JP3533924B2 - Semi-synchronous electronic conference device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wired conference system (teleconference system), a workflow management system, an electronic presentation system, a remote collaborative work support system (cooperative design support system, etc.), a voice mail system, and the like. -Applied to a system that realizes communication between multiple users via multiple computers and communication devices connected by a wireless network, and stores and stores messages consisting of voice, video, text, etc. in a storage device By playing back the generated message, it enables interactive communication as needed without being aware of synchronization / asynchronization among multiple users, and enables participation in multiple simultaneous concurrent and asynchronous collaborative work. The present invention relates to a synchronous electronic conference device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are systems that support synchronous communication or asynchronous communication regarding various communication such as conferences, discussions, and dialogues. Such systems include the following. JP-A-6-26666
In the collaborative work support device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2, a history of operations in a collaborative work space via a network is stored, and all or a specified part of the contents of past collaborative work is reproduced and re-executed. By providing, it is possible to proceed cooperative work asynchronously.

In the information processing method and apparatus of the electronic conference system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-266632, a message is asynchronously sent from each user in various formats such as voice, video, and text. By providing a function of displaying the distribution status of the above in chronological order based on the speaking time of each message and a mechanism for reproducing the message specified by the user on the display, it is possible to easily grasp the content of the conference. Further, in the information processing apparatus described in JP-A-7-295930, a workspace shared by a plurality of users (virtual collaborative workspace)
In this case, the history of operations performed by each user is stored, and the operation history is appropriately reproduced, while supporting the simultaneous parallel work on a plurality of workspaces.

Further, in the collaborative work support system described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-62631, an operation on a shared window is recorded with a message in the form of video and audio, including temporal information in a local environment. However, these records are transmitted and received by e-mail, and the receiving side synchronously reproduces them based on the above-mentioned time information, thereby making it possible to operate as if they were operating together. Also, "Multimedia Collaboration System with Separate D" described in US Pat. No. 5,617,539.
ata Network and A / V Network Controlled by Informat
Ion Transmitting on the Data Network ”
A desktop teleconferencing system that supports synchronous communication by voice and an e-mail that supports asynchronous communication by text / image are integrated so that users can view e-mail while participating in the desktop teleconferencing system. There is.

In addition, the document "P. Curtis," Mudding: Social
Phenomena in Text-Based Virtual Realities ", Procee
dings of DIAC '92, 1992 "describes a system that supports synchronous textual communication (chat) in a group of multiple users via a network, and the messages fed back from the system to the users. This makes it possible to obtain the feeling of communicating in a virtual space. The text message input by each user is stored as a history and can be played back in chronological order at any time according to the user's instruction.

In addition, the document “NAStreitz, J. Geibler, J.
M. Haake, and J. Hol, "DOLPHIN: Integrated Meeting
Support across Local and Remote Desktop Environmen
tsand LiveBoards ", Proceedings of the ACM CSCW '9
4, pp. 345-358, 1994 ”, the electronic blackboard (LiveBo
A system that enables seamless movement between a face-to-face synchronization type conference using the (ard) and a remote asynchronous type conference via a network is described. The face-to-face synchronization type conference result and the remote asynchronous type are described. We are making it possible to mutually use the meeting results in the form. It should be noted that at each conference, it is possible to communicate by voice and video.

In addition, the document "M. Sohlenkamp and G. Chwel
os, "Integrating Communication, Cooperation, and Aw
areness: The DIVA Virtual Office Envirnment ", Proc
eedings of the ACM CSCW'94, pp.331-343, 1994 "describes a system that supports collaborative work in a virtual work space displayed by an office metaphor, and uses a video / audio synchronized type. In addition to the above communication, an asynchronous communication function is provided by audio / video annotations (Notes) that can be attached to any virtual object in the office.

[0008]

(1) Integration of synchronous communication and asynchronous communication: When communicating in a virtual collaborative work space on a wide area network environment typified by the Internet, there is a time difference or a collaborative worker. Due to the large number of users, communication should be performed using a system based on a synchronous message exchange method, such as a conventional electronic conferencing system or a teleconference system, which is required to be used by multiple users at the same time. Has the problem that the schedule of the participants needs to be adjusted and that the quality of the utterance content generally deteriorates because there is less time to think about the utterance.

In contrast, electronic mail, voice mail,
In a system that supports asynchronous communication such as video mail, the constraint that all the participants have to use it at the same time is solved, and the quality of the content of the content is improved because there is enough time to think when speaking. However, on the other hand, there is a problem in that it is not possible to realize high interactivity, such as that obtained by synchronous message exchange, in which discussions are carried out while confirming the support of the participants.

The characteristics of the synchronous / asynchronous communication as described above are described in the document "M. Turoff," Computer-Mediat.
ed Communication Requirements for Group Support ",
Journal of Organizational Computing, Vol.1, pp.85-
113, 1991 ”, etc., and these characteristics can be understood as a trade-off between" time constraint "that is restricted during communication and" interactivity "during communication.

Conventionally, in order to release the operation in the cooperative work environment by a plurality of users from the above-mentioned problems in terms of time constraints, the cooperative work support device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-266662, In the information processing apparatus disclosed in Kaihei 7-295930 and the joint work support system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-62631, a pseudo-synchronous collaborative work is provided by providing a function of storing / reproducing an operation history in a collaborative work space. Is possible. However, these systems realize all collaborative work as pseudo-synchronous collaborative work based on asynchronous management, so even if synchronous collaborative work with high interactivity is required, Must be done as a pseudo-synchronous type of collaborative work. Furthermore, these techniques are intended for operation within a collaborative workspace, not for exchanging messages.

On the other hand, regarding the conflicting problems existing between the synchronous communication and the asynchronous communication as described above, the above-mentioned documents provide communication means for both the synchronous communication and the asynchronous communication. Deal with it. However, with these systems,
Depending on the required interactivity, it was necessary to select and use one of the systems based on synchronous communication or asynchronous communication, so it is possible to carry out integrated and continuous communication between these systems. was difficult.

Therefore, in the present invention, the "time constraint" required in each scene of communication as described above.
Achieve a communication environment that integrates synchronous communication and asynchronous communication so that each feature of asynchronous communication and synchronous communication can be continuously used without interrupting communication according to "interactivity". Is intended.

