JP4696480B2 - Remote conference system, base server and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote conference system that connects a plurality of bases to realize remote collaborative work. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for storing a memo recorded on an electronic blackboard during a meeting.

  Recently, there is an increasing demand for network computing technology for connecting computers to each other. By connecting computers to each other via a network, it is possible to smoothly share computer resources and share and distribute information.

  For example, a video conference system can be cited as a system that realizes collaborative work by a plurality of people via a network. According to the video conference system, it is possible to manage the conference while transmitting images and sounds between conference rooms located at points away from each other and watching the faces of the participants on the TV screen. In reality, participants in remote locations can proceed with the proceedings as if they were in the same conference room. Moreover, since each person's actual movement is not accompanied, it leads also to effective use of time and reduction of expenses, such as travel expenses.

  A video conference system is generally composed of an image and audio input / output device such as a camera, a microphone, a monitor, and a speaker, an image and audio encoding / decoding device, a communication device and a line connecting each point. In addition, in order to share data between remote conference rooms, an electronic blackboard is prepared for both parties to write on each other, and an application is shared and operated.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in a communication conference system using multimedia, a conference table imitating an actual conference room, a conference table, a conference table, so that even a participant unfamiliar with the procedure of the conference system can use the system easily. Provides a graphical user interface with icons such as a telephone.

JP-A-8-251568

  However, the conventional teleconference system has room for further enhancing user convenience.

  For example, a record such as a memo written on an electronic blackboard during a meeting is recorded in a recording unit of the electronic blackboard by a button operation of the recorder. Therefore, the recording person has to perform an operation of saving after writing a comment or the like on the electronic blackboard, which is troublesome. In addition, when the recorder forgets to operate the button, there is a problem that the memo that the conference participant wants is not saved. Furthermore, if the operation of writing a memo on the electronic blackboard or erasing the written memo is repeatedly performed, a necessary memo is erased and a problem that the memo is not saved occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote conference system, a base server, and a program that further enhance user convenience.

In order to achieve this object, a remote conference system according to the present invention includes a plurality of base servers arranged at each base of a remote conference performed by connecting a plurality of bases over a network, and the plurality of base servers connected to the network. A workspace server that generates a workspace for managing tasks for realizing collaboration between the plurality of base servers, and each of the plurality of base servers includes display means for displaying meeting materials on the electronic blackboard, and the electronic blackboard The history data is generated by overwriting the memo written on the conference material at a predetermined timing to generate history data, and the generated history data is stored in the first storage means, and stored in the first storage means historical data, and a transmitting means for transmitting to the shared workspace server, the shared workspace server is sent from the base server Receiving means for receiving said history data, and a second storage means for storing the history data received by the receiving means as a conference resource, the history data generating means is displayed on the electronic blackboard The memo written on the electronic blackboard is displayed on the electronic blackboard in response to the selection of another conference material different from the conference material being selected or another page of the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard. The history data is generated by overwriting existing conference material, and the display unit generates the history data after the history data generation unit generates the display of the electronic blackboard to the selected other conference material or the conference It is characterized by switching to another page of the material.
Since the memo written on the electronic blackboard is a memo written on the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard, the history data generation means selects another conference material different from the displayed conference material. Or a record in which a memo is overwritten on the conference material in response to selection of another page of the conference material is stored as history data. Therefore, there is no problem that the conference participant forgets to press the memo save button on the electronic blackboard and the memo written on the electronic blackboard is not saved. In addition, since the meeting material and the memo are associated with each other, for example, when a third party who could not participate in the conference refers to the history data, the memo is recorded for which meeting material. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of a problem that the user does not know whether there is any.
The base server transmits the history data generated by the history data generation means to the shared workspace server and stores it as a conference resource in the second storage means of the shared workspace server. Makes it possible to easily obtain the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard during the meeting and the memo written on the electronic blackboard as history data.

The base server of the present invention is a base server arranged at each base of a remote conference performed by connecting a plurality of bases over a network, the display means for displaying the conference material on the electronic blackboard, and written on the electronic blackboard History data is generated by overwriting the meeting material at a predetermined timing to generate the history data, and the generated history data is stored in the first storage means, and the history data stored in the first storage means A plurality of base servers connected to a network and transmitting means to a shared workspace server for managing a task for realizing cooperation between the base servers, and the history data generating means The electronic black in response to the selection of another meeting material different from the meeting material displayed on the blackboard or another page of the meeting material displayed on the electronic blackboard The history data is generated by overwriting the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard with the memo written on the electronic blackboard, and the display means displays the electronic blackboard after the history data generation means generates the history data. Is switched to the other selected conference material or another page of the conference material.

