JP2002215553A - Method and device for information space management - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute an information space for conversation (information exchange) suitable for a possible style of a conference, a lecture, etc. SOLUTION: Four kinds of information space of (1) a classroom style, (2) a round-table style, (3) a self-studying style, and (4) a composite style of the classroom style and round-table style are defined. In the information space of, for example, the composite style, a moderator sets up a classroom 20 and has the right of browser control over all users in the classroom 20. The moderator has the right of browser control over the user in a round table 21. The moderator can chat with all the users in the classroom 20 and also chat with the users in the round table 21. Users in the round table 21 except the moderator can chat within the round table 21 and users who are users in the classroom 20 and do not join in the round table 21 can chat with users who are in the classroom and not in the round table 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information space management method and apparatus for managing an information space so that a large number of clients can share one information space or group and access one information space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, the Internet and LAN (Local A)
With the development of networks such as rea Network), many users can share one information space. For example, practical use of a remote conference system or a remote lecture system via a network has become possible.

As an example, consider a case where a remote lecture or a remote conference is held via the Internet. For example, at present, audio and images can be transmitted in real time by streaming playback in which a user receives data distributed from a server and simultaneously plays the data while receiving the data.
Internet broadcasting is performed using alMedia (trademark). By utilizing this, it is possible to give a remote lecture.

[0004] For example, Real Time C, which allows data such as text data to be exchanged in parallel between a plurality of users accessing a server.
By using a hatching system, data can be exchanged with each other and opinions can be exchanged, that is, conversation can be performed, thereby realizing a remote conference.

[0005] Further, in a normal lecture or conference, there is a content to be shared, such as a blackboard or a whiteboard, which corresponds to a whiteboard. This can be realized by uploading image data corresponding to the cardboard data to the server and allowing each user to browse the image data. Not only this, but also a serverless system called GCP (Global Computing Platform) can be realized like NePre (network presentation).

[0006]

However, the form of actual meetings and lectures is not always unique. The conventional system described above has a problem that it cannot cope with other forms other than the above-described forms.

As an example, in a lecture, in addition to a form in which a lecturer unilaterally provides information to a large number of students, for example, a lecture and an exercise are performed together in a school or the like. There is a form in which group learning is performed by a plurality of groups formed by persons. In this mode, information exchange from a lecturer to a student, information exchange within a group, and information provision from a plurality of groups to a lecturer are performed. In the conventional system described above, such a single information space can be shared as a whole,
There is a problem that it is not possible to cope with a form such as grouping.

[0008] Also, consider sharing contents in a lecture in which the group learning is performed. First, the content provided by the lecturer needs to be shared with all the students. On the other hand, the contents in the group need to be shared by all the members in the group, but not necessarily to the lecturer. Also, for example, the contents compiled by the groups are shared between each group and the lecturer. In the conventional system described above,
There is a problem in that it is difficult to simultaneously manage and operate the content shared as a whole and the content shared in a group unit.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information space management method and apparatus capable of configuring an information space for a conversation (information exchange) suitable for a possible form in a conference or a lecture.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention manages an information space formed on a network which allows two-way communication between a plurality of information processing apparatuses. An information space management method, comprising: a moderator generation step of generating a moderator that defines an information space on a network; and an information space definition step of defining an information space on the network by the moderator. And the information space defined by the moderator in the step (i).

According to the present invention, there is provided an information space management apparatus for managing an information space configured on a network which is capable of performing bidirectional communication between a plurality of information processing apparatuses. A moderator generating means for generating a moderator, and an information space defining means for defining an information space on the network by the moderator, wherein the moderator has all rights to the information space defined by the moderator by the information space defining means. An information space management device characterized by having:

According to the present invention, there is provided an information space management method for managing an information space configured on a network which is capable of performing bidirectional communication between a plurality of client devices. In the information space definition step, information is supplied to one or more of the accessing users based on the function of the information space. An information space, a second information space in which information can be exchanged between accessing users, a third information space in which only one accessing user does not exchange information with the outside, and a first and a second information space. The information space management method is characterized in that the information space is classified and defined as a combined fourth information space.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information space management apparatus for managing an information space formed on a network which is capable of performing bidirectional communication between a plurality of client apparatuses. Information space defining means for classifying and defining the information space according to the function of the information space.
An information space, a second information space in which information can be exchanged between accessing users, a third information space in which only one accessing user does not exchange information with the outside, and a first and a second information space. The fourth in which the two information spaces are combined
An information space management apparatus characterized by being classified and defined as:

As described above, according to the present invention, a moderator for defining an information space is generated on a network, and the moderator has all rights to the defined information space. Control can be performed easily.

[0015] Further, according to the present invention, the information space is based on the function of the information space, and information is exchanged between the accessing user and the first information space to which information is supplied from one to many of the accessing users. And a fourth information space in which the first and second information spaces are combined, a third information space in which only one user accesses the information space, and no information is exchanged with the outside, and Therefore, an information space suitable for the form of the conference can be configured.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the present invention, several concepts of conferences and lectures are defined for an information space configured on a network, and the role of a member in each of the defined concepts is specified. Then, the concept of "moderator" is introduced into the role of the member. Using the movement of this "moderator", symbolize each defined concept,
This manages the information space.

