JP2002269223A - Study-abroad support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a study abroad applicant smoothly study abroad without using a plural number of agencies etc., by providing all advance preparations and procedures required for the study abroad. SOLUTION: A study-abroad support system 1 is furnished with a terminal 11 to be operated by a user, a server 12 for self-teaching to learn a foreign language by having access from the terminal 11, a study abroad related information providing server 15 to provide study abroad related information to the user as the terminal 11 has access to it and a communication system server 17 to have the user have a virtual study abroad experience as the user has access to it from the terminal 11 on an LAN 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a study abroad support system for providing information related to studying abroad, prior learning of a foreign language required for studying abroad, and studying abroad experience information of students studying abroad, and the like. It is about the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When students study abroad at universities overseas, they have to perform various preparations and procedures during their stay in their home country from the time they intend to study abroad until they actually start studying abroad. For example, collecting information on the desired overseas university, requesting materials from the desired university, selecting a study abroad university, selecting a major field, pre-learning a foreign language, collecting information on study abroad experience from students studying abroad, applying to the desired university , Admission procedures and housing arrangements must be made.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, applicants for studying abroad have been required to carry out various procedures and information gathering necessary for preparing for studying abroad, such as collecting information on studying abroad and prior learning of foreign languages. It had to be carried out using a plurality of different companies and stakeholders.

[0004] For example, applicants to study abroad must obtain information on studying abroad by registering as a study abroad agency, purchasing study abroad information papers, or visiting embassies and educational and cultural institutions in various countries. I had to. In addition, applicants to study abroad enter a foreign language school that offers classes for pre-study study abroad,
I had to learn a foreign language in advance. Applicants to study abroad had to search for friends and acquaintances who had studied abroad from their friendships, and had to listen directly to them.

However, in preparing for studying abroad,
If the applicant for the study abroad process or collects his / her own information as described above, he or she will have to use different companies and stakeholders to obtain the necessary information, thus spending money and time in each case. Also, preparations may not go smoothly.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides all the advance preparations and procedures necessary for studying abroad in an integrated manner, so that applicants to study abroad can use a plurality of companies and the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a study abroad support system and method capable of studying abroad smoothly.

[0007]

A study abroad system according to the present invention comprises a terminal operated by a user, a language learning subsystem accessed from the terminal via a network and performing language learning via the terminal. A study abroad related information providing subsystem that is accessed from the terminal via the network and provides the user with study abroad related information via the terminal; and a simulated study abroad experience accessed from the terminal via the network and via the terminal. And a simulated study abroad experience subsystem.

In this study abroad support system, language study materials, study abroad related information, and a simulated study abroad experience are provided to a user via a network in a unified system configuration.

[0009] The study abroad support method according to the present invention is characterized by providing a language learning teaching material, study abroad related information, and a simulated study abroad experience to a user through a network in a unified system configuration.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As an embodiment of the present invention, a study abroad support system to which the present invention is applied will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a study abroad support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the study abroad support system 1, a language study system for learning a foreign language, which is necessary as a preparation for studying abroad, and information for providing study abroad related information and acting for various procedures necessary for studying abroad. The provision / procedure agency system, a simulated study abroad experience system for providing experiences of international students and communicating with international students, and a system for automatically creating meeting minutes are configured on networks such as universities. , And offers it to students who wish to study abroad.

In the study abroad support system 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of client terminals 11-1 to 11-n, a self-study self-study server 12, a common database 13, an audio The library system 14, the study abroad related information providing server 15, the study abroad procedure system server 16, the communication system server 17, and the minutes automatic creation system 18
The system configuration is provided above. The study abroad support system 1 is connected to an external personal computer (external P
C) 4 connections are possible. Further, in the study abroad support system 1, it is possible to connect to the external network 6 via the firewall 5.

Hereinafter, the functions provided by the study abroad support system 1 will be described in more detail.

Language Study System The study abroad support system 1 includes a self-study learning function for self-study and self-study based on a WWW browser as a system for performing a foreign language study required by a candidate for study abroad as a preparation for studying abroad. And a voice learning function for learning using a language teaching material by voice via a network.

(Self-study learning function)
2, the self-study self-study server 12 provided on
Provided for applicants to study abroad. The student who wants to study abroad accesses the self-study self-learning server 12 using the client terminals 11-1 to 11-n on the LAN 2 or the external PC 4, and performs a foreign study necessary for the pre-study study abroad. The self-study self-study server 12 uploads the learning material contents for the study in, for example, an HTML format. A student who wants to study abroad can perform self-study learning by browsing the learning material contents using a browser and inputting an answer to the learning material contents using a browser.

As shown in FIG. 2, the learning teaching material content is created by, for example, a foreign language teacher or a teaching material creator, and is uploaded to the self-study self-study server 12. In addition, applicants to study abroad communicate questions and questions arising from self-study to a lecturer or a manager using e-mail or the like, for example. Instructors and managers respond to questions from applicants for study abroad using answers or advice, for example, by e-mail.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show examples of learning material contents for learning.

The learning of the learning material contents starts from a main page as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Applicants wishing to study abroad will jump from this main page to the page where they study in accordance with the learning progress and curriculum. The learning teaching material contents include, for example, a reading teaching material as shown in FIG. 4 and a selection question as shown in FIG. 5, and these are displayed in an HTML format. Those who wish to study abroad will proceed with learning foreign languages while progressively solving these learning materials.

In the study abroad support system 1, the management of access logs and the automatic grading and management of tests are performed for each student who wishes to study, and management data is created. Of the database. The management data is centrally stored in a common database 13 provided on the LAN 2. The management data in the common database 13 is managed based on, for example, the AICC standard (an international standard for data management of learning data and the like).

The management data includes, for example, a predetermined login name, a last name, a first name, a password, and an ID as shown in FIG.
Access is possible by registering information on applicants to study abroad such as numbers. Also, for example, this study abroad support system 1
If is constructed on a LAN in a university and is used by students of the university, in addition to these information, for example, a department name, a department name, a school year, and the like may be registered to enable access. Then, the information of the study abroad applicants to whom access is made possible is managed as a list on a manager screen, for example, as shown in FIG.

With this management data, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the curriculum selected by each student who wishes to study abroad is managed, and this can be displayed as a report on a screen for the administrator, for example. Further, in this management data, for example, as shown in FIG.
The progress of the curriculum, the score obtained, the number of accesses, the last access date, etc. can be displayed.

(Speech learning function)
Audio library system 1 provided on 2
4 will be provided to those who wish to study abroad. If you want to study abroad,
In a classroom or the like where the audio library system 14 is installed, a foreign language required for studying abroad is studied, or the client terminal 1 on the LAN 2
The user accesses the audio library system 14 using 1-1 to 11-n or the external PC 4, and learns a foreign language necessary for studying abroad in advance.