The program of the present invention is a program that is executed by a base server arranged at each base of a remote conference that is performed by connecting a plurality of bases over a network, the computer displaying a meeting material on an electronic blackboard, and A history data generating unit for generating history data by overwriting the conference material with a memo written on the electronic blackboard at a predetermined timing, and storing the generated history data in a first storage unit; and the first storage unit The history data stored in the network is connected to a plurality of base servers via a network, and functions as a transmission means for transmitting to the shared workspace server that manages tasks for realizing cooperation between the base servers, and the history data generation The means may be another conference material different from the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard, or the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard. In response to the selection of the page, the memo written on the electronic blackboard is overwritten on the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard to generate history data, and the display means includes the history data generation means After the history data is generated, the display of the electronic blackboard is switched to the selected other meeting material or another page of the meeting material.

  According to the present invention, a memo of a meeting can be automatically saved as history data, and the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a remote conference system 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the remote conference system 1 has a configuration in which two base systems 10 and 20 are interconnected by a shared work space server work space server 30. In the example shown in the figure, the shared workspace server workspace server 30 is drawn so as to connect two base systems) for simplification of the drawing, but is limited to one-to-one connection. Instead, three or more sites can be interconnected.

  The shared work space server work space server 30 is different from the multipoint connection device positioned between the systems as the center of the star-type connection using a circuit switching system communication path such as a telephone line. As will be described later, the shared workspace server / workspace server 30 is used to manage connections between base systems, files used during the conference or generated as conference records, and resources related to the conference. It is configured to manage reference (URL: Uniform Resource Locator) information, history information on access to files and the like performed by conference participants.

  The base systems 10 and 20 include a conference device for performing a conference and operate independently of each other. These base systems can be configured based on a conventional video conference system. For example, video / audio servers 11 and 21 are equipped, and input / output of images and sounds from cameras, microphones, monitors, speakers, etc., and encoding / decoding of images and sounds, and transmission / reception with other base systems. Share the behavior and behavior of the participants at each site.

  Also, the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 are prepared for both, and writing is performed at each base. In addition, the application is shared between the base systems. In the present embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) provided by the shared workspace is presented on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22, and the participants of the conference operate to operate the multimedia communication conference system. Connections can be made and information such as files related to the conference can be accessed (described later).

  Participants of the conference at each site are users of the remote conference system 1. The conference participants can connect to the multimedia communication conference system without being aware of the call address of the individual multimedia communication conference system by operating the graphical user interface provided by the shared workspace. Information such as files related to the can be easily accessed from the conference system.

  Each base system 10 and 20 is equipped with an authentication device for authenticating a conference participant. In this embodiment, each participant carries an IC card as a personal authentication medium, and the base systems 10 and 20 are equipped with card readers 13 and 23 for accessing the IC card to perform authentication processing and authority. Can be confirmed.

  The shared work space type remote conference system 1 as shown in FIG. 1 can support the collaborative work between remote locations by realizing the following matters.

(1) Immediately connect with collaborators.
(2) Take out documents necessary for collaboration immediately.
(3) Immediately link the results of collaboration to the next process.

  In the remote conference system 1 of the present embodiment, a modality and a combination of modalities necessary for collaborative work are provided to each base. For example, files such as audio and presentation materials, electronic blackboards, facial video distribution and remote collaborative editing can be packaged and used.

  Further, in the remote conference system 1, by presenting documents related to the collaborative work and automatically connecting to the members participating in the collaborative work, the space in which the collaborative work is performed can be individually assigned to each work group (base). Adapt.

  In the remote conference system 1, real-time collaboration and non-real-time collaboration are performed. In other words, real-time collaboration is recorded (for example, an electronic blackboard or used presentation material is stored) and linked to non-real-time collaboration, or a document is linked to real-time collaboration and non-real-time collaboration is linked.

  A schematic operation procedure of the shared workspace type remote conference system 1 is shown below.