Further, according to the present invention, in the management of the content handled in the information space, the members participating in the information space can jointly view the same content (for example, a file). In addition, rewriting and replacement of the content can be performed by members. Further, the content can be handled by any of the members participating in the information space, and the handling level of the content is made flexible.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a system applicable to the present invention. The client devices 3, 3,..., Each of which is operated by a plurality of users 2, 2,. Communication network 1
Is, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network
Communication means such as k) that can perform bidirectional communication.

By connecting the client devices 3, 3,... To the two-way communication network 1, the information space formed by the communication network 1 is changed to the client devices 3, 3,. ... can be shared. This information space can be accessed simultaneously and in parallel from a plurality of client devices 3, 3,..., And a plurality of accessed client devices 3,
It is possible to share information among 3,.

Note that a server 4 that provides a predetermined service can be connected to the communication network 1. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the server 4 is connected to the communication network 1 and all services provided via the communication network 1 are provided from the server 4. Note that the server 4 can be omitted in the configuration of the present invention.

According to the existing concept, the information space is designed so that a conversation using text data or the like between a plurality of users accessing simultaneously and in parallel can be enjoyed.
It corresponds to a so-called chat system or a so-called bulletin board system in which, for example, remarks made by a plurality of users are displayed in a list and further remarks can be added to the displayed remarks.

When the system includes the server 4, for example, the client devices 3, 3,... Communicate with the server 4 and access the information space constructed on the server 4 together. 3, ...
・ The information space is shared between the two. In a system in which the server 4 is omitted, for example, the client devices 3, 3,.
.. Can be shared by the client devices 3, 3,... By virtually connecting the information spaces respectively constructed through the communication network 1.

In the present invention, a concept called a moderator is introduced, and an information space is set up on the communication network 1 by the moderator. Actually, for example, the virtual existence of the user 2 who has operated the client device 3 used to start the information space in the started information space is a moderator. The moderator has the authority to impose certain restrictions on non-moderators participating in the launched information space. Note that the moderator does not necessarily need to accompany the user 2. For example, by automatically starting the information space by a computer program, the moderator itself can virtually exist in the information space.

The information space is started by, for example, setting the attribute information of the information space on the network 1 using the client device 3 or the server 4 and defining the information space on the network 1. Done.

According to the present invention, for one information space, a partial information space included in the information space can be set up. The launched partial information space is also one information space. That is, a partial information space can be started further below the partial information space. The partial information space belongs to the upper information space and shares information of the upper information space. The partial information space can be made to disappear as the upper information space disappears. Further, the partial information space can be prevented from disappearing even if the upper information space to which the partial information space belongs disappears.

As in the case of the above-mentioned default information space, the partial information space also requires a promoter who starts up the partial information space. This initiator is referred to as a moderator of the partial information space, as described above.

There are several types of information spaces (partial information spaces) as described below. (1) Classroom type (2) Round table type (3) Self-learning type (4) Composite type of classroom type and round table type
Is called)

FIGS. 2 to 5 schematically show these four types. In the following, the partial information space formed immediately below the default information space in the communication network 1 will be referred to as an information space for convenience, and will be distinguished from the partial information space formed below this information space. I do.

The classroom type (1) is, for example, a form in which one lecturer has many students. In the classroom type, information is unilaterally provided from a lecturer (such as a teacher) to a student (such as a student), and information presented by the lecturer is shared with the student.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the moderator who is the lecturer 11 is, as it were, the organizer of the information space, and has an absolute existence in the information space 10. Information is unilaterally provided from the lecturer 11 to the students 12, 12,... In the form of statements and presentation of materials (contents). The presentation of the material is, for example, a description on a board 13 such as a blackboard or a whiteboard, in accordance with an actual lecture or the like.

The round table meeting type (2) is a form in which all of a plurality of participating users share information. In the round table conference type, information is shared with all participating users, and information is provided from all participating users, so that information can be exchanged between the participating users.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in a round table conference type, a plurality of partial information spaces 14, 14,... In each of the partial information spaces 14, 14,..., Each user 15, 15,. Partial information space 1
One of the users participating in the partial information space 1
The reader 16 in FIG.

In the round table conference type, information can be shared among users participating in the partial information space in the form of a board 13 'or the like, and materials can be presented in a manner similar to an actual conference. . In this case, the description on the board 13 'is not limited to being serially written in time series, but may be written from each unit, for example, toward an assumed completed form.

In the self-learning type (3), each user individually sets up an information space, and each user handles information only in the information space of each user. In the case of the self-learning type, the information space for each user does not need to be a partial information space for the default information space. Further, in the self-study type, the client device 3 does not need to be connected to the network 1. FIG. 4 shows an example of a self-study type. In the self-study type, each user 18, 18,... In the information space 10 is thus completed.

The composite type (4) is a form in which, for example, when a lecture is given in a classroom or the like, a group exercise is performed in the lecture. As shown in an example in FIG. 5, in the information space 10, partial information spaces 14, 14,.
... exists. That is, the partial information spaces 14, 1
.. Belong to a higher-level information space 10.

The users 15, 15,... Participating in the partial information spaces 14, 14,.
0 member. The moderator (for example, lecturer 11) of the higher-level information space 10 has the same information space 10 and lower-level partial information spaces 14, 14, as in the classroom type described above.
... it is considered absolute. Information and contents presented by the moderator (lecturer 11) are shared by each partial information space (each group) 14, 14,.... At the same time, information and contents presented by the moderator (lecturer 11) are stored in the respective partial information spaces 14, 1
,... Are shared by the users 15, 15,.

