JP2004037568A - Education support system, education support program and terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an education support system or the like in which real time property, a sense of realism or the like can be obtained and sufficient education can be received, and which can also operate according to the communication environment and specifications of each terminal under the present situation. <P>SOLUTION: The education support system is so arranged as to receive each still picture information of an instructor and/or a learner using respective terminals, distributing a part or the whole of each of the received still picture information to each terminal, also selecting one terminal P2 to speak for learning or a pair of terminals P2, P3 to interact with each other, receiving the respective moving picture information of the instructor and/or the learner using the terminals P2, P3, and distributing the received moving picture information to each terminal P2, P3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an education support system and the like suitably used when a student participates in real time via a communication network such as the Internet and receives education in a class form.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, a learning system has been constructed to exchange voice and text information using terminals or servers connected to a communication network such as the Internet, so that learners in remote locations can receive education from teachers. ing. In such a learning system, a camera is attached to the terminal for the reason that it is necessary to confirm that the student has taken the course, and at least the image information of the person photographed by this camera is transmitted to the terminal used by the teacher. We are trying to deliver.
[0003]
On the other hand, in learning, transmitting and receiving the image information of each person in the form of a moving image can provide real-time performance and realism, and can also promote education while directly watching the response of the other person, so learning efficiency is important. Is considered to be the most preferable.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the current Internet provider environment, the execution bandwidth of the network is not high enough to transmit and receive a lot of video information, and the specifications of each terminal vary, so that the video information can be processed sufficiently. It is very difficult to transmit and receive all or many pieces of image information in a moving image format because there may be terminals that do not have power.
[0005]
On the other hand, if all of the image information is transmitted and received in the still image format, the above-mentioned problem can be solved, but it lacks real-time properties and realism, and may be insufficient when more effective education is required. .
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention is to provide an education support system and the like that can obtain real-time properties and a sense of presence, can receive sufficient education, and can operate under the current communication environment and the specifications of each terminal. This is the main task for which it was intended.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
That is, the education support system according to the present invention receives still image information of each of a teacher and / or a learner using each terminal and distributes a part or all of the received still image information to each of the terminals. While selecting one terminal to speak or a pair of terminals to conduct dialogue in learning, receiving video information of a teacher and / or a learner using the selected terminal, and receiving the received video information. The video information is distributed to each terminal.
[0008]
In such a case, the attendance can be confirmed by the still image information, and the video information of only those who really need to speak, that is, those who should speak or interact, is distributed to each terminal. It is possible to construct a suitable remote education environment that can sufficiently cope with the communication environment below and the specifications of each terminal, and can also obtain real-time properties, realism, and the like.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a device configuration diagram showing the entire system in this embodiment. P1 is an education support system having a plurality of server functions, and a plurality of terminals used by learners and teachers are communicably connected to the education support system P1 via a communication network such as the Internet.
[0011]
The education support system P1 is used by a system operator, and has a plurality of server functions to transmit and receive data and process data in response to external requests as described above. Note that the education support system P1 does not need to be physically integrated, and in the present embodiment, includes a plurality of management devices P11 to P13 connected via a communication line such as a LAN. More specifically, a still image information management device P11 mainly including a server function related to transmission and reception of still image information described later, a learning management device P12 mainly including a server function related to transmission and reception of information necessary for learning, And an integrated management device P13 that mainly manages the management devices P11 and P12.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, each of the management devices P11, P12, and P13 includes a CPU 101, an internal memory 102, an external storage device 103 such as an HDD, a communication interface 104 such as a modem, a display 105, and input means 106 such as a mouse and a keyboard. Have.
[0013]
Then, the CPU 101 and its peripheral devices are operated in accordance with a program set in a predetermined area such as the internal memory 102 or the external storage device 103, and as shown in FIG. 3, a group management unit 11, a group information storage unit D11, a still image Information receiving unit 12, still image information storing unit D12, still image information distributing unit 13, terminal selecting unit 14, moving image information receiving unit 15, moving image information storing unit D13, moving image information distributing unit 16, text information receiving unit 17, text information The storage unit D14, the text information distribution unit 18, the still image information identification unit 19, the selection information reception unit 110, the audio information reception unit 111, the audio information storage unit D15, the audio information distribution unit 112, the still image identification information reception unit 113, and the like. The educational support system P1 is configured to function.
