JP2011151613A - Information-sharing device, information sharing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information-sharing device capable of recognizing timing at which a writer starts writing in a remote location, and reducing a sense of incongruence on communication, and to provide an information sharing method thereof and a program. <P>SOLUTION: A whiteboard 1B on a remote terminal side for receiving drawing data supplied from a whiteboard 1A on own terminal side to display drawing information, based on the drawing data includes: a drawing output section for displaying drawing information on a screen; a drawing data receiving section for receiving the drawing data supplied from the whiteboard 1A on own terminal side; and a drawing processing section for displaying, on the drawing output section along with the drawing information; a suggestion figure 102, showing that drawing is performed on the whiteboard 1A on own terminal side, when displaying the drawing information, based on the received drawing data on the drawing output section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information sharing apparatus, an information sharing method, and a program related to a remote conference system.

  There is a remote conference system that uses information sharing apparatuses arranged at a plurality of points. The teleconference system handles two types of information: information sent in one direction from the ground side and information shared at multiple points by performing multidirectional communication with each other. For example, the information sent in one direction from the ground side is information such as voice and video of a person participating in the remote conference. The information shared at multiple points is information indicated by graphics or characters written on a whiteboard or the like. In addition, in the teleconference system, a technique is disclosed that includes an information sharing device (electronic whiteboard) that can simultaneously draw and display information to be shared at multiple points (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). .

JP 2000-188655 A JP 2001-228843 A

By the way, the participant who participates in the conference at a position where the electronic whiteboard to be written can be directly viewed can know the timing to start writing from the action of the writer.
However, in the techniques of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, the information to be shared is only information written on the electronic whiteboard. Therefore, the information that can be shared is only written information, and there is no way to know that information is being shared until written. That is, it is difficult for the participant who participates in the conference at a multipoint different from the writer to know the timing when the writer on the ground side starts writing on the electronic whiteboard. For this reason, in an electronic whiteboard that conducts a conference with multiple points, the drawing content on the electronic whiteboard is suddenly updated when a partner on the ground side performs writing.

  For example, FIG. 7 is an example showing a drawing display on a conventional electronic whiteboard. The electronic whiteboard on the left side is a whiteboard on its own terminal side, and the electronic whiteboard on the right side is a whiteboard on the remote terminal side in a remote place. When the writer draws a line from point A to point D with the pen on the whiteboard on the own terminal side, the line is displayed on the whiteboard on the remote terminal side as a line from point A1 to point D1 through the network. When the delay time including the transmission delay by the network and the processing delay by the electronic whiteboard system is Δt, the point A drawn at the time t1 is displayed as the point A1 at the time (t1 + Δt). Similarly, the points B to D are displayed as the points B1 to D1 after the delay time Δt, respectively. At this time, the range displayed on the whiteboard on the remote terminal side is simply the range from curve point A1 to point B1 at time (t2 + Δt), and simply from curve point A1 at time (t3 + Δt). The range is up to C1.

  When the information sharing apparatus in which drawing contents are displayed suddenly in this way is used, there is a problem in that the writer cannot know the timing for starting writing at a point different from the writer. For this reason, a conference participant in a meeting at a different point from the writer may give a sense of incompatibility in communication.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information sharing apparatus, an information sharing method, and a program capable of knowing when a writer starts writing at a point different from the writer. There is.

  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention receives a first drawing data supplied from an external device, and displays a first drawing information based on the first drawing data; When the drawing data receiving unit that receives the first drawing data and when the first drawing information is displayed on the drawing output unit, the drawing device together with the first drawing information indicates that the drawing is being performed in the external device. An information sharing apparatus comprising: a drawing processing unit that displays a suggestion graphic on the drawing output unit.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above invention, when the first drawing data includes drawing position information on a drawing screen, and the drawing processing unit displays the first drawing information on the drawing output unit, the drawing position The first drawing information is displayed after the suggestion graphic is displayed at a position on the screen of the drawing output unit based on the information.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the drawing processing unit changes the position on the screen on which the suggestion graphic is displayed and the shape of the suggestion graphic in accordance with the newly received first drawing data. Features.

  In the above invention, when the supply of the first drawing data from the external device is interrupted, the suggestion graphic is continuously displayed on the drawing output unit for a predetermined period, and then the suggestion is performed. It is characterized in that the figure is hidden.

  According to the present invention, in the above invention, the drawing input unit for detecting drawing operation information including drawing position information on the drawing screen arranged to overlap the drawing output unit screen, and the drawing operation information A drawing data transmitting unit that transmits second drawing data different from the first to the external device, and the drawing processing unit receives second drawing information based on the drawing operation information detected by the drawing input unit. The image data is displayed on the drawing output unit, and the second drawing data is transmitted to the drawing data transmission unit.