On the other hand, each of the partial information spaces 14, 14,... Belonging to the information space 10 participates in each of the partial information spaces 14, 14,. Information and contents are shared among the users 15, 15,... For each partial information space. Information shared in each of the partial information spaces 14, 14,... Is shared with a moderator (lecture 11) of the upper information space 10. Information is not shared among the partial information spaces 14, 14,....

By realizing these four types,
It can be provided as an information space without losing the form of a meeting, lecture, exercise, etc. that actually exist.

As described above, in the present invention, the information space is hierarchically configured. FIG. 6 shows a model of the hierarchical structure of this information space. Here, the system according to the present invention is applied to a class in a school classroom and modeled. The following description is based on a model of a class in a classroom of this school.

In the case of FIG. 6, each classroom 20 in which a class is held,
Are information spaces 10 as partial information spaces belonging to a default information space formed on the communication network 1. A plurality of partial information spaces 14 can belong to one information space 10 as a lower information space of the information space 10. In the example of FIG. 6, a plurality of round tables 21 as the partial information spaces 14 belong to a classroom 20 as the information space 10.

In the classroom 20, users 22, 22,.
.. exists. Are the virtual users in the information space of the users 2, 2,... Connected to the communication network 1 using the client device 3. In this example in which a classroom 20 for conducting a lesson is applied as the information space 10, at least one of the users 22, 22,... (User 22 ') is, for example, a teacher, and the other users 22, 22, ,... Are, for example, students. Some of the users 22, 22,... Are members of the round table 21 and another part is members of the round table 21 '. Further, a further part of the users 22, 22,...
It is a member that does not belong to 1 '.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the main moderator A is placed in the classroom 20 which is the information space 10, and the additional moderator A 'is placed. The primary moderator A is, for example, in the case of the classroom 20, the user 22 'designated by the system administrator, and in the case of the round table 21, the user 22 "who created the round table is the primary moderator B. On the other hand, the additional moderator is a moderator designated by another moderator.In the classroom 20, the additional moderator A 'is designated for the main moderator A. Similarly, in the round table 21A, the main moderator B is designated. Is assigned an additional moderator B '.

Further, in FIG. 6, there is another classroom 20 'as another information space 10 in addition to the classroom 20 as the information space 10 with respect to the default information space. The other classrooms 20 'have users 22, 22,... Like the classroom 20. In FIG. 6, the moderators of the other classrooms 20 'are omitted.
The other classroom 20 'and the classroom 20 exist as independent information spaces 10, and for example, the other classroom 20' and the classroom 20
Exchange of information and sharing of information and content is not performed between the two.

Further, in the example of FIG. 6, users 22, 22,... Exist outside the classrooms 20 and 20 '. Are users whose information space is completed by themselves, and information is not exchanged with each other on the system. There is no need to place a moderator outside the classroom.

As described above, in the present invention, the participants can be separated and fused freely. Participants' participation in classroom 20 and round table 21 and classroom 20 and round table 2
In addition to being able to leave from 1 freely, it is also possible to hierarchically group participants. To do this, the system needs to be constantly aware of the membership of the participants to the group.

More specifically, for example, one daemon program is started for group management in the system, and group 1 = (group 2, group 3) group 2 = A, B, C group 3 = A , D, E Group management is done in this way. By performing this management in real time, hierarchical group management of participants can be realized. The hierarchy can be further multilayered.

When the above-described configuration is realized on the communication network 1, the user 2 uses the information space 10 and / or the partial information space by using application software called a browser running on the client device 3. It browses information and contents existing in the server 14 and provides information and contents. When browsing or providing content or information using a browser, the moderator controls access to each user under predetermined restrictions described later.

Further, exchange of opinions between users or between the user and the moderator, for example, by text data, etc.
This can be realized by a chat system that enables input and display of text information and the like in substantially real time on a browser. The chat system is used in the client device 3 by chat client software (hereinafter abbreviated as chat client). The access control of the chat client is performed under predetermined restrictions described later.

The chat client is incorporated in, for example, a browser, and controls the browser to perform a predetermined display or the like. Therefore, the chat by the chat client is actually performed on the browser.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the moderator is authorized to control a browser used by another user. For example, the moderator can use his / her browser to control activation and termination of a browser to be controlled and to specify an access destination.

The moderator of the upper information space (for example, information space 10) is the lower information space (for example, partial information space 1).
4) Have moderator control authority for the moderator. On the other hand, the moderator of the lower information space does not have browser control authority over the moderator of the upper information space. In addition, the moderator has the authority of the browser control for another user participating in the information space in which he or she is a moderator or an information space below the information space. By defining the authority of the moderator in this way, it is possible to construct and control the information space 10 and the partial information space 14 as described above.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the reach of chat messages and browser controls for the user and the moderator at each level. Following the example of FIG.
The relationship between the transmission location of the chat message and the browser control at 0 and the round table 21 and the receivable reception location for the transmission location is shown.

Classroom 2 is used as the sending place and the receiving place.
Outside, inside the classroom 20, inside the round table 21, and "anywhere" (any place in the information space) are assumed. The user type is assumed to be a moderator, a moderator other than the moderator, and “anyone” (any user type) inside and outside the classroom 20 and inside and outside the round table 21. The moderator includes a primary moderator and additional moderators. Depending on the user type,
Receivable locations relative to the originating location are limited.

