JP2006279535A - Apparatus and system for supporting network conference, terminal for network conference support system, and network conference progress support method for network conference support system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network conference support apparatus enabling automatic switchover of a presenter and a presentation document according to the progress of a conference, and a grasp of a conference progress state in real time. <P>SOLUTION: The network conference support system includes an agenda list execution means for storing an agenda list for each discussion subject, in which the presenters, the presentation documents for use by the presenters at presentation are related in time series to an attendance state to the conference and the progress state including a proceeding state of the discussion subject, and on receiving a start indication from a conference terminal, proceeding the conference based on the agenda list settings. The system further includes a presenter authority switchover means for switching the addition of presenter authority to a predetermined conference terminal according to the conference progress, and a presentation document switchover means for storing the presentation documents for use by the presenter having the presenter authority, and presenting the presentation documents for use by the presenter while switching over the documents according to the conference progress. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network conference support apparatus, a network conference support system, a terminal for a network conference support system, and a network conference support system supporting network conference progress that are connected to a plurality of conference terminals via a network to constitute a network conference support system. Regarding the method.

  In a network conference system in which a plurality of conference terminals are connected via a network and a conference is performed between the terminals, a system and a system terminal have conventionally been aimed at efficient conference management and particularly for reducing troublesome operations on the organizer side. Many have been proposed.

For example, a multipoint conference system that controls a multipoint control unit based on a conference progress schedule stored in a database and switches communication between a conference server and a plurality of conference terminals (see, for example, Patent Document 1) ) Manages the time for each conference agenda (hereinafter referred to as an agenda) set in the conference progress schedule, and switches the operation right (presentation right). Further, in a conference support system (for example, see Patent Document 2) in which an agenda and a conference material used in the conference are linked, conference material corresponding to the agenda is appropriately presented.
JP 2004-328588 A (pages 4 to 15, FIG. 2) JP 2001-175720 A (page 3-5 page, FIG. 4)

  However, in the multipoint conference system, the presenter is automatically switched, but there is a problem that the presenter must manually perform presentation of the conference material during the presentation. Similarly, in the conference support system, although the agenda and the conference material are linked, there is a problem that the conference organizer must manually perform the progress of the conference.

  In other words, traditionally, not all agendas, presenters, and conference materials were associated, so manual operations occurred either during presenter switching or presentation of materials during the conference, and the progress of the agenda The presentation authority of the presenter was automatically switched according to the presentation, and the presentation of the materials related to the presenter's presentation could not be automatically changed.

  Further, in the conventional multipoint conference system and conference support system, the conference participants cannot grasp the progress of the conference in real time for the reasons described above. Further, the conference organizer has to manually check whether or not the personnel required for holding and approving the conference (persons who must attend) are participating.

  As a problem to be solved by the present invention, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the presenter and presentation materials cannot be automatically switched according to the progress of the conference, and the progress of the conference is grasped in real time. As an example, there are a problem that the meeting organizer needs to manually check whether or not a person who must attend the meeting is participating, and the like.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a network conference support apparatus according to claim 1 is a network conference support apparatus that is connected to a plurality of conference terminals via a network and constitutes a network conference support system. Each of them stores a presenter, an agenda list that chronologically associates the presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation, and the progress status including the attendance status of the conference and the progress status of the agenda, and the conference terminal In response to the start instruction from the agenda list, the agenda list execution means for proceeding the conference based on the setting of the agenda list, and granting the presenter authority to a predetermined conference terminal based on the setting of the agenda list The presenter authority switching means for switching according to the presenter, and the presentation material used by the presenter having the presenter authority are stored. Based on the setting of the agenda list, wherein the presenter has and a PRESENTATION switching means for presenting while switching according to PRESENTATION the progress of the conference to be used.

  6. A network conference support system according to claim 5, wherein the server / client system includes a network conference support device that supports the progress of a conference, and a plurality of conference terminals that are connected to the network conference support device via a network. The network conference support system of the present invention includes, for each agenda of the conference, a presenter, presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation, attendance status to the conference, and progress status of the agenda An agenda list in which progress statuses are associated in time series is stored, and an agenda list executing means for receiving a start instruction from a conference terminal and proceeding with a meeting based on the setting of the agenda list, and setting of the agenda list Based on the The presenter authority switching means for switching, the presentation material used by the presenter having the presenter authority, and the presentation material used by the presenter according to the progress of the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list Presentation material switching means for presenting while switching, and the conference terminal generates an agenda list and stores it in the network conference support device, and a conference set in the agenda list And a meeting start instructing means for instructing the start of progress.

