JP2019083473A - Electronic conference system, processing method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a device for efficiently uploading a file in an electronic conference system.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: An electronic conference system for managing files includes: conference display means for displaying candidate conferences for uploading when a user is not attending to an electronic conference in a case where a file is to be uploaded; selection means for selecting a conference for uploading from candidate conferences displayed by the conference display means; and transmission means for transmitting a file in order to upload the file to a conference selected by the selection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a teleconference system for uploading a file, a processing method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, web conferencing systems have become widespread. A web conference is a video conference that is one of electronic conferences.

  Moreover, with the spread of smart devices, web conferencing systems using portable terminals are also generally provided. Devices such as an in-camera, an out-camera (imaging device), and an acceleration sensor are installed in portable terminals sold these days.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for conducting a web conference using a portable terminal. According to Patent Document 1, when a web conference is performed on a portable terminal, for example, an image is captured using a camera mounted on the portable terminal itself or a camera separately installed and connected on the portable terminal, and the image To other terminals participating in the conference.

  Further, Patent Document 2 describes a technique for performing a hands-free videophone call using a mobile phone. According to the distance between the mobile phone and the user determined from the image captured by the in-camera, the normal call and the hands-free call are switched, and the transition from the normal phone to the video phone can be smoothly performed.

JP, 2015-82207, A JP, 2008-187221, A

  When conducting an electronic conference in this manner, it is common to use a connected camera.

  However, the camera used in the electronic conference is used not only to shoot the user during the electronic conference, but also to shoot materials used in the conference (paper document in the place and scene of the site).

  For example, the captured image is stored in the portable terminal, and the image is uploaded to the electronic conference system as a material of the electronic conference and shared by users participating in the conference.

  In this case, it is necessary for the user to select for which conference (such as a conference room) the file is to be uploaded, resulting in a problem that it takes time and effort.

  In particular, if the user is in a meeting, it is desirable that the captured image be easily uploaded and the meeting be performed smoothly. In addition, it is desirable to easily upload a file to a meeting room to be taken before the meeting for preparation in advance and to enter this room.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for efficiently uploading a file in a teleconference system.

  An electronic conference system for managing a file, wherein, when uploading a file, a conference display means for displaying a candidate conference to be uploaded when not participating in the electronic conference, and a candidate conference displayed by the conference display means And selecting means for selecting a meeting to be uploaded, and transmitting means for transmitting a file to upload the file to the meeting selected by the selecting means.

  According to the present invention, file uploading in a teleconference system can be made efficient.

It is a figure which shows an example of a system configuration of the electronic conference system in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a client terminal in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the electronic conference system in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a meeting start process in this embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of image shooting in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the upload process of an image in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the management information managed by the electronic conference system in this embodiment. It is an image figure showing an example of a list screen of a user in a meeting displayed on personal digital assistant 150 in this embodiment. It is an image figure which shows an example of the screen at the time of imaging | photography in the meeting displayed on the portable terminal 150 in this embodiment. It is an image figure showing an example of a screen when not participating in a meeting displayed on personal digital assistant 150 in this embodiment. It is an image figure showing an example of a screen at the time of photography when not participating in a meeting displayed on personal digital assistant 150 in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic conference system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the electronic conference system of the present invention, a server 200, a PC 100 (PC 100A, PC 100B / hereinafter, generically described as PC 100) and a portable terminal 150 are communicably connected via a network 101. It is configured. Hereinafter, the PC 100 and the portable terminal 150 will be collectively referred to as a client terminal.

  The server 200 has various functions for executing a web conference using a client terminal. For example, create and store a room for a web conference (virtual conference room). For example, a list of meeting rooms (meeting ID 100, meeting ID 200,...) In the meeting room information 701 of FIG. 7 is stored in advance in the external memory of user information of users who can log in. The meeting room is also called just a meeting.

  In addition, the server 200 is a client terminal identification information and a conference image (camera image / video) which is image data obtained by capturing, for example, a user who is a conference participant of a terminal entering a conference room from each client terminal. To receive. Then, the conference image and the identification information of each client terminal are associated and stored.

  In addition, the server 200 distributes the image, voice, and other data received from each client terminal to the client terminals in the same conference room (participating in the conference).