First, the client itself, that is, the client device 3 itself, can receive a chat message issued by itself at an arbitrary place in the information space. In addition, the browser control issued by the user can be received at an arbitrary place in the information space. On the other hand, chat messages and browser controls issued from inside the classroom 20 and the round table 21 cannot be received by anyone outside the classroom 20. That is, chat messages and browser controls are closed in the classroom 20, that is, in one information space 10. Also, chat messages and browser controls issued outside the classroom 20 are not received by anyone except yourself.

With respect to chat messages, moderators A and A 'in classroom 20 can send to any party in classroom 20. A user who exists in the classroom 20 and does not exist in the round table 21 (for example, the user C in FIG. 6)
Can exchange chat messages with the users or only with the moderators A and A 'in the classroom 20. That is, the round table 21 is closed except for the moderators A and A ′ of the classroom 20.

On the other hand, in the round table 21, the moderators B and B 'of the round table 21 and the user of the round table 21 (for example, FIG.
Of users D) can freely exchange chat messages.

With respect to browser control, only the moderator has browser control authority. Classroom 2
The moderators A and A ′ of 0 have browser control authority to all users 22, 22,... Of the classroom, including users existing in the round table 21 belonging to the classroom 20. Further, in the round table 21, the moderators B and B 'of the round table 21 have browser control authority for all the users 22, 22,... Existing in the round table 21.

On the other hand, moderators A, A ', B and B'
The other users do not have the browser control authority for the browsers other than themselves.

As described above, by limiting the reach of the chat message and the browser control according to the authority of the user, a hierarchical structure in the information space 10 can be realized.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of FIG. 1 described above more specifically, and an example system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described more specifically. Client device 3
Is a personal computer, for example, on which two software, a browser 100 and a chat client 101, are installed. The client device 3 is operated by the user 2.

The moderator and the non-moderator can use the client device 3 having the same configuration.

The server 4 includes four servers connected to each other, the HTTP server 200 and the chat server 20.
1. AP server 202 and database server 203
Consists of These servers 200, 201, 20
2 and 203 can also be constituted by one computer.

The HTTP server 200 is an HTTP (Hyper
This is a server that provides services based on text transfer protocol. The HTTP server 200 reads a specified HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language) file in response to a request from the browser 100 in the client device 3, and returns a response message. Access to the HTTP server 200 or HTTP
URL (Uniform Resourc) accessed by the P server 200
e Locator) log is stored in the database server 20 described later.
3 and stored in the URL log database 220.

In the example of FIG. 8 in which a lesson performed in a classroom is modeled, the content sent from the HTTP server 200 to the browser 100 of each user is, for example, a teaching material. As an example, the moderator A of the classroom 20
The teacher provides a predetermined teaching material to other users existing in the classroom 20 as content. The provided teaching materials are shared by each user. The teaching material is created by, for example, the teaching material authoring unit 211 and is stored in the teaching material database 210 in a predetermined manner. HTTP server 200
Is a predetermined HTML in response to a request from the browser 100.
The teaching material stored in the teaching material database 210 is read according to the description of the read HTML file, and transmitted to the browser 100 in a predetermined manner.

The chat server 201 provides a chat service to the chat client 101. The chat client 101 receives the login request transmitted to the chat server 201, is authenticated, and can chat. The logged-in user and the moderator are managed by the chat server 201.

[0086] For a user participating in a chat, the group to which the user belongs is dynamically managed in the chat server 201. In this case, in the example of FIG. 6, the groups are classrooms 20, 20 ′,..., Round tables 21, 21 ′,
.. Indicates the information space 10 and the partial information space 14. That is, due to the dynamic management of the group, for example, a user participating in the classroom 20 or the round table 21 can freely exit from the classroom 20 or the round table 21. In addition, the user participating in the classroom 20 can freely enter another round table 2 in the classroom 20.
1 'can be created. The user 22 who created the round table 21 'becomes a moderator of the created round table 21' as described above.

Are deleted from the classrooms 20, 20 'if all the users 22, 22, ... participating in the round table are gone. .

As described above, the chat server 201
A group of users participating in the chat is dynamically managed, and the range of message exchange by chat is controlled based on the group as shown in FIG. The chat server 201 exchanges messages transmitted from the user based on the message exchange range. At the same time, the chat server 201 manages the browser control for the browser 100 of each user participating in the chat as shown in FIG. 7 according to the group to which the server belongs.

The log of the chat performed by each user is supplied to the database server 203 described later, and is recorded in the chat log database 221.

Note that, in the example of FIG. 8, the chat server 201 presents a predetermined designated scenario to the users participating in the chat, so that discussion can be performed according to the scenario. The scenario is stored in the scenario database 223. For example, a moderator A (user 22 ′), which is a main moderator in the classroom 20, gives a scenario instruction to the HTTP server 200 by the browser 100. This instruction is passed from the HTTP server 200 to the chat server 201, and the chat server 201 searches the scenario database 223 based on the passed instruction, and obtains a predetermined scenario. This scenario is sent from the chat server 201 to the chat client 101 of each user, and the client device 3 performs display according to the scenario, for example.

Further, the chat server 201 can calculate the progress rate of each user 22, 22,... Based on the chat log stored in the chat log database 221. The evaluation of the progress rate is calculated by a specified progress evaluation algorithm.

The AP server 202 is an application server and stores user management, content management, scenario management, classroom management, progress management, login, and menu applications. Each application stored in the AP server 202 is managed based on the URL. Based on the URL request to the HTTP server 200, these applications are started in the AP server 202.

