Communication support server, communication support method, and communication support program

Abstract

A communication assistance server 1 for facilitating communication among a plurality of users via a network is provided with: a personal information storage unit 121 that stores friend registration information indicating a friendship between the users and dating registration information indicating a dating relationship between the users; and a dating information management unit 116 that, when it is determined that a first user and a second user included in the users are dating by referring to the dating registration information, limits communication with users registered as friends with the first user or the second user by using the friend registration information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication support server, a communication support method, and a communication support program for supporting communication between people.

Background Art

[0002] As a communication tool via a human network, communities such as social networking services (SNS) are widely used. In addition, social networking services often implement functions such as a chat function and a messenger function, enabling real-time communication. To participate in a community, a person who wishes to participate inputs their personal information, makes a friend request, etc. based on that personal information, and a human relationship within the community is constructed.

[0003] In addition, a system for supporting the matching of communication partners through a community is also known. Patent Document 1 describes a technique that can reduce the possibility of an individual being identified by an unspecified person unilaterally viewing an image and promote the use of a communication introduction system.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the system according to Patent Document 1, since it is possible to send a dating application to a plurality of users, there is a problem that it may support the construction of dishonest human relationships for users who desire a serious one-on-one relationship.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure are made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a communication support server, a communication support method, and a communication support program capable of supporting one-on-one communication between users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a communication support server according to the present disclosure is a communication support server for communicating between a plurality of users via a network, and includes a personal information storage unit that stores friend registration information indicating a friendship relationship between users and dating registration information indicating a dating relationship between users, and a friend information management unit that, when it is determined by referring to the dating registration information that a first user and a second user among a plurality of users are in a dating state, restricts communication with other friend-registered users related to the first user or the second user using the friend registration information.

[0008] Also, in order to achieve the above object, a communication support server according to the present disclosure is a communication support server for communicating between a plurality of users via a network, and includes a personal information storage unit that stores dating registration information indicating a dating relationship between users, a dating availability determination unit that determines whether a first user and a second user satisfy dating conditions, and a communication information management unit that, when the dating availability determination unit determines that the dating conditions are satisfied, transmits dating application display information for displaying a dating application to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user, and the communication information management unit stores the dating registration information of the first user and the second user in the personal information storage unit based on the dating application display information.

[0009] In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a communication support server according to the present disclosure is a communication support server for facilitating communication among a plurality of users via a network, and includes a personal information storage unit that stores friend registration information indicating a friendship relationship among users and communication registration information indicating a communication relationship among users, and when it is determined, with reference to the communication registration information, that a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users are in a communication state, a friend information management unit that restricts communication between the first user or the second user and other users registered as friends of the first user or the second user using the friend registration information, a communication availability determination unit that determines whether or not the first user and the second user satisfy communication conditions, and a communication information management unit that, when the communication availability determination unit determines that the communication conditions are satisfied, transmits communication application display information for making a communication application display to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user. The communication information management unit stores the communication registration information of the first user and the second user in the personal information storage unit based on the communication application display information.

[0010] In addition, the friend information management unit may remove a user registered as a friend from the friend registration in order to restrict communication with the user registered as a friend.

[0011] In addition, it further includes a control unit that controls the transmission and reception of messages between users, and the friend information management unit may stop the transmission and reception of messages with the user to the control unit in order to restrict communication with the user registered as a friend.

[0012] In addition, the communication availability determination unit may determine based on whether or not the first user and the second user have performed a predetermined event as the communication condition.

[0013] Furthermore, it may further include a message content analysis unit that analyzes the content of messages exchanged between users registered as friends and generates information regarding the implementation of the predetermined event using the analysis results.

[0014] In addition, the communication possibility determination unit may determine based on whether the degree of favorability between the first user and the second user satisfies a predetermined value as the communication condition.

[0015] Furthermore, it may further include a message content analysis unit that analyzes the content of messages exchanged between users registered as friends and calculates the degree of favorability using the analysis results.

[0016] In addition, the personal information storage unit stores the personal information of each user, and further includes a matching candidate extraction unit that determines whether the degree of matching between a plurality of users satisfies a predetermined condition using the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit. When the matching candidate extraction unit determines that the degree of matching satisfies a predetermined condition, the friend information management unit extracts the users who satisfy the condition and transmits friend application display information for performing a friend application display to the terminal devices used by the extracted users.

[0017] In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a communication support method according to the present disclosure is a communication support method for communicating between a plurality of users via a network, including a step in which a friend information management unit refers to communication registration information indicating the communication relationship between users and determines whether a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users are in a communication state, and a step in which when the friend information management unit determines that the first user and the second user are in a communication state, the friend information management unit restricts communication with other users registered as friends of the first user or the second user using friend registration information indicating the friend relationship between the users.

