JP4543856B2 - Service linkage apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a service cooperation apparatus, a service cooperation method, and a program.

  Conventionally, the following devices have been proposed as devices for supporting conferences and presentations. Since the collaborative work support system of Patent Document 1 transmits information such as the storage location of the file displayed on the information display device during the conference from the information display device to the terminal device, the conference participants take home their terminal devices after the conference ends. By connecting to a network or referring to the information with an output device connected to the network, it is possible to acquire materials during the meeting and perform operations on the material data. This saves you the trouble of distributing paper and other meeting materials during the meeting and recording the location of the original file, preventing the progress of the meeting from being disturbed, and does not transfer file data directly to the terminal device. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the lack of capacity of the terminal device.

  In the information processing apparatus described in Patent Literature 2, each participant notifies the data requested to the personal computer by operating the portable terminal for the participant during the electronic presentation or the electronic conference. A personal computer selects data specified by time and location from a storage device, and transmits the data to a predetermined transmission destination, so that participants such as electronic presentations and electronic conferences can select from a mobile terminal with a simple operation It is possible to request materials manually and to obtain materials by means of e-mail or mail.

JP 2002-49595 A JP 2002-369167 A

  However, in an environment where multiple workers (users) work while moving through various work spaces in the office, such as living rooms and conference rooms, multiple workers gather in the same work space for presentations and discussions. In order to efficiently carry out collaborative work such as studying design drawings, each time a worker works, rather than assuming a collaborative work environment where the use is limited to a specific user. Flexibility is required to enable the functions provided by portable computers brought into the space and devices installed in the work space to be operated in a coordinated manner.

  Furthermore, in a situation where people collaborate while communicating in a plurality of work spaces that are located apart from each other, the work space that is connected to each other via a network is regarded as one work space, and work is performed in that work space. Mobile devices and devices installed in each work space need to be flexible so that they can be operated together.

  Furthermore, it is not limited to users who are registered in advance, or it is not possible to link only between services on a predetermined device. Devices that are used in situations where collaborative work is performed need to be open so that they can all be linked without any special restrictions. Furthermore, it is not a method in which a single server or the like centrally manages control, but it requires decentralization of control so that various devices can be connected equally and operate as a whole with high reliability and high efficiency. become.

  In addition, in the joint work support system of Patent Document 1, in order to receive storage location information related to materials used during a meeting, each user has to carry around a terminal device for receiving a general storage location. was there. Further, since the storage location information regarding the received document cannot be collected in units of individual conference events (contexts), it cannot be extracted in the form of a collection of materials used in a certain conference. Furthermore, since only information about documents can be obtained, situation information such as a set of participants at that time cannot be acquired.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, there is an operational complexity that the user himself / herself has to specify and search for information related to the date and time of the meeting to be acquired. In addition, status information such as information on a set of participants who participated in the conference could not be acquired.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and realizes flexibility, openness, and further non-concentration, and is an optimal work space for performing collaborative work using various devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a service cooperation apparatus and a program that can form a network.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a work space in which a device serving as a service peer that performs communication by a hybrid peer-to-peer network exists in the work space. Service detecting means for detecting, service providing means for publishing a service connection interface on the network, and providing services via the network, and services for detecting services recognized as existing in the same time zone and in the same work space Search means, use reservation means for making a reservation for use of the work space in the time zone, and when the use reservation means has made a use reservation for the work space in the time zone, the service search means It is a service cooperation apparatus provided with the service cooperation means which cooperates the detected service group.

  According to the present invention, in an office environment where a plurality of workers work while moving through a plurality of work spaces in the real world, a service interface provided through various devices is disclosed on the network, and the interface is By setting a cooperative relationship between services recognized to exist in the same time zone and the same work space, it is possible to provide a composite service composed of services provided by various devices.

  The service cooperation apparatus according to the present invention further comprises service index means for holding location information of the service peer, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the service search means makes an inquiry to the service index means, thereby Information on the position of the service peer and other services existing in the same work space in the same time zone is acquired, and a cooperative relationship is derived with other service peers. According to the present invention, by inquiring of the service index means, information on the position of the service peer and other services existing in the same work space in the same time zone is obtained, and cooperation with other service peers is obtained. By deriving the relationship, services operating on various devices can be connected in an equal relationship without placing a central server. Since it is not limited to the service stored in the central server, open cooperation can be performed.

The service providing means operates, for example, on a computer that always operates. According to the present invention, since the service can be operated on a computer that is constantly operating, not a device that is frequently turned on and off, such as a portable device such as a notebook PC or PDA, In addition, it is possible to provide a service that requires high computing power.

The service detection unit detects, for example, an identifier assigned to a device serving as a service peer, and notifies the service index unit of information on the service peer specified by the identifier. According to the present invention, an identifier assigned to a device that serves as a service peer is detected, and information on the service peer specified by the identifier is notified to the service index means, so that the object can be reliably identified.

The service search unit or the service index unit is identified by designating the location of the service provided by the service providing unit , for example . According to the present invention, since the service search means or the service index means is identified by designating the location of the service provided by the service providing means, it is not necessary to arrange a sensor in the work space, so that an inexpensive configuration is possible. At the same time, it can be used in places where it is difficult to install sensors.

For example , when the location of a service provided by the service providing unit is specified , the service search unit can share information on the service peer existing in the same work space between the service peers, thereby allowing the service search unit to share the same work space. Recognize existing service peers. According to the present invention, when the location of the service provided by the service providing means is specified, the service peer existing in the same work space is transmitted by sharing and propagating information on the service peer existing in the same work space between the service peers. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange a sensor in the work space. For this reason, an inexpensive configuration is possible, and the sensor can be used in a place where it is difficult to install the sensor.

The service cooperation apparatus further includes, for example , an access key issuing unit that issues an access key corresponding to each context, and the service cooperation unit is configured to link the service based on the access key issued by the access key issuing unit. Set the relationship. According to the present invention, by setting the service cooperation relationship based on the access key, the cooperation can be limited to only services existing in the same work space, and secure cooperation can be performed.

The service cooperation apparatus further includes, for example , a use reservation unit that can make a reservation for use of the work space, and the service cooperation unit links the services based on the use reservation of the use reservation unit. According to the present invention, by linking the services based on the use reservation, it is possible to suppress cooperation with unscheduled services and perform secure cooperation.

The service cooperation unit cooperates with the service based on , for example, a password related to use of a work space in a scheduled time zone. According to the present invention, by linking services based on a password related to the use of a work space in a scheduled time zone, it is possible to suppress cooperation with unscheduled services and perform secure cooperation. it can.

For example, the service cooperation unit performs an authentication process in service cooperation according to the reliability between services calculated based on the past service cooperation history. According to the present invention, the authentication process at the time of service cooperation is performed according to the reliability between services calculated based on the cooperation history of the past service, so that excessive authentication processing is not required for the user. Can be.

