JP6146136B2 - Information apparatus, image forming apparatus, schedule management system, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing a schedule of a user who uses a network.

  There is groupware that manages the schedule of multiple users. For example, in a corporate office, a server for schedule management is provided on a LAN (Local Area Network), and each user accesses the server using a personal computer or a personal digital assistant, and browses the schedule of the self or a group that includes the self. And edit / update.

  Scheduled events managed by groupware include “conference”. For example, when a meeting organizer inputs holding information such as a meeting name, a scheduled date and time, and a place to the server, the meeting is registered in each schedule of the users who are candidates for participation. In the registration time notification mode, an e-mail is sent to each member notifying the host of the meeting.

  Those who plan to attend the meeting can obtain the meeting materials in advance. For example, the creator of the conference material stores the document data as the conference material in a file server or other specific storage location. A prospective participant of the meeting obtains the meeting material as display data for viewing by printing the document data in a timely manner and obtaining the meeting material as a printed matter or by transferring the document data to an information terminal used by the person.

  Conventionally, the work of obtaining meeting materials as printed matter has been automated. The image forming system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an image forming apparatus, a schedule management server, and a print data management server. When a user logs in to the image forming apparatus, first, the image forming apparatus acquires a schedule related to the logged-in user from the schedule management server. Next, the image forming apparatus acquires print data (stored in advance as conference material) related to the acquired schedule from the print data management server. Then, the image forming apparatus prints the acquired schedule and print data.

JP 2009-298048 A

  Conventionally, a user of a network having a server that manages a schedule is independent of accessing the schedule management server and browsing the schedule table in order to view materials related to the conference registered in the schedule. I had to do the work. That is, apart from accessing the schedule management server, it is necessary to access the server that manages the conference material and obtain the conference material. For this reason, it was not possible to view the conference material immediately when the conference was recognized by browsing the schedule table. In order to understand the content of the conference material and to determine whether printing is necessary based on the content, it is essential to view the conference material.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to realize a system capable of easily browsing a document stored in association with a schedule managed by a server.

An apparatus that achieves the above object is an information device that is accessible to a schedule management server, and is a schedule that acquires a schedule corresponding to a setting condition from the schedule management server from among schedules managed by the schedule management server Acquisition means, link acquisition means for acquiring a link to a document stored in advance in association with the schedule acquired by the schedule acquisition means, and screen display data for accessing the document using the link A data generation means for generating the object, and an object for an operation in which a user of an information terminal that acquires and displays the schedule from the schedule management server instructs the information terminal to display the screen display data. Comprising an object adding unit to add the schedule that is managed by the bar, the said object, the schedule when the display of the screen display data is instructed by the operation, corresponding to a pre-set period or time The screen display data corresponding to is displayed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily browse a document stored in association with a schedule managed by a server.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the acquisition of the meeting material performed using a schedule management system. It is a figure which shows the structure of B server of a schedule management system. It is a figure which shows the example of the material list which the user of a schedule management system browses. It is a figure which shows the example of the object which displays a data list. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the operation | work and process regarding meeting registration for utilizing a schedule management system for acquisition of meeting material. It is a flowchart which shows the flow from the production | generation of the material list by B server to object registration. The example of the meeting information which B server acquires is shown. It is a schematic diagram of the data format conversion which puts together several meeting materials. It is a flowchart of meeting registration including data format conversion. It is a flowchart of the modification of the meeting registration containing data format conversion. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen used for designation | designated of a data format. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen for meeting registration which can designate the importance of a meeting. It is a flowchart of meeting registration and preservation | save period setting when designation | designated of importance is possible. It is a figure which shows the example of addition of the information with respect to the registered meeting material. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen for designating the post-process at the time of printing with respect to the registered meeting material. It is a figure which shows the other example of addition of the information with respect to the registered meeting material. It is a figure which shows the example of a material list. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a data list update. It is a figure which shows the example of the material list | wrist in the case of displaying an attendance answer. It is a figure which shows the example of the material list | wrist in the case of displaying an attendance answer. It is a figure which shows the example of the material list | wrist in the case of displaying an attendance answer. It is a figure which shows the example of the material list | wrist in the case of displaying an attendance answer. It is a figure which shows the example of the material list | wrist in the case of displaying an attendance answer. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the object in a schedule table. It is a figure which shows the example of the material list for tomorrow's meeting. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the object in a schedule table. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schedule table list screen displayed on an operation panel of a multifunction machine. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction machine. FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of an object. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the object of FIG.

  In the following embodiment, schedule management in which “conference” is registered in the schedule is assumed. However, the “meeting” here is a general term for events that can be objects of document association. Meetings, business talks, presentations, workshops, etc. are also included in the “meetings” here.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the schedule management system 1 includes an A server 2 and a B server 3. The A server 2 is groupware that causes a computer to operate as a schedule management server, and is installed in the server machine 4. The B server 3 is software for operating a computer as an additional function server that automatically manages conference materials in cooperation with the schedule management server. The B server 3 is installed in a composite information device (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction device) 5 called an MFP (Multi-functional Peripheral).