(2) Participation in multiple simultaneous parallel discussions: As another remarkable characteristic of asynchronous communication and synchronous communication, the document “GMOlson,
SEMcDaniel, and JCMagee "Identifying and Anal
yznig Multiple Threads in Computer-Mediated and Fa
As shown in "ce-to-Face Conversation", asynchronous communication such as e-mail and electronic blackboards can be used for other topics compared to synchronous communication such as face-to-face meetings and teleconferences. It has the characteristic of having a strong divergence tendency. It is expected that this is because in asynchronous communication, the message is saved, so that the load on the memory for diverging the topic is small.

For this reason, in an environment in which collaborative work is performed via a computer connected by a network, the above-mentioned message storage / reproduction is used, and the "time constraint" and "interactivity" required by the user. If an environment that enables communication based on is provided, users can participate in multiple discussions at the same time while dividing time, or participate in discussions while doing other work on a computer. It is thought that it will be possible to perform communication with intermediate "time constraint" and "interactivity" which is neither asynchronous communication nor synchronous communication. As a conventional technique related to the participation in the above-mentioned concurrent discussion, in the information processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-295930, operations in a virtual collaborative work environment are performed simultaneously in a plurality of work spaces. While enabling parallelism, this technology is targeted at operations, not concurrent participation in communication.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a communication environment that enables participation in simultaneous and parallel discussions by utilizing a communication function that integrates the asynchronous / synchronous communication described above.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention stores a message consisting of voice, video or text in a storage device. An electronic conferencing apparatus that enables interactive communication according to a situation in which a plurality of users are not aware of synchronization / asynchronization by storing and reproducing the stored message, as shown in FIG. In addition, a message storage unit 13 for storing the messages delivered by the message delivery unit 18 in a storage area in a time series based on a time stamp given to the message, and a series of messages stored in the message storage unit 13. The stored message access means 14 for retrieving a message and the one retrieved from the message storage means 13 The stored message reproducing means 15 for reproducing a time-series manner and continuously messages,
Real-time message reception for receiving the message distributed by the message distribution unit 18 and reproducing it in real time when the message is not reproduced by the accumulated message reproducing unit 15 (that is, when the reproduction is finished). While the message is being reproduced by the reproducing means 16, the stored message reproducing means 15 and the real-time message receiving / reproducing means 16, the input message is received and the input message is synchronized with the message being reproduced. A message input means 17 for obtaining and adding a time stamp from a time counting means for counting the current time, and a message delivery means 18 for delivering the message input by the message input means 17 to other users via the network. And are provided.

According to the above semi-synchronous type electronic conference device, the functions of the conventional synchronous type communication and the asynchronous type communication are integrated, and the user can discuss the discussion which was in progress at the time when he / she did not participate. You can play and catch up with the current synchronous discussions and participate in them. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in a discussion in which each message m1, m2, ... M18, ... Is sequentially issued in real time, a user A who did not participate at the start of the discussion When participating in the middle of m3, the accumulated past messages are reproduced asynchronously from the time of the participation, and when all the past messages m1 to m4 have been reproduced (before the message m5), Following the discussion in real time, the subsequent messages (from m5 onwards) are played back synchronously. Note that the past messages m1 to m4 are reproduced with time intervals reduced or compressed, as described later. As a result, users can perform highly interactive synchronous communication and asynchronous communication with less time constraints as needed in an integrated and continuous manner without switching between synchronous and asynchronous modes. You can do it.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a second aspect is the semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to the first aspect, further comprising stored message reproducing means, real-time message receiving / reproducing means or message input means. Is provided with a user operation history holding unit for storing a history of message reproduction or input operation by each user, and the accumulated message reproducing unit is a message for each user held by the user operation history holding unit. Playback·
Based on the history of input operations and the elapsed time up to the present time, after identifying the message that is the playback start point, a series of messages stored in the message storage means are retrieved, and the retrieved messages are displayed in chronological order. Characterized by continuous reproduction.

Thus, the time at which the user participated in the discussion is determined from the history of playing / inputting the message in the past, so that the discussion can be played back from the beginning or the playback start time can be explicitly specified to the user. It is possible to automatically specify the reproduction start time point based on the time point at which each user last participated, and to reproduce the message without causing the user to participate.

A semi-synchronous type conference device according to a third aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to the second aspect.
Further, it is characterized by further comprising user history display means for visually displaying a history of message reproduction / input history for each user held by the user operation history holding means. By this, it is possible to easily know each other's participation status of other users who are participating in the same discussion, and encourage other users to participate in a synchronous discussion among other users, It can help the gradual transition from asynchronous communication state to synchronous communication state.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a fourth aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the accumulated message reproducing means is taken out as a reproduction target. It is characterized by temporally compressing and reproducing a series of stored messages. This shortens the time for playing back the contents of the stored message that was performed when the user was not participating, actively engaged in discussions, and even when a large number of stored messages were present, they were synchronized synchronously. You can catch up with the discussions that are taking place early.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a fifth aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the stored message reproducing means is performing the reproduction. Repeat the operation of checking the message newly input / delivered / saved by another user at the time when the playback of the stored message ends, and playing the message when a new message is input. Is characterized by. As a result, the messages input during playback of the stored message are also played back one after another, so a natural transition from the playback mode of the stored message to the synchronous mode is performed, and the user feels as if discussions are ongoing. You can participate in the discussion as.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a sixth aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a message for each user. The user message reproduction count holding means for holding the number of times of reproduction for each message is provided, and the accumulated message reproduction means refers to the user message reproduction count holding means to reproduce a message having a larger number of reproduction times at a higher speed. It is characterized in that the reproduction speed is adjusted so that a message that has been reproduced less frequently is reproduced at a lower speed. As a result, the accumulated message is reproduced with a level of detail according to the user's memory, so that it is possible to suppress the reproduction of the message expected to remain in the user's memory and shorten the reproduction time.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a seventh aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the message input by the user is temporarily stored. Input message temporary storage means for temporarily storing the input message, and an input message for trial and error reproduction of the message temporarily stored by the input message temporary storage means in conjunction with the message stored by the message storage means. The message delivery means is provided with trial reproduction means, and after the input message trial reproduction means confirms the trial input message, if input is required again, the input message temporary storage means is used to re-input the message and re-input. It is characterized in that an input message is sent when no input is required. This allows trial and error message input, which reduces the psychological load when a user inputs a message, and at the same time cancels the message content that was delivered to other users later. It is possible to suppress the dripping operation.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to claim 8 is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: A topic derivation position designating means for instructing derivation to a new topic, and a message storage area corresponding to the derivation topic when the derivation to a new topic is instructed by the topic derivation position designating means, The message delivery means includes a topic-specific message storage area generation means for setting a derivation relationship between the derivation point designated by the derivation position designation means and the new message storage area.
It is characterized in that the messages sent via the network are stored in time series in a storage area corresponding to each topic generated by the topic-specific message storage area generation means. Thereby, it is possible to go back to an arbitrary point in the past and redo the discussion, and progress the discussion in another time passage. Then, when it is recognized that there is a problem in the direction of the discussion, it will be possible to continue the discussion without wasting the discussions that have been conducted up to that point.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a ninth aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to the eighth aspect, further comprising a storage area and a derivation point corresponding to each topic by the topic derivation position designating means. Based on the derivation relationship set between
From a plurality of existing agendas, a participation agenda designating means for allowing a user to designate a topic to participate in, and a topic-specific discussion area providing means for providing a user with an operation area for carrying out a discussion corresponding to the topic. It is characterized by having and. As a result, it is possible to participate in the discussion on a plurality of topics concurrently. And if the discussion is in an early stage and requires deep consideration, you can participate asynchronously, so you should participate later and prioritize discussions that have many confirmation items and require high interactivity. Allows the option to participate in multiple discussions, such as participating.

The semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to claim 10 is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the accumulated message reproducing means derives a topic when reproducing the accumulated message. It is characterized in that the message stored in the message storage area is reproduced while selectively tracing the derivation relationship set by the position designation means. In this way, when there is a derivation relationship to multiple discussions in the discussions currently participating, it is possible to participate in the discussions by selectively tracing them. Then, the user can participate in the discussion from various aspects while selecting the desired direction of the discussion.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to an eleventh aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of the eighth aspect to the tenth aspect, which is further referred to in other discussions. A reference discussion range designating unit for designating a reference start point and a reference end point is provided, and the message input unit associates a reference portion of another discussion designated by the reference discussion range designating unit at the time of message input with the input message. The message delivery means delivers the reference part of another discussion associated with the input message input by the message input means to the message storage means via the network, and the message storage means inputs the message delivery means by the message delivery means. The reference part of the other discussion sent with the message is stored in association with the message, and the stored message is reproduced. It is characterized to play at the same time as the message storage the message retrieves the reference portion of another discussion that is accumulated during message playback by. This makes it possible to refer to a part of another discussion in the input message and to know the content of the referenced discussion when another user reproduces the message. It also makes it possible to comment on past discussions and to exemplify some of the other discussions.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to claim 12 is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a derivation between a higher level discussion and a lower level discussion. Relationship settings, scheduled start date and time, scheduled end date and time are input by the user, and discussion flow setting storage means for saving the settings and the progress of each discussion are input by the user or retained by the user operation history setting means. The discussion progress status detection means for automatically detecting based on the reproduction / input history of the message by each user, the schedule set by the discussion flow setting storage means, and the actual detected by the discussion progress status detection means Flow action definition setting means for defining the action to be activated based on the progress status of the discussion of the above, and the definition specified by the flow action definition setting means The flow operation definition holding means for holding, the flow operation condition checking means for sequentially checking the conditions stored in the flow operation definition holding means, and the flow operation condition checking means are given to the flow definition in which the conditions are matched. Flow operation executing means for activating / executing an operation. This allows the discussion to proceed systematically according to a pre-specified schedule and agenda (depending on the agenda). Also,
It enables interaction based on the dependency between the discussions such as the results of the lower discussions are summarized and discussed in the higher discussions.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a thirteenth aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein a plurality of users jointly operate. The collaborative work space providing means for providing a virtual collaborative work space corresponding to each topic for carrying out is provided, and the message input means performs the collaborative work space in association with the message input in the message input means. The message delivery means delivers the operation input on the cooperative work space by the message input means to the message storage means via the network, and the message storage means transmits the operation together with the input message by the message delivery means. The stored message is stored in association with the message, and the stored message reproducing means stores it in the message storing means. In association with the reproduction of the message is taken out operations associated with the stored electrical message I and performs the playback operation on the collaborative workspace. As a result, it becomes possible to proceed in a pseudo-synchronous manner with the operation content of the joint work in the collaborative work environment. Then, it becomes possible to explain while presenting the materials, and to discuss the common blueprint.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a fourteenth aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein a plurality of computers connected via a network. It is characterized in that a plurality of computers are provided with a stored message reproducing means, a real-time message receiving / reproducing means, and a message inputting means. As a result, even a user at a remote location via the network can perform effective communication by the server / client type control. Further, in this method, the storage and retrieval of accumulated messages are centrally managed by the server, so the message storage area of the client and the processing load can be reduced.

A semi-synchronous type electronic conference device according to a fifteenth aspect is the semi-synchronous type conference device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein a plurality of computers connected via a network. Each computer is provided with a message storage means, a stored message access means, a stored message reproduction means, a real-time message reception / reproduction means, a message input means, a message delivery means, and the message storage means is a message delivery means. The feature is that messages delivered from other computers via the network are stored in time series. As a result, even a user at a remote place via the network can effectively communicate by decentralized control without a server. Further, in this method, since the processing is not concentrated on the server, higher reliability that does not depend on the failure of the server can be realized.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electronic conference system. The present embodiment is applied to an electronic conferencing system in which one server 1 and a plurality of clients 2 communicate via a network 3, and is realized using the programming language Java on the World Wide Web.