  Also, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the external device is the information sharing device of the invention.

  Further, the present invention is an information sharing method for receiving drawing data supplied from an external device and displaying drawing information based on the drawing data on a drawing output unit, wherein the drawing data is received. When the drawing information is displayed on the drawing output unit, the information sharing method includes a step of causing the drawing output unit to display a suggestion graphic indicating that drawing is being performed in the external device together with the drawing information.

  The present invention is a program for causing a computer to display drawing information based on drawing data supplied from an external device on a screen of a drawing output unit, wherein the drawing data receiving unit receives the drawing data from the external device. And when the drawing information is displayed on the drawing output unit, the drawing output unit indicates drawing information in the external device together with drawing information based on the drawing data received from the external device. Is a program for causing the computer to execute the step of displaying.

  According to the present invention, the information sharing device draws the first drawing information together with the first drawing information in the external device when displaying the first drawing information based on the first drawing data received from the external device on the drawing output unit. A suggestion graphic indicating that it is inside is displayed on the drawing output unit. Thereby, it is possible to know the timing when the writer of the external device starts writing. As a result, communication discomfort can be reduced at the conference.

It is a block diagram which shows the network connection in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the information sharing apparatus in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement of the drawing process in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the drawing display in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the drawing process in the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the network connection in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the drawing display of the conventional information sharing apparatus.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an information sharing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing network connection in the present embodiment.
In the information sharing apparatus (electronic whiteboard 1) shown in FIG. 1, a whiteboard on its own terminal side is denoted by reference numeral 1A, and a whiteboard on the remote terminal side in a remote location is denoted by reference numeral 1B. The whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side have the same configuration. If the local terminal side or the remote terminal side is not specified, the electronic whiteboard 1 is used. In the figure, the whiteboard 1A on the local terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side are connected to the network 2 and are in a state where they can communicate with each other.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the information sharing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The electronic whiteboard 1 includes a drawing output unit 10, a drawing generation unit 11, a storage unit 20, a drawing input unit 30, a drawing data transmission unit 40, a drawing data reception unit 50, and a drawing processing unit 60.
The drawing output unit 10 includes a display unit (not shown). The display unit is fixed and supported on a wall surface or a desk so that it does not move during writing. Based on the image / video information supplied from the drawing generation unit 11, the drawing output unit 10 displays an image showing a figure, characters, or the like and a suggestion figure 102 (FIG. 3) on the display unit.
The drawing generation unit 11 is connected to the drawing output unit 10, the storage unit 20, and the drawing processing unit 60, generates image / video information, and supplies the image / video information to the drawing output unit 10. The drawing generation unit 11 generates image / video information based on the drawing information supplied from the storage unit 20 and the suggested graphic information J supplied from the drawing processing unit 60. The image / video information is information for integrating the drawing information and the suggestion graphic information J on one screen and displaying them on the display screen of the drawing output unit 10.
In addition, the suggestion graphic 102 is a graphic simulating body movement. The suggested graphic information J includes image information of the suggested graphic 102 and information on the drawing position (X, Y) on the display screen. The drawing position (X, Y) on the display screen is indicated by two-dimensional orthogonal coordinates, for example, where the lower left on the display screen is the origin, the horizontal position is X, and the vertical position is Y. To do.
The figure imitating the body movement is a so-called body metaphor. A metaphor is a metaphor, and a figure that imitates body movements only needs to be able to suggest body movements. For example, if a pen figure moves on the screen, a person who sees the situation can imagine that the writer 3 (FIG. 3) is writing by hand.
The storage unit 20 stores the drawing information generated by the drawing processing unit 60. The storage unit 20 stores drawing information by the drawing processing unit 60 and is referred to by the drawing generation unit 11 and the drawing processing unit 60.

The drawing input unit 30 includes a touch panel arranged on the screen of the drawing output unit 10. The drawing input unit 30 detects a drawing operation using the touch panel, generates drawing operation information K, and supplies the drawing processing unit 60 with the drawing operation information K. The drawing operation information K includes information on a drawing position (x, y) on the touch panel and an input object (a pen, an eraser, a finger, etc.) that is inputting the position. The input object information is, for example, pen type information. Information on the drawing position (x, y) on the touch panel is captured by the touch panel at regular time intervals when the writer 3 of the electronic whiteboard 1 writes a drawing figure such as a character or a figure. Here, the fixed time interval is a time interval in which there is no sense of incongruity between the drawing figure displayed on the drawing output unit 10 based on the drawing operation information K and the drawing operation on the touch panel by the writer 3. The drawing position (x, y) on the touch panel is indicated by two-dimensional orthogonal coordinates, for example, where the lower left corner of the touch panel is the origin, the horizontal position is x, and the vertical position is y.
The input object information is input to the drawing input unit 30 through a sensor (not shown) by a method in which the writer 3 selects in advance from the touch panel of the drawing input unit 30 and an electronic pen having an ID. There are two methods of supply, and either method may be used.