The user management application manages users who participate in this system. For example, the user management application registers user information in the user information database 222 using a password for logging in to the system and user attribute information, and updates and deletes user information registered in the database 222. Is given an instruction to the database server 203. Changing the password of the user and the like are similarly performed from the user management application.
Further, the setting of the authority for the user is performed by the user management application. For example, the authority of the moderator and the non-moderator in each of the classroom 20 and the round table 21 is dynamically set by the user management application.

The content management application is HT
The content provided to the user by the TP server 200 is managed. For example, registration, update, and deletion of content are performed by the content management application.

The scenario management application manages a scenario provided to the user by the chat server 201. For example, the scenario management application instructs the database server 203 to register a scenario in the scenario database 223, update and delete the scenario registered in the database 223, and the like.

The classroom management application manages the classroom 20. For example, a predetermined HTML file is created in the classroom management application. This HTM
When the L file is read into the HTTP server 200, the content and the chat system can be provided to the user, and the information space 10 is set. The set information space 10 becomes the classroom 20. The classroom 20 created in this way can be given a name. In the classroom management application, the created classroom 20 is updated or deleted. Further, in the classroom management application, a moderator A for the created classroom 20 is specified.

In the progress management application, the classroom 20
The progress of the lesson and the like performed in is managed. For example, as described above, with the progress management application,
The progress is analyzed based on the chat log 221. Further, the progress management application instructs the database server 203 to store the analyzed progress information in the progress information database 224.

In the AP server 202, a menu for logging in the user, managing the session, and activating each application managed by the AP server 202 is displayed.

The database server 203 is a database used in each of the above-mentioned applications, that is, a URL log database 220, a chat log database 221, a user information database 222, a scenario database 223, and a progress information database 2.
24 management.

The chat client 101 will be described in more detail. As described above, the chat client 101 is incorporated in the browser 100, for example, and communicates with the chat server 201.
An instruction is given to 0 to perform a predetermined display or the like.
The chat client 101 is a GUI (Graphical Use
r Interface), communication function, browser control function, setting function and proxy function.

The communication function is a function for performing communication with the chat server 201. The browser control function controls the browser 100 according to the control data received from the chat server 201. The setting function
Various settings such as address designation of the server 4 are performed on the client device 3 side. The proxy function is a function for supporting a proxy server.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show the chat client 1.
An example of a display screen for the client device 3 using the GUI 01 is shown, and the GUI of the chat client 101 will be described. In the chat client 101, login and logout are performed by the GUI. FIG. 9 shows an example of a login screen 300 for performing login to the client device 3 of a certain user, which is displayed by the chat client 101. The user can log in by inputting the user name and password in the input boxes 301 and 302 and pressing a button 303, respectively.

Immediately after logging in, the user enters the classroom 20
It is assumed to exist outside. For example, a user immediately after logging in simply has access to the network 1. This corresponds to the self-study type (3) among the four types of information space described above.

FIG. 10 shows a screen 31 outside the classroom immediately after a predetermined input is made on the login screen 300 and the button 303 is pressed.
An example of 0 is shown. The display 311 shows the current network 1
Users who are accessing are displayed in a list. At this time, a mark can be selected and displayed for each user. The mark representing the user is called an avatar. For example, the user selects his / her favorite avatar from several types of avatars listed in the avatar selection field 314. An avatar is selected for each user.

In FIG. 10, the avatar selection field 314
Although three types of avatars are displayed, this is not limited to this example, and more types of avatars may be displayed.

By selecting and displaying an avatar for each user, the user can be identified intuitively. Furthermore, avatars that express the user's emotions such as emotions (laughs, shame, anger, crying, surprises) are prepared, and when the user selects an appropriate one from these avatars according to the situation,
The emotion of the user can be expressed. Similarly, "O
By preparing avatars indicating “K”, “Yes”, “No”, “Wait”, etc., it is possible to express the user's judgment and request with the avatar. Further, avatars indicating the state of the user, such as “outside the classroom”, “seated (in the classroom)”, and “separated (inside the classroom)” can be prepared. An operation part for selecting these avatars can be newly provided as a GUI.

Further, the avatar is not limited to preparing the above-described image data for each type, but it is also possible to perform various expressions by, for example, changing the basic image data in a predetermined manner.

The avatar is displayed on the chat server 2
It can also be changed by the control data transmitted from 01.

The display section 311 of the screen 310 outside the classroom displays where the user belongs, that is, which classroom and which round table, in addition to the user's name and avatar display.

On the right side of the screen 310 outside the classroom, chat screens 312A and 312B are displayed. Chat screen 3
12B is a comment input screen. Chat screen 312
In A, the remarks made by other users and the remarks input by the user on the chat screen 312B are displayed in chronological order substantially in real time. As described above with reference to FIG. 7, outside the classroom 20, a chat message cannot be exchanged with another user other than the user. Therefore, on the screen 310 outside the classroom, the chat screen 312A
Is left blank.

On the screen 310 outside the classroom, the button 313
By pressing, the user can participate in the classroom 20. For example, when the button 313 is pressed, the classrooms 20, 20,... The user can select a classroom 20 he / she wants to join from the list display, and can participate in the selected classroom 20.