The server 1 includes an HTTP server 11 and an RP.
C (Remote Procedure Call) has a remote procedure calling mechanism 12, a disk 13, and an electronic conferencing system server 14 realized on these mechanisms. Further, in an area of the disk 13 for storing data, Applet save area 1 for saving the program (applet) loaded from the client 2 side
31, a discussion space state storage area 132 for storing the state of the entire system and each discussion space, and a message storage area 133 for storing a message transmitted from the client 2 for each topic. .
Further, the electronic conference system server 14 includes the discussion space management mechanism 141, the message reception mechanism 142, the message delivery mechanism 143, and the message data management mechanism 144).
have.

Each client 2 has a Wo equipped with an interpreter for executing an applet loaded from the server 1.
rld Wide Web browser 21, microphone 22 for voice input, camera 23 for video input,
A speaker 24 for outputting sound and an analog audio signal or a video signal input from a microphone or a camera are converted into a digital signal, and a digital audio signal is converted into an analog audio signal and sent to the speaker. A video data converter 25 and a client applet 26 that operates using these mechanisms. Note that these applets are stored in the applet storage area 131 on the server 1 side so that they can be shared between clients, and are loaded and executed in the World Wide Web browser 21 on the client 1 side in response to a request from the user. .

The client applet 26 includes a parallel discussion management interface 261, a discussion space interface 262, a real-time message reproduction mechanism 263, a message search reproduction mechanism 264, and a message input transmission mechanism 2.
And 65. Note that the message search / playback mechanism 2
64 reserves a reference message temporary storage area in the memory of the client 2 for temporarily storing the reference message attached to the input message. Further, the message input transmission mechanism 265 secures an input message temporary storage area for temporarily storing an input message in the memory of the client 2 when the program is loaded.

The HTTP server 11 on the server 1 side is provided with a file (parallel discussion management page) in the format shown in FIG. 4 containing the description of loading and execution of the above applet. In the file illustrated in the figure, the call of the parallel discussion management interface 261 is described in the applet. These files are Wo on the client 2 side.
It can be opened by designating the URL corresponding to each file from the rld Wide Web browser 21.

The network 3 which controls communication between the server 1 and the client 2 performs wide area network communication based on the Internet Protocol (IP). For reasons of transmission efficiency, real-time audio / video data distribution and the RPC communication port are separated.
UDP (User Datag) is used for video data communication.
voice communication port 3 based on ram Protocol)
1 is used, and TCP (Transmiss) is used for RPC.
The RPC port 32 based on the Ion Control Protocol is used.

Discussion space state saving area 132 in server 1
The "conference system attribute" having the data structure shown in FIG. 5, the "user management table" having the data structure shown in FIG. 6, and the "discussion management table" having the data structure shown in FIG. The registration and retrieval of these data are performed between the client 2 and the server 1 by R
It is performed by using a mechanism of remote procedure call by a PC via a network. Note that, hereinafter, all control between the client 2 and the server 1 is performed by the RPC port 3
It is assumed that it is performed by RPC via 2.
It is not specified in the description.

The message storage area 133 in the server 1 is provided with a "message table" having a data structure as shown in FIG. 8 corresponding to each topic including topics generated by derivation. The audio / video message transmitted by the message input transmission mechanism 265 of the client 2 is received by the message reception mechanism 142 of the server 1 side through the voice communication port 31, and is stored in this table by the message data management mechanism 144 in time series. To be done.

Next, each function provided in this embodiment will be sequentially described below. "System startup and user authentication / registration functions": World Wide Web browser 21 of client 2
The HT managed by the HTTP server 11 on the server 1 side
When the ML document (parallel discussion management page shown in FIG. 4) is opened, the applet (parallel discussion management interface 261) stored in the applet storage area 131 is loaded, and the World Wide on the client 2 side is loaded.
A screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the Web browser 21, and at the same time, a user authentication dialog box for user authentication as shown in FIG. 10 is automatically opened. The process of opening the dialog of the user authentication process is described in the applet.

When the user inputs the user name and password through the user authentication dialog box and presses the completion button 03 in the dialog box, the user information stored in the discussion space state storage area 132 on the server 1 is The entered user name is used as a key for matching. If the input is incorrect, the system will request the input again. When newly registering a user, the new user registration button 04 in the box is pressed to open a new user registration dialog box as shown in FIG. When the user specifies the user name and password and presses the registration button 05 in the new user registration dialog box, the data is sent to the discussion space management mechanism 141 on the server 1 side, and the specified user name and password are displayed. It is registered in the user management table shown in FIG.

[Discussion list display and selection function]: World Wide by the above-described system startup processing
The screen of FIG. 9 provided by the applet (parallel discussion management interface 261) displayed on the Web browser 21 is a discussion derivation relationship overview 01 that displays the derivation relationship between the discussions as a time-series diagram, and each discussion. The discussion attribute list 02 displays the attributes in a list. The information required for displaying these lists is obtained by retrieving the discussion management table (FIG. 7) stored in the discussion space state storage area 132 and the user management table (FIG. 6) related to the user. To be

The time axis 01a displayed in the discussion derivation relationship overview 01 is the elapsed time from the start of the highest level discussion, and the derivation relationship between the discussions is the discussion management table (FIG. 7).
Displayed as a rectangle 01b with a size corresponding to the "scheduled discussion time" specified when the discussion was generated, starting from the point when each topic was derived, based on the "top discussion derivation point" and "subordinate discussion derivation point list" To be done. Further, in the rectangle 01b corresponding to each discussion, in addition to the discussion title 01c, the participation time zone 01d of the user himself and the time zone 01e until the latest message is input are displayed as a rectangular range. Here, the user's own participation time zone 01d and the time zone 01e until the latest message input of another user are:
It is calculated based on the last access date and time for each discussion of each user left in the “participation status” attribute of the user management table (FIG. 6).

The discussion derivation relationship overview 01 is provided with a discussion space open button 01f for opening a discussion space for the discussion specified in the overview, and by pushing this button, a discussion space to be described later will be described. Open the interface (Fig. 12). The discussion derivation relationship overview 01 is provided with a discussion space creation button 01g for newly creating the top-level discussion. When this button is pressed, a new discussion registration dialog box as shown in FIG. 17 opens. Then, the discussion on the agenda, the planned number of hours, and the deadline specified here is newly generated.