The drawing data transmission unit 40 is connected to the network 2 and transmits drawing data supplied from the drawing processing unit 60 to the network 2.
The drawing data receiving unit 50 is connected to the network 2, receives drawing data supplied from the network 2, and supplies the drawing data to the drawing processing unit 60.

The drawing processing unit 60 controls the drawing output unit 10, the drawing generation unit 11, the drawing input unit 30, the drawing data transmission unit 40, and the drawing data reception unit 50. The drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing information to be displayed on the drawing output unit 10 based on the drawing operation information K supplied from the drawing input unit 30. The drawing processing unit 60 writes and stores the generated drawing information in the storage unit 20. The drawing information is information for causing the drawing output unit 10 to display a figure or a character drawn by the writer 3. The drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing information from drawing position (x, y) information on the touch panel and input object information (such as pen type) included in the drawing operation information K.
Further, the drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing data based on the drawing operation information K and the drawing information read from the storage unit 20 and supplies the drawing data to the drawing data transmission unit 40. The drawing data is data including drawing position (x, y) information on the touch panel and drawing information.
In addition, the drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing information and suggested graphic information J to be displayed on the drawing output unit 10 based on the drawing data supplied from the drawing data receiving unit 50. The drawing processing unit 60 stores the drawing information generated based on the drawing data in the storage unit 20 and supplies the suggested graphic information J to the drawing generation unit 11. The shape of the suggestion graphic 102 may be changed according to the type of the input object and the state of the writer 3 (FIG. 3).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the connection between the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side will be described. The drawing data transmitting unit 40 of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side transmits drawing data, and the drawing data receiving unit 50 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side receives this drawing data. Further, the drawing data transmitting unit 40 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side transmits drawing data, and the drawing data receiving unit 50 of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side receives this drawing data.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present embodiment. In this figure, the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side are connected to the network 2 and communication is performed between the two bases. It is assumed that the writer 3 writes the curve 101 from point A to point D using the pen 4 on the whiteboard 1A on the terminal side.
When the writer 3 writes the curve 101 from the point A to the point D using the pen 4 on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side, the point A to the point D is based on the drawing operation information K detected by the drawing input unit 30. The drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing data of the curve 101 between them. The whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side transmits this drawing data to the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side through the network 2. The whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side that has received the drawing data displays the curve 103 between the points A1 and D1 on the drawing output unit 10 together with the suggestion figure 102 that is a figure simulating the body movement.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a drawing display in the embodiment. This figure shows a drawing display of the drawing output unit 10 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side when the curve 101 between the points A and D is written by the writer 3 on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side.
When the delay time including the transmission delay by the network 2 and the processing delay by the system of the electronic whiteboard 1 is Δt, the point A drawn at time t1 is displayed on the drawing output unit 10 as the point A1 at time (t1 + Δt). A suggestion graphic 102, which is a graphic simulating the body movement when the point A1 is drawn, is also displayed at the position of the point A1. FIG. 4A shows this state. Here, since the suggestion figure 102 is displayed, the participant of the meeting on the remote terminal side can know the timing when the writer 3 starts writing on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side.
Assuming that the time when the writer 3 writes the point B is t2, as shown in FIG. 4B, the suggested figure 102 is located at the point B1 together with the curve 1031 from the point A1 to the point B1 at the time (t2 + Δt). Is displayed.
Similarly, assuming that the time written to the point C is t3, as shown in FIG. 4C, a curve 1032 from the point B1 to the point C1 is added at the time (t3 + Δt) and the suggested figure 102 is the point C1. It is displayed at the position.
Similarly, when the time written to the point D is t4, as shown in FIG. 4D, a curve 1033 from the point C1 to the point D1 is added at the time (t4 + Δt) and the suggested graphic 102 is the point D1. It is displayed at the position.

Next, detailed operation of one aspect shown in this embodiment will be described.
When the writer 3 performs writing on the touch panel of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side, the drawing input unit 30 detects information on the drawing position (x, y) on the touch panel and sets the drawing position (x, y). A drawing operation information K including information and information on an input object (pen, eraser, finger, etc.) is supplied to the drawing processing unit 60. As described above, the drawing operation is detected using the touch panel. The drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing information based on the drawing operation information K. The drawing processing unit 60 writes and stores drawing information in the storage unit 20. The drawing generation unit 11 refers to the drawing information stored in the storage unit 20 and generates image / video information based on the drawing information. The drawing generation unit 11 supplies the generated image / video information to the drawing output unit 10. The drawing output unit 10 displays characters and graphics written by the writer 3 as an image based on the image / video information supplied from the drawing generation unit 11.

The drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing data based on the drawing information read from the storage unit 20 and the drawing operation information K supplied from the drawing input unit 30. The drawing processing unit 60 supplies drawing data to the drawing data transmission unit 40 and causes the drawing data transmission unit 40 to transmit drawing data. Thereby, the drawing data transmission unit 40 transmits the drawing data to the network 2. The drawing data is transmitted via the network 2 to the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side.
In the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side, the drawing data receiving unit 50 receives the drawing data and supplies it to the drawing processing unit 60. The drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing information based on the drawing data supplied from the drawing data receiving unit 50 and stores the drawing information in the storage unit 20. The drawing generation unit 11 refers to the drawing information stored in the storage unit 20, generates image / video information in which the character or figure written by the writer 3 is regenerated on the whiteboard 1 </ b> A of the terminal itself, and outputs the drawing. Supplied to the unit 10. In addition, the drawing processing unit 60 generates the suggestion graphic information J based on the drawing data supplied from the drawing data receiving unit 50 and supplies the suggestion graphic information J to the drawing generation unit 11. The drawing generation unit 11 generates image / video information based on the suggested graphic information J and supplies the image / video information to the drawing output unit 10. As a result, the drawing output unit 10 displays the suggested figure 102, which is a figure simulating the body movement, together with the characters and figures written by the writer 3 on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side. Here, the figure 102 of the hand holding the pen is displayed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail using a flowchart.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5A shows a process when drawing data of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side is drawn on the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side. When the writer 3 of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side starts writing, the drawing input unit 30 detects the drawing operation information K, and the processing is started. In step S <b> 1, the whiteboard 1 </ b> A on its own terminal side performs processing for detecting the drawing operation information K written on the touch panel by the writer 3 and displaying it on the drawing output unit 10. In step S1, the characters and graphics written by the writer 3 are reflected and displayed as they are on the drawing output unit 10 of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side. The drawing input unit 30 detects information on the drawing position (x, y) on the touch panel and supplies drawing operation information K including information on the drawing position (x, y) to the drawing processing unit 60. The drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing information based on the drawing operation information K, and causes the drawing output unit 10 to display the drawing information via the storage unit 20 and the drawing generation unit 11. Note that the timing at which the processing in step S1 is started is the time when the writing input unit 30 can detect the writing intention of the writer 3. For example, it is set as the time when the touch panel detects a touch operation.

In step S <b> 2, the whiteboard 1 </ b> A on the own terminal side performs processing for transmitting drawing data, which is data drawn by the writer 3, to the whiteboard 1 </ b> B on the remote terminal side. The drawing processing unit 60 generates drawing data based on the drawing operation information K and the drawing information stored in the storage unit 20, and supplies the generated drawing data to the drawing data transmission unit 40. The drawing data transmission unit 40 transmits drawing data to the network 2. The drawing data transmitted at the time t is data including drawing position (x, y) information and drawing information at the time t.
The drawing information varies depending on the method of the electronic whiteboard, but can be roughly divided into two types of configuration methods. One is a method in which drawing information is configured as image data. In this method, drawing information of the whiteboard 1A on the terminal side is configured as image image information and transmitted to the network 2. The other is a method in which drawing information is configured as vector data. The drawing information of this method includes the type (thickness, color, etc.) of the pen used for drawing, and information on the coordinates constituting the figure or character. In either case, it is possible to select the case of transmitting all data and the case of transmitting a difference from the previous time. In the present embodiment, the drawing information may have an arbitrary configuration as long as the drawing data includes the drawing position (x, y) information at time t. In the present embodiment, the whiteboard 1A on its own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side are electronic whiteboards 1 having the same configuration. Therefore, it is assumed that the information on the drawing position (x, y) on the touch panel is the same as the information on the drawing position (X, Y) on the display screen.

Next, in step S3, the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side receives drawing data (drawing position and drawing information) through the network 2. The drawing data receiving unit 50 receives the drawing data supplied through the network 2 and supplies the drawing data to the drawing processing unit 60.
Next, in step S4, the drawing processing unit 60 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side reshapes and displays the characters and figures written by the writer 3 on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side based on the drawing data. The suggested figure 102 which is a figure simulating the body movement is displayed.
In step S5, when the writer 3 subsequently writes to the whiteboard 1A on the terminal side and the drawing input unit 30 detects the drawing operation information K, the process returns to step S1. If the subsequent drawing operation information K is not detected, the process ends.