(1) When the user uses the conference system, the user selects a shared workspace (login to the workspace or access with recognition). For example, an ID is input to the system using an IC card corresponding to the shared workspace on a one-to-one basis. Alternatively, an individual logs in and selects a workspace by a GUI operation.
(2) By opening a shared workspace, it recognizes who is currently sharing the workspace and who is communicating with the base system.
(3) When “Conference” is selected in the shared workspace, it is possible to participate in the remote conference from the base (multiple conferences such as general conference and individual-specific conference may be held in the shared workspace. ).
(4) Documents can be stored in the shared workspace, and documents can be referred to during the meeting and images on the electronic blackboard of the meeting can be stored.
(5) The shared workspace is hierarchized, and mutual links are made by hyperlinks.
(6) The sub-workspace can be referred to while participating in the shared workspace.
(7) Manipulate the sub-workspace to disclose information to the shared workspace (drag and drop from the personal workspace).

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a functional configuration of the base server 100 for managing a conference (such as a video conference) in the base system 10. Although not shown, the base server 200 in the other base system 20 has the same configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the site server 100 includes a site server control unit 101, a subsystem management unit 102, an authentication unit 103, a history management unit 104, a history display unit 105, and a communication control unit 106.

  The base server control unit 101 controls each functional unit in the base server 100 and controls the electronic blackboard 12, the video / audio server 11, and the card reader 13.

  The subsystem management unit 102 manages network addresses of subsystems constituting the base system such as the electronic blackboard 12 and the video / audio server 11 grounded to the base. The authentication unit 103 executes some steps of authentication based on the authentication information of the IC card 2 read by the card reader 13.

  When the conference material is displayed on the electronic blackboard 12, the history management unit 104 overwrites the conference material with the memo written on the electronic blackboard 12, and stores the history data. The history display unit 105 displays the history data stored in the history management unit 104 on the display device. Although not shown, these functional units can be configured by software modules. Software modules can perform some authentication steps at the site, and manage the network addresses of subsystems that make up the site system such as the electronic blackboard and video / audio server installed at the site. It is.

  The base server 100 communicates with the shared workspace server 30 based on the authentication information and authority information read from the IC card held by the conference participant using the connected card reader 13, and Realize usage.

  In the base system 10, a graphical user interface is provided, and conference participants use the user interface to specify the same session provided in the workspace, thereby enabling collaboration call setting and information sharing. Can be performed. Further, the resource related to the conference may exist in the base system 10, for example, or may be stored in another storage location in the base or a server outside the base, for example, described in URL format Is done.

  The base server 100 is realized, for example, by starting a predetermined server application on a general computer system such as a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS) connected to a network.

  As already described with reference to FIG. 1, the base systems 10 and 20 are interconnected by the shared workspace server 30. FIG. 3 schematically shows the functional configuration of the shared workspace server 30.

  The shared work space server 30 is arranged to share a work space, which is an object for managing and using a task, which is a unit of collaboration, between the bases.

  The workspace manager 31 manages the workspace generated at each site in the remote conference system 1.

  An access control list (ACL) is provided for each work space, and the work space manager 31 works across multiple bases based on authentication information and authority information read from the IC card held by the conference participants. Manage or limit space usage.

  Each workspace is done by a session that manages the connection between sites or site systems, files that are used during conferences or generated as conference records, reference information for conference-related resources, and conference participants History information on access to files and resources is managed.

  An access control list (ACL) is assigned to each session, file, reference information, and access history information in the workspace. Therefore, the workspace manager 31 can manage or restrict the use in units of workspaces, and can also set the bases with fine granularity such as session units, file units, reference information units, or access history information units in the workspace. It is also possible to perform access control.

  The shared workspace server 30 is realized, for example, by starting a predetermined server application on a general computer system such as a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS) connected to a network.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the management table of the personal file database 32 and the shared file database 33 connected to the shared workspace server 30. The personal file database 32 stores personal meeting materials generated by the conference participants, and a personal file is registered in association with the user ID for identifying the user as shown in FIG. . The shared file database 33 stores meeting materials set in a shared file that can be used in common by the meeting participants. As shown in FIG. A shared file is registered in association.

  The shared workspace server 30 returns the intended shared workspace as a response based on the user information read from the IC card 2 possessed by the user and transmitted from the base servers 100 and 200. The shared workspace server 30 extracts information necessary for configuring the GUI of the shared workspace based on the specified shared workspace information, and transfers the information to the base servers 100 and 200. At this time, in order to select an initial shared workspace suitable for the user in addition to the user information, the shared workspace server 30 performs prioritization using a part or all of the following information. May be.

-Network information such as the network address and host name of the base servers 100, 200-Location information indicating where the base servers 100, 200 are installed-Shared workspace name, file name, URL received from the base servers 100, 200・ User schedule information and current time ・ Which user is with ・ What kind of shared workspace have you used in the past?

