Program and Method

Abstract

To solve a problem in the case that if anyone can utilize various types of services without any restriction where a communication function using voice or a camera is versatile, inadequate use is performed.SOLUTION: An information processing system comprises: an approver setting unit for setting an approver account for an account; a friend setting unit for setting friend relation in which a predetermined function can be executed for each other; a communication permission friend setting unit that on the basis of an approval request from a first account for setting a second account of accounts set in friend relation with the first account to a communication permission friend for the first account, sets the second account to a communication permission friend for the first account; and a communication execution unit for making communication with the account of the communication permission friend.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system, a program, and a method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-072559) discloses that in a game system, supervisor approval is required as a condition for setting a friend relationship between accounts. Accounts of friends can receive various services.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If approval is required to become a friend, it may be difficult to smoothly build a friend relationship. On the other hand, while communication functions using voice and camera have become widespread, there is a risk of inappropriate use if anyone can use various services without restriction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (Configuration 1) A system according to one embodiment includes: an approver setting unit that sets an approver account for a certain account; a friend setting unit that sets a certain account and the other account in a friend relationship where they can perform predetermined functions with each other, without approval by the approver account, in response to an application from one account to another account and the other account's approval of the application; and a communication permission friend setting unit that sets a second account, which is one of the accounts set to be friends with the first account, as a communication permission friend for the first account, based on an approval request from the first account where the approver account is set for the first account, and approval of the approval request by the approver account set for the first account. The system includes a communication execution unit that causes the terminal associated with the first account to communicate with the terminal associated with the account that is a communication-permitted friend, including voice communication.

[0006] (Configuration 2) In Configuration 1, the information processing system further includes a storage unit that stores information about communication permission friends entered by the approver account in a manner that is viewable by at least the approver account but not viewable by the first account.

[0007] (Configuration 3) In Configuration 2, the storage unit stores information associated with the account that is a communication-permitted friend in a manner that allows the approver account to view the information regardless of any changes to the icon image or name of the communication-permitted friend.

[0008] (Configuration 4) In Configuration 2, the first account displays other accounts with which it is currently communicating via voice, along with information about those other accounts entered by the approver account, on the terminal associated with the approver account.

[0009] (Configuration 5) In any of Configurations 1 to 4, if a third account whose request to be set as a communication-allowed friend for the first account was previously not approved by the approver account is requested again to be set as a communication-allowed friend for the first account, the device associated with the approver account will display that the third account's request for approval was previously not approved.

[0010] (Configuration 6) Configuration 6 further includes a camera video communication unit that enables the display of camera video corresponding to the first account on terminals associated with other accounts during audio communication corresponding to approved camera usage requests, based on a camera usage approval request sent from the first account for each audio communication in which the first account participates, and approval of said camera usage approval request by an approver account set for the first account.

[0011] (Configuration 7) Configuration 7 further includes a camera video communication unit that enables the display of camera video transmitted from a terminal associated with another account during an audio communication corresponding to an approved camera usage request, based on a camera usage approval request received by the first account for each audio communication in which the first account participates, for displaying camera video corresponding to another account on the terminal associated with the first account, and approval of said camera usage approval request by an approver account set for the first account.

[0012] (Configuration 8) Configuration 1 to Configuration 7 further includes a camera video communication unit that enables the display of camera video between the terminal associated with the first account and the terminal associated with the other account during an audio communication corresponding to an approved approval request, based on an approval request for displaying camera video between the first account and the other account for each audio communication in which the first account participates, and approval of the approval request for sending and receiving camera video by the approver account set for the first account.

[0013] (Configuration 9) In any of Configurations 1 to 8, the camera video communication unit allows the approver account to set how the camera video transmitted by the terminal associated with the first account in a voice communication in which the terminal associated with the first account participates is displayed on other terminals associated with other accounts participating in the communication.

[0014] (Configuration 10) In Configuration 9, the camera video communication unit allows the approver account to set multiple levels of camera video display modes, allows the first account to select a camera video display mode at or below the level set by the approver account, and displays the camera video to other terminals in the selected display mode.

[0015] (Configuration 11) A program according to one embodiment is a program used for managing a first account to which an approver account has been set, in a system that provides predetermined functions to a first account and other accounts to which a friend relationship has been set, wherein the terminal to which the first account is associated has one or more processors, and the program causes one or more processors to perform the steps of sending an approval request from the first account to set a second account, which is one of the accounts that has a friend relationship with the first account, as a communication-permitted friend for the first account, and performing voice communication with the terminal to which the account that is a communication-permitted friend is associated.

[0016] (Configuration 12) A program according to one embodiment is a program used in an information processing system that manages a first account to which an approver account has been set, in a system that provides predetermined functions including voice communication to each other between a first account to which a friend relationship has been set and other accounts, wherein the terminal to which the approver account is associated has one or more processors, and the program causes one or more processors to perform the steps of receiving an approval request to set a second account, which is one of the accounts that has a friend relationship with the first account, as a communication-permitted friend for the first account, and sending approval or rejection to the approval request.

[0017] (Configuration 13) In Configuration 12, the program causes one or more processors to save information about communication-permitted friends entered by the approver account in a manner that is viewable by at least the approver account but not viewable by the first account.

[0018] (Configuration 14) In Configuration 12 or Configuration 13, the program causes one or more processors to execute a camera usage authorization request, which is sent from the first account for each voice communication in which the first account participates, to display the camera image on the terminal associated with the communication partner's account, and an authorization account set up for the first account to approve the camera usage authorization request.

[0019] (Configuration 15) In any of Configurations 12 to 14, the program causes one or more processors to execute a camera usage authorization request received by the first account for each voice communication in which the first account participates, for displaying camera footage corresponding to other accounts on the terminal associated with the first account, and an authorization account set for the first account to authorize the camera usage authorization request.

[0020] (Configuration 16) In any of Configurations 12 to 15, the program causes one or more processors to perform the step of causing an approver account to set the display manner of camera video transmitted by the terminal associated with the first account in a voice communication in which the terminal associated with the first account participates, on other terminals associated with other accounts participating in the communication.

[0021] (Configuration 17) A method according to one embodiment is a method used for managing a first account on which an approver account has been set, in a system that provides predetermined functions to a first account and other accounts on which a friend relationship has been set, the method comprising the steps of causing the terminal associated with the first account to send an approval request from the first account to set a second account, which is one of the accounts that has a friend relationship with the first account, as a communication-permitted friend for the first account, and causing the terminal associated with the account that is a communication-permitted friend to communicate with voice.