As shown in FIG. 10, the audio library system 14 includes a main body 21 and a plurality of learner units 22. The main body unit 21 has a large-capacity hard disk therein. The hard disk has various digital audio materials (for example, music tapes, video tapes, CDs, MDs, etc.) that are digitized in the hard disk. Audio teaching materials). The learner unit 22 includes a keyboard 2 for inputting letters and numbers.
3, a headphone 24, and a microphone 25. Using the audio library system 14, a student studying abroad reads a foreign language teaching material stored on the hard disk of the main body 21 using the learner unit 22, and listens to the foreign language while listening to the sound from the headphones 24. And practice pronunciation. As described above, in the audio library system 14, since the audio information as the foreign language teaching material is digitized and stored in the hard disk, the applicant for study abroad can play the voice learning material at random, and thus, for example, Can be used to play a sentence, skip to the start position of each unit, repeat playback, etc., so that learning can be performed very efficiently.

In the audio library system 14, for example, the results of a test such as a hearing test are totaled, and the totalized data is centrally stored in the common database 13. Therefore, the result of self-study learning by the self-study self-study server 12 and the result of speech learning by the audio library system 14 can be managed. Further, the learning result of the audio library system 14 can be managed by linking the learning result of the self-study learning in the common database 13.

The client terminal 11 on the LAN 2
When the audio library system 14 is accessed from -1 to 11n or the external PC 4, each terminal functions as the learner unit 22.

As described above, since the study abroad support system 1 provides a language learning system such as a self-study self-study function and a voice learning function via a network, for example, applicants to study abroad can freely enter a foreign country without specifying the time and place. Can learn words. Also, in the study abroad support system 1, since the common database 13 centrally manages the test results and progress in the self-study and the learning results by the audio library system, the applicant for the study abroad is able to use the foreign language ability. In addition, the system administrator and the instructor can grasp the foreign language ability of each student and provide appropriate foreign language guidance and advice on studying abroad.

Information Providing / Procedure Agency System This study abroad support system 1 is an information providing / procedure acting system for providing study abroad-related information required by applicants for study abroad and acting for various procedures necessary for studying abroad. Overseas university brochure information provision function to provide information described in overseas university brochures required for students to study abroad, video information provision function to provide video information provided by overseas universities, various study abroad procedures And a personal information management function that manages personal information such as foreign language performance data of each applicant to study abroad.

(Overseas University Brochure Information Providing Function) The overseas university brochure information providing function is provided to applicants for study abroad by the study abroad related information providing server 15 provided on the LAN 2. A student who wishes to study abroad accesses the study abroad related information providing server 15 using the client terminals 11-1 to 11-n on the LAN 2 or the external PC 4, and obtains information on an overseas university required for study abroad.

The study abroad related information providing server 15 digitizes information described in a pamphlet of an overseas university and other information, and uploads the digital information in, for example, a PDF format in a state where the information is arranged for each overseas university. Have been. If the original content is provided as digital data from an overseas university, the study abroad related information providing server 15 converts the digital data into PDF data and uploads it. If the original content is provided in a printed matter such as a pamphlet, the pamphlet or the like is captured by an image scanner or the like, converted into digital data, converted into PDF data, and uploaded. Further, if the pamphlet or the like contains characters, the portion in which the characters are described is subjected to character recognition processing using an OCR (Optical Character Reader) and converted into text data. Convert to PDF data and upload.

A pamphlet containing character information is called P
The conversion to DF data is performed, for example, by a pamphlet reading system 30 as shown in FIG. The pamphlet reading system 30 converts a pamphlet distributed from an overseas university into image data digitized by an image scanner 31 or the like,
The image data is stored in the content creation PC 32 (process 1). Subsequently, the content creating PC 32 uses the character portion of the captured image data to perform an OC.
The character recognition process using R is performed to create OCR text data (process 2). Subsequently, the OCR text data and image data such as a photograph portion are combined to create PDF data with OCR text data (process 3).
Then, the PDF data with the OCR text data created as described above is uploaded to the study abroad related information providing server 15 (process 4).

According to this overseas university pamphlet information providing function, the pamphlets and the like distributed from overseas universities are digitized and provided to applicants to study abroad, so that various study abroad related information can be requested via the network. Can be provided. According to this overseas university pamphlet information provision information, the character information contained in the pamphlet is converted into text data and provided to applicants to study abroad. You can search the text data above. Therefore, applicants to study abroad can obtain information on overseas universities very easily.

If the overseas university has a homepage on the Internet, for example, the overseas study-related information providing server 15 also uploads the homepage address (URL) as such overseas university information,
A link may be provided from the network.
If the address of the website of the overseas university has been uploaded, the applicant for study abroad can immediately access the website of the overseas university via the Internet, etc., while accessing the study abroad related information providing server 15. And the necessary information can be obtained immediately.

The study abroad related information providing server 15 includes not only information provided in pamphlets and the like of overseas universities, but also foreign language schools attached to the universities, pamphlets introducing cities in which the universities are located, residences and homestay destinations. The information related to various kinds of study abroad, such as the above information, may be uploaded as, for example, PDF data. Similarly, not only the homepage of the overseas university, but also the addresses of the homepages of the foreign language school attached to the university, the city where the university is located, and the like may be uploaded.

(Overseas University Image Information Providing Function) The overseas university image information providing function is provided to applicants for study abroad by the study abroad related information providing server 15 provided on the LAN 2. Applicants for studying abroad are client terminals 11
The user accesses the study abroad related information providing server 15 using -1 to 11-n or the external PC 4, and acquires video information of the overseas university required for study abroad.

The study abroad related information providing server 15 digitally encodes video and audio information and the like provided by overseas universities and stores them on a hard disk or the like, for example, using the MPEG2 system. The video information and the like stored in the study abroad related information providing server 15 can be easily searched and viewed by a barcode search system described below.

The bar code search system is, for example, shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, it is composed of a server 41 and a viewing terminal 42. Here, the server 41 of the barcode search system is applied to the study abroad related information providing server 15, and the viewing terminal 42 is applied to the client terminal 11.

The server 41 of the barcode search system stores digitized video and audio data and ID information of each video data as a management table. The viewing terminal 42 has a barcode reader 4.
3 are provided. Further, a pamphlet 44 introducing each overseas university is attached to the viewing terminal 42. A bar code 45 is printed on the pamphlet 44 along with the name and introduction of each overseas university. The bar code 45 includes an ID of the video data or the like as information.

When referring to an introduction video or the like of each overseas university using this barcode search system, the applicant for study abroad first finds an introduction page of the overseas university to be referred from the attached pamphlet 44. On the introduction page of each overseas university, a bar code 45 is described along with an introduction sentence and a photograph.
To perform the reading process. The read barcode information is transferred from the viewing terminal 42 to the server 41. The server 41 extracts ID information from the transferred barcode information, and searches the management table for a link of video data. Then, video information and the like are reproduced based on the link and transferred to the viewing terminal 42. Viewing terminal 42
Then, the transferred video information and audio information are output from a monitor, headphones, or the like.