  FIG. 5 schematically shows a state in which a plurality of shared workspaces are connected by hyperlinks.

  The shared workspace server 30 may prioritize all of these shared workspaces when selecting an initial shared workspace, or a portion of the shared workspace that the user previously specified with a bookmark or the like Prioritization may be performed only on the set.

  Further, when presenting a plurality of shared workspaces and allowing the user to select one of them, any one of the following methods or a part or all of them may be used.

• Use normal hypertext navigation style • Use menus • Display part or all of the graph structure composed of shared workspaces

  The user moves by selecting a node as necessary along a graph structure constituted by a plurality of workspaces provided by the shared workspace server 30, and selects a desired shared workspace. At this time, when displaying a plurality of workspaces, the color, size, shape, position or a combination thereof is changed according to the prioritization as described above, thereby assisting the user in selecting. Also good.

  In addition, when the shared workspace server 30 detects that a base system specifying the same session has been added, it issues a request to connect all the registered base systems to other base systems. To do. As a result, it is possible to immediately connect with the partner of cooperation. In this case, any of the following may be used as the connection form between the plurality of base systems.

・ Hub type ・ Full graph type ・ Spanning tree type

  For example, when the user 1 of the base system 10 and the user 2 of the base system 20 select the same session A, screen sharing of the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 in the base systems 10 and 20 is started. User 1 and user 2 can access files necessary for the conference, such as presentation materials, via the electronic blackboards 12 and 22, respectively. In other words, documents necessary for collaboration can be immediately extracted.

  Screen sharing is performed by hooking input / output to an application. In addition, when screen sharing is performed, a mechanism for changing the color of characters and lines depending on the input from which site in response to input requests from a plurality of sites may be provided. The reference history of files and resources generated by applications driven by screen sharing is stored in the shared workspace A (see FIG. 3).

  The process of registering and referring to the history of file and resource references will be described below.

The process of registering history in Recently Used:
There are computers that provide multiple workspaces on the network.
Each user selects the workspace (s) on the electronic blackboard or other client terminal.
Each user opens a file and browses and searches for information on the Web (or other wide area information search system).
A reference (URL) related to the opened file or the Web page from which information was browsed is stored in the user's client terminal.
Select a reference to be registered in the workspace among the references stored on the user's client terminal.
Transfer the selected reference to all workspaces (or selected workspaces). The workspace registers the received reference.

Referencing Recently Used:
Each user selects the workspace (s) on the electronic blackboard or client terminal.
Each user performs an operation of viewing the history of the workspace on the electronic blackboard or the client terminal.
A list of workspaces sorted in “date order”, “reference count order”, or “importance order” is presented on the electronic blackboard or Klein plan and the terminal screen.
At this time, the history of a plurality of workspaces is displayed in the form of “individual”, “union”, or “intersection”.
Each user can open a file or browse the Web by selecting a reference from the list.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11 show the state of the electronic blackboard 12 and the video / audio server 11 arranged in the base system 10, and the state of the electronic blackboard 22 and the video / audio server 21 arranged in the base system 20. ing. Here, by specifying the same shared workspace in the base system 10 and the base system 20, the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 constituting each base system are connected, and the video servers 11 and 21 constituting each base system are connected. An example of the operation will be described.

  In this operation example, only one session is managed in each shared workspace. When a plurality of base systems select the same shared workspace, the base systems are connected and a session is started.

  (1) The base system 10 and the base system 20 display a screen prompting login using an IC card as an initial screen on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 (or the client terminal of the user) (see FIG. 6). When the IC card 2 is connected to the base server 100 of the base system 10, a list of shared workspaces related to the user is displayed on the electronic blackboard 12 of the base system 10 (see FIG. 7).

  (2) Here, it is assumed that the user selects a shared workspace named “Project X” from among the plurality of shared workspaces displayed on the electronic blackboard 12.

  (3) The site system 10 transmits the shared workspace reference selected by the user to the shared workspace server 30.

  (4) The shared workspace server 30 transmits a list of file references held in the shared workspace to the base server 100. Further, the shared workspace server 30 holds the network address of the base server 100 in order to enable connection between the base servers that have selected the project X of the shared workspace.

  (5) The base server 100 displays a list of transmitted file references on the electronic blackboard 12 (see FIG. 8).

  (6) When another user connects the IC card 2 to the base server 200 of the base system 20 corresponding to the conference room B, a list of shared workspaces related to the user is displayed on the electronic blackboard of the base system 20 22 (see FIG. 9).

