JP2003296257A - Network conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network conference system which automatically generates the minute of a conference. <P>SOLUTION: The system comprises data communication terminals 13a to 13n such as PCs interconnected by a network 11 such as the Internet equipped with a server 12 having a chat function of providing a chat (electronic conference based upon characters) and a mail server function of sending electronic mail. A data communication terminal 13 displays conference call screens 20 and 30 and electronic chat conference screens 40 and 50 to make a participant attend a meeting about a determined subject and automatically generates the minutes of the meeting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network conferencing system, and more particularly to a network conferencing system capable of extracting essential points of a conference and organizing and recording them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, it is common for participants to gather together in a conference room or the like. However, when the participants are geographically separated, it is difficult and timely to meet together. Therefore, a network conferencing system has been developed and widely used, in which conferees are connected to each other on a network for a conference by using characters or telephones. Such a network conferencing system enables conference attendees (participants) to exchange opinions and make a decision relatively inexpensively and quickly without being subject to geographical and time constraints.

Conventionally, the minutes of such a network conference may be manually created by a specific person in charge after the conference is completed, or may be automatically performed by using a voice recording function or a chat function. A conventional technique in or related to such a technical field is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-3.
No. 31431 gazette "Network conferencing system, meeting management server", "Meeting support system" of JP 2001-331613 A, "Network meeting system and minutes creating method, meeting management server," Minute preparation method ", Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-3
No. 50749, “Meeting creation / recording method and recording medium on the Internet”, “Electronic conferencing system with minutes creating function” in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-2540, and “Electronic meeting network” in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 48603/1993. ] And the like.

Also, one of the conventional technology for automatically creating meeting minutes
An example is disclosed in the above-mentioned JP 2001-350749 A. This conventional meeting minutes making and recording method is
It is composed of means for acquiring the content of the utterance of the speaker as character data and means for recording the character data. The operation of the conventional meeting minutes automatic creation technology having such a configuration is as follows:
When reconfirmation is required, the recorded voice is reproduced over the whole area or the recorded characters are read back over the whole area.

[0005]

The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. First, it takes time to reconfirm the agenda. The reason is that a mere recording or recording does not provide summarized information. Second
Moreover, it is difficult to grasp the concrete results of the conference. The reason is that the actual results of the conference cannot be sorted out simply by recording or recording. Third, it is difficult to obtain consensus (agreement or agreement) on the content of the minutes. The reason is that the contents of the minutes are not confirmed during the meeting and will be confirmed after the meeting.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a network conference system in which minutes are automatically created.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the network conferencing system according to the present invention adopts the following characteristic configuration.

(1) In a network conferencing system that is connected via a network and in which a plurality of participants have a meeting on an arbitrary subject, a character communication means for performing data communication by electronic chat via the network and the electronic chat A network conferencing system comprising: an information acquisition means for acquiring the date and time of a meeting and information of participants; and a recording / editing means for recording and editing the comments of the electronic chat.

(2) The network conferencing system according to (1), further including an electronic mail delivery means for delivering electronic mail.

(3) The network conferencing system according to the above (1) or (2), further comprising a voice communication means for performing voice communication.

(4) The character communication means is a data communication terminal such as a personal computer operated by the participant, and one of the data communication terminals serves as a chairman,
The network conferencing system according to (1), (2) or (3) above, which convenes and advances a conference.

(5) The network conferencing system according to any one of the above (1) to (4), wherein the character communication means displays different screens for convening a meeting and a meeting by the electronic chat.

(6) The network conferencing system according to the above (5), in which the screen for convening the meeting and the screen for the electronic chat are different for the chairperson and the general participants, respectively.

(7) In a network conferencing system for conferencing on an agenda decided by participants connected to each other via a network, the network comprises:
A server having a chat server function for providing a chat service and a mail server function for transmitting an electronic mail is provided, and the participant has a data communication terminal such as a personal computer capable of logging on to the chat. A network conferencing system that displays a meeting convocation screen to convene participants, displays a chat screen when participants attend and holds a chat conference, and creates minutes containing necessary information.

(8) The participants are further connected to each other by a voice communication line, hold a conference by voice, and chat-input using the data communication terminal the matters judged necessary to be recorded in the minutes. The network conferencing system of (7) above.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration and operation of a preferred embodiment of the network conference system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a basic system configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a network conference system according to the present invention. This network conferencing system 10 includes a server 12
And a plurality of data communication terminals 13a to 13n connected to the network 11 by data transmission paths 14a to 14n.

