JP3087388B2 - Collaborative work equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a collaborative working apparatus for inputting opinions and the like using a workstation, and sharing the same display information among a plurality of persons to perform a joint work.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a conference is held by a large number of people, all the opinions and the like are displayed on a display device such as a white board in order to adjust the opinions of the conference participants, and then the conference participants collaborate. Are selecting opinions. In meetings where users participate at multiple workstations connected to the network, all opinions input from each conference participant are displayed on the workstation display, and opinions are adjusted while discussing based on the chairperson's progress. ing.
In this case, the opinion input by the conference participant at each workstation can be seen by all the conference participants.
Such a meeting support device is described in, for example, ““ Captu
ring the Capture Lab Canc
ept: Case Study in the Des
Ign of Computer Supported
Meeting Environments ", CS
CW'88, P257.

[0003]

However, in the conventional conference support device, however, the relation between opinions issued by conference participants at each workstation, for example, what opinion is on the agenda, what opinion is opposed to which opinion. Because the relationship between opinions and new proposals was not displayed, it was not possible to misunderstand or understand the opinions of each meeting participant, and the coordination between opinions was not successful. I had. Also, when a large number of persons create a text or the like by joint work, it is difficult to misunderstand or adjust opinions among the co-workers as described above. Therefore, the present invention, when a large number of people using a workstation to perform one work jointly, the "agenda" entered by each co-worker,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a collaborative working device capable of displaying a relationship between individual pieces of information such as "opinion" and "will" at a glance. Another object of the present invention is to provide a collaborative working device capable of converting input information into text.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems (First Invention) In order to solve the above problems, the cooperative work device of the present invention comprises a plurality of workstations (2, 2 ',... In FIG. 1). Are connected and the respective workstations (2, 2 ',
..) Are displayed on the display based on the information input from the user. The information input means (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in FIG. 1) and the input means (3 4,
Identification means for identifying information from (5, 6, 7) (1 in FIG. 1)
0), structuring means (11, 12 in FIG. 1) for structuring the information identified by the identification means (10), and the structure structured by the structuring means (11, 12) is displayed. Display means (parts of 13 and 2 in FIG. 1) are provided. (Second invention) A collaborative working device according to the present invention has the input means, the identification means and the structuring means of the first invention, and forms a document based on the structure structured by the structuring means (11, 12). Sentence conversion means (15 in FIG. 1) is provided.

[0005]

[Operation] (First invention) A collaborator who uses a workstation connected to a network inputs information on a collaborative work by input means, for example, "agenda", "opinion", "the agenda" and " Information such as "will" indicating the position of the co-worker such as "Yes" or "No" for "opinion" can be input. Also,
The co-workers should provide information that describes the relationship between the individual pieces of information, such as who the input "opinion" belongs to, what "agenda" or "opinion",
Alternatively, information indicating a relationship for clarifying which “opinion” represents “will” for the “opinion” is also input by the input unit. The information input by the input means is sent to another workstation connected to the network. The data to be transmitted includes, for example, a user identification code for identifying a user in the case of a conference,
The data type that indicates whether it is an "agenda", "opinion" or "will", and for which "agenda" or "opinion" the "opinion" or "will" is targeted , Subject information identification code, information indicating how "agenda", "opinion", "will" is related, and data content that is specific content such as "agenda" or "opinion" It is composed of The identification means identifies each piece of information in the information input from each of the workstations. Then, the structuring unit structures each piece of information identified by the identifying unit. For example, the data type is identified by the identification unit, and the structuring unit performs structuring according to the data type. That is, in the above example, when the data type of the information is “agenda”, an agenda flow list indicating the structure of the agenda is created, and when the data type is “opinion” or “will”, the opinion is structured. A list of opinions to be made is created.
In the structuring, the relationship between each "agenda", "opinion" or each "will" can be understood at a glance based on the information indicating the relationship such as "agenda", "opinion" and "will". assemble. The structured information is displayed by the display means. According to the above example, the display unit creates display information that graphically shows the structure of the agenda and opinions based on the agenda flow list and the opinion list, and displays the display information on the display. In this way, the content of the "agenda" or "opinion"
Since the information of the joint work such as the relationship between the “agenda”, “opinion”, and “will” is displayed on the display, each collaborator can smoothly proceed the joint work while seeing the information. . (Second invention) The input means, the identification means, and the structuring means in the second invention have the same functions as those in the first invention. The writing unit converts the information into sentences based on the structure structured by the structuring unit. That is, the writing unit determines a writing configuration such as a chapter, a section, a heading, or an indent based on the structure, and converts the writing into a text by arranging information contents. Since the `` agenda '', `` opinion '' or `` will '' and the relationship between the `` agenda '', `` opinion '' and `` will '' issued by each co-worker by the above structuring means are assembled at a glance and stored in, for example, a storage device or the like, The writing unit accesses the storage device,
"Agenda", "opinion", "will", etc. are read out as sentences. That is, since the “opinion” or “will” for each “agenda” is structured and stored in the storage device, the minutes of the meeting are created.