  The server machine 4 and the multifunction machine 5 are connected to the LAN 6 and can communicate with each other and with other information devices on the LAN 6. Personal computers 8A and 8B and a portable information terminal 8C are connected to the LAN 6 as other information devices. For communication with the portable information terminal 8C, an access point 7 compliant with the WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) standard is used. However, communication may be performed using an interface of another standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or USB (Universal Serial Bus).

  As a modification of the communication network, the A server 2 can be provided on another network connected to the LAN 6. The other network may be a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The A server 2 may be incorporated in a server (cloud) managed by a public service provider.

  Further, the B server 3 may be specialized in a function that supports the user of the schedule management system 1 to obtain the conference material, or may have other functions. Not only the multi function device 5 but also other information devices capable of executing programs can be incorporated. You may install in the server machine 4. In that case, it can be separated from the A server 2 by virtualization.

  FIG. 2 shows a procedure for obtaining conference materials performed using a schedule management system. In the example of FIG. 2, it is assumed that the user who uses the personal computer (indicated as PC) 8A is the meeting organizer, and the user who uses the personal computer 8B is one of the candidates for the meeting. To do.

[1] The organizer of the meeting creates a holding guide (holding guideline data) MD by an input operation that fills the blank of the predetermined screen Q1 on the personal computer 8A. The holding guidance MD has information such as a meeting name, a holding date and time, a holding place, and a candidate for participation. The organizer transmits the created event guide MD to the A server 2. As a result, the conference is registered in each schedule of the participating candidates in the A server 2.

  [2] [3] The A server 2 delivers the event guide to the participating candidates by e-mail. Participants who have received the invitation will answer their attendance. Answers include attendance, absence, and hold options. The answer is reflected in the schedule in the A server 2.

  [4] The organizer registers the conference material (document data) 20 in the B server 3. At this time, information that can identify the corresponding conference is also registered. For example, a conference name is registered. The conference material 20 is transferred from the personal computer 8A to the B server 3 and stored in the conference material box 32. The conference material box 32 is a non-volatile memory area managed by the B server 3, and is provided in, for example, a hard disk drive provided in the multi-function device 5.

  [5] The B server 3 periodically accesses the A server 2 and acquires a schedule for a predetermined period from the A server 2. For example, the next day's schedule is acquired early in the morning every day. Then, the B server 3 collates the conference registered in the acquired schedule with the conference corresponding to the conference material 20 stored in the conference material box 32.

  When there is a meeting material 20 corresponding to the meeting registered in the schedule, the B server 3 acquires a link to the meeting material 20. For example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) accessible on the World Wide Web (WWW) is created as a link based on the path for specifying the conference material 20 in the multifunction device 5 and the domain name of the multifunction device 5. When a plurality of meeting materials are registered for one meeting, a link is acquired for each meeting material. Further, when a plurality of conferences are registered in the schedule, a link is acquired for each conference and for each conference material.

  Subsequently, the B server 3 generates data for displaying the material list DL for each user as screen display data for the user to obtain the conference material 20 using the acquired link. The material list DL is provided with a jump instruction operation button in which a character string (URL) representing a link is written.

  [6] The B server 3 that created the material list DL adds an object for the user to display the material list DL to the schedule managed in the A server 2. For this, an add-in function provided in the A server 2 is used. The object may be an operation button or an option in a pull-down menu. By adding the object, the network becomes a state in which the user can easily obtain the conference material.

  [7] [8] Participants access the A server 2 using the personal computer 8B in order to view their schedule. Upon receiving the schedule inquiry request, the A server 2 transmits a schedule corresponding to the participation candidate to the personal computer 8B. On a display attached to the personal computer 8B, a schedule table SL that represents a schedule is displayed. In the illustrated example, the list display button LB, which is the above-described object, is arranged at the upper end of the schedule table SL.

  [9] The participation candidate operates the list display button LB. That is, in the case of mouse input, the list display button LB is clicked, and in the case of touch input, the list display button LB is touched. Then, the personal computer 8B accesses the B server 3 and requests the B server 3 to transfer the material list DL associated with the list display button LB. The material list DL is transferred from the B server 3 to the personal computer 8B and displayed in a pop-up format.

  [10] In a state where the document list DL is displayed, a candidate for participation operates (clicks or touches) a jump instruction operation button (hereinafter referred to as a jump instruction button) JB arranged for each conference material. Then, the personal computer 8B accesses the B server 3 using the link corresponding to the operated jump instruction button JB, and requests the transfer of the corresponding conference material 20. When the conference material 20 is transferred to the personal computer 8B according to the request, a viewer or an editing application corresponding to the file format of the conference material 20 is activated and the conference material 20 is displayed.