In such a bar code search system,
View the barcode printed on the pamphlet on the viewing terminal 4
Video and audio can be reproduced by a very simple operation of holding the video camera over the display 2. In addition, in this barcode search system, since each video data and the like is digitized and stored in the hard disk, it can be accessed from a plurality of viewing terminals 42.

(Procedure agency function)
The system is provided to applicants for study abroad by the study abroad procedure system server 16 provided on 2. For those who wish to study abroad, LAN
2 client terminals 11-1 to 11-n or external P
It accesses the study abroad procedure system server 16 using C4, and performs various procedures necessary for study abroad.

A list of representatives for which the procedure is performed by the study abroad procedure system server 16 will be described.

・ Study abroad counseling / advice ・ Study abroad briefing sessions, study abroad fairs, study abroad courses, language training, announce, apply for, and hold language tests (TOFEL, SAT, etc.) ・ Apply applications to overseas universities・ Receiving an admission permit, opening a bank account, arranging a passport and visa, and performing travel procedures ・ Providing various expenses (travel expenses, homestay expenses, living expenses, school expenses, insurance, etc.) Substitute a procedure like

The study abroad procedure system server 16
In addition to these various agency services, for example, the tuition, living expenses, travel expenses, etc. of each overseas university are stored in advance in a database, and the costs required for studying abroad are simulated according to the wishes of the student. And calculate.

(Personal Information Management Function) The personal information management function is provided to applicants for study abroad by the study abroad procedure system server 16 provided on the LAN 2. The study abroad procedure system server 16 applies for language tests such as TOFEL and SAT, and stores the results and the like of these tests in a common database as a database for each student wishing to study abroad. Then, the administrator detects the academic ability data of each applicant to study abroad via the study abroad procedure system server 16 as necessary. By managing the scholastic ability of each applicant for studying abroad in this way, it is possible to provide appropriate advice on studying destinations.

Simulated Study Abroad Experience System In this study abroad support system 1, real-time communication in a three-dimensional virtual space is performed as a study abroad experience system in which applicants to study abroad communicate with study abroad experienced persons who need to prepare for studying abroad. It provides a chat function to perform and a BBS function to provide an electronic bulletin board on which study abroad experience stories are written via a network.

(Chat function)
It is provided to applicants for study abroad by the communication system server 17 provided on the server 2. A student who wishes to study abroad accesses the communication system server 17 from the client terminal 11 on the LAN 2 or the external PC 4 using dedicated chat application software, and uses this chat function. International students who are studying abroad also access the communication system server 17, and use this chat function. Here, the chat is a communication tool on a network in which users in different places simultaneously access using a computer, and thereby perform dialogue with characters or voice in the same virtual space. The chat function provided by the communication system server 17 is a chat that realizes a so-called three-dimensional joint virtual space. For example, “Community Place” provided by Sony Corporation is used.

In this chat, as shown in FIG.
Main screen 51 on which three-dimensional virtual space is displayed
Log screen 52 on which a chat log is displayed
And a posting screen 53 for transmitting necessary items to the user are displayed on the monitor of the client terminal 11 or the external PC 4.

On the main screen 51, a plurality of objects 54 corresponding to the user using the chat are displayed.
a and 54b are displayed on the 3D screen. Each of the objects 54a and 54b is represented by, for example, a three-dimensional person image or the like, and can experience communication in a virtual space in a simulated manner. Also, this main screen 5
In 1, for example, an overseas town (for example, a street in New York or London) is constructed and expressed as a background image. This allows those who wish to study abroad to have a simulated experience of studying abroad.

Information written by the user is displayed on the chat log screen 52 in chronological order together with the name of the user. In addition to chatting with text input,
Chat using voice may be performed.

On the posting screen 53, information transmitted from the manager to the user, such as the time and access location of various events provided by the chat function, is described.

As described above, by providing a chat space in which applicants for studying abroad can communicate with foreign students in real time, it is possible to exchange experiences of studying abroad students and experiences of studying abroad with friends and acquaintances who have studied abroad. They can be easily obtained without searching and getting information directly from them. In addition, you can have a simulated experience of studying abroad in a three-dimensional virtual space.

The communication system server 17 which provides this chat function may analyze the access log of each user and manage the number of attendances, the number of remarks, the result evaluation, etc. in a database. The management data is stored in, for example, the common database 13 and managed in cooperation with the management data in the above-described language learning function.

(BBS Function) The BBS function is a communication system server 1 provided on the LAN 2.
7 is provided to applicants for study abroad. If you want to study abroad,
The communication system server 17 is accessed from the client terminal 11 or the external PC 4 on the AN 2 using, for example, a browser, and the BBS function is used.

This communication system server 1
In FIG. 7, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, specific study abroad experience stories, comments, and the like of those who have studied abroad are described on an electronic bulletin board in a text format. Those who wish to study abroad can get information from those who have studied abroad, for example, by reading their experiences. Also, on this bulletin board, for example, the e-mail address of the person who has studied abroad is described. For this reason, applicants for studying abroad can directly ask those who have studied abroad for questions or concerns.

In addition to a text-based electronic bulletin board, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, a study abroad experience may be provided by a moving image.

Automatic minutes generation system 18 The minutes automatic generation system 18 records the contents of the video presented by the projector, the materials and memos referred to during the presentation, the video and audio of the presenter, etc., together with the time information. Is a system that creates According to the automatic minutes recording system, when a presentation made in the past is reproduced in another place, the contents of the projector image used at that time are synchronized with the reproduced video and audio of the presenter,
Materials and memos can be reproduced, and the students can understand the contents very easily. Furthermore, in this automatic minutes recording system, the video content of the projector,
Display the presenter's video, materials and memos on the same screen. Therefore, the student can efficiently grasp the content of the reproduced presentation.

Hereinafter, the automatic minutes preparation system 18 will be described.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the minutes creating system 1.
8 shows a system configuration diagram of FIG.

The minutes creating system 18 comprises, for example, a first meeting room 110 and a second meeting room 130, and the first meeting room 110 and the second meeting room 130 are connected to the communication network 100. Connected via. In the minutes preparation system 18, for example, a first conference room 110 and a second conference are communicated by a communication network 100 that transmits data and various information via a communication line according to a wired LAN protocol (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark)). The chamber 130 is connected.

In the minutes creating system 18,
A plurality of client PCs operated by the attendees of the conference are provided, and one of the client PCs is given authority of a chairman (chair) and a presenter (presenter), and the other client PC is given authority of an attendant (participant). When given, a conference consisting of a chairman, presenters, and attendants is realized. In the following description, a client PC having the authority of the attendant is called an attendant terminal, a client PC having the authority of the presenter is called a presenter terminal, and a client PC having the authority of chairman is called a chairman terminal.

