favorite friends might be displayed at the top of the friend list, for example. It's also possible to set favorite friends separately from the second category of accounts.

[0110] When the host account selects friends to invite to a virtual room, only Category 2 accounts for that host account are displayed as invitation candidates, but Category 1 accounts may also be displayed. Whether an account is Category 1 or Category 2 may be irrelevant to whether it is displayed as an invitation candidate. Furthermore, for example, if only Category 2 accounts are displayed as invitation candidates, a specific action by the user may cause Category 1 accounts to be displayed as well, or only Category 1 accounts may be displayed.

[0111] In the example described above, when a Class 1 account cannot join a virtual room, both an overlay notification and display in the list of displayed rooms shown in Figure 13 are performed. However, when a Class 1 account cannot join a virtual room, only one of the following may be performed: an overlay notification or display in the list of displayed rooms shown in Figure 13. For example, the information processing system 100 may not perform an overlay notification for virtual rooms that a Class 1 account can join, but may still include such virtual rooms in the list of displayed rooms shown in Figure 13.

[0112] In addition to the first and second categories, a third category may be included in the friend classification for chat. For example, if an invitation account is invited to a virtual room that a third-category account of that invitation account can join, the information processing system 100 may not send an overlay notification to the invitation account, but may include the virtual room in the list of displayed rooms. Another example is that a third-category account may be a friend that the user actively wants to chat with. For example, a third-category account may be an account that is notified when it becomes available to chat.

[0113] In the example above, the user was notified that they had been invited to a virtual room by an overlay notification displayed on the game terminal 30. Here, the overlay notification is just one example; for example, a notification image that is not overlaid on the running game image may be displayed on the screen. Alternatively, if there is a virtual room to which the user has been invited, the chat application... The icon indicating the invitation and the display of its surroundings may change. Furthermore, notification may be provided by other means in lieu of or in addition to images. For example, the invitation may be notified by a notification sound, voice guidance, or vibration. Alternatively, these notification methods may be combined to inform the user that they have been invited to a virtual room.

[0114] In the information processing system 100, an example was described in which data is sent and received between the game terminals 30 shown in Figure 8 via the server Sr1, but data may also be sent and received directly between the game terminals 30.

[0115] In the example above, the specified conditions included the fact that a blocked account cannot join the virtual room, but this is not required. Similarly, the conditions for a room to be hidden included the fact that a blocked account cannot join the virtual room, but this is not required. Furthermore, the information processing system 100 does not need to be able to set the status of an account as a blocked account.

[0116] In the example above, whether or not an uncategorized friend could join the virtual room was unrelated to whether or not an overlay notification was displayed. The specified conditions may include the condition that an uncategorized friend cannot join the virtual room. For example, the specified conditions may include the condition that neither a Class 1 account nor an uncategorized friend can join.

[0117] Whether or not an account that is not a friend can join a virtual room does not need to be related to whether or not an overlay notification is displayed. Conversely, the specified conditions may include the requirement that an account that is not a friend cannot join a virtual room.

[0118] In the example described above, as explained in Figure 6, the user classifies unclassified friends when the chat application is launched. The information processing system 100 may also classify unclassified friends in advance when a friend request is made. For example, at the stage of requesting a friend (S101) as explained in Figure 4, account A may perform a pre-configuration operation to set in advance whether account B will be set as a first-classification account or a second-classification account when account B approves the friend relationship. Similarly, at the stage of approving a friend (S103) as explained in Figure 4, account B may set whether account A will be set as a first-classification account or a second-classification account.

[0119] Figure 11 illustrates that in steps S401 and S402, server Sr1 performs a decision process to determine whether predetermined conditions are met. However, server Sr1 may, without performing the decision process, send the room information of all virtual rooms to which account A has been invited to the game terminal 30A when it receives a command to display the room list. In this case, game terminal 30A may perform a decision process to determine whether predetermined conditions are met for each of the room information of all invited virtual rooms. As a result, game terminal 30A can display a list of virtual room information that it has determined to be met, in response to commands from account A's user to display the list of rooms to show and the list of rooms to hide.

[0120] In the example above, it was explained that the account is associated with the game terminal 30, but the account may also be associated with other devices such as smartphones in addition to the game terminal 30. For example, if the account is associated with a specific application installed on a smartphone, and that account is invited to a virtual room, a notification may be sent to that application (or smartphone) in the same way as the overlay notification described above. Such notifications to devices other than the game terminal 30 are... This may be done together with an overlay notification to the mobile terminal 30, or it may be done by either one alone.

[0121] In the example described above, in step S300 of Figure 8, the account selected by the host account is invited as the invite account. The host account may change the invite account after creating the virtual room and inviting the invite account. The invite account may also invite other accounts.

[0122] In the example above, we explained that a hidden room is displayed when region R11 is selected, but it may also be displayed by other operations. On the other hand, a hidden room may be a room that cannot be displayed by any operation.

[0123] In the example above, we explained that selecting area R15 allows participation in a hidden room to which account C has invited. However, an account may not be able to participate in a virtual room that a Class 1 account can join, similar to when a blocked account is invited. In this case, the user may be able to participate in the virtual room by changing the account that is set as a Class 1 account to a Class 2 account.

[0124] In the example above, area R11 was displayed within the display screen Im4, which shows a list of rooms in the displayed rooms. However, area R11 may also be displayed on other screens, such as the settings screen or the account management screen.

[0125] In the example above, we explained that an account immediately after a friend relationship is established is set as an Uncategorized friend, but by default, it may be automatically set as either a Category 1 or Category 2 account.

[0126] In steps S3013 and S3014 described above, an example was explained in which an invited account is registered in the notification list when certain conditions are met, and overlay information is sent in bulk to the registered invited accounts in step S302. However, server Sr1 may also send overlay information to the corresponding invited account each time a certain condition is met.