  As described above, when the user of the schedule management system 1 browses the schedule table SL, the user simply clicks (or touches) the list display button LB and the jump instruction button JB in order. You can browse the contents of the meeting materials.

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, when the print instruction button is arranged in the material list DL, the user prints the conference material 20 shown in the material list DL on the multifunction device 5 by operating the print instruction button. Can be made.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the B server of the schedule management system. The B server 3 includes a box management unit 300, a search unit 310, a collation unit 312, a link acquisition unit 314, a list generation unit 316, and an object registration unit 318. These elements are functional elements realized by executing a program by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) included in the multifunction machine 5 as a computer.

  The Box management unit 300 is responsible for storing and managing the conference materials 20A, 20B, and 20C using the conference material Box 32. When registering the conference material, the Box management unit 300 stores the conference material 20 </ b> C transferred from the registration request source information terminal in the conference material Box 32. When the MFP 5 is requested to transfer the conference materials 20A, 20B, and 20C, the Box management unit 300 transfers the requested conference material to the requesting information terminal in cooperation with a communication unit (not shown). When printing of the conference materials 20A, 20B, and 20C is requested, the Box management unit 300 delivers the conference material to be printed to the print control unit 15 that controls printing by the printer engine 17.

The search unit 310 acquires a schedule corresponding to the setting conditions (period, target user, etc.) from the A server 2 at a preset time. The registered meeting materials may be updated (updated), so it is unlikely that users will be able to obtain the previous meeting materials and join the meeting without knowing the update. it is preferable limited to the future. For example, a schedule for the next day is acquired. The search unit 310 extracts the meeting name and attendance information from the acquired schedule.

  The collation unit 312 collates the extracted conference name with the conference name in the conference material box 32, and extracts a matching conference name. The link acquisition unit 314 acquires links for accessing conference materials corresponding to all conferences from which conference names are extracted. At that time, the path of the conference material is transmitted from the Box management unit 300 to the link acquisition unit 314.

  The list generation unit 316 generates and saves a material list DL, which is screen display data in which a link of the corresponding conference material is embedded, for a conference selected according to attendance information in the conference whose meeting name is extracted. To do.

  The object registration unit 318 adds an object for an instruction operation for causing the user to display the material list DL to a schedule corresponding to the material list DL in the A server 2.

  4A to 4D show examples of the material list DL. In the material list DL, for each conference material, a conference name NA and a jump instruction button JB in which a link is embedded are displayed. Additional information may include a holding time zone, a holding place, and other information. As described above, the link includes information for specifying the B server 3 and information for specifying the conference material stored in the B server 3. The link shown in the figure is a URL, a protocol (http: // "), a host name (IP address of the B server 3: 123.45.67.89), a path name (doc) of the B server 3, and a file name of the conference material (for example, pdF-xxxxxx.pdF) However, it is not limited to this form, and instead of the above path name and file name part, it is composed of script name + path name + query. A form in which a file ID for specifying a material is designated may be used.

  The example of FIG. 4A is a list of conferences with materials regardless of attendance. 4B to 4D show examples in which the creation pattern of the material list DL is changed according to the attendance information SK. The example of FIG. 4B describes attendance information SK for each conference. In the example of FIG. 4C, only attended or on-hold meetings are listed, and absent meetings are excluded from the list. In the example of FIG. 4D, the description is classified according to the contents of attendance information, not the order in which the meetings are held.

  Since the link of the jump instruction button JB is linked to the meeting material in the meeting material box 32, when the organizer updates the meeting material, if the jump instruction button JB is operated thereafter, the updated meeting material Is read out. That is, the user can obtain the latest meeting materials.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an object added to the schedule by the object registration unit 318. The object displays the material list DL as shown in the example of FIG. 4 when the user performs an operation on the object.

  In FIG. 5A, a list display button LBa as an object is arranged in the column of the schedule table SL. The object in this case is registered in the schedule as an event of today's morning time zone. Instead of arranging the list display button LBa in the column, or in the column, the list display button LBb may be arranged in a blank area outside the column of the schedule table SL.

  In FIG. 5B, a list display button LB displayed as one of options on the pull-down menu PM is an object. The pull-down menu PM is displayed when a menu selection operation is performed on the menu bar MB in the operation screen related to the schedule browsing on the display of the information terminal of the user accessing the A server 2.

  The schedule table SL may be transmitted by e-mail. In addition, when the meeting schedule on the day is changed, or when a participant changes attendance, the document list DL is dynamically updated, and the latest status is reflected when the user operates the object. The document list DL can be displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a conference registration flowchart showing the procedures from [1] to [4] in FIG.

  The organizer creates a meeting information and sends it to the A server 2 (S11). The A server 2 distributes the holding guidance to the participation candidates (S12). The organizer registers the conference material in the B server 3 using registration software that converts the output target file into a file of a predetermined format (S13). For example, a printer driver having a function of outputting a file of a specified format is caused to execute the printing process (file output) for the conference material by specifying the output destination as the multifunction machine 5.