[0022] (Configuration 18) A method according to one embodiment is a method used in an information processing system that manages a first account on which an approver account is set, in a system that provides predetermined functions, including voice communication, to a first account on which a friend relationship has been set and to other accounts, the method comprising the steps of causing a terminal associated with the approver account to receive an approval request for setting a second account, which is one of the accounts that has a friend relationship with the first account, as a communication-permitted friend for the first account, and causing the terminal to send approval or rejection in response to the approval request.

[0023] (Configuration 19) In Configuration 18, the method includes the step of causing the terminal associated with the approver account to store information about communication-permitted friends entered by the approver account in a manner that is at least viewable by the approver account but not viewable by the first account.

[0024] (Configuration 20) In Configuration 18 or Configuration 19, the method includes, for a terminal associated with an approver account, for each communication accompanied by the voice of the first account participating, a camera usage approval request for transmitting a camera video from the first account to be displayed on a terminal associated with the communication partner's account, and a step of causing the approver account set for the first account to approve the camera usage approval request.

[0025] (Configuration 21) In any one of Configurations 18 to 20, the method includes, for a terminal associated with an approver account, for each communication accompanied by the voice of the first account participating, a camera usage approval request for receiving, by the first account, a camera video corresponding to another account on the terminal associated with the first account to be displayed, and a step of causing the approver account set for the first account to approve the camera usage approval request.

[0026] (Configuration 22) In any one of Configurations 18 to 21, the method includes, for a terminal associated with an approver account, causing the approver account to set a display mode of a camera video transmitted by a terminal associated with the first account in a communication accompanied by the voice of the terminal associated with the first account participating, on another terminal associated with another account participating in the communication.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to the present 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 the present 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 the present embodiment. [Figure 4]This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal included in an information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an example of a timing chart used to explain the process of setting up friend relationships. [Figure 6] This is an example of a timing chart to explain the process of approving or rejecting chat friend requests. [Figure 7] This is an example of the initial screen of the director app. [Figure 8] This is an example of a screen showing information about chat-permitted friends for a supervised account. [Figure 9] This is an example of a screen showing a list of friend permission requests for chat. [Figure 10] This is an example of a screen where you decide whether to register Account B as a chat-permitted friend for the supervised account. [Figure 11] This is an example of a screen for entering memo information. [Figure 12] This is an example of a screen that appears after registering account B. [Figure 13] This is an example of a timing chart used to explain the approval process for camera footage. [Figure 14] This is an example of a screen that determines the result of a request to allow camera transmission and reception. [Figure 15] This is an example of a screen for setting the chat status to allow the sending and receiving of camera footage. [Figure 16] This is an example of a screen for selecting the first display mode of the camera image. [Figure 17] This is an example of a screen for selecting the second display mode of the camera image. [Figure 18] This is an example of a screen for selecting the third display mode of the camera image. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] 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.

[0029] <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 services such as account management using server Sr1. An account is information for identifying a user. Information about all generated accounts can be stored in server Sr1.

[0030] In the information processing system 100 of this embodiment, one account can supervise other accounts. Hereinafter, the account that supervises a specific account will be referred to as the "supervisor account." The specific account that is the subject of supervision by the supervisor account will be referred to as the "supervised account." The supervised account is, for example, a child's account. The supervisor account is, for example, the account of the child's guardian. In this embodiment, the supervisor account can view the game activity and purchase status of the supervised account and grant various approvals.

[0031] By performing a predetermined process, a user can register one account and another account as supervisor accounts and supervised accounts, respectively, on server Sr1. An account that is not registered as either a supervisor or a supervised account is referred to as a "normal account".

[0032] In this embodiment of the information processing system 100, multiple accounts can communicate with each other using their respective terminals. Communication includes at least one of voice communication and text communication, but in this embodiment, voice communication will be described primarily.

[0033] 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 (hereinafter referred to as the "chat app"). Multiple accounts participating in the same communication group (hereinafter referred to as the "virtual room") while the chat app is running can communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the chat app can allow one or more accounts to stream a game while communicating with each other within the virtual room. Hereinafter, communication via the chat app will simply be referred to as "chat". Note that game streaming is not required.

[0034] 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 same virtual room becomes possible when certain conditions are met. Server Sr1 may perform at least part of the process of determining whether or not the certain conditions regarding the account are met.

[0035] One example of a prerequisite for communication between accounts that are not supervisory accounts (regular accounts and supervisory accounts) is that a friend relationship is established. A friend relationship is a relationship that allows certain functions to be provided to both accounts. There are no restrictions on how a friend relationship is established. For example, a user may enter the friend code of the account they wish to befriend into their device and send a friend request to that specific account.

[0036] The specified functions may include, for example, displaying friend information (such as a friend's online status, the title of the game a friend is playing, and information indicating how and when they became friends), sending invitations to online games, and enabling players to play games together as a team. Within a virtual room, each account does not need to be friends with all other accounts, as long as it is friends with at least one other account. Note that a friendship relationship is one that enables communication functions, and other functions do not necessarily need to be provided.

[0037] On the other hand, in this embodiment, even if a supervised account has established a friend relationship with another account, it cannot chat using the chat application unless that other account is registered in a predetermined state for the supervised account. In this embodiment, this predetermined state is called a "chat-permitted friend." A chat-permitted friend for a given supervised account is a friend of that supervised account whose communication is permitted by the supervisor account for that supervised account.

[0038] The supervised account selects friends from their own group that they wish to chat with and requests the supervisor account to approve the registration of the selected accounts as chat-allowed friends. The supervisor account then decides whether to approve or reject this approval request.

[0039] In this embodiment, when the supervised account invites friends to a chat, the supervised account can only invite chat-permitted friends to the virtual room. Also in this embodiment, when the supervised account is invited to a chat by another account, the supervised account can only join the virtual room if all accounts invited to the virtual room are chat-permitted friends. Note that "all accounts invited to the virtual room" in this embodiment includes not only accounts currently participating in the virtual room, but also accounts that have been invited but have not yet joined, and accounts that have joined but have left.

[0040] The following example describes a case where account PA, associated with terminal 40, is the supervisor account, and account A, associated with game terminal 30A, is the supervised account. Account PA is, for example, the guardian of account A.

[0041] [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 be connected to each other via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the internet. In the example in Figure 1, game terminals 30A and 30B and terminal 40 are shown among the terminals included in the information processing system 100.

[0042] 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 or smartphone capable of executing a game application program.