  A network conference support system terminal according to claim 9 is a network conference support system terminal for supporting a conference in the network conference support system terminal for performing a conference between a plurality of terminals, and the network conference support device and the network. Select one of the functions of the conference terminal connected via the terminal, and select the terminal function selection means to decide whether to use the terminal as a network conference support device or as a conference terminal, and announce for each agenda of the conference An agenda list generating means for generating and storing an agenda list in which the presenter uses the presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation and the progress status including the attendance status of the conference and the progress status of the agenda in time series, and A meeting start instruction means for instructing the start of a meeting set in the agenda list; An agenda list execution means for storing a caller list and receiving a conference start instruction and proceeding with the conference based on the setting of the agenda list, and presenter authority for a predetermined conference terminal based on the setting of the agenda list The presenter authority switching means for switching the assignment of the presentation according to the progress of the meeting, and the presentation material used by the presenter having the presenter authority are stored and used by the presenter based on the setting of the agenda list Presentation material switching means for presenting the presentation material to be switched while switching according to the progress of the conference.

  The conference progress support method of the network conference support system according to claim 10 comprises a network conference support device that supports the progress of a conference, and a plurality of conference terminals that are connected to the network conference support device via a network. This is a server / client network conference support system that supports the progress of a conference. For each agenda of the conference, the presenter, presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation, attendance at the conference, and agenda progress An agenda list generating step for generating an agenda list in which the progress status including the status is correlated in time series at the conference terminal and storing the agenda list in the network conference support device; and instructing the start of the progress of the conference set in the agenda list In response to a conference start instruction step and a start instruction from the conference terminal, An agenda list execution step for proceeding with the conference based on the settings of the caller list, and a presenter privilege switching step for switching the grant of the presenter privileges to the predetermined conference terminal according to the progress of the conference based on the settings of the agenda list; A presentation material switching step of storing presentation materials used by a presenter having presenter authority, and presenting the presentation materials used by the presenter while switching according to the progress of a meeting based on the setting of the agenda list; , Including.

  Hereinafter, a network conference support system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network conference support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network conference support system is mainly composed of a network conference support device and a conference terminal, and a plurality of conference terminals 20 and 21 are connected to one network conference support device 10 via the network 30.

  The network conference support device 10 is a device having a server function for a conference terminal (client), relays communication between conference terminals, transmits / receives video, audio, data, and agenda lists, a user management database, and an agenda list to be described later. Manage each database of database and presentation material database.

  The conference terminal 20 is a client terminal of the network conference support device 10 and accesses the conference support device 10 in order to perform editing and registration of the agenda list and an instruction to execute the agenda list. Also, it outputs video / audio / data transferred from the network conference support apparatus 10 and displays an agenda list. Note that the network conference may be performed by a known method between the plurality of conference terminals, and therefore a detailed description of the network conference is omitted.

  The network conference support apparatus 10 mainly includes a conference user management unit 100, an agenda list management unit 110, a data management unit 120, a video / audio processing unit 130, a user management database (user management DB) 140, an agenda list database (agenda list). DB) 150, a presentation material database (presentation material DB) 160, a communication unit 170, and the like.

  The conference user management unit 100 instructs switching of presenter authority for a plurality of conference terminals to be connected. In addition, a conference attendee list representing current conference attendees is created and the attendance status of the conference is managed. A conference attendee list created for each conference is temporarily stored in the user information memory unit 101 in the user management unit 100. The user management database 140 stores data information related to users such as conference attendees and conference terminal users.

  The agenda list management unit 110 controls access authority to an agenda list described later. Further, a conference related to the agenda list selected by the conference organizer is executed via the conference terminal 20. Further, in accordance with the progress of the conference, the data management unit 120 is instructed to transmit the presentation material data corresponding to the agenda to the conference terminal. Further, the conference attendee list managed by the conference user management unit 100 is compared with the conference attendees for each agenda set in the agenda list, and the progress of the conference is controlled based on the comparison result. For example, an agenda in which an attendee is not present cannot be selected, or the execution order is moved backward. In addition, according to the progress of the conference, the three types of classifications of the agenda that have been implemented, being implemented, and not being implemented are updated. The agenda list database 150 stores an agenda list.

  The data management unit 120 accesses the presentation material database 160 to transmit / receive presentation material data. Further, based on an instruction from the agenda list management unit 110, the presentation material data corresponding to the agenda is transmitted to the conference terminal. The presentation material database 160 stores presentation material data used in the conference. The storage of presentation material data is performed prior to the meeting by the meeting organizer or the person in charge of presentation.

  The video / audio processing unit 130 transfers the video / audio data received from the conference terminal to another conference terminal participating in the same conference.

  The communication unit 170 controls network communication between the network conference support apparatus and the conference terminal, that is, between the server and the client.

  Next, the conference terminal 20 mainly includes a participant status control unit 200, an agenda list output unit 210, a data output unit 220, a video / audio input / output unit 230, a toolbox control unit 231, a communication unit 270, and an external interface 280. , Etc.