FIG. 11 shows a screen 320 in the classroom when the user selects a certain classroom 20 and joins the classroom 20.
An example is shown below. The display section 321 displays the name of the classroom in which the user is currently participating. The display unit 322 displays the users 22, 22,... Currently participating in the classroom 20.
Is displayed. In FIG. 11, the display of the user is made by the avatar and the name. Only for the user display corresponding to the user, the display position can be moved in the display unit 322 using a pointing device such as a mouse, for example.

As described above, the user selects the screen 3 in the classroom.
In 20, by operating the avatar selection field 314 in a predetermined manner, the avatar display corresponding to the user 22 who has performed the operation can be changed, and the state of the user 22, emotions, and so on can be expressed.

The user 2 participating in the classroom 20
It is conceivable that 2, 22,... Further participate in the round table 21 belonging to the classroom 20. At this time, it is preferable that the avatar indicating the user 22 be displayed differently from the avatars of the other users 22 who are in the classroom 20 and do not participate in the round table 21. For example, the chat server 201
Is transmitted to each client device 3 so as to change the avatar display of the user. This control data is received by each client device 3, and the chat client 101
The avatar display is changed.

On the other hand, when the user 22 participates in the classroom 20, the user can chat with other users 22, 22,... Participating in the classroom 20. When a comment is input from the chat screen 312B with respect to the chat performed on the chat screen 312A, the chat screen 312A is displayed on the chat screen 312A.
The remark input from 2B is added and displayed together with the name of the user who made the remark.

On the screen 320 in the classroom, a button 324 is displayed.
By pressing, the user can participate in the round table 21. For example, when the button 324 is pressed, the currently standing round tables 21, 21,... Are displayed in a list. User 22
Is the round table 21 that I want to join from the list display.
Is selected in a predetermined manner, the user can participate in the round table 21.

[0097] In the classroom screen 320, the round table 21 can be newly created in the classroom 20 by a predetermined operation. The created round table 21 can be given a name. The user 22 who newly creates the round table 21 is set as the main moderator B of the round table 21. Round table 2 created
1 is added to the list of round tables described above.

Further, the main moderator A of the classroom 20 performs a predetermined operation on the user display displayed on the display unit 322 on the screen 320 in the classroom, thereby adding the user 22 who has been operated. It can be designated as moderator A '. For example, using a pointing device such as a mouse to specify the target user display,
By performing a predetermined operation, the user 22 is designated as the additional moderator A '.

By operating the button 323 on the in-classroom screen 320, the out-of-classroom screen 310 is displayed and the user can exit the classroom 20.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the round table screen 330 when the user selects a round table 21 and participates in the round table 21. The display unit 331 displays the round table name on the round table screen 330 and the classroom name of the classroom 20 in which the round table 21 exists. On the display unit 332, the users 22, 22,... Participating in the round table 21 are displayed.
In the example of FIG. 12, each user 22, 22,... Is represented by an avatar and a name, and is displayed at an arbitrary position in the display unit 332. The display position can be moved within the display unit 332 by using a pointing device such as a mouse only for the user display corresponding to the user.

The main moderator B of the round table 21 is the round table screen 3
In 30, by performing a predetermined operation on the user display displayed on the display unit 332, the user 22 who has been the target of the operation can be designated as the additional moderator B ′. For example, by specifying a target user display using a pointing device such as a mouse and performing a predetermined operation, the user 22 is specified as the additional moderator B ′.

The chat on the round table screen 330 by the chat screens 312A and 312B can be performed between members in the same round table 21 according to FIG. 7 described above, and the moderators A,
A ′.

[0103] In the round table screen 330, button 3
By operating 33, the in-classroom screen 320 is displayed, and the user can escape from the round table screen 330.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a creation authority and a creation method of the classroom 20 and the round table 21. First, the classroom 20 will be described. The classroom 20 is created by a system administrator who manages the entire system. The designation of the main moderator of the classroom 20 is also made by the system administrator. Further, the deletion of the classroom 20 is also performed by the system administrator. The additional moderator A 'in the classroom 20 is
Nominated and released by the main moderator A. With the additional moderator A 'already existing in the classroom 20, another additional moderator can be newly designated and released. On the other hand, the main moderator A of the classroom 20 can be canceled only by the system administrator. These operations regarding the classroom 20 are performed from the browser 100.

Next, the round table 21 will be described. Round table 2
1 is a user 22, 22, participating in the classroom 20.
・ Can be created at any time. When the form is a combined type of the classroom and the round table, the creation of the round table 21 belonging to the classroom 20 can be restricted by the main moderator A of the classroom 20. The main moderator B of the created round table 21 is:
The creator of the round table 21 is also served. However, in practice, it is conceivable that the user of the leader role is replaced in the round table 21. Therefore, the creator of the round table 21 and its round table 2
It is preferable that one main moderator B can be determined separately.

The round table 21 is automatically deleted when there are no users 22, 22,... Participating in the round table 21. The additional moderator B ′ in the round table 21 is designated and released by the main moderator B of the round table 21. With the additional moderator B 'already existing in the round table 21, another additional moderator can be newly added and released. On the other hand, the main moderator B of the round table 21 cannot be released from another moderator. These operations on the round table 21 are performed by the chat client 101.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a whiteboard system is used to share information in an information space. Hereinafter, the whiteboard system will be described. In the whiteboard system according to this embodiment, all the participating members of the classroom 20 can see one screen as in the case of the blackboard or whiteboard in the real world, and the screen shared by all the participating members of the classroom includes: It is possible to shift to a screen shared for each group, for example, for each of the round tables 21, 21,....