[0043] 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, each of the terminal-side account information 362 contained in game terminals 30A and 30B contains information for accounts A and B, respectively. The communication application program 364 is a program for sending and receiving voice between users in a virtual room.

[0044] Terminal 40 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, tablet, PC, or smartwatch. Terminal 40 includes terminal-side account information 462 and a supervisor application program 463. An account PA is associated with terminal 40, and the terminal-side account information 462 of terminal 40 includes information about the account PA. Multiple accounts may be associated with game terminal 30 and terminal 40. That is, terminal-side account information 462 may contain information about multiple accounts. Also, the same account may be associated with multiple terminals. In addition to terminal 40, account PA may also be associated with game terminal 30A.

[0045] In this embodiment, account PA and account A are accounts that are pre-registered with, for example, server Sr1 in order to receive services on the network. A game terminal 30 may be associated with such an account, or it may be associated with one or more game terminal accounts separately. Furthermore, the game terminal 30 may be effectively associated with the above account by associating the above account registered with server Sr1 with a game terminal account. For example, a game terminal account that is not associated with the above account may not be able to use chat, nor may it be set as a supervisor account or a supervisored account. In the following, even if a game terminal account is set separately from the above account, no particular distinction will be made.

[0046] [C. Hardware Configuration Example] In the following section, using Figures 2 to 4, we will describe an example of the hardware configuration of the server Sr1, game terminal 30, and terminal 40 that constitute the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0047] 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 one or more processors 14, memory 15, storage 16, and a communication unit 13. 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] Memory 15 is a volatile storage device (storage medium) accessible by the processor 14, and may include, for example, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). Storage 16 is a non-volatile storage device (storage medium) accessible by the processor 14, and may include, for example, a hard disk or flash memory. Storage 16 may also be a storage medium that can be attached to or removed from the server Sr1, such as an optical disc and cartridge.

[0051] Storage 16 stores the management program 162, memo information 163, account information 164, friend information 165, chat-permitted friend information 166, camera video permission information 167, supervisor relationship information 168, and rejection history information 169. 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.

[0052] The management program 162 is a program for overseeing processes related to the supervision of supervised accounts, executing communications, and managing accounts. The memo information 163 is memo information for the supervised account's friends, entered by the supervisor account (described later), and is associated with each supervised account and each of its friends. The primary key for uniquely identifying the memo information 163 may be the identification information of the supervised account and the identification information of the supervised account's friends.

[0053] Account information 164 contains information about all accounts registered on server Sr1, and may include each user's name, age, email address, password, etc. Friend information 165 indicates which of the registered accounts have a friend relationship with each other. Friend information 165 links accounts bidirectionally. 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.

[0054] Chat-permitted friend information 166 indicates which of a supervisory account's friends are authorized to chat with that supervisory account. Unlike friend relationships, chat-permitted friend information 166 is stored in one direction. Even if account B is registered as a chat-permitted friend for account A, it does not necessarily mean that account A is registered as a chat-permitted friend for account B. Chat-permitted friend information 166 may also include the date and time when chat-permitted friends were established.

[0055] Camera video permission information 167 is information indicating whether a supervised account is permitted to use a camera in a given communication. In this embodiment, camera video permission information 167 is generated for each supervised account, for example, each time a supervised account joins a virtual room.

[0056] Supervisor relationship information 168 indicates which of the registered accounts have a supervisor account relationship with a supervisored account. Supervisor relationship information 168, like friend information 165, links accounts bidirectionally. Rejection history information 169 indicates that the supervisor account rejected the supervisored account's request to approve the registration of chat-permitted friends. Rejection history information 169 may also include the date and time of the rejection.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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, each component may be detachable from the main body of 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.

[0061] The storage device 36 stores the game application program 361, terminal account information 362, friend setting program 363, and communication application program 364.

[0062] 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 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.

[0063] The communication application program 364 is an application for voice communication with friends. In this embodiment, the communication application program 364 can enable the transmission and reception of camera images in addition to voice transmission and reception between accounts in a virtual room. The camera image is an image captured by the camera Cm of the terminal 30. In certain situations, the supervisor application program 463, which will be described later, may be stored in the storage 36 of the game terminal 30.

[0064] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal 40 included in an information processing system 100 according to this embodiment. The terminal 40 includes a display 41, an operation unit 42, a communication unit 43, one or more processors 44, memory 45, storage 46, and a bus 49.

[0065] The display 41 and the operation unit 42 may be integrated as, for example, a touch panel. The storage 46 stores terminal-side account information 462 and a supervisor application program 463. The supervisor application program 463 is a program for managing the supervised account. The supervisor application program 463 can display and modify information related to the supervised account. In some cases, the storage 46 of the terminal 40 may also store a communication application program 364.

[0066] [D. Chat Allowed Friends] As mentioned above, chat-permitted friends are friends of the supervised account who have been granted chat permission by the supervisor account.

[0067] The following describes how supervised account A registers account B as a chat-permitted friend. For supervised account A to request supervising account PA to register account B as a chat-permitted friend, a friend relationship must be established between accounts A and B. In this embodiment, approval from the supervising account is not required for a supervised account to become friends with another account. Based on supervised account A selecting account B, which is set as a friend, as the friend with whom it wishes to chat, a chat-permitted friend approval request is sent to the terminal 40 associated with supervising account PA. This approval request may also include cases where supervised account A is prompted to perform an operation such as pressing a button to request approval from supervising account PA. By supervising account PA approving the approval request, account B is registered as a chat-permitted friend for supervised account A. As a result, if account B is a regular account, account A and account B can chat using the chat application.

[0068] On the other hand, it is possible that account B is also a supervised account. For example, account B may be a real-world classmate of account A, and account B may be supervised by an account of account B's guardian, which is not shown. Chat-permitted friends represent a one-way relationship. That is, supervised account B may be a chat-permitted friend from the perspective of supervised account A, but supervised account A may not be a chat-permitted friend from the perspective of supervised account B. In this case, supervised accounts A and B can chat with each other if supervised account B also registers supervised account A as a chat-permitted friend from their perspective.

[0069] In this embodiment, when supervised account A registers supervised account B as a chat-permitted friend, and supervised account B has not registered supervised account A as a chat-permitted friend, supervised account A can invite supervised account B to a chat. However, since supervised account A is not a chat-permitted friend of supervised account B, supervised account B cannot join the virtual room to which it was invited because supervised account A, who is not a chat-permitted friend, is present in the virtual room. Thus, when supervised accounts chat with each other, they must register each other as chat-permitted friends.

