JP2008217116A - Electronic conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic conference system allowing proper selection of only users capable of participating in an electronic conference without entrusting decision of an electronic conference promotor, and allowing improvement or the like of security (safety and reliability) in the electronic conference as a result. <P>SOLUTION: In the electronic conference system, a Web server extracts conference management information related to the electronic conference allowing the participation of a participant with a group as an extraction key based on user management information and conference management information stored in a database server connected to the Web server, a user ID and a user password inputted by the participant of the electronic conference through a conference terminal. When a conference password inputted by the participant of the electronic conference through the conference terminal agrees with a conference password included in the conference management information related to the electronic conference selected by the participant through the conference terminal, the Web server in the electronic conference system permits the participation in the selected electronic conference to the participant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server / client type electronic conference system, for example.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for giving a user the authority to browse documents and images used in a conference. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a data storage unit that stores image data generated by scanning image information in a storage device, and browsing of the image data stored in the storage device by the data storage unit. A technique relating to a document management apparatus including an authority granting unit that permits only a user who has been previously authorized to perform the process is disclosed.

JP 2006-209736 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the conference organizer selects a user who is permitted to participate in the electronic conference when the conference organizer selects the conference so that the participation in the electronic conference is limited. Therefore, the security (safety and reliability) of electronic conferences was left to the discretion of the conference organizer to select the user, so there is a possibility that the conference organizer really selects only the users who should participate. There is a problem that the security (safety and reliability) of the electronic conference is not necessarily sufficient. This problem is an example of a problem to be solved by the present invention.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and only users who can participate in an electronic conference can be appropriately selected without being left to the judgment of the conference organizer. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic conference system capable of improving security (safety and reliability).

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 according to the present invention includes a server device and a plurality of client devices that are communicably connected via a network. In the electronic conference system for holding an electronic conference, the server device includes a plurality of user management information including user identification information for uniquely identifying a user and user attribute information regarding an attribute assigned to the user, and Storage means for storing a plurality of conference management information including conference identification information for uniquely identifying an electronic conference and user attribute information relating to the attribute of the user who can participate in the electronic conference; and from the client device The transmitted user identification information, the conference identification information transmitted from the client device, and the conference management Based on the server-side receiving means for receiving information, the user identification information received by the server-side receiving means, the plurality of user management information and the plurality of conference management information stored in the storage means, the storage means Meeting management information extracting means for extracting, from the stored meeting management information, the user attribute information as an extraction key, the meeting management information related to the electronic meeting that the user corresponding to the user identification information can participate in, and When the conference management information can be extracted by the conference management information extraction unit, a server-side transmission unit that transmits the conference management information to the client device, the conference identification information received by the server-side reception unit, and the server If the conference identification information included in the conference management information received by the side receiving means matches, the client Electronic conference participation permission means for permitting a device to participate in the electronic conference, and each of the client devices includes a client side input means for inputting the user identification information and the conference identification information, and the server Client-side receiving means for receiving the conference management information transmitted from the apparatus, conference management information display means for displaying the conference management information received by the client-side receiving means, and the conference management information display means displayed by the conference management information display means Conference management information selection means for selecting a desired one from conference management information, the user identification information input by the client side input means, the conference identification information input by the client side input means, and the conference Client-side transmission means for transmitting the conference management information selected by the management information selection means to the server device And.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic conference system according to the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

  The electronic conference system of the present embodiment holds an electronic conference between the client devices in which a server device and a plurality of client devices are communicably connected via a network.

  In the electronic conference system according to the present embodiment, the server device includes storage means, server-side reception means, conference management information extraction means, server-side transmission means, and electronic conference participation permission means.

  The storage means stores a plurality of user management information and a plurality of conference management information. The user management information includes at least one piece of user identification information and at least one piece of user attribute information. The user identification information is for uniquely identifying a user, such as a user ID or a user password. The user attribute information relates to attributes given to the user, such as a company in which the user works, a job title in the company, a department to which the user belongs, and a project related to the user. The meeting management information includes at least one meeting identification information and at least one attendable user attribute information. The conference identification information is for uniquely identifying the electronic conference, and is, for example, a conference ID or a conference password (conference key). Participating user attribute information relates to attributes of users who can participate in an electronic conference. In other words, the participateable user attribute information is user attribute information regarding users who can participate in the electronic conference.

  The server-side receiving unit receives the user identification information transmitted from the client device and the conference identification information and conference management information transmitted from the client device. Based on the user identification information received by the server-side receiving means and the plurality of user management information and the plurality of meeting management information stored by the storage means, the meeting management information extraction means is selected from the meeting management information stored by the storage means, Using the user attribute information as an extraction key, conference management information relating to an electronic conference in which a user corresponding to the user identification information can participate is extracted. When the conference management information extraction unit can extract the conference management information, the server-side transmission unit transmits the conference management information to the client device. When the conference identification information received by the server-side receiving unit matches the conference identification information included in the conference management information received by the server-side receiving unit, the electronic conference participation permission unit Allow.

  In the electronic conference system according to the present embodiment, each client device includes client-side input means, client-side reception means, conference management information display means, conference management information selection means, and client-side transmission means.

  The client side input means inputs user identification information and conference identification information. The client-side receiving means receives the conference management information transmitted from the server device. The meeting management information display means displays the meeting management information received by the client side receiving means. The conference management information selection unit selects a desired one from the conference management information displayed by the conference management information display unit. The client side transmission unit transmits the user identification information input by the client side input unit, the conference identification information input by the client side input unit, and the conference management information selected by the conference management information selection unit to the server device.