The service cooperation unit cooperates with the service based on , for example, an address of a service peer related to a service that has been cooperated in the past. According to the present invention, by linking services based on service peer addresses related to services that have been linked in the past, for services that are frequently linked in the workspace, each time they are linked, Since there is no need to search on the network, the linkage relationship can be set at high speed.

The service cooperation unit reproduces the service cooperation relationship based on , for example, the cooperation relationship between services at a registered time. According to the present invention, since the cooperation relationship of services is reproduced based on the cooperation relationship between services at a certain registered time point, for example, a device that is brought into the work space such as a regularly held conference, When the user's member configuration is the same every time, it is possible to fix the linkage relationship with the devices installed in the work environment and set the linkage relationship immediately.

The service cooperation unit cooperates, for example, the service based on a past service cooperation relationship associated with a feature of a workspace context. According to the present invention, by linking services based on a past service linkage relationship associated with a contextual feature of a workspace, for a service that is frequently set in a certain context, Since there is no need to search on the network every time they are linked, the linkage can be set at high speed.

The service cooperation unit sets, for example, a cooperation relationship between a service provided in the work space and a service provided on a wide area network. According to the present invention, by setting a cooperative relationship between a service provided in a work space and a service provided on a wide area network, the Internet or the like is not limited to the service provided by a device in the work space. Can be used in combination with device-independent services provided on a wide area network.

The service cooperation unit sets, for example, a cooperative relationship between a service provided on a wide area network and a service provided in the work space according to the context detected by the service search unit. According to the present invention, it is possible to use the service according to the work context by setting the linkage relationship between the service provided on the wide area network and the service provided in the work space according to the detected context. Since the service is presented, the user does not have to search for a linked service from among a vast number of services.

The service providing means holds, for example, the service connection interface in a format specified by an operation target name and an operation name. According to the present invention, since the service connection interface is held in the format specified by the operation target name and the operation name, the contents provided by the individual services are described in a unified format. You can set the linkage relationship between services.

For example, the service providing means describes the connection interface of the service by describing the relationship with other services as a task / subtask relationship with the format specified by the operation target name and the operation name as basic elements. According to the present invention, the service connection interface retains the format specified by the operation target name and the operation name as basic elements, so that the contents provided by each service are described in a uniform format, It is possible to set up linkage between services in an open environment. In addition, the connection interface of the service describes and holds the relationship with other services as a task / subtask relationship, so that the cooperative relationship with other services becomes a task / subtask relationship (a form that refines the ToDo list). Even if the linkage relationship is changed, the linkage relationship with other services need not be greatly affected.

The service providing means, for example, defines the operation target name and the operation name in a hierarchical relationship according to the abstraction level of each concept. According to the present invention, by defining the operation target name and the operation name with a hierarchical relationship according to the abstraction level of each concept, cooperation candidates can be selected at various abstract levels when linking services.

For example, the service cooperation unit collates the output operation target name of the first service with the input operation target name of the second service different from the first service, and sets the cooperation relationship of the service. According to the present invention, by collating the output operation target name of the first service with the input operation target name of the second service different from the first service, and setting the cooperation relationship of the services, Can be described as input / output relationships, and new services linked with other services can be automatically derived.

The service cooperation apparatus further includes, for example , a work space connection unit that mediates a connection relationship with a work space that exists at a different point from the work space. According to the present invention, by providing the work space connection means that mediates the connection relationship with the work space that exists at a different point from the work space, a plurality of work spaces that exist in remote locations are connected to each other virtually. It is possible to link and integrate services recognized in the work space as if they existed in the same work space.

The service cooperation apparatus further includes, for example , information providing means for holding information on each work space for each area and providing information on each work space upon request. According to the present invention, by providing information providing means for holding information on each work space for each area and providing information on each work space upon request, a plurality of work spaces existing in remote locations are connected, and virtual Thus, it is possible to form a single work space and link services recognized in the work space as if they existed in the same work space.

For example , the service cooperation unit cooperates with a service existing in a remote place in conjunction with a predetermined communication system. According to the present invention, in cooperation with a predetermined communication system, a service existing in a remote place is linked, and at the start of connection to the remote place, the time is adjusted to each other and then connected to the scheduled time. Even if it does not do such things, it is possible to form a collaborative work space with the work space of the other party as a trigger when communication with the connection destination becomes possible.

The workspace connection unit generates information for displaying connection destination candidates based on , for example, a history of past connection destinations. According to the present invention, by displaying connection destination candidates based on the history of past connection destinations, the user can check the frequency of joint work without checking the name and address of the connection point that is the connection destination. A large number of work spaces can be specified immediately.

The workspace connection unit generates display information for designating a connection destination workspace based on , for example, the user's relationship strength obtained from the past collaborative work history. According to the present invention, the user can display the name of the connection point that is the connection destination by performing the display for designating the connection destination workspace based on the relationship strength of the user obtained from the past collaborative work history. It is possible to immediately specify a work space as a connection destination without checking the address and address.

The service providing means, for example, obtains a connection interface of a service provided by a device installed in the work space, sets a service cooperation relationship in advance, and selects a cooperation service registered at the time of use. I am trying to call it. According to the present invention, it is possible to acquire a connection interface of a service provided by a device installed in a work space, set a cooperation relationship of the service in advance, and call a cooperation service registered at the time of use. Therefore, it is possible to specify in advance the cooperation relationship of services used in the planned work space without going to the work space in advance.

For example, the service providing unit obtains information on a service provided in the work space from another service providing unit that provides a service, and generates information for simulating the cooperation relationship of the service. According to the present invention, information on a service provided in a work space is acquired from other service providing means for providing a service, and information for simulating the cooperation relationship of the service is generated, so that work can be performed in advance. Without visiting the space and confirming the connection relationship, it is possible to check the cooperation relationship of the services used in the planned work space in advance by simulation.

The service cooperation apparatus further includes, for example , a service holding unit that holds a work space-specific service that can be used only in each work space for each work space, and the service cooperation unit is operated by the service search unit. The service is linked with the retrieved service and the service group registered in advance in the service holding means as a linkage target. According to the present invention, there is a service specific to a work space that can be used only in the work space (for example, air conditioning in the conference room). Service to control). It is redundant for a user who does not use the work space to install such a service specific to the work space in advance on various portable devices. For this reason, a service unique to a work space can be loaded and executed only when a mobile device exists in the work space, thereby reducing the load on installing the service.

For example, the service providing means propagates and holds information on services newly provided on the network. According to the present invention, information relating to a service newly provided on the network is propagated and held so that the user can connect to the network without explicitly installing the service on the device. With this, it is possible to use a service to be executed using the device.