[0070] The following describes the procedure for registering account B as a chat-permitted friend of supervised account A, starting from a state where no friend relationship has been established between accounts A and B. Note that at least one of the processes in Figures 5 and 6 may be performed on multiple accounts at once, not just account B.

[0071] Figure 5 is an example of a timing chart to explain the friend relationship setup process. The game terminal 30A associated with account A executes the friend setup program 363 and sends a friend request to server Sr1 to add account B as a friend (step S101).

[0072] 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).

[0073] Server Sr1 receives friend permission and sets up a friend relationship between accounts A and B (step S104). Specifically, Server Sr1 adds the friend relationship between accounts A and B to friend information 165. In step S104, Server Sr1 notifies each of the game terminals 30A and B that the friend relationship has been set up.

[0074] Figure 6 is an example of a timing chart illustrating the process of approving or rejecting chat permission requests. The game terminal 30A launches the chat application (step S201). The game terminal 30A receives a request from the user to select an account to log into the chat application (step S202). In this embodiment, the user selects account A. The selection of the account to log in may be received when the game terminal is launched, or at another time.

[0075] The game terminal 30A accepts the user's selection of a friend to register as a chat-allowed friend (step S203). In this embodiment, account B is selected. In step S203, the game terminal 30A makes an approval request to register account B as a chat-allowed friend for account A. In step S203, the game terminal 30A sends the accepted selection result to the server Sr1 as an approval request.

[0076] In this embodiment, supervisor account PA is associated with supervisor account A. The method for setting up the supervisory relationship between accounts is not limited. For example, a user equivalent to a guardian uses a predetermined online service from a PC, smartphone, game terminal, etc., to have server Sr1 create account PA. Next, while logged in with account PA, the user has server Sr1 create account A as the person to be supervised. As a result, server Sr1 sets the created account PA and account A into a supervisory relationship. Note that account PA and account A are created independently, and after creation, server Sr1 may set them into a supervisory relationship based on a request from account PA or account A.

[0077] Based on receiving the approval request, Server Sr1 sends the approval request to Terminal 40 associated with Supervisor Account PA (Step S204). In Step S204, if there is a history of the account subject to the approval request being rejected in the rejection history information 169, Server Sr1 sends a message to Terminal 40 indicating that a rejection history exists. At this time, if there is memo information 163 described below regarding the rejected account, Server Sr1 may also send the memo information 163. Based on receiving the approval request, Terminal 40 may display a pop-up notification or the like on the display 41. Terminal 40 launches the supervisor application 463 (Step S205) and displays the received approval request on Terminal 40 associated with Supervisor Account PA.

[0078] Terminal 40 may receive memo information from supervisor account PA regarding account B, which is being requested to be registered as a chat-permitted friend (step S206). Supervisor account PA (for example, a parent) may not know who account B is in the real world. Therefore, supervisor account PA may, for example, enter memo information to identify account B for later reference. Terminal 40 receives input from supervisor account PA indicating approval or rejection as a result of the approval request in step S204 (step S207). Terminal 40 sends the memo information from step S206 and the approval or rejection information from step S207 to server Sr1. In this embodiment, the registration of account B as a chat-permitted friend is approved by supervisor account PA.

[0079] Server Sr1 notifies the game terminal 30A of the result of the approval request as of step S207, indicating whether it was approved or rejected (step S208). If the result in step S208 is approval, Server Sr1 registers the account selected in step S203 as a chat-permitted friend of account A and stores the received memo information as memo information 163, associated with the registered chat-permitted friend. If the result in step S208 is rejection, Server Sr1 updates the rejection history information 169 and stores the memo information as memo information 163, associated with the account selected in step S203. In some cases, memo information 163 may be stored only in the supervisor application 463 of terminal 40, or it may be stored in both Server Sr1 and the supervisor application 463. If a friend's registration as a chat-permitted friend is canceled, the memo information for that friend may be deleted.

[0080] Game terminal 30A receives confirmation that a friend to invite to the chat has been selected from among the friends registered as chat-permitted friends (step S209). In this embodiment, account B is selected. In step S209, game terminal 30A sends the friend to invite to the chat to server Sr1. Server Sr1 sends an invitation to the game terminal 30 associated with the chat-permitted friend who has been invited to the chat (step S210).

[0081] [E. Example screen for terminal 40 regarding the approval of chat permission for friends] The following describes examples of the display screens on the terminal 40's display 41 when the supervisor application 463 is running, using Figures 7 to 12. Figures 7 to 12 show the screens displayed on the terminal 40's display 41. Figure 7 is an example of the initial screen Im1 of the supervisor application 463. The initial screen Im1 displays information regarding the supervisory status of supervisory account A.

[0082] The initial screen Im1 includes areas R1 to R7. Area R1 is for setting the daily playtime for the game application on the game terminal 30A. Area R2 is for managing the chat-permitted friends of the supervised account A. Area R3 is for setting restrictions on certain functions that can be executed on the game terminal 30A. Area R4 is for setting the PIN required to remove restrictions imposed by the supervisor application 463 through operation of the game terminal 30A. Note that, for example, the setting of playtime and restrictions on certain functions that can be executed may be set on an account basis, either on a game terminal basis or in addition to an account basis.

[0083] Area R5 is for referencing the types of game apps played in the past and the play time. Area R6 is for referencing the types of game apps played in the past on a monthly basis. Area R7 is for configuring various settings of the supervisor app 463. When area R2 is selected, the display screen of the display 41 transitions to Figure 8, for example, via the account selection screen.

[0084] Figure 8 is an example of screen Im2 showing information about chat-permitted friends for supervised account A. At the top of Figure 8, account A's name "Emi" and account A's icon IcA are displayed. Account A's name is the name registered on server Sr1 and can be changed. For convenience, Figure 8 displays the text "(account A)" next to "Emi," but in reality, only "Emi" may be displayed. Also, for convenience, Figure 8 shows the letter "A" as the icon IcA, but in reality, an image selected by account A may be displayed. The same applies to Figures 8 and beyond.

[0085] Area R8 is the notification area for permission requests from supervised account A to chat-permitted friends. In the example in Figure 8, area R8 shows that three permission requests have been made from supervised account A to supervisor account PA. Area R8 may also display information indicating when at least the most recent permission request was made. As an example, although it was explained that tapping (selecting) area R2 in Figure 7 transitions to the screen in Figure 8, if there are permission requests for chat-permitted friends, a system notification pop-up on terminal 40 or a pop-up on the display screen shown in Figure 7 may be displayed. In this case, tapping the pop-up may directly display the display screen shown in Figure 9. Area R9 is the area that displays a list of chat-permitted friends. Area R9 shows that no accounts are registered as chat-permitted friends for account A.