  The participant status control unit 200 outputs a conference attendee list that is sequentially received from the network conference support device 10 to the monitor 290. Also, the presenter's authority according to an instruction from the network conference support apparatus 10 is controlled. In addition, what kind of participant the operator of the conference terminal 20 is (for example, whether it is a conference organizer or a participant who has a presentation authority) and a conference related to the selected agenda list can be started. The network conference support apparatus 10 is inquired to determine whether or not there is. Also, the conference organizer who has access authority to the agenda list management unit 110 accesses the network conference support device 10 from the participant status control unit 200 via the GUI of the monitor 290, and creates and registers an agenda list.

  The agenda list output unit 210 outputs an agenda list that is sequentially received from the network conference support apparatus 10 to the monitor 290.

  The data output unit 220 outputs the presentation material data received from the network conference support apparatus 10 to the monitor 290.

  The video / audio input / output unit 230 outputs the video data of the local site acquired by the camera 292 connected to the terminal to the monitor 290 and transmits it to the network conference support apparatus 10. Similarly, audio data acquired by the microphone 293 is output to the speaker 291 and transmitted to the network conference support apparatus 10. Furthermore, the video and audio data of other bases received from other conference terminals via the network conference support apparatus 10 are output to the monitor 290 and the speaker 291.

  The toolbox control unit 231 outputs various settings of the conference terminal 20 to the monitor 290 through a GUI (graphical user interface).

  The communication unit 270 controls network communication between the network conference support apparatus and the conference terminal, that is, between the server and the client.

  The external interface 280 is an interface that controls externally connected devices such as a monitor 290 for inputting / outputting video and audio, a speaker 291, a camera 292, and a microphone 293.

Next, the operation of the network conference support system configured as described above will be described.
In the following, the agenda list creation and registration operations related to the conference are performed in advance prior to the start of the conference, and the registration operations to the user management database of users participating in the conference, the presentations used by the presenter in the presentation The description will be made assuming that the storage operation of the document in the presentation material database has already been performed.

  The agenda list is created and registered by a conference organizer or a presenter with a presentation authority via the conference terminal 20, and the agenda list is stored in the agenda list database 150 of the network conference support apparatus 10.

Here, the agenda list will be described in detail.
2 and 3 are diagrams conceptually showing the data structure of the agenda list. The agenda list is mainly composed of data such as a conference ID, a conference name, an organizer user ID, and the number of agendas. The conference ID is an ID automatically assigned by the network conference support apparatus 10 when the agenda list is created, and uniquely corresponds to the agenda list. The organizer user ID is a user-specific ID registered in the user management database 140. The agenda number is a numerical value indicating the number of agenda items (agenda) included in the conference.

  In the agenda list, data specific to each agenda (agenda) is further set. Agenda number, agenda name, scheduled agenda time, agenda presenter user ID, agenda implementation permission flag, agenda implementation completed flag, attendance required number, attendance required user ID, number of agenda materials, presentation data number, sub Number of agendas, sub-agenda number, sub-agenda name, scheduled time for sub-agenda, sub-agenda presenter user ID, sub-agenda implementation permission flag, sub-agenda implementation flag, number of mandatory attendees, mandatory attendee user ID, number of sub-agenda materials , Presentation material data number, and the like.

  The agenda number is a number unique to the agenda, and is usually assigned in the order of progress of the conference. The scheduled agenda time is an announcement time allocated to the agenda. The agenda presenter user ID is a unique ID that identifies the presenter of the agenda. The agenda execution permission flag is a flag indicating whether or not the execution of the agenda, that is, the meeting related to the agenda can be executed. For example, the flag is turned ON when all presenters and attendees of the agenda are in attendance. The agenda executed flag is turned ON when the conference related to the agenda has already been executed, and becomes a determination index of executed / not executed.

  The number of required attendees is a numerical value indicating the number of persons required to attend in the agenda meeting. The attendance mandatory person user ID is a user ID related to each attendance mandatory person. The agenda list management unit 120 collates this mandatory attendee user ID with the actual meeting attendee, and determines whether or not the meeting regarding the agenda is possible. The network conference support apparatus 10 controls the progress of the conference by not holding a conference regarding an agenda in which the attendance of all persons who must attend is not confirmed, or by moving the holding order to the rear of the conference.

  The number of agenda materials is a numerical value indicating the number of material files presented on the agenda. The presentation material data number is an ID unique to the material file presented at the meeting of the agenda, and uniquely corresponds to a file stored in the presentation material database 160. During the conference, the data management unit 120 of the network conference support apparatus 10 acquires the data specified by the presentation material data number from the database and transmits it to all conference terminals (participant terminals) participating in the conference. To do.