  (7) Here, the user in the conference room B selects the shared workspace named “Project X” among the plurality of shared workspaces displayed on the electronic blackboard 22.

  (8) In response to this selection operation, the shared workspace server 30 transmits a list of file references held in the shared workspace 1 to the base server 200. The shared workspace server 30 holds the network address of the base server 200 in order to enable connection between the base servers that have selected the project X of the shared workspace.

  (9) By the above-described procedure, two or more base servers have selected the same shared workspace. For this reason, the shared workspace server 30 issues a request to connect all the registered base servers to other base servers. More specifically, a request to connect to the base server 200 is issued to the base server 100, and a request to connect to the base server 100 is issued to the base server 200.

  (10) The base server 100 and the base server 200 issue a request to connect both video / audio servers, connect the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 to the shared workspace server 30, and share input / output to the application. Start.

  (11) In this embodiment, the base system 10 and the base system 20 hold the video / audio servers 11 and 21, respectively. The base server 100 transmits a request to the video / audio server 11 to receive video and audio from the video / audio server 21. Similarly, the base server 200 transmits a request to the video / audio server 21 to receive video and audio from the video / audio server 11.

  (12) The video / audio server 11 starts receiving video and audio from the video / audio server 21, and the video / audio server 21 starts receiving video and audio from the video / audio server 11. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the video and audio data received from the video server at the other site are output to each site on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22.

(13) Here, it is assumed that the user selects the file P via the graphical user interface presented on the electronic blackboard 12 of the base system 10. In response to this, an application associated with the file is started in the shared workspace server 30.

  (14) The shared workspace server 30 transfers the screen display performed by the application to the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 in the base systems 10 and 20.

  (15) Both the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 display the application screen based on the screen display information transmitted from the shared workspace server 30. FIG. 11 shows a state in which screen display information received from the shared workspace server 30 is displayed and output on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 at each site.

  (16) The users of the base system 100 and the base system 200 exchange information on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 using a user input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device and the video / audio servers 11 and 22, respectively. Then proceed with the meeting.

  (17) When the user operating the electronic blackboard 12 instructs to end the application, the file used in the application is stored in the shared workspace. Or you may store in the file server (not shown) which the reference on a shared workspace instruct | indicates.

  (18) In the base server 200, the user instructs the logout from the base server 200 and the end of use by connecting the IC card 2. As a result, the base server 200 ends the session.

  (19) In the base server 100, the user instructs the logout from the base server 100 and the end of system use by moving the IC card outside the card recognizable range of the card reader 13.

  Next, each procedure described above will be described in more detail. First, an authentication procedure performed by the user using the IC card 2 in order to use the remote conference system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the operation of the base system 10 is described as an example, but the base system 20 performs the same operation as the base system 10.

  In order to use the remote conference system 1, the user must log in to the system by reading the card information of the IC card 2 into the card reader 13 and performing authentication. The IC card 2 stores, for example, personal information such as a user name and department, card information such as a password, authentication data, and a user ID.

  The card reader 13 reads card information from the IC card 2 and transmits it to the base server 100. The base server 100 records the card information read by the card reader 13 in the authentication unit 103 and transmits the authentication data to the user database 40 via the communication control unit 106. In the user database 40, data for authenticating a user who can use the remote conference system 1 is recorded. For example, the secret key issued by the certification authority is recorded in the user database 40, and it is determined whether the user is a legitimate user by authenticating with the public key read from the IC card 2. When the authentication is successful, the user database 40 transmits certificate data certifying that the corresponding user is an authorized user who can use the system to the base server 100.

  If the authentication is successful, the site server 100 logs in to the shared workspace server 30 using the certificate data transmitted from the user database 40. When the shared workspace server 30 receives a login request with a certificate from the base server 100, the shared workspace server 30 receives the request. The shared workspace server 30 receives the login request and transmits file selection screen data to the base server 100. The screen data is data for the user to select a file to be displayed on the electronic blackboard 12. The file list screen data shown in FIG. 16 and the meeting body selection screen data shown in FIG. 18 correspond to this.

  Next, a communication procedure for performing a remote conference by displaying the same file on the base servers 100 and 200 will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the base server 100 and the base server 200 have already logged in to the shared workspace server 30 by the procedure described above. Further, the user who provides the conference material accesses the shared workspace server 30 and registers the file used in the conference in the personal file database 32 shown in FIG.