[0018] In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a communication support method according to the present disclosure is a communication support method for facilitating communication among a plurality of users via a network, the method including: a dating possibility determination unit determining whether a first user and a second user satisfy dating conditions; a dating information management unit transmitting, to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user, dating application display information for displaying a dating application when the dating possibility determination unit determines that the dating conditions are satisfied; and the dating information management unit storing, in a personal information storage unit, dating registration information indicating a dating relationship between the first user and the second user based on the dating application display information.

[0019] In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a communication support program according to the present disclosure is a communication support program for facilitating communication among a plurality of users via a network, the program including: determining whether a first user and a second user among a plurality of users are in a dating state by referring to dating registration information indicating a dating relationship between the users; and restricting communication between the first user or the second user and other users registered as friends of the first user or the second user using friend registration information indicating a friendship relationship between the users when it is determined that the first user and the second user are in a dating state, and making the steps executable by a computer.

[0020] In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a communication support program for facilitating communication among a plurality of users via a network includes: determining whether a first user and a second user satisfy dating conditions; transmitting, to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user, dating application display information for displaying a dating application when it is determined that the dating conditions are satisfied; and storing, based on the dating application display information, dating registration information indicating a dating relationship between the first user and the second user, and making the steps executable by a computer.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the communication support server, communication support method, and communication support program of the present disclosure using the above means, it is possible to support one-on-one communication between users.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] The communication support system in the present disclosure is a system for supporting the matching of registered members by a community operator (hereinafter referred to as an operator) who operates a community, and for supporting the communication between people who have become friends as a result of the matching. Specifically, the community proposes candidates for matching from among a plurality of users who have registered their desired conditions for the person they want to match and their personal information, and they become friends through application and approval. Users who have become friends can communicate with each other via chat. Furthermore, when users have real communication such as a date, it is possible to support the progress to a relationship (dating).

[0025] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a communication support system 1 including a communication support server 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Users who utilize the community register their personal information during membership registration. Personal information includes items such as the user's name information (which can also be a nickname), age, occupation, income, hobbies, values, life plan, etc., that are input as the user's own profile at the time of registration, and items such as age, occupation, income, hobbies, values, life plan, etc., that the user hopes for as a matching partner. Furthermore, the personal information of each user can include characteristic information indicating a personality according to the content of messages in past chats in the communication support system 1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication support system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting a terminal device 211 (terminal devices 211a, 211b, 211c), which is a terminal device used by the user side, and a communication support server 101 of a business operator via a network NW such as the Internet or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). For the sake of simplicity of explanation, in FIG. 1, assuming three users A, B, and C, only the terminal device 211a (corresponding to the first terminal device of the present disclosure) used by user A (corresponding to the first user of the present disclosure), the terminal device 211b (corresponding to the second terminal device of the present disclosure) used by user B (corresponding to the second user of the present disclosure), and the terminal device 211c used by user C (corresponding to another user of the present disclosure) are shown, but the communication support server 101 can be connected to three or more users via the network NW.

[0028] The communication support server 101 includes a control unit 111, a matching candidate extraction unit 112, a friend information management unit 113, a message content analysis unit 114, an intercourse availability determination unit 115, an intercourse information management unit 116, a personal information storage unit 121, and a message storage unit 122.

[0029] The control unit 111 controls the exchange of information between the terminal devices 211a, 211b, 211c and the communication support server 101.

[0030] The matching candidate extraction unit 112 extracts matching candidates from the personal information of a plurality of users stored in the personal information storage unit 121 described later. Specifically, information such as age information, annual income information, and hobby information of the matching candidate partner recorded as personal information is weighted and scored respectively to calculate the degree of matching, and users with a high degree of matching are extracted as matching candidates. In addition, the personal information can include characteristic information as an index of personality analyzed from the message exchanges that the user has made in the past. And the matching candidates can be extracted according to the characteristic information. Further, the matching candidate extraction unit 112 generates and transmits friend application information to the terminal device used by the user who is extracted as a matching candidate. The matching candidate extraction unit 112 can extract matching candidates by using machine learning with the exchanges and matching situations of each past user as teacher data.

[0031] The friend information management unit 113 generates and transmits friend application display information for performing a friend application display to the terminal device used by the user who is the matching candidate extracted by the matching candidate extraction unit 112. In addition, when the friend application sent from one user is approved by the other user, the friend information management unit 113 stores friend registration information in the information of each user in the personal information storage unit 121 as if the users have agreed to be friends. Also, when the friend status is terminated, the friend registration information in the information of each user in the personal information storage unit 121 is changed or deleted. Further, when there is another user registered as a friend for a user registered in a relationship described later, the friend information management unit 113 changes or deletes the friend registration information in the information of the corresponding user in the personal information storage unit 121 in order to delete the user from the friend registration.