  As described above, according to the electronic conference system of the present embodiment, the server device stores the storage unit based on the user identification information received by the server-side receiving unit and the plurality of user management information and the plurality of conference management information stored by the storage unit. The conference identification information extracted from the conference management information stored in step 1 is extracted using the user attribute information as an extraction key, and the conference management information related to the electronic conference that the user corresponding to the user identification information can participate in is received by the server-side receiving means. If the information matches the conference identification information included in the conference management information received by the server-side receiving means, the client device is allowed to participate in the electronic conference. It can be selected appropriately without being left to the organizer's judgment, and as a result, the security (safety and reliability) of the electronic conference is improved. An effect that Transporting like.

  An electronic conference system 100, which is an example of an electronic conference system according to the present embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[1. Configuration of electronic conference system 100]
Here, the configuration of the electronic conference system 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the electronic conference system 100.

  The electronic conference system 100 includes a conference server 102A, a Web server 102B, a file server 102C, and a database server 102D installed in a server center, a plurality of conference terminals 104, a conference server 102A, a Web server 102B, and each conference terminal 104. , And a network 106 that connects the two in a communicable manner. The server device in the above-described embodiment corresponds to a combination of the conference server 102A, the Web server 102B, the file server 102C, and the database server 102D.

  The conference server 102A is communicably connected to each conference terminal 104 via the network 106 during an electronic conference or during reproduction of minutes data.

  The Web server 102B is communicably connected to each conference terminal 104 via the network 106. The Web server 102B displays a Web screen on each conference terminal 104, and allows a user to perform conference reservation while operating the displayed Web screen. Perform user registration.

  The file server 102C stores the minutes data regarding the held electronic conference.

  The database server 102D corresponds to the storage means in the above-described embodiment, and stores and manages user management information, conference management information, group management information, etc. for each basic group set in advance. Here, “basic group” corresponds to “attribute” in the above-described embodiment, and represents a larger concept than “group” described later, such as a company in which a user works. Note that the database server 102D may manage user management information, conference management information, and group management information for each of the four basic groups, for example, as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the configuration of the database server 102D.

  Here, a specific example of the configuration of the database server 102D will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The database server 102D stores a basic group management table 102D1 as shown in FIG. 3, for example. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the basic group management table 102D1. The basic group management table 102D1 is provided for each basic group (for example, a company), an area MA-1 for storing a system ID assigned to each system, an area MA-2 for storing the total number of set basic groups, and the like. Basic group management information consisting of a basic group ID (for example, company ID), a name of the basic group (for example, company name), and a country (language) code (for example, Japanese / English / Simplified Chinese) is stored. Region MA-3. The basic group management table 102D1 is a “table” as a function, and a “file” as a transmission or storage medium.

  The database server 102D stores, for example, a user management table 102D2 as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the user management table 102D2. The user management table 102D2 includes an area MB-1 for storing the total number of user IDs assigned to each user, user ID, user password, contact information (for example, telephone number), mail address, user name, and country ( Language) User management information composed of a code, a basic group ID given to the user (for example, a company ID), a total number of groups given to the user, and a group ID given to each group (user management in the above-described embodiment) And an area MB-2 for storing information). Here, “group” corresponds to “attribute” in the above-described embodiment, and represents a smaller concept than the above-mentioned “basic group” such as a user's job title, a user's department, a regular meeting, or a project. It is. The user management table 102D2 is a “table” as a function, and a “file” as a transmission or storage medium.

  The database server 102D stores a conference management table 102D3 as shown in FIG. 5, for example. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the conference management table 102D3. The conference management table 102D3 includes an area MC-1 for storing the total number of conference IDs assigned to each electronic conference, a conference ID, a scheduled conference start time, a scheduled conference start time, the number of scheduled connection terminals, a conference password, and an electronic conference. Conference management information consisting of the organizer's user ID, the name of the electronic conference, its country (language) code, the total number of selected groups, and the group ID of the selected group (in the conference management information in the above embodiment) And an area MC-2 for storing the equivalent). The conference management table 102D3 is a “table” as a function, and a “file” as a transmission or storage medium.

  The database server 102D stores, for example, a group management table 102D4 as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the group management table 102D4. The group management table 102D4 includes an area MD-1 for storing a system ID, an area MD-2 for storing a basic group ID, an area MD-3 for storing the total number of groups, and a group ID / disclosed basic group. The area MD-4 stores group management information including the total number, the basic group ID of the disclosure destination, the group name, and the country (language) code thereof. The group management table 102D4 is a “table” as a function, and a “file” as a transmission or storage medium.

  The conference terminal 104 includes a commercially available personal computer main body and its attached devices (such as a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a speaker, a microphone, and a video camera).

  The network 106 is the Internet or a LAN.

[2. Construction of electronic conference system 100]
Here, matters to be performed when the electronic conference system 100 is constructed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical image of an administrator who manages the electronic conference system 100 and a user to be used.

  First, set the system administrator. The system administrator manages the entire electronic conference system 100, for example, by registering a company that uses the electronic conference system 100 as a basic group, or by registering a basic group administrator for each registered basic group.