[0006]

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment in which the present invention is configured as a conference support device. In FIG.
Network 1 includes workstations 2, 2 ',.
・ ・ Is connected. Workstations 2, 2 ',
, The input unit 3 such as a keyboard or a mouse for inputting “agenda”, “opinion” or “will”, etc., and the “opinion”, “agenda”, Opinion input device 5, described below,
An input control device 4 for distributing the data to the agenda input device 6 and the will input device 7, and when the data content input by the input unit 3 is “opinion”, it is “opinion”; For example, an opinion input device 5 that performs a process of assigning a data type, a target data identification code, a relationship, and the like, indicating whether it is an “opinion” to the “agenda”, and the data content input by the input unit 3 is “agenda” In some cases, for example, the agenda input device 6 that performs a process of assigning a data type, a target data identification code, a relationship, and the like, indicating that the subject is an “agenda” and to which sub-agenda the subject is, and the input unit 3 If the input data content is “will” for “opinion”, that is, “Yes” or “No”, this data content indicates “will”. If the will input device 7 which performs processing to put the data type, the code of "1" or "0"
And opinion input device 5, agenda input device 6, and will input device 7
Each data content and identification information from and, for example,
Conference participant's user identification code, relation to target data,
That is, a transmission data generation device 8 that generates a relationship between "opinions" and the like as transmission data, transmits the transmission data obtained by the transmission data generation device 8 through the network 1, and receives transmission data passing through the network 1. The communication device 9 and the data type of the transmission data received by the communication device 9 are determined. If the data type is “opinion” or “will”, the entire data is transmitted to the opinion structure creation device described below, and “ Agenda "
A data discrimination device 10 that transmits the entire data to an agenda flow creation device described below, an opinion structure creation device 11 that creates an opinion structure or the like based on the relationship between “opinions”, and a “agenda” flow Structured based on the agenda flow creation device 12, the user identification code created by the opinion structure creation device 11, and the agenda flow creation device 12, the data type, the target data identification code, the "link" representing the relationship, the data content, etc. For example, a display control device 13 for controlling an opinion list or an agenda flow list to be displayed on a display, a storage device 14 for storing the opinion list or the agenda list as data,
A minutes creating device 15 for accessing the storage device 14 and creating minutes from the opinion list or the agenda list.
It is composed of

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation device in the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, transmission (reception) data 20 includes a user identification code 21 representing a conference participant who has input “opinion” and the like,
A data type 22 indicating whether it is "opinion", "agenda" or "will", and an object indicating which "agenda" or "opinion" the agenda or opinion or will was issued for A data identification code 23;
The data 24 is formatted into a relationship 24 indicating how the “data content” is related to the target data, a data content 25 which is the content of the agenda or opinion, and transmission (reception) data 20 such as the user identification code 21. For example, the attribute information includes date and other attribute information.