[0032] The message content analysis unit 114 analyzes the content of the message input by the user. The message content analysis unit 114 can analyze the content of the message according to the flow of the message exchange. Specifically, for example, it can be analyzed from information such as the length of a single message, the number of messages when starting a chat once, and the time of the exchange, from the exchanges of multiple messages. Also, the analysis may be performed by comparison with other users. For example, compare the exchanges between user A and user B, the exchanges between user A and other users other than user B, and the exchanges between other users, and analyze whether it is a positive flow or a negative flow. Also, the message content analysis unit 114 analyzes the content of the message and may calculate, for example, the degree of favor of user A towards user B and the degree of favor of user B towards user A. From the flow of the past message exchanges between user A and user B, when the exchange has positive content, the degree of favor can be added to calculate a higher degree of favor. Also, when the exchange has negative content, the degree of favor can be subtracted to calculate a lower degree of favor. Also, the information on the degree of favor of user A towards user B calculated by the message content analysis unit 114 is transmitted to the terminal device 211b used by user B through the control unit 111. Also, the information on the degree of favor of user B towards user A calculated by the message content analysis unit 114 is transmitted to the terminal device 211a used by user A through the control unit 111. The message content analysis unit 114 can perform the analysis of the message using machine learning with the past message exchanges as teacher data.

[0033] The communication permission determination unit 115 has a function of determining whether users who have registered as friends can send a communication application to each other. Specifically, when two users meet the communication conditions, it is determined that they can send a communication application. The communication conditions indicate, for example, when two users have a record of going on a date as a predetermined event, or when the degree of favor towards each other exceeds a predetermined reference value. The record of going on a date and the information on the degree of favor towards each other are stored in association with the personal information of each user stored in the personal information storage unit 121 described later.

[0034] When the communication availability determination unit 115 determines that the communication conditions are met, the communication information management unit 116 generates communication application display information, and has a function of displaying, on the terminal devices 211 of each user, a button for making a communication application and a button for approving a communication application based on the communication application display information. Further, when the other user approves the communication application for the communication application information transmitted from one user and the communication approval information is transmitted, the communication information management unit 116 stores the communication registration information in association with the personal information of each user in the personal information storage unit 121 as if the users have agreed to communicate with each other. Also, when the communication state is terminated, the communication registration information associated with the personal information of each user in the personal information storage unit 121 is changed or deleted.

[0035] The personal information storage unit 121 is a storage unit that stores the personal information of each user registered in the service. Also, it stores the degree of favorability between each user. For example, it stores the degree of favorability of user A towards user B and the degree of favorability of user B towards user A in association with the personal information of each user. Further, the personal information storage unit 121 stores, in association with the personal information, friend registration information indicating that friend registration has been performed between each user and communication registration information indicating that communication registration has been performed.

[0036] The message storage unit 122 is a storage unit that stores the content of messages in chats between users.

[0037] The terminal devices 211 (terminal devices 211a, 211b, 211c) are portable terminals such as, for example, a PC, a smartphone, a tablet PC, and a mobile phone, and are terminals capable of displaying, for example, web information. The terminal devices 211 (terminal devices 211a, 211b, 211c) may access the communication support server 101 through dedicated application software installed on the terminal. Also, they may access the communication support server 101 using the operating environment (API (Application Programming Interface), platform, etc.) provided by the communication support server 101.

[0038] The terminal display unit 212 (terminal display units 212a, 212b, 212c) is, for example, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display in a smartphone. It may also be a display device independent of the terminal device 211 (terminal devices 211a, 211b, 211c). The terminal display unit 212 (terminal display units 212a, 212b, 212c) displays messages and favorability information transmitted from the communication support server 101.

[0039] The terminal input unit 213 (terminal input units 213a, 213b, 213c) is, for example, an input device such as a touch panel integrated with the terminal display unit 212 (terminal display units 212a, 212b, 212c) such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display in a smartphone. It may also be a keyboard independent of the terminal display unit 212 (terminal display units 212a, 212b, 212c), or a keyboard independent of the terminal device 211 (terminal devices 211a, 211b, 211c). Furthermore, it may be a voice input device.

[0040] <Terminal device screen> Next, the display screen displayed on the terminal device 211 (terminal devices 211a, 211b) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9.