Here, the network 11 is the Internet, an intranet or the like capable of data communication between electronic devices such as a PC (personal computer). The server 12 provides a chat (electronic conference by text) service on the network 11. Each data communication terminal 13
a to 13n are PCs and the like that can log on to the chat of the server 12. The data transmission paths 14a to 14n are data transmission paths that connect the network 11 and each data communication terminal 13 by wire or wirelessly capable of data transmission.
In addition, in this example, the server 12 is assumed to have a mail server function for transmitting an electronic mail in addition to the chat server function described above.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a meeting invitation application of a data communication terminal (13a in FIG. 1) that hosts a network meeting. That is, the meeting convocation (for organizer) screen 2
0 is from the conference name and scheduled date / time input column 21, the conference convener input column 22, the conference participant input column (e-mail address, telephone number, affiliation name, name, etc.) 23, the conference participant list 24 and the holding button 25 Composed. Further, FIG. 3 shows a data communication terminal (1 in FIG. 1) participating in a network conference.
3b to 13n) is an example of a screen of a conference call application. This screen is similar to FIG. 2, and the conference call (for attendees) screen 30 has a conference name and schedule display column 31, a conference caller display column 32, a conference participant input column (email address, telephone number, affiliation). First name, full name, etc.) 33 and participant list 34 are included.

FIG. 4 shows the "chairperson" data communication terminal (see FIG. 1).
13a) is an example of a screen of the chat application. This chairperson chat screen 40 includes a holding schedule display field 41, a comment content display field 42, a comment input field 43, a type selectable comment button 44, a meeting participant display field 45, a task deadline 46, a task comment button 47 and a closing. A button 48 is included. Further, FIG. 5 is an example of a screen of the chat application of the data communication terminals (13b to 13n in FIG. 1) other than the above-mentioned “chairperson”. The general (other than the chairperson) chat screen 50 includes a holding schedule display field 51, a comment content display field 52, a comment display field 53, and a type-selectable comment button 5.
4 and a conference participant display field 55 are included.

Next, FIGS. 6 to 9 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the network conference system according to the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a specific example of a flowchart showing the operation of convening a meeting (recruiting participants) using the meeting calling (for organizer) application screen 20 as shown in FIG. At this time, it is possible to select whether or not to assume the role of “chairman”. When a necessary user participates in the conference (signs in to the chat), the "held" button 25 is clicked to hold the conference. When the conference is held, the screen changes to the chat screen as shown in FIG. The contents recorded in the minutes will be from this point.

That is, the server 12 is logged on (step A1). The application screen 20 (see FIG. 2) for convening a meeting (for the organizer) is activated (step A2). Enter the conference name and schedule 21 (step A3). Input the convener 22 to convene the meeting (step A4).
A meeting invitation is sent (step A5). The event and the event type are determined (steps A6 and A7).
The participant fills out the profile 23 and sends a participation notice (step A8). When the participation notice is received, the participant list 24 is updated (step A9). Once the participants are confirmed,
The holding button 25 is clicked to send a holding notice to each participant (step A10). Then, the conference convocation application screen 20 is terminated and the chat application screen 40 shown in FIG. 4 is activated (step A11).

FIG. 7 is a specific example of a flow chart showing an operation in which the user invited to the conference participates in the conference by using the conference invitation (for participants) application screen 30 as shown in FIG. At this time, the conference participants can also act as the "chairperson". When the conference is held, the screen is switched to the chat screen 50 as shown in FIG.

That is, the participant logs on to the server 12 of the network 11 (step B1). Next, the server 12 sends a convocation invitation to the participant's data communication terminal 13 (step B2). And convening a meeting (for participants)
Application 30 is started (step B
3). The event and the type of event are determined (steps B4 and B5). If you want to participate, fill in the profile 33 of the participant and send the participation notice (step B).
6). Upon receiving the participation notification, the server 12 of the network 11 updates the participant list 34 (step B
7). When the notice of the conference is received, the conference calling application 30 is terminated and the chat application screen 5
0 is activated (step B8).

Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a specific example of the chat operation of the network conference system 10 according to the present invention. When making a remark in a chat, the remark type (“theme”, “point out”, “question”, “answer”, “resolution” or “issue”) 44 is input. When saying "assignment", "deadline" and "person in charge"
Input of 46 is required. FIG. 8 covers the operation of the “chairman” using the chat application screen 40 as shown in FIG. "Chairman" has the privilege of chairman,
Buttons for saying "themes", "resolutions" and "issues" and a "close" button 48 are provided. "Chairperson" 13
a makes a decision on these important matters and advances the conference with the consent of the other conference participants. The users or participants 13b to 13n other than the "chairperson" are not given the chairperson privilege and use the general chat application screen 50 as shown in FIG. User operations other than "chairman" are a subset of "chairman" operations and are included in FIG.

That is, the event and the type of the event are determined (steps C1 and C2). When the chat text is received, the display in the comment content display columns 42 and 52 is updated (step C3). If there are character inputs 43, 46 and 53, the input is stored (step C4). Buttons 44, 47, 48,
If there is 54, the clicked button is determined (step C5). When the "theme" button is clicked, a serial number is added (step C6) and the "theme" sentence is transmitted (step C7). When the "point out" button is clicked, the pointed out sentence is transmitted (step C8). When the "question" button is clicked, the question text is transmitted (step C9). When the "Reply" button is clicked, the reply sentence is transmitted (step C10). When the "resolution" button is clicked, a serial number is added (step C11) and the resolution text is transmitted (step C12). If you click on the "Issue" button 47,
It is determined whether or not the "deadline" and "charge" fields 46 have been entered (step C13). If you have already entered (Yes),
A serial number is given (step C14), and the agenda sentence is transmitted (step C15). If no input has been made (No), a caution is displayed (step C16) and confirmation is made (step C1).
7). When the "close" button 48 is clicked, the minutes are automatically created (step C18) and the minutes are automatically distributed to the participants (step C19). Finally, click the "Close" button 48 to send the closing sentence (Step C2
0) to end the conference.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a concrete example of automatic preparation of the conference minutes in the network conference system 10 according to the present invention. When the chat conference is closed, the conference name, date and time, participants, etc. are recorded, and the chat contents are recorded as agenda. The type of utterance is marked on this agenda item, and in particular, “resolution” and “issue”, which are concrete outcomes of the conference, are extracted from the utterance contents and are summarized and aggregated again.