[0014]
Each part will be described in detail. The group management unit 11 transmits and receives information described below as one unit of one or a plurality of learners grouped to perform learning using the education support system P1 and one teacher who educates the learners. And processing.
[0015]
The group information storage unit D11 is used by the group management unit 11, and as shown in FIG. 4, a group in which one teacher terminal identifier is associated with one or more learner terminal identifiers. One or more pieces of information are stored. Therefore, the group management unit 11 identifies the learner and the teacher via the identifier of the terminal used by the learner, and manages information transfer and the like with the identified group of terminals as one unit. In the present specification, the terminal identifier may be an operator identifier for identifying a learner and a teacher. Specifically, for example, when the terminal identifier changes every login, a password or ID for authenticating that the user is available at the time of login from the terminal is requested, and the ID is used as the operator identifier during login. May be stored in association with the terminal identifier, and in the internal processing, the operator identifier may be used instead of the terminal identifier.
[0016]
The still image information receiving unit 12 receives the still image information of each of the teacher and the learner using the terminals P2 and P3. The still image information is, for example, captured and generated by a still image capturing means T1 such as a CCD camera attached to each of the terminals P2 and P3, and transmitted via the terminals P2 and P3 or transmitted along with the CCD camera. It is transmitted in a predetermined format directly from the means. The photographing is performed, for example, periodically, and the still image information is transmitted each time.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 5, the still image information storage unit D12 stores each piece of still image information received by the still image information receiving unit 12 in pairs with each terminal identifier and shooting time. In this embodiment, each time the still image information is received, the image is refreshed and overwritten. However, the history may be entirely or permanently retained.
[0018]
The still image information distribution unit 13 distributes a part or all of each still image information received by the still image information reception unit 12 and cached in the still image information storage unit D12 to the terminals P2 and P3. , One for each still image information. Note that a plurality of pieces of still image information may be compressed and distributed as one file. The still image information to be distributed differs for each terminal. In this embodiment, the still image information of all the learners belonging to the group is distributed to the teacher terminal P2, and the still image information is distributed to the learner terminal P3. , Only the still image information requested by the learner terminal P3 is distributed. Further, the latest still image information is always stored in the still image information storage unit D12 based on the still image information periodically transmitted from the terminals P2 and P3, and the latest still image information is stored in response to a request from the terminals P2 and P3. The latest still image information is always displayed on the terminals P2 and P3 by distributing the still image information. Of course, the still image information may be actively distributed from the system P1 to the terminals P2 and P3.
[0019]
The terminal selecting unit 14 selects one terminal P2, P3 that should make a statement or a pair of terminals P2, P3 that should make a conversation in learning, and in this embodiment, always selects at least one teacher-side terminal P2. Then, if necessary, one learner terminal P3 belonging to the group of the teacher terminal P2 is selected. Here, the learner's terminal P3 selected as necessary is transmitted to the learner's terminal P2 when the selection information including the learner's terminal identifier is transmitted and the selection information receiving unit 110 receives the selection information. , Based on the received selection information.
[0020]
The moving image information receiving unit 15 receives the moving image information of the instructor and the moving image information of the learner using the selected terminal P3. More specifically, for example, a video information transmission permission signal is transmitted to the teacher terminal P2 and the learning terminal P3 identified by the selected learning terminal identifier, and the terminal receiving the permission signal transmits the video information transmission permission signal. Receive the transmitted video information. Of course, the moving picture information may be dripped from each of the terminals P2 and P3, and the moving picture information receiving unit 15 may select the moving picture information based on the selection of the terminal selecting unit 14. Here, the moving image information is photographed by moving image photographing means T2 such as a CCD camera attached to each of the terminals P2 and P3, and is transmitted via the terminals P2 and P3 or directly from a transmitting means attached to the CCD camera. It is transmitted in a predetermined format. However, the still image photographing means T1 and the moving image photographing means T2 may be separate bodies, or may use physically common equipment.