FIG. 3 shows a display example created by the agenda flow creating apparatus in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the agenda flow 30 is such that the main agenda is “holding a comfort party” 31, the sub-agenda for holding a comfort party is “date and time” 32, and the like.
“Place” 33 and “Event” 34. Also, "Event" 3
In the case of No. 4, “Lunch” 35 and “Sports Tournament” 36 are also on the agenda. As shown in FIG. 3, agenda flow 3
0 is a subordinate agenda (32-34) to the main agenda “Holding comfort party” 31 or further “event” 34
The structural relationship of the lower sub-agendas (35 and 36) to is readily apparent to conference participants. Therefore, conference participants
If the agenda proceeds in accordance with the agenda flow while watching the agenda flow, the agenda will be scattered here and there, and it will not be a uncoordinated meeting.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems (First Invention) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a cooperative work apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of workstations connected to each other and information inputted from each workstation. Is a collaborative working device that displays characters, graphics, and the like on a display based on the subject, and includes at least one of an agenda, an opinion specifying a target agenda, an opinion specifying a target opinion, or a will of the consent. An input means for inputting information from a co-worker, and an identification means for identifying whether the type of information from the input means is agenda, opinion or intention, and identifying a target agenda and target opinion (FIG. 1) 10) and, based on the result of the identification by the identification means, a structuring means for associating opinions about a certain agenda with will information and structuring, and an opinion structure created by the structuring means. Display means for displaying the contents of opinions according to the structure, and displaying the relationship between the opinions in a different line form according to the approval or disapproval of the intention. (Second invention) The collaborative working device of the present invention is the input means according to the first invention,
A sentence having identification means and structuring means, and, based on the opinion structure created by the structuring means, extracting and arranging the contents of the opinion in accordance with each of the approval and disapproval of the intention and sequentially arranging the sentences. Means is provided.

Next, the operation of the conference support apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 5 shows a control flow of the present embodiment when a conference participant performs an information input operation. First, in step (101),
The input control device 4 adds “opinion” to information input by the conference participant at the workstation 2 through the input unit 3,
It is checked whether there is an input of a data type 22 (FIG. 2) such as "agenda" or "will". If there is no data type 22 in the input information of the conference participant, the process returns to step (101) and waits until there is the data type 22 in the input information.
In step (101), if there is a data type 22 in the input information of the conference participant, step (10)
Proceeding to 2), the data type 22 of the input information is identified.
The input control device 4 converts the input data from the input unit 3 into an opinion input device 5, an agenda input device 6,
Alternatively, an input path is set to input to one of the will input devices 7. Data type 22 is "opinion" or "agenda"
In the case of (3), the process proceeds to step (103). In the case of "opinion", the input is accepted by the opinion input device 5, and in the case of "agenda", it is accepted by the agenda input device 6. For example, the content of the "opinion" includes "Origiri is good" shown in FIG.
352 or “the curtain is good” 354. Next, the process proceeds to step (104), and “opinion” represented by a double line, “agree” represented by a single line, and “opposite” represented by a double arrow in FIG.
The target data representing the relationship such as the above is received. Next, proceeding to step (105), the opinion input by the conference participant is determined together with the target data representing the relationship. Next, the process proceeds to step (106), where the transmission data generation device 8 adds the user identification code of the conference participant using the workstation 2 to the above information.
Is generated. Next, the process proceeds to step (107), and the transmission data 20 created in step (106) is transmitted to the network 1 by the communication device 9. In step (102),
When the data type 22 is “will”, the input control device 4
Is set so that the input from the input unit 3 is accepted by the will input device 7, the process proceeds to step (109), and the target data input by the input unit 3 is determined. next,
Proceeding to step (110), the will of the conference participant, for example, "Yes" or "No" is selected. Then, the result proceeds to step (106), where the transmission data generation device 8 generates transmission data. Thereafter, the packet is transmitted to the network 1 in step (107) in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 6 shows a control flow of this embodiment when the communication device receives information from the network. The operation until the received data is structured according to FIG. 6 and displayed on the display device of the workstation 2 will be described. First, in step (121), the data discrimination device 10 checks whether or not the communication device 9 has received the reception data 20 (FIG. 2). If the reception data 20 has not been received, the process waits until the reception data 20 is received. In step (121), when the data discriminating apparatus 10 determines that the received data 20 exists, the process proceeds to step (122). Step (12
In 2), the data discriminating apparatus 10 receives the received data 20
From the data type 22, that is, "opinion", "agenda", or "will". When the data type 22 is “will”, the process proceeds to step (123), and when the data type 22 is “opinion”, the process proceeds to step (125).
In the case of "agenda", the process proceeds to step (129). In step (123), the opinion structure creation device 1
1 determines which “opinion” is “will” with the target data identification code 23. Then, in step (124), the opinion structure creation device 11 determines whether the attribute of the received data 20, that is, "will" is for or against. In addition, when expressing “will”, the conference participant can add an expression such as 80% or 50% opposite as an attribute. As attributes other than the user identification code 21 and the target data identification code 23, “attributes” in the transmission data 20 shown in FIG. 2 are used. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step (127) described later.