  Then, the basic group manager registers a user who uses the electronic conference system 100, for example. In addition, for example, when there is a regular meeting or project in which participating members are determined, the basic group manager accepts the group application, registers the requested group, and sends the group to the users belonging to the registered group. Is granted. Here, for example, when it is desired to hold an electronic conference between different companies, the basic group manager performs the public setting of the group with respect to the basic group of the company related to the registered group. Then, the basic group manager of the public basic group gives the group to users who are related to the publicly set group.

[3. Operation of electronic conference system 100]
Here, the operation of the electronic conference system 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, as an example, the operation of the electronic conference system 100 when an electronic conference organizer registers an electronic conference and holds the electronic conference, and an electronic conference that can be attended by the participants of the electronic conference is selected. The operation of the electronic conference system 100 when participating in an electronic conference will be described.

  First, the operation of the electronic conference system 100 when the electronic conference organizer registers an electronic conference and holds the electronic conference will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic conference system 100 when the host of the electronic conference registers the electronic conference and holds the electronic conference.

  When the organizer of the electronic conference inputs the user ID and the user password of the organizer on the Web screen (Web screen for logging in to the electronic conference system 100) displayed on the monitor of the conference terminal 104, the electronic conference system 100 Performs the following operations shown in FIG.

  First, when the conference terminal 104 of the host receives the action that the user ID and the user password are input from the login Web screen, the host terminal 104 transmits the input user ID and the user password to the Web server 102B via the network 106. (Step SA-1).

  Next, the Web server 102B receives the user ID and the user password transmitted from the organizer's conference terminal 104 in Step SA-1 (Step SA-2).

  Next, the Web server 102B refers to the user management table 102D2 stored in the database server 102D and authenticates the user ID and user password received in step SA-2 (step SA-3).

  Next, when it is authenticated in step SA-3 that the user ID and the user password are correct (step SA-4: Yes), the Web server 102B stores the user management information including the user ID and the user password in the database. Obtained from the user management table 102D2 stored in the server 102D (step SA-5).

  Next, the Web server 102B acquires the group name corresponding to the group ID included in the user management information acquired in Step SA-5 from the group management table 102D4 stored in the database server 102D (Step SA-6). ). That is, a group related to the organizer of the electronic conference is selected and acquired.

  Next, the Web server 102B acquires the registration format of the conference management information from the database server 102D, and transmits the acquired registration format and the group name acquired in step SA-6 to the organizer's conference terminal 104 via the network 106. (Step SA-7).

  Next, the organizer's conference terminal 104 receives the registration format and group name transmitted from the Web server 102B in step SA-7 (step SA-8).

  Next, the conference terminal 104 of the organizer displays the registration format and group name received in step SA-8 on the monitor of the conference terminal (step SA-9).

  Here, the organizer of the electronic conference selects a desired group name from the group names displayed on the monitor of the conference terminal 104 via the input device such as the keyboard or mouse of the conference terminal 104 and inputs it to the registration format. If necessary, enter the conference password (conference key), scheduled conference start time, conference start time, number of scheduled terminals, user ID of the organizer, conference name, etc. in the registration format as necessary. Press the save button provided in advance in the registration format.

  Next, when the organizer's conference terminal 104 receives an action indicating that the save button has been pressed, the registration format (input completed registration format) into which various information has been input is sent to the Web server 102B via the network 106. Transmit (step SA-10).

  Next, the Web server 102B receives the input completed registration format transmitted from the organizer's conference terminal 104 in Step SA-10 (Step SA-11).

  Next, the Web server 102B stores various information input in the input completion registration format received in Step SA-11 in the conference management table 102D3 of the database server 102D as conference management information (Step SA-12). .

  When the meeting start time comes, the organizer's conference terminal 104 can communicate with the user's conference terminal 104 related to the group selected by the organizer via the network 106, that is, between the specific conference terminals 104. The capture screen is displayed when the conference material data is transferred to the conference terminal 104 of the user related to the group permitted to participate in the electronic conference and the conference material is displayed on the monitor. Or the electronic conference is held with the conference terminal 104 related to the electronic conference (step SA-13).

  As a result of the above operations, the electronic conference system 100 can present only the group related to itself as a target to which the organizer can be given authority to participate in the electronic conference when the electronic conference is held. To do. In other words, in the electronic conference system 100, even the organizer must select a group that actually gives the right to participate in the electronic conference from among the groups related to the organizer. Thereby, the degree of freedom of selection and determination on the user side can be limited, and as a result, the electronic conference system 100 can be operated securely. In addition, when the organizer holds an electronic conference, the organizer can give the right to participate in the electronic conference in a lump in a larger unit called a “group” that includes this unit instead of a unit called “user”. . Thereby, the work load when the organizer sets the participation authority of the electronic conference can be reduced. In addition, the electronic conference system 100 can be operated more securely by setting the conference password as the authority to participate in the electronic conference.

  This concludes the description of an example of the operation of the electronic conference system 100 when the electronic conference organizer registers the electronic conference and holds the electronic conference.

  Next, the operation of the electronic conference system 100 when an electronic conference participant is allowed to select and participate in the electronic conference will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic conference system 100 when an electronic conference that can be participated by an electronic conference participant is selected and participated in the electronic conference.

  When the participant of the electronic conference inputs the user ID and the user password of the participant on the Web screen (Web screen for logging in to the electronic conference system 100) displayed on the monitor of the conference terminal 104, the electronic conference system 100 Performs the following operations shown in FIG.