The first conference room 110 includes a conference server 111 connected to the second conference room 130 via the communication network 100, and a hub 112 for connecting the conference server 111 to various devices in the first conference room 110. , First conference room 110
And a wireless communication device 113 forming a wireless network therein.

The conference server 111 stores the first conference room 110
Communication function for transmitting and receiving video, audio, text, and the like between devices included in the first conference room 130 and the second conference room 130; a minutes recording function for recording minutes of the conference;
It has a device management function of recognizing and controlling various devices included in the 10 and the second conference room 130.

The conference server 111 stores the first conference room 1
By connecting to various devices included in the first conference room 110 via the hub 112, information is transmitted and received between the devices included in the first conference room 110 and to the second conference room 130 via the communication network 100. Send and receive information between the included devices.

The hub 112 is connected to the projector device 15 and the GUI (Graphical User) included in the first conference room 110.
Interface) display device 116, whiteboard 117
a, is connected to input devices such as a printer device 118 and other input devices such as a 3D image input device 117 and a scanner device 119, and is also connected to a wireless communication device 113.

The wireless communication device 113 is connected to the hub 112 and, via the wireless network, communicates with a client PC 114 operated by a user in the first conference room 110 participating in the conference using the minutes creating system 18. Connected. The wireless communication device 113 is, for example, an IEEE
E (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Eng
ineers) It transmits and receives information to and from each client PC 114 according to a wireless communication protocol such as 802.11b.

The first conference room 110 has the wireless communication device 11
3 connected via a wireless network and operated by attendees of the minutes creating system 18
(Personal computers) 114a to 114f (hereinafter collectively referred to simply as “client PC 11”).
4 ". ) Is further provided.

The client PC 114 is, for example, an information portable terminal or a personal computer operated by a conference attendee. The client PC 114 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse operated by the user, and a display mechanism for displaying presentation contents and the like.

The client PC 114 is connected to the wireless communication device 113 via a wireless network, and is connected to various devices in the first conference room 110 via the wireless communication device 113. This client PC 114 is connected to another client PC 114 via the wireless communication device 113.
Also, it is connected to the client P33C in the second conference room 130, and various devices in the first conference room 110 and the second conference room 130.

The first conference room 110 includes a projector device 115, a data display device 116,
The printer further includes a printer device 118.

The projector device 115 includes an optical system and the like, and projects light emitted from an internal light source onto a display screen 115a. The projector device 115 is connected to the hub 112 by a cable or the like, and is connected to the conference server 111 via the hub 112. The projector device 115 performs an operation of receiving presentation data from the presenter terminal via the conference server 111 and the hub 112 and projecting the presentation content on the display screen 115a.

The data display device 116 is, for example, a PDP.
(Plasma Display Panel) etc.
Is presented to the attendees of the conference in the conference room 110. The data display device 116 is connected to the hub 112 by a cable or the like, is connected to the conference server 111 via the hub 112, and displays a display screen of the chairman terminal and various contents.

The printer device 118 has a printing mechanism for printing on a printing medium such as printing paper, is connected to the hub 112 by a cable, and is connected to the first conference room 1 via the hub 112.
10 are connected to various devices. Printer device 118
Performs print processing in accordance with, for example, material data to be printed from the conference server 111, and outputs a printed print medium.

The first conference room 110 includes a 3D image input device 117 and a white board 117 as the input devices.
a, a scanner device 119 is further provided. Scanner device 1
19 is provided with, for example, an optical reading mechanism;
And connected by cable. This scanner device 119
Is operated by the attendees of the conference, and outputs the read still image data to the conference server 111 via the hub 112.

The 3D image input device 117 connects to the wireless communication device 113 via a wireless network, and connects to various devices in the first conference room 110 via the wireless communication device 113. The 3D image input device 117 is an IEEE13
It has a camera mechanism having a 94 interface and a pedestal, and has a function of transmitting still image data captured by the camera mechanism to the conference server 111.

The whiteboard 117a has a function in which various contents are written by attendees, and the contents are scanned and output as data to the conference server 111 via a cable.

The first conference room 110 includes the camera device 12
0, a TV including a TV conference monitor device 121, a camera control unit 122, an audio controller 123, and a plurality of microphone devices 124a to 124f (hereinafter, simply referred to as "microphone device 124").
The conference system is further provided. In this TV conference system, the situation in the first conference room 110 is changed to the second conference room 130 by obtaining audio and video in the first conference room 110.
Inform the side. The video data obtained by the TV conference system is captured by the conference server 111.

The camera device 120 is used for, for example, a video conference or the like. The camera device 120 presents a presentation in the first conference room 110 or captures a scene in the first conference room 110 to generate video data. Generate. Camera device 120
Is connected to the communication network 100 via a cable, and outputs video data to the TV conference system 35 and the conference server 111 in the second conference room 130.

The camera control unit 122 comprises a controller for controlling the imaging direction of the camera device 120 and the adjustment of the zoom and the like. The camera control unit 122 communicates with the client P in the first conference room 110
The camera device 120 is controlled according to C114 or a command from the client PC 133 in the second conference room 130 via the communication network 100.

The TV conference monitor device 121 is composed of a display device, is connected to the camera device 120, and displays an image captured by the camera device 135a in the second conference room 130.

Each microphone device 124 is a client PC
It comprises a microphone device 124a and a microphone device 124b corresponding to 114a to the client PC 114f. The microphone device 124 includes a microphone device, detects voice from each attendee, generates voice data, and supplies the voice data to the audio controller 123.

The audio controller 123 has a function of adjusting audio data from the microphone device 124.
The audio controller 123 is set to detect, for example, only the sound from the presenter, or to detect not only the presenter but also the sound from other attendees.

The second conference room 130 is connected to the wireless communication device 13.
1. Portable projector device 132, client PC
133a to 133c (hereinafter collectively referred to simply as "P
C133 ". ), A TV conference system 135 including a camera device 135a and a TV conference monitor 135b.

The wireless communication device 131 is connected to the communication network 100 and has the minutes creating system 18.
And is connected via a wireless network to a client PC 133 operated by a user in the second conference room 130 participating in the conference using. The wireless communication device 113
For example, IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Ele
According to a wireless communication protocol such as 802.11b (Ctronics Engineers), information is transmitted to and received from each client PC 133.

The portable projector device 132 includes an optical system and the like, and projects light emitted from an internal light source on a display screen 132a. The portable projector device 132 is connected to the wireless communication device 131 via a wireless network, and is connected to various devices in the first conference room 110 and the second conference room 130 via the wireless communication device 131. The portable projector device 132 receives presentation data from the presenter terminal via the communication network 100 and the wireless communication device 131, and displays the contents of the presentation on the display screen 132a.
The operation of projecting upward is performed.