  A user who makes a presentation using the conference material causes the card reader 13 to read the card information of the IC card 2 in order to display the created file on the electronic blackboard 12. Since the base server 100 is already authenticated card information, the shared workspace server 30 receives the certificate data, the user ID of the corresponding individual, and the conference entity ID for identifying the conference entity. Send to. The conference body indicates a conference using the remote conference system 1 that is performed by connecting a plurality of base systems 10 and 20, and the conference body ID indicates ID information for identifying the conference body. When the user sets which conference body the base system 10 is used for, the conference body ID is transmitted to the shared workspace server 30 and managed in the workspace.

  The shared workspace server 30 searches the personal file database 32 and the shared file database 33 from the transmitted user ID and conference body ID, and finds the personal file of the individual and the shared file of the conference body. To detect. When the file is detected, the shared workspace server 30 transmits data of the file list screen shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the file list screen is a screen in which a list of files prepared for a conference by individual users and a list of files shared by conference participants are displayed as tags. Meeting materials are displayed on the electronic blackboard 12 by selecting a file from the file list displayed on the list screen. The screen displayed on the electronic blackboard 12 is also displayed on the electronic blackboard 22 of another base system that has entered the same conference.

Since the base server 100 and the base server 200 are set to the same conference body (work space), the conference material selected by the user in the base system 10 is also displayed on the electronic blackboard 22 of the base system 20. Therefore, the user in the base system 10 can explain the conference material to the user in the base system 20.

  When the memo is written on the electronic blackboard 12, the base server 100 transmits the memo data from the electronic blackboard 12 to the shared workspace server 30. The memo data consists of information on the coordinate values that have been written. The shared workspace server 30 transmits the memo data to all the base servers used for the same conference. Here, the memo data is transmitted to the base server 200. The base server 200 displays the memo data transmitted from the shared workspace server 30 on the electronic blackboard 22 so as to overlap the document data. In this embodiment, the written memo data is transmitted to other base servers via the shared workspace server 30, but the base servers are directly connected to each other and the memo data is transmitted and received between the base servers. May be performed.

  It is also possible to connect to these base servers 100 and 200 from other base servers 300 (not shown) not connected to the base servers 100 and 200 where the conference is held, and participate in the conference from the middle. In this case, when the login to the shared workspace server 30 is completed, the shared workspace server 30 transmits the conference body selection screen shown in FIG. A conference participant selects a conference body to which he / she participates from the conference body selection screen shown in FIG. The camera icon shown in FIG. 18 indicates that a conference using the remote conference system 1 is currently being performed. When the meeting body is selected by the user, the shared workspace server 30 transfers the file displayed on the base servers 100 and 200 to the base server 300 for display.

  Here, the details of the screen data for file selection transmitted from the shared workspace server 30 will be described. The file list screen 50 shown in FIG. 16 includes a tag display of a file list screen 51 prepared for a conference by individual users and a file list screen 52 shared by the conference participants. On this screen, a user switching button 54, a remote button 55, a conference end button 56, and a wall control button 53 are displayed.

  The user switching button 54 is a button for switching the user of the electronic blackboard, and is used when the file displayed on the electronic blackboard 12 or 22 is switched to a file created by another user. For example, by pressing the user switching button 54, a list of conference participants is displayed. Of course, when the conference is performed remotely, the names of participants in other base systems are also displayed. A meeting participant who displays the created material on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 and explains or proposes selects his / her name. As a result, its own file list screen is displayed on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22. Of course, the same screen is also displayed on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 of the remote base system where the same conference is held.

The remote button 55 is a button used when a remote conference is performed by connecting to a remote base system. This button operation connects or disconnects the line with another base system.

  When the wall control button 53 is selected, a wall control screen 60 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. On the wall control screen 60, it is possible to refer to the preview screen 61 that simply displays the page of each file. Since this preview screen 61 shows a simple display of page contents, it is possible to easily find a page to be displayed on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22. On the wall control screen 60, buttons 62 for selecting the data displayed on the preview screen, the first 62, the last 63, the previous page 64, and the next page 65, the screen save 66, the screen print 67, the file print 68, and the participants Operation buttons such as a list 69 and a deletion 70 are provided.

The conference end button 56 is a button that is pressed when the conference is ended. By pressing this button, a history data selection screen 90 shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. History data, which was to save the notes written on the electronic blackboard 12 and 22 during the meeting, is a data overwrite to save the memo data to the conference material. When a file to be shared is selected on the history data selection screen 90, the file is stored in the shared file database 33 of the shared workspace server 30 shown in FIG. Once selected as a shared file, any meeting participant can access and view this file.