  First, when the participant's conference terminal 104 receives an action that the user ID and the user password are input from the login Web screen, the participant's conference terminal 104 transmits the input user ID and user password to the Web server 102B via the network 106. (Step SB-1).

  Next, the Web server 102B receives the user ID and the user password transmitted from the conference terminal 104 of the participant in Step SB-1 (Step SB-2).

  Next, the Web server 102B refers to the user management table 102D2 stored in the database server 102D and authenticates the user ID and user password received in Step SB-2 (Step SB-3).

  Next, when the user ID and the user password are authenticated as correct in step SB-3 (step SB-4: Yes), the Web server 102B stores the user management information including the user ID and the user password in the database. Obtained from the user management table 102D2 stored in the server 102D (step SB-5).

  Next, the Web server 102B acquires conference management information including the same group ID as the user ID included in the user management information acquired in step SB-5 from the conference management table 102D3 stored in the database server 102D (step SB-6).

  That is, the electronic conference system 100 extracts conference management information related to an electronic conference that can be attended by the participants of the electronic conference by using the operations of steps SB-5 and SB-6 as a “group” as an extraction key.

  Next, when the conference management information related to the electronic conference that can be attended by the participants of the electronic conference can be acquired in step SB-6 (if any), the Web server 102B adds the conference management information acquired in step SB-6. Participant's meeting using the included predetermined information (information that may be disclosed to the user: for example, meeting ID, meeting name, scheduled meeting start time, scheduled meeting holding time, organizer's user ID, etc.) as a meeting holding list It transmits to the terminal 104 via the network 106 (step SB-7).

  Next, the conference terminal 104 of the participant receives the conference holding list transmitted from the Web server 102B in Step SB-7 (Step SB-8).

  Next, the conference terminal 104 of the participant displays the conference holding list received in Step SB-8 on the monitor of the conference terminal (Step SB-9).

  Here, the participant of the electronic conference selects, for example, a desired conference name or conference ID from the conference holding list displayed on the monitor of the conference terminal 104 via an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse of the conference terminal 104. Then, a determination button provided in advance in the conference holding list is pressed. Here, the conference holding list includes, for example, a display field for displaying predetermined information included in the conference management information (for example, the date and time of the conference, the status of the conference, the name of the conference, the name of the organizer, etc.), a decision button (selected by the user) Connection button for connecting to an electronic conference). Note that the conference holding list may be configured to further include an input column for inputting a conference password in addition to the display column and the determination button. In this case, the participant of the electronic conference selects a desired conference from the conference holding list, and in advance from the organizer of the electronic conference by electronic means or physical means other than the electronic conference system 100. After entering the conference password informed in the input field of the conference holding list, the enter button may be pressed. If no conference password is set in the conference management information (when the organizer omits the conference password), for example, the input field of the conference holding list is in a state where the input of the conference password can be omitted (for example, grayed out) State).

  Next, when the conference terminal 104 of the participant receives the action that the determination button has been pressed, the conference terminal 104 gives a selection flag to the conference holding list in association with the selected conference name, conference ID, and related information, for example. The conference holding list (selected conference holding list) to which the selection flag is assigned is transmitted to the Web server 102B via the network 106 (step SB-10).

  Next, the Web server 102B receives the selected conference holding list transmitted from the conference terminal 104 of the participant in Step SB-10 (Step SB-11).

  Next, the Web server 102B recognizes the conference name and conference ID to which the selection flag is assigned and information related thereto from the selected conference holding list received in step SB-11, and recognizes the recognized conference name and conference ID. And conference management information including the same information related thereto is acquired from the conference management table 102D3 stored in the database server 102D (step SB-12).

  Next, when there is a conference password setting in the conference management information acquired in Step SB-12 (Step SB-13: Yes), the Web server 102B is a conference password input screen that is a Web screen for inputting the conference password. Is transmitted to the participant's conference terminal 104 via the network 106 (step SB-14). If there is no conference password set in the conference management information acquired in step SB-12 (step SB-13: No), the Web server 102B proceeds to step SB-20 described later. Further, when the conference password is set (written) in the selected conference holding list received in step SB-11, the Web server 102B does not transmit the conference password input screen and does not transmit the conference password in step SB-19. Proceed to

  Next, the conference terminal 104 of the participant receives the conference password input screen transmitted from the Web server 102B at Step SB-14 (Step SB-15).

  Next, the conference terminal 104 of the participant displays the conference password input screen received in step SB-15 on the monitor of the conference terminal (step SB-16).

  Here, the participants of the electronic conference can use electronic devices other than the electronic conference system 100 on the conference password input screen displayed on the monitor of the conference terminal 104 via an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse of the conference terminal 104. The conference password notified in advance by the organizer of the electronic conference is input by means or physical means, and a decision button provided in advance on the conference password input screen is pressed.

  Next, when the participant's conference terminal 104 receives an action indicating that the enter button has been pressed, the conference password input screen including the input conference password (input conference password input screen) is transferred to the Web server 102B via the network 106. (Step SB-17).

  Next, the Web server 102B receives the input conference password input screen transmitted from the conference terminal 104 of the participant in Step SB-17 (Step SB-18).