The service cooperation apparatus further includes, for example , a service holding unit that holds information about the service provided by the service providing unit, and the service cooperation unit includes the service holding unit before starting a search for a service on a network. The service is linked with reference to the information on the service held by. According to the present invention, before a search for a service on the network is started, a service frequently executed on a device is linked to the network by referring to information on the service held by the service holding unit and linking the services. It can be executed immediately when an execution request occurs without searching and loading the above.

For example, the service linkage unit generates information that displays the linked services in a form of a cascade menu so as to be selectable. According to the present invention, it is possible to select a service necessary for a user even when there are many combinations of service cooperation by displaying the linked services in a cascade menu format in a selectable manner. it can.

For example, the service cooperation unit generates information for selectively displaying the positional relationship of the linked services on the overhead view of the work space. According to the present invention, the positional relationship of the linked services is displayed in a selectable manner on the overhead view of the work space, so that the cooperative relationship of services provided by a plurality of devices in the work space can be displayed in the work space. It can be selected while intuitively grasping the positional relationship.

The service providing means provides, for example, a user interface corresponding to various types of equipment. According to the present invention, by providing a user interface corresponding to the type of various devices, the user can receive a uniform service through various types of devices.

The service providing means provides, for example, a user interface corresponding to the division of roles of the service. According to the present invention, by providing a user interface corresponding to the role sharing of services, it is possible to provide integrated services to users in cooperation with each device playing the respective roles.

For example, when executing a plurality of services , the service cooperation unit provides an integrated user interface so that the same function can be executed with the same button or menu. According to the present invention, when a plurality of services are executed, the user can be integrated with a plurality of services by providing an integrated user interface so that the same function can be executed with the same button or menu. When using a service, it is possible to operate through a single user interface that integrates a plurality of service groups without switching the user interface for each service.

The service providing means includes, for example, an area for storing data handled between the services. According to the present invention, since the area for storing data handled between services is provided, data can be cut and pasted between different services.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the step of obtaining information on a work space in which a device serving as a service peer performing communication by a hybrid peer-to-peer network exists, in the same time zone and in the same work space A service search step for detecting a service recognized to exist , a use reservation step for making a reservation for use of the work space in the time zone, and a use reservation for the work space in the time zone are made by the use reservation step. In this case, the program causes the computer to execute a service cooperation step of linking the service group detected by the service search step.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a service linkage apparatus and a program that can realize flexibility, openness, and non-concentration, and can form an optimal work space for performing collaborative work using various devices. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of situation adaptation service cooperation according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, α and β are workspaces, S is a service peer, and AP is an access point. The service peer S discloses a service connection interface and provides various services to the user via the network. The access point AP connects the work space α and the work space β.

  The situation adaptation service cooperation apparatus dynamically cooperates services that are recognized to exist in the same time zone and the same work space. Thereby, when working in a certain work space, it is possible to link calculation resources such as documents and application components that can be used in the work space. For example, in a situation where multiple workers are moving together in various office workspaces to promote collaborative work, the environment is optimized for collaborative work using various computational resources in the work space. A system architecture for a ubiquitous computing environment can be provided to assist in set-up.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a hybrid peer-to-peer network. The communication network used in the work space of the organizational activity recording apparatus of the present invention is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. There are two types of P2P networks: “Pure P2P network” and “Hybrid P2P network”.

  A pure P2P network is a configuration in which control messages and contents are directly transmitted and received between peer devices A to E as each component of the network system without going through an index server. The peer devices A to E have the same function. -It is a network form that has roles and performs equal communication. A typical service using this is Gnutella.

  On the other hand, the hybrid P2P network is a network form in which an index server for facilitating the interaction between peer devices such as PCs and mobile communication terminals as components of the network system is arranged. That is, peer devices such as PCs having a content transmission / reception function are systems that can communicate with each other via a network, and have a network configuration in which an index server as a lookup server having content storage information for content search is placed. is there. As a typical service using this configuration, for example, there is Napster. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, index / access point servers IAP1 and IAP2 having functions of an index server and an access point are arranged in each of the work spaces α and β, and a hybrid P2P network is used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a peer detection method in the work space. Sensors SS1 and SS2 and index / access point servers IAP1 and IAP2 are provided in the work spaces α and β, respectively. The service peers SA to SE are recognized via the sensors SS1 and SS2 in the work spaces α and β. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the sensor SS1 in the work space α recognizes the service peers SA to SC, and the sensor SS2 in the work space β recognizes the service peers SD and SE.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the system 1 includes a fixed peer 2, a document management server 3, a portable device 4, a wireless LAN base station 5, an RFID antenna built-in table 8, a camera 9, a microphone 10, a speaker 11, a projector 12, and a projection. A screen 13, an RFID-tagged paper document 14, a presentation service server 15, a meeting capture server 16, an index / access point server 17, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 18, a scheduler server 19, and an access key issuing server 20 are included. Reference numeral 30 denotes a network.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the situation adaptation service cooperation apparatus. The situation adaptation service cooperation device 50 includes a service peer S, an index / access point server 17, a scheduler server 19, and an access key issuing server 20. The fixed peer 2, the presentation tension server 15, and the meeting capture server 16 shown in FIG.

  The document management server 3 is a repository that stores document entities handled on various devices. A document on the document management server 3 can be specified and extracted by a URL. The portable device 4 is, for example, a notebook PC or PDA. The portable device 4 is connected to the network 30 via a wireless LAN base station 5 or a wired network (not shown).

  The portable device 4 includes an infrared light receiving unit and a wireless LAN antenna. The wireless LAN base station 5 is a wireless LAN base station in the work space. In the work spaces α and β, RFID antennas 8a (sensors) for recognizing non-contact type IC cards (RFID cards) are arranged on the tables 8 in the work spaces α and β. The RFID antenna 8a is connected to an index / access point server 17 arranged in each work space. An RFID tag is affixed to the portable device 4 carried by the user, the user's ID card, and the paper document. These are recognized by the RFID antenna 8a disposed in the work spaces α and β.

  In each of the work spaces α and β, materials and the like can be projected onto the projection screen 13 from the projector 12 connected to the presentation service server 15 that is a stationary computer. The presentation service server 15 is installed with a service for performing a slide show. For this reason, it is possible to start the slide show service via the network and project from the projector 12.

  The meeting capture server 116 controls the camera 9, the microphone 10, the speaker 11, and the like, and acquires video and audio information in the work space.

  The fixed peer 2, the portable device 4, the presentation service server 15 and the meeting capture server 16 are “service peers S” as elements constituting the work space. A peer-to-peer network is formed between the service peers S. As shown in FIG. 5, the service peer S includes a service providing unit 31, a service search unit 32, a service cooperation unit 33, and a temporary service holding unit 34. The service providing means 31 publishes the service connection interface and provides the service to the user via the network 30. The service providing means 31 operates on a server that is always operating. By adopting a configuration in which a server is accessed from a mobile device as a client, it is possible to provide a service that is resistant to failures and requires a high computing capacity.