[0127] The information processing system 100 may allow the configuration of a supervised account and a supervisor account that supervises the supervised account. The supervised account may only be able to chat with friends that have been permitted by the supervisor account. In this case, invitations to virtual rooms that include friends who are not permitted to chat may or may not be notified to the supervised account. Friends of the supervised account do not need to be set as Category 1 or Category 2 accounts. As described above, permission from the supervisor account is required to chat, and friends who are permitted to chat reflect the supervised account's intention to request permission from the supervisor account. In addition, friends of the supervised account may also be set as Category 1 or Category 2 accounts.

[0128] Accounts that leave a virtual room may be treated as ineligible to participate. Accounts that have left a virtual room may not be able to rejoin the room they left. Furthermore, if an inviting account declines an invitation to a virtual room, that inviting account may be treated as ineligible to participate in that virtual room.

[0129] As explained above, friends are classified by users into either Category 1 accounts or Category 2 accounts. The classification into the category may be determined not only by user selection but also based on other conditions.

[0130] Figure 5 illustrates that when the chat application is launched, if there are uncategorized friends (YES in step S201), the chat friend classification setting process is performed (step S202). However, the timing of steps S201 and S202 does not necessarily have to be when the chat application is launched; for example, it may be performed when a user attempts to join a room that is open to uncategorized friends.

[0131] In the example in Figure 10, information indicating that account A was invited to the chat by host account B is displayed in area R8, but area R8 does not necessarily have to include information about which account is the host account. Also, in addition to the text "account A" contained in area R8, an icon IcA representing account A may be displayed, or the icon IcA may be displayed in place of the text "account A".

[0132] For one account, it may be necessary to conceal from the other account that another account is designated as a Category 2 account. The same applies to Category 1 accounts.

[0133] In the above example, the first and second category accounts were configured as one-way, but they may also be configured as two-way.

[0134] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0135] 13,33 Communication section, 14,34 Processor, R1~R16 Area, 15,35 Memory, 16,36 Storage, 17,39 Bus, 30,30A,30B Game terminal, 31 Display, 32 Control section, 100 Information processing system, 162 Management program, 164 Account information, 165 Friend information, 166 Chat friend classification information, 361 Game application program, 362 Terminal-side account information, 363 Friend setting program, 364 Communication application program, A~F Account, Cm Camera, IcB~IcE,IcX Icon, Im1,Im2,Im4~Im8 Display screen, Im3 Main menu screen, Mk Microphone, NW Network, SP speaker, Sr1 server.

Claims

1. A chat execution unit that enables voice chat between devices used by multiple accounts participating in a single room, A setting unit that sets each account that is friends with the first account as the first state account for the first account based on an operation by the user of the first account, When an invitation operation is performed by a user of the second account to invite the first account to a room, a determination unit determines whether predetermined conditions are met, including the first status account for the first account not being a participant in the room; A system comprising: a notification unit that, when the aforementioned predetermined conditions are met, notifies the terminal used by the first account that the first account has been invited to a room.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal used by the first account displays a room in a room list that lists at least one room to which the first account has been invited by other accounts, and the room that satisfies the predetermined conditions.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the terminal used by the first account obtains information about the invited rooms and displays the rooms that satisfy the predetermined conditions in the room list.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the terminal used by the first account, when it receives a predetermined operation from the user of the first account while the room list is being displayed, displays rooms that do not meet the predetermined conditions.

5. The device used by the aforementioned first account is, Information regarding rooms that meet the predetermined conditions is obtained, and the obtained rooms that meet the predetermined conditions are displayed in the room list. The system according to claim 2, wherein when a user of the first account performs a predetermined operation, it obtains information on rooms that do not meet the predetermined conditions, and displays the obtained rooms that do not meet the predetermined conditions in the room list.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal used by the first account obtains information indicating that it has been invited to a chat if the predetermined conditions are met.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes not having a blocked account for the first account participating in the room.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit, in response to a pre-setting operation when the first account sends a friend request to the third account to become friends, sets the third account as the first status account for the first account when the third account accepts the friend request.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the setting unit sets each account that has a friend relationship with the first account as a second state account that is different from the first state account, based on an operation by the user of the first account, and displays the first account as a candidate account to invite to the room.

10. The setting unit selects the second status account from the accounts in the friend relationship. The system according to claim 9, wherein the user is allowed to select an account, and the account that was not selected is set as the first state account.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the notification unit, when the predetermined conditions are met, notifies the user that the first account has been invited to a room, regardless of whether or not a friend who is neither the first status account nor the second status account of the first account is participating in the room.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined conditions include the first state account not being scheduled to participate.

13. A program used in a system including a server having one or more processors and a plurality of terminals managed by the server, The program provides the one or more processors: Steps to enable voice chat between devices used by multiple accounts participating in a single room, The steps include setting each account that is friends with the first account as the first state account for the first account based on an operation by the user of the first account, When a user of the second account makes an invitation operation to invite the first account to a room, the system determines whether predetermined conditions are met, including the fact that the first state account for the first account is not currently participating in the room. A program that, when the aforementioned predetermined conditions are met, causes the terminal used by the first account to be notified that the first account has been invited to a room.

14. A method used in a system including a server having one or more processors and a plurality of terminals managed by the server, The above method applies to one of the multiple terminals: Steps to enable voice chat between devices used by multiple accounts participating in a single room, The steps include setting each account that is friends with the first account as the first state account for the first account based on an operation by the user of the first account, When a user of the second account makes an invitation operation to invite the first account to a room, the system determines whether predetermined conditions are met, including the first status account for the first account not being a participant in that room. A method comprising the step of notifying the terminal used by the first account that the first account has been invited to a room, if the aforementioned predetermined conditions are met.

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