  The server 200 may be a server in a company or a server in a cloud environment.

  The PCs 100A and 100B are terminals having a camera function. In the present embodiment, 100A and 100B are provided with one camera, but two cameras may be provided. The camera function may be a built-in camera or a camera connected via USB.

  Image data (meeting image) taken as an image captured and acquired by the camera by logging in to the server 200 (including entering the meeting room) according to an operation from the user (for example, in response to an input / transmission instruction of authentication information) (Video / dynamic data) are sequentially transmitted via the server 200 to another PC 100 that is in the same room (virtual meeting room) while participating in the meeting. Here, the PC 100 communicates with the server 200 via the LAN.

  The portable terminal 150 is a portable terminal (a tablet, a smartphone, etc.) provided with a camera function and a touch panel function (operation unit).

  The portable terminal 150 will be described as having two cameras. The two cameras are an in-camera (main camera such as a front camera) provided on the liquid crystal display side, and an out-camera (sub camera such as a rear camera) provided on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display (the back of the portable terminal 150). . Although this embodiment will be described as a built-in camera, a camera connected via USB may be used.

  As in the PCs 100A and 100B, the server 200 logs in (including entering the conference room) in response to an operation from the user (for example, in response to an input / transmission instruction of authentication information), an image captured and acquired by the camera Image data (meeting image / video / dynamic data) are sequentially transmitted to another PC 100 in the same room (virtual meeting room) via the server 200 while participating in the meeting. . Here, it is assumed that the portable terminal 150 communicates with the server 200 via a wireless LAN or a public communication line and a communication method (3G, 4G, etc.).

  In addition to the image data acquired from the camera, each client terminal can transmit, via the server 200, data stored in the client terminal, for example, static data such as a photo image and document data such as a PDF file. And a data sharing function to transmit to another client terminal for sharing.

  When transmitting the static data to another client terminal, for example, all the client terminals perform control to display the static data on the display screen. In the data sharing function, data (shared image) in the same state is normally displayed on the plurality of client terminals as data being shared among the plurality of client terminals. For example, when the shared image is enlarged in the PC 100A, the sharing image being displayed on the other terminal (PC 100B, portable terminal 150) is also enlarged at the same enlargement position and enlargement ratio.

  In addition, when a file (such as a file of a photographed image) is uploaded during a meeting (at the time of file upload), the file is downloaded to another PC 100 participating in the meeting and displayed.

  If operation / editing on the displayed shared image (for example, an image of document data) from all the terminals is enabled, there is a possibility that the operation (processing (display control) corresponding to each operation) may conflict. Because of this, here, it may be controlled that only the host terminal can edit the data being shared, with the portable terminal 150 (the terminal that uploaded the file) that started the data sharing as the host. As an example of operation competition, the case where enlargement and reduction operations are performed simultaneously from a plurality of terminals can be mentioned.

  Each client terminal accesses the server 200 by receiving input of user information (user ID, password). After access (login), for example, a conference selection screen (1001 in FIG. 10) is displayed via the menu. Then, the user enters the meeting room and starts the meeting.

  A client application for executing a web conference is installed in the client terminal, and can communicate with the server 200 to control the device used by the client terminal. The above is the description of FIG.

  As a suitable example of the present embodiment, a meeting is performed via the server 200. However, when a meeting is performed by two terminals, it goes without saying that the terminals may directly communicate in the form of P2P. Yes. That is, the server 200 may not be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, although the electronic conference system is described, it may be used as a communication tool as well as the conference mode. In other words, it can be rephrased as a communication system.

  Next, hardware configurations of the portable terminal 150 as the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the PCs 100A and 100B will be described using FIG.

  (A) of FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the portable terminal 150 as the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU, which centrally controls devices and controllers connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is required to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) which is a control program of the CPU 201, an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), and functions executed by each server or each PC. The various programs described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 201. The CPU 201 loads a program and the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 to the RAM 203, and implements the various operations by executing the loaded program.

  A display controller 205 controls input from the touch panel 209 and display (output) on the touch panel 209. Although not shown, a controller for receiving an input of a hard key provided in the apparatus may also be provided.

  A memory controller 207 is a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc., and an external memory such as an SD card connected to a card slot via an adapter. Control access to 211.