[0041] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the terminal device 211a used by User A when notifying matching candidates among users. Figure 2 shows a screen in which User B, "aya", is introduced as a matching candidate to User A, "Kenta". It also shows that the matching degree between "Kenta" and "aya" is 80%. If "Kenta" likes "aya", he can send a friend request to "aya" by pressing the "Friend Request" button displayed based on the friend request display information. Also, RECEIVE at the bottom of the screen shows the users who have sent a friend request to "Kenta". It shows that "Jun" has a matching degree of 80%, "Eri" has a matching degree of 70%, and "Kyoko" has a matching degree of 75%. If "Kenta" likes, for example, "Jun", he can become friends with "Jun" by pressing the "Friend Approval" button below "Jun". In this way, a user can register as friends with multiple users.

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the terminal device 211a that displays a list of friends registered as friends of User A, "Kenta". User A can move to the chat screen by selecting a friend, such as by tapping, and can exchange messages through chat.

[0043] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the screen of the terminal device 211a of User A, "Kenta", while chatting with User B, "aya". Gauge 220 is a display showing the favorability of User B towards User A, indicating that the higher the level of the gauge, the higher the favorability. With Gauge 220, User A can timely know the favorability of the other party, User B. Therefore, Gauge 220 can serve as a motivation for considering the message content according to the displayed favorability. Also, Messages 221, 223, 225, 227, 229 are messages input by User A, and Messages 222, 224, 226, 228 are messages input by User B.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the screen of the terminal device 211b of user B, "aya", who is chatting with user A, "Kenta". The gauge 230 is a display indicating the degree of favor of user A towards user B, and shows that the higher the level of the gauge, the higher the degree of favor. With the gauge 230, user B can timely know the degree of favor of user A on the other side. Therefore, the gauge 230 can serve as a motivation for considering the message content according to the displayed degree of favor. Also, messages 231, 233, 235, 237, 239 are messages input by user A, and messages 232, 234, 236, 238 are messages input by user B.

[0045] In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the message content analysis unit 114 analyzes the content of the exchanges between messages 221 to 228 and the corresponding messages 231 to 238, and determines that user A and user B have made a date appointment. Further, the message content analysis unit 114 analyzes the content of the exchange between message 229 and the corresponding message 239, and determines that the date has been carried out. The message content analysis unit 114 stores date execution information indicating that user B and user A have carried out a date in the information of user A and user B in the personal information storage unit 121, respectively.

[0046] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams showing the screen of the terminal device 211a of user A, "Kenta".

[0047] FIG. 6 shows information of user B displayed when the name "aya" of user B is selected by tapping or the like on the chat screen of FIG. 4. Box 241 shows the state where user A and user B are "friends". Box 242 is a button for displaying the detailed profile of user B. By displaying the detailed profile, user A can know the detailed personal information of user B. Box 243 is a button for applying for a relationship with user B. Box 243 is a button displayed by communication application display information when the relationship determination unit 115 determines that the communication conditions are met based on the date execution information stored as the information of user A and user B in the personal information storage unit 121. When user A selects "Apply for a relationship" in box 243, the display changes to that of FIG. 7. Box 244 is a button for canceling the friendship with user B. When user A wishes to cancel the friendship with user B, user A selects "Cancel friend" in box 244. Thereby, the friend information management unit 113 changes or deletes the friend registration information of user A and user B with respect to the information of user A and user B in the personal information storage unit 121. Note that the history information of the friend registration information may be recorded in the personal information storage unit 121.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram including a display screen that transitions when user A selects "Apply for a relationship" in FIG. 6. In area 251, comments such as messages to user B can be input as necessary. By selecting "Send relationship application" in box 252, the relationship application information and the content input in area 251 are transmitted to the terminal device 211b used by user B via the communication support server 101.

[0049] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing the screen of the terminal device 211b of user B, "aya".

[0050] FIG. 8 shows information on user A that is displayed when the name "Kenta" of user A is selected by tapping or the like on the chat screen of FIG. 5. Box 261 shows that user B and user A are "friends". Display 262 is a display indicating that a friend request has come from user A, "Kenta". Also, display 263 is a display of the message input by user A. Box 264 is a button for displaying the detailed profile of user A. By displaying the detailed profile, user B can know the detailed personal information of user A. Box 265 is a button for approving a friend request in response to a friend request from user A. When user B selects "Approve friend request" in box 265, the friend approval information is transmitted from terminal device 211b to the friend information management unit 116 of communication support server 101. As a result, both user A and user B have agreed to be friends, and the friend information management unit 116 registers the friendship between user A and user B with respect to the information of user A and user B in the personal information storage unit 121. Subsequently, terminal device 211b transitions to the display of FIG. 9. Box 266 is a button for canceling the friend registration with user A. When user B wishes to cancel the friendship with user A, user B selects "Cancel friend" in box 266. Thereby, the friend information management unit 113 changes or deletes the friend registration information of user B and user A with respect to the information of user B and user A in the personal information storage unit 121. Note that history information of the friend registration information may be recorded in the personal information storage unit 121.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram including a display screen that transitions when user B selects "Approve friend request" in FIG. 8. In area 271, comments such as messages for user A can be input as necessary. By selecting "Send approval of friend request" in box 272, the friend approval information and the content input in area 271 are transmitted to terminal device 211a used by user A via communication support server 101.

