JP2001197464A - Information display device, display system, and electronic conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an information display device which can display arbitrary information from among information sent from a host device and can display information indicated by the host device, without having to retrieve. SOLUTION: In an electronic conference system, a display device 20 takes information sent from a host device (electronic document server) 10 as the input to store it and displays it on display panels 22a and 22b. A specific image for presentation is displayed on a large-sized host display device 1. A user selection mode or a host selection mode can be set independently to each of display panels 22a and 22b. In the user selection mode, a user (participant in a conference) can arbitrarily select display information. In the host selection mode, the user cannot select display information, and information indicated by the host device 10 is automatically displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information display device, and more particularly to an information display device optimal for an electronic conference system in which materials are distributed as electronic information, a display system including the device, and an electronic conference system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At conferences and seminars, it is common to listen to explanations while looking at distributed paper materials. Handouts are necessary at conferences and seminars, but are often unnecessary at other times, and waste paper resources.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-274136 discloses an electronic conferencing system including a single host device and a plurality of display devices prepared for the number of conference participants. The host device and each display device are connected by a cable or wirelessly, and information and control signals can be transmitted and received between them.

[0004] The information transmitted from the host device is stored and displayed in the storage means of each display device, so that conference participants can view the conference information. In this case, there are two ways for the participant to view the information. One is when the organizer has the initiative, and the other is when the participants have the initiative.

When the organizer has the initiative, the participant does not need to operate the display device at all, and the information stored in the host device operated by the organizer itself is transmitted unilaterally, and the display device transmits the information. It merely serves to display the received information.

[0006] When the participant has the initiative, after the organizer transmits the information of the host device to the display device of the participant, the participant operates the display device so that the participant operates the display device independently of the host device. Information can be displayed. This allows
Participants can freely browse the contents of the meeting materials,
Operability is improved.

[0007] However, when the participant has the initiative, if the participant displays any information (screen), the screen currently explained by the organizer cannot be understood, and it becomes impossible to concentrate on the conference, or Asked other people and other participants.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information display device capable of displaying arbitrary information out of information sent from a host device and displaying information specified by the host device without having to search. An object of the present invention is to provide a display system and an electronic conference system including the device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above objects, an information display device according to the present invention comprises a communication device for communicating with a host device, and a plurality of display screens for displaying information. Display screen includes a first screen operable in a user selection mode in which a user can select display information, and a second screen operable in a host selection mode in which the host device can select display information. Have been.

Therefore, the information display device according to the present invention can simultaneously display the screen information designated by the host device and the screen information selected by the user. Therefore, the user can freely view the information, and at the same time, can grasp the screen information designated by the host device, and it is not necessary to perform an operation for returning to the designated screen.

Each of the first and second screens can be switched between the user selection mode and the host selection mode, so that (A) both screens are set to the user selection mode. ) Set any screen to the host selection mode; (C) set any one screen to the user selection mode; set the other screen to the host selection mode;
(D) The operation can be performed in any of the four modes of setting one screen to the host selection mode and the other screen to the user selection mode.

In the host selection mode, the same information as the screen information specified by the host device is displayed on the display screen, so that at least one screen is specified by the host device as necessary. You can immediately return to the screen information.

In the host selection mode, by prohibiting the user from selecting display information, it is possible to make the user surely grasp the information specified by the host device.

[0014] The display system according to the present invention includes a plurality of information display devices including first and second information display devices each capable of displaying arbitrary information. Comprises a plurality of display screens including a first screen operating in a user selection mode in which display information can be selected, and a second screen operating in a host selection mode in which the first information display device can select display information. ing. According to this display system, the screen information displayed by the first information display device and the screen information selected by the user can be simultaneously displayed.

Accordingly, the user can freely view the information and at the same time can grasp the screen information displayed by the first information display device, eliminating the need to perform an operation for returning to the instruction screen.

Further, a communication display system according to the present invention includes a host device and a terminal device each having a display screen and capable of communicating with each other, wherein the terminal device is in a user selection mode in which a user can select display information. A plurality of display screens are provided, including a first screen that operates and a second screen that operates in a host selection mode in which the host device can select display information. According to this communication display system, the screen information displayed by the host device and the screen information selected by the user can be displayed simultaneously. Therefore, the user can freely view the information, and at the same time, can grasp the screen information displayed by the host device, and there is no need to perform an operation for returning to the display screen.