  In addition, the agenda can be classified into more detailed sub-agendas, and the presenter, presentation time, attendance requirement, presentation materials, etc. can be set. For example, the sub agenda is set when there are a plurality of presenters on the same agenda. Sub-Agenda Number, Sub-Agenda Number, Sub-Agenda Name, Sub-Agenda Scheduled Time, Sub-Agenda Presenter User ID, Sub-Agenda Implementation Permission Flag, Sub-Agenda Implementation Flag, Required Attendance Number, Required Attendance User ID, Sub-Agenda Materials The contents of the items such as the number and the presentation material data number are the same as the above description of the agenda, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  2 is added to the agenda list of FIG. 2 as many as the number of agendas included in the same conference.

  Next, the user registration operation is individually performed by each operator of the conference terminal 20 via the conference terminal 20, and user information is stored in the user management database 140 of the network conference support apparatus 10.

Here, the user management list will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing the data structure of the user management list. The number of management user IDs is a numerical value indicating the number of users registered in the list, and an individual consisting of data such as the following user ID, password, contact information, email address, country code, etc. Contains data. The country code is information indicating the type of language used by the user.

  Next, the meeting attendee list will be described in detail. The conference attendee list is a list representing attendees at an arbitrary conference at the present time, and is created by the conference user management unit 100 of the network conference support apparatus 10 based on the conference connection status (that is, attendance status) of the conference terminal 20. And temporarily stored in the user information memory unit 101.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing the data structure of the conference attendee list. The conference ID is a unique ID for identifying the conference, and the number of attending users is a numerical value indicating the number of users currently attending the conference. Including. In the user type, four types of attendance are described: organizer, participant, listener, and presenter.

  Next, the presentation material storage operation is performed by the presenter having the presentation authority via the conference terminal 20, and the presentation material file used in the presentation is stored in the presentation material database 160 of the network conference support device 10.

Here, the presentation material data list will be described in detail.
FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing the data structure of the presentation material data list. The total number of material data is a numerical value indicating the number of material data registered in the list, and includes presentation material data composed of data such as the following presentation material data numbers and presentation material file names corresponding to this numerical value. The presentation material data list is automatically created by uploading the file indicated by the presentation material file name to the presentation material database 160.

First, the conference start operation will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a conference start operation procedure of the conference terminal in the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. When a conference related to the registered agenda list is to be started, the conference organizer accesses the agenda list management unit 110 of the network conference support apparatus 10 from the conference terminal 20 and selects the agenda list. The participant status control unit 200 of the conference terminal 20 determines whether or not the terminal operator has the authority to operate the agenda list (the authority to create, register, and select the agenda list) (step S101).

  When it is determined that the user is the conference organizer, the operator can select an agenda list registered in the agenda list database 150. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing display examples of the agenda list stored in the agenda list database. FIG. 8 is an agenda list created in advance by a conference organizer, and a conference name, organizer, and scheduled conference time are set for an arbitrary conference. For each agenda, the scheduled time, presenter, attendees, and presentation materials are set. This meeting has three agendas, and it is clear that the second and third agendas also have mandatory attendees.

  FIG. 9 is a sub-agenda list created in advance by the presenter regarding individual agendas in the agenda list of FIG. Here, only the sub-agenda list relating to the first agenda for which user B is the presenter is selectively shown. It can be seen that there will be three separate presenters in the first agenda and the presentations will be shared.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the operator who is the conference organizer selects a predetermined agenda list (step S102), the participant situation control unit 200 inquires of the network conference support apparatus 10 about whether or not the agenda can be implemented (step S102). S103). Whether or not the agenda can be implemented is determined by comparing and collating the agenda list with the conference attendee list in the agenda list management unit 110 of the network conference support apparatus 10. The conference progress control operation including the determination of whether or not to implement the agenda will be described later.

  When the conference related to the agenda can be performed, the conference terminal 20 transmits the selection of the agenda list to the network conference support device 10 (step S104). The network conference support apparatus 10 instructs the agenda list management unit 110 to execute the agenda list (step S105). Note that the above operation can be easily performed by the GUI displayed on the monitor 290 by the toolbox control unit 231 of the conference terminal 20.

Next, the conference progress support operation will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a conference progress support operation procedure in the agenda list management unit of the network conference support apparatus of the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the execution of the agenda list in the network conference support apparatus 10 in response to the selection of the agenda list from the conference organizer of the conference terminal 20, that is, when the conference progress is started, the agenda list management unit 110 has executed the agenda of the agenda list. During the execution, the classification that has not been executed (the agenda executed flag in FIG. 2) is updated (step S201).