[0052] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are schematic diagrams showing the screen of the terminal device 211a of "Kenta" who is user A again.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a screen in which a pop-up display 281 is shown on the terminal device 211a indicating that a relationship has been established due to user B's approval of the relationship application in FIG. 9. As a result, user A can know that the relationship has been established. By selecting the confirmation in the pop-up display 281, the screen transitions to the screen of FIG. 11.

[0054] FIG. 11 shows the state of user B's relationship. User A can return to the screen shown in FIG. 4 and chat with user B by selecting the box 291. Also, by selecting the box 292, the relationship with user B can be terminated. Specifically, by selecting the box 292, relationship termination request information is transmitted from the terminal device 211a to the relationship information management unit 116. The relationship information management unit 116 changes or deletes the relationship registration between user A and user B with respect to the information of user A and user B in the personal information storage unit 121. Note that the relationship registration history information may be recorded in the personal information storage unit 121.

[0055] <Flow of processing, friend registration ~ chat> Next, the operations of friend registration and chat in the communication support system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12.

[0056] The flowchart of FIG. 12 shows the related states of the operations of the communication support server 101, the terminal device 211a used by user A, and the terminal device 211b used by user B.

[0057] In step S101, the matching candidate extraction unit 112 of the communication support server 101 extracts matching candidates from the personal information of a plurality of users stored in the personal information storage unit 121. Further, the personal information can include characteristic information as an index of personality analyzed from the message exchanges that the user has conducted in the past. And, the matching candidates may be extracted according to the characteristic information.

[0058] In step S102, the friend information management unit 113 notifies matching candidate information to each of the matching candidates extracted in step S101 (corresponding to the information of today's once-in-a-lifetime meeting in FIG. 2). Specifically, information of a user who is a matching candidate, for example, information of user A, is transmitted to the terminal device 211b, and information of user B is transmitted to the terminal device 211a. Further, the friend information management unit 113 generates friend application display information and transmits it to the terminal device 211b and the terminal device 211a. Thereby, a "friend application" button is displayed on the terminal device 211b and the terminal device 211a.

[0059] In step S103, if user A, to whom the matching candidate was transmitted in step S102, likes user B, the user A can send a friend application. Specifically, by pressing the "friend application" button from the terminal input unit 213a of the terminal device 211a, the friend application information is transmitted to the communication support server 101.

[0060] In step S104, the control unit 111 transmits the said information to user B based on the friend application information transmitted in step S103. Specifically, the friend application information from user A is transmitted to the terminal device 211b.

[0061] In step S105, if user B who sent the friend request information in step S104 likes user A, user B can approve the friend request. Specifically, by pressing the "Friend Approval" button from the terminal input unit 213b of the terminal device 211b, the friend approval information is sent to the communication support server 101. The friend information management unit 113 registers user A and user B as friends with respect to the information of user A and user B in the personal information storage unit 121.

[0062] In step S106, the control unit 111 notifies user A that user B has approved the friend request. Specifically, the control unit 111 sends notification information of friend approval to the terminal device 211a and notifies that user A and user B can now exchange messages.

[0063] The above describes the process until friend registration is completed in the communication support system 1. Next, the chat between user A and user B will be described. In the communication support system 1, chat is a service that can be performed between users who have registered as friends.

[0064] In step S107, the communication support server 101 repeats the process between step S117. This process is synchronized with the repetition of the process from step S108 to step S118 of the terminal device 211a and the repetition of the process from step S109 to step S119 of the terminal device 211b. If the repetition of the process of the terminal device 211a or the terminal device 211b ends, the repetition of the process between step S107 and step S117 ends.

[0065] In step S108, the process from step S108 to step S118 of the terminal device 211a is repeated. Similarly, in step S109, the process from step S109 to step S119 of the terminal device 211b is repeated.

[0066] In step S110, user A inputs a message to be sent to user B from the terminal input unit 213a of the terminal device 211a. The terminal device 211a transmits the input message to the communication support server 101.