  A communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, LAN / WAN shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the touch panel 209 by executing, for example, outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction by a touch operation on the touch panel 209.

  Reference numerals 212 and 213 denote cameras which are built in the portable terminal 150. An in-camera (front camera) 212 and an out-camera (rear camera) 213 are controlled by the camera controller 206. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the application of the portable terminal 150, control (switching) of a camera to be used can be performed. That is, switching between in-camera and out-camera is possible.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are stored in the external memory 211, and are executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used at the time of execution of the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description of these will be described later.

  FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the PC 100A, 100B as the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. In addition, the server 200 is also the same structure and abbreviate | omits description.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 221 denotes a CPU, which centrally controls devices and controllers connected to the system bus 224. Further, the ROM 222 or the external memory 231 is required to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) which is a control program of the CPU 221, an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), and functions executed by each server or each PC. The various programs described later are stored.

  A RAM 223 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 221. The CPU 221 loads programs necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 222 or the external memory 231 into the RAM 223 and executes the loaded programs to realize various operations.

  An input controller 225 controls an input from a keyboard (KB) 229 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 226 controls display on a display such as the display 230. Although the display 230 is described in FIG. 2, the display may be another display such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A memory controller 227 is connected via an adapter to a hard disk (HD) storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc., a flexible disk (FD), or a PCMCIA card slot. Access to an external memory 231 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory.

  A communication I / F controller 228 connects and communicates with an external device through a network (for example, the network 101 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  The CPU 221 enables display on the display 230 by executing, for example, outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 223. In addition, the CPU 221 enables user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) or the like on the display 230.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are stored in the external memory 231, and are executed by the CPU 221 by being loaded into the RAM 223 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used at the time of execution of the program are also stored in the external memory 231, and a detailed description of these will be described later.

  Reference numeral 233 denotes a camera which is built in the PC 100A or 100B. Also, it is controlled by the camera controller 232. In the present embodiment, as described above, one camera is connected, but the PC 100A or 100B may have two cameras like the portable terminal 150.

  The above is the description of an example of the hardware configuration of various devices in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of a functional configuration of the electronic conference system in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The electronic conference system includes a client terminal (mobile terminal 150, PC 100A, PC 100B) and a server. The conference system includes a conference display unit 311, a selection unit 312, a transmission unit 313, a camera switching determination unit 314, and a control unit 315, which are executed by the CPU.

  First, the electronic conference system according to the present embodiment is an electronic conference system that manages end files.

  When uploading a file, the conference display unit 311 is a functional unit that displays a candidate conference to be uploaded when not participating in an electronic conference. In addition, it is a functional unit that identifies and displays a meeting scheduled to be attended and a meeting that has been attended in the past. In addition, it is a functional unit that uploads a file of images taken to a participating conference when shooting with a camera while participating in a conference, and displays a candidate conference when shooting with a camera without participating in a conference .

  The selection unit 312 is a functional unit that selects a conference to be uploaded from the displayed candidate conferences.

  The transmission unit 313 is a functional unit that transmits a file to upload a file to the selected conference. In addition, when uploading a file, when there is no meeting in the electronic conference and there is a meeting to be joined, the function unit transmits the file after joining the meeting to be joined. In addition, it is a functional unit that transmits a file so that a file is uploaded to a conference that has participated immediately before when taking a picture with a camera without participating in the conference.

  The camera switching determination unit 314 is a functional unit that determines whether or not the first camera (for example, in-camera) is switched to the second camera (for example, out-camera).

  The control unit 315 is a functional unit that controls to upload a file of an image captured by the camera to a conference when it is determined that the camera has been switched.

  Next, processing in the system of the present embodiment will be described using the flowcharts of FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. The processing shown in each flowchart is executed by the CPU of each device using the function of the functional unit of each device. The communication between the client terminal and the server is controlled by the communication I / F 208 of the client terminal and the communication I / F 228 and the communication I / F of the server. Moreover, when communication control can be performed between communication I / Fs of the client terminal, it may be executed without passing through the server.

  First, with reference to FIG. 4, the flow of the conference start process in the present embodiment will be described.