  Also, it is determined whether or not the presenter is changed in the agenda list (step S202), and when the presenter changes according to the progress of the conference, a change instruction is transmitted to the conference user management unit 100 (step S203). Further, it is determined whether or not the presentation material set in the agenda list has been changed (step S204), and when the presentation material to be described changes according to the progress of the meeting, a change instruction is transmitted to the data management unit 120 (step S204). S205). The agenda list management unit 110 transmits the agenda list updated sequentially according to the progress of the conference to the conference terminals of all conference participants (step S206).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an agenda list that is sequentially transmitted to a conference terminal during a conference. In the execution status column of the agenda list, as described above, according to the progress of the conference, the classification statuses that have been implemented, being implemented, and not being implemented are sequentially updated. In addition, in the “Required Attendees” column, the status of participation and non-participation is sequentially updated according to the attendance status during the conference. Accordingly, the conference participants can grasp the progress of the conference in real time. The agenda list management unit 110 also performs conference progress control, such as setting so that a conference related to an agenda for which attendees are not present is not held.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration example when an agenda list is displayed on the conference screen of the conference terminal monitor. Note that the agenda list can be selectively displayed or not displayed according to the intention of the operator of the conference terminal.

  Next, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a conference progress support operation procedure in the conference user management unit of the network conference support device of the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step S203 of the flowchart of FIG. 10, in response to the transmission of the “change presenter” instruction from the agenda list management unit 110, the conference user management unit 100 refers to the user management database 140 (step S301), and the changed It is determined whether or not the user can be authenticated (step S302).

  When the user ID of the presenter after the change is authenticated, the conference user management unit 100 cancels the presenting authority for the previous presenter (step S303), and transmits an instruction to cancel the presenting authority to the previous presenter's conference terminal. (Step S304). On the other hand, a presentation authority is given to a new presenter (step S305), and a presentation authority granting instruction is transmitted to the conference terminal of the new presenter (step S306).

  Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a conference progress support operation procedure in the data management unit of the network conference support apparatus of the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step S205 of the flowchart of FIG. 10, upon receiving the “presentation material change” instruction transmission from the agenda list management unit 110, the data management unit 120 refers to the presentation material database 160 (step S401) and responds to the instruction. It is determined whether or not the presentation material exists in the database (step S402).

  When the designated presentation material exists, the data management unit 120 downloads the material data from the presentation material database 160 (step S403), and transmits it to the conference terminals of all conference participants (step S404).

  Next, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the conference progress support operation procedure of the conference terminal in the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The communication unit 270 of the conference terminal 20 determines the type of data transmitted from the network conference support apparatus 10 and sends it to the corresponding functional part so that appropriate processing can be performed (step S501).

  The agenda list received from the network conference support apparatus 10 (step S502) is sent to the agenda list output unit 210 (step S503). The agenda list output unit 210 outputs the agenda list to the monitor 290 via the external interface 280, and displays the agenda list (step S504).

  The presenter authority release / grant instruction information received from the network conference support apparatus 10 (step S505) is sent to the participant status control unit 200 (step S506). The participant status control unit 200 determines the content of the instruction (step S507), and sets “with operation authority” for the participant if the operation authority is granted for the agenda list (step S508). On the other hand, if the operation authority of the agenda list is not granted, “no operation authority” is set for the participant (step S509).

  The presentation material data received from the network conference support apparatus 10 (step S510) is sent to the data output unit 220 (step S511). The data output unit 220 deletes the presentation material data currently being displayed (step S512), outputs the newly received presentation material data to the monitor 290 via the external interface 280, and displays the presentation material (step S512). S513).

  The conference attendee list received from the network conference support apparatus 10 (step S514) is sent to the participant status control unit 200 (step S515). The participant status control unit 200 outputs the conference attendee list to the monitor 290 via the external interface 280, and displays the list (step S516).

  Video data or audio data received from another conference terminal via the network conference support apparatus 10 (step S517) is sent to the video / audio input / output unit 230 (step S518). The video / audio input / output unit 230 determines whether the received data is video data or audio data (step S519), and if it is video data, outputs it to the monitor 290 via the external interface 280 (step S520). If it is audio data, it is output to the speaker 291 via the external interface 280 (step S521).

Next, the attendance / exit operation to the conference will be described.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a conference attendance / leaving operation procedure of the conference terminal in the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the operator of the conference terminal performs a predetermined attendance (or leaving) operation, the participant status control unit 200 transmits the user ID of the operator to the network conference support device 10 (step S601). Then, an instruction to attend (or leave) is sent to the conference user management unit 100 of the network conference support apparatus 10 (step S602).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a conference attending / leaving operation procedure in the conference user management unit of the network conference support device of the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step S602 of the flowchart of FIG. 16, upon receiving an attendance or leaving instruction transmission from the conference terminal 20, the conference user management unit 100 refers to the user management database 140 (step S701), and the user who intends to register is authenticated. It is determined whether or not the user is possible (step S702).

  When the user ID of the user is authenticated, the conference user management unit 100 adds the participant and updates the conference attendee list (step S703), and transmits the conference attendee list to the conference terminal (step S704). ). In the case of leaving, the participant is deleted, the conference attendee list is updated, and the conference attendee list is transmitted to the conference terminal. The updated meeting attendee list is also transmitted to the agenda list management unit 110 (step S705).