That is, in the specific example shown in FIG. 9, the minutes file 94, the resolution memory 91 and the agenda memory 92 are initialized (step D1). Next, the conference name, date and time, and attendee names are written (step D2) and recorded in the minutes file 94. Then, the chat record is read from the chat record memory 93 (step D3). The utterance type is determined (step D4). In the case of a resolution and an agenda, it is stored in the resolution memory 91 and the task memory 92 (step D5). In case of "Theme", "Pointed out", "Question" or "Answer", write down the proceedings (Step D
6), record in the minutes file 94. Then, it is determined whether or not the chat proceedings are continued (step D7).
If there is a continuation (Yes), step D3 described above.
Return to. If there is no continuation (No), the resolutions and assignments are totaled and organized and written (step D8), and the automatic proceeding creation is completed.

Next, FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the network conference system according to the present invention. The network conferencing system 10 'of FIG. 10 is an example in which a network 11 for chat and a telephone network 111 are used together. In the second embodiment, the telephone terminals 113a to 113n on the desktop are used and the telephone network 11 is used.
A voice conference is realized by the exchange 112 located on the upper part of the table 1. At this time, each participant uses the data terminals 13a to 13n to input only the utterance that he or she has decided to leave in the minutes. As a result, the minutes summarized as a result are automatically generated, and the minutes in which the main points are emphasized can be created as compared with the case of only chat.

The configuration and operation of the preferred embodiment of the network conference system according to the present invention have been described above in detail. However, such an embodiment is merely an example of the present invention,
It does not limit the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art can easily understand that various modifications and changes can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0031]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the network conference system of the present invention, the following remarkable practical effects can be obtained. First, the minutes of the conference can be created at the end of the conference. The reason is that the chat is used and the record of the statements is totaled. Secondly, it is possible to create easy-to-understand meeting minutes. The reason is that the utterance can be classified. Third,
It is possible to create a meeting minutes in which the concrete results of the meeting are organized. The reason is that the chair can judge the resolutions and issues with the consent of all, and can extract and aggregate them in the minutes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first network conferencing system according to the present invention.
It is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an example of an application screen for convening a meeting (for organizer).

FIG. 3 is an example of an application screen for convening a meeting (for participants).

FIG. 4 is an example of a chair chat application screen.

FIG. 5 is an example of a general-purpose chat application screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a conference call operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a conference participation operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a chat operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a conference minutes automatic creation operation.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a second embodiment of a network conference system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10 'network conferencing system 11 network 12 servers 13a-13n data communication terminal 14a-14n data transmission path 20 Meeting convocation (for organizer) screen 30 Meeting convocation (for participants) screen 40 Chair chat screen 50 General (non-chairman) chat screen 111 telephone network 112 exchange 113a to 113n telephones

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A network conferencing system which is connected via a network and in which a plurality of participants confer on an arbitrary subject, a character communication means for performing data communication by electronic chat via the network, and a conference by the electronic chat. 2. A network conferencing system comprising: an information acquisition unit for acquiring the date and time of the event and information of participants, and a recording / editing unit for recording and editing the statement of the electronic chat. 2. The network conferencing system according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic mail delivery means for delivering electronic mail. 3. The network conferencing system according to claim 1, further comprising voice communication means for performing voice communication. 4. The character communication means is a data communication terminal such as a personal computer operated by the participant,
The network conferencing system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein one of the data communication terminals serves as a chairperson to convene and proceed with the conference. 5. The network conferencing system according to claim 1, wherein the text communication means displays different screens for a meeting invitation and a meeting by the electronic chat. 6. The network conferencing system according to claim 5, wherein the conference calling screen and the electronic chat screen are different for the chairperson and the general participants, respectively. 7. A network conferencing system for confering on an agenda decided by participants connected to each other via a network, wherein the network has a chat server function for providing a chat service and a mail server function for transmitting an electronic mail. And a participant has a data communication terminal such as a personal computer capable of logging on to the chat, displays a conference call screen on the data communication terminal, and invites the participant. A network conferencing system characterized by displaying a chat screen and holding a chat conference, and creating minutes in which necessary matters are described. 8. The participants are further connected to each other by a voice communication line, hold a conference by voice, and input chats by using the data communication terminal with matters judged necessary to be recorded in the minutes. The network conference system according to claim 7.