  In step S400, conference room setting is performed to register the conference room. Although not shown, the conference room can be registered from each screen of the client terminal. Create a meeting room, and set the users who are permitted to enter the meeting room and the start and end times. The set conference room is stored as conference room information 701 in FIG.

  Here, the conference room information 701 in FIG. 7 will be described.

  A meeting ID, start / end time, status, meeting organizer ID, meeting participation user ID, and information of file storage area are stored. It is needless to say that any conference name can be given to make the conference easy to understand for the user.

  The conference ID is one to which a server is arbitrarily assigned when a conference room is created. The start and end times are times set by the user. The situation is stored as to whether the meeting is over (completed), before the start of the meeting (not), or during the meeting. The status is updated as needed by referring to the start and end times. The meeting organizer ID basically stores the user ID of the user who created the meeting room. The meeting participation scheduled user ID stores the user ID of the participant whose entry is permitted by the user. The file storage area is a storage area allocated when a conference room is created, and is an area in which a file is stored when the file is uploaded.

  In step S401, login to the conference system (server) is performed. Login is executed by inputting the user ID and password on the login screen.

  In step S402, after login, the conference room selection screen 1001 in FIG. 10 is displayed via a menu or the like. A meeting room list 1004 in which the logged-in user can enter is displayed. A meeting room is selected in the meeting room list 1004, and the instruction of the entry button 1005 is received. Sends an entry request specifying the conference room information (conference ID) to the server.

  In step S403, the server receives an entry request from each client terminal.

  In step S404, when the entry request is received, as in the user management information 702 in FIG. 7, the “meeting ID” in the “participating” participation is stored. At this time, it may be determined whether or not it is a request from a user who can enter the conference room designated by the entry request by referring to “Conference participation scheduled user ID” 701.

  Using this management information, it is possible to manage users (terminals) who enter the meeting room, and it is possible to distribute video, audio, files and the like.

  In step S405, after entering the room, a list screen of users who have entered the room is displayed. An example of the user list screen is 801 in FIG. Also, in each terminal, when the room is entered, a conference screen is displayed in step S405. The list screen displays a layout screen according to the number of participants. For example, 802 in FIG.

  In step S406, the server 200 sends a conference start notification to the client terminal, and the client terminal receives the conference start notification and starts a web conference. A web conference is held by sharing voices and images of the respective terminals with each other.

  The meeting is composed of the chairperson (meeting organizer) and other participants. As described in 701, the chairperson is assumed to be the user who registered (created) the conference room, but the user who first entered the conference room or the chairman user in the conference room is separately defined and registered in advance. You may keep it in mind.

  In step S407, the conference is ended. The end of the meeting is ended when the chairperson instructs the end of the meeting. Note that the conference may be ended when all the users leave the conference room. Furthermore, when the end time of the meeting is determined, the meeting may be ended at that time.

When leaving the conference, it is assumed that login to the conference system is maintained. When the user leaves the room, in the user management information 702, the information of "participating" and "meeting ID" becomes NULL. Further, when leaving the room, history information is stored in the participation history 703. It goes without saying that history information is stored even when entering the room and updated when leaving the room. The participation history may be managed by either the server 200 or the client terminal. In step S408, when the logout button is pressed, a logout process is performed from the conference system.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the process at the time of image shooting in the present embodiment will be described. Although this embodiment is described as a configuration in which two cameras are switched, a configuration in which a plurality of cameras such as two built-in cameras and one externally connected camera may be switched may be employed.

  In FIG. 5, in the state described in FIG. 4 in which the user is logged in and not in a meeting, and in a state of logging in and entering a meeting, shooting with an out camera is performed. The process of uploading to the server will be described.

  Although the file to be uploaded in this embodiment is a still image, it goes without saying that it may be a moving image file.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the process at the time of file upload of a photographed image in the present embodiment will be described.

  The process in FIG. 5 is a process when an out camera is activated by an application that cooperates with the conference system in a state of logging in to the conference system, but in the case of a client terminal having one camera, This process is executed when the video shared in the meeting is paused and switched to the file upload mode. When shooting is performed in the file upload mode, the process starts from the process of step S 503 described later.

  It is assumed that the default camera (main camera) used in the conference system (also referred to as a web conference) is set as the built-in camera 1 (in-camera). Moreover, it demonstrates as a process of the portable terminal 150. FIG. The external memory and RAM of the portable terminal 150 hold information (microphones, speakers, cameras) of the used devices used in the conference system.