FIG. 5B shows a specific embodiment of step S4 shown in FIG. In step S4, drawing processing of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side is performed. When the drawing data is supplied from the drawing data receiving unit 50, the drawing processing unit 60 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side acquires the drawing position (X, Y) information and drawing information from the drawing data. (Step S41). Next, it is determined whether or not the suggestion figure 102 that is a figure imitating a body motion is already displayed. Whether or not the suggestion graphic 102 is displayed is determined by, for example, storing the display state of the suggestion graphic 102 in a flag provided in a storage area (not shown) in the drawing processing unit 60 and referring to this flag. (Step S42).
If it is determined that the suggestion graphic 102 has already been displayed, the drawing processing unit 60 displays the suggestion graphic 102 at a new drawing position (X, Y) of the drawing output unit 10, moves the suggestion graphic 102, and Proceed to step S45 (step S43).
On the other hand, if it is determined NO in step S42, the drawing processing unit 60 displays the suggested figure 102, which is a figure simulating the body movement, at the drawing position (X, Y) of the drawing output unit 10, and step The process proceeds to S45 (step S44).
In step S <b> 45, the drawing processing unit 60 supplies drawing information to the drawing generation unit 11 via the storage unit 20. The drawing generation unit 11 generates image / video information based on the drawing information and supplies the image / video information to the drawing output unit 10. As a result, the drawing output unit 10 displays drawing information, which is a drawing written on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side, along with the suggestion figure 102 that is a figure simulating a body movement.

  Next, the process proceeds from the step S46 to the loop process of S48, and the drawing processing unit 60 continuously waits for whether or not the next drawing data is received during a predetermined period Tw. The reason for continuously waiting for a predetermined period Tw is to provide continuity in the display when writing is continuously performed. For example, the writer 3 does not always write continuously. In such a situation, if the process of continuously waiting is not performed, the suggestion figure 102 may disappear for each character when the writer 3 writes a sentence. Such a display may give the conference participants an unnatural impression. Therefore, this problem is avoided by waiting for a predetermined period Tw. Accordingly, the predetermined period Tw is a period in which the conference participant does not feel unnatural when the suggestion figure 102, which is a figure simulating physical movement, disappears. In the loop processing from step S46 to S48, in step S46, the elapsed time tn from the time when the drawing processing unit 60 acquired the drawing information in step S41 is compared with a predetermined period Tw, and tn <Tw. Repeated for a while. However, if tn ≧ Tw, the process proceeds to step S49. In step S47, the drawing processing unit 60 detects whether or not the drawing data receiving unit 50 has received the next drawing data. If the next drawing data has been received, the drawing processing unit 60 returns to the processing in step S41.

In step S <b> 49, the drawing processing unit 60 hides the display of the suggestion graphic 102, which is a graphic simulating body movement. In the step S4 of FIG. 5A, the period during which the suggestion graphic 102, which is a graphic imitating the body movement, is displayed by the drawing processing unit 60 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side while the drawing data is updated. is there.
Some electronic whiteboards always transmit and receive drawing data even when drawing is not updated. In that case, when the drawing data includes information on the drawing position (x, y), the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5B may be performed.
In the above description, the writer 3 writes on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and displays the information on the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side to share the information. The information may be shared by writing to 1B and displaying it on the whiteboard 1A on the terminal side. In this case, the same operation is performed except that the drawing data transmitting side and receiving side are switched.

  As described above, the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side displays the drawing information written by the writer 3 on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side on the drawing output unit 10 thereof. In this case, the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side displays, on the drawing output unit 10, a suggestion graphic 102 indicating that drawing is being performed on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side together with the drawing information. Thereby, the participant in the conference can know the timing at which the writer 3 starts writing while being at a different point from the writer 3. The same effect can also be obtained when the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side displays the drawing information written by the writer 3 on the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side on its own drawing output unit 10. As a result, since the writer 3 can know the timing at which writing starts, the electronic whiteboard 1 can reduce a sense of discomfort in communication in a meeting. In addition, since the writer 3 can know the timing at which writing starts, writing can be performed at one point while writing is performed at the other point, thereby preventing the problem of overlapping drawing areas. .

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an information sharing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing network connection in the present embodiment.
In the figure, the same components as those in FIG.
In this embodiment, the whiteboard 1 </ b> A on the local terminal side and the whiteboard 1 </ b> B on the remote terminal side do not communicate directly via the network 2 but communicate via the server device 7 on the network 2. Note that the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the server device 7 and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side and the server device 7 are in a communicable state.
The server device 7 includes a drawing data receiving unit 71, a drawing data storage unit 72, and a drawing data transmission unit 73. The server device 7 receives the drawing data transmitted from the drawing data transmission unit 40 of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side via the network 2. Further, the server device 7 transmits the drawing data to the drawing data receiving unit 50 of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side via the network 2.