[0067] In step S111, the control unit 111 transmits the message transmitted in step S110 to user B. Specifically, the message transmitted in step S110 is stored in the message storage unit 122, and the stored message is transmitted to the terminal device 211b used by user B.

[0068] In step S112, the terminal device 211b displays the message transmitted in step S111 on the terminal display unit 212b.

[0069] In step S113, user B inputs a message to be sent to user A from the terminal input unit 213b of the terminal device 211b. The terminal device 211b transmits the input message to the communication support server 101.

[0070] In step S114, the control unit 111 transmits the message transmitted in step S113 to user A. Specifically, the message transmitted in step S113 is stored in the message storage unit 122, and the stored message is transmitted to the terminal device 211a used by user A.

[0071] In step S115, the terminal device 211a displays the message transmitted in step S114 on the terminal display unit 212a.

[0072] In step S116, the message content analysis unit 114 analyzes the content of the messages stored in steps S111 and S114. The messages to be analyzed may also include messages sent in the past and messages sent from user B. Further, the message content analysis unit 114 can analyze the content of the messages and calculate the degree of favor of user A towards user B and the degree of favor of user B towards user A.

[0073] In step S117, the communication support server 101 repeats the processing between step S107. As described above, when the repetition of the processing of the terminal device 211a or the terminal device 211b ends, the repetition of the processing between step S107 and step S117 ends.

[0074] In step S118, the processing from step S108 to step S118 of the terminal device 211a is repeated. Similarly, in step S119, the processing from step S109 to step S119 of the terminal device 211b is repeated. When user A or user B wishes to end the message exchange, the repetition of these processes ends.

[0075] By chatting as described above, communication between users can be achieved. Further, when the message content analysis unit 114 analyzes the message content between users, for example, the communication support server 101 can recognize that each user has made a date appointment or that the date has been carried out. Information that the date has been carried out is stored in the personal information storage unit 121 as date execution information for each user's information.

[0076] <Process flow ~ Dating application> Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the process of a dating application when users who have registered as friends meet the dating conditions will be described. In FIG. 13, it is assumed that user A and user B, and user A and user C have registered as friends. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 13 only explains the operation of the communication support server 101.

[0077] In step S201, the dating eligibility determination unit 115 determines the dating conditions from the personal information of each user stored in the personal information storage unit 121. Specifically, based on the personal information of each user, users who meet the dating conditions for submitting a dating application are extracted. For example, if user A and user B have had one date, from the date implementation information, user A and user B are extracted as targets for displaying the dating application button as those who meet the dating conditions. Also, if user A and user C have not had a date and their mutual favorability does not exceed the defined reference value, user A and user C are not extracted as those who do not meet the dating conditions.

[0078] In step S202, the dating information management unit 116 generates dating application display information and transmits it to the terminal devices 211a and 211b used by user A and user B extracted in step S201, thereby displaying a dating application button on each terminal. When dating application information is transmitted from one user to the other user via the communication support server 101, a dating application approval button is displayed on the terminal device 211 of the other user. When the other party agrees to the dating application transmitted from one user, the dating registration information is stored linked to the personal information of each user as a dating that has been established.

[0079] In step S203, the relationship information management unit 116 refers to the relationship registration information and determines whether or not a relationship has been established (whether or not the relationship is in a dating state). If a relationship has been established (Y), the process proceeds to step S204. If it is determined that a relationship has not been established, the process proceeds to step S208. As an example of a relationship not being established, if there is no approval of the relationship application for, for example, seven days or more after one user has made a relationship application, it is determined that the relationship has not been established.

[0080] In step S204, relationship information management section 116 transmits a relationship notification to each user with whom a relationship has been established. As a result, a message indicating that a relationship has been established is displayed on terminal device 211 of each user (corresponding to pop-up display 281 in FIG. 10).

[0081] In step S205, the friend information management unit 113 determines whether or not the user who has established a relationship has other users who have registered as friends. If there are other users who have registered as friends (Y), the process proceeds to step S206. If there are no other users who have registered as friends (N), the process ends.

[0082] In step S206, since the user who has established a relationship has another user who has registered as a friend, the friend information management unit 113 changes or deletes the friend registration information to cancel the other friend relationship. For example, when a relationship is established between user A and user B, the friend information management unit 113 changes or deletes the friend registration information of user A and user C.

[0083] In step S207, the friend information management unit 113 notifies the user whose friend has been removed of that fact. Specifically, for example, when a friend relationship between user A and user C is removed, the friend information management unit 113 transmits friend removal notification information to the terminal device 211a used by user A and the terminal device 211c used by user C, and the notification is displayed on each terminal.