[0086] When area R8 is selected, the display screen of display 41 transitions to Figure 9. Figure 9 is an example of screen Im3 showing a list of permission requests for chat-allowed friends. Areas R10 to R12 each show individual permission requests and include the icons IcB to IcD of the accounts that have been requested to be registered as chat-allowed friends, and the name of those accounts. Areas R10 to R12 may also display information indicating when each permission request was made. Note that when the pop-up exemplified above is tapped, the display screen shown in Figure 9 may be displayed directly.

[0087] Area R10 shows a request to register account B. The name of account B is "XYZ". Area R11 shows a request to register account C. The name of account C is "Apple". Area R12 shows a request to register account D. The name of account D is "Bird". Note that accounts B through D are shown in the diagram for convenience, but they do not actually need to be displayed.

[0088] Area R12 includes alert AL1. Alert AL1 indicates that a permission request to add account D as a chat friend was previously rejected by the supervisor account A. In this embodiment, information indicating the date and time of rejection is also displayed. Note that "the permission request was rejected" may include cases where the account was once registered as a chat friend but that registration was later canceled. Alert AL1 may distinguish between cases where the permission request was never granted and cases where it was granted once and then canceled. In some cases, area R12 may display memo information 163 regarding account D. The supervisor account PA can determine the outcome of the current approval request based on its judgments regarding past approval requests. Note that screen Im3 does not necessarily have to include alert AL1.

[0089] When area R10 is selected, the display screen of display 41 transitions to Figure 10. Figure 10 is an example of screen Im4, which determines whether to register account B as a chat-permitted friend for supervised account A.

[0090] In the center of screen Im4, the icon IcB and the name of account B are displayed. Area R13 is a button for rejecting the approval request. Area R14 is a button for approving the approval request. Supervisor account PA selects either area R13 or area R14. At this time, supervisor account PA can determine whether to approve or reject by, for example, directly checking who account B is with supervised account A. Screen Im4 may also include a "back button" to leave the approval request unprocessed without selecting a result. Screen Im4 may also include alert AL1.

[0091] When area R14 is selected, the display screen of display 41 transitions to Figure 11. Figure 11 is an example of screen Im5 for entering memo information. Area R15 is the input field for memo information. Area R16 is a button for confirming memo information. Supervisor account PA enters memo information to identify account B in area R15. At this time, for example, the guardian corresponding to supervisor account PA can directly ask who account B is by talking to the child corresponding to supervised account A in the real world, and determine whether they are on friendly terms to chat. Supervisor account PA enters text information such as "B from class 4" as information to identify account B. Thus, in this embodiment, when approving a chat permission friend's approval request, a screen for entering memo information is displayed. The timing of displaying the screen for entering memo information is not limited. Note that entering memo information may be mandatory or optional. Note that the screen for entering memo information may also transition when area R13 is selected on screen Im4. In other embodiments, it may not be possible to input memo information.

[0092] In this embodiment, the entered memo information can be viewed by the supervisor account PA, but not by the supervised account A. For example, it is displayed only on the terminal associated with the supervisor account PA, and not on the terminal associated with the supervised account A. This prevents the contents of the memo information 163 from being known to the supervised account A. When area R16 is selected, the display screen of the display 41 transitions to Figure 12. Figure 12 is an example of screen Im6 after registering account B. Screen Im6 is the same page as screen Im2, but differs in part from screen Im2 because account B has been registered.

[0093] With one permission request processed, the number of unprocessed permission requests in area R8 on screen Im6 becomes 2. Area R9 also includes area R17, which shows account B, registered as a chat permission friend. Area R17 includes icon IcB, the name of account B, and area R18, which shows memo information 163 associated with account B. Area R18 shows the text information "B from group 4". In some cases, a button may be provided to approve multiple permission requests simultaneously. In this case, after batch approval, memo information 163 can be entered for each account.

[0094] This allows supervisor account PA to view area R17 and confirm that account B has been registered as a chat-permitted friend. Furthermore, even after a period of time has passed since registration, supervisor account PA can easily determine whose account "XYZ" with icon IcB actually belongs to by checking the contents of area R18.

[0095] More specifically, even if the supervisor account PA cannot associate the icon and account name with an actual person, they can still determine who account B is from the contents of area R18. Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the icon and account name are changed after registration, the memo information 163 "B from class 4" is continuously stored in account B by server Sr1. As a result, even if the icon and account name are changed, the supervisor account PA can easily determine who account B is from the contents of area R18.

[0096] In this embodiment, the information processing system 100 allows the supervisor account PA to determine whether a friend of the supervised account A is appropriate for chatting. This prevents the supervised account A from engaging in inappropriate chats with accounts that the supervisor account PA is unaware of. Furthermore, as explained above, since registration as a chat-permitted friend can only be requested from accounts that are already friends, it is possible to prevent the erroneous registration of inappropriate accounts as chat-permitted friends.

[0097] In this embodiment, chat-permitted friends are determined for each friend of the supervised account A. Once a specific account is registered as a chat-permitted friend, the supervised account A does not need to request that specific account be registered as a chat-permitted friend again. On the other hand, in this embodiment, approval for sending and receiving camera video, as described below, is required for each chat.

[0098] [F: Sending and receiving camera images] As described above, the chat application can transmit and receive camera footage in addition to sending and receiving audio while simultaneously streaming game footage. The camera footage is the image captured by camera Cm. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the camera footage includes at least the user's face. However, depending on the imaging direction of camera Cm and the user's position, the user's face may not be included. As a result, the chat in this embodiment becomes a so-called video chat that allows sharing not only audio but also facial expressions.

[0099] The camera footage includes both the footage transmitted from one game terminal 30 to another game terminal 30 and the footage received by one game terminal 30 from another game terminal 30. The game terminal 30 transmits the footage captured by the camera Cm to the server Sr1 through the execution of the communication application program 364. The server Sr1, through the execution of the management program 162, transmits the footage received from one game terminal 30 to another game terminal 30. Furthermore, the game terminal 30 can receive footage from another game terminal 30 via the server Sr1 through the execution of the communication application program 364 and display it on the display 31. Thus, in this embodiment, camera footage communication is performed through the execution of the management program 162 on the server Sr1 and the communication application program 364 on the game terminal 30. In this embodiment, the supervised account A requires separate approval from the supervisor account PA to begin sending and receiving camera footage in a chat.