Further, an electronic conference system according to the present invention includes a host device and any one of the information display devices. Therefore, when conducting an electronic conference, the participants can display any information, which makes it possible to look back at the explained information or postpone the information to get a rough overview of the explanation, making it possible to use it smoothly. Conference can be promoted. The host device may include a display screen.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an information display device, a display system including the device, and an electronic conference system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overall Configuration of Electronic Conference System) FIG.
1 shows an overall configuration of an electronic conference system. This system is
Outline, large host display device 1 for presentation
An electronic document server 10 functioning as a host device;
It is composed of a plurality of display devices 20. The host display device 1 and the server 10 are used by the meeting organizer, and the display device 2
0 is used by the participant.

The server 10 has a dedicated display panel, and displays the same information as the information displayed on the host display device 1. The host display device 1
Is useful for a presentation, but is not always necessary. The server 10 can provide a display panel or the like so that the meeting organizer can know which screen the server 10 is currently pointing. It is good.

The host display device 1 comprises a display panel using a liquid crystal exhibiting a cholesteric phase at room temperature, for example, a chiral nematic liquid crystal. The host display device 1 has an operation panel for instructing page turning and screen initialization, and a display panel. An operation / drive unit 2 including a panel drive circuit is provided, and can be controlled by the electronic document server 10. The electronic document server 10 includes a communication module 11 and distributes electronic document information to each display device 20 by wireless or the like.

The communication module 11 may have a different specification from the server 10, such as a PHS or a mobile phone, or may be built in the server 10. Further, the server 10 and each display device 20 may be connected by a cable. Further, it goes without saying that the host display device 1 may be constituted by a display device other than the liquid crystal.

(Structure of Display Device) The display device 20 has the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the first case for displaying electronic information on the housing 21 is described below.
And second display panels 22a and 22b,
a and a second operation unit 23 for operating the a and 22b
a, 23b, a transceiver 24 for exchanging information with the electronic document server 10, and a driver for driving a storage medium for storing received information (in FIG. 2, an attachment / detachment port 25 is shown). .

The display panels 22a and 22b are composed of liquid crystal display elements, and have almost the same size as A4 size.
The size of A4 size is adapted to the size of the material usually used in the office, and may be another size.

When liquid crystal display elements are used as the display panels 22a and 22b, the entire display device 20 can be made thin and compact, and the liquid crystal display elements can use various display methods conventionally known. Among various liquid crystal display elements, if memory liquid crystal such as cholesteric liquid crystal, chiral nematic liquid crystal, ferroelectric liquid crystal, ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal is used, even if power supply is stopped except when rewriting information, Since the display state can be maintained, energy saving can be achieved.

As described above, the display device using the memory liquid crystal is most suitable for the display device 20 as the conference material browsing device in the electronic conference system as in the present embodiment. There is an advantage that there is no energy consumption for maintaining the display even after the explanation and examination.

In particular, a cholesteric liquid crystal or a chiral nematic liquid crystal can realize full-color display by laminating a liquid crystal layer that selectively reflects each of the three primary colors of light, ie, RGB, so that a display with high expressive power can be realized. It becomes possible. Moreover, since a polarizing plate and a backlight are not required, a handy display device having a simplified configuration can be obtained, and it is easy for the user to check the display contents.

As the display panels 22a and 22b, a display device such as an electroluminescence display or a plasma display may be used in addition to the liquid crystal display device. Even when these display devices are used, the device can be kept thin.

The operation units 23a and 23b are
a, 22b, and the first operation unit 23
a is used for operation of the first display panel 22a, and the second operation unit 23b is used for operation of the second display panel 22b. Therefore, in the following description, the reference numerals of the respective keys are given "a" for the first display panel 22a,
"B" is added to the second display panel 22b.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the operation units 23a and 23b has a mode switching key 31, a screen position display unit 32,
A screen operation key (consisting of a screen forward key 33 and a screen return key 34) and a storage instruction key 35 are provided. The storage instruction key 35 is for storing information in the memory card 29 (see FIG. 1) inserted into the attachment / detachment port 25.