Next, the conference progress control operation will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a conference operation control operation procedure in the agenda list management unit of the network conference support apparatus of the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step S705 of the flowchart of FIG. 17, in response to the transmission of the conference attendee list from the conference user management unit 100, the agenda list management unit 110 receives the conference attendee list (step S801) and relates to an unimplemented agenda The received meeting attendee list is compared with the list of mandatory attendees set in the agenda list for each agenda (step S802). Then, the participation status display in the mandatory attendee column of the agenda list is updated (step S803). Specifically, when all designated attendees are participating, the agenda execution permission flag of the agenda list is set to ON.

  Next, the agenda list management unit 110 determines whether or not to execute conference progress control such as determination of whether or not to execute an agenda for the unimplemented agendas in the compared agenda lists (step S806). When the conference progress control is performed, the agenda list is updated to correspond to the progress control (step 807). The conference progress control is, for example, control such that an agenda conference in which no attendees have not participated cannot be executed, or the execution order is moved backward. It is preferable that the same progress control is performed even when the presenter of the conference has not participated. The agenda list management unit 110 transmits the updated agenda list to the conference terminal 20 (step 808).

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network conference support system terminal used in the network conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The network conference support system terminal 40 is a terminal including the function of the conference terminal 20 in addition to the network conference support device 10 in the network conference support system of FIG. 1, and can be used as a network conference support device or a conference terminal. is there. The function selection unit 400 can select the function as the network conference support apparatus or the conference terminal. The network conference support system terminal 40 includes a participant status control unit 200 in the conference user management unit 100, an agenda list output unit 210 in the agenda list management unit 110, and a data output unit 220 in the data management unit 120. In addition, the video / audio input / output unit 230 may be provided in the video / audio processing unit 130.

  In the above embodiment, the agenda list management unit 110 and the agenda list database 150 of the network conference support apparatus 10 or the network conference support system terminal 40 have a function corresponding to the agenda list execution means. The conference user management unit 100 and the user management database 140 have a function corresponding to the presenter authority switching unit. Further, the data management unit 120 and the presentation material database 160 have a function corresponding to the presentation material switching unit.

  The participant status control unit 200, the monitor 290, and the toolbox control unit 231 of the conference terminal 20 or the network conference support system terminal 40 have functions corresponding to the agenda list generation unit and the conference start instruction unit.

As described above in detail, the network conference support device 10 according to the present embodiment is a network conference support device that is connected to a plurality of conference terminals 20 and 21 via the network 30 to constitute a network conference support system. For each agenda of the meeting, a presenter, a presentation material used by the presenter in the presentation, and an agenda list in which the progress status including the attendance status of the meeting and the progress status of the agenda are related in time series are stored. In response to the start instruction from the conference terminal, the agenda list execution means (agenda list management unit 110 and agenda list database 150) for proceeding with the conference based on the setting of the agenda list and the setting of the agenda list , To switch the granting of presenter authority for a given conference terminal according to the progress of the conference The presenter's authority switching means (conference user management unit 100 and user management database 140) and the presentation material used by the presenter having presenter authority are stored, and the presenter's presenter uses the presentation material based on the setting of the agenda list. Presentation material switching means (the data management unit 120 and the presentation material database 160) for presenting while switching according to the progress of the conference.
As a result, the authority of the presenter and the presentation materials used by the presenter are automatically switched according to the progress of the meeting, reducing complicated manual operations by the operator and making the network meeting more efficient. Can proceed to.

The network conference support system according to the present embodiment includes a network conference support device 10 that supports the progress of the conference, and a plurality of conference terminals 20 and 21 that are connected to the network conference support device 10 via the network 30. The server / client network conference support system is configured such that the network conference support apparatus 10 presents, for each conference agenda, a presenter, presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation, and attendance status of the conference And an agenda list in which progress including the progress of the agenda is related in time series, and receives a start instruction from the conference terminals 20 and 21, and advances the conference based on the setting of the agenda list Execution means (agenda list management unit 110 and agenda list database 150) , Presenter authority switching means (conference user management unit 100 and user management database 140) for switching presenter authority assignment to a predetermined conference terminal according to the progress of the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list, and the presenter Presentation material switching means for storing presentation materials used by authorized presenters and presenting the presentation materials used by the presenters while switching according to the progress of the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list (data management unit) 120 and the presentation material database 160), the conference terminals 20 and 21 generate an agenda list and store it in the network conference support apparatus 10 (participant status control unit 200), an agenda list The conference start instruction means (monitor 290 and toolbox) for instructing the start of progress of the conference set in A box controller 231), and a.
As a result, the authority of the presenter and the presentation materials used by the presenter are automatically switched according to the progress of the meeting, reducing complicated manual operations by the operator and making the network meeting more efficient. Can proceed to.