Client PCs 133a to 133c (hereinafter collectively referred to simply as “client PCs 13a to 133c”).
3 ". ) Is connected to the wireless communication device 131 via a wireless network, and is operated by attendees in the second conference room 130.

The client PC 133 comprises, for example, a personal digital assistant or a personal computer, and is operated by the attendees of the conference. The client PC 133 includes a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse operated by a user, and a display mechanism for displaying presentation contents and the like.

The TV conference system 35 includes the camera device 13
5a, the state of the second conference room 130 is imaged and the video data is transmitted to the first conference room 110, and the TV conference monitor 135b is used based on the video data from the camera device 120 in the first conference room 110. Display video.

First conference room 110 and second conference room 13
The client PC 114 and the client PC 133 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “client PC” when collectively referred to) have a software environment as shown in FIG.

According to FIG. 18, each client PC:
Basic software, for example, a wireless communication protocol such as IEEE802.11b, a network protocol for transmitting and receiving information via the communication network 100, a conference program for participating in the minutes creating system 18, and displaying various contents by participating in the conference And a GUI program for performing the operation.

As the above-mentioned conference program, there is a presentation program for making a presentation as a program that can be used by the presenter of the conference.

The conference program includes a chat program for transmitting and receiving messages between client PCs in real time as a program that can be used by the presenter terminal, attendant terminal or chairman terminal, and transfer of files between client PCs. There is a file transfer program for doing this.

Further, the conference program is a program that can be used only by the chairman terminal, a TV conference control program for performing a TV conference using the TV conference system, and controls the conference server 111 to create a minutes file. There is a minutes control program for controlling, and a user authentication / device management program for managing client PCs and various devices using the minutes creating system 18.

The GUI program displays various contents on the display mechanism of the client PC according to the program used by the client PC. That is, the GUI program is a GUI for executing a presentation when the client PC has authority as a presenter and uses the presentation program.
Display the I screen. When the client PC has authority as a chairman, the GUI program displays a GUI screen corresponding to the TV conference control program, the minutes control program, and the user authentication / device management program.

By executing the user authentication / device management program, the chairman terminal displays the attendee icon display 161 for displaying attendees operating other client PCs as icons, as shown in FIG.

According to FIG. 19, as shown in FIG. 19A, the attendees of the conference whose user has been authenticated are displayed in the first conference room 11 as shown in FIG.
0, the attendee icon display screens 161a and 161b are displayed for each second conference room 130. Here, the chairman terminal allows the attendees of the conference to be visually recognized by the chairman by displaying the images and names of the attendees. In response to selection of the video of each participant, the chairman terminal shown in FIG. Display the information of the selected attendee as shown.

The chairman terminal has not been authenticated by the user, but the icon display of the client PC included in the minutes creating system 18 is shaded 16.
1c, a normal display 1 in which the icon display of the client PC for which the user is authenticated is not shaded.
61d.

Further, the chairman terminal has a participation button (Join) 16 for deciding whether or not to perform user authentication.
2 is displayed. When the attendee icon display is selected by the user and the participation button 162 is selected, the chairman terminal gives participation permission to the client PC corresponding to the attendee icon display.

Further, by executing the user authentication / device management program, the chairman terminal displays an available device display 163 indicating various devices constituting the minutes creating system 18 as shown in FIG. This chairman terminal displays device icon display screens 163a and 163b for each of the first conference room 110 and the second conference room 130. Here, the chairman terminal displays an image representing each device as an icon.

According to FIG. 20, the client PC uses the whiteboard 117 as the input device display (IN) 164.
a, icons corresponding to the 3D image input device 117 and the scanner device 119 are displayed, and an output device (OUT) display 1
65, the projector device 115, the data display device 1
16 and icons corresponding to the printer device 118 are displayed. Further, the client PC is connected to the first conference room 110
The TV conference system, the conference server 111 and its own PC existing in the PC are displayed by icons.

Further, the client PC displays devices such as the portable projector device 132 and the printer device 118 which exist in the second conference room 130 and are connected to the communication network 100 as icons.

The conference server 111 has a software environment as shown in FIG. According to FIG. 21, the conference server 111 includes, for example, a network interface program for connecting to a network outside the communication network 100 such as the Internet, a video capture interface program, basic software, a minutes creation program, a device recognition program, and a material transmission / reception program. , A minutes control program, and a client control program.

The conference server 111 executes communication with an external network such as the Internet, for example, by executing the network interface program.

The conference server 111 executes the video capture interface program to
For example, a still image used for capturing video data and the like generated by the TV conference system and transmitted / received between the first conference room 110 and the second conference room 130 and used to create minutes. Create data. In addition, the conference server 111 holds video and audio captured by the TV conference system as a minutes file.

The conference server 111 recognizes various devices existing in the minutes creating system 18 by executing the device recognition program, and registers the devices in an internal device list file.

The conference server 111 executes the above minutes preparation program to obtain still image data relating to the presentation contents, memo data prepared by the chairman terminal, or still image data obtained and captured by the TV conference system. The minutes data is created and edited along the time axis using the moving image data.

The conference server 111 executes the above-mentioned material transmission / reception program, so that the minutes
And receives and saves still image data from various devices existing in the system. Further, the conference server 111 executes the material transmission / reception program, and thereby executes a protocol (JetSend) defined among the projector device 115, the printer device 118, the scanner device 119, the whiteboard 117a, and the data display device 116. And a process of outputting various data to the printer device 118 and the data display device 116 for display.

The conference server 111 executes the above-mentioned client control program to control the client PC included in the minutes creating system 18 and to control communication including chatting and file transfer with the client PC.

The conference server 111 having such a function
Has a configuration as shown in FIG. Here, the conference server 111 executes each function based on the server basic software as basic software, and the client PC executes each function based on the individual user basic software. Further, the whiteboard 117a has a function of transmitting the contents written by the attendees to the conference server 111 according to a data transmission protocol (for example, JetSend protocol).

The client PC has the above-described presentation program, chat program, file transfer program, minutes control program, user authentication / device management program, and TV conference control program.

The conference server 111 communicates with a client PC equipped with various programs by a client control unit 141, a participant information storage unit 142, a shared file storage unit 143, a minutes control unit 144 for executing the minutes control program, Data storage unit 145, material transmission / reception unit 146 executing the material transmission / reception program, device management unit 147 executing the device recognition program, information file storage unit 148, minutes creation unit 149 executing the minutes creation program, minutes A recording data storage unit 150 is provided.

The client control unit 141 is connected to a plurality of client PCs 114 in the first conference room 110, and manages various information, requests, various data, and the like in user authentication, chat, file transfer, and TV conference control. . In addition, the client control unit 141
As for processes other than the user authentication, chat, file transfer, and TV conference control, various information, data, and the like are relayed, and input / output processes are performed with each unit constituting the conference server 111.