In the discussion attribute list 02, the agenda 02a regarding the discussion 01b selected on the discussion derivation relationship overview 01, and the participating members 02 participating in the discussion synchronously.
b, deadline 02c for set discussion, activity 02d for discussion
Is displayed. The discussion activity level 02d displays a value calculated by the following formula for each discussion.

[0048]

[Equation 1]

[Function of selecting discussion space and participation in discussion]: When a discussion is selected on the discussion derivation relationship overview 01 and the discussion space open button 01f is selected, the discussion space interface 262 and real-time message reproduction Each applet of the mechanism 263, the message search / playback mechanism 264, and the message input / transmit mechanism 265) is the server
, And the discussion space interface as shown in FIG. 12 opens. This window is a message video playback screen 06 for displaying a message video for each participant, a message playback / input operation panel 07 for controlling message playback / input, a derivative discussion control panel 08, and a shared virtual whiteboard 09. , Agenda 010. In addition, this discussion space interface makes it possible to open a plurality of discussions and simultaneously participate in a plurality of discussions from the discussion derivation relationship overview 01. When the user opens the discussion space interface, the newly participating user is added to the “participant list” attribute of the discussion management table (FIG. 7) in the discussion space state storage area 132.

The message reproduction / input operation panel 07 is
User participation status display 07a, message playback start position designation gauge 07b, message playback button 07c, message playback mode selection menu 07d, message stop button 07e, message input button 07f, message confirmation input button 07g, reference message accumulation button 07
It consists of h. When these buttons are pointed by the mouse, a mouse event interrupt occurs and the process associated with each event is activated.
In the user participation status display 07a, the time zone 07i in which the user himself / herself participated and the time zone 07j until the time when the latest message was input are displayed, and the user can grasp his / her participation status through this display. .

"Stored message playback function": When the message playback button 07c is pressed, each message starting from the message position designated by the message playback start position designation gauge 07b stored in the message table (FIG. 8). The audio / video message of the user is streamed via the network 3, and is reproduced / displayed through the speaker 24 in the area corresponding to each participant on the message / video reproduction screen 06. Also, the message stop button 0
Replay of the message can be interrupted by pressing 7e.

In the message reproduction mode selection menu 07d during the message reproduction described above, the reproduction speed of the message retrieved from the message table (FIG. 8) is set according to the designated message reproduction mode (standard / double speed / shortening / step). Is set. In this embodiment, the message stored in the message table (FIG. 8) is taken out, and in the “double speed” mode, the message data to be reproduced is sampled at the double speed, and in the “shortening” mode, at fixed time intervals. In the case of "stage" mode, the result of sampling at regular intervals is
Resampling is performed again at a rate (R) according to the following logarithmic equation that matches the human forgetting curve, and the message is reproduced while synchronizing the audio and video respectively. In the following formula, t is the start time of the primary sampling message, C
Is a constant.

[0053]

[Equation 2]

When the message reproduction is ended, it is checked whether or not there is an unreproduced message newly added during the message reproduction in the message table (FIG. 8). If there is, the message is reproduced. To be done.
It should be noted that this process is repeated until there are no messages to be reproduced. Further, FIG. 13 shows an algorithm of this processing.

When a branch to another discussion is detected during message reproduction, a dialog for selecting a derivative discussion as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed together with the agenda 011 of the derivative discussion, and the corresponding discussion is performed by pressing the transition button 012. You can switch to the discussion space. If the continue button 013 is selected, the original discussion is continued and the reproduction of the message is restarted. The branch of the derivation discussion is detected by comparing the time when it is registered in the “lower discussion derivation location list” of the discussion management table (FIG. 7) with the ID of the message being reproduced. Further, when the reproduction of the stored message is completed by pressing the message reproduction button 07c or the reproduction is interrupted by pressing the message stop button 07e, the message search / reproduction mechanism 264.
Sets the “discussion ID” of the discussion and the “transmission time (last access date / time)” of the last message reproduced in the participation status table (FIG. 6) of the user.

"Functions for real-time message reproduction and input": When the reproduction of the stored message by the message reproduction button 07c described above is completed, the real-time message reproduction mechanism 263, the message distribution mechanism 143 on the server 1 side. A message input from another client 2 sent from the client is reproduced as needed through the message video reproduction screen 06 and the speaker 24. If the user presses the message input button 07f during the message reproduction by the real-time message reproduction mechanism 263 described above, the message input by the camera 23 and the microphone 22 while the button is being pressed is the message input transmission mechanism. It is stored in the message temporary storage area of the H.265. Then, when this button is released, the "sender" and the "time" when the input of the message is started are added, and the message is stream-transmitted to the message receiving mechanism 142 on the server 1 side. On the other hand, the message receiving mechanism 142 on the server 1 side gives an identifier to the message sent from the client 2 side, and the message data managing mechanism 144 gives a time series to the message table (FIG. 8) in the message storage area 133. I will save it.

On the other hand, when the user presses the message confirmation input button 07g during the message reproduction by the real-time message reproduction mechanism 263, the message input by the camera 23 and the microphone 22 while the button is pressed is It is stored in the message temporary storage area of the message input transmission mechanism 265. And when you release the button,
An input message confirmation dialog box as shown in FIG. 15 for confirming the input message opens. Here, in order to confirm the input message, when the input message reproduction button 014 is pressed, the message accumulated in the message temporary storage area is reproduced on the input message reproduction screen 015. On the other hand, here, the send button 0
When 16 is pressed, the "sender" and the "time" at which the input of the message was started are added, and the message is added to the server
The message is sent to the message receiving mechanism 142.

The message receiving mechanism 1 on the server side 1
At 42, an identifier is given to the message sent from the client 2 side, and the message data management mechanism 144 saves the message table (FIG. 8) in the message storage area 133 in time series. Then, the message input from the client 2 side when the message is reproduced by the real-time message reproducing mechanism 263 is sent by the message distributing mechanism 143 to another client 2 accessing the discussion space at that time. It is distributed through the network 3. FIGS. 16 to 19 show the algorithms of the processing on the client 2 side and the server 1 side regarding the reproduction of the stored message, the message input, and the message reproduction in real time described above.
become that way.