The mode switching key 31 is for switching between a user selection mode and a host selection mode.
The user selection mode means that a conference participant uses the display panel 22.
a, 22b, the screen operation keys 33, 34
This mode can be selected arbitrarily. The host selection mode means that the participant cannot arbitrarily select, that is, only information specified by the electronic document server 10 is displayed on the display
a, 22b.

The mode switching key 31 may be provided at a position where a conference participant cannot operate. That is, the mode may be switched on the server 10 side.

The screen position display section 32 includes a display panel 22a,
Information (eg, page number) related to the currently displayed image information is displayed in 22b. This display section 32
Is also composed of a liquid crystal display element, but is not limited thereto.

The transceiver 24 includes an interface connector to which a wireless modem such as a PHS or a mobile phone is connected,
It is composed of a card slot in which a data transmission / reception card connected to a wireless modem such as a PHS or a mobile phone or a data transmission / reception card having a built-in wireless modem is attached / detached. Of course, Ir
Wireless communication means such as DA may be used.

A driver 41 (see FIG. 5) for writing and reading image data to and from a storage medium that is attached to and detached from the storage medium attachment / detachment port 25 is provided in the housing 21. The driver 41 stores information in a storage medium based on the operation of the storage instruction key 35. As a storage medium, FIG.
In addition to the memory card 29 shown in (1), various types such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, and an optical disk can be used.

These storage media can be loaded into a notebook computer 51, and information can be printed out by a printer 52 connected to the computer 51.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a control board 45 built in the display device 20, and FIG. 5 shows a control unit. On the control board 45, a memory 46, a CPU 47, and drivers 42a and 42 of the first and second display panels 22a and 22b are provided.
b and a power supply unit 48 for supplying power to each unit. The memory 46 stores information transmitted from the server 10 via the transceiver 24 under the control of the CPU 47. The CPU 47 controls the operation of each part of the display device 20 as a whole and forms a monitoring means in cooperation with the transmitter / receiver 24 to detect the presence / absence of transmission from the server 10 indicating that the server 10 has turned the page. The page position of the server 10 may be detected by reading the screen position information of the server 10 at a predetermined cycle (short time).

The information data stored in the memory 46 is transmitted to the drivers 42a and 42b of the display panels 22a and 22b.
And is displayed on the display panels 22a and 22b based on a control signal output from the CPU 47. Further, the memory 46 can transfer information data to the storage medium driver 41 as well.

(Operation of Electronic Conference System, Operation of Display Device) Next, regarding operation of the electronic conference system, the display device 2
The operation including the operation of 0 will be described.

When the power is turned on to the electronic document server 10 and each display device 20 at the start of the conference, the server 10 is in a state where information can be transmitted to each display device 20 through wireless communication means or a cable. In this state, the host displays the computerized information, which is the conference material stored in the server 10, on the host display device 1 and transmits the information to the display devices 20 from the server 10.

The transmitted information is sequentially stored in the memory 46 via the transceiver 24 of each display device 20. The amount of information to be sent differs depending on the conference, and the memory 46 has a sufficiently large storage capacity.

In the following, it is assumed that conference materials are collectively transmitted from the server 10 to each display device 20 in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The server 10 may transmit image data to be newly displayed to the display device 20 simultaneously with page turning.

The server 10 can perform page turning by key operation or the like. Further, the server 10 can transmit additional information including screen position information in addition to transmitting information as conference materials.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the page turning process executed by the server 10. As shown in FIG. 7, when the server 10 confirms a page feed instruction by a key operation or the like (YES in step S10), the server 10 reads next page data from a storage medium or the like into a memory (step S11), and based on the next page data. To rewrite the screen of the host display device 1 (step S12). Then, information on the display page (current screen) displayed on the host display device 1 is transmitted from the communication module 11 (step S13), and the process ends.

As will be described later, the display device 20 uses the page data transmitted from the communication module 11 based on the page data.
Update the screen and monitor the host screen position.

Next, a procedure when a conference participant views information will be described. This procedure involves a first initiative in which the organizer has the initiative.
There is a mode and a second mode in which the participant has the initiative.