The drawing data receiving unit 71 is connected to the network 2. The drawing data receiving unit 71 receives drawing data supplied via the network 2 and supplies the drawing data to the drawing data storage unit 72.
The drawing data storage unit 72 stores the drawing data supplied from the drawing data reception unit 71 and is referred to by the drawing data transmission unit 73.
The drawing data transmission unit 73 is connected to the network 2, refers to the drawing data storage unit 72, and transmits the stored drawing data to the network 2.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, operations other than the transmission / reception of drawing data between the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side are the same as those in the first embodiment.
When the writer 3 writes on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side, the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side generates drawing data by the process shown in step S1 (FIG. 5A). The drawing data transmission unit 40 of the whiteboard 1 </ b> A on the own terminal side transmits drawing data to the server device 7 via the network 2. The server device 7 receives the drawing data by the drawing data receiving unit 71 and stores the drawing data in the drawing data storage unit 72. Thereafter, the server device 7 transmits the drawing data stored in the drawing data storage unit 72 from the drawing data transmission unit 73 to the drawing data reception unit 50 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side via the network 2.
The whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side performs the processing shown in steps S3 and S4 (FIG. 5A), and the drawing processing unit 60 draws and outputs the suggested figure 102, which is a figure simulating the body movement, together with the drawing information. Displayed on the unit 10.
The same applies to the case where the writer 3 writes data on the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side and displays it on the whiteboard 1A on the local terminal side. The drawing data passes through the server device 7 and is white on the local terminal side. It is transmitted to the board 1A.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, participants in the conference can know the timing at which the writer 3 starts writing while being at a different point from the writer 3. . As a result, the electronic whiteboard 1 can reduce communication discomfort in the conference.
In this embodiment, the drawing data transmitted from the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side is temporarily stored in the drawing data storage unit 72 of the server device 7 via the network 2. Is done. The drawing information stored in the drawing data storage unit 72 is transmitted via the network 2 to the electronic whiteboard 1 (1A and 1B) at each base. For this reason, the electronic whiteboard 1 at each site transmits and receives drawing data to and from the server device 7. For this reason, it is not necessary to directly send and receive drawing data between the respective bases, and the electronic whiteboard 1 at each base can reduce the transmission load of the drawing data when a meeting is held between a plurality of bases.
In addition, the conference participant can know the timing at which the writer 3 starts writing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the problem that writing is performed at the other point while writing is performed at one point and the drawing areas overlap. This problem of overlapping drawing areas becomes more prominent as the number of bases connected simultaneously increases. In the present embodiment that can reduce the transmission load, it is possible to connect to more bases, so the effect of preventing this problem is greater than in the first embodiment.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side that receives the drawing data supplied from the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and displays the drawing information based on the drawing data is displayed on the screen. The drawing output unit 10 for displaying drawing information, the drawing data receiving unit 50 for receiving drawing data supplied from the whiteboard 1A on the terminal side, and the drawing information based on the received drawing data on the drawing output unit 10 In this case, a drawing processing unit 60 is provided for causing the drawing output unit 10 to display a suggestion graphic 102 indicating that drawing is being performed on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side together with the drawing information.
Thereby, the participant of the meeting using the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side knows the timing when the writer 3 starts writing on the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side while being at a different point from the writer 3. be able to. As a result, the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side can reduce communication discomfort in the conference.

Further, the drawing data supplied from the whiteboard 1A on the terminal side includes information on the drawing position on the drawing screen. When the drawing processing unit 60 displays the drawing information based on the drawing operation information K on the drawing output unit 10, the position (X, Y) on the screen of the drawing output unit 10 based on the drawing position (x, y) information. After the suggestion figure 102 is displayed, the drawing information based on the drawing operation information K is displayed.
Thereby, the participant of the meeting using the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side can always know the drawing position of the writer 3 while drawing. Therefore, it is possible to know more clearly that the writer 3 is drawing. As a result, the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side can reduce communication discomfort in the conference.

In addition, the drawing processing unit 60 sets the drawing position (X, Y) on the screen on which the suggestion graphic 102 is displayed and the shape of the suggestion graphic 102 to the newly received drawing data supplied from the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side. Change accordingly.
Thereby, the participant of the meeting using the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side can always know the drawing position of the writer 3 while drawing. Therefore, it is possible to know more clearly that the writer 3 is drawing. Further, by changing the shape of the suggestion graphic information J, the conference participant can know the state of the writer 3. As a result, the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side can reduce communication discomfort in the conference.

In addition, when the drawing data supplied from the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side is interrupted, the drawing processing unit 60 continues to display the suggestion graphic 102 on the whiteboard on the remote terminal side for a predetermined period (Tw). After being displayed on the 1B drawing output unit 10, the suggestion figure 102 is not displayed.
As a result, when the drawing is not in progress, the display of the suggestion graphic 102 disappears. For this reason, the participant of the meeting using the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side can know more clearly that the writer 3 is drawing. Further, the display of the suggestion graphic 102 is maintained during a predetermined period (Tw). For this reason, even if the writer 3 does not write continuously but writes at intervals, the suggested figure 102 may disappear for each character when the writer 3 writes a sentence. Absent. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the unnaturalness on the screen of the drawing output unit 10 that occurs when the writer 3 performs writing at a time interval. As a result, the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side can reduce communication discomfort in the conference.

The whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side includes a drawing input unit 30 that detects drawing operation information K including drawing position (x, y) information on a touch panel that is arranged on the screen of the drawing output unit 10. And a drawing data transmitting unit 40 for transmitting drawing data based on the drawing operation information K to the whiteboard 1A on the terminal side. The drawing processing unit 60 causes the drawing output unit 10 to display drawing information based on the drawing operation information K, and causes the drawing data transmission unit 40 to transmit drawing data based on the drawing operation information K. The whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side has the same configuration as the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side.
As a result, the participants of the conference using the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side are at different points from the writer 3 when the writer 3 starts writing. To know. As a result, the electronic whiteboard 1 can reduce communication discomfort in the conference.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In each of the above embodiments, the configuration example between the two bases of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration of three or more bases may be used. . When there are a plurality of bases (three or more bases), at least one suggestion graphic 102 may be displayed on the drawing output unit 10. For example, it is assumed that the base 1, the base 2, and the base 3 exist, and the writer 3 at the base 2 and the writer 3 at the base 3 indicate the intention to write at the same time. In this case, the base 1 may display the suggestion figures 102 of the base 2 and the base 3 separately, or may display only one of the two suggestion figures 102 by integration or selection. When only one suggestion graphic 102 is displayed, the participant at the site 1 cannot determine which of the writers 3 of the site 2 or 3 has indicated the intention of writing. However, at the site 1, the conference participant can determine that the writer 3 at the other site has indicated the intention to write.
Further, even when the suggestion figures 102 are integrated or selected, the suggestion figures 102 may not be always one, but may be sequentially reduced when the number of the suggestion figures 102 increases. As a condition for reducing the number of suggested figures 102, a condition of displaying up to n or a condition in which x% or more of the display screen is filled with suggested figures 102 may be used. Of course, these conditions may be combined.

  Further, instead of reducing the number of suggested figures 102, a method of reducing the displayed size may be used. The purpose of the adjustment processing of the suggestion graphic 102 is to prevent the visibility of the whiteboard from being disturbed when the number of the suggestion graphics 102 increases. The adjustment process of the suggestion graphic 102 may be performed by the electronic whiteboard 1 or the server device 7. When the electronic whiteboard 1 is used, it is processed when a plurality of pieces of information on drawing positions (X, Y) indicating a plurality of positions are acquired in step S41 (FIG. 5B). On the other hand, when the server apparatus 7 is used, the number of drawing positions (X, Y) may be processed in advance and then transmitted.

Moreover, although the drawing input unit 30 has been described as an example provided with a touch panel, other forms may be used as long as the drawing operation information K including the drawing position (x, y) information can be detected. For example, some touch panels have a detection method such as an infrared method or an ultrasonic method, but the present invention is not limited to the detection method.
In addition, although an example has been described in which the drawing operation information K includes information on the type of the pen, which is information on the input object (pen, eraser, finger, etc.), the input object is selected by means other than the drawing input unit 30 Any other form may be used as long as it is detected and the information is supplied to the drawing processing unit 60.

Further, although the form in which the drawing data includes the information of the drawing position (x, y) at the time t has been described, the form in which the drawing position (x, y) can be derived by arithmetic processing or the like may be included. .
Moreover, although the drawing position (x, y) on the touch panel and the drawing position (X, Y) on the display screen have been described as being equal, a different form may be used. For example, there may be a case where the size of the display screen is different between the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side. In this case, the drawing processing unit converts the drawing position (X, Y) on the display screen from the information on the drawing position (x, y) on the touch panel included in the drawing data according to the size of the display screen. 60 may be performed.
In addition, if the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side and the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side have the necessary configuration, the devices and methods for realizing the same need not be the same. For example, the drawing output unit 10 of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side may be realized by a plasma display, and the drawing output unit 10 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side may be realized by a projector. Further, the drawing input unit 30 of the whiteboard 1A on the own terminal side may be realized by an ultrasonic touch panel, and the drawing input unit 30 of the whiteboard 1B on the remote terminal side may be realized by an infrared touch panel.

  In the description of step S1 (FIG. 5A), the mode in which the time when the touch panel detects the touch operation is set as the timing for starting the process in step S1 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the electronic whiteboard can switch the type of the pen 4 and set the line type (thickness, color, etc.) according to the type, the timing when the writer 3 switches the pen 4 is set. A detection method may be used. For example, when there is a selection menu for selecting a pen type at the end of the touch panel, the time when the selection menu is pointed by the pen 4 may be set as the timing for starting the process of step S1.