[0100] Unlike the approval process for chatting with friends, approval for sending and receiving camera footage is required on a per-chat basis. For example, approval for sending and receiving camera footage is required each time a virtual room is created. Figure 13 is an example of a timing chart illustrating the camera footage approval process.

[0101] After launching the chat application, the game terminal 30A joins a virtual room and starts a voice chat (step S300). Based on the actions of the supervised account A, the game terminal 30A requests approval for camera use permission in the virtual room it is currently participating in (step S301). Server Sr1 notifies terminal 40 of the approval request (step S302). Terminal 40 receives input from supervisor account PA indicating approval or rejection of the camera use permission request (step S303). Server Sr1 notifies the game terminal 30A of the result of the approval or rejection input in step S303 (step S304).

[0102] The game terminal 30A controls the transmission and reception of camera video based on the result of the approval or rejection input in step S303 (step S305). If approved in step S303, the game terminal 30A transmits and receives camera video in step S305.

[0103] If approved in step S303, terminal 40 can determine the display mode of the camera image (step S306). The display mode of the camera image indicates how the camera image transmitted from game terminal 30A is displayed on at least other game terminals 30. In this embodiment, the display modes are categorized into levels. A higher level of the display mode means that a larger proportion of the entire image captured by camera Cm is displayed on other game terminals 30. Details of the display modes will be described later.

[0104] Server Sr1 notifies the result of the display mode determined in step S306 (step S307). Game terminal 30A transmits camera footage based on the display mode determined by supervisor account PA (step S308).

[0105] If the request is rejected in step S303, the game terminal 30A will not send or receive camera video in step S305. Also, if the request is rejected in step S303, the processes in steps S306 to S308 will not be executed.

[0106] Even if camera video transmission and reception have been approved once, the game terminal 30A requires re-approval of camera video transmission and reception when joining a new virtual room. This prevents unintended transmission and reception of camera video, as the supervisor account may not want camera video transmission and reception to occur at certain times, even with the same chat partner.

[0107] In this embodiment, supervisor account A approves both the transmission and reception of camera footage in a single transaction. This improves convenience for both the supervised account A and supervisor account PA compared to approving the transmission and reception of camera footage separately. In some situations, the transmission and reception of camera footage may be approved separately. In this case, the information processing system 100 may execute the timing chart shown in Figure 13 for each transmission and reception. Supervisor account PA may approve either the transmission or reception and reject the other. Also, in some situations, approval may be required for only one of the transmission or reception of camera footage, while the other does not. Alternatively, the other may only need to be approved once, and no further approval is required thereafter.

[0108] Furthermore, if multiple supervised accounts are participating in a virtual room, even if one supervised account is permitted to send and receive camera footage, if other supervised accounts are not permitted to send and receive camera footage, then at least between those supervised accounts, camera footage will not be sent or received.

[0109] [G. Example screen of terminal 40 regarding camera image approval] The following describes examples of the display screen of the terminal 40's display 41 when the supervisor application 463 is running, using Figures 14 to 18. The examples in Figures 14 to 18 show cases where, in addition to account B, accounts C and D have been registered as chat-permitted friends for the supervised account A, and chat is taking place between accounts A to D.

[0110] Figure 14 is an example of screen Im7, which determines the result of a request to allow camera transmission and reception. Screen Im7 may be displayed on display 41 based on the supervisor account PA having received the notification in step S302 described above and launched the supervisor app 463.

[0111] Screen Im7 displays accounts B through D with which supervised account A is currently chatting. Areas R19, R21, and R23 show information for accounts B, C, and D, respectively. Areas R20, R22, and R24 show memo information 163 associated with accounts B, C, and D, respectively. Supervisor account PA can see who supervised account A is currently chatting with by checking screen Im7. Alternatively, supervised account A may be displayed in the same area alongside areas R19, R21, and R23 as "Members in the chat" instead of "Accounts participating in the chat."

[0112] Unlocking area R25 allows supervisor account A to send and receive camera footage. Alternatively, instead of area R25, buttons such as "Allow" and "Do not allow" could be displayed.

[0113] Figure 15 shows an example of screen Im8 for setting the chat state in which camera video transmission and reception are permitted. Based on the command to set the chat state received from supervisor account PA, supervisor application 463 displays screen Im8 on display 41.

[0114] On screen Im8, area R26 is for setting the display mode of the camera feed. Area R27 is for displaying detailed information about friends participating in the chat. Area R28 is a button to stop sending and receiving camera feeds. By selecting area 28, supervisor account PA can stop the sending and receiving of camera feeds by supervised account A.

[0115] As shown in area R26, by default, the first mode is set, which displays the camera image on other game terminals in a display format in which the face of the user of supervised account A is cut out. That is, the displayed camera image does not have to include the body below the user's face or the background such as the room, or it does not have to include much of it. Note that "cutting out the face" may mean that the image is extracted along the outline of the face, or it may mean that a predetermined shape, such as a circle, is extracted and the face is included in most of the image. The first mode is the lowest level mode. An image showing only the face of the user of supervised account A may be generated by recognizing and cutting out the face of the user of supervised account A as captured by camera Cm.

[0116] When region R26 is selected, the display screen of the display 41 transitions to Figure 16. Figures 16 to 18 explain how to switch the display mode of the camera image. Figure 16 is an example of screen Im9, which selects the first mode of the camera image display modes. Screen Im9 includes regions R29 to R31 and image IL1. Region R29 is a button for changing the display mode to the mode currently displayed on the display 41.

[0117] Area R30 is a button that lowers the level of the display mode shown on the display 41. Since the first mode is the lowest level mode, it is unavailable in the example in Figure 16. Area R31 is a button that raises the level of the display mode shown on the display 41.

[0118] Image IL1 is an image illustrating how the transmitted camera footage is displayed on another game terminal 30. As shown in Image IL1, the face of the user of supervised account A is superimposed on the game image on the display 31.

[0119] In Figure 16, when region R31 is selected, the display screen of the display 41 transitions to Figure 17. Figure 17 is an example of screen Im10 for selecting the second mode of camera image display modes. The second mode is a mode in which an image of the body of user A, who is under supervision, is displayed on the game terminal 30 associated with accounts B, C, and D. That is, the displayed camera image does not have to include any background such as a room, or it does not have to include much of it. Furthermore, the user's body, for example, does not have to be displayed from the waist down, or the whole body may be displayed. As shown in image IL2 included in screen Im10, the face and body of user A, who is under supervision, are superimposed on the game image on the display 31.

