JP2002369166A - Electronic conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic conference system capable of resource saving without damaging conference efficiency. SOLUTION: This electronic conference system is provided with a server 10 and a display device 20 set in a conference room, clients 31-3n assigned to each conference member, and a local area network 40 for transmitting data between the server 10 and the display device 20 and the clients 31-3n. The server 10 is provided with a conference folder set for each conference so that files transmitted from the clients 31-3n can be stored in the conference folder prior to holding the conference. The clients 31-3n transmit the files to the server 10, and then download the conference folder from the server 10. The server 10 allows a display device 20 to display at least one designated file in the format of a window.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic conference system for holding a conference using an electronic file.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing sequence items of a general conference by a typical flow, and shows work by a conference organizer and each conference member. FIG.
In FIG. 2, reference numerals 1 to 7 denote each sequence item (work item) of the conference.

Next, each work item (flow) of a general conference will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
First, the meeting organizer sends a "holding notice" including the date and time, place, and agenda to the meeting members (work item 1).

[0004] In response, each conference member performs "creation of materials" as necessary (work item 2), and submits the created materials to the organizer (work item 3).

[0005] Next, the organizer puts together the materials submitted by each conference member, assigns a material number and the like to each material, and distributes them to the members (work item 4). The meeting members including the organizer sequentially explain and discuss based on the arranged materials (work item 5), and summarize the discussion results (work item 6).

[0006] Finally, the organizer or a clerk nominated by the organizer prepares the minutes, distributes the minutes to the meeting members (work item 7), and receives final approval.

[0007] Of the above work items 1 to 7, work item 1
And 2 are performed before the meeting in principle, and work items 3 and 4 are performed before or on the day of the meeting.
And 6 are performed on the same day, and work item 7 is performed on the same day or at a later date.

In the case of a conference held as shown in FIG. 12, the materials to be created, submitted, and distributed are made of paper. Therefore, if the number of pages or the number of copies increases, the presentation, distribution, storage, etc. become inconvenient. In addition, there is a problem that it is against resource saving.

In recent years, attempts have been made to digitize materials in order to eliminate the above-mentioned adverse effects. However, according to the method currently being used, each conference member is required to store an electronic file on a floppy disk or a notebook personal computer. Such materials are brought in and displayed on a large display device.

[0010] Also, minutes of the minutes are executed only in a part of the flow (see FIG. 12), such as being converted into an electronic file and distributed to the conference members by e-mail. Not.

[0011] Therefore, the efficiency of the meeting is rather reduced because the material is converted into an electronic file. If priority is given to the efficiency of the meeting, the conventional method using paper is eventually returned.

[0012]

As described above, the conventional electronic conferencing system displays a material in an electronic file on a large-sized display device, converts the minutes into an electronic file, and distributes the minutes to conference members by e-mail. Work item 1
Since there is no support for the entire flow of step 7, there is a problem that the meeting efficiency is rather lowered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to eliminate the need for document distribution by using an electronic file and maintain the conventional conference flow, thereby saving the conference efficiency without impairing the conference efficiency. An object of the present invention is to obtain an electronic conference system that realizes resource utilization.

[0014]

An electronic conference system according to the present invention includes a server installed in a conference room or near a conference room, a display device installed in the conference room, and a plurality of conference devices assigned to each conference member. Client and
A server, a display device, and a local area network that performs data transmission between the plurality of clients. The server has a conference folder provided for each conference, and files transmitted from the plurality of clients before the conference is held. Are stored in a meeting folder, and the clients, following transmission of the file to the server,
Download the meeting folder from the server, and the server
During the conference, one or more designated files are displayed on the display device in the form of a window.

The conference folder of the electronic conference system according to the present invention has a common folder for each conference, and the server stores the file in the common folder and specifies the file name of the file to display the file. The client that has been displayed on the apparatus and has obtained the write right among the plurality of clients performs creation, addition, modification, and deletion of the file and the content of the file.

Further, the electronic conference system according to the present invention includes a network outside the conference room, the server has an interface function with the network, and transmits files from a plurality of clients to the server and from a server to the plurality of clients. Of the conference folder.

Further, the server of the electronic conference system according to the present invention has a function of requesting the input of the ID and password of the conference member, and allows a plurality of clients to access and download the conference folder.
It is limited to the meeting members only.