[Reference message input function]: When the user presses the reference message storage button 07h while the stored message is being reproduced by pressing the message reproduction button 07c, the reference message temporary storage area is displayed while the button is being pressed. The message being played is stored in. When the message confirmation input button 07g is pressed and the input message confirmation dialog box (Fig. 15) opens, the reference message attachment button 0 on this dialog box is displayed.
When 17 is pressed, the message accumulated in the reference message temporary storage area described above is attached to the input message, and the user presses the send button 016 to set the “time” at which the message input is started, as described above. Then, the message is stream-transmitted to the message receiving mechanism 142 on the server 1 side.

"New discussion derivation function from arbitrary time point": When the user selects the discussion derivation button on the derivation discussion control panel 08 while the message is being reproduced by the message reproduction button 07c, a new discussion as shown in FIG. The discussion registration dialog can be opened. Enter information (agenda 018, scheduled time 019, delivery date 020) regarding the creation of a new discussion on this dialog, and then click the register button 02.
When 1 is pressed, data is sent to the discussion space management mechanism 141 on the server 1 side, and various types of input information regarding the new discussion are registered in the discussion management table (FIG. 7). When this new discussion is registered in the discussion management table (FIG. 7), the discussion derivation button 08 is pressed in the “subordinate discussion derivation point list” attribute of the discussion management table (FIG. 7) of the derivation source. ID of the message being played at the time
Then, the ID of the newly generated discussion is added. Also,
The “higher-order argument derivation point list” attribute of the newly-generated argument discussion management table (FIG. 7) contains the I of the derivation origin argument.
D and the ID of the message being reproduced when the discussion derivation button 08 is pressed are set.

[Confirmation of user's participation status and alarm function]: As described above, when the message is reproduced by the message reproduction button 07c, the message retrieval / reproduction mechanism 264 determines that the message has been reproduced when the reproduction is completed. "Discussion ID" of the discussion in the participation status table (Fig. 6),
Set the "send time (last access date)" of the last message played. The applet (parallel discussion management interface 261) checks the above-mentioned participation status table (FIG. 6) at regular intervals, and indicates the “last access date and time” regarding the discussion of the user and the “delivery date” set for the discussion. Compare. Then, when the "last access date and time" approaches the "delivery date" by a certain amount (for example, set by the user as a system parameter), a delivery date alarm screen as shown in FIG. 21A is displayed. In addition, when the difference between the average of the “last access date and time” attribute registered in the user management table (FIG. 6) for each participant of the discussion and the “last access date and time” of the user becomes a certain period or more, A participation promotion alarm as shown in FIG. 21B is displayed. FIG. 22 shows an algorithm of the series of processing procedures described above.

"Shared annotation board, function of interlocking with sharing": The user can input the text 09a at any place on the shared virtual whiteboard 09 (FIG. 12). When this text is input, the applet (discussion space interface 262) detects the position of the mouse by the event of text input, and displays the position and the input text at the corresponding position on the shared virtual whiteboard 09. . The data thus input is transmitted to the server 1 side together with information such as “sender” and “transmission time” when the message is transmitted by the input message registration button 07g, and the message storage area 1
It is stored in the message table (FIG. 8) in 33.

When the message is reproduced by the message reproduction button 07c or when the message is reproduced by the real-time message reproduction mechanism 262,
The edit information on the shared virtual whiteboard 09 input by the above method is reflected and displayed on the shared virtual whiteboard 09. In addition, message stop button 0
When the reproduction is interrupted by 7e or the reproduction of the message is completed, the display contents at that time are left displayed on the shared virtual whiteboard 09, respectively, and The data is added to the newly edited contents at the time of the above input.

Next, a modification of the above-described first embodiment will be described. This modification is to automate the operation of pressing the message input button 07f (FIG. 12) to input a message during the message reproduction by the real-time message reproduction mechanism 263 in the first embodiment. This is added to the first embodiment.

That is, at the time of inputting a message in the first embodiment, a voice threshold detection mechanism for detecting that the volume of the voice emitted by the user is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold is prepared on the client 2 side, and the voice is detected by the user. Camera 23 and microphone 22 for a certain period of time before and after
The video and audio messages input from are stored in the temporary message storage area. Then, when it is detected that no message is input for a certain period of time or longer, the system automatically stores the message in the message storage area 133 on the server 1 side. FIG. 23 shows the algorithm of this processing.

Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a group workflow management system will be described. The first
The same parts as those in the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the duplicated description will be omitted. The present embodiment is intended to realize workflow management in the shared work space portion of the first embodiment, and has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is,
In the applet storage area 131, the real-time message replay mechanism 263 and the message search / replay mechanism 26 of the first embodiment.
4. In addition to the message input transmission mechanism 265, an applet for realizing the workflow management interface 266 and the cooperative work space interface 267 in the client 2 is stored. Further, the system server 14 of the client 1 is provided with a workflow management mechanism 145. It should be noted that this embodiment performs semi-synchronous communication except that it provides a function for defining a workflow and an interface that replaces the shared annotation board of the first embodiment for performing collaborative work based on the workflow. The points are the same as in the first embodiment.

Here, first, the workflow is defined as the flow of the document moving between the collaborative spaces (the discussion space of the input destination and the discussion space of the output destination). Also, each document is generated based on a template, and these templates are given a document type name. The data structures of the workflow table for storing these workflows and the document type name table for storing the document type names are shown in FIG.
It is shown in (b).

In this embodiment, World Wide W
When the applet (workflow management interface 266) is loaded on the eb browser 21, a workflow management interface screen for workflow definition is displayed as shown in FIG. 23 similar to FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. This interface screen is a workflow overview for displaying the flow of documents between collaborative workspaces.
22, a collaborative work space open button 023, a new flow definition button 024, and a new document type definition button 02
5 and the same display portion as the discussion attribute list 02 in FIG.

When the user designates a specific cooperative work space (each icon in the overview) on the workflow overview 022 and presses the new flow definition button 024, the flow definition as shown in FIG. 27 is obtained. The flow definition dialog box of will open and you can define a new flow. When the new flow definition button 024 is pressed in the state where no specific cooperative work space is designated in the workflow overview 022, the most upstream cooperative work space is generated. In this flow definition dialog box (Fig. 27), enter the document type name 02
6. The document type name 027 generated in the collaborative work space and the document type name 028 to be output are designated. The document type name can be specified through the document type definition dialog box (FIG. 28) opened by pressing the new document type definition button 025. In this embodiment, an arbitrary document designated as a file name on the server 1 is used as a template,
You can give each document type name.