[0120] In Figure 17, when region R29 is selected, the display mode changes to the second mode. In Figure 17, when region R30 is selected, the display screen of display 41 returns to Figure 16. In Figure 17, when region R31 is selected, the display screen of display 41 transitions to Figure 18.

[0121] Figure 18 shows an example of screen Im11 for selecting the third mode of camera image display modes. The third mode is a mode in which an image including the body and background of user A is displayed on the game terminal 30 associated with accounts B, C, and D. Since the third mode is the highest level mode, area R31 cannot be selected. In Figure 18, when area R29 is selected, the display mode changes to the third mode. In Figure 18, when area R30 is selected, the display screen of display 41 returns to Figure 17. As shown in image IL3, the image captured by camera Cm, including the background such as the room, is superimposed on the game image on display 31. Supervisor account PA can determine the display mode of the camera image of supervised account A by selecting area R29 when the desired mode is displayed on display 41.

[0122] After the display mode is determined by the supervisor account PA, the supervised account A can change the display mode from the game terminal 30A within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is simply any range less than or equal to the display mode determined by supervisor account A. For example, if the second mode is selected by supervisor account PA, the supervised account A can choose between the first or second mode at will in the ongoing chat. Furthermore, even if the display mode has been selected by supervisor account PA, the supervised account A may request that the selected display mode be changed.

[0123] Thus, in this embodiment, it has been explained that in both cases—when registering chat-permitted friends and when sending and receiving camera footage—the supervised account A needs to obtain approval from the supervisor account PA. In some situations, the information processing system 100 may require approval when registering chat-permitted friends, but not when sending and receiving camera footage.

[0124] Similarly, in certain scenarios, the information processing system 100 may not require approval when registering chat-permitted friends, but may require approval when sending or receiving camera footage. In this case, the information processing system 100 may not have chat-permitted friends at all, and the supervised account A may be able to chat using the communication application program 364, just like a regular account.

[0125] [H. Variant] The following describes other embodiments that are partially modified from the embodiments described above.

[0126] Each of the processors 14, 34, and 44 may consist of a single chip or multiple chips. Each of the processors 14, 34, and 44 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.

[0127] In the example in Figure 1, the server Sr1, the game terminal 30, and the terminal 40 are illustrated as a single device. However, each of the server Sr1, the game terminal 30, and the terminal 40 may be implemented as a collection of multiple devices. For example, the server Sr1 may consist of multiple servers. For example, the game terminal 30 and the terminal 40 may have separate configurations consisting of a main unit having at least a processor, a terminal unit having at least an operation unit, and a display unit having at least a display.

[0128] In Figure 2, it was explained that memo information 163, account information 164, friend information 165, chat-permitted friend information 166, camera video permission information 167, supervisor relationship information 168, and rejection history information 169 are stored in the storage 16 of server Sr1. However, at least some of this information may be held by other external servers besides server Sr1.

[0129] In the example above, we explained that supervisor account PA is the guardian of supervised account A. However, the actual relationship between supervisor account PA and supervised account A does not necessarily have to be parent-child or guardian-protected, and both may be adults.

[0130] In the example described above, terminal 40 was explained as a smartphone or the like. In some cases, terminal 40 may be a game-dedicated information processing device for providing games, similar to game terminal 30. In this case, terminal 40 and game terminal 30A may be different devices or the same device. Using the example of this embodiment, supervisor account PA and supervised account A may be associated with game terminal 30A, and game terminal 30A may be shared.

[0131] In the example above, supervisor account PA supervises supervised account A, but multiple supervisor accounts may supervise a single supervised account A. In this case, each of the multiple supervisor accounts may approve a single approval request, or all supervisor accounts may be required to approve it. Also, memo information 163 entered by one supervisor account may or may not be shared with other supervisor accounts.

[0132] Similarly, multiple supervised accounts may be under the supervision of a single supervisor account PA. The supervisor account PA can approve chat friend requests, camera video transmissions, etc., for each of the multiple supervised accounts.

[0133] In the example above, memo information 163 was text information entered by the supervisor account PA. In some situations, memo information 163 may be a label prepared in advance by the information processing system 100. The label could be, for example, "friend," "relative," or "neighbor." The supervisor account PA can select memo information 163 from the labels, thus improving usability. This label may also be created by the supervisor account PA themselves.

[0134] In the example described above, it was explained that the supervised account A can send an approval request for chat permission and sending / receiving camera footage from the game terminal 30A to terminal 40 via server Sr1. In some situations, the process of sending approval requests does not need to be incorporated as a function of the information processing system 100. In this case, for example, the supervisor account PA may perform the approval process voluntarily on the terminal by having a direct conversation with the supervised account A.

[0135] The above example illustrates a case in which a supervisor account PA can perform approval. The supervisor account is an example of an "approver account" in this disclosure. In some situations, the supervisor account PA may temporarily grant approval authority to another account that the supervisor account PA trusts. In this case, the account to which the authority is temporarily granted also corresponds to an example of an "approver account". In other situations, the supervisor account may not have the authority to approve, but may only be able to view the play time, etc., of the supervised account. In this case, another account may have the authority to approve. In this case, that other account corresponds to an example of an "approver account". In other situations, an approver account and an approved account may be set up separately from the supervisor account and the supervised account.

[0136] In the example described above, a supervisory account authorized to send and receive camera footage could have its camera footage displayed on all other game terminals 30 in the virtual room, and could also have the camera footage of all other game terminals 30 displayed on its own game terminal 30. However, the transmission or reception of camera footage may be permitted on an account-by-account basis within the virtual room.

[0137] The above example illustrates a case where a supervisory account that is not permitted to send or receive camera video cannot send or receive camera video. However, if the unauthorized supervisory account's own camera video is not displayed on other game terminals 30, and the camera video of other accounts is not displayed on its own game terminal 30, then sending and receiving camera video is permitted. In other words, regardless of whether permission has been granted by the supervisory account, sending or receiving camera video will be performed, and transmission on server Sr1 or display on the receiving game terminal 30 may be restricted.

[0138] The example above illustrates a scenario where sending and receiving camera footage is approved on a per-chat basis. However, sending and receiving camera footage may also be approved on a per-friend basis, similar to how chat permission is granted. In this case, a "camera permission friend" setting could be established for each friend, and supervised account A could only send and receive camera footage to friends registered as camera permission friends, according to the settings determined by supervisor account PA. Furthermore, supervised account A may only send and receive camera footage if everyone in the virtual room is registered as a camera permission friend to each other.