  In step S501, shooting is performed by the in-camera (803 in FIG. 8), and the shot image is transmitted as a conference image. This shooting and transmission shall be repeated. That is, the video of the portable terminal 150 is transmitted.

  In step S502, it is determined whether the built-in camera 2 (out-camera) has been switched. The switching of the camera is switched by selecting the camera to be used from the cameras provided in the portable terminal 150 on the setting screen (812 in FIG. 8) of the application for web conference of the portable terminal 150. That is, it shows an example of a camera switching determination process of determining whether or not the first camera has been switched to the second camera.

  If there is no switching, shooting and transmission of the shot image are repeated. If the camera has been switched, the process proceeds to step S 503. Reference numeral 812 denotes an example of a shooting switching instruction.

  Here, 811 of FIG. 8 will be described. When an instruction to set a device in use is given on the screen 801, the screen 811 in FIG. 8 is displayed. When the camera is selected on the setting screen 812 (813) and the switching button (814) is pressed, the camera is switched.

  Thus, the control is switched to the file upload mode by camera shooting. That is, it shows an example of a control process for controlling to upload a file of an image taken by the camera to a conference when it is determined that the camera has been switched.

  In step S503, when an operation instruction of the still image shooting button 902 is received, shooting is performed. The captured image is temporarily stored in the memory.

  In step S504, it is determined whether there is a participating conference (a conference in which a room has been entered and is participating). This determination may be inquired to the server 200, or the client terminal may hold and determine the participating conference information.

  It is possible to identify a participating conference by referring to the user management information 702 of the server 200, and it is possible to determine whether or not the joining is in progress.

  If there is a participating conference, the process proceeds to step S507. If there is no conference that has joined, the process moves to step S505.

  In step S505, the current time is acquired, and it is determined whether there is a meeting in which the user should participate. For example, with reference to the start time of the meeting room information 701, when the current time has passed, it is determined that there is a meeting to be joined.

  If it is determined that there is a meeting to be joined, the process proceeds to step S506. If it is determined that there is no meeting that should participate, the process proceeds to step S508.

  In step S506, the room to be entered is entered. Specifically, an entry request including the participating conference ID is transmitted to the server 200.

  In step S507, the file of the captured image is transmitted (uploaded) to the participating conference. That is, when uploading a file in step S506, if there is no participation in the electronic meeting, and there is a meeting to be joined, the file is transmitted after participation in the meeting to be joined. It shows an example of processing. Further, YES in step S504 indicates an example of processing for uploading a file of an image captured in the participating conference when the camera captures an image while participating in the conference.

  In step S508, it is determined whether or not login is in progress. If login is in progress, the process moves to step S509. If login is not in progress, the process moves to step S 521. If YES in step S508, the camera button is pressed in 1002 and the camera is activated. When the camera is activated, the screen shifts to 1011. Similar to the still image shooting button 902, when an operation instruction is received, shooting is performed. The captured image is temporarily stored in the memory.

  Also, in the case of YES in step 508, it can be reworded as the case where the user is logged in and not participating in the conference.

  In step S509, it is determined whether the user has participated in the conference within a predetermined time. Specifically, with reference to the set time 704 held as setting, it is determined from the joined conference (participation history 703) whether or not there is a conference within 30 minutes, for example. If there is a target meeting, the process proceeds to step S510. If there is no target meeting, the process proceeds to step S512.

  In step S510, it is determined whether to transmit to the target conference. Specifically, a confirmation screen (1101) as to whether or not the user is to be sent to the target conference that has recently joined is displayed. In accordance with this display, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to transmit to the target conference (in step 1102, an instruction to the OK button). If there is an instruction to transmit to the target conference, the process proceeds to step S511. If there is no instruction to transmit to the target conference (specifically, if there is an instruction to the other conference room selection button 1103), the process proceeds to step S512.

  In step S511, the captured image is transmitted to the target conference. Suppose that an upload request including the meeting ID of the target meeting is sent. That is, in the case of performing shooting with a camera without participating in a meeting, an example of processing for transmitting a file is shown so as to upload the file to the meeting that has been participating immediately before.