Next, the collaborative work processing based on the workflow in this embodiment will be described. On the workflow overview 022, the user opens the cooperative workspace open button 02.
Pressing 3 loads the applet (collaborative workspace interface 267) and opens a collaborative workspace interface with an interface similar to the discussion space interface (FIG. 12), as shown in FIG. In this collaborative work space interface screen, the portion of the shared virtual whiteboard 09 on the discussion space interface (FIG. 12) is displayed in the pending document list 09b, the processed document list 09c, the document sharing edit view 09d, and the processing completion button 0.
9e and a new document generation button 09f are replaced.

In the pending document list 09b, document files that have been processed in the cooperative work space upstream of the flow are listed. When the user selects a document from the list, the contents of the document are displayed in the document sharing edit view 09d. Is displayed in.
The document displayed in the document sharing edit view 09d can be simultaneously edited by a plurality of users by the RPC mechanism, and at the same time, the contents of each editing operation are stored in synchronization with the input message, and the message storage area is displayed. 1
33 message table (FIG. 8).

When the user presses the processing completion button 09e, the currently edited document is additionally displayed in the processed document list 09c based on the defined flow, and at the same time, it is automatically displayed in the downstream collaborative work space. Sent to. And
The processed document is newly added to the processing pending document list 09b in the downstream collaborative work space. When the user presses the new document generation button 09f, a copy of the template document with the document type name that can be sent from the collaborative workspace to another collaborative workspace is generated according to the defined flow, and the document sharing edit view is displayed. It is displayed on 09d.

[0073]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) An environment in which continuous communication can be performed is provided in accordance with time constraints that occur due to time differences and schedule differences, and required interactivity. As a result, it becomes possible to perform asynchronous communication that allows deep consideration in the initial stage of the discussion, and shift to synchronous communication as the discussion becomes active. Also, the record of the discussion
Regeneration reduces the amount of time that the discussion can go back, thus saving the time required for the discussion.

(2) It is possible to concurrently participate in a plurality of discussions derived during the discussion and a plurality of discussions of high priority. In addition, the compressed reproduction of the discussion saves the time required for bystanding the discussion, and saves the entire participation time for the plurality of participating discussions.

(3) Since the argument can be derived from an arbitrary point in the past, when the argument falls into a blocked state, it can be restarted from the previous point. It also allows for multiple aspects of the same discussion.

(4) Regarding the document processing in the office, and the collaborative work such as designing and writing, the work process is a work flow as a workflow expressed by collaborating the collaborative work spaces with the communication function freed from the time constraint. Will be able to manage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an example of a message reproduction / input switching procedure according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a parallel discussion management page according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of a conference system attribute according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure of a user management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure of a discussion management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data structure of a message table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen of a parallel discussion management interface according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user authentication dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a new user registration dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a discussion space interface screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an algorithm for reproducing a stored message according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a derivative discussion selection dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an input message confirmation dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an algorithm of processing on the client side according to the first example of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an algorithm of processing on the client side according to the first example of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an algorithm of processing on the client side according to the first example of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an algorithm of processing on the client side according to the first example of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a new discussion registration dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a delivery date alarm screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an algorithm for discussion flow management according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an input message automatic capturing algorithm according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a workflow table and a document type name table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a workflow management interface screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a flow definition dialog box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a document type definition dialog box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a cooperative work space interface screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... server, 11 ... HTTP server, 12
... RPC mechanism, 13 ... Disk device, 131
... applet storage area, 132 ... discussion space state storage area, 133 ... message storage area, 14 ...
..Electronic conference system server, 141 ... Discussion space management mechanism, 142 ... Message receiving mechanism, 143
... Message delivery mechanism, 144 ... Message data management mechanism, 2 ... Client, 21 ... W
old Wide Web browser, 22 ... microphone, 23 ... camera, 24 ... speaker, 25
... Audio / video data converter, 26 ... Client applet, 261, Parallel discussion management interface, 262 ... Discussion space interface, 263
... Real-time message playback mechanism, 264 ... Message search and playback mechanism, 265 ... Message input / transmission mechanism, 3 ... Network, 31 ... Voice communication port, 32 ... RPC port,

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Claims (18)