Further, the server of the electronic conference system according to the present invention has a function of requesting the input of the ID and password of the conference member, and is capable of creating, changing and deleting member files in the conference folder. And restrict the creation, modification and deletion of common files to authorized members only.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic conference system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a conference room (or
A conference server (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “server”) for an electronic conference installed in the vicinity of the conference room), and 20 is a large-sized display device connected to the server 10. 31-3n
Is the client of each conference member, for example, n
It consists of n notebook computers corresponding to people.

A local area network 40 connects the clients 31 to 3n to the server 10 and the display device 20. 311-3n1 is n
Connectors, which connect the clients 31 to 3n to the local area network 40.

Next, a specific operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 and 8 show the display screens of the clients 31 to 3n, and FIGS. 7 and 9 show the display screens of the display device 20, as described later.

First, a conference member joins a conference room by carrying clients 31 to 3n each storing the materials created by the conference members, connects to the local area network 40 via connectors 311 to 3n1, and connects the client 31 to the local area network 40.
Up to 3n.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the clients 31 to 3n, and shows an example displayed on an explorer window (window) of the clients 31 to 3n when the above-mentioned startup is performed.

In FIG. 2, "Explorer 2-1"
In the window, there is a directory of "My Computer" indicating the client itself and a directory of "Network Computer" indicating other computers connected to the network under the desktop.

There is a "conference server" folder in the directory of "network computer", and "program" and "conference A"
There is a folder.

The “program” folder exists from the beginning of the installation of the server 10. The “meeting A” folder (which does not initially exist) stores materials of the meeting A that has already been opened before the main meeting (meeting B).

First, at the start-up operation, the "program"
When you click on the icon of "Setting program" and "Progress program" on the right side of the screen as shown in FIG.
Icon is displayed.

After the start-up operation of the clients 31 to 3n in FIG. 2 is completed, the operation for setting a conference is started as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen for setting a conference. Taking the case where the main conference B is performed by Mr. Sato, Suzuki and Yamada as an example, the conference B is set by three clients 31 to 33, for example. An example is shown.

In FIG. 3, the dotted line at the lower left does not initially exist in the “Explorer 3-1” window. Therefore, at first, it is in the same state as the window of “Explorer 2-1” in FIG. In addition, there is no “setting” window at first.

The organizer of the meeting (here, Mr. Sato)
When the pointer is set to the icon of the "setting program" displayed on the right side of "Explorer 3-1" and double-clicked, a window of "setting" appears in the lower right (however, the input field is blank). .

Then, the fields of the conference name, the date, the time, and the member are entered, and the "set" button is clicked.
A folder “Meeting B” is created, and a folder for each member is created in this folder, and all parts indicated by dotted lines are displayed at the lower left of “Explorer 3-1”.

When the operation of the conference setting of FIG. 3 is completed, the operation of submitting the materials brought by each conference member (corresponding to work item 3 in FIG. 12) is then started as shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for submitting a material (in the case of Mr. Sato).

In FIG. 4, first, on the “Explorer 4-1” of the client 31 of Mr. Sato, “Desktop” → “My Computer” → “My Document” →
Follow the directory of "Meeting" and open the "B" folder.

Thus, three files “Sato B1.doc”, “Sato B2.doc”,
“Sato B3.doc” is displayed on the right. Next, open "Explorer 4-2", follow the directory of "Desktop"->"Networkcomputer"->"Conferenceserver"->"ConferenceB", and open the "Sato" folder. At this time, since the state has not been submitted yet, the display of the dotted line on the right side has not been displayed yet.

Then, three files "Sato B1.doc", "Sato B2.doc", and "Sato B3.doc" on the right side of "Explorer 4-1" are selected,
When the user drags and drops the file on the right side of “Explorer 4-2”, the above three files are copied, and the submission is completed.

Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Yamada also copy the files brought by themselves to the folders “Suzuki” and “Yamada” by the same operation as above, and complete the submission. When the submission of the materials shown in FIG. 4 is completed, an operation (corresponding to work item 4 in FIG. 12) of taking the submitted materials into the clients 31 to 33 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of the clients 31 to 33 when the above-mentioned import is performed. In FIG. 5, first, on the “Explorer 5-1”, the “Conference B” folder is opened by following “Desktop” → “Network Computer” → “Conference Server”.