The first mode is a mode in which information stored in the server 10 operated by the organizer is unilaterally transmitted to the display device 20 of the participant and displayed. In this case, the participant does not need to operate the display device 20 at all. That is, the display device 20 only has a function of simply displaying the information sent from the server 10. Hereinafter, this first mode is referred to as a host selection mode. Therefore, in the host selection mode, the same information as the display information displayed on the display panel of the server 10 or the host display device 1 is displayed on the display device 20.

The second mode is a case where the participant has the initiative. After the organizer transmits the information stored in the server 10 to the display device 20 of the participant, the participant displays the display device of the participant. 20 is a mode in which some operation is performed on the display panel 20 and the transmitted information is displayed on its own display panel 22 a and / or 22 b independently of the display information of the server 10 or the display information of the host display device 1. Hereinafter, this second mode is referred to as a user selection mode.

The display device 20 includes first and second operation sections 23a and 23b for independently operating the first and second display panels 22a and 22b. Since each of the operation units 23a and 23b is provided with a mode switching key 31, it can be used as follows.

For example, the participant may select the first display panel 22a
Can be set to the host selection mode, and the second display panel 22b can be set to the user selection mode. in this case,
The display information is automatically rewritten on the first display panel 22a in accordance with the display switching signal of the electronic document server 10,
Participants can always grasp the screen position where the organizer is explaining. Furthermore, during the conference, the participant can display an arbitrary screen on the second display panel 22b, and can look back on the previously described screen or postpone and roughly understand the outline of the description.

The second display panel 22b can be set to the host selection mode, and the first display panel 22a can be set to the user selection mode. In the present display device 20, the operation units 23a and 23b are provided separately at the left and right ends of the housing 21, so that the operation mode can be set for each participant according to the ease of use by the dominant arm or the like. You can use them properly.

The two display panels 22a and 22b may always be in different modes. In this case, each time one of the mode switching keys 31 provided on the operation units 23a and 23b is operated, the display panels 22a and 22b may be switched to a mode different from the current mode.

Hereinafter, control of the display device 20 in each mode will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a page turning process executed by the display device 20. As shown in FIG. 8, when there is a page feed by operating the keys 33 and 34 (Step S).
If the display panel 22a or 22b on which the keys 33 and 34 are operated is in the user selection mode (YES in step S21), it is confirmed that there is a next page (YES in step S22). Then, the image data of the next page is read into the memory (step S23), and the next page is displayed on the screen (step S24). Then, the display of the screen position display section 32 is updated (step S25), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the mode is the host selection mode (step S21)
NO), the page feed is prohibited by immediately terminating the processing. With such control, an operator can browse any page in the user selection mode and cannot browse any page in the host selection mode.

In the above display operation, the screen position display section 32 displays the screen positions (for example, page numbers) displayed on the display panels 22a and 22b, and the display of this screen position is performed every time the screen is switched. Be updated.

On the other hand, the display device 20 monitors information displayed on the display panel of the host display device 1 or the server 10 by the monitoring means. Therefore, even when the participant sets the display panels 22a and 22b to the user selection mode, the participant operates the mode switching key 31 to switch one of the display panels 22a and 22b to the host selection mode. , Can immediately return to the host screen.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a host screen position monitoring process executed by the display device 20. As shown in FIG. 9, when the host screen position information is transmitted from the server 10 (YES in step S30), it is determined that the page has been turned by the server 10, and the server 10 stores the received page information until that time. The screen position information being updated is updated (step S31). The display panel 22a and / or 22b set to the host selection mode at this time
Is present (YES in step S32), the display panel 2
The screen of 2a and / or 22b is updated according to the host screen position information (step S33), and the screen position display unit 32
Is updated (step S34), and the process ends.
By such control, the screen of the display panel 22a and / or 22b is automatically page-turned in accordance with page-turning of the server 10. On the other hand, for the display panel 22a and / or 22b set in the user selection mode (NO in step S32), the process ends without updating the screen.