(57) [Claims] 1. A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device that enables synchronous and asynchronous communication between a plurality of users by storing a message in a storage device and reproducing the stored message, the semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device being distributed. Message storage means for storing the messages in time series based on the time information given to the message, stored message access means for retrieving a series of messages stored in the message storage means, and the retrieved series. A stored message reproducing means for reproducing the message in time series and continuously, and a real-time message receiving means for receiving the delivered message and reproducing it in real time after reproduction of the message by the accumulated message reproducing means is completed. Reproducing means, the accumulated message reproducing means or the A message input unit that receives a message input from a user and adds time information synchronized with the message being reproduced to the message while the message is being reproduced by the time message receiving / reproducing unit, and is input by the message input unit. A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus, comprising: a message delivery unit that delivers the message to another user via a network. 2. The semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a message is reproduced by each user using the stored message reproducing means, the real-time message receiving / reproducing means, and the message inputting means. A user operation history holding unit that saves a history of input operations is further provided, and the accumulated message reproducing unit stores the history of the message reproduction and the input operation for each user held by the user operation history holding unit and the history up to the present. A synchronization characterized in that a message as a reproduction start point is specified based on the elapsed time, a series of messages stored in the message storage means is taken out, and the messages are reproduced in time series and continuously. Type electronic conferencing equipment. 3. The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the history of message reproduction / input operations for each user held by the user operation history holding unit is visually displayed. A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus further comprising display means. 4. The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accumulated message reproducing means temporally compresses a series of messages extracted as a reproduction target. A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device characterized by reproducing. 5. The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the accumulated message reproducing means is in progress during reproduction of the accumulated message being reproduced. A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus, characterized in that the existence of a message newly input / delivered / saved by another user is checked, and if there is a new message input, the message is reproduced. 6. The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of user message reproductions for holding the number of times each message is reproduced for each user for each message. The stored message reproducing means, with reference to the user message reproduction number holding means, reproduces a message having a large number of reproductions in the past at a high speed, and reproduces a message having a small reproduction count at a low speed. A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus characterized in that the reproduction speed is adjusted to 7. The semi-synchronous conference device according to claim 1, further comprising: an input message temporary storage unit for temporarily storing a message input by a user. An input message trial reproduction means for reproducing the message held by the message temporary storage means in conjunction with the message stored by the message storage means, wherein the message delivery means confirms the input message by the user. In the above, when the re-input is necessary, the message held in the input message temporary storage means is allowed to be re-input, and when the re-input is not necessary, the input message is transmitted. Conference equipment. 8. The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a topic instructing a message accumulated in the message storage unit to derive a new topic. When the derivation to a new topic is instructed by the derivation position designating means and the topic derivation position designating means, a message storage area corresponding to the derivation topic is generated and the derivation designated by the topic derivation position designating means is generated. Message storage area generation means for setting a derivation relationship between the point and the new message storage area, the message delivery means, to each topic generated by the topic-based message storage area generation means A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus, which stores messages sent via a network in a corresponding storage area in a time series. 9. The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to claim 8, wherein there are a plurality of existences based on the derivation relationship set between the derivation point and the storage area corresponding to each topic by the topic derivation position designating means. Further, a participation agenda designating means for allowing a user to designate an agenda to participate in from among the agendas to be provided, and a topical discussion area providing means for providing a user with an operation area for carrying out a discussion corresponding to the agenda are provided. Semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device characterized by. 10. The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said accumulated message reproducing means selects the derivation relationship set by said topic derivation position specifying means when reproducing the accumulated message. A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus characterized in that a message stored in a message storage area is reproduced while tracing the target. 11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10.
In the semi-synchronous conference apparatus described in the paragraph (3), further comprises reference discussion range designating means for designating a reference start point and a reference end point of another discussion to be referred to, wherein the message input means refers to the reference at the time of message input. The reference part of the other discussion designated by the discussion range designation means is input in association with the input message, and the message delivery means refers to the other discussion associated with the input message input by the message input means. The part is delivered to other users via a network, the message storage means stores the reference part of the other discussion transmitted together with the input message in association with the message, and the accumulated message reproduction means stores the part. The reference part of other discussions stored by the message storage means is retrieved at the time of message playback and the relevant message is retrieved. Sage and semi-synchronous electronic conference system, characterized by simultaneously reproduced. 12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10.
In the semi-synchronous conferencing device described in the paragraph, the discussion flow setting storage means for storing the derivation relationship between the upper discussion and the lower discussion input by the user, the scheduled start date and time, and the scheduled end date and time, and the input from the user. Alternatively, discussion progress status detecting means for automatically detecting the progress status of each discussion based on the history of message reproduction / input operation by each user held by the “user operation history setting means”, and the discussion flow setting A flow action definition setting unit that defines an action that is activated on the basis of the setting content held in the storage unit and the progress status of the actual discussion detected by the discussion progress status detecting unit; A flow action definition holding means for holding the specified definition and a flow for sequentially comparing the conditions stored in the flow action definition holding means A semi-synchronous electronic conference further comprising: an operation condition collating means; and a flow operation executing means for activating / executing an operation given to the flow definition to which the condition is conformed by the flow operation condition collating means. apparatus. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to the item, further comprising: a collaborative workspace providing unit that provides a virtual collaborative workspace corresponding to each topic for a plurality of users to jointly operate, the message input unit Inputs the operation performed on the cooperative work space in association with the input of the message, and the message delivery means transmits the operation input on the cooperative work space by the message input means to another user via the network. The message storage means stores the operation delivered together with the input message in association with the message, and the accumulated message reproduction means retrieves the operation associated with the message stored in the message storage means. And play the operation in the collaborative workspace in association with the playback of the message. Semi-synchronous electronic conference system according to claim. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
The semi-synchronous conferencing apparatus according to the item (1) is composed of a plurality of computers connected via a network, and each computer is provided with the stored message reproducing means, the real-time message receiving / reproducing means, and the message input means. , A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus having a communication function between remote locations based on server / client type control via a network. 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
In the semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to the item 1, the message storage means, the accumulated message access means, the accumulated message reproduction means, the real-time message reception are constituted by a plurality of computers connected via a network. A reproduction unit, the message input unit, and the message distribution unit are provided, and the message storage unit stores messages distributed from another computer via a network in a time series. Semi-synchronous electronic conference device. 16. A storage device for storing a message is provided.
Then, by playing back the stored message,
Synchronous and asynchronous communiqué among multiple users
Processing in semi-synchronous electronic conferencing equipment that enables
The method of storing a message in the semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device is
Information that attached message was added to the message
Stored message access means for semi-synchronous electronic conferencing equipment
Are stored in the message storage means.
The message is retrieved and the stored message playback means of the semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device
A series of retrieved messages are time-sequentially and continuously
Replay to the real-time message reception / playback device of the semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device.
The step of the message by the stored message reproducing means.
When the message to be delivered is received after the playback is finished
Playback in real time, the message input means of the semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device
Product message playback means or real-time message reception
・ While the message is being played by the playback means, the
Receive a message that is input and play it back
The message delivery means of the semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device adds the time information synchronized with the message in the message.
The message input by the message input means
It is characterized in that it is distributed to other users via the work.
Processing method in semi-synchronous electronic conference device. 17. The semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to claim 16.
In the processing method in step 1, the stored message reproducing means extracts as a reproduction target.
Can be compressed in time and played back.
Method for semi-synchronous electronic conferencing device characterized by
Law. 18. The method according to claim 16 or claim 17.
In the processing method of the semi-synchronous conference device, the stored message reproducing means is a stored message being reproduced.
To other users in the reproduction at the point when the own finishes playing
Check the existence of newly entered, delivered, and saved messages.
If there is a new message input,
Semi-synchronous electronic conference characterized by playing sage
Processing method in device.