FIG. 14 shows an example display 350 by a whiteboard system applicable to this embodiment. The display 350 is displayed on a display screen of the client device 3 by a browser, for example.
, And different contents are displayed for each of the round tables 21, 21,. In the content display area 351, content assuming a whiteboard is displayed. For example, the display 350 indicates that the agenda and information on the agenda at a certain round table 21 are the client devices 3, 3,... Of the users 22, 22,.
, And the agenda is shared with the users 22, 22,... Participating in the round table 21.

The input of content to the content display area 351 may be performed on a text basis by keyboard input, or may be performed by handwriting input provided, for example, by providing the client device 3 with a handwriting input function. At the time of handwriting input, the input information may be converted into text or may be handled as graphic information.

[0110] The display contents of the content display area 351 are as follows.
It is stored at a predetermined timing. For example, the display content is saved at the timing when the input to the content display area 351 changes. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be periodically stored at predetermined intervals, for example, at one-minute intervals.
If there is no input even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it can be saved. The user 2 participating in the round table 21
2 can be stored by a predetermined operation. The storage destination is, for example, the server 4. In the case of a system that does not use the server 4, the information may be stored in the client device 3 of the participating user 22 of the round table 21.

The chat screen 352 displays a chat between the users 22, 22,... Participating in the round table 21. In the example of FIG. 14, the text-based chat screen is used, but this is not limited to this example.
For example, a voice input / output unit using a microphone, a speaker, or the like may be provided in the client device 3 to perform voice input / output.

At the lower left of the display 350, the avatars 353 of the users 22, 22,...
353,... Are displayed. By operating the expression button 354 virtually provided in the display 350 in a predetermined manner,
The avatar 353 corresponding to the operating user 22 can be changed. For example, the emotions of the operating user 22 at that time can be changed by the other users 22, 22,.
・ ・ It can be displayed on By operating the button 355, the operating user 22 can leave the round table 21.

By performing a predetermined operation on the display 350, the round table 21 can be divided into a plurality of groups. FIG. 15 shows an example display 360 in which the round table 21 is divided. In FIG. 15, one of the divided round tables 21 (workgroup A:
A display 361A according to WG-A) is displayed, and a display 360 is displayed.
The display 361B of the other group (work group B: WG-B) of the divided round table 21 is displayed on the right side of.

In the example of FIG. 15, the display 360
Is configured such that the displays 361A and 361B can be referred to each other in the divided round tables 21A and 21B, but this is not limited to this example. WG-A
Out of the display 361A and the display 361B of the WG-B,
The display corresponding to the round table 21 in which the user 22 participates may be selectively displayed on the client device 3.

The content display area 36 in the display 361A
2A displays the content shared by the users participating in the WG-A. The avatar 353 of the user participating in the WG-A is displayed in the display 361A. Display 3
61B, the content display area 362B
The content shared by the user participating in the WG-B is displayed on the screen, and the avatar 353 of the user participating in the WG-B is displayed in the display 361A. Although not shown in FIG. 15, a chat screen, an expression button, and the like are provided on the displays 361A and 361B, as in FIG. 14 described above.

Immediately after the division of the round table 21, the display area 361A is displayed.
And 362B, the content immediately before the division is inherited. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, “Agenda A” displayed immediately before the division is displayed in the display areas 361A and 361B. At this point immediately after the round table 21 is divided, the display contents of the display areas 361A and 361B are also the same.

As time passes from the state of FIG. 15, WG
The conversation between the participating users proceeds in each of -A and WG-B. As a result, for example, WG-A and WG-
The content of B changes. As shown in FIG. 16, “agenda A” is replaced with “agenda A ′” in the WG-A.
In the WG-B, “Agenda A” has changed to “Agenda A ″”. The display contents of the display areas 361A and 361B also change accordingly.

It is also possible to integrate the contents of a plurality of groups into which the round table 21 is divided into one. FIG.
17 shows an example display after the two groups shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 16 are integrated into one. In the example of FIG. 17, the integrated screen is the display 350 before the division shown in FIG.
And a configuration corresponding to The avatars 353, 353 of the participating users 22, 22,...
.. Are displayed at the lower left of the display 350. A new agenda item B after integration is input and displayed in the content display area 351.

The contents discussed separately in the two groups,
That is, the content of each of the WG-A and WG-B being divided can be referenced retrospectively. The reference to the content history can be made by, for example, configuring a tree structure with the timing of dividing and integrating the round table 21 and the timing of storing the content as nodes.

FIG. 18 shows an example in which a history tree display section 351B is provided for a content display area 351 where content is displayed. The content display area 351A displays the current content, and the history tree display section 351B displays
A history of the content is shown. In the example of FIG. 18, a black circle (●) represents a node in the above-described tree structure, and by specifying this black circle portion, the corresponding content is displayed in the content display area 351.

Referring to FIG. 19, the formation of the history tree will be described.
I will tell. In FIG. 19A, at time T ₁Is in the initial state
Therefore, nothing is displayed in the content display area 351.
Shall not be. Refer to the round table 21 for the initial state.
An input is made by a given user 22 (let's say Mr. X).
Done, time T_TwoIn the display of the content display area 351
The contents are saved. Similarly, time T_Three, T_Four, ...
The contents are saved. Time T in FIG. 19A_xIs the same as FIG.
Corresponds to the node (●) of the tree structure. In the display
To save the content, delete the display content in the content display area 351.
Preferably, it is performed immediately before the removal is performed.