  The processing in step S1 includes the time when the writer 3 approaches the drawing input unit 30, the time when the writer 3 grips the input object, the time when the writer 3 explicitly indicates the intention to write by pressing a switch or the like. It is also possible to start the process. When detecting the approach of the writer 3, a sensor for detecting the approach of the writer 3 is added to the drawing input unit 3. For example, a contact sensor provided on the floor may be installed as a sensor for detecting the approach of the writer 3. In the case of a detection method in which the writer 3 does not write at the time when the writer 3 detects the writing intention by the drawing input unit 30, the drawing position (x, y) is a predetermined fixed value. And

The shape of the suggestion graphic 102 may be changed according to the state of the writer 3. For example, let us consider a case where the information on the drawing position (x, y) included in the drawing data received by the electronic whiteboard 1 is a predetermined fixed value (coordinates outside the drawing screen, etc.). In this case, a suggestion image indicating that the writer 3 is thinking may be displayed. For example, there is a figure like a human-like shadow picture as a suggestion image that expresses during thinking.
Further, in the loop processing from step S46 (FIG. 5B) to step S48 (FIG. 5B), the suggested figure 102 in the standby state for the next drawing data may be changed to another shape. For example, in the standby state, a suggestion image indicating that the writer 3 is thinking may be displayed. In this case, Tw may be divided into Tw1 and Tw2, and during the period up to Tw1, the suggestion graphic 102 may be displayed and changed to another shape when Tw2 is reached. Thereby, it is possible to know the state of the writer 3 while staying at a point different from the writer 3. As a result, the electronic whiteboard 1 can further reduce the uncomfortable feeling in communication at the conference.

  The electronic whiteboard 1 described above has a computer system therein. The information sharing process described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above process is performed by the computer reading and executing the program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium means a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to the computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received the distribution may execute the program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic whiteboard 1A White board on the own terminal side 1B White board on the remote terminal side 2 Network 3 Writer 4 Pen 7 Server device 10 Drawing output part 11 Drawing generation part 20 Storage part 30 Drawing input part 40 Drawing data transmission part 50 Drawing Data receiving unit 60 Drawing processing unit 71 Drawing data receiving unit 72 Drawing data storing unit 73 Drawing data transmitting unit 101, 103, 1031, 1032, 1033 Curve 102 Suggested figure

Claims (8)

An information sharing device that receives first drawing data supplied from an external device and displays first drawing information based on the first drawing data,
A drawing output unit for displaying the first drawing information on a screen;
A drawing data receiving unit for receiving the first drawing data;
When displaying the first drawing information on the drawing output unit, together with the first drawing information, a drawing processing unit for causing the drawing output unit to display a suggestion graphic indicating that drawing is being performed in the external device; An information sharing apparatus comprising: The first drawing data includes drawing position information on a drawing screen;
The drawing processing unit
When displaying the first drawing information on the drawing output unit, displaying the suggestion graphic at a position on the screen of the drawing output unit based on the drawing position information, and then displaying the first drawing information. The information sharing apparatus according to claim 1. The drawing processing unit
The information sharing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a position on the screen on which the suggestion graphic is displayed and a shape of the suggestion graphic are changed according to the newly received first drawing data. apparatus. The drawing processing unit
When the supply of the first drawing data from the external device is interrupted, the suggestion graphic is continuously displayed on the drawing output unit for a predetermined period, and then the suggestion graphic is not displayed. The information sharing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A drawing input unit for detecting information of a drawing operation including drawing position information on a drawing screen arranged to be overlapped on the screen of the drawing output unit;
A drawing data transmitting unit for transmitting second drawing data different from the first based on the drawing operation information to the external device;
The drawing processing unit
Second drawing information based on the drawing operation information detected by the drawing input unit is displayed on the drawing output unit,
The information sharing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second drawing data is transmitted to the drawing data transmission unit. The external device is
The information sharing device according to claim 5, wherein the information sharing device is according to claim 1. An information sharing method for receiving drawing data supplied from an external device and displaying drawing information based on the drawing data on a drawing output unit,
Receiving the drawing data;
When the drawing information is displayed on the drawing output unit, the drawing sharing unit includes a step of displaying, on the drawing output unit, a suggestion graphic indicating that the drawing is being performed in the external device together with the drawing information. Method. A program for causing a computer to display drawing information based on drawing data supplied from an external device on a screen of a drawing output unit,
A drawing data receiving unit receiving drawing data from an external device;
When displaying the drawing information on the drawing output unit, the drawing output unit displays a suggestion graphic indicating that drawing is being performed in the external device, together with drawing information based on drawing data received from the external device For causing the computer to execute.

Images