[0021]
The moving image information distribution unit 16 distributes the received moving image information to all the terminals P2 and P3 belonging to the group. The received moving image information may be set, for example, in the moving image information storage unit D13 and temporarily cached and distributed there. Also, the moving image information may not be distributed to all the terminals P2 and P3, but may be distributed only to the requesting terminal.
[0022]
The text information receiving unit 17 receives the text information transmitted from each of the terminals P2 and P3. The text information has questions and answers related to learning as its contents. As shown in FIG. 6, the received text information is stored in the text information storage unit D14 set in a predetermined area in association with the identifier of the transmission source terminal of the text information.
[0023]
The text information distributing unit 18 distributes the received text information to the terminals P2 and P3 in the order in which the text information is received. At this time, a still image of the teacher or learner using the source terminal of the text information is used. Add information. The text information may not be distributed to all the terminals P2 and P3, but may be distributed only to the requested terminals P2 and P3, or may not be accompanied by the still image information.
[0024]
The still image information specifying unit 19 specifies the still image information to be attached to the text information to be distributed. Specifically, the still image information specifying unit 19 refers to the text information storage unit D14 to determine the source of the received text information. Terminals P2 and P3 are specified, and still image information of a teacher or learner using the terminals P2 and P3 is specified with reference to the still image information storage unit D12.
[0025]
The voice information receiving unit 111 receives voice information transmitted from one or a plurality of terminals P2 and P3. In the present embodiment, the voice information receiving unit 111 transmits the voice information particularly from the terminals P2 and P3 selected by the terminal selecting unit 14. Receive only audio information. The voice information is obtained and generated by voice obtaining means T3 such as a microphone attached to each of the terminals P2 and P3, and is transmitted in a predetermined format via the terminals P2 and P3.
[0026]
The audio information distribution unit 112 distributes the received audio information to the terminals P2 and P3 without delay after reception. The received audio information may not be distributed to all the terminals P2 and P3, but may be distributed only to the requested terminals P2 and P3.
[0027]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the terminals P2 and P3 include a CPU 201, an internal memory 202, an external storage device 203 such as an HDD, a communication interface 204 such as a modem, a display 205, an input unit 206 such as a mouse and a keyboard, and an input / output interface. 207, audio output means 208 such as a speaker, and the like. Furthermore, the above-described still image photographing means T1, moving image photographing means T2, and sound acquiring means T3 are connected to the terminals P2 and P3.
[0028]
Then, the CPU 201 and its peripheral devices are operated according to the terminal program set in a predetermined area such as the memory 202 or the external storage device 203, and as shown in FIGS. Terminal-side still image information transmitting unit 22, terminal-side still image display unit 23, terminal-side moving image information receiving unit 24, terminal-side moving image information transmitting unit 25, terminal-side moving image display unit 26, terminal-side text information receiving unit 27, terminal side Each function as the text information transmitting unit 28, the terminal side text display unit 29, the terminal side text information receiving unit 214, the terminal side voice information receiving unit 210, the terminal side voice information transmitting unit 211, the terminal side voice information output unit 212, etc. The terminals P2 and P3 are basically provided. Note that this terminal program runs on a browser, and basically all data transmitted from the system P1 is based on requests from the terminals P2 and P3, and the protocol related to the request is as follows. May be omitted in the description.
[0029]
Each part will be described in detail.
[0030]
The terminal-side still image information receiving unit 21 receives one or a plurality of pieces of still image information distributed from the system P1.
[0031]
The terminal-side still image display unit 23 generates and outputs a display signal for displaying a still image on the display 205 based on the received still image information. Note that the received still image information may be stored in a terminal-side still image information storage unit (not shown) set in a predetermined storage area.
[0032]
The terminal-side still image information transmitting section 22 transmits the still image information acquired by the still image photographing means T1 and transmitted from the still image photographing means T1 to the system P1. The transmission is performed periodically at a predetermined timing.