  In step S512, in order to select a destination conference, a meeting information acquisition request for a destination candidate is transmitted to the server 200.

  In step S513, a meeting information acquisition request for a transmission destination candidate is received.

  In step S514, a meeting in which the requested user can attend is specified. Specifically, the conference room information 701 is referred to, and a conference meeting scheduled user ID is identified as a joinable conference. For example, in the case of a request from the user "EEE", the conference ID 300 is targeted.

  In step S515, among the identified conferences, the conference information (list) is acquired by sorting in order from the closest start time to the current time.

  In step S516, the conference information which has participated in the past is acquired. Specifically, the conference information (condition: complete conference information) where the conference was held before the current time is acquired. For example, in the case of the user "AAA", the conference ID 100 is an object.

  In step S517, a list of the acquired conference information (meetable conference information, conference information which has participated in the past) is transmitted. That is, the list of meeting information is transmitted so that it can be displayed from a meeting that is likely to be uploaded.

  In step S518, a list of meeting information is received.

  In step S519, if there is meeting information in the list, the process proceeds to step S520. If there is no meeting information in the list, a notification that there is no meeting information is given, and the process proceeds to step S 521.

In step S520, the meeting information list is displayed. An example of the conference information list screen is 1111 in FIG. The confirmation screen 1112 is displayed, the meeting information list is displayed, and the selection of the meeting is accepted. When the selection of the meeting is accepted and the OK button is pressed, the photographed image can be transmitted to the meeting. That is, since the display is started from a meeting with a high possibility of uploading (high priority), selection is facilitated, and file uploading in the conference system is facilitated.
When uploading a file, it is an example of the meeting display process which displays the candidate meeting to upload, when not participating in an electronic meeting. In addition, it displays a meeting scheduled to be attended and a meeting that has been attended in the past.

  In step S 521, since there is no storage destination, the captured image is stored locally (an arbitrarily selected folder) on the client terminal.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an image upload process following steps S511 and S520 will be described.

  In step S601, the selection of meeting information is accepted on the confirmation screen 1112. That is, it shows an example of a selection process of selecting a meeting to be uploaded from the candidate meetings.

  In step S602, the captured image including the selected conference information (conference ID) is transmitted to the server 200. That is, it shows an example of transmission processing for transmitting a file to upload the file to the selected conference.

  In step S603, the image transmitted from the client terminal is received.

  In step S604, the received image is stored based on the conference ID included in the received request. Specifically, the conference room information 701 is stored in the file storage area of the target conference.

  In step S605, it is determined whether the meeting in which the image is stored has ended. It is determined by referring to the state of the meeting room information 701 whether or not it has ended. In addition, it may be determined whether the end is made by comparing the current time with the start / end time of the meeting. If the conference has ended, the process moves to step S606. If the conference has not ended, the process moves to step S 607.

  In step S606, a participant is specified from the meeting room information 701, and an e-mail indicating that the image (file) has been saved in the meeting is transmitted to the e-mail address managed by the user management information 702. The e-mail may include a link that allows direct reference to the image.

  In step S 607, it is determined whether the meeting in which the image is stored is in a meeting (during a meeting). By referring to the status of the meeting room information 701, it is determined whether or not a meeting is in progress. Note that it may be determined whether or not a meeting is underway by comparing the current time with the start and end times of the meeting. If it is in the meeting, the process proceeds to step S608. If the user is not in the meeting (condition: not yet and before the start of the meeting), the process proceeds to step S612.

  In step S608, the user management information 702 is referenced to identify a user (participant) who is currently participating in the target meeting.

  In step S609, the image is transmitted (downloaded) to the client terminal of the identified user. It goes without saying that the user ID and the client terminal (for example, IP address) are internally managed, communication is secured, and an image can be transmitted to the target client terminal.

  In step S610, it is determined whether an image is to be transmitted to a user who has not participated as a prospective participant. This is determined by setting of the conference system or designation by a user (upload user) who has transmitted the image. In the case of transmitting an image to a user who has not participated, the process proceeds to step S611. When the image is not transmitted to the user who has not joined, the process proceeds to step S612.

  In step S611, the e-mail address of the user who has not joined is acquired, and the e-mail attached with the image is transmitted. Note that an e-mail including a link to a file may be sent without attaching an image.