Thus, three folders “Sato”, “Suzuki”, and “Yamada” included in the “Conference B” folder are
It is displayed on the right side of the display screen. Next, open "Explorer 5-2", follow "Desktop" → "My Computer" and open the "Documents" folder.
The folders and files included in the "Documents" folder are displayed on the right.

At this time, the user selects the “Conference B” folder of “Explorer 5-1” and selects “Explorer 5-”.
Drag and drop to the right part of "2"
As indicated by the dotted line, the “meeting B” folder is downloaded and taken into the client 31 of Mr. Sato, for example.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the three persons respectively perform the above-mentioned import operation, the import (distribution) of the material to each of the clients 31 to 33 is completed. Then, as shown in FIG. Transition.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen of the clients 31 to 33 for performing an operation for entering into a conference.
In FIG. 6, first, on “Explorer 6-1”,
"Desktop" → "Network Computer" →
When the user follows the “conference server” and selects the “program” folder, icons of “setting program” and “progress program” appear on the right side.

Next, when the icon of the "progress program" is double-clicked, a "priority" window (see the lower right) appears, and the names of the conference members "Sato", "Suzuki", and "Yamada" appear in this window. Is displayed. here,
The member who clicks the name button is given control of the server 10.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the display device 20, and shows a screen displayed when Mr. Sato takes the priority of the control right. In FIG.
The “Explorer 7-1” window displays the directory of the server 10, and the “Priority” window at the lower right is shown in FIG.
This is the same display as in the case of.

In this case, however, since Mr. Sato has the priority, the frame of the button of “Mr. Sato” is inverted in the “Priority” window, indicating that Mr. Sato has the control right. ing.

The window of "Explorer 7-1"
Also on the screen of Mr. Sato's client 31, it is displayed in an overlapping form with "Explorer 6-1" (see FIG. 6).

Therefore, Mr. Sato can control the contents of the server 10 and the display device 20 while watching the display of his client 31. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in an overlapping state with “Explorer 6-1”, and shows a screen of the client 31 of Mr. Sato.

In FIG. 8, first, Mr. Sato traces “Desktop” → “Conference server” → “Conference B” on “Explorer 7-1” and opens the “Sato” folder.
As a result, the file names of the three submitted materials are displayed on the right side of FIG. 8, and the contents of each file are displayed by double-clicking the icon of each file sequentially, and the description will be given.

At this time, if necessary, the contents of the file can be corrected or a new file can be added. During this time, the other members can write their own while watching the display device 20 and at the same time watching the files (distributed) captured by their respective clients 32 and 33.

Next, in the order of Mr. Suzuki, Mr. Suzuki also
The window shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the client 32, and the “priority” window (currently, since Mr. Sato has the priority,
(The color of the button frame of Mr. Sato is inverted.) And click the "Suzuki" button.

As a result, the reversal changes from the "Sato" button to the "Suzuki" button, the priority shifts to Mr. Suzuki, and explanations and the like can be made by the same operation as that of Mr. Sato.

The same applies to Mr. Yamada. Furthermore, a common folder can be provided during a meeting or at the stage of summarizing, and files can be placed in this folder.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen when a folder is created, in which the organizer creates a common folder.
The screen of the display device 20 when the minutes and three materials are inserted is shown.

In this case, Mr. Sato can operate while viewing the screen of his client 31 in the same manner as in FIG. In FIG. 9, Mr. Sato is in "Conference B"
Create a new folder called "Common" in the folder,
Drag and drop the "Minutes B.doc" file created on your personal computer into the "Common" folder.

Also, materials submitted as they are, materials partially modified, or materials newly created jointly (“material B1.doc”, “material B2.doc”,
"Document B3. Doc") is dragged and dropped.

The contents stored in the "common" folder are displayed by double-clicking the file name, so that the members can confirm the contents. At this time, if it is necessary to make the correction, it can be done by Mr. Sato who has the priority or another member can take the priority.

Each member's client 31 to 31
Since the contents of the “common” folder can be downloaded to the client 33, the contents modified by the client 31 to 33 can be uploaded and displayed, and the confirmation of other members can be obtained.

After the contents of the “common” folder are determined, each member adds the “common” folder to the left part of “explorer 5-1” in the manner described with reference to FIG. 3.) Store the "Conference B" folder in each of the clients 31 to 33 and end the conference.