By designating, for example, time T ₃ in the history tree thus formed, the contents stored at time T ₃ are read out and displayed on the client device 3 on which the designation operation has been performed. You.

FIG. 19B shows an example of a history tree when the round table 21 is divided. In the example of FIG. 19B, the time T ₂
Is rounded at the point of time, and the displays 361A and 36
1B is formed. While divided, the contents of the content display region 362A is stored at time T ₃ and T _4. The other split portion, the content of the content display region 362B is stored at time T ₆ and T _7. Then, at time T _5, respectively which are divided are integrated.

By designating, for example, time T ₃ in the history tree thus formed, the contents stored at time T ₃ are read out and displayed on the client device 3 on which the designation operation has been performed. You. In the example of FIG. 19B, for example, by following times T ₅ , T ₇ , T ₆ , and T ₂ , the display contents after the integration, at the time of division, and before the division can be displayed.

In the above description, a whiteboard system is adopted because the embodiment of the present invention is described as a conference system, but this is not limited to this example. For example, when the present invention is applied to a system other than the conference system, the whiteboard system can be omitted.

[0126]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the information space is defined as four types of classroom type, round table type, self-study type, and composite type of classroom type and round table type, the information space on the network is defined. There is an effect that management can be facilitated.

Also, according to the present invention, members participating in the information space can view one content jointly,
Content can be rewritten and replaced, the level of content handling is flexible, and all members can handle the content. There is an effect that a function equivalent to a board or the like can be realized.

Further, due to these effects, there is an effect that more detailed discussions can be made, particularly in the field of meetings and education held between remote places via a network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a system applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a form of an information space.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a form of an information space.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a form of an information space.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a form of an information space.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a model of a hierarchical structure of an information space.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a chat message of a user and a moderator of each level and a reach of a browser control.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram more specifically illustrating an example system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a login screen for performing login.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen outside the classroom immediately after login.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen in a classroom when a user participates in the classroom.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a round table screen when a user participates in the round table;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a creation authority and a creation method of a classroom and a round table.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display by a whiteboard system applicable to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display in which a round table is divided;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display in which a round table is divided;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display in which two groups are integrated into one.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a history tree display unit is provided for a display area where content is displayed.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining formation of a history tree.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 2 ... User, 3 ... Client device, 4 ... Server, 10 ... Information space,
11 ... lecturer, 13 ... board writing, 14 ... partial information space, 15 ... user, 20 ... classroom, 21 ...
・ Round table, 22 ・ ・ ・ User, 100 ・ ・ ・ Browser, 1
01: chat client, 310: screen outside classroom, 312A, 213B: chat screen, 330
... round table screen, 350 ... display by whiteboard system, 351 ... content display area, 352
... chat screen, 353 ... avatar, 362A,
362B: Content display area

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An information space management method for managing an information space configured on a network configured to enable two-way communication between a plurality of information processing apparatuses, comprising: generating a moderator that defines an information space on the network. A moderator generating step, and an information space defining step in which the information space is defined on the network by the moderator. The moderator defines the information defined by the moderator in the information space defining step. An information space management method characterized by having all rights to a space. 2. The information space management method according to claim 1, wherein the information space can be defined hierarchically. 3. The information space management method according to claim 2, wherein the moderator exists in each of the hierarchically defined information spaces. 4. The information space management method according to claim 2, wherein users belonging to each of the hierarchically defined information spaces can overlap each other. 5. The information space management method according to claim 1, wherein the content in the information space can be shared by the user accessing the information space. 6. The information space management method according to claim 1, wherein the moderator controls an interface for a user to access the information space defined by the moderator in the step of defining the information space. An information space management method comprising: 7. The information space management method according to claim 1, wherein each of the users is represented by an avatar in the information space. 8. The information space management method according to claim 1, wherein in the information space, a state of the user is represented by an image symbolizing the state. . 9. An information space management apparatus for managing an information space configured on a network which is capable of performing bidirectional communication between a plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein a moderator for defining an information space on the network is generated. A moderator generating means, and an information space defining means in which the information space is defined on the network by the moderator. An information space management device, characterized in that the information space management device has all rights. 10. An information space management method for managing an information space configured on a network in which bidirectional communication can be performed between a plurality of client devices, wherein the information space is classified by function on the network. The information space definition step includes defining a first information space to which information is supplied from one to many of the accessing users based on the function of the information space, and accessing the first information space based on the function of the information space. The second information space in which information can be exchanged between users, the third information space in which only one user accesses and no information is exchanged with the outside, and the first and second information spaces are combined. An information space management method characterized in that the information space is classified into a fourth information space and the information space is defined as described above. 11. The information space management method according to claim 9, wherein the contents in the first information space can be viewed by all of the plurality of users accessing the first information space. Characteristic information space management method. 12. The information space management method according to claim 9, wherein the contents in the second information space are shared by all of the users accessing the second information space. Information space management method. 13. An information space management apparatus for managing an information space configured on a network which is capable of performing bidirectional communication between a plurality of client devices, wherein the information space is classified by function on the network. An information space defining means for defining, based on the function of the information space, a first information space to which information is supplied from one to many of the accessing users; The first information space and the second information space in which information can be exchanged with each other, the third information space in which only one accessing user does not exchange information with the outside, and the first and second information spaces are combined. An information space management device, wherein the information space is classified as a fourth information space and the information space is defined as above.