  Next, a procedure for storing memo data written on the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The same data is transmitted to the base server 100 and the base server 200 set to the same conference body, and the same conference material is displayed on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 (step S1). When the pen for performing additional writing is placed on the tray, or when the additional recording mode is canceled by pressing an additional recording mode button (not shown) and the normal pointer (mouse) mode is restored (step S2), the base server 100 is written. The memo data is transmitted to the base server 100. The base server 100 stores the memo data written on the electronic blackboard 12 as history data overwriting the conference material (step S3). When the provider of the currently displayed material is on the site system 10 side, the site server 100 becomes the master side and records all memo data. Therefore, even if writing is performed on the electronic blackboard 22 of the base server 200, the memo data is transmitted to the base server 100 via the shared work server 30 and stored as history data on the base server 100 side.

  Further, when there is an operation input of the electronic blackboard 12 or 22, and selection of another page of the conference material or a conference material of another file is input (step S4 / YES), the base server 100 before the display is switched. The history data is created by overwriting the memo data on the conference material being displayed (step S5). This history storage is also performed when the conference material to be displayed is switched to that of another user.

  Also, when the button operation for ending the conference is input (step S6), the base server 100 generates and stores history data in which the memo data is overwritten on the conference material. By automatically storing the memo written on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 in the base servers 100 and 200 before the display is switched in this way, the user does not need to be aware of the storage of the conference material.

  In the above-described flow, memo data is stored in the base servers 100 and 200 when the append operation is completed or when a file or page different from the currently displayed file or page is displayed. There are other possible timings for saving. For example, the memo data may be stored when the amount of memo data written on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 exceeds a predetermined amount, or when the additional writing mode is set and the predetermined additional recording time is exceeded.

  Next, a procedure for storing history data in the shared database server 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, a procedure will be described in which the conference material provider is on the site system 10 side, and the site server 100 serves as a master to store history data.

When the conference end button is pressed on the file list selection screen 50 shown in FIG. 16 (step S11 / YES), the history data selection screen 90 shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the electronic blackboard 12 under the control of the shared workspace server 30. Display. Or you may display on the terminal device of the user connected to base server 100.
Displaying the history data selection screen 90 allows the user to select data to be saved in the shared file from the saved history data (step S12). When the history data to be stored is selected by the user (step S13 / YES), the site server 100 transmits the selected history data to the shared workspace server 30 (step S14). The shared workspace server 30 stores the history data in the shared file database 33 in association with the meeting body ID for identifying the meeting body. With this process, the history data of the conference can be stored in the workspace identified by the conference body ID as shown in FIG.

  Since the user ID of the conference participant and the meeting body I are recorded in the workspace of the shared workspace server 30, the shared workspace server 30 stores the history data from the users registered in the workspace. History data is sent only for the acquisition request. Therefore, meeting materials are not provided to outsiders.

  In the above-described procedure, the history data is selected and stored in the shared workspace server 30 when the conference end button 56 is pressed after the conference ends. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another history selection button may be provided, and the save operation may be performed even if the conference has not ended.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment is an embodiment of a history data storage program. FIG. 20 shows the configuration of the shared workspace server 30 and the base servers 100 and 200 as processing devices. As shown in FIG. 20, these processing devices include a CPU 41, a ROM 42 that records a history data storage program, a RAM 43 that operates as a work area of the CPU, an operation unit 44, and an I / O as a connection means with external devices. The F unit 45 is connected via a bus. The CPUs 41 of the base servers 100 and 200 operate according to a program read from the ROM 42. By the operation according to this program, the authentication operation shown in FIG. 12, the operation of acquiring the conference material from the shared workspace shown in FIG. 13 and displaying it on the electronic blackboards 12 and 22, the history data is created at a predetermined timing The operation of saving and transmitting to the shared workspace server 30 is performed.