[0113] The client control section 141 receives presentation data from the presenter terminal during the presentation and records it in the data storage section 145. Further, the client control unit 141 performs a process of storing the memo data from the chairman terminal in the data storage unit 145 during the meeting.

The client control unit 141
Transfers user-related information from the chairman terminal to the client PC to create a participant information file and stores it in the participant information storage unit 142 when user authentication is performed by the chairman terminal. The client control unit 141 receives personal information indicating the name, mail address, IP address, etc. of the attendee operating each client PC, creates a participant information file including a plurality of personal information, and stores the participant information. The processing of storing the information in the unit 142 is performed.

Further, the client control unit 141
Transfers chat data transmitted from a client PC to another client PC when chatting.

Further, the client control unit 1
41 performs processing for receiving a file from the client PC of the file transmission source and storing the file in the shared file storage unit 143 when performing the file transfer, and notifying the client PC of the file transfer destination that the file transfer has occurred. do. In response to a file transfer request from the file transmission destination, the client control unit 141 reads out the file stored in the shared file storage unit 143 and transmits the file to the file transmission destination.

The minutes control section 144 creates a minutes log file as shown in FIG. 23 using various information from the client control section 141. The minutes controller 144 creates a minutes log file at predetermined time intervals, and synchronizes data relating to the presentation contents, data used during the presentation, memo data, captured data, and various types of information.

The minutes control section 144 includes conference management information for managing each conference, attendee management information for managing attendees who participated in the conference, and presentation for managing presentation data used for the presentation. Data management information, material management information for managing used materials, memo data management information for managing memo data created by the chairman terminal, and the like are stored. The minutes controller 144 creates a minutes log file by associating the presentation data management information, the material management information, and the memo data management information with the time information.

The minutes control section 144 uses, for example, information indicating the agenda, the date of the meeting, and the name of the meeting room as the meeting management information.

Further, the minutes controller 144 uses, for example, the name of the user who operates the chairman terminal, the name of the user who operates the presenter terminal, and the name of the user who operates the attendant terminal, as the attendee management information.

Further, the minutes control section 144 includes, as the material management information, for example, a file name of still image data captured by the TV conference system, a file name of material data output to the output device of various information, and File name of material data input from the input device, for example,
The file name of the material data input from the conference room 130 is used. The minutes controller 144 stores various file names,
A minutes log file is created in which the time information indicating the time presented or input to the attendee or the client PC is associated with the time information.

The minutes controller 144 uses, for example, the file name of the presentation data output from the projector 115 as the presentation data management information. The minutes controller 144 creates a minutes log file in which the file name of the presentation data is associated with time information indicating the time when the content related to the presentation data is presented to the projector device 115.

Further, the minutes control section 144 uses the contents of the memo data generated by the chairman terminal as the memo data management information. The minutes controller 144 creates a minutes log file in which the contents of the memo are associated with time information indicating the time when the memo data was transmitted from the chairman terminal to the client controller 141.

When creating the minutes log file, the minutes control unit 144 distinguishes the meeting management information, attendee management information, presentation data management information, material management information, and memo data management information by type.

The material transmitting / receiving section 146 is connected to the projector device 115 and the whiteboard 117a via the hub 112, and controls the projector device 115 and the whiteboard 117a. The material transmission / reception unit 146 performs data transmission of presentation data and material data according to the same data transmission protocol (for example, JetSend protocol) as the projector device 115 and the whiteboard 117a.

When the projector device 115 displays the presentation content on the display screen 115a, the material transmitting / receiving unit 146 reads out the presentation data stored in the data storage unit 145 and outputs the presentation data to the projector device 115.

Further, the material transmitting / receiving unit 146 reads and outputs material data from the data storage unit 145 when displaying and printing materials on the data display device 116 and the printer device 118.

The material transmission / reception unit 146 controls the whiteboard 117a so that the content written by the user on the whiteboard 117a is read, for example, at predetermined time intervals.
Is received and stored in the data storage unit 145.

The device management unit 147 recognizes the client PC and various devices included in the minutes creating system 18, and
A device information file in which device information on each device is filed is created and stored in the device information file storage unit 148. The device management unit 147 obtains, for example, a device name, a model, and an IP address as device information regarding each device, and creates a device information file. This device information file is referred to by the client control unit 141 and transferred to each client PC. Thereby, each client PC recognizes each device included in the minutes creating system 18.

The data storage unit 145 includes the minutes control unit 1
The minutes log file including the minutes log data for each meeting created by 44 is stored, and is read out by the minutes creation unit 149 when the minutes data is created.

The data storage unit 145 stores a presentation file including presentation data. The presentation data from the presenter terminal is input via the client control unit 141, and is added to the presentation file. The data storage unit 145 is read out by the minutes creating unit 149 when giving a presentation or when creating minutes data.

Further, the data storage unit 145 stores a material file including material data obtained by the scanner 119 or the whiteboard 117a. Still image data is input via the material transmitting / receiving unit 146, and is stored in the material file. Perform additional processing. The data storage unit 145 is read when creating minutes data or presenting materials.

Further, the data storage unit 145 has a TV set.
A meeting video file including still image data or moving image data obtained and captured by the conference system is stored, and the captured video data and audio data are input via the material transmitting / receiving unit 146 and stored in the meeting video file. Perform processing to add to. The data storage unit 145 is read out at the time of presenting materials or at the time of creating minutes data.

The minutes creator 149 is a minutes controller 14.
Analyze the minutes log file created in step 4 and create minutes data in which presentation data, material data, still image data or moving image data, audio data, and memo data are edited along the time axis. The data is stored in the data storage unit 50.

At this time, the minutes creating section 149 executes the process shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, from the data storage unit 145, the proceedings log file 171, the presentation file (PPT file) 172, the scanner 119 and the whiteboard 1
A material file 173 storing the material displayed in 17a,
The meeting video file 174 imaged by the TV conference system is read out, the association of each data is recognized based on the contents of the meeting log file 171 and displayed on the same time axis. The minutes creating unit 149 creates minutes data in which various data are synchronized according to a time axis for each minutes log file.

The minutes creating section 149 creates minutes data in a different display format when browsing it with another device. The minutes creating unit 149, as shown in FIG.
Conference name, presenter name, presentation data display area 181, presenter video display area 18
2. Display area 183 of whiteboard 117a, display area 18 for displaying the contents displayed on data display device 116
4. Minutes data (minutes Web file) for dividing and displaying the memo data display area 185 and the like in one screen and displaying the contents of the meeting along the time axis is created.

The minutes creating section 149 converts the contents of the presentation, the video of the presenter, the display contents of the whiteboard 117a, the memo data, and the like into still image files, displays each still image file as a thumbnail, and displays the thumbnails of the entire meeting. The minutes data (Index.html) in a form in which the summary is displayed so as to be visually recognized by the viewer is created.

Next, in the minutes creating system 18, the processing procedure of the chairman terminal, the client control unit 141, and the material transmitting / receiving unit 146 when the minutes control for creating the minutes during the meeting is performed. Will be described with reference to FIG.