[0033]
The terminal-side moving image information receiving unit 24 receives the moving image information distributed from the system P1.
[0034]
The terminal-side moving image display unit 26 generates and outputs a display signal for displaying a moving image on the display 205 based on the received moving image information. The received moving image information may be stored in a terminal-side moving image information storage unit (not shown) set in a predetermined storage area.
[0035]
The terminal-side moving image information transmitting section 25 transmits the moving image information acquired by the moving image photographing means T2 and transmitted from the moving image photographing means T2 to the system P1 side.
[0036]
The terminal side text information receiving unit 27 receives text information distributed from the system P1 side and still image information attached thereto.
[0037]
The terminal side text display unit 29 generates and outputs a display signal for displaying a text and a still image on the display 205 based on the received text information and still image information. Note that the received text information may be stored in a terminal-side text information storage unit (not shown) set in a predetermined storage area.
[0038]
The terminal-side text information receiving unit 214 receives text information input from the input unit 206 such as a keyboard.
[0039]
The terminal-side text information transmitting unit 28 transmits the text information received by the terminal-side text information receiving unit 214 to the system P1.
[0040]
The terminal-side audio information receiving section 210 receives audio information distributed from the system P1.
[0041]
The terminal-side audio information output unit 212 generates and outputs a signal for outputting audio from the audio output unit 208 such as a speaker, based on the received audio information. The received audio information may be stored in a terminal-side audio information storage unit D15 (not shown) set in a predetermined storage area.
[0042]
The terminal-side voice information transmitting unit 211 transmits the voice information acquired by the voice acquiring unit and transmitted from the voice acquiring unit to the system P1.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the housing having the still image photographing means T1 is physically and integrally provided with the sound acquiring means T2 and the sound outputting means T3. Of course, each of the units T1 to T3 may be physically separated from each other.
[0044]
Thus, of such terminals P2 and P3, the teacher-side terminal P2 used by the teacher further has functions as a selection information reception unit 215 and a selection information transmission unit 216.
[0045]
The selection information receiving unit 215 receives the selection information of the learner who allows the teacher to speak and communicates with the teacher. This selection information includes the terminal identifier of the selected learner. Specifically, for example, when the teacher clicks on the identifier of the learner or the still image displayed on the screen of the terminal P2, selection information including the terminal identifier of the learner is generated, and the generated selection information is generated. Is received by the selection information receiving unit 215.
[0046]
The selection information transmitting unit 216 transmits the received selection information to the system P1.
[0047]
Further, the terminal-side still image information receiving section 21 in the teacher-side terminal P2 always receives all the learner's still image information, and the terminal-side still image display section 23 displays all the still images. A display signal for displaying information on the display 205 is generated and output.
[0048]
On the other hand, the learner-side terminal P3 further includes functions as a still image specifying information receiving unit 217 and a still image specifying information transmitting unit 218.
[0049]
The still image specifying information receiving unit 217 receives still image specifying information for specifying one or more pieces of still image information that the learner desires to display among the still image information of the other learners or the teacher. It is. This still image specifying information includes, for example, a terminal identifier. Specifically, when the learner clicks on one or more identifiers of the learner displayed on the screens of the terminals P2 and P3, corresponding still image specifying information is generated, and the generated still image specifying information is generated. Is received by the still image specifying information receiving unit 217.
[0050]
The still image specifying information transmitting unit 218 transmits the received still image specifying information to the system P1.
[0051]
The operations of the terminals P2 and P3 and the educational support system P1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
[0052]
First, a terminal program is operated at the terminals P2 and P3 on the learner side and the teacher side to login. When logging in, the terminals P2 and P3 request the learner or teacher to input a password and an ID (operator identifier), and transmit the information to the system P1.
[0053]
On the system P1 side, the user is authenticated by the received password, and the group management unit 11 refers to the group information storage unit D11 to specify the group of the learner or the teacher identified by the ID. Then, it manages the subsequent transmission and reception of the information of the terminals P2 and P3 to be performed with respect to a group of terminals P2 and P3 belonging to the same group.