  The file format of the conference material to be registered may be the storage format of the application that created it. However, if such a format is used, the range to be printed or viewed as meeting materials may not be clear. A format with a clear range to be printed is desirable. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the organizer performs an operation of instructing printing to an application that displays or creates a document. A printer driver that receives print data (that is, meeting material) from an application converts the print data into a clear format within a range to be printed. At the same time, the printer driver requests the organizer to input the meeting name as information for identifying the meeting.

  When the organizer inputs the meeting name, the printer driver transmits the meeting name and the print data converted into a predetermined format to the B server 3 (S14). Steps S13 and S14 are repeated until transmission of all conference materials to be registered is completed. The B server 3 that has received the meeting material stores the meeting material in the meeting material box in association with the meeting name received together.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the B server at the stage [5] [6] in FIG. Here, the future period of interest in the schedule will be described as tomorrow. That is, it is assumed that the B server performs an operation for supporting the acquisition of meeting materials for tomorrow's meeting.

  The B server 3 obtains the user's schedule from the A server 2 and extracts the conference information at the schedule confirmation time in the night, for example, the night before the day of attention (tomorrow) (that is, today) (ie today). S102). An example of the extracted conference information DM is shown in FIG.

B server 3, conference information DM or et al., "Held date is tomorrow, and not in absentia, and the conference material associated with the conference name is within the conference materials Box" choose the condition is satisfied conference that ( S103, S104, S105). Then, the conference name of the selected conference is added to the material list DL together with the link to the conference material (S106). When all conferences satisfying the conditions are selected (YES in S107), an object for calling the generated material list DL is created and registered in the user's tomorrow's schedule (S108, S109). The above is performed for all users (S110).

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of data format conversion for combining a plurality of conference materials into one. As described above, when the conference material is registered in the B server 3, multiple types of original files 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D such as txt format and word (registered trademark) format are converted into PDF (Portable Document Format) or other specific format. Convert to file. If there are a plurality of original files 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D as shown in the figure, these are collected into one file 20d and then registered as conference material. The specific format is not limited to PDF, and may be any format that makes the printing range clear.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of conference registration including data format conversion.

  First, as in FIG. 6, the organizer transmits a meeting holding guide to the A server 2 (S21), and the A server 2 distributes the holding guide to the participating candidates (S22). Then, the organizer instructs file output in a specific format of the conference material (S23).

  Next, predetermined software (for example, a printer driver) that has received a file output instruction converts the conference material into a specific format (here, PDF format) (S24). When there are a plurality of meeting materials, the meeting materials are combined into one (S25, S26). A set of conference materials is transmitted to the B server 3 (S27). It is stored in the conference material box (S28).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a modified example of conference registration including data format conversion.

  The user of the schedule management system 1 can specify in advance the file format (data format) of the conference material acquired by the user. When the file format is designated by the user (YES in S31), the information terminal used by the user stores the designated format in the B server 3 (S32).

  The organizer transmits the meeting information to the A server 2 (S33), and the A server 2 distributes the information to the participation candidates (S34). Then, the organizer instructs the file output of the conference material (S35).

  The software that has received the file output instruction inquires of the B server 3 whether the file format designation information is stored (S35). If the specified information is stored, the conference information is converted to the specified format (S37). If the specified information is not stored, the conference information is converted to the default format (in this case, PDF) (S38). . The file format may be left as it is without conversion. In any case, the conference information in the file format determined according to the user's designation is transmitted to the B server 3 and stored in the conference material box (S39, S40).

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a display screen used for designating the data format of the conference material. For browsing conference materials, various information terminals such as personal computers, tablets, and smartphones are used, and browsers corresponding to the models are used. By specifying multiple file opening formats in advance, the user can open the file in a format suitable for the browser when the user takes in the desired meeting material into the information terminal using the link of the material list DL. It becomes like this. In the example, pdF, xps, txt, xls, and xlsx are file format options. The upper display screen Q10 in the figure is in a non-selected state. In the lower display screen Q10 in the figure, pdF, xps, and xls formats are selected. When the user operates the OK button 90, the file format is set according to the designation. Once set, it does not need to be set after that.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a conference registration screen where the importance of the conference can be specified. When the organizer prepares a meeting guide, the importance of the meeting can be switched between three levels: high, normal, and low. The period for storing the conference material after the conference is held is changed according to the designated importance. In the conference registration screen Q1 shown in the figure, an operation button 91 for designating the importance level to “high” and an operation button 92 for designating the level of importance to “low” are arranged. When the operation button 91 is operated, “high” is designated. When the operation button 91 is operated again in this state, the designation of “high” is canceled, and when the operation button 92 is operated, “low” is designated instead of “high”. When the operation button 92 is operated in a state where “low” is designated, the designation of “low” is canceled. In the example, there is no operation button corresponding to “normal”, but a state in which neither “high” nor “low” is designated is designated as “normal”.