According to FIG. 26, first, the chairman terminal is operated by the chairman to select the minutes control start button (Rec) 119 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 27 (C7-1). In response to the request, the client sends a minutes control start request to start a minutes control mode in which a minutes is recorded in which a presentation file, material data used during the presentation, and video and audio during the presentation are recorded. It transmits to control section 141 (step ST271).

Next, the client control unit 141
Receives the minutes control start request, enters the minutes control mode (step ST281), and starts capturing video data and audio data in the first conference room 110 obtained by the TV conference system (step ST282).
Further, the client control unit 141 outputs a minutes control start notification to the material transmitting / receiving unit 146.

Next, upon receiving the minutes control start notification from the client control unit 141, the material transmitting / receiving unit 146 enters the minutes control mode (step ST29).
1) The process proceeds to a process of registering the name of the presentation data read from the data storage unit 145 and transmitting it to the projector device 115 and the presentation time of the presentation data in the proceedings log file of the data storage unit 145 (step ST292).

During the presentation, when an operation of writing a memo on the chairman memo display screen 118 indicated by an arrow in FIG. 27 (C7-2) is performed, the chairman terminal transmits the memo data to the client control unit. 141 (step ST272).

Upon receiving the memo data, the client control section 141 stores the memo data in the data storage section 14.
5 and controls the minutes controller 144 to register the time at which the memo data was received as a minutes log file (step ST283).

When the chairman terminal performs an operation to select the minutes end button (Stop) 120 indicated by an arrow in FIG. 27 (C7-3) during a presentation, the minutes end. A request is transmitted to client control section 141 (step ST273).

When the client control unit 141 receives the minutes end request (step ST284), it cancels the minutes control mode and ends the capture of the video data and audio data obtained by the TV conference system (step ST284). Step ST285), and transmits a minutes end notification to the material transmitting / receiving unit 146.

[0146] Upon receiving the minutes end notification (step ST293), the material transmitting / receiving section 146 performs processing for terminating the writing of presentation data to the data storage section 145.

In the minutes preparing system 18 that performs such processing, the contents presented in the presentation and the names thereof, the video, audio, and memo data obtained by the TV conference system are stored in the data storage unit 145 as minutes files. The time when the material was presented in the presentation and the time when the memo data was received can be stored in the data storage unit 145 as a proceeding log file. This allows
The minutes controller 144 can create a minutes log file as shown in FIG.

In the minutes creating system 18,
The contents read by the scanner device 119 during the meeting, the contents captured by the data display device 116 and the 3D image input device 117 may be included in the minutes file, and the contents read by the scanner device 119 and the data display during the meeting. Needless to say, the time at which the content captured by the device 116 or the 3D image input device 117 is presented may be included in the proceedings log file.

Next, the processing of the chairman terminal, the client control unit 141, and the presenter terminal when creating the minutes log file and the minutes file and starting the minutes creation will be described with reference to FIG.

According to FIG. 28, first, the chairman terminal and the client control section 141 perform the operations shown in FIG.
As shown in -1), the presentation is performed by dragging the presentation file and dropping it on the projector device 115 (step ST3).
21), Presentation Step ST271 described above
The same processing (step ST301 to step ST315) as the processing described in step ST285 is performed, and the minutes control is ended. At this time, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 29 (P7-2), the presenter terminal makes a presentation when the attendant tab is selected and the attendant terminal is switched to by the user operation, or the viewer display is closed and the presentation is closed. Becomes an attendant terminal when the application for the application is terminated. The presenter terminal transmits information indicating that the presenter terminal has become an attendant terminal to client control section 141 (step ST322).

At step ST316, the client control section 141 refers to the proceedings log file using the presentation data, video data, audio data, and memo data contained in the minutes file stored in the data storage section 145. Process to create minutes data.

In such a minutes creating system 18,
When the presenter terminal ends the presentation, minutes data can be created using the contents of the presentation, captured video data, audio data, memo data, and contents presented by various devices.

Next, the flow of processing of the study abroad support system 1 according to the flow of the procedure from when a student or the like wishes to study abroad to when he / she actually goes abroad will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. It will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when a student or the like wishes to study abroad and starts preparing for studying abroad, the student accesses the study abroad related information providing server 15 in the study abroad support system 1 to obtain various information (step S1). . The study abroad related information providing server 15 uploads a notice of holding a study abroad briefing session, a notice of a study abroad fair, and various information on study abroad, and those who wish to study abroad refer to these using a browser (step S2).

Subsequently, if a student wishing to study abroad is wondering whether or not to prepare for studying abroad using the study abroad support system 1, and wishes to have a temporary experience, if he / she wants to have a temporary experience, An application is made (step S3). The provisional application is performed using, for example, a provisional application screen provided on the study abroad related information providing server 15 or the like. At the stage of provisional application, the study abroad support system 1 can use some functions of a language study system, an information providing / procedure acting system, a simulated study abroad experience system, and an automatic minutes recording system in the system. . For example, a provisional application costs about 1000 to 3000 yen, and its expiration date is divided into 3, 6, 12 months.
Then, at the stage where the provisional application is made, the study abroad counseling provided in the procedure agency function using the study abroad related information providing server 15 is performed, and the future study and course policy are determined.

[0156] Subsequently, the applicant for the study abroad program uses the language learning function provided by the self-study self-study server 12 and the audio library system 14 to temporarily attend a foreign language class or to be provided by the communication system server 17. A tentative experience of simulated study abroad is performed using a chat function or a BBS function (step S4). Then, after experiencing these functions, if a candidate for studying abroad decides to prepare for studying abroad using the study abroad support system 1, a formal application for using the study abroad support system 1 is made (step S5). ). The formal application is performed using, for example, a formal application screen provided on the study abroad related information providing server 15 or the like. At the stage of applying formally, the study abroad support system 1 can use all the functions of the language learning system, the information provision / procedure agency system, the pseudo-study study experience system, and the minutes automatic creation system in the system.

Subsequently, the applicant for the study abroad takes a foreign language class using the language learning function provided by the self-study self-study server 12 and the audio library system 14, and prepares for the foreign language necessary for studying abroad. Learning is performed, and in parallel, a simulated study abroad experience is performed using the chat function and the BBS function provided by the communication system server 17 (step S6).

Subsequently, the applicant for study abroad, when having acquired a certain level of foreign language proficiency, will receive the study abroad related information providing server 15
Is used to obtain information on each overseas university, or use the study abroad procedure server 16 to obtain materials from each overseas university, thereby selecting and determining a course (step S7). At this stage, secure the necessary foreign language skills and study abroad costs.

Subsequently, the applicant for the study abroad uses the study abroad procedure system server 16 to obtain an application for the desired university,
After attending a language test and issuing a transcript, submit an application to the desired university (step S8).