  Next, the Web server 102B is set in the conference password included in the input conference password input screen received in step SB-18 (or set in the selected conference holding list received in step SB-11). ) Conference password) and the conference password included in the conference management information acquired in step SB-12, and if these conference passwords match (step SB-19: Yes), permission to participate in the electronic conference is given. A notification is transmitted to the participant's conference terminal 104 via the network 106 (step SB-20). The Web server 102B repeatedly transmits the conference password input screen to the participant's conference terminal 104 via the network 106 until these conference passwords match, thereby inputting the correct conference password to the electronic conference participant. Prompt.

  Next, the conference terminal 104 of the participant receives the notification of permission to participate in the electronic conference transmitted from the Web server 102B in Step SB-20 (Step SB-21).

  When the meeting start time of the electronic conference selected by the participant comes, the conference terminal 104 of the participant is connected to the conference terminal 104 of the user related to the group associated with the electronic conference selected by the participant and the network 106. Communicating via the device, that is, enabling electronic conferences between specific conference terminals 104, obtaining conference material data transferred from the host of the electronic conference and a capture screen of the conference materials, Participate in an electronic conference held with the conference terminal 104 of the user related to the group permitted to participate in the electronic conference (step SB-22).

  Through the above operation, when participating in the electronic conference, the electronic conference system 100 presents the participant with a selectable list of electronic conferences related only to the group assigned to the electronic conference. In other words, in the electronic conference system 100, a participant can participate only in an electronic conference of a group related to the participant. Thereby, the degree of freedom of selection and determination on the user side can be limited, and as a result, the electronic conference system 100 can be operated securely. In addition, when a participant participates in an electronic conference, he / she can select electronic conferences that he / she wants to participate in a lump in a larger unit such as a “group” that includes this unit, rather than a unit “user”. Thereby, the workload when a participant participates in an electronic conference can be reduced. In addition, when participating in an electronic conference, the electronic conference system 100 can be operated more securely by allowing participants to input a conference password.

  This concludes the description of an example of the operation of the electronic conference system 100 when the electronic conference participant selects an electronic conference that can be participated and participates in the electronic conference.

[4-1. Example of operation of electronic conference system 100 (part 1)]
Here, as an operation example (part 1) of the electronic conference system 100, an operation example of the electronic conference system 100 in the case where conference security is ensured by grouping in an electronic conference held in the same basic group will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 will be described in detail.

  In this description, it is assumed that one basic group management information whose basic group name is “Company A” is registered in advance in the basic group management table 102D1 stored in the database server 102D. In addition, in the group management table 102D4 stored in advance in the database server 102D, four group managements having the group names “new product project”, “product development department”, “technical management department”, and “company officer”, respectively. It is assumed that information is registered. In these four group management information, “company A” is registered as a basic group to be disclosed. Further, in the user management table 102D2 stored in the database server 102D in advance, the user names are “user A”, “user B”, “user C”, and “user D”, for example, as shown in FIG. It is assumed that four user management information to which a group is assigned is registered.

  First, before describing an operation example (part 1) of the electronic conference system 100, an operation concept of the electronic conference system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. When user A is an electronic conference organizer and holds an electronic conference, user A is a group (including a basic group) assigned to him, “company A”, “new product project”, “product” As a group that can participate in the electronic conference to be held from the “development department”, an electronic conference is held by setting, for example, a “new product project” as shown in FIG.

  In this way, when the organizer of the electronic conference sets the authority to participate in the electronic conference as “group”, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, user B and user D do not belong to the “new product project”. The electronic conference system 100 can be securely operated in the company in such a manner that the user C cannot participate in the electronic conference, while the user C belongs to the “new product project” and can participate in the electronic conference. Can do. Note that the authority to participate in the electronic conference may be set by both “group” and “conference password (conference key)”. Accordingly, double security can be imposed, and the electronic conference system 100 can be operated more securely in the enterprise.

  Next, an example of operation of the electronic conference system 100 when the electronic conference participation authority is set only by “group” will be described with reference to FIG. When the user X who is the organizer of the electronic conference sets the authority to participate in the electronic conference as “group” as shown in FIG. 11, the user X is assigned to the group ( For example, “New Product Project” is set as a conference holding condition from “Company A”, “New Product Project”, and “Product Development Department” which are basic groups), and an electronic conference is held.

  Then, when the users A and C who are participants participate in the electronic conference, the conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference in which the “new product project” is set as a group that can be participated based on the group assigned to the user. And can participate in this electronic conference hosted by the user X. On the other hand, when user B or user D who participates participates in the electronic conference, the conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference in which the “new product project” is set as a group that can be participated based on the group assigned to the user. Cannot be acquired and cannot participate in this electronic conference hosted by the user X. In this operation example, since “conference key” is not set as the authority to participate in the electronic conference, it is not necessary to notify the relevant party of the conference key.

  Next, an operation example of the electronic conference system 100 in the case where the participation authority of the electronic conference is set by a plurality of “groups” will be described with reference to FIG. When the user X who is the organizer of the electronic conference sets the authority to participate in the electronic conference as a plurality of “groups” as shown in FIG. 12, the user X is assigned to the group when he / she holds the electronic conference. From “Company A”, “New Product Project”, and “Product Development Department” (including the basic group), for example, “New Product Project” and “Product Development Department” are set as conference conditions, and the electronic conference To hold.