As described above, the server 10 is installed in the conference room (or in the vicinity of the conference room), the large-sized display device 20 is installed in the conference room, and the clients 31 to 3n of the conference members are connected to the local area. By connecting via the network 40, data can be transmitted between the server 10 and the display device 20 and each of the clients 31 to 3n.

That is, the server 10 stores the files transmitted from each of the clients 31 to 3n in a conference folder provided for each conference prior to holding the conference. You can download this conference folder.

In the progress of the conference, the server 10
One or more designated files are displayed on the display device 20 in the form of a window, and the clients 31 to 3n having the write right perform creation, addition, modification, deletion, etc. of the files and their contents. Can be.

Therefore, it is possible to maintain the same flow as in the conventional conference, and to save resources by using electronic files without impairing the conference efficiency.

Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the server 10 and each of the clients 31 to 3n are connected by the wired local area network 40. However, a wireless local area network may be used.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electronic conference system according to a second embodiment of the present invention using a wireless local area network. In FIG. 10, the same components as those described above (see FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a wireless local area network (hereinafter referred to as “wireless LAN”), 11 denotes a wireless LAN 4
1 is a server-side device, and 312 to 3n2 are client-side devices of the wireless LAN 41.

The operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
3 to 3n, except that the communication is performed by the wireless LAN 41, the description is omitted.
The same operational effects as those described above are obtained.

Embodiment 3 In the first embodiment,
In 2, the work from the submission of materials (corresponding to work items 3 and 4 in FIG. 12) to the creation of minutes (corresponding to work item 7) is performed in the meeting room. The minutes may be prepared at a later date.

As described above, usually, the work of submitting materials is
Often, the meeting is held before the meeting is held, and the work of preparing the minutes is often performed at a later date. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electronic conference system according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which can deal with the above case.

In FIG. 11, the same components as those described above (see FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
50 is a network installed outside the conference room, 100 is a network management server connected to the network 50,
Reference numeral 61 denotes a client connected to the network 50.

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the above-described explanatory diagrams (see FIGS. 2 to 9).
A specific operation of the electronic conference system according to the present invention will be described. Also in this case, Mr. Sato agreed with Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Yamada.
The following description is given on the assumption that a conference of people is held.

First, Mr. Sato sets up his client 61 outside the conference room. Thereby, “Explorer 2-1” in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display of the client 61.

Next, when the icon of “program” is clicked, the icons of “setting program” and “progressing program” are displayed on the right side of the screen as shown in FIG. Further, when the “setting program” is double-clicked, a “setting” window in FIG. 3 (however, the input column is blank) appears.

Here, when the fields of the conference name, the date, the time, and the member are entered and the “set” button is clicked,
A folder for each member is created in the “meeting B” folder and the “meeting B” folder.
A portion indicated by a dotted line is displayed at the lower left of "1".

When the setting is completed, Mr. Sato requests Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Yamada to notify of the holding of the conference by e-mail or the like, and to request submission of materials. Note that the operation of submitting the material is the same as the operation performed in the conference room described above (see FIG. 4), and is executed by being performed from the client at the seat. FIG. 4 shows the case of Mr. Sato, but the same applies to Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Yamada.

When the submission of the materials is completed, each user can copy the contents of the “conference B” folder to the client at his / her desk by the operation of FIG. 5 and examine it in advance.
On the day of the meeting, if the client 61 at his / her seat is a portable type such as a notebook personal computer, bring it with him / her. Bring to.

The progress of the conference is described in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 1).
As in the case of (1), the operation can be performed by the operations shown in FIGS. The creation of the common folder and the storage of the minutes and the like can be performed by the operation of FIG. 9 on the day, but the same operation can be performed later by Mr. Sato's own client 61.

Embodiment 4 In the third embodiment, since the server 10 is connected to the network 50 outside the conference room, it is necessary to consider security of the conference material. Measures to maintain security include:
For example, when accessing and downloading each conference folder stored in the server 10, the access and download operations are performed in principle by a method such as requesting the input of the ID and password of the conference member. Can be restricted to only.