[0084] In step S208, the friend information management unit 113 changes or deletes the friend registration information to cancel the friend relationship between the users whose relationship application was not established. For example, if a relationship between user A and user B is not established, the friend information management unit 113 changes or deletes the friend registration information of user A and user B.

[0085] In step S209, the friend information management unit 113 notifies the user whose friend has been removed of that fact. Specifically, for example, when a friend relationship between user A and user B is removed, the friend information management unit 113 transmits friend removal notification information to the terminal device 211a used by user A and the terminal device 211b used by user B, and the notification is displayed on each terminal.

[0086] As described above, according to the communication support system 1 of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the first user and the second user included in the plurality of users are in a relationship state by referring to the relationship registration information, it is determined whether or not the first user or the second user has other users registered as friends using the friend registration information, and when it is determined that there are other users registered as friends, it is possible to remove the registered user from the friend registration. That is, when a relationship registration is made between users, the friend registration is removed in order to restrict communication between the user and the other user. As a result, the user who has been registered as a relationship cannot chat with other users or apply for a relationship to other users. This makes it possible to prevent support for the construction of dishonest human relationships for users who wish to have a serious one-to-one relationship.

[0087] In addition, since a dating application can be made only when the dating conditions are met, it is possible to support dating registration only with users with whom a certain level of trust has been built.

[0088] In the above description, when it is determined that the first user and the second user included in a plurality of users are in a dating state by referring to the dating registration information, it is determined whether there is another user registered as a friend with the first user or the second user using the friend registration information. When it is determined that there is another user registered as a friend, it is assumed that the friend can be unregistered from the friend registration. However, as another form, the friend may not be displayed on the friend list screen, or the communication may be restricted by stopping (including prohibiting) the transmission and reception of messages with the user to the control unit so that the user cannot chat with the friend.

[0089] Note that if the dating registration is canceled, the user may be able to register as a friend with another user again. Also, the cancellation of the friend registration with another user may be temporary. That is, when the dating registration is made, other users may not be displayed, and when the dating registration is canceled, other users may be displayed again.

[0090] Also, the dating application and the approval of the dating application may be displayed as an interaction in the chat.

[0091] (Program) Here, the details of the program for realizing each function constituting the communication support server 101 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0092] The communication support server 101 is implemented in the computer 801 shown in FIG. 14. The operations of the components of the communication support server 101 are stored in the auxiliary storage device 804 in the form of a program. The CPU 802 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 804, expands it in the main storage device 803, and executes the above processing according to the program. Also, the CPU 802 secures a storage area corresponding to the above storage unit in the main storage device 803 according to the program.

[0093] Specifically, the program is a communication support program for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network. The program causes a computer to execute steps of: referring to communication registration information indicating the relationship between users, and determining whether a first user and a second user among the plurality of users are in a dating relationship; and when it is determined that the first user and the second user are in a dating relationship, using friend registration information indicating the friendship between users to remove other users registered as friends of the first user or the second user from the friend registration.

[0094] Another program is a communication support program for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network. The program causes a computer to execute steps of: determining whether a first user and a second user satisfy the dating conditions; when it is determined that the dating conditions are satisfied, transmitting dating application display information for displaying a dating application to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user; and storing, based on the dating application display information, dating registration information indicating the dating relationship between the first user and the second user.

[0095] Note that the auxiliary storage device 804 is an example of a non-transitory tangible medium. Other examples of non-transitory tangible media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, etc. connected via an interface. Also, when this program is distributed to a computer via a network, the receiving computer may expand the program in the main storage device 803 and execute the above processing.

[0096] Also, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that realizes the functions described above in combination with other programs already stored in the auxiliary storage device 804.

[0097] The embodiments described so far can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. These embodiments and their modifications are to be included in the scope and gist of the present disclosure, as well as in the present disclosure described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0098] 1... Communication support system 101... Communication support server 111... Control unit 112... Matching candidate extraction unit 113... Friend information management unit 114... Message content analysis unit 115... Communication permission determination unit 116... Communication information management unit 121... Personal information storage unit 122... Message storage unit 211, 211a, 211b, 211c... Terminal device 212, 212a, 212b, 212c... Terminal display unit 213, 213a, 213b, 213c... Terminal input unit 801... Computer 802... CPU 803... Main memory device 804... Auxiliary storage device 805... Interface NW... Network

Claims

1. A communication support server for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network, comprising: a personal information storage unit that stores friend registration information indicating a friendship relationship among users and communication registration information indicating a dating relationship among users; a friend information management unit that, when it is determined, by referring to the communication registration information, that a first user and a second user among a plurality of users are in a dating state, restricts communication between the first user or the second user and other users registered as friends of the first user or the second user by using the friend registration information; A communication support server comprising the above.