  When the user A, the user B, or the user C who participates participates in the electronic conference, at least one of the “new product project” and the “product development department” participates based on the group assigned to the participant. The conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference set as the possible group can be acquired, and the electronic conference hosted by the user X can participate. On the other hand, when the user D who is a participant participates in the electronic conference, at least one of the “new product project” and the “product development department” is set as a joinable group based on the group assigned to the user D. The conference schedule list for the electronic conference cannot be acquired, and the electronic conference hosted by the user X cannot participate. In this operation example, since “conference key” is not set as the authority to participate in the electronic conference, it is not necessary to notify the relevant party of the conference key.

  Next, an operation example of the electronic conference system 100 when the authority to participate in the electronic conference is set only by the “conference password (conference key)” will be described with reference to FIG. When the user X who is the organizer of the electronic conference sets the electronic conference participation authority only by the “conference password (conference key)” as shown in FIG. 13, the user X is given to himself when holding the electronic conference. As a meeting holding condition, “Company A” and the meeting password are shared among all users from “Company A”, “New Product Project”, and “Product Development Department”, which are the group (including the basic group) A random character string “1Q35B6DC” is set and an electronic conference is held. Since “company A” set as the meeting holding condition is common to all users, only the meeting password is actually set as the meeting holding condition.

  Then, when the user A who is a participant participates in the electronic conference, the conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference in which “company A” is set as a group that can participate can be acquired based on the group assigned to the user A. Furthermore, based on the conference password “1Q35B6DC” notified in advance from the user X, it is possible to participate in this electronic conference hosted by the user X. On the other hand, when user B, user C, or user D who participates participate in the electronic conference, based on the group assigned to the user, the conference holding of the electronic conference in which “company A” is set as a joinable group is held. Although the schedule list can be acquired, the conference password “1Q35B6DC” is not notified in advance from the user X, and therefore, it is not possible to participate in this electronic conference hosted by the user X. In this operation example, since “conference key” is set as an electronic conference participation authority, it is necessary to notify the conference key only to users who are permitted to participate in the electronic conference.

  Finally, an operation example of the electronic conference system 100 when the electronic conference participation authority is set by both “group” and “conference password (conference key)” will be described with reference to FIG. When the user X who is the organizer of the electronic conference sets the electronic conference participation authority with both “group” and “conference password (conference key)” as shown in FIG. 14, the user X holds the electronic conference. At the same time, from among “Company A”, “New Product Project”, and “Product Development Department” which are the groups (including the basic group) granted to them, for example, “New Product Project” and Conference A random character string “1Q35B6DC” is set as a password, and an electronic conference is held.

  And when user A who is a participant participates in an electronic conference, based on the group assigned to himself, he can obtain a conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference in which the “new product project” is set as a group that can participate. Further, based on the conference password “1Q35B6DC” notified in advance from the user X, the user can participate in the electronic conference hosted by the user X. On the other hand, when the users B and D who are participants participate in the electronic conference, the conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference in which the “new product project” is set as a group that can be participated based on the group given to the user. Cannot be acquired and cannot participate in this electronic conference hosted by the user X. Furthermore, when the user C who is a participant participates in the electronic conference, the conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference in which the “new product project” is set as a participation group can be acquired based on the group assigned to the user C. However, since the conference password “1Q35B6DC” is not notified in advance from the user X, the user X cannot participate in this electronic conference hosted by the user X. In this operation example, since “conference key” is set as an authority to participate in an electronic conference, it is necessary to notify the conference key only to a user who is permitted to participate in the electronic conference.

[4-2. Example of operation of electronic conference system 100 (part 2)]
Here, as an operation example (part 2) of the electronic conference system 100, an operation example of the electronic conference system 100 in the case of securing conference security by grouping in an electronic conference held between different basic groups will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In this description, it is assumed that two basic group management information whose basic group names are “company A” and “company B” are registered in advance in the basic group management table 102D1 stored in the database server 102D. To do. In addition, in the group management table 102D4 stored in the database server 102D in advance, four group managements with the group names “new product project”, “product development department”, “technical management department”, and “company officer”, respectively. It is assumed that information is registered. It is assumed that “company A” and “company B” are registered in the group management information of “new product project” as the basic group to be disclosed. By this registration, the group “New Product Project” is shared between different basic groups. Further, it is assumed that “company A” is registered as a disclosure destination basic group in the group management information of the “product development department”. Further, it is assumed that “company B” is registered as a disclosure destination basic group in the group management information of the “technical management department”. In addition, it is assumed that “company B” is registered as the disclosure basic group in the group management information of “company officer”. Further, in the user management table 102D2 stored in the database server 102D in advance, the user names are “user A”, “user B”, “user C”, “user D”, respectively, for example, as shown in FIG. It is assumed that four user management information to which a group is assigned is registered.

  First, before describing an operation example (part 2) of the electronic conference system 100, an operation concept of the electronic conference system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. When the user A belonging to the company A holds the electronic conference as the organizer of the electronic conference, the user A is a group (including a basic group) assigned to the user A and “new product project”. “・ From the“ Product Development Department ”, as a group that can participate in the electronic conference to be held, as shown in FIG. 15, for example,“ New Product Project ”that is open to both Company A and Company B is set. And hold an electronic conference.

  As described above, when the organizer of the electronic conference sets the authority to participate in the electronic conference as “group”, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the user B belonging to the company A and the user D belonging to the company B Since it does not belong to the “New Product Project”, it cannot participate in this electronic conference. On the other hand, the user C who belongs to the company B belongs to “New Product Project” and can participate in this electronic conference. In this way, the electronic conference system 100 can be securely operated between companies. Note that the authority to participate in the electronic conference may be set by both “group” and “conference password (conference key)”. Thereby, double security can be imposed, and the electronic conference system 100 can be operated more securely between companies.