[0054]
When the login is performed in this manner, various windows are automatically displayed or variously displayed by the operator's operation on the teacher's terminal P2 and the learner's terminal P3 as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. . Each of the information distributed from each of the distribution units on the system P1 side is displayed in these windows. Here, the information particularly relating to the present invention will be described in detail.
[0055]
First, a still image will be described. The windows W2 and W3 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are for displaying still images. The window W2 is at the teacher terminal P2, and displays still images of all the logged-in learners who belong to the group and are logged in together with the learner identifiers (here, names) in a matrix. The window W3 is in the learner's terminal P3 and displays still images of some other learners.
[0056]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, first, in each of the terminals P2 and P3, the terminal-side still image information transmitting unit 22 transmits the learning hand or teaching that has been periodically acquired and transmitted by the still image photographing unit T1. The hand still image information is transmitted to the system P1 together with the terminal identifier (step SC01).
[0057]
Next, on the system P1 side, as shown in FIG. 14, the still image information receiving unit 12 receives the respective still image information (step SS01), and transmits the still image information received by the still image information receiving unit 12 to the terminal. A pair with the identifier is stored in the still image information storage unit D12 (step SS02). In this embodiment, the still image information is refreshed and overwritten each time it is received. Then, the still image information distribution unit 13 acquires part or all of each piece of still image information received by the still image information receiving unit 12 and cached in the still image information storage unit D12 (step SS03), and It is distributed to P2 and P3 (step SS04). The distribution is periodically performed in response to a request from the terminals P2 and P3. In response to a request from the teacher-side terminal P2, still image information of all the learners belonging to the group is distributed. With respect to P3, the learner terminal P3 distributes only the still image information requested by the still image specifying information.
[0058]
Here, a protocol for distributing the still image information to the learning side terminal P3 will be described below. First, as shown in FIG. 16, when a selection operation (one or more clicks) is performed on the learner identifier displayed on the window W7 (FIG. 12) of the learner side terminal P3 using the input means 206. (Step SC21), the corresponding still image specifying information is generated in the terminal P3 (Step SC22). Then, the still image specifying information receiving unit 217 receives the generated still image specifying information, and the still image specifying information transmitting unit 218 transmits the still image specifying information to the system P1 (step SC23). On the system P1 side, as shown in FIG. 17, the transmitted still image specifying information is received by the still image specifying information receiving unit 113 (step SS11), and the still image information distributing unit 13 transmits the still image specifying information to the learning terminal P3. , The still image information specified by the received still image specifying information is obtained from the still image information storage unit D12 and distributed (step SS12).
[0059]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, in each of the terminals P2 and P3, the terminal-side still image information receiving unit 21 receives one or a plurality of pieces of still image information distributed from the system P1 (step SC11), and A predetermined still image is displayed in the windows W2 and W3 by the still image display unit 23 (step SC12).
[0060]
Next, a movie will be described. The windows W4 and W5 shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 are for displaying a moving image in real time. Window W4 is at the teacher terminal P2, and window W5 is at the learner terminal P3. In these windows W4 and W5, a moving image of the teacher and a moving image of one learner selected by the teacher are displayed. In FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, only the window related to the teacher is opened because the teacher has not selected the learner.
[0061]
Specifically, the identifier of the learner who is currently logged in is displayed in the window W6 shown in FIG. 10 on the teacher terminal P2, and the teacher selects, for example, one of the identifiers (clicks). Then, selection information including the terminal identifier of the learner is generated and received by the selection information receiving unit 215. Then, the selection information transmitting unit 216 transmits the received selection information to the system P1.
[0062]
On the system P1 side, the terminal selecting unit 14 selects one terminal P2 to speak or a pair of terminals P2, P3 to speak in learning. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, while the teacher terminal P2 is always selected (step SS21), when the selection information receiving unit 110 receives the selection information transmitted from the teacher terminal P2, (Step SS22), the learning side terminal P3 specified by the learning side terminal identifier included therein is also selected (step SS23).
[0063]
Then, a moving image information transmission permission signal is transmitted to the teacher side terminal P2 and the learning side terminal P3 identified by the selected learning side terminal identifier (step SS24).