  The service search means 32 searches for services that are recognized to exist in the same time zone and the same work space. For example, the service search unit 32 issues a search query to a service peer on the network in order to search for another service existing in the same work space in the same time zone. Each service peer receives the search query. When the service peer exists in the same work space in the same time zone, the service peer answers the search request source and forwards the search query to other peers. The service cooperation unit 33 sets the service cooperation relationship by exchanging information regarding the service connection interface of each service. For this reason, it is possible to connect services operating on various devices in an equal relationship without placing a central server. Since it is not limited to the service stored in the central server, open cooperation can be performed.

  The service cooperation unit 33 cooperates with the service detected by the service search unit 32. The temporary service holding unit 34 holds information related to the service provided by the service providing unit 31. When the service linkage is started, the service search unit 32 checks whether there is a corresponding service among the services stored in the temporary service holding unit 34 before starting to search for a service on the network. If it exists, use that service.

  As described above, a frequently used service is held in a local cache area on each device, and if the cache area is checked before searching for a service on the network, the corresponding service is executed. As a result, a service that is frequently executed on the device can be immediately executed when an execution request is generated without searching and loading on the network. In addition, services that are less frequently used can be automatically deleted from the device and loaded from the network only when used.

  The index / access point server 17 transmits information about the devices existing in the work spaces α and β to other computers existing in the work spaces α and β via the network 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the index / access point server 17 includes service detection means 71, multipoint work space connection means 72, area-specific work space information provision means 73, and linkage target index means 74.

  The service detection means 71 is arranged in the work space, and detects a work space in which a device serving as a service peer that performs communication by a hybrid peer-to-peer network exists. The service peer S is associated with an identifier that can be recognized by a sensor such as a device ID or an ID card. The service detection means 71 detects the ID of the service peer S in each work space α, β via the RFID antenna 8a. The service detection unit 71 notifies the service peer S specified by the detected ID of the location where the service peer S is detected via the network. Each service peer S receives the location information sent from the service detection means 71 and recognizes the work spaces α and β in the real space where each service is present. Thereby, a target object can be identified reliably.

  The multipoint work space connection means 72 mediates a connection relationship with a work space β existing at a point different from the work space α. The work space information providing unit 73 by area holds information on each work space by area and provides information on each work space upon request. The linkage target index means 74 holds the current position information of the service peer S. The service search means 32 detects other service groups existing in the same time zone and in the same work space by making an inquiry to the link target index means 74, exchanges connection interfaces with these services, and exchanges the services. Set the linkage relationship. The linkage relationship is set as a function call relationship. Accordingly, services operating on various devices can be connected in an equal relationship without placing a central server. Since it is not limited to the service stored in the central server, open cooperation can be performed.

  A multi-function peripheral (MFP) 18 prints a paper document 14. The scheduler server 19 can make a reservation for use of the work space. The scheduler server 19 is used by a user to log in in advance and make a work space reservation. The scheduler server 19 manages the schedule table. The user logs in the scheduler server 19 in advance and registers in advance for the conference to participate. Information on the venue and time zone is registered in the meeting schedule table.

  When the service is recognized by the service search means 32, the service cooperation means 33 checks whether the owner of the recognized service has inquired of the scheduler server 19 and reserves the use of the time zone and the work space. Check. The service cooperation unit 33 performs cooperation of the service only when the user reserves the use of the time zone and the work space. Therefore, by reserving the time zone and place to be used in advance, cooperation with unscheduled services can be suppressed and secure cooperation can be performed. When the service search unit 32 recognizes the service, the service cooperation unit 33 inquires of the scheduler server 19 to confirm whether the user has reserved the use of the recognized time zone and the work space. The service is linked only when it is reserved.

  The access key issuing server 20 issues an access key corresponding to the context of the work space. The access key issuing server 20 issues a unique access key corresponding to each context. When the service is recognized by the service search unit 32, the access key issued by the access key issuing server 20 is sent to the service providing unit 32 of the service. The service cooperation unit 33 collates access keys corresponding to each context and sets a cooperation relationship.

  In this way, in order to limit the setting of the linkage relationship only to services that are recognized within the same work space (including when connected between remote locations), the context (the same work space in the same time zone) The access key (credential) associated with) is issued to each service and verified at the time of setting the linkage, so that the linkage is limited to services that exist only in the same work space, and secure linkage Can be done. The functions provided by the index / access point server 17, the portable device 4, and the document management server 3 are realized on JavaServlet (Java: registered trademark).

  Communication between these servers is realized by exchanging messages in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. The index / access point server 17, the portable device 4, and the document management server 3 are independent, and messages can be exchanged between arbitrary servers. In various devices, a peer-to-peer framework represented by JXTA or the like is executed. Thereby, a peer-to-peer network can be formed between various devices. Also, by communicating with each other between the peers, the information held by each peer can be shared synchronously between the peers. In other words, peer-to-peer file sharing can be performed.

  Next, the structure of data processed by the software of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure in the service. Software operating on the service peer S holds “service 151” data having the structure shown in FIG. The service 151 includes a peer ID, a service address, a current location ID, a connection interface, and a WSDL file.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure in the index access point. The software operating on the index access point peer IAP holds the “index access point 161” data having the structure shown in FIG. The index access point 161 includes a peer ID, an address, a current position ID, an access point name, and a connection destination designation UI address.

  Next, a message flow for detecting a service peer in the same work space will be described. FIG. 8 is a service peer detection flow in the same work space. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the object detection message 181. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the object detection transfer request message 182. As shown in FIG. The RFID antenna 8a installed in the form embedded in the table 8 of each work space α, β is in a state of waiting for recognition of the RFID tag attached to the notebook PC, ID card, or paper document carried by the user.

  When an RFID tag is detected by the RFID antenna 8a, or when a tag that has existed until then is not detected, the service peer SA has a “message ID (messageid)” in the format shown in FIG. “Object detection message” composed of “transmission date / time (datetime)”, “source access point peer ID (originated)”, “detection / non-detection flag (status)”, and detected “object ID (objectid)” 181 ". The “detected / non-detected flag (status)” is set to “detected” when a new object is detected, and “undetected” when no new object is detected.

  The service peer SA sends the generated “object detection message 181” to the service peers SB and SD. Upon receiving the “object detection message 181” from the service peer SA, the service peers SB and SD generate an “object detection transfer request message 182” as shown in FIG. 10, and the generated “object detection transfer request message 182”. Send to service peer SC and service peer SE, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the “object detection transfer request detection message 182” includes “message ID (messageid)”, “transmission date / time (datetime)”, “source access point peer ID (originated)”, “detection / non-display”. “Detection flag (status)” and “object ID (objectid)” regarding the object detected by the access point peer of the transmission source. The service peer SB that has received the “object detection message 181” and the service peers SC and SE that have received the “object detection transfer request message 182” generate a “cooperative peer response message” and send the “cooperative peer response message” to the service peer. Send to SA. In this way, the service peer S is detected in the same work space.

