JP2003016020A - A plurality of mice, communication system using telephone, and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a plurality of mice and communication system using telephones capable of illustrating, drawing, and recording on a screen displayed in a display of a personal computer together with a telephone call. SOLUTION: Telephone callers 10 and 20 are connected each other between telephone terminals 30 and 40 through telephone wires and computer terminals 50 and 60 through the Internet, respectively. Mice 80 and 90 are connected to the computer terminals 50 and 60 respectively, and cursors handled by means of mouse operation of the telephone callers 10 and 20 are mutually displayed in respective displayed screens of the computer terminals 50 and 60, and mutual understanding between the telephone callers can be eventually improved. The cursors are color-coded to make a description of a locus line possible. On the above communication system, easy communication and deep mutual understanding are possible between persons apart each other, and joint operating works can be also facilitated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system and method using a plurality of mice and telephones, each of which is provided with a telephone terminal and a computer terminal on each side of the user. A preferred multiple mouse and telephone based communication system and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a communication system and method using a plurality of mice and telephones are applied to communication between remote places, for example. Currently, a telephone, the Internet, or the like is mainly used for communication with a remote party. Of these, not only voice but also information transmission methods such as E-mail and video distribution are available for the Internet.

Prior invention example 1 similar in technical field to the present invention
As one example, there is a "communication image display system" of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-341510. The prior invention example 1 is intended to reduce the data amount of the graphic data by functionalizing the graphic data. In the first prior invention example 1, it is possible to arbitrarily enlarge or reduce and display the reconstructed figure having a shape faithful to the original figure.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-17974 as Example 2 of the prior application.
There is a "remote cursor position transmission device" in Japanese Patent No. 2 publication. In this, one mouse cursor is displayed on the other display, and the cursor is used as a pointer. In the second invention of the prior application, the mouse cursor information is multiplexed with the voice and transmitted by the DTMF signal.
It discloses a technique capable of transmitting mouse cursor information at the same time as voice over an analog telephone line of a book.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, since only voice can be transmitted by telephone, it is difficult to capture the content of the intention that the other party has in mind.

In the case of E-mail, the information transmitted is:
Not only is it difficult to grasp the other party's will as with the telephone because it is only text + attached files, but real-time performance is not guaranteed at all. Further, the method using moving images also flows information that is too large and unnecessary. For this,
It can also be said that transmitting unnecessary information is also a problem.

Even in internet chat with real-time characteristics, it is difficult to visually convey information because only characters are input. Therefore, it is difficult to transmit a wide variety of emotion-related information.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system and method using a plurality of mice and telephones, which can display, draw and record on a screen displayed on a display of a personal computer in parallel with a call. And

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication system using a plurality of mice and a telephone according to the invention of claim 1 has at least a telephone terminal and a computer terminal connected to a network. A communication system using a plurality of mice and telephones provided on each side of two users, each user is connected by a telephone terminal and a computer terminal, and each computer terminal is equipped with a pointing device. It is characterized in that the cursor is displayed mutually on the display screen of each computer terminal by the operation of each pointing device of the user to improve the communication between the users.

In addition, it is possible to write and delete locus lines, characters, figures, etc. by operating the pointing device.
Each application software and the electronic file common to each other are installed in the computer terminal, and the cursor is color-coded for each user to facilitate the identification of the operator,
Furthermore, it is preferable to have a projector connected to a computer terminal and apply it to a conference call.

A communication method using a plurality of mice and a telephone according to the invention of claim 6 is carried out by providing a telephone terminal and a computer terminal connected to a network on each side of at least two users. It is a communication method using multiple mice and telephones, and each user is connected by a telephone terminal and a computer terminal respectively, a pointing device is connected to each computer terminal, and the user is displayed on the display screen of each computer terminal. It is characterized in that the cursors by operating each pointing device are displayed mutually to improve communication between users.