  FIG. 14A is a flowchart for conference registration when importance can be specified, and FIG. 14B is a flowchart for setting a retention period.

  In FIG. 14A, the organizer creates a meeting guide (S41), and when the importance is set to other than “normal” (YES in S42), the importance is set to “high” or “low”. Change (S43). Then, the organizer transmits a holding guide to the A server 2 (S44). The holding information is distributed to the participation candidates by the A server 2 (S45).

  Thereafter, as in FIG. 6, the organizer instructs the file output in the specific format of the conference material (S46). The information terminal of the organizer transmits the conference material to the B server 3 (S47), and the B server 3 stores the conference material in the conference material box (S48).

  In FIG. 14B, the B server 3 checks whether or not the meeting corresponding to the stored meeting material has ended (S401). When the scheduled end time of the conference is before the current time, that is, when the scheduled end time has passed, it is considered that the conference has ended. If the check result is NO, the flow proceeds directly to the end.

  If the check result in step S401 is YES and the designation of the importance level of the conference being noticed is not “normal” (YES in S402), the storage period of the conference material is changed according to the importance level (S403). . If the importance is “high”, the period is longer than the normal period, and if the importance is “low”, the period is shorter than the normal period.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of adding information to registered conference materials. The B server 3 adds the conference information MI to the conference material 20e when the conference material 20e is registered or when the conference material 20e is accessed by a link of the material list DL. The example meeting information MI is the meeting name and importance, but may include other information such as a holding place and a holding time. The conference information MI is described on the cover of the conference material 20e and the margin of each page. By describing the meeting information MI, for example, when a plurality of materials are printed together, the materials can be easily separated.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of an operation screen for designating post-processing at the time of printing for registered conference materials. The user can designate post-processing after printing for the conference material. On the illustrated operation screen Q12, as post-processing options, there are a staple process for binding sheets, a punch process for opening filing holes, and a folding process for folding sheets.

  The upper operation screen Q12 in the figure is in a non-selected state. On the lower operation screen Q12 in the figure, it is designated to perform stapling and folding. When the user operates the OK button 90, post-processing is set according to the designation. Once set, it does not need to be set after that. The organizer can specify post-processing when registering the conference material, and each user can appropriately change the settings made at the time of registration.

  FIG. 17 shows another example of adding information to registered conference materials. For example, when printing the conference material 20f, the B server 3 adds information UDa and UDb specifying the user who has instructed printing to the conference material 20f. The information UDa and UDb may include conference information such as the conference time and location. The user name is different between the information UDa in FIG. 17A and the information UDb in FIG.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of a material list. A check box CB for designating whether printing is necessary is arranged for each conference material listed. When the user enters a check box CB check CM, the conference material corresponding to the check box CB becomes the print target. When the user operates the print instruction button 95, the conference material designated as the print target is printed by the B server 3. At that time, the information terminal of the user requests printing to the B server 3 using the link embedded in the jump instruction button JB.

  A message column MA is provided in the material list DL. The message column MA informs the user of messages from the organizer regarding the situation related to the conference, such as change of conference requirements, addition of conference, update of conference materials, and the like. In FIG. 18, a message about the state of the conference material such as “final version”, “possible update”, and “draft version” is displayed for each conference material. The user can determine whether printing is necessary with reference to the message. In the figure, one meeting material corresponds to each meeting, but when a plurality of meeting materials correspond to one meeting, a message can be displayed for each of the plurality of meeting materials.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of updating the material list.

  When the document list DL has already been registered (YES in S201), the B server 3 reflects the input contents in the corresponding document list DL if there is a message input from the organizer for the conference material (YES in S202). (S203).

  When the meeting essentials are changed or the meeting is added (YES in S204), the B server 3 updates the corresponding document list DL (S205). Also, when there is a change / addition / deletion of the conference material (YES in S206), the corresponding material list DL is updated (S207).

  When there is a change of a message already described in the material list DL or addition of a new message (YES in S208), the B server 3 changes the description content of the message column MA in the corresponding material list DL (S209).

  20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, and FIG. 24 show examples of material lists in the case where attendance responses are displayed. In these figures, an attendance answer column SA is provided in the material list DL.

  In the example of FIG. 20, conferences whose attendance response is “attendance” and conferences whose attendance response is “hold” are listed. The arrangement order of the listed conferences is in the order of the holding time. For the conferences listed, “Attendance” is indicated by the character string SK1 and “Pending” is indicated by the character string SK3 in the attendance response column SA. A jump instruction button JB representing a link to the conference material is arranged for each listed conference including conferences in which the attendance answer is “pending” (sales conference in the example).