(Other Examples of Display Device) In the display device 20, two independent display panels 2 are provided.
Although the example in which the 2a and 22b are arranged on the left and right is shown, they may be arranged on the upper and lower sides, or three or more display panels may be arranged.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the configuration of the display device. The display device 20 'is configured such that one display panel is divided into two display areas 22a' and 22b 'and driven. Other configurations are the same as those of the display device 20 shown in FIG. 2, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Storage of Conference Information) After the conference, the participants can store the conference information in a storage medium such as the memory card 29 by using the operation keys 33 and 34 and the storage instruction key 35. This storage procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, if there is a screen (page) number corresponding to the conference information to be stored (YE in step S50)
S), the number is displayed on the screen position display section 32. Then, when the storage instruction key 35 is operated to give a storage instruction (YES in step S51), the CPU 47 takes out the information corresponding to the instructed screen number from the memory 46 and writes it to the storage medium (step S52). By repeating this operation, the participant can save desired conference information in a storage medium and take it home.

(Other Embodiments) It should be noted that the information display device, the display system including the device, and the electronic conference system according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be variously modified within the scope of the invention. be able to.

For example, in the host selection mode,
The screen of the display device 20 is forcibly restored to the screen information displayed on the display panel of the server 10 or the host display device 1 only when the page is turned on the server 10 side. The user may be allowed to browse the material freely. In this case, the conference organizer can make the conference participants pay attention to the content that is currently being announced, while ensuring the operability of the conference participants when browsing the materials.

The configuration of a host device such as an electronic document server or a large-sized host display device used by the conference organizer is arbitrary. Further, the screen configuration and the configuration of the operation unit are arbitrary even in the display device used by the participant.

Further, the information display device according to the present invention is most suitable as a terminal display device for a conference or a seminar.
It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such a use form.

Further, the display device 20 is connected to the server 10
It is also possible to have a sleep mode in which the presence / absence of transmission from the device can be detected while power is saved by turning off the power to other devices. In this case, the power supply switch can be omitted by returning to the sleep state when the operation key is operated or a signal is output from the server 10 to return to the sleep state when necessary processing is completed. is there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an electronic conference system including a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation unit of the display device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a control board of the display device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the display device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the display device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a page turning process executed by the host device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a page turning process executed by the display device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a host screen position monitoring process executed by the display device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an information storage process executed by the display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host display device 10 ... Electronic document server 20, 20 '... Display device 22a, 22b ... Display panel 23a, 23b ... Operation part 24 ... Transceiver 31 ... Mode switching key 32 ... Screen position display part 33, 34 ... Screen operation Key 46 ... Memory 47 ... CPU

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Katsuyuki Namba 2-3-1-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Katsuhiko Asai Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 2-3-1-3 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Makiko Manbukuro 2-3-1-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. 5C064 AA02 AB02 AC01 AC12 AC18 AD06 5C082 AA00 AA34 BA02 BB01 BD02 CA76 CB01 DA87 MM05 MM09 5E501 AA03 AB20 AC14 AC25 BA05 CA04 CB05 EB05 FA06 FA14 FA15 FB34

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A communication device for communicating with a host device, and a plurality of display screens for displaying information, the plurality of display screens being operable in a user selection mode in which a user can select display information. An information display device comprising: a first screen and a second screen operable in a host selection mode in which a host device can select display information. 2. The first and second screens are respectively:
2. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the user selection mode and the host selection mode can be switched. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein in the host selection mode, the same information as screen information specified by the host device is displayed on the display screen.
Information display device as described. 4. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the user is prohibited from selecting display information in the host selection mode. 5. A plurality of information display devices including first and second information display devices each capable of displaying arbitrary information, wherein the second information display device is a user capable of selecting display information by a user. A display system, comprising: a plurality of display screens including a first screen operating in a selection mode, and a second screen operating in a host selection mode in which the first information display device can select display information. . 6. A host device and a terminal device each having a display screen and capable of communicating with each other, the terminal device comprising: a first screen operating in a user selection mode in which a user can select display information; A communication display system, comprising: a plurality of display screens including a second screen operating in a host selection mode in which the apparatus can select display information. 7. An electronic conference system comprising: a host device; and the information display device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. 8. The electronic conference system according to claim 7, wherein said host device has a display screen.