[0064]
In the terminals P2 and P3 that have received such a signal (step SC31), as shown in FIG. 19, the terminal-side moving image information transmitting unit 25 transmits the moving image information acquired by the moving image photographing unit T2 and transmitted therefrom. The message is transmitted to the system P1 (step SC32).
[0065]
Then, as shown in FIG. 20, on the system P1, the moving image information receiving unit 15 receives the moving image information transmitted from the terminals P2 and P3 (step SS31), and the moving image information distribution unit 16 And distributes the moving image information to all terminals P2 and P3 belonging to the group in real time (step SS32).
[0066]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 21, in each of the terminals P2 and P3, the terminal-side moving image information receiving unit 24 receives the moving image information distributed from the system P1 side (step SC41), and the terminal-side moving image display unit 26 Is displayed in the windows W4 and W5 (step SC42).
[0067]
Next, the text will be described. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a bulletin board button B1 is set in the main window W1, and when the bulletin board button B1 is clicked, a text input window and a text display window (not shown) are displayed. Then, when text information is input at one of the terminals P2 and P3, the text information is displayed on each of the terminals P2 and P3, and communication can be performed via text.
[0068]
The specific protocol will be described in detail.
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 22, when text information is input using the text input window (step SC51), the terminal-side text information receiving unit 214 receives the text information (step SC52). Transmits the text information received by the terminal-side text information receiving unit 214 to the system P1 (step SC53).
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 23, the text information receiving unit 17 of the system P1 receives the text information transmitted from the terminals P2 and P3 in this way (step SS41) and stores the text information set in a predetermined area. The text information is stored in the section D14 in association with the identifier of the transmission source terminal (step SS42). Next, the still image information specifying unit 19 refers to the still image information storage unit D12, based on the source terminal identifier of the received text information, the still image information of the instructor or the learner using the terminal. It is specified (step SS43). Then, the text information distribution unit 18 attaches the still image information of the instructor or the learner using the source terminal to the received text information, and distributes the received text information to the terminals P2 and P3 in the order of reception (step SS44). ).
[0071]
Then, in the terminals P2 and P3, as shown in FIG. 24, the terminal-side text information receiving unit 27 receives the text information distributed from the system P1 side and the still image information attached thereto (step SC61). The side text display unit 29 displays a text and a still image on the text display window based on the received text information and still image information (step SC62).
[0072]
Finally, audio will be described.
[0073]
In the present embodiment, only the person permitted to speak, that is, the terminals P2 and P3 transmitting the moving image information, accepts the audio information. The audio is distributed to the terminals P2 and P3 in synchronization with the moving image.
[0074]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, in the terminals P2 and P3 that have received the video information transmission permission signal based on the above-described video transmission / reception protocol (FIG. 19, step SC31), the terminal-side audio information transmission unit 211 Then, the voice information transmitted from the voice acquiring means T3 is transmitted to the system P1 (step SC71).
[0075]
Then, on the system P1 side, as shown in FIG. 26, the audio information receiving unit 111 receives the transmitted audio information (step SS51), and the audio information distribution unit 112 converts the received audio information without delay after reception. The data is distributed to all terminals belonging to the group in real time (step SS52).
[0076]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 27, in each of the terminals P2 and P3, the terminal-side audio information receiving unit 210 receives the audio information distributed from the system P1 side (step SC81), and the terminal-side audio information output unit 212 Based on the received voice information, voice is output from voice output means such as a speaker (step SC82).
[0077]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the attendance can be confirmed based on the still image information, and the moving image information of only those who truly need to speak, that is, those who should speak or interact, can be stored in each terminal P2. , P3, it is possible to construct a suitable remote education environment that can sufficiently cope with the communication environment and the specifications of each terminal under the present conditions, and can also obtain a real-time property and a sense of realism.
[0078]
Further, in this embodiment, in particular, text information can be exchanged between students or between teachers and students, and a so-called chat with a face image is realized because the text information is accompanied by a still image. . Therefore, more realistic communication can be performed. Further, since the image is obtained from the still image information storage unit D2 that is constantly updated, more realistic images can be transmitted.