  In FIG. 21, conferences whose attendance response is “absent” are listed in the material list DL. “Not present” is represented by the character string SK2. For a meeting (sales meeting) in which the attendance response is “absent”, the jump instruction button JB representing the link to the meeting material is not arranged. When the user changes the attendance answer from “pending” to “absence”, the material list DL is updated from the state in which the jump instruction button JB is arranged as shown in FIG. 20 to the state in which the jump instruction button JB is not present as shown in FIG. The

  In the example of FIG. 22, only conferences whose attendance response is “attendance” are listed in the material list DL.

  In the document list DL of FIG. 23, as can be seen from the comparison with FIG. 20, “attendance” is ranked higher than “hold” in the arrangement order of the conferences. The arrangement order of the meetings in which the attendance answer is “attendance” is the order of the holding time.

  In the material list DL of FIG. 24, as can be seen from the comparison with FIG. 20, “attendance” is ranked higher than “absence” in the arrangement order of the conference. However, “absent” may be higher than “attendance”. In the example of FIG. 24, a jump instruction button JB indicating the presence of a link to the conference material is also arranged for a conference whose attendance response is “absent”.

  FIG. 25 shows a display example of objects in the schedule table. A schedule from February 1 to February 5 of a certain user (user C) is displayed by the illustrated schedule table SL. The display column for one day is a vertically long area, and is divided into time zones in units of 30 minutes. The display columns for each day are arranged on the left and right in calendar order.

  In the example, there are three conferences as an event on February 2, one conference is scheduled on February 3, and one conference is scheduled on February 5. This is represented by square event marks C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 arranged according to the scheduled time of the event.

  Here, today's (today) date is Monday, February 2, and the current time is 8 am. In the schedule table SL, in order to easily identify the display column of the current day, highlighting that selectively changes the background color of the display column of the present day is performed.

  The schedule table SL in FIG. 25 has list display buttons LB1 and LB2 as objects related to the acquisition of conference materials. The list display button LB1 is a user interface that displays a material list DL for the conference material of the “Today” conference. The arrangement position of the list display button LB1 is a position in a time zone area of a predetermined time before the holding time of the meeting scheduled to be held in the future closest to the current time in the display column of today. In the figure, a list display button LB1 is arranged in a time zone area 45 minutes before the meeting holding time (10:00 am) represented by the event mark C1.

  Another list display button LB2 is a user interface that displays a material list DL for conference materials of the meeting of “Tomorrow”. The arrangement position of the list display button LB2 is a position in a time zone area a predetermined time before the meeting start time that is earliest in the display column of tomorrow. In the figure, a list display button LB2 is arranged in a time zone area 45 minutes before the meeting holding time (15:00 am) represented by the event mark C4.

  When an operation of clicking or touching the list display button LB2 is performed, a material list DL2 illustrated in FIG. 26 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 26, the jump list button JB is also displayed in the material list DL2 for the meeting materials for the meeting “Tomorrow” as in the material list DL for the meeting materials for the “Today” meeting shown in FIG. The A check box CB and a print instruction button 95 are also displayed. That is, today, the user can view the meeting materials for tomorrow's meeting simply by operating the jump instruction button JB. By operating the print instruction button 95 after putting the check mark CM, the meeting materials for the tomorrow's meeting can be printed.

  FIG. 27 shows another display example of objects in the schedule table.

  In FIG. 27A, the list display button LB1 for displaying the material list DL of the meeting “Today” and the list display button LB2 for displaying the material list DL of the meeting “Tomorrow” are out of the margin of the schedule table SL. They are arranged side by side in the blank on the upper end side. In FIG. 27B, the list display button LB1 and the list display button LB2 are arranged side by side in the blank portion on the left end side of the schedule table SL.

  In FIG. 27C, a list display button LB1 and a list display button LB2 are displayed as options in the pull-down menu PM2. The pull-down menu PM2 is displayed when the schedule menu button M2 arranged outside the schedule table SL is operated. In this example, the pull-down menu PM2 includes a list display button LB3 for displaying a material list of meetings for tomorrow and later.

  FIG. 28 shows a display example of a schedule table list on the operation panel of the multifunction machine. The user of the schedule management system 1 can browse and print his / her schedule table SL on the operation panel 12 of the multifunction machine 5. When a predetermined operation is performed, the multi-function device 5 displays a schedule table list screen Q30.

  In the schedule table list screen Q30, a plurality of selection buttons including selection buttons 101 and 102 are displayed. These selection buttons respectively correspond to the schedules of a plurality of users managed by the A server 2. When the user touches any selection button in the schedule table list screen Q30, a user authentication screen Q31 illustrated in FIG. 29 is displayed on the operation panel 12.

  When the user enters a user ID and password in the input fields 121 and 122 using a character input key (not shown) while the user authentication screen Q31 is displayed, user authentication is performed. When the login of the user is approved, the schedule table SL of the user is displayed on the operation panel 12. By performing user authentication, it is possible to prevent other users from viewing the schedule of a certain user. The user authentication method is a method of reading authentication information from an IC card or a method of using biometric authentication technology. May be.