Subsequently, a pass / fail notice is given a few months after the application is submitted (step S9). If there is a notice of acceptance, an application for admission is made using the study abroad procedure system server 16 (step S10).

Subsequently, the applicant for study abroad uses the study abroad procedure system server 16 to apply for a residence or dormitory of the study abroad destination, obtain a passport or visa (F1 visa), apply for international student insurance, and provide identification. , Issuing a bank account, arranging airline tickets, and the like (step S11).

Then, it is time to study abroad and enter the field (step S12).

[0163]

As described above, in the study abroad support system and method according to the present invention, a study abroad related subsystem for providing a study abroad related information to a user via a network and a language study subsystem for performing a language study via a network. It provides a subsystem and a simulated study abroad experience subsystem for performing a simulated study abroad experience via a network. for that reason,
According to the present invention, all the advance preparations and procedures required for studying abroad can be provided consistently, and applicants for studying abroad can smoothly study abroad without using a plurality of companies.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a study abroad support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a self-study learning function.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a main page of learning material content for the self-study learning function.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a reading page of the learning content.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a page of the above-mentioned learning content selection question.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an access screen for management data of the learning content.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a list screen of a user of the learning content.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a screen for describing and selecting a curriculum selection state of the learning content.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of the progress of the learning content.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of an audio library system.

FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram of a pamphlet reading system.

FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram of a barcode search system.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a main screen on which a three-dimensional virtual space is displayed in a chat function.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a text-format electronic bulletin board in which study abroad experiences, comments, and the like are described.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a video-format electronic bulletin board in which study abroad experiences, comments, and the like are described.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a minutes creating system 18 to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a minutes creating system 18 to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing a software environment of a client PC.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an attendee icon display screen.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing a usable device display screen.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a software environment of a conference server in the minutes creating system.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conference server in a first conference room in the minutes creating system.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a minutes log file created by a minutes controller in the minutes creation system.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a process of creating minutes data in a minutes creating unit in the minutes creating system.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when displaying minutes data in the minutes creating system.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a chairman terminal, a client control unit, and a material transmitting / receiving unit when performing minutes control in the minutes creating system.

FIG. 27 illustrates a minutes control,
It is a figure which shows the display screen of a chairman terminal at the time of creating minutes.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a chairman terminal, a client control unit, and a presenter terminal when starting to generate minutes in the minutes generation system.

FIG. 29 shows a minutes control,
It is a figure showing a display screen of a presenter terminal at the time of creating minutes.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the study abroad support system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Study Abroad Support System, 2 LAN, 3 Gateway, 4 External PC, 5 Firewall, 6 External Network, 11 Client Terminal, 12 Self-Study Self-Study Server, 13 Common Database, 14 Audio Library System, 15 Study Abroad Related Information Providing Server, 1
6 Study Abroad Procedure System Server, 17 Communication System Server

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Yamashita 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Takeo Oba 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Takaaki Tobishima 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 2C028 AA03 BA02 BA03 BA05 BB04 BB05 BB06 BC01 BC02 BD02 BD03 CA13

Claims (32)

[Claims] A terminal operated by a user, a language learning subsystem accessed from the terminal via a network, and performing language learning via the terminal; a terminal accessed from the terminal via a network; A study abroad related information providing subsystem for providing study abroad related information to the user through the terminal, and a simulated study abroad experience subsystem accessed from the terminal via a network and performing a simulated study abroad experience via the terminal system. 2. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein the language learning subsystem provides language teaching materials for self-study through the terminal. 3. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein the language learning subsystem has an audio library device in which audio learning materials for language learning are digitized and stored. 4. The study abroad related information providing subsystem includes:
2. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein pamphlets of overseas universities are digitized and provided. 5. The study abroad related information providing subsystem includes:
2. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein video information provided from an overseas university is digitized and stored, and video information matching the barcode information is transferred to a terminal. 6. The study abroad related information providing subsystem includes:
2. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein the study abroad procedure is performed on behalf of the student. 7. The study abroad related information providing subsystem includes:
2. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein the foreign language performance data of each user is managed. 8. The study abroad related information providing subsystem includes:
2. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein link data to a homepage of an overseas university is provided. 9. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual study abroad experience subsystem provides a chat space in which a user chats with a student who has studied abroad. 10. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual study abroad experience subsystem provides an electronic bulletin board on which an international student writes a study abroad experience. 11. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, further comprising a minutes automatic creation system for creating a minutes in which a plurality of pieces of information at the time of the presentation are recorded together with time information. 12. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein a common database for centrally managing user's personal information data and foreign language performance information is provided on a network. 13. The study abroad support system according to claim 9, wherein said common database manages language learning results in said language learning subsystem. 14. The study abroad support system according to claim 9, wherein said common database manages foreign language result data managed by said study abroad related information providing subsystem. 15. The study abroad support system according to claim 9, wherein the common database manages a history of use to the virtual study abroad experience subsystem. 16. In using each of the above subsystems, when a user makes a provisional application, some functions are made available to the user, and when a user makes a formal application, 2. The study abroad support system according to claim 1, wherein all functions are available to the user. 17. A study abroad support method characterized by providing a language study material, study abroad related information, and a simulated study abroad experience to a user via a network in a unified system configuration. 18. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein a language teaching material for self-study learning is provided as the language learning teaching material. 19. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein as the language learning material, the language learning material is provided by an audio library device in which a voice learning material for language learning is digitized and stored. 20. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein the study abroad related information is provided by digitizing a pamphlet of an overseas university. 21. As the study abroad related information, video information provided from an overseas university is digitized and stored,
18. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein video information matching the barcode information is provided. 22. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein the study abroad related information is provided as a study abroad procedure agent. 23. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein management of foreign language performance data of each user is provided as said study abroad related information. 24. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein the study abroad related information is provided with link data to a homepage of a foreign university. 25. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein a user is provided with a chat space for chatting with a student who has studied abroad as the simulated study abroad experience. 26. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein an electronic bulletin board on which the international student writes a study abroad experience is provided as the simulated study abroad experience. 27. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein a minutes automatic creation system for creating minutes in which a plurality of pieces of information at the time of the presentation are recorded together with time information is provided via a network. . 28. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein a common database is provided on the network, and personal information data and foreign language achievement information of the user are managed in a unified manner. 29. The study abroad support method according to claim 25, wherein said common database manages the results of language learning in said language learning subsystem. 30. The study abroad support method according to claim 25, wherein the common database manages foreign language result data managed by the study abroad related information providing subsystem. 31. The study abroad support method according to claim 25, wherein the common database manages a history of use to the virtual study abroad experience subsystem. 32. In using each of the above subsystems, when a user makes a provisional application, some functions are made available to the user, and when the user makes a formal application, 18. The study abroad support method according to claim 17, wherein all functions are available to the user.