Further, it is possible to write and delete locus lines, characters, figures, etc. by operating the above pointing device, and the computer terminal is loaded with respective application software and an electronic file common to each other.
The cursor may be color-coded for each user to facilitate the identification of the operator, and the computer terminal and the projector may be connected to apply to the conference call.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a communication system and method using a plurality of mice and phones according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 9
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown one embodiment of a multiple mouse and telephone communication system and method of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration applied to a communication system and method using a plurality of mice and phones according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, two callers 10 and 20 are connected by telephone terminals 30 and 40 and computer terminals 50 and 60. Further, the telephone terminals 30 and 40 are connected by an existing public telephone network. The server 7 is connected between the computer terminals 50 and 60.
It is connected by the Internet network via 0.

The above computer terminals 50 and 60 include
The mice 80 and 90 are connected, respectively. It should be noted that one of the computer terminals 50 is equipped with the application software 11 and the electronic file 13 common to each other. The other computer terminal 60 has an electronic file 13 common to the application software 12.
And are installed.

In FIG. 1, caller 10 and caller 20
And are in a telephone conversation, and at the same time they are connected via the Internet. In this state, the mouse 80 and the mouse 90 are operated on both computer terminals 50 and 60 to display the respective mouse cursors on the screen, and the electronic materials and the like which are being discussed are illustrated.
If necessary, the topic will be developed while drawing and inputting characters. If necessary, save it as a log. When a caller subscribes to a service for more than two parties such as a three-party call, this method that appears on the screen can be applied to more than two parties. It should be noted that the drawing and character input described above also include handwritten character / graphic drawing by the trajectory line of the cursor.

A case where the communication system using a plurality of mice and telephones according to the present invention is constructed between two parties, the caller 10 and the caller 20, will be described as an example. This system includes a telephone terminal 30 (caller 10 side) and a telephone terminal 4
0, computer terminal 50, and computer terminal 60
And each computer terminal has application software 11 and 12 for implementing the present invention, and a server 70. The caller 10 makes a call to the caller 20 to use the communication method according to the present invention. Both parties complete the call through the existing public telephone network. However, the telephone line and the Internet line may be commonly used for the same line by packet communication, time division, frequency division, etc.

At the same time, both are the computer terminal 50 and the computer terminal 60, and the application software 11
And the application software 12 are started, and the common electronic file 13 which is a topic from the application software 11 and 12 is designated and opened.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the computer terminals 50 and 60. The electronic file 13 opened between both computer terminals 50 and 60 is displayed in a processed form as an image image in any format (eg, gif, jpeg format). Therefore, the image displayed at this time is different from the original file and is recognized as a different file.

When both applications 11 and 12 are started up, if one of them inputs the IP address of the other, a pop-up message is displayed on the screen of the other party. If both parties agree, a connection is established on the IP network and screen information, mouse information, etc. are exchanged, so that the mouse cursor of the other party appears on the screen as shown in FIG.

The two operate the mice 80 and 90 shown in FIG. 1 to view the common image, and if necessary, show the mouse cursor or draw a topic to develop the topic.
Also, the final record can be held in the electronic file 13. Note that different color cursors may be used in order to facilitate the mutual identification of the mouse cursors.

(Explanation of the operation of the embodiment) FIGS.
It is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation procedure of a communication system using a plurality of mice and a telephone according to this embodiment. An operation example will be described below with reference to these drawings. First, a procedure for starting communication using a plurality of mice will be described. The caller 10 makes a call to the caller 20 (step S1). When the caller 20 picks up the handset (step S
2), the call between both parties is established (steps S3 and S4).
In order to display the mouse cursor on the screen between them, the applications 11 and 12 are activated on the computer (steps S5 and S6). The electronic file 13 is opened on the applications 11 and 12 in order to refer to the drawing to be discussed (steps S7 and S8).

The caller 10 inputs the IP address of the caller 20 in order to connect to the caller 20 (step S).
9). The computer terminal 50 displays this IP address on the display and transmits the IP address information of the caller 20 to the server 70 (step S).
10).

Upon receipt of this information, the server 70 searches the relevant IP address and makes a connection request to the relevant address (step S11). Receiving this, the computer terminal 60 displays a pop-up message on the display in order to notify the caller 20 of the connection request (step S12). The caller 20 accepts this (step S13), and the computer terminal 60 returns a connection request to the server 70 accordingly (step S14). The server 70 thereby realizes the connection (step S15), and the computer terminal 50 displays the connection on the display to indicate the connection (step S16).