If it is determined in step (122) that the data type 22 is "opinion", the flow advances to step (125). In step (125), the opinion structure creation device 11 determines, based on the target data identification code 23, which “agenda” or “opinion” the “opinion” of the received data 20 corresponds to. next,
Proceeding to step (126), the opinion structure creating device 11
The attribute of “opinion” of the received data 20 is determined. In other words, the “opinion” is identified by its name by the user identification code 21 or its date by the “attribute” 26. Then, the process proceeds to step (127), and the opinion structure creating device 11 performs a process for adding the data content to the opinion list as shown in FIG. For example, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an opinion list according to the present invention. The format of the opinion list is determined so that it is arranged in the order of “target data identification code”, “content data”, “relation”, “agree”, “disagree”, and “attribute”. The first column is "Agenda". That is, the identification code of the target data of the agenda “Lunch” is 35
It is one. Then, the content data as the first opinion on “lunch” indicates that “Origami is good”. This target data identification code is 352, and it is understood that the relationship is an opinion for “lunch” 351. It can be understood that the opinions on the third and fourth “lunch” 351 are “good bread” 353 and “good inside the curtain” 354. The fourth opinion “Dries the throat” 355 has no relation column, and “352” is written in the column of “Agree” and “353” is written in the opposite column, so I agree with “352” It turns out to be the opposite of "Bread is good" 353. Then, each time an opinion comes out, it is added to the opinion list. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step (128), and every time the opinion list is added, a process for recalculating the coordinate position and the like on the display device and then performing a redisplay is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step (133).
And the same processing is performed until there is no opinion. When the end is instructed by the operator, the processing is ended.

If it is determined in step (122) that the data type 22 is "agenda", the flow advances to step (129). In step (129), the target data is determined. For example, the data discriminating apparatus 10 discriminates, based on the target data identification code 23 of the received data 20, whether it is the “agenda” for the “comfort party” 31 or the “agenda” for the “event” 34 in FIG. I do. Next, proceeding to step (130), the agenda flow creation device 12 determines what the “attribute” of the received data 20 is. If there is an attribute, this is "agenda"
To be added. Then, the process proceeds to step (131), and the agenda flow creation device 12 puts the received “agenda” in the agenda flow list. For example, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an agenda list in the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, with respect to the main agenda of "holding a comfort meeting", there are sub-agendas "date and time", "place", and "event", and "lunch" and "sports" as sub-agendas of the "event". ". Then, proceeding to step (132), each time the "agenda" is issued, it is added to the agenda list. In order to display this list on the display device, the coordinate position on the display device is recalculated and then displayed again. Processing is performed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a description will be given of a process for creating a minutes based on an agenda flow list. FIG.
Shows a flowchart for creating a minutes in the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, for example, the chairperson of the conference participant gives an instruction to create minutes from the input unit 3 of FIG. The minutes creating device 15 creates a list of participant names from the opinion list (FIG. 9) and the agenda flow list (FIG. 8) stored in the storage device 14. For example,
Anyone who has displayed "agenda", "opinion", or "will" in the conference can create a list of conference participants by searching for the user identification code 21 in the transmission data (FIG. 2) (step). 141). next,
The minutes creating device 15 creates minutes in the following procedure. Write down the agenda at the top of the agenda flow list. The agenda at the head of the agenda flow list is determined to be the main agenda (step 142). Then, the attribute information is searched and "date" and "participant name" are written out (step 143). A variable N for storing the order of the agenda flow list from the beginning of the agenda is set to 1 (step 1).
44). Next, the variable N is incremented (step 145). Then, the Nth agenda item in the agenda flow list is extracted (step 146). Since the first agenda item is determined to be the main agenda item and is written out, the sub-agenda items are extracted from the second and subsequent items. It is determined whether or not there is an "agenda" (step 147).
Proceed to and end if there is no agenda. Step 145
The "agenda" extracted in step is written out (step 14).
8). An "opinion" related to the Nth agenda item is extracted from the opinion list (FIG. 9) (step 149). The opinion designated as the conclusion is written out of the extracted “opinion” (step 150). The conclusion is determined, for example, by the chairman's designation, and the information of the conclusion is added as attribute information to the corresponding opinion in the opinion list,
Alternatively, it may be held by setting a flag. Next, only "agreement" is written out of the extracted opinions (step 151). Further, only "opposite opinions" are written out of the extracted opinions (step 15).
2). After the Nth "Agenda" is over, step 145
Then, N is incremented, and the same processing is performed for the next “agenda”. As described above, the minutes creating device 15 automatically creates a written minutes from the opinion list and the agenda flow list stored in the storage device 14.