[0079]
In addition, the still image information may be stored in the terminal in advance, and the still image information may be pasted to the text information in the terminal. In this case, there is no need to transmit the still image information from the server to the terminal, so that the communication load can be reduced.
[0080]
Furthermore, since the learners and the teachers can be grouped by the group management unit 11, it is possible to organize a plurality of classes, dynamically arrange learners in each class, etc., and exchange information in an arbitrary group. become.
[0081]
In addition, since the transmitted still image information is cached on the system side and is distributed to each terminal using the cached still image information, the communication error frequency can be reduced. In particular, the effect becomes remarkable when the capacity of the still image is large or when the still image is frequently updated.
[0082]
In addition, since the terminal uses a browser to operate the program, the system captures still image information one by one from the terminal, processes it, and displays it, communication errors etc. occur during the process. Even in this case, it is possible to secure data up to that point and to obtain effects such as a short waiting time for the operator. Of course, a plurality of still image information may be compressed into one file by the system side and distributed to each terminal. In this case, a decompression process is required on the terminal side, but the communication load and the terminal load can be reduced by performing a plurality of communications only once and reducing the data size by compression.
[0083]
Further, since the audio information is distributed to each terminal in synchronization with the moving image information, a more realistic learning can be performed. Of course, the audio information may be distributed together with the still image information.
[0084]
Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it is not always necessary to include the teacher's terminal in the terminal to speak. In this way, discussions between learners can be made. Alternatively, each piece of information may be directly transmitted and received between terminals without going through the system. For example, it is conceivable to exchange still image information between the learner's terminals. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit thereof.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the attendance can be confirmed by the still image information, and the video information of only those who truly need to speak, that is, those who should speak or interact, is distributed to each terminal. Therefore, it is possible to construct a suitable remote education environment that can sufficiently cope with the communication environment and the specifications of each terminal under the present conditions, and can also obtain a real-time property and a sense of realism.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an internal device configuration diagram of the education support system according to the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the education support system in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a data storage mode of a group information storage unit according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a data storage mode of a still image information storage unit according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a data storage mode of a text information storage unit according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is an internal device configuration diagram of the terminal according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of a teacher-side terminal in the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram of a learner terminal according to the embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a screen explanatory diagram showing one screen of a teacher-side terminal according to the embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a screen explanatory view showing another screen of the teacher-side terminal according to the embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a screen explanatory diagram showing one screen of the learner's terminal according to the embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving still image information.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the system according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving still image information.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving still image information.
FIG. 16 is an exemplary flowchart showing an operation of the terminal according to the embodiment for exchanging still image information.
FIG. 17 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of the system according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving still image information.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation of the system according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving moving image information.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal according to the embodiment for exchanging video information.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving moving image information;
FIG. 21 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminal according to the embodiment for exchanging moving image information.
FIG. 22 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminal according to the embodiment for exchanging text information.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system according to the embodiment for exchanging text information.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation related to text information exchange of the terminal in the embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving audio information.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving audio information;
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal according to the embodiment for transmitting and receiving voice information.