  Next, a message flow relating to connection with a remote location will be described. FIG. 11 shows a message flow regarding connection with a remote location. The RFID antenna 8a installed in the form embedded in the table 8 of each work space α, β is in a state of waiting for recognition of the RFID tag attached to the notebook PC, ID card, or paper document carried by the user. When an RFID tag is detected by the RFID antenna 8a, or when a tag that has existed until then is not detected, the index / access point peer IAP1 displays an “object detection message 181” in the format shown in FIG. Then, an “object detection transfer request message 182” having a format as shown in FIG. 11 is generated.

  The index access point peer IAP1 sends an “object detection message 181” to the service peers SA and SB, and sends an “object detection transfer request message 182” to the index access point peer IAP2 in the workspace β. Upon receiving the “object detection transfer request message 182” from the index access point peer AP1, the index access point AP2 generates an “object detection message 181” including the object ID included in the message, and The generated “object detection message 181” is transmitted to all the service peers SC and SD that represent devices that are recognized to have remote access point peers in the same workspace.

[Discover service target peer]
FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart of discovery of a cooperation target service peer. Each portable device 4 serving as the service peer S has a built-in RFID tag. Each work space is provided with a desk-type RFID antenna 8a (reader) that recognizes the ID of the RFID tag of each portable device. When the portable device 4 brought in by the user is placed on the table 8 with the built-in RFID antenna 8a, the RFID tag is recognized. Accordingly, it is recognized that the portable device exists in the work space (step S101).

  The index / access point server 17 connected to the RFID antenna 8a notifies the service peer S of the ID of the detected current position (step S102). It is registered in “current position ID” (step S103). Here, each peer has a unique peer ID on the network. This ID and the ID of the RFID tag are set to be the same ID. Since the notification to the specified peer ID on the network is provided as a function of the P2P framework, the detailed mechanism is not mentioned here.

  The service peer S searches for the service peer S existing in the same work space by making an inquiry to the index / access point server 17 existing in the work space (step S104). The “peer ID” of the service peer having the same “current position ID” discovered by this search is registered in the “cooperative service set” of the service peer (step S105). The search is a P2P type search. That is, first, all peers on the subnet are searched, other subnets connected by the gateway peer are searched, and those found are reported to the search request source.

  The service peer S holds the address of the service directory that provides information related to the service provided by the online service provider, and inquires the service directory about the location of the service when calculating the cooperation relationship between the services (step S106). The service always receives the signal from the infrared transmitter, and when the received signal changes due to the movement of the location or when the received signal is not detected, the service peer held by the “cooperative service set” Request deletion from the linked service set. The service peer that has received the deletion request deletes the entry of the service peer that has issued the deletion request from the “cooperative service set”.

[Service integration]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of service cooperation processing. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the service connection interface 191. As shown in FIG. 14, the service connection interface 191 includes an operation type (Operation-Type), an input target document type (inputs doc-type), an output target document type (Outputs doc-type), and a service name (service-name). , Service address (service-address) and method (WSDL file, wsdl-filepath).

  When there is a change in the set of service peer IDs held by the “cooperative service set” of each service peer (that is, when there is registration or deletion of the service peer ID), each service peer performs a cooperation process on the services. (Step S201). Here, first, with respect to service peers corresponding to individual service peer IDs held in the “cooperative service set”, an acquisition request for “service connection interface” (file described in XML format) possessed by each service peer is issued. It is issued (step S202), and the “service connection interface 191” is returned from the service peer side (step 203).

In each service peer, the “service connection interface 191” is an XML file represented by the path name of the “connection interface” held by the “service”, and includes the following information.
-Operation type (operation-type) indicating the type of operation provided by the service
-Input target type (inputs) that represents the type of data that is input to the service
-Output target type (outputs) indicating the type of data that is output by the service
・ Service name (serice-name)
-Network address of the service server that provides the service (service-address)
-Storage location of the WDSL file that represents the application interface provided by the service (wsdl-file)

  On the other hand, among the services stored in the service directory, a service connection interface related to a service having the same input target type or output target type as the input target type or output target type of the service detected in the work space is retrieved. (Step S204). As for cooperation between services, an input target type and an output target type are collated to form a cooperation service (service flow), which is registered in the “cooperation service set” of each service as a cooperation completed service (step S205). The service flow is configured by setting a context between a plurality of “service flow elements”.

  15 and 16 show a state in which a plurality of services recognized in the work space are linked. 15 and 16 are examples in which the projector 12, the notebook PC 4, the white boat camera 9, and the MFD 18 cooperate with each other. Here, each service provided by various devices is defined as a connection interface including “input target name”, “operation name”, and “output target name”. For example, the slide show service can be defined as a service of “display” with “electronic document” as an input target and “projected image” as an output target, and the annotation service can input “electronic document” as an input target. In addition, “annotation” as a handwritten image can be added to an “electronic document” as an output target and defined as an “annotating” service. The input target and output target of the connection interface of each service specified in this way are collated, and if the output target name of one service A and the input target name of another service B are the same, those service A and service A cooperative relationship with B is set. As a result, a service cooperation relationship as shown in FIG. 16 is derived.

Call service
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a user interface for service call. Each service includes a Web server, and a user activates a user interface for executing each service from a Web browser on various devices via a network. For example, when the slide show service is activated on the PDA, a user interface as shown in FIG. 17 can be used. Here, the linked services held by “Service” are listed in the “Linked Services” section, and when the user opens a slide to be displayed from this list, the translation service, shared annotation service, etc. Call a service.

  When a service is selected as described above, a service provided in the form of a Web service is called together with the address (URL) of the selected shared document. At the time of this call, the WSDL file held in the path indicated by the “WSDL file” held by each service peer is used, and the remote call by exchanging messages in XML format using SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is performed. It is carried out.

[Connection with remote location]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart for connection to a remote location. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a remote connection destination designation user interface. Each work space is provided with an index access point that represents the work space. The index / access point peer IAP installed in the work space α is a “remote” having an appearance as shown in FIG. 18 for setting the share of the work space with a work space existing in a remote place such as the work space β. A local connection destination setting screen 801 "is provided. In this screen, a set of remote index / access point peer IAPs as connection candidates held in “Remote Access Point Peer Reference Set” of “Access Point” having the data structure shown in FIG. The "Location selection list" and "On the connection destination list" are displayed, and the user specifies the connection destination that shares the work space, and presses the "Connect button". True is set in the “connection state” of “access point peer browsing”, and stored as a connection destination.

  Further, when the connection target is not displayed on the list, when “add” is selected on the pop-up menu on the “connection destination list”, a “remote destination connection registration window 901” as shown in FIG. 32 is displayed. Through the window, the “location”, “workspace name”, and “connection destination” of the index / access point peer that is a connection candidate are registered.