In addition, the network conference support system terminal 40 according to the present embodiment is a network conference support system terminal for supporting a conference progress and a network conference support in a network conference support system terminal for performing a conference between a plurality of terminals. Terminal function selection means for selecting one of the functions of the conference terminals 20 and 21 connected to the apparatus 10 via the network 30 and determining whether the terminal is used as a network conference support device or a conference terminal ( For each agenda of the function selection unit 400), the presenter, the presentation material used by the presenter in the presentation, and the progress status including the attendance status of the conference and the progress status of the agenda are related in time series. Agenda list generation means (participant status control unit 200) for generating and storing an agenda list, A conference start instructing means (monitor 290 and toolbox control unit 231) for instructing the start of the conference set in the list and an agenda list are stored, and upon receiving a conference start instruction, based on the setting of the agenda list Agenda list execution means (agenda list management unit 110 and agenda list database 150) for proceeding with a conference and setting of presenter authority for a predetermined conference terminal according to the progress of the conference based on the settings of the agenda list Presenter authority switching means (management unit 100 and user management database 140) and presentation materials used by the presenter having presenter authority are stored, and the presentation materials used by the presenter are set based on the setting of the agenda list. Presentation data switching means for displaying while switching according to the progress of the conference Includes a data management unit 120 and presentation documents database 160), the.
Thereby, a network conference support system can be comprised with the terminal of the same specification, and a versatile and versatile system can be constructed | assembled.

The network conference progress support method of the network conference support system according to the present embodiment includes a network conference support device 10 that supports the progress of the conference, and a plurality of conference terminals that are connected to the network conference support device 10 via the network 30. 20. A conference progress support method of a server / client type network conference support system composed of 20, 21 for each conference agenda, presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation, conference Agenda list generating step for generating an agenda list in which the attendance status and the progress status including the progress status of the agenda in time series are associated with each other at the conference terminal and stored in the network conference support device 10; and the conference set in the agenda list A conference start instruction step for instructing the start of An agenda list execution step for proceeding the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list in response to the instruction, and a presenter that switches the assignment of the presenter authority to a predetermined conference terminal according to the progress of the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list Permission switching step and presentation materials switching that presents materials used by presenters with presenter privileges and presents while switching presentation materials used by presenters according to the progress of the meeting based on the settings of the agenda list Steps.
This method automatically switches the presenter's authority and the presentation materials used by the presenter according to the progress of the conference, reducing the complexity of manual operations by the operator and making the network conference more efficient. Can be advanced.

According to the network conference support device, the network conference support system, the network conference support system terminal, and the network conference progress support method of the network conference support system, the presenter authority and the conference material to be presented can be simply specified by specifying the agenda list. Since the change is automatically performed by the control from the network conference support apparatus, complicated manual operation during the conference is reduced, and the conference can be smoothly performed.
In addition, the progress of the conference can be grasped in real time. Moreover, since the progress of the conference is controlled in accordance with the participation status by comparing the current attendee with the conference attendance required preset in the agenda list, it is possible to shorten the conference time and increase the efficiency of the conference.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network meeting assistance system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows notionally the data structure of an agenda list. It is a figure which shows notionally the data structure of an agenda list. It is a figure which shows notionally the data structure of a user management list. It is a figure which shows notionally the data structure of a meeting attendee list. It is a figure which shows notionally the data structure of a presentation material data list. It is a flowchart which shows the conference start operation | movement procedure of a conference terminal of the network conference assistance system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the agenda list stored in the agenda list database (agenda list which a meeting organizer produces). It is a figure (sub agenda list which a presenter creates) which shows the example of a display of the agenda list stored in the agenda list database. It is a flowchart which shows the meeting progress support operation | movement procedure in the agenda list management part of the network meeting assistance apparatus of the network meeting assistance system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the agenda list | wrist sequentially transmitted to a conference terminal during a meeting. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen structure in the case of displaying an agenda list on the meeting screen of the monitor of a meeting terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the meeting progress support operation | movement procedure in the meeting user management part of the network meeting assistance apparatus of the network meeting assistance system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the meeting progress assistance operation | movement procedure in the data management part of the network meeting assistance apparatus of the network meeting assistance system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the conference progress support operation | movement procedure of a conference terminal of the network conference support system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the conference attendance / leaving operation | movement procedure of a conference terminal of the network conference assistance system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the meeting attendance / leaving operation | movement procedure in the meeting user management part of the network meeting assistance apparatus of the network meeting assistance system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation | movement procedure of the conference progress in the agenda list management part of the network conference support apparatus of the network conference support system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the terminal for network conference support systems used with the network conference support system in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Network conference support apparatus 20, 21 Conference terminal 30 Network 40 Network conference support system terminal 100 Conference user management unit 101 User information memory unit 110 Agenda list management unit 120 Data management unit 130 Video / audio processing unit 140 User management database (user Management DB)
150 Agenda List Database (Agenda List DB)
160 Presentation Material Database (Presentation Material DB)
170 Communication Unit 200 Participant Status Control Unit 210 Agenda List Output Unit 220 Data Output Unit 230 Video / Audio Input / Output Unit 231 Tool Box Control Unit 270 Communication Unit 280 External Interface 290 Monitor 291 Speaker 292 Camera 293 Microphone 400 Function Selection Unit