[0139] The sending and receiving of camera footage may be permitted on a period-by-period basis. For example, during a predetermined or set period after permission is granted (e.g., hourly, daily, or weekly), chats involving the sending and receiving of camera footage may be possible with any chat-permitted friend or with designated chat-permitted friends at any time.

[0140] Furthermore, regarding the sending and receiving of camera footage, the supervisor account PA may set at least one of "Always Allow" and "Always Disallow." If "Always Allow" is set, the supervised account A can send and receive camera footage during chat without needing to obtain permission again from the supervisor account PA. The way the camera footage is displayed may be freely selected by the supervised account PA, or it may be set separately by the supervisor account. If "Always Disallow" is set, the supervised account A does not need to be able to request approval for the camera footage. Alternatively, even if an approval request is made, a pop-up may not be displayed on the supervisor account A's device. Note that "Always Allow" or "Always Disallow" may be set for each friend.

[0141] Approval for chat-allowed friends may be required for each chat. In that case, at least one of the following settings may be provided for approving chat-allowed friends: "Always allow" and "Always disallow."

[0142] The screens for selecting the display mode of the camera image, shown in Figures 16 to 18, are examples. For example, in the above example, selecting area R30 or area R31 displays a screen showing the display mode of the level above or below. In other examples, a horizontal bar may be displayed along with markers corresponding to each level, and when the user selects a position corresponding to one of the markers, the display mode of that level may be displayed on the screen. In this way, any level may be directly selectable.

[0143] The above example described a case where there are three modes for displaying camera footage. However, the display modes for camera footage are not limited to the first to third modes, and other modes may be available. For example, a mode with an abstracted background may be available. Also, there may be a mode that processes and transmits the user's face image.

[0144] One of the display modes for camera footage that a supervisor account can configure may be one that does not display the camera footage. This mode may be at the lowest level. For example, by allowing users of a supervisor account to select from a mode that does not display the camera footage to a mode that displays the background as well, it is easier for the user of the supervisor account to understand that they can set the level of the displayed range. In addition, even if the user of the supervisor account has allowed the sending and receiving of camera footage, they can have the reassurance that they can turn off their camera at any time. In the above example, although sending and receiving camera footage is permitted together, if the supervisor account sets the mode to not display the camera footage, the supervised account can see the camera footage of other accounts in the chat, but their own camera footage cannot be seen by other accounts. If there is a mode to not display the camera footage, this mode may be set as the default, or the first mode (or another mode) may be set as in the above example.

[0145] Furthermore, in the example above, the supervised account could freely select from modes below the level of the display mode set by the supervisor account. However, the supervised account may also be limited to selecting only the display mode set by the supervisor account. The supervisor account may also set multiple display modes that the supervised account may select. The display mode of the camera image does not necessarily have the concept of "levels".

[0146] 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]

[0147] 13,33,43 Communication Unit, 14,34,44 Processor, 15,35,45 Memory, 16,36,46 Storage, 17,39,49 Bus, 30,30A,30B Game Terminal, 40 Terminal, 31,41 Display, 32,42 Control Unit, 100 Information Processing System, 162 Management Program, 163 Memo Information, 164 Account Information, 165 Friend Information, 166 Chat Permission Friend Information, 167 Camera Video Permission Information, 168 Supervision-Related Information, 169 Rejection History Information, 361 Game Application Program, 362,462 Terminal-Side Account Information, 363 Friend Setting Program, 364 Communication Application Program, 463 Supervision Application Program, A,B,C,D,PA Account, AL1 Alert, Cm Camera, IL1~IL3 Image, IcA~IcD Icons, Im1-Im11 screens, Mk microphone, NW network, R1-R31 areas, Sp speaker, Sr1 server.

Claims

1. A program used in an information processing system that manages the first account on which an approver account has been set, in a system that provides predetermined functions, including voice communication, to a first account on which a friend relationship has been established and to other accounts, The terminal associated with the aforementioned approver account has one or more processors. The program is configured on one or more processors: The steps include receiving an approval request to set a second account, which is one of the accounts that has a friend relationship with the first account, as a communication-permitted friend for the first account, The steps include sending an approval or rejection in response to the aforementioned approval request, A program that causes the approver account to set the display mode of the camera video transmitted by the terminal associated with the first account in the audio communication in which the terminal associated with the first account participates, on other terminals associated with other accounts participating in the communication.

2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the display mode includes a setting that allows the first account to select the display mode for camera images at a level lower than or equal to the level set by the approver account.

3. The program is configured on one or more processors: The program according to claim 1, which causes the approver account to perform the step of saving information about the communication-permitted friend entered by the approver account in a manner that is at least viewable by the approver account but not viewable by the first account.

4. The program is configured on one or more processors: For each voice communication in which the first account participates, the camera video transmitted from the first account is associated with the communication partner's account. The program according to claim 1, which causes the approver account set for the first account to approve a camera usage approval request to be displayed on the terminal.

5. The program is configured on one or more processors: The program according to claim 1, which, for each voice communication in which the first account participates, causes the first account to receive a camera usage approval request for displaying camera footage corresponding to another account on the terminal associated with the first account, and to have the approver account set for the first account approve it.

6. A method used in an information processing system that manages the first account on which an approver account has been set, in a system that provides predetermined functions, including voice communication, to a first account on which a friend relationship has been established and to other accounts, The above method applies to the terminal associated with the approver account, The steps include causing a second account, which has a friend relationship with the first account, to receive an approval request to set it as a communication-permitted friend for the first account, The steps include sending an approval or rejection in response to the aforementioned approval request, A method comprising the step of causing the approver account to set the display manner of camera video transmitted by the terminal associated with the first account in the audio communication in which the terminal associated with the first account participates, on other terminals associated with other accounts participating in the communication.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the setting of the display mode includes a setting that allows the first account to select the display mode for camera images at a level lower than or equal to the level set by the approver account.

8. The above method applies to the terminal associated with the approver account, The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of storing information about the communication-permitted friend entered by the approver account in a manner that is at least viewable by the approver account but not viewable by the first account.

9. The above method applies to the terminal associated with the approver account, The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of having the approver account set for the first account approve a camera usage approval request, which is sent from the first account for each voice communication in which the first account participates, for displaying the camera image on a terminal associated with the communication partner's account.

10. The above method applies to the terminal associated with the approver account, The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of having the approver account set for the first account approve a camera usage approval request received by the first account for each voice communication in which the first account participates, which is for displaying camera footage corresponding to another account on the terminal associated with the first account.

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