  FIG. 30 shows another example of the object. In FIG. 30A, a list display button LBx as an object is arranged in the upper blank portion outside the margin of the schedule table SL. The list display button LBx is a user interface that displays a conference material list SL corresponding to a set time in the near future, not a period determined by a date.

  When the user operates the list display button LBx, a conference to be held within a set time from the current time and a document list SL that lists the conference materials are displayed. For example, if the current time is 8 am on February 2 and the set time is 6 hours, the start time is 2 times within the period from 8 am on February 2 to 2 pm (14:00) The material list SL listing the conferences (corresponding to the event marks C1 and C2) is displayed.

  FIG. 30B shows a modification of the arrangement position of the list display button LB3. In FIG. 30B, the list display button LBx is arranged in the left blank portion of the margin of the schedule table SL.

  FIG. 31 shows another example of the display of the operation buttons in FIG. In FIG. 31, a list display button LBx is displayed as an option in the pull-down menu PM1. The pull-down menu PM1 is displayed when the file menu button M2 arranged outside the schedule table SL is operated.

  According to the above embodiment, the user of the schedule management system 1 can display the material list DL of a meeting to be held in the near future with one click operation while confirming his / her schedule, and from the material list DL The contents of the selected conference material can be viewed with a single click. Further, it is possible to determine whether printing is necessary by browsing, and to print meeting materials that need to be printed with a single click. When a plurality of conferences are listed in the material list DL, it is possible to designate whether or not to print the materials for each conference, or to print them at once. It is possible to prevent unnecessary printing of materials that do not require printing. Unlike the prior art, there is no need to access a server for managing conference materials independently of the schedule and search for conference materials that the user participates in. Instead of obtaining the conference materials as printed materials, the conference materials can be easily captured and viewed on a tablet or notebook computer. That is, it is possible to improve the convenience of the environment for obtaining the conference material via the network.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the schedule management system 1 can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Although the example in which the B server 3 that automatically manages the conference material 20 in association with the schedule is incorporated in the multi function device 5 (MFP) having the print function is given, information that does not have the print function such as the server machine or a general personal computer. It may be incorporated into the device. It is not always necessary to store the conference material in the information device in which the B server 3 is incorporated, and the conference material may be stored in a non-volatile memory at any location on the network accessible from the B server 3.

  A function for adding a jump instruction button JB to a schedule in response to an object addition request from the B server 2 may be added to groupware that does not support add-ins (also referred to as add-ons), thereby causing the groupware to operate as the A server 2.

1 Schedule management system 2 A server (schedule management server)
3 B server (additional function server)
4 Server machine 5 Multi-function machine (information equipment, image forming device)
8A, 8B Personal computer (information terminal)
8C portable information terminal (information terminal)
20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20e, 20f Meeting materials (documents)
310 Search unit (schedule acquisition means)
312 Link acquisition unit (link acquisition means)
316 List generation unit (data generation means)
318 Object registration unit (object addition means)
DL document list (screen display data)
LB, LB1, LB2, LB3, LBx List display button (object)
JB jump instruction button (operation unit)
SK Attendance information CB Check box MA Message field 300 Box management section (transfer means)
15 Print control unit (print control means)
32 Meeting Material Box (nonvolatile memory)

Claims (18)