  In step S612, the user who has not joined is notified that the file has been uploaded during the meeting.

  In step S613, the transmission result relating to the image upload is returned to the client terminal. The transmission result includes the uploaded meeting and information indicating to whom the image has been transmitted.

  In step S614, the transmission result is received and displayed on the screen of the client terminal.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to streamline uploading of an image captured by a camera (upload of a file in the electronic conference system).

  In particular, depending on the state of the client terminal of the conference system (during login and joining a conference), it is possible to decide on the conference to upload the photographed image, and to facilitate file upload in the conference system.

  Also, when not participating in a meeting, it is possible to select from meeting information with high possibility of uploading, which facilitates file uploading in the meeting system.

  In the present embodiment, although an embodiment for uploading an image captured by a camera is used, the embodiment can also be used for uploading a file stored in advance in a client terminal.

  For example, when a file is selected and the upload button is pressed, this can be realized by executing the processing of step S504 and thereafter.

  In this way, uploading of files in remote communication (web conference) is facilitated, not only for images, and it is possible to make the conference smoother.

  The present invention can also be embodied as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, etc. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, and The invention may be applied to an apparatus consisting of one device.

  Note that the present invention includes one that directly or remotely supplies a program of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus. The present invention is also included in the present invention if the computer of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the supplied program code.

  Therefore, the program code itself installed in the computer to realize the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  Examples of recording media for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, an MO, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, and a CD-RW. There are also magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, DVDs (DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs) and the like.

  In addition, as a program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the program can be supplied by downloading the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function from the home page to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  The present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from different home pages. That is, the present invention also includes a WWW server which allows a plurality of users to download program files for realizing the functional processing of the present invention by a computer.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users, and the user who has cleared predetermined conditions downloads key information that decrypts encryption from the homepage via the Internet. Let Then, it is possible to execute the program encrypted by using the downloaded key information and install it on a computer.

  Also, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is also realized by the processing.

The embodiments described above merely show examples of implementation in practicing the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted limitedly by these.
That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical concept or the main features thereof.

100A PC (client terminal)
100B PC (client terminal)
150 Mobile Terminal (Client Terminal)
200 servers 201 CPUs
203 RAM
211 External memory

Claims (8)

An electronic conference system for managing files,
A meeting display means for displaying a candidate meeting to be uploaded when not participating in the electronic meeting when uploading the file;
Selecting means for selecting a meeting to be uploaded from the candidate meetings displayed by the meeting display means;
A teleconference system comprising: transmission means for transmitting a file to upload a file to the conference selected by the selection means.   The electronic conference system according to claim 1, wherein the conference display means displays a conference to be joined and a conference which has been joined in the past.   When uploading the file, if the user is not participating in the electronic conference and there is a conference to be joined, the transmission means transmits the file after joining the conference to be joined. The teleconference system according to claim 1 or claim 2.   When taking a picture with a camera while participating in a meeting, upload the file of the image taken in the participating meeting, and when taking a picture with a camera without participating in the meeting, the meeting display means displays the candidate meeting The teleconference system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   5. The transmission means transmits a file so that the file is uploaded to the conference that has participated immediately before when taking a picture with a camera without participating in the meeting. The teleconference system described in item 1. A camera switching determination unit that determines whether or not the first camera has switched to the second camera;
4. The control method according to claim 1, further comprising: controlling means for causing a file of an image captured by the camera to be uploaded to a conference when it is determined that the camera is switched by the camera switching determination means. The teleconference system of any one of 5. It is a processing method of the electronic conference system which manages a file, and
A meeting display step for displaying a candidate meeting to be uploaded when not participating in the electronic meeting when uploading the file;
Selecting the meeting to be uploaded from the candidate meetings displayed by the meeting display step;
And transmitting the file to upload the file to the conference selected in the selecting step. A program that can be executed by an electronic conferencing system that manages files, and
The electronic conference system
A meeting display means for displaying a candidate meeting to be uploaded when not participating in the electronic meeting when uploading the file;
Selecting means for selecting a meeting to be uploaded from the candidate meetings displayed by the meeting display means;
A program for causing a file to be transmitted to upload a file to a conference selected by the selection unit.

Images