  The service peer recognizes the index access point existing in the work space where the service exists in the work space, and registers it in the “current access point” of each service peer (step S301). In each service, a user interface for specifying a connection destination (Java applet (Java: registered trademark)) provided by the current access point is called (step S302), and a list of access points to be connected on the UI of FIG. 18 is displayed. A connection destination is selected from among them (step S303). When the user selects a connection destination or inputs a new connection destination URI, an access point corresponding to the connection destination is searched on the network (step S304).

  The index access point searches the network at regular intervals, and holds peers (a group of service peers currently existing in the work space covered by the access point) found under the same context. At the time of service cooperation, the service peer shares information about the service peer under the same context with the peer held by another access point connected to the current access point (step S305). Specifically, change information is propagated between access points.

  Moreover, the situation adaptive service cooperation apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 5 has the following functions other than those described above.

[Service location detection]
The service search means 32 identifies a service provided in the work space by explicitly specifying the location of the service, for example, from the portable device 4 by the user. Thus, since the service in the work space is identified by the user explicitly specifying the location of the service, it is not necessary to arrange a sensor in the work space, so that an inexpensive configuration is possible. It can also be used in places where it is difficult to install sensors.

  The location of the service provided by the service providing means 31 is associated with the location of the device that provides the service. For example, the user explicitly specifies the presence of another device in the same place from the portable device 4 to the service search means 32. For example, the user designates a device for which a linkage relationship is to be set by selecting a device to be linked from a list displayed on the display. Information about peers existing in the same workspace is shared and propagated between the service peers, and service peer groups existing in the same workspace can be recognized. For this reason, since it is not necessary to arrange | position a sensor in work space, while being able to comprise an inexpensive structure, it can utilize also in the place where it is difficult to install a sensor.

[Coordination / synthesis of secure services]
The service cooperation unit 33 issues a password related to the use of the work space in the time zone scheduled in advance by the user. For example, the service cooperation unit 33 issues a one-time password associated with the time and place to the prospective participants. The service providing means 31 holds the issued one-time password. You may make it hold | maintain this one-time password in the apparatus which a user owns. When the service is recognized by the service search means 32, the service cooperation means 33 collates the recognized service with the held one-time password, and cooperates with the service if there is no problem. For this reason, by issuing a password that is valid only at the reserved time and location that is associated with the time zone and location to be used, it is possible to suppress cooperation with unscheduled services and secure cooperation. Can be done.

  The service cooperation unit 33 calculates and holds the strength of the trust relationship between users based on the past collaborative work history or service cooperation history. The service cooperation unit 33 does not perform authentication processing when cooperating with a service having a reliability equal to or higher than the threshold value, and performs authentication processing when cooperating with a reliability service equal to or lower than the threshold value. As a result, based on the trust relationship established based on the results of past collaborative work, authentication is omitted for cooperation with services with strong trust relationships, and cooperation with services with weak trust relationships is performed. Can authenticate the user so that excessive authentication processing is not required for the user.

[Effective search for service connection interface]
For each work space, the service cooperation unit 33 holds the ID and address of the service peer related to the service that has been cooperated in the past on the cache. When the services are linked in the work space, the service linkage unit 33 checks the linkage destination with reference to the address of the service peer held in the cache and links the services before searching the network. As a result, with respect to services in which cooperative relationships are frequently set in the work space, it is not necessary to search them on the network every time they are linked, so that the cooperative relationship can be set at high speed.

  The service cooperation unit 33 can register a snapshot of the cooperation relationship between services at a certain point in time. The service cooperation unit 33 reproduces the cooperation relationship of the registered service according to a user instruction. In this way, by saving the situation in which the service groups cooperate, when the work is continued, the same environment can be reconstructed by calling again. Furthermore, even in different environments, the connection state is abstracted, and an equivalent work environment may be reproduced. As a result, for example, when the equipment brought into the work space or the member configuration of the user is the same every time, such as a regularly held meeting, the linkage relationship with the equipment installed in the work environment is fixed. It is possible to set a linkage relationship immediately.

  The service cooperation means 33 holds the address of the service peer related to the service that has been linked in the past in association with the features of the context (member structure, date / time, location). When the service search unit 32 authenticates the service, the service cooperation unit 33 checks the address held in association with the context and searches for the address of the service peer to be linked before searching the network. . In this way, in the case of daily connection between a plurality of workspaces, or in a scene where users frequently use the workspace, the cooperation history between services is stored in association with these usage contexts, and each The service calculates the strength of the partner's service based on the cooperation history, and when the services are linked under the same context, the services are preferentially connected. With respect to services that are frequently set to have a linkage relationship below, it is not necessary to search them on the network every time they are linked, so that the linkage relationship can be set at high speed.

[Cooperation with various services]
The service cooperation unit 33 holds an index of a service that does not depend on devices provided on the wide area network. The service cooperation unit 33 sets a cooperation relationship between a service existing in the work space and a service provided on the wide area network at the time of service cooperation. In addition to services provided by various devices in the work space, general-purpose services provided on the Internet can be used as linkage targets. Thereby, it is possible to use a combination of device-independent services provided on a wide area network such as the Internet without being limited to services provided by devices in the work space. For example, translation services, summarization services, file conversion services, FAX services, printing services, etc. provided on the Internet can be used.

  The service cooperation unit 33 holds an index of a service that does not depend on devices provided on the wide area network in association with the context. The service cooperation unit 33 sets a cooperative relationship between a service provided on a wide area network such as the Internet and a service provided in the work space according to the context detected by the service search unit 32 at the time of service cooperation. To do. As a result, a usable service is presented according to the work context, so that the user does not have to search for a cooperative service from among a vast number of services. For example, in the case of a remote conference with overseas, a slide translation service or the like can be used.

[Service connection interface format]
The service providing unit 31 holds the service connection interface in a format specified by “operation target name” and “operation”. Here, a predetermined document type (Word document, PowerPoint document, PDF document, etc.) is designated as the “operation target name”. As the “operation”, a service that can be activated for each document is designated. Based on the document type of each document that can be used in the work space, the service cooperation unit 33 searches for a service connection interface related to a service that can be used in the work space, and is associated with a service that can be started. Link services with. Thereby, since the contents provided by each service are described in a unified format, it is possible to set a cooperative relationship between services in a wide area and open environment.

  The service providing unit 31 describes and holds the relationship with other services as a task / subtask relationship with the service connection interface as a basic element in the format specified by the operation target name and the operation name. That is, in each service connection interface, “operation” is designated as a predetermined operation name, and the connection relationship between the service defined by the “operation target name” and the “operation name” and another service is It is defined by the task / subtask relationship. At the time of service cooperation, the service providing unit 31 sets the service cooperation relationship by collating the “operation target” with the “operation name”. For this reason, the content provided by each service is described in a unified format, enabling the setting of linkage between services in a wide-area and open environment, as well as the linkage with other services. , It can be described as a task / subtask relationship (a format that refines the ToDo list), and even if the cooperation relationship is changed, the cooperation relationship with other services need not be greatly affected.