  The CPU 41 of the shared workspace server 30 also operates according to the program read from the ROM 42. By the operation according to the program of the CPU 41, the shared workspace setting operation, the conference material is transmitted to the base servers 100 and 200, and the history data transmitted from the base servers 100 and 200 is stored. In this way, the present embodiment can obtain the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

  The embodiment described above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above description, an embodiment has been described in which one site server (electronic blackboard, video / audio server, card reader) is managed by one site server. The present invention is not limited to such a form, and each device provided in each of a plurality of conference rooms may be managed by one base server.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a remote conference system 1. FIG. It is the figure which showed typically the function structure of the base server 100 for managing the meeting (video conference etc.) in the base system 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of a shared workspace server 30. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the data management table of the personal file database 33, (B) is a figure which shows the data management table of the shared file database 33. It is the figure which showed typically a mode that the some shared workspace was couple | bonded by the hyperlink. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen display which prompts the login using an IC card. It is the figure which showed a mode that the list | wrist of the shared workspace with which a user relates is displayed on the display apparatus of the base system 10 by connecting an IC card to the base server 100 of the base system 10. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a reference list of files included in a project X is displayed on the electronic blackboard 12. FIG. It is the figure which showed a mode that the list of the shared workspace with which this user is related is displayed on the display apparatus of the base system 20, when another user connects an IC card to the base server 200 of the base system 20. It is the figure which showed a mode that the video and audio | voice data received from the video server of the other base in the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 to each base are output. It is the figure which showed a mode that the information of the screen display received from the shared workspace server workspace server 30 was displayed and output in the electronic blackboards 12 and 22 of each base. It is a figure which shows the procedure which authenticates with the authentication data of an IC card. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for acquiring desired data from a shared workspace server 30. It is a flowchart which shows the preservation | save procedure of log | history data. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering history data in a shared workspace server 30; It is a figure which shows an example of a file list selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a wall control screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a meeting body selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a history data selection screen. It is a figure which shows the structure of the shared workspace server 30, the base server 100, and the base server 200 as a processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Bi-conference system 2 IC card 10, 20 Base system 11, 21 Video / audio server 12, 22 Electronic blackboard 13, 23 Card reader 31 Workspace manager 32 Personal file database 33 Shared file database 50 File list selection screen 60 Wall Control screen 80 Conference body selection screen 90 History data selection screen 100, 200 Base server 101 Base server control unit 102 Subsystem management unit 103 Authentication unit 104 History management unit 105 History display unit 106 Communication control unit

Claims (3)

A plurality of base servers arranged at each base of a remote conference performed by connecting a plurality of bases over a network,
A workspace server that generates a workspace for managing tasks for realizing collaboration among the plurality of base servers connected to the network ;
Each of the plurality of base server includes display means for displaying the meeting material to the electronic blackboard, history the notes written on the electronic blackboard to overwrite the conference material at a predetermined timing to generate the history data was generated History data generating means for storing data in the first storage means, and transmission means for transmitting the history data stored in the first storage means to the shared workspace server,
The shared workspace server has receiving means for receiving the history data transmitted from the base server , and second storage means for storing the history data received by the receiving means as conference resources ,
The history data generating means is configured to select the electronic device in response to selection of another conference material different from the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard or another page of the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard. The history data is generated by overwriting the meeting material displayed on the electronic blackboard with the memo written on the blackboard, and the display means generates the history data after the history data generation means generates the history data. A remote conference system , wherein the display is switched to the other selected conference material or another page of the conference material . A base server placed at each base of a remote conference performed by connecting a plurality of bases over a network,
Display means for displaying meeting materials on an electronic blackboard;
History data generation means for generating history data by overwriting the conference material with a memo written on the electronic blackboard at a predetermined timing, and storing the generated history data in a first storage means;
A transmission means for transmitting the history data stored in the first storage means to a shared workspace server for managing a task for connecting a plurality of base servers to a network and realizing cooperation between the base servers; And
The history data generating means is configured to select the electronic device in response to selection of another conference material different from the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard or another page of the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard. The history data is generated by overwriting the meeting material displayed on the electronic blackboard with the memo written on the blackboard, and the display means generates the history data after the history data generation means generates the history data. A base server , wherein the display is switched to the other selected conference material or another page of the conference material . A program to be executed by a base server arranged at each base of a remote conference performed by connecting a plurality of bases over a network,
A display means for displaying the meeting material on the electronic blackboard;
History data generation means for generating history data by overwriting the conference material with a memo written on the electronic blackboard at a predetermined timing, and storing the generated history data in a first storage means;
The history data stored in the first storage means is made to function as a transmission means for transmitting a plurality of base servers to a shared workspace server that manages a task for connecting a plurality of base servers and realizing cooperation between the base servers. ,
The history data generating means is configured to select the electronic device in response to selection of another conference material different from the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard or another page of the conference material displayed on the electronic blackboard. The history data is generated by overwriting the meeting material displayed on the electronic blackboard with the memo written on the blackboard, and the display means generates the history data after the history data generation means generates the history data. A program for switching the display to the other selected conference material or another page of the conference material .

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