  Next, an operation example of the electronic conference system 100 in the case where the electronic conference participation authority is set only by “group” will be described with reference to FIG. When the user X of the company A who is the organizer of the electronic conference sets the authority to participate in the electronic conference only by “group” as shown in FIG. 16, the user X is given to himself / herself when holding the electronic conference. “Company A”, “New Product Project”, “Product Development Department”, which is a group (including basic groups), for example, “New Set up a product project and hold an electronic conference.

  Then, when the user A of the company A and the user C of the company B who participates participate in the electronic conference, the electronic product in which the “new product project” is set as a group that can be participated based on the group assigned to the user. A conference schedule list for the conference can be acquired, and the user X can participate in the electronic conference hosted by the user X. On the other hand, when the user B of the company A and the user D of the company B participate in the electronic conference, the electronic product in which the “new product project” is set as a group that can be participated based on the group assigned to the user. The conference schedule list for the conference cannot be obtained, and the user X cannot participate in this electronic conference. In this operation example, since “conference key” is not set as the authority to participate in the electronic conference, it is not necessary to notify the relevant party of the conference key.

  Next, an operation example of the electronic conference system 100 in the case where the authority to participate in the electronic conference is set by a plurality of “groups” will be described with reference to FIG. When the user X of the company A who is the organizer of the electronic conference sets the participation authority of the electronic conference in a plurality of “groups” as shown in FIG. 17, the user X is given to himself / herself when holding the electronic conference. “Company A”, “New Product Project”, “Product Development Department”, which is a group (including basic groups), for example, “New “Product Project” and “Company A” are set up and an electronic conference is held.

  Then, the user A of the company A, the user B of the company A, and the user C of the company B, who are the participants, participate in the electronic conference based on the groups assigned to them, A conference holding schedule list of an electronic conference in which at least one of A ″ is set as an attendable group can be acquired, and the electronic conference hosted by the user X can participate. On the other hand, when user D of company B who is a participant participates in the electronic conference, at least one of “new product project” and “company A” is set as a group that can participate, based on the group assigned to him. The conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference that has been made cannot be acquired, and the user X cannot participate in the electronic conference hosted by the user X. In this operation example, since “conference key” is not set as the authority to participate in the electronic conference, it is not necessary to notify the relevant party of the conference key.

  Finally, an operation example of the electronic conference system 100 when the electronic conference participation authority is set by both “group” and “conference password (conference key)” will be described with reference to FIG. When the user X of the company A who is the organizer of the electronic conference sets the authority to participate in the electronic conference with both “group” and “conference password (conference key)” as shown in FIG. When a meeting is held, the conditions for holding the meeting can be selected from “Company A”, “New Product Project”, and “Product Development Department”, which are the groups (including the basic group) assigned to the meeting. "And a random character string" 1Q35B6DC "as a conference password are set, and an electronic conference is held. Here, this setting regarding the meeting holding conditions is the same as that shown in FIG. 13, but in the case of this operation example, “Company A” and “Company B” are registered as different basic groups. Unlike the case of the same basic group described with reference to FIG. 13, the setting of “company A” in the conference holding condition substantially functions as an electronic conference participation authority.

  Then, when the user A of the company A who is a participant participates in the electronic conference, the conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference in which “Company A” is set as a group that can be participated based on the group assigned to the user A. Further, based on the conference password “1Q35B6DC” notified from the user X in advance, the user X can participate in the electronic conference hosted by the user X. On the other hand, when the user B of the company A who is a participant participates in the electronic conference, the conference holding schedule list of the electronic conference in which “company A” is set as a group that can be participated based on the group assigned to the user B is displayed. Although it can be acquired, since the conference password “1Q35B6DC” has not been notified in advance by the user X, the user cannot participate in the electronic conference hosted by the user X. Then, when the user C of the company B and the user D of the company B who are participants participate in the electronic conference, the electronic conference in which “company A” is set as a joinable group based on the group assigned to the user. It is not possible to acquire the conference schedule list of the user, and it is not possible to participate in this electronic conference hosted by the user X. In this operation example, since “conference key” is set as an electronic conference participation authority, it is necessary to notify the conference key only to users who are permitted to participate in the electronic conference.

[5. Summary of electronic conference system 100]
As described above in detail, according to the electronic conference system 100, the Web server 102B includes the user ID and user password input by the participant, the plurality of user management information and the plurality of conference management stored in the database server 102D. Based on the information, conference management information related to the electronic conference that the participant can participate in is extracted from the conference management information stored in the database server 102D using the group as an extraction key. The Web server 102B further matches the conference password entered by the participant via the conference terminal 104 and the conference password included in the conference management information regarding the electronic conference selected by the participant via the conference terminal 104. In this case, the company terminal 104 of the participant is permitted to participate in the electronic conference selected by the participant. As a result, only users who can participate in the electronic conference can be appropriately selected without being left to the decision of the conference organizer, and as a result, the security (safety and reliability) of the electronic conference can be improved. it can.