When the connection is completed, a new mouse cursor appears on the displays of the computer terminals 50 and 60 of both parties 10 and 20 (step S1).
7, S18). As a result, communication using a plurality of mice is started.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a procedure for mutually displaying the mouse cursors of respective callers in a communication state using a plurality of mice. This operation is applied, for example, when pointing a material or the like to be discussed in the future to the other party on the display. When the caller 10 operates the mouse 80 to point to a certain figure (step S21),
The computer terminal 50 displays it on the screen (step S22). Further, the computer terminal 50 is the server 7
The position information and movement information of the mouse 80 are transmitted to the 0 side (step S23). The server 70 which receives this transmits the position information and movement information of the mouse to the computer terminal 60 (step S24). When the computer terminal 60 receives this (step S25), it moves the mouse cursor on the display and points the figure (step S2).
6).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the procedure for changing the display magnification of the screen in the communication state using a plurality of mice. This operation is applied, for example, when enlarging and displaying a part of the material taken up in the topic. First, the caller 10 inputs a change in the display magnification of the screen (step S31). In response to this, the computer terminal 50 reflects on the display and at the same time, the server 7
The change content of the magnification is transmitted to 0 (step S3).
2). The server 70 transmits this received information to the computer terminal 60 (step S33). Upon receiving the information, the computer terminal 60 changes the screen magnification on the display based on the received information (step S3).
4).

FIG. 6 shows an example of a procedure for drawing on the screen in a communication state using a plurality of mice. This operation is applied to, for example, a case where a part of the material or the like taken up in the topic is surrounded and shown. Caller 20
When is drawn on the screen (step S41), the computer terminal 60 displays the drawn information on the display and, at the same time, transmits this information to the server 70 side (step S42).

The server 70 which receives this information transfers this information to the computer terminal 50 (step S43).
The computer terminal 50 reflects the drawing on the display based on the received information (step S44).

FIG. 7 shows an example of a procedure for inputting characters in a communication state using a plurality of mice. This operation is applied, for example, when writing out a part of characters of a material or the like taken up in a topic. A known method can be applied to the character input method by operating the mouse. When the caller 20 inputs a character (step S51), the computer terminal 60 displays the character on the display and simultaneously transmits the input character information to the server 70 (step S52). Server 70 that received this
Transfers this information to the computer terminal 50 (step S53). The computer terminal 50 displays characters on the display based on the received information (step S54).

FIG. 8 shows an example of a procedure for ending communication using a plurality of mice. The topic reached a conclusion, and the screens processed by the callers 10 and 20 are stored by each other's hands (steps S61 and S62). Caller 10
When the user tries to release the connection to end the topic (step S63), the computer terminal 50 requests the server 70 to release the connection accordingly (step S6).
4).

In response to this, the server 70 notifies the computer terminal 60 that the connection release request has been issued (step S65), and the computer terminal 60 displays this information on the display (step S66). Caller 20
Accepts the disconnection accordingly (step S6)
7), the server 70 releases the connection. Finally, the telephone line is disconnected to end the communication (steps S68 and S69).

In the above-described embodiment, firstly, since the mutual opinions can be shown by actually using the common figure, mutual understanding can be deepened. Secondly, since it is possible to clarify what is the point on the screen where the mouse of the other party is displayed mutually, it is possible to accurately narrow down the issues.

(Second Embodiment) The present invention can also be applied to a one-to-many situation such as a telephone conference or an internet conference. This relationship will be described below with reference to FIG. Figure 9
Shows a system configuration example applied to the communication system and method using a plurality of mice and telephones of the second embodiment.

In FIG. 9, the caller 100 and the customer 2
Between 00, telephone terminals 300 and 400 are connected to computer terminals 500 and 600. The projector 700 is connected to the customer's computer terminal 600,
An image can be projected on the screen 800. further,
The telephone terminals 300 and 400 are connected by an existing public telephone network. Further, the computer terminals 500 and 600 are connected by an internet network.