  The service providing means 31 describes the service connection interface as a basic element in a format specified by “operation object name” and “operation name”, and these “operation object name” and “operation name” are respectively abstract concepts. It is defined in a hierarchical relationship according to the degree. The service cooperation unit 33 collates the “operation target name” and the “operation name” in the service connection interface by collating the service cooperation relationship using the inclusion relationship on the abstract layer. For this reason, the contents provided by each service are described in a unified format, and it is possible to set a linkage relationship between services in a wide area and open environment. Can be selected at various levels of abstraction. For example, a service called “print on paper” is regarded as “print” from the upper level, and cooperation with alternative services such as “print on electronic paper” and “print on CD-ROM”, which are lower-level services, is possible. It becomes possible.

  The service providing unit 31 describes and holds the service connection interface as a basic element in a format specified by “operation target name” and “operation”. In the service connection interface of each service, an “operation target name” that is an operation input and an “operation target name” that is an operation output are specified. The service cooperation means 33 collates the “output operation target name” of a certain service with the “input operation target name” of another service, and sets a cooperation relationship between these services. For this reason, the contents provided by each service are described in a unified format, so that it is possible to set up a linkage relationship between services in a wide area and open environment, as well as linkage with other services. Relationships can be described as input / output relationships, and new services linked with other services can be automatically derived. For example, a service “capture content written on whiteboard and output to PDF document” and a service “print PDF document” work together to “capture and print content written on whiteboard”. Can be provided.

[Formation of a collaborative workspace by connecting multiple different workspaces]
The multipoint work space connection means 72 mediates a connection relationship with other work spaces. The service cooperation unit 33 exchanges identification information (address or ID) related to the service recognized in the work space with the other work spaces in the connection relation through the multipoint work space connection unit 72, Services are linked as if they exist in the same workspace. In this way, the index / access point server 17 corresponding to each work space is arranged, and by connecting them, a remote work space can be handled as one virtually connected work space. Specifically, when a device existing in each work space is connected to the index / access point server 17 in each work space, information on services existing in the work space is obtained via the index / access point server 17. It is shared in real time, and services are linked to share services connection interfaces. As a result, multiple work spaces that exist in remote locations are connected to form a virtual work space that can be recognized as if it were in the same work space. Can be linked and integrated.

  The area-specific work space information providing means 73 is arranged for each location area, and holds information related to the work space in the area. The service cooperation means 33 makes an inquiry to the work space information providing means 73 by area based on the connection destination workspace name, identifies the service cooperation means 33 corresponding to the other work space as the connection destination, and The identification information (address or ID) related to the service recognized in the work space is exchanged, and the services are linked among a plurality of remote locations as if they existed in the same work space. The workspace name is managed with a hierarchical structure name corresponding to the location range. As a result, multiple work spaces that exist in remote locations are connected to form a virtual work space that can be recognized as if it were in the same work space. Can be linked.

    The service cooperation means 33 and the multipoint work space connection means 72 are linked with an existing communication system such as a telephone or a TV conference system, and in this communication system, the connection of the communication line with the communication partner starts. Exchanges identification information (address or ID) about the service between the connected workspaces via the workspace connection means, and links the services as if they existed in the same workspace. Information regarding connection interfaces shared between related services is sequentially exchanged via a workspace connection means, and the services are linked.

  As described above, when the user calls the other party using the telephone or the TV conference system, or when the user calls the other party, the access point of the transmission source (workspace connection The access point address is exchanged between the access point and the destination access point, the connection relationship between the access points is automatically set, and the service linkage that connects the remote locations provided in the work space connection means According to the procedure, it is possible to link between a plurality of services that exist in remote locations. Thus, at the start of connection with a remote location, using the function of the access point, even if the connection relationship with the remote access point is not explicitly set, the connection partner is called with a telephone or a TV conference system. Alternatively, the service can be linked by being called.

  In addition, the service cooperation means 33 and the multipoint work space connection means 72 are linked with an existing communication system such as a telephone or a TV conference system, and the communication with the connection destination work space is started from the time when communication in this communication system is started. The service is characterized in that identification information (address or ID) relating to the service is exchanged via the workspace connection means, and these services are linked as if they existed in the same workspace.

  As described above, when the user calls the other party using the telephone or the TV conference system, or when the user calls the other party, the access point of the transmission source (workspace connection The connection relationship between the access points is automatically set between the remote access point and the destination access point. Enables the linkage of services that connect multiple workspaces. Thus, at the start of connection with a remote location, using the function of the access point, even if the connection relationship with the remote access point is not explicitly set, the connection partner is called with a telephone or a TV conference system. Alternatively, the service can be linked in the work space by being called.

  The multipoint work space connection means 72 holds the history of the multipoint work space connection means of other points that have become connection destinations in the past. At the time of connection, the multipoint work space connection means 72 is connected to the past connection history in order to select a connection point corresponding to the work space of the other party as the connection destination when connecting to a remote place and performing collaborative work. A list of connection destination candidates is displayed based on the list. Thus, the user can immediately specify a work space with a high frequency of joint work without checking the name or address of the connection point as the connection destination.

  The multipoint work space connection means 72 is a user having a strong relationship among the other users obtained from the past work history of the user (recognized in the joint work space). If the current location of a user with a high number of times) is searched on the network and found, a list of multipoint workspace connection means corresponding to the workspace in which the user exists can be presented and specified as the connection destination To. For example, when performing collaborative work by connecting to a remote location, the location of users who have performed frequent collaborative work on the network is selected in order to select a connection point corresponding to the work space of the other party that is the connection destination. The connection point existing in the work space where the worker is present is displayed as selectable connection destination candidates. As a result, the user can immediately specify the work space as the connection destination without checking the name or address of the connection point as the connection destination.

[Preliminary setup for linkage]
The service providing means 31 obtains a connection interface of a service provided in the work space that is scheduled to be used from a service peer installed in the work space, and between the user's portable device, Before using the service, the service linkage relationship is registered in advance, and the registered linked service can be called when using the service. Accordingly, it is possible to designate in advance the cooperation relationship of services used in the planned work space without going to the work space in advance.