2. A communication support server for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network, comprising: a personal information storage unit that stores communication registration information indicating a dating relationship among users; a communication eligibility determination unit that determines whether a first user and a second user satisfy communication conditions; a communication information management unit that, when the communication eligibility determination unit determines that the communication conditions are satisfied, transmits communication application display information for making a communication application display to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user; Comprising: The communication information management unit stores, in the personal information storage unit, communication registration information of the first user and the second user based on the communication application display information. A communication support server.

3. A communication support server for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network, comprising: a personal information storage unit that stores friend registration information indicating a friendship relationship among users and communication registration information indicating a dating relationship among users; a friend information management unit that, when it is determined, by referring to the communication registration information, that a first user and a second user among a plurality of users are in a dating state, restricts communication between the first user or the second user and other users registered as friends of the first user or the second user by using the friend registration information; a communication eligibility determination unit that determines whether the first user and the second user satisfy communication conditions; a communication information management unit that, when the communication eligibility determination unit determines that the communication conditions are satisfied, transmits communication application display information for making a communication application display to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user; Comprising: The communication support server, wherein the communication information management unit stores the communication registration information of the first user and the second user in the personal information storage unit based on the communication application display information.

4. The communication support server according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the friend information management unit removes a user registered as a friend from the friend registration in order to restrict communication with the user registered as a friend.

5. Further comprising a control unit that controls the transmission and reception of messages between users, The communication support server according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the friend information management unit stops the transmission and reception of messages with the user to the control unit in order to restrict communication with the user registered as a friend.

6. The communication support server according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the communication availability determination unit determines based on whether or not the first user and the second user have performed a predetermined event as the communication condition.

7. The communication support server according to claim 6, further comprising a message content analysis unit that analyzes the content of messages exchanged between users registered as friends and generates information regarding the performance of the predetermined event using the analysis result.

8. The communication support server according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the communication availability determination unit determines based on whether or not the degree of favorability between the first user and the second user satisfies a predetermined value as the communication condition.

9. The communication support server according to claim 8, further comprising a message content analysis unit that analyzes the content of messages exchanged between users registered as friends and calculates the degree of favorability using the analysis result.

10. The personal information storage unit stores personal information of each user, Further comprising a matching candidate extraction unit that determines whether or not the degree of matching between a plurality of users satisfies a predetermined condition using the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit, The communication support server according to any one of claims 1 or 3 to 5, wherein when the matching candidate extraction unit determines that the degree of matching satisfies a predetermined condition, the friend information management unit extracts users who satisfy the condition and transmits friend application display information for performing a friend application display to the terminal devices used by the extracted users.

11. A communication support method executed by a computer for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network, comprising: a step in which a friendship information management unit included in the computer refers to friendship registration information indicating an interpersonal relationship among users and determines whether a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users are in an interpersonal relationship; a step in which, when the friendship information management unit determines that the first user and the second user are in an interpersonal relationship, the friendship information management unit restricts communication between the first user or the second user and other users registered as friends of the first user or the second user by using the friendship registration information indicating a friendship relationship among users; A communication support method comprising the above steps.

12. A communication support method executed by a computer for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network, comprising: a step in which an interpersonal relationship determination unit included in the computer determines whether a first user and a second user satisfy interpersonal conditions; a step in which, when the interpersonal relationship determination unit determines that the interpersonal conditions are satisfied, an interpersonal relationship information management unit included in the computer transmits interpersonal relationship application display information for displaying an interpersonal relationship application to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user; a step in which the interpersonal relationship information management unit stores, in a personal information storage unit, interpersonal relationship registration information indicating an interpersonal relationship between the first user and the second user based on the interpersonal relationship application display information; A communication support method comprising the above steps.

13. A communication support program for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network, comprising: a step of referring to interpersonal relationship registration information indicating an interpersonal relationship among users and determining whether a first user and a second user included in the plurality of users are in an interpersonal relationship; a step of restricting communication between the first user or the second user and other users registered as friends of the first user or the second user by using friendship registration information indicating a friendship relationship among users when it is determined that the first user and the second user are in an interpersonal relationship; A communication support program for causing a computer to execute the above steps.

14. A communication support program for enabling communication among a plurality of users via a network, comprising: A step of determining whether a first user and a second user satisfy communication conditions; When it is determined that the communication conditions are satisfied, a step of transmitting communication application display information for displaying a communication application to a first terminal device used by the first user and a second terminal device used by the second user; A step of storing communication registration information indicating a communication relationship between the first user and the second user based on the communication application display information; A communication support program for causing a computer to execute the above steps.

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