The caller 100 explains the product at the customer 200 through the telephone terminal 300 and the computer terminal 5
00 to indicate the content of the presentation using the mouse cursor. The computer terminal 600 on the customer 200 side acquires this information and projects it on the screen 800 by the projector 700. Customer 20
0 and the caller 100 use the verbal and mouse cursors to establish a question or answer.

The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the mouse is used as the pointing device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is obvious that the equivalent system of the above embodiment can be obtained by applying a trackball, a trackpad, a pointing stick, a tablet, or the like as a pointing device other than the mouse.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, in the communication system and method using a plurality of mice and telephones of the present invention, callers A and B are connected by telephone.
At the same time, the two are connected via the Internet.
Further, on both computer terminals A and B, the mouse A and the mouse B are operated to display the respective mouse cursors on the mutual computer screens. This allows for easier communication and deeper mutual understanding between people who are separated from each other. It also facilitates collaborative work.

As described above, according to the present invention, by simultaneously utilizing the existing telephone public network and the Internet, a synergistic effect is provided while complementing the functions of both, and communication can be made more meaningful. Moreover, since the required function is "to mutually display the mouse cursors of the users", it is not necessary to send and receive information such as moving images and sounds via the Internet. As described above, according to the present invention, even if the users are separated from each other, they can communicate with each other more deeply.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system using a plurality of mice and a telephone according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on a computer terminal.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure example when communication using a plurality of mice is started.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure example in a case where mouse pointers of respective callers are mutually displayed in a communication state using a plurality of mice.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation procedure when changing a display magnification of a screen in a communication state using a plurality of mice.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure example when drawing on a screen in a communication state using a plurality of mice.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure example when a character is input in a communication state using a plurality of mice.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation procedure when terminating communication using a plurality of mice.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a system configuration example applied to a communication system and a method using a plurality of mice and phones according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 100 Caller 11, 12 Application software (application) 13 Electronic file 30, 40, 300, 400 Telephone terminal 50, 60, 500, 600 Computer terminal 70 Server 80, 90 Mouse 200 Customer 700 Projector 800 Screen

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A communication system using a plurality of mice and telephones, which is configured by providing a telephone terminal and a computer terminal connected to a network on each side of at least two users. Persons are respectively connected by the telephone terminal and the computer terminal, each of the computer terminals is configured to include a pointing device, and a cursor on the display screen of each of the computer terminals is operated by each of the pointing devices of the user. Is displayed mutually to improve communication between the users, and a communication system using a plurality of mice and a telephone. 2. The communication system using a plurality of mice and telephones according to claim 1, wherein trace lines / characters / drawings can be written and deleted by operating the pointing device. 3. The communication system using a plurality of mice and telephones according to claim 1, wherein the computer terminal is loaded with respective application software and electronic files common to each other. 4. The communication system using a plurality of mice and a telephone according to claim 1, wherein the cursor is color-coded for each user to facilitate identification of an operator. . 5. The multiple mouse and telephone according to claim 1, further comprising a projector connected to the computer terminal for application to a telephone conference. Communications system. 6. A communication method using a plurality of mice and a telephone, wherein a telephone terminal and a computer terminal connected to a network are provided on each side of at least two users. Are respectively connected by the telephone terminal and the computer terminal, a pointing device is connected to each of the computer terminals, and a cursor is operated mutually on the display screen of each of the computer terminals by operating the pointing device of each of the users. A communication method using multiple mice and telephones, which is characterized by displaying and improving communication between users. 7. The communication method using a plurality of mice and telephones according to claim 6, wherein trace lines / characters / drawings can be written and deleted by operating the pointing device. 8. The communication method using a plurality of mice and telephones according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each of the application software and an electronic file common to each other are installed in the computer terminal. 9. The communication method using a plurality of mice and a telephone according to claim 6, wherein the cursor is color-coded for each user to facilitate identification of an operator. . 10. The communication method using a plurality of mice and telephones according to claim 6, wherein the computer terminal and the projector are connected to each other for application to a telephone conference.