  That is, according to the electronic conference system 100, the concept of “group (including a basic group)” described above is introduced to set the authority to participate in the electronic conference, thereby strengthening corporate security and conference security. Specifically, in order to be able to use the electronic conference system 100 in a plurality of companies, it is necessary to ensure security. In the electronic conference system 100, the database server 102D is classified by the concept of a basic group. , Ensured security. Specifically, even within a single company, depending on the content of the conference, it is necessary to ensure security by granting access authority (participation authority) to only those concerned, but in the electronic conference system 100, the electronic conference and the user Security was ensured by classifying them by the concept of groups. Specifically, in the electronic conference system 100, the authority to participate in the conference, the conference holding (reservation) list, the conference history, and the conference minutes reference are managed as a group (security group). Further, the participation authority is not managed for each user as in the past, but the participation authority is collectively managed by a server independent of the user (particularly the database server 102D). Thereby, it is possible to strictly ensure conference security. Further, according to the electronic conference system 100, the user only needs to be aware of the group related to the user without being aware of the ID or password of the user, so that the operability of the electronic conference system is improved. Can do.

  In a conventional electronic conference system, a conference organizer selects a user who is allowed to participate and holds a conference, thereby restricting participation in the electronic conference. On the other hand, in the electronic conference system 100, since the “group”, which is a unit that permits participation in the electronic conference, is created by applying to the administrator in advance, the conference organizer must actually hold the electronic conference. You can restrict participation in electronic conferences by simply selecting a group. In other words, according to the electronic conferencing system 100, the security officer of the electronic conference (for example, the project manager) applies to the administrator in advance for the group to be permitted to participate in the electronic conference in units of groups instead of users. Therefore, the reliability of the electronic conference system 100 is high in terms of conference security.

  Thereby, for example, by managing the participation authority in the category of basic group, security between companies (company security) is maintained, and the electronic conference system 100 can be securely shared among a plurality of companies. Further, in the conventional electronic conference system, the server device is physically divided for each company, so that the cost for installing the server device is high. On the other hand, according to the electronic conference system 100, since a plurality of companies can use the electronic conference system, the cost for installing the server device is distributed to each company, and each company makes the electronic conference system inexpensive. Can be introduced. In addition, according to the electronic conference system 100, when the business of the same project is performed between companies, the basic group of the project can be set, so that the electronic conference of the same project can be shared between the companies. it can. In other words, according to the electronic conference system 100, an electronic conference related to a business performed as the same project among companies can be performed only for users related to the project in each company.

  Further, for example, the conference security is maintained by grouping the electronic conference itself and the user and managing the participation authority, and the electronic conference system 100 can be used securely in one company. In addition, the electronic conference system 100 can be used particularly effectively in an electronic conference where security must be ensured, such as a top-secret project or a secret conference by an officer.

  Further, according to the electronic conference system 100, in addition to grouping, a conference password can also be given, so that the right to participate in electronic conferences can be managed with double security of grouping and password. Further, according to the electronic conference system 100, the conference password may be automatically reassigned after the electronic conference is completed. Thereby, participation in the conference and reproduction of the conference minutes after the conference can be managed with different passwords, and not only the security for the conference but also the security for the conference minutes can be enhanced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows notionally an example of composition of database server 102D. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of basic group management table 102D1. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of user management table 102D2. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of meeting management table 102D3. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of group management table 102D4. It is a figure which shows an example of the hierarchy image of the administrator who manages the electronic conference system, and the user who uses. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the electronic conference system 100 in case the organizer of an electronic conference registers an electronic conference and holds an electronic conference. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the electronic conference system 100 in the case of selecting the electronic conference in which the participant of an electronic conference can participate, and participating in the electronic conference. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation concept of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation concept of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of an electronic conference system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of an electronic conference system 100. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 Electronic conference system 102A Conference server 102B Web server 102C File server 102D Database server
102D1 basic group management table
102D2 user management table
102D3 conference management table
102D4 group management table 104 conference terminal 106 network

Claims (1)

In an electronic conference system for holding an electronic conference between the client devices, wherein the server device and a plurality of client devices are communicably connected via a network,
The server device
A plurality of pieces of user management information including user identification information for uniquely identifying a user and user attribute information relating to an attribute assigned to the user, and meeting identification information for uniquely identifying the electronic conference and the electronic conference Storage means for storing a plurality of conference management information including user attribute information relating to the attribute of the user that can participate in
Server-side receiving means for receiving the user identification information transmitted from the client device and the conference identification information and the conference management information transmitted from the client device;
Based on the user identification information received by the server-side receiving unit and the plurality of user management information and the plurality of conference management information stored by the storage unit, from among the conference management information stored by the storage unit, Meeting management information extracting means for extracting the meeting management information related to the electronic meeting in which the user corresponding to the user identification information can participate, using the user attribute information as an extraction key;
A server-side transmission unit that transmits the conference management information to the client device when the conference management information extraction unit can extract the conference management information;
If the conference identification information received by the server-side receiving means matches the conference identification information included in the conference management information received by the server-side receiving means, the client device participates in the electronic conference. Electronic conference participation permission means to allow
With
Each of the client devices
Client-side input means for inputting the user identification information and the meeting identification information;
Client-side receiving means for receiving the conference management information transmitted from the server device;
Conference management information display means for displaying the conference management information received by the client side receiving means;
Conference management information selection means for selecting a desired one from the conference management information displayed by the conference management information display means;
The user identification information input by the client side input unit, the conference identification information input by the client side input unit, and the conference management information selected by the conference management information selection unit are transmitted to the server device. Client-side transmission means;
An electronic conference system characterized by comprising:

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