The service providing means 31 obtains information related to services provided in the work space that is scheduled to be used from the service providing means of the service installed in the work space, and operates in cooperation with each other. Can be confirmed by simulating in advance through a view of a virtual work space or the like. Accordingly, it is possible to check the cooperation relationship of the services used in the planned work space in advance without going to the work space and checking the connection relationship in advance. This is effective when checking the linkage relationship with a service provided by a device installed in a remote work space for the first time.
[Maintenance and provision of services]

  The temporary service holding unit 34 holds a work space-specific service that can be used only in each work space for each work space. The service cooperation unit 33 cooperates with the service searched by the service search unit 32 and the service group registered in advance in the temporary service holding unit 34 as a cooperation target. Services that are operated on portable devices carried by the user include services unique to the work space that can be used only within the work space (for example, a service that controls air conditioning in the conference room). It is redundant for a user who does not use the work space to install such a service specific to the work space in advance on various portable devices. For this reason, a service unique to a work space can be loaded and executed only when a mobile device exists in the work space, thereby reducing the load on installing the service.

  When a service group is disclosed on the network, information on the service is automatically exchanged and propagated between peers corresponding to the service existing on the network. As a result, even if the user does not explicitly install the service on the device, the service to be executed using the device can be used only by connecting to the network.

  The temporary service holding unit 34 temporarily holds a service with a track record executed on various devices. When service cooperation is started, the service cooperation unit 33 checks whether there is a corresponding service among the services stored in the temporary service holding unit 34 before starting to search for a service on the network. If it exists, use that service. In this way, frequently used services are held in a local cache area on each device, and if the cache area is checked before searching for services on the network, the corresponding service is executed. Thus, a service that is frequently executed on a device can be immediately executed when an execution request is generated without searching and loading on the network. In addition, services that are less frequently used can be automatically deleted from the device so that they are loaded from the network only when used.

[Providing an integrated user interface for operating a workspace composed of multiple devices]
The service cooperation unit 33 displays a series of linked services in the form of a cascade menu and allows the user to select. Thereby, even if there are many combinations of service cooperation, a service necessary for the user can be selected.

  The service cooperation means 33 displays the positional relationship of the linked series of services on the overhead view of the work space. When a user selects a combination of linked services, the user interactively selects a service available in the work space through the work space layout. Accordingly, it is possible to select a cooperative relationship between services provided by a plurality of devices in the work space while intuitively grasping the relationship as a positional relationship in the work space.

  The service providing means 31 has a user interface corresponding to a device type such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a notebook PC with respect to a service that operates on various devices in the work space, and corresponds to the type of the device to be executed. Provides a user interface. As a result, the user can receive a uniform service through various types of devices.

  The service cooperation unit 33 determines the role assignment of each service based on the type of device on which the individual service for which the cooperation relationship has been set is executed, and transmits information on the role assignment to the service providing apparatus. The received service providing apparatus executes and provides a user interface corresponding to the role assignment on the device. For example, the user interfaces provided by services that operate on various devices in the workspace are divided into “views” and “controllers”, and each user interface program is assigned to each device according to the device configuration in the workspace. Assigned and executed. Thereby, it is possible to provide an integrated service to the user in cooperation while each device plays a role. For example, a user interface for controlling a presentation on a PDA is provided, and a service using a plurality of devices such as displaying a slide on a projector can be executed.

  Functions provided by buttons and menus on the user interface for operating individual services executed on various devices in the work space are designated by common names representing functions executed by the buttons and menus. It is expressed as a set of “function names”. When the service cooperation unit 33 executes a plurality of services simultaneously on a single device, the function list on the user interface of each service is collated, and the same function can be executed with the same button or menu. And providing a user interface that integrates user interfaces provided by a plurality of services to the user. As a result, when using an integrated service composed of a plurality of services, a user operates through a single user interface that integrates a plurality of service groups without switching the user interface for each service. be able to.

  The service providing means 31 includes a clip area for storing data when data is cut and pasted between services. When data cut or copy is instructed between services, the data is stored in the clip area together with the event ID, the address of the device and the event ID are sent to the paste destination service, and the paste destination In this service, data copied and cut based on the acquired device address and event ID is taken out and pasted. As a result, data can be cut and pasted between different services.

  The service cooperation method according to the present invention is realized by the situation adaptation service cooperation apparatus 50. Each step is realized by installing the program from a hard disk device, a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD or flexible disk, or downloading from a communication circuit, and the CPU executes the program, for example. The

  This program obtains information about a work space in which a device serving as a service peer that performs communication by a hybrid peer-to-peer network exists, and detects a service that is recognized to exist in the same time zone and in the same work space. A computer is caused to execute a service search step and a service link step for linking service groups detected by the service search step.

  The link target index means 74 is the service index means, the work space use reservation means is the use reservation means, the multipoint work space connection means 72 is the work space connection means, and the area-specific work space information provision means 73 is the information provision means. In addition, the temporary service holding unit 34 corresponds to the service holding unit.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications, within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, It can be changed.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the situation adaptive service cooperation by this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating a hybrid peer-to-peer network. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection method of the service peer in a work space. It is a block diagram of the system by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a situation adaptive service cooperation apparatus. It is a figure which shows the data structure in a service. It is a figure which shows the data structure in an index access point. It is a detection flow of a service peer in the same work space. It is a figure which shows an object detection message. It is a figure which shows an object detection transfer request message. The message flow about connection with a remote place is shown. It is a processing flowchart of cooperation target service peer discovery. It is a flowchart of the cooperation process of a service. It is a figure which shows a service connection interface. It is a figure for demonstrating service cooperation. It is a figure for demonstrating service cooperation. It is a flowchart at the time of connection with a remote place. It is a figure which shows the user interface of a service call. It is a figure which shows a remote connection destination designation | designated user interface.

Explanation of symbols

S service peer 2 fixed peer 17 index / access point server 19 scheduler server 20 access key issuing server 31 service providing means 32 service search means 33 service cooperation means 34 temporary service holding means 50 status adaptive service cooperation apparatus 71 service search means 72 multipoint Work space connection means 73 Area-specific work space information provision means 74 Cooperation target index means

Claims (3)

Service detection means for detecting a work space in which a device serving as a service peer arranged in the work space and performing communication by a hybrid peer-to-peer network exists;
A service providing means for exposing a service connection interface on the network and providing the service via the network;
A service search means for detecting a service recognized to exist in the same time zone and in the same work space;
Use reservation means for making a use reservation of the work space in the time period;
Service cooperation means for linking service groups detected by the service search means when the use reservation means has made a use reservation for the work space in the time zone ;
A service cooperation apparatus comprising: Comprising a service index means for holding the position information of the pre-SL service peer,
The service search means obtains information on other services existing in the same work space at the same time zone by inquiring the service index means, and cooperates with other service peers. service cooperation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deriving the relationship. A step of acquiring information about a workspace in which a device serving as a service peer performing communication by a hybrid peer-to-peer network exists, a service search step of detecting a service recognized to exist in the same time zone and in the same workspace, A service reservation step for making a reservation for use of the work space in the time zone, and a service group detected by the service search step when the use reservation for the work space in the time zone has been made by the use reservation step. A program that causes a computer to execute a service linkage step for linking.

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