Also, for each file in the conference folder, the creation, change and deletion of each member file are restricted to only this member by the same method, and the creation, change and deletion of the common file are basically performed by this conference. It is also possible to limit to only authorized members of the members.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, a server installed in a conference room or near a conference room, a display device installed in the conference room, and a plurality of clients assigned to each conference member are provided. , A server, a display device and a local area network for performing data transmission between the plurality of clients, the server comprising:
It has a conference folder provided for each conference, and stores files transmitted from a plurality of clients in the conference folder prior to holding a conference. The server downloads the meeting folder and displays the designated file or files in the form of a window on the display device in the course of the meeting. The conference flow of the present invention can be maintained, and there is an effect that an electronic conference system that realizes resource saving without impairing the conference efficiency can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, the conference folder has a common folder for each conference, and the server stores the file in the common folder and designates the file name of the file to transfer the file to the display device. The client that has displayed and obtained the write right among the plurality of clients creates, adds, modifies, and deletes the file and the contents of the file, thereby realizing resource saving without impairing the conference efficiency. There is an effect that an electronic conference system is obtained.

According to the present invention, a network outside the conference room is provided, the server has an interface function with the network, and a file is transmitted from a plurality of clients to the server, and a conference folder is transmitted from the server to the plurality of clients. Since the electronic conference system can be downloaded, it is possible to obtain an electronic conference system in which materials can be submitted before the conference is held, and the minutes can be created at a later date after the conference.

According to the present invention, the server has a function of requesting the input of the ID and password of the conference member, and restricts access and download of the conference folder by a plurality of clients to only the conference member. As a result, there is an effect that a secure electronic conference system can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, the server has a function of requesting the input of the ID and password of the conference member, and the creation, change, and deletion of the member file in the conference folder can be performed only by the conference member. In addition to the restriction, the creation, change, and deletion of the common file are restricted to only authorized members, so that an electronic conference system with secured security can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of an explorer window (window) displayed on the client when starting up the client according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting a conference displayed on a client when a main conference B is performed by Mr. Sato, Suzuki, and Yamada according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen (in the case of Mr. Sato) displayed on the client when a material submission operation is performed according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the client when an operation of importing the material submitted according to the first embodiment of the present invention into each client is performed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a client screen displayed when performing an operation to enter into a conference according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device when Mr. Sato takes priority according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of Mr. Sato's client screen displayed when Mr. Sato controls the contents of the server and the display device while viewing the display of his client according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; .

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of the display device in a case where the organizer creates a common folder and puts the minutes and three materials according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing sequence items of a general conference by a typical flow.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 servers, 20 display devices, 31 to 3n,
61 clients, 40 local area networks, 41 wireless local area networks, 50 networks outside conference rooms.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C064 AA02 AB03 AC12 AD07 AD14 5K015 AA10 AD01 AD02 AD03 AD04 AD05 AE01 AF06 JA01 5K024 AA62 BB04 BB07 CC04 CC09 DD01 EE01 FF04 GG01 GG12 GG13 5K030 GA18 HC14 KA01 KA02 LD

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A server installed in or near a conference room, a display device installed in the conference room, a plurality of clients assigned to each conference member, the server, the display device and the plurality A local area network that performs data transmission between clients, wherein the server has a conference folder provided for each conference, and prior to holding a conference, a file transmitted from the plurality of clients is stored in the conference folder. Wherein the plurality of clients downloads the conference folder from the server following transmission of the file to the server; and wherein the server determines one or more designated Displaying the file on the display device in the form of a window. Characteristic electronic conference system. 2. The meeting folder has a common folder for each meeting, and the server stores the file in the common folder and specifies a file name of the file,
The file that is displayed on the display device, and a client that has obtained a write right among the plurality of clients performs creation, addition, modification, and deletion of the file and the contents of the file. 2. The electronic conference system according to 1. 3. A network outside the conference room, wherein the server has an interface function with the network, and a file is transmitted from the plurality of clients to the server, and the conference is performed from the server to the plurality of clients. 3. The electronic conference system according to claim 1, wherein downloading of the folder is enabled. 4. The server has a function of requesting the input of an ID and a password of the conference member, and restricting access and download of the conference folder by the plurality of clients to only the conference member. The electronic conference system according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The server has a function of requesting input of an ID and a password of the conference member, and restricts creation, change, and deletion of a member file in the conference folder to only the conference member. The electronic conference system according to claim 3, wherein creation, change, and deletion of the common file are restricted to only authorized members.