An information device that can access the schedule management server,
Among schedules managed by the schedule management server, schedule acquisition means for acquiring a schedule corresponding to setting conditions from the schedule management server;
Link acquisition means for acquiring a link to a document stored in advance in association with the schedule acquired by the schedule acquisition means ;
Data generating means for generating screen display data for accessing the document using the link;
An object for an operation in which a user of an information terminal that acquires and displays the schedule from the schedule management server instructs the information terminal to display the screen display data is added to the schedule managed by the schedule management server. An object adding means to be added ,
The object is to display the screen display data corresponding to the schedule corresponding to a preset period or time when the display of the screen display data is instructed by the operation.
Information equipment characterized by that. The object displays the screen display data corresponding to the schedule including an event to be held today, and when the schedule is displayed on the information terminal, the current time in the schedule of today is displayed. It is displayed at a position in the time zone area that is a predetermined time before the time of the event scheduled to be held in the nearest future.
The information device according to claim 1. The Screen represented by the display data, according to claim 1 or 2 information apparatus according an operation unit for said user uptake of the documents to the data terminal from the storage destination specified instructing by the link. In the case where a meeting is registered in the schedule and meeting materials are stored as the document, the data generation unit displays data for displaying a screen on which the operation unit is arranged for each meeting and for each meeting material. The information device according to claim 3 . When a plurality of conferences are registered in the schedule, the data generation means, according to the designation status of attendance by the user for each of the plurality of conferences indicated by the attendance information added to the schedule, The information device according to claim 4 , wherein a meeting to be displayed is selected from the plurality of meetings on the screen. The information device according to claim 4, wherein the screen represented by the screen display data includes a check box for designating whether printing is necessary for each meeting material. The information device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , wherein the screen represented by the screen display data includes a message field indicating whether or not there is a possibility that the conference material is updated. An image forming apparatus having a nonvolatile memory capable of storing a plurality of documents,
A schedule acquisition means for acquiring, from the schedule management server, a schedule corresponding to the setting condition from among schedules managed by an external schedule management server;
A link acquisition unit that acquires a link to a target document that is a document associated with the schedule acquired by the schedule acquisition unit among documents stored in the nonvolatile memory;
Data generating means for generating screen display data for accessing the target document using the link;
An object for an operation in which a user of an information terminal that acquires and displays the schedule from the schedule management server instructs the information terminal to display the screen display data is added to the schedule managed by the schedule management server. An object addition means to be added;
Transfer means for receiving the transfer request from the information terminal and transferring the target document to the information terminal;
Print control means for receiving a print request from the information terminal and causing the image forming apparatus to print the target document ;
The object is to display the screen display data corresponding to the schedule corresponding to a preset period or time when the display of the screen display data is instructed by the operation.
An image forming apparatus. The object displays the screen display data corresponding to the schedule including an event to be held today, and when the schedule is displayed on the information terminal, the current time in the schedule of today is displayed. It is displayed at a position in the time zone area that is a predetermined time before the time of the event scheduled to be held in the nearest future.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a period for storing the target document is changed by the nonvolatile memory according to the importance indicated by the additional information of the schedule. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein when the target document is a conference material, character information specifying a corresponding conference is added to the target document. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein, when the target document is a conference material, character information for identifying a user of the information terminal is added to the target document at the time of printing. A schedule management system having a schedule management server,
An additional function server that communicates with the schedule management server;
The additional function server is
Among schedules managed by the schedule management server, schedule acquisition means for acquiring a schedule corresponding to setting conditions from the schedule management server;
Link acquisition means for acquiring a link to a document stored in advance in association with the schedule acquired by the schedule acquisition means ;
Data generating means for generating screen display data for accessing the document using the link;
An object for an operation in which a user of an information terminal that acquires and displays the schedule from the schedule management server instructs the information terminal to display the screen display data is added to the schedule managed by the schedule management server. An object adding means to be added ,
The object is to display the screen display data corresponding to the schedule corresponding to a preset period or time when the display of the screen display data is instructed by the operation.
A schedule management system characterized by that. The object displays the screen display data corresponding to the schedule including an event to be held today, and when the schedule is displayed on the information terminal, the current time in the schedule of today is displayed. It is displayed at a position in the time zone area that is a predetermined time before the time of the event scheduled to be held in the nearest future.
The schedule management system according to claim 13. The schedule management system according to claim 14 , wherein the schedule management server arranges the object at a predetermined part of a schedule table representing the schedule. A computer program executed in an information device accessible to a schedule management server,
In the computer that the information device has,
Among schedules managed by the schedule management server, a schedule acquisition process for acquiring a schedule corresponding to setting conditions from the schedule management server;
A link acquisition process for acquiring a link to a document stored in advance in association with the schedule acquired by the schedule acquisition process ;
A data generation process for generating screen display data for accessing the document using the link;
An object for an operation in which a user of an information terminal that acquires and displays the schedule from the schedule management server instructs the information terminal to display the screen display data is added to the schedule managed by the schedule management server. The object addition process to be added is executed ,
The object is to display the screen display data corresponding to the schedule corresponding to a preset period or time when the display of the screen display data is instructed by the operation.
A computer program characterized by the above. A computer program executed in an image forming apparatus having a non-volatile memory capable of storing a plurality of documents,
In the computer that the image forming apparatus has,
A schedule acquisition process for acquiring a schedule corresponding to the setting condition from the schedule managed by the schedule management server;
A link acquisition process for acquiring a link to a target document that is a document related to the schedule acquired by the schedule acquisition unit among the documents stored in the nonvolatile memory;
A data generation process for generating screen display data for accessing the target document using the link;
An object for an operation in which a user of an information terminal that acquires and displays the schedule from the schedule management server instructs the information terminal to display the screen display data is added to the schedule managed by the schedule management server. Add object addition process,
A transfer process for receiving the transfer request from the information terminal and transferring the target document to the information terminal;
A print control process for receiving the print request from the information terminal and causing the image forming apparatus to print the target document .
The object is to display the screen display data corresponding to the schedule corresponding to a preset period or time when the display of the screen display data is instructed by the operation.
A computer program characterized by the above. The object displays the screen display data corresponding to the schedule including an event to be held today, and when the schedule is displayed on the information terminal, the current time in the schedule of today is displayed. It is displayed at a position in the time zone area that is a predetermined time before the time of the event scheduled to be held in the nearest future.
The computer program according to claim 16 or 17.

Images