As described above, according to the present invention,
It's not just a line of information that shows collaborators just an "opinion" or "agenda," but the relationships between "opinions"
The relationship between the information such as the flow of "agenda" is structured and displayed visually, so that misunderstandings etc. are reduced, the information of the collaborative participants is smoothly transmitted, and the collaborative work proceeds smoothly. It will help you get it done. Also, during the joint work, it is possible to easily form a document by utilizing the structured information. For example, in the case of a meeting, the minutes of a meeting can be easily created using the fact that the relationship between the agenda and the opinion and the relationship between the opinion and the opinion are clear.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment in which the present invention is configured as a conference support device.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of transmission data generated by a transmission data generation device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a display example created by the agenda flow creation device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a display example in the case where the data contents created by the opinion structure creating apparatus in the present embodiment are structured.

FIG. 5 shows a control flow of the present embodiment when a conference participant performs an information input operation.

FIG. 6 shows a control flow of the present embodiment when a communication device receives information from a network.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart for creating a minutes in the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an agenda list in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an opinion list in the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 2 2 '... Workstation, 3 ... Input part (keyboard, mouse), 4 ... Input control device, 5 ... Opinion input device, 6 ... Agenda Input device, 7 ...
· Will input device, 8: Transmission data generation device, 9: Communication device, 10
... Data discriminating device 11 ... Opinion structure creating device, 12 ... Agenda flow creating device, 13 ... Display control device, 14 ... Storage device, 15
..Minute maker

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A collaborative work apparatus to which a plurality of workstations are connected and which displays characters, graphics, etc. on a display based on information input from each workstation , specifies an agenda and a target agenda. Specify your opinion and target opinion
Work that includes at least one of the opinions or wills of or against
An input means for inputting information from a trader, and the type of information from the input
The agenda, the agenda,
An identification means for identifying a look and an opinion on a certain agenda item based on the identification result of the identification means.
According to a structuring means for associating and structuring with the will information, and according to the opinion structure created by this structuring means ,
And the relationship between each opinion
A display means for displaying in a different line form according to the pros and cons
Collaboration apparatus characterized by comprising. 2. A collaborative work apparatus to which a plurality of workstations are connected and which displays characters, graphics, etc. on a display based on information inputted from each workstation , specifies an agenda and a target agenda. Specify your opinion and target opinion
Work that includes at least one of the opinions or wills of or against
An input means for inputting information from a trader, and the type of information from the input
The agenda, the agenda,
An identification means for identifying a look and an opinion on a certain agenda item based on the identification result of the identification means.
Based on the structuring means for linking and structuring with will information and the opinion structure created by the structuring means ,
Depending on the pros and cons of the intention
Collaboration apparatus being characterized in that a sentence means that the sentence by sequentially arranging it extracts Te.