Claims (10)

A network conference support device that is connected to a plurality of conference terminals via a network and constitutes a network conference support system,
Stores an agenda list for each agenda of the meeting, in which the presenter, the presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation, and the progress status including the attendance status of the meeting and the progress status of the agenda are related in time series, and Agenda list execution means for receiving a start instruction from the conference terminal and proceeding with the conference based on the setting of the agenda list;
Based on the setting of the agenda list, presenter authority switching means for switching grant of presenter authority to a predetermined conference terminal according to the progress of the meeting,
Presenting material used by presenters having the presenter authority is stored, and presenting material switching for presenting while switching presenting materials used by the presenter according to the progress of the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list And a network conference support apparatus. 2. The network conference support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agenda list execution unit reflects the progress in the agenda list according to the progress of the conference and transmits the agenda list to the conference terminal. 3. The network conference support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agenda list execution unit changes a progress order of predetermined agenda items set in the agenda list in accordance with the attendance status of the conference. 3. The network conference support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agenda list execution unit does not start progress of a predetermined agenda set in the agenda list according to the attendance status of the conference. A server / client network conference support system comprising a network conference support device for supporting the progress of a conference, and a plurality of conference terminals connected to the network conference support device via a network,
The network conference support device associates, for each agenda of the conference, a presenter, presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation, and progress including the attendance status of the conference and the progress status of the agenda in time series. An agenda list executing means for storing an agenda list, and receiving a start instruction from a conference terminal and proceeding with a conference based on the setting of the agenda list;
Based on the setting of the agenda list, presenter authority switching means for switching grant of presenter authority to a predetermined conference terminal according to the progress of the meeting,
Presenting material used by presenters having the presenter authority is stored, and presenting material switching for presenting while switching presenting materials used by the presenter according to the progress of the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list Means, and
The conference terminal includes an agenda list generating means for generating an agenda list and storing it in the network conference support device;
A network conference support system, comprising: a conference start instruction means for instructing the start of a conference set in the agenda list. 6. The network conference support system according to claim 5, wherein the agenda list execution means reflects the progress in the agenda list according to the progress of the conference, and transmits the agenda list to the conference terminal. The network conference support system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the agenda list execution means changes a progression order of predetermined agenda items set in the agenda list in accordance with the attendance status of the conference. 7. The network conference support system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the agenda list execution means does not start progress of a predetermined agenda set in the agenda list according to the attendance status of the conference. In a network conference support system terminal for performing a conference between a plurality of terminals,
Select one of the functions of the network conference support device for supporting the progress of the conference and the conference terminal connected to the network conference support device via the network, and use the terminal as the network conference support device or as the conference terminal Terminal function selection means for deciding whether to do,
Generate and store an agenda list for each agenda of the meeting, in which the presenter, the presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation, and the progress of the meeting, including the attendance at the meeting and the progress of the agenda, are linked in time series. Agenda list generation means to perform;
A meeting start instruction means for instructing the start of the progress of the meeting set in the agenda list;
Agenda list execution means for storing the agenda list and receiving a meeting start instruction and proceeding with the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list;
Based on the setting of the agenda list, presenter authority switching means for switching grant of presenter authority to a predetermined conference terminal according to the progress of the meeting,
Presenting material used by presenters having the presenter authority is stored, and presenting material switching for presenting while switching presenting materials used by the presenter according to the progress of the meeting based on the setting of the agenda list And a network conference support system terminal. A conference progress support method for a server / client network conference support system comprising a network conference support device for supporting the progress of a conference and a plurality of conference terminals connected to the network conference support device via a network. And
For each agenda of the meeting, an agenda list in which the presenter uses the presentation materials used by the presenter in the presentation and the progress status including the attendance status of the conference and the progress status of the agenda in time series is displayed on the conference terminal. An agenda list generating step of generating and storing in the network conference support device;
A conference start instruction step for instructing the start of progress of the conference set in the agenda list;
An agenda list execution step of receiving a start instruction from the conference terminal and proceeding with the conference based on the setting of the agenda list;
Based on the setting of the agenda list, the presenter authority switching step for switching the grant of the presenter authority for a predetermined conference terminal according to the progress of the meeting,
A presentation material switching step of storing presentation materials used by a presenter having presenter authority, and presenting the presentation materials used by the presenter while switching according to the progress of a meeting based on the setting of the agenda list; A conference progress support method for a network conference support system, comprising:

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