[Explanation of symbols]
P1 ... Education support system
P2, P3 ... terminal
11 ・ ・ ・ Group management unit
12: Still image information receiving unit
13: Still image information distribution unit
14 Terminal selection unit
15 ... Video information receiving unit
16 ... Video information distribution unit
17 ... text information receiving unit
18 ... Text information distribution unit
19: Still image information specifying unit
110 ... selection information receiving unit
111 ... Sound information receiving unit
112 ・ ・ ・ Audio information distribution unit
113: Still image specific information receiving unit
D11: Group information storage unit
D12: Still image information storage unit
D13: Movie information storage unit
D14: Text information storage unit
D15: Voice information storage unit
21: Terminal-side still image information receiving unit
22 ... terminal-side still image information transmission unit
23 ... terminal-side still image display unit
24 ・ ・ ・ Terminal-side moving image information receiving unit
25 ... Terminal-side video information transmission unit
26 ... Terminal-side moving image display unit
27 ... Terminal side text information receiving unit
28: Terminal-side text information transmission unit
29 ・ ・ ・ Terminal side text display section
210: terminal-side voice information receiving unit
211: terminal-side voice information transmission unit
212: terminal-side audio information output unit
214: terminal-side text information receiving unit
215 ... Selection information receiving unit
216 ... Selection information transmission unit
217: Still image specific information receiving unit
218 ... still image specific information transmitting unit
T1: Still image photographing means
T2: voice acquisition means
T3: voice output means

Claims (17)

It is communicatively connected to multiple terminals used by the teacher and the learner,
A still image information receiving unit that receives still image information of each of the teacher and / or the learner using each terminal,
Still image information distribution unit that distributes a part or all of each received still image information to each terminal,
A terminal selection unit that selects one terminal to make a statement or a pair of terminals to make a conversation in learning,
A moving image information receiving unit that receives moving image information of a teacher and / or a learner using the selected terminal,
An education support system including a moving image information distribution unit that distributes the received moving image information to each terminal. A text information receiving unit that receives text information transmitted from each of the terminals,
A text information distribution unit that distributes the text information to each terminal,
Still further comprising a still image information identification unit that identifies the still image information of the teacher or learner using the source terminal of the received text information,
2. The educational support according to claim 1, wherein the text information distribution unit distributes still image information of a teacher or a learner specified from the text information, in addition to text information distributed to each terminal. system. A text information receiving unit that is transmitted from each of the terminals and receives text information accompanying still image information of a learner or a teacher using the terminal,
The education support system according to claim 1, further comprising: a text information distribution unit that distributes the text information to each terminal with the still image information attached. A group information storage unit that stores one or more group information in which one or more learner-side terminal identifiers are associated with one teacher-side terminal identifier;
The education support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a group management unit that manages information transmission and reception with a group of terminals grouped by the group information as one unit. The educational support system according to claim 4, wherein the terminal selection unit selects at least one teacher-side terminal. From the one teacher side terminal, further comprising a selection information receiving unit that receives selection information including a learner side terminal identifier,
The education support system according to claim 5, wherein the terminal selection unit selects a learner-side terminal specified by the received learner-side terminal identifier. 7. The education support system according to claim 1, further comprising a still image information storage unit for storing the received still image information. The education support system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the still image information distribution unit transmits one still image information at a time. The education support system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the still image information distribution unit compresses a plurality of pieces of still image information into one file and transmits the file. An audio information receiving unit that receives audio information transmitted from one or more terminals,
The education support system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a voice information distribution unit that distributes the received voice information to each terminal. The education support system according to claim 10, wherein the voice information receiving unit receives only voice information transmitted from the terminal selected by the selection terminal unit. , A still image identification information receiving unit that receives still image identification information for identifying one or more still image information from the learning side terminal;
The education support system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the still image information distribution unit distributes the still image information specified by the received still image specification information to the learner-side terminal. The education support system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the still image information distribution unit distributes still image information of all learners to the teacher-side terminal. A still image information receiving unit that receives still image information of each of the teacher and / or the learner using each terminal, to a computer communicably connected to a plurality of terminals used by the teacher and the learner,
A still image information distribution unit that distributes a part or all of each received still image information to each terminal,
A terminal selection unit for selecting a pair of terminals to be interacted with for learning,
A video information receiving unit that receives video information of a teacher or a learner using the pair of terminals,
An education support program having a function as a moving image information distribution unit that distributes the received moving image information to each terminal. A teacher-side terminal communicably connected to the education support system according to claim 4,
A terminal-side still image information receiving unit that receives still image information of all the learners using the learner terminal that belongs to the group,
A teacher-side terminal including a still image display unit for displaying all of the still image information. A teacher-side terminal communicably connected to the education support system according to claim 6,
A teacher terminal including a selection information transmitting unit that transmits selection information including a learner terminal identifier. The learning-side terminal according to claim 12, wherein
A learning side terminal including a still image specifying information transmitting unit that transmits still image specifying information for specifying one or a plurality of still image information.

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