JP5418062B2 - CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT DEVICE, CONFERENCE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a conference management apparatus and related technology.

  In a meeting system (conference system) such as a TV conference system, there is a technique for displaying material data on a large display (display device).

  For example, in Patent Document 1, material data is stored in each of two devices connected via a network in a remote meeting, and the material data stored in the device is displayed connected to the device. It is described that it is displayed on the device.

JP-A-7-162531

  By the way, in the meeting system, it is preferable that the document data is distributed to each individual.

  However, the system described in Patent Document 1 is merely a device in which material data is stored in devices that are arranged apart from each other, and does not distribute material data to conference participants.

  Therefore, in such a device, the organizer (proposer) etc. appropriately distributes meeting materials to each participant, such as the organizer who manages the distribution of document data, etc. It is difficult to do in units.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily managing distribution of document data in units of individual participants.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is a conference management device, wherein participant information acquisition means for acquiring conference participant information, and storage means having a user box as a storage area for a user, Determining means for determining each user box corresponding to a plurality of participants in the conference; material acquiring means for acquiring material data for the meeting; and the material data in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants Storage control means for respectively transferring and storing, access status acquisition means for acquiring access status to each material data respectively stored in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants, and for each participant comprising display control means for displaying the access status to the display unit, wherein the display control means, access to a particular document data in a particular user box The display mode of the icon image corresponding to the specific user box is changed depending on whether or not the user has already been performed, and the specific material data in the specific user box has already been accessed. In some cases, an image corresponding to the access type of the access among a plurality of different access types is displayed as an icon image corresponding to the specific user box.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the conference management apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the display control means is configured to print out the specific material data in the specific user box. An image indicating that the printout process has been completed is displayed as an icon image corresponding to the specific user box.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the conference management apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the display control means has already performed a download process for the specific material data in the specific user box. In this case, an image indicating that the download process has been completed is displayed as an icon image corresponding to the specific user box.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the conference management apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the display control means has already performed a file open process for the specific material data in the specific user box. If it has been performed, an image indicating that the file open process has been completed is displayed as an icon image corresponding to the specific user box.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the conference management apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the display control means accesses the specific material data in the specific user box a plurality of times by a plurality of different access types. Is displayed, an image showing a single access type selected according to a predetermined order among the plurality of access types is displayed.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the conference management apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display a preview image of the specific material data. And

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the conference management apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the icon image corresponding to the specific user box includes a plurality of icon images stored in the specific user box. a plurality of sub-image regions corresponding respectively to the material data, the display control means, whether or not the access to a specific article data of the plurality of material data before Symbol in a particular user box has already been performed Accordingly, the display mode of the sub image area corresponding to the specific material data among the plurality of sub image areas is changed, and the specific material data in the specific user box has already been accessed. The image corresponding to the access type of the access among the different access types corresponds to the specific material data. Characterized in that to be displayed as an icon image of the probe image area.

The invention of claim 8 is the conference management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the material data is stored in a corresponding user box for each of the plurality of participants. Is further provided with a notifying means for notifying the user by e-mail.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the conference management apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the conference management apparatus is an image forming apparatus, and the storage unit is provided for each user of the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by having a user box.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the conference management apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the invention, when the unregistered user who is a person other than the user of the image forming apparatus is included in the plurality of participants, the storage control means Generates a temporary storage box for the unregistered user in the storage unit, the determination unit determines the temporary storage box as a user box corresponding to the unregistered user, and the storage control unit includes: The material data is transferred and stored in the temporary storage box corresponding to the unregistered user.

The invention of claim 11 is a conference system, wherein participant information acquisition means for acquiring conference participant information, storage means having a user box as a storage area for users, and a plurality of participants in the conference Determining means for determining each user box corresponding to each of the user boxes, a material acquiring means for acquiring meeting material data, and a storage for transferring and storing the material data in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants Control means; access status acquisition means for acquiring access status to each material data stored in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants; and display means for displaying the access status for each participant and a display control unit, wherein the display control unit, the access to a specific document data in the particular user box has already been Depending on whether or not the display mode of the icon image corresponding to the specific user box is changed, and the access to the specific material data in the specific user box has already been performed, a plurality of different Of these access types, an image corresponding to the access type of the access is changed as an icon image corresponding to the specific user box.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the conference system according to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the display control means can access the specific document data in the specific user box a plurality of times with different access types. If it is performed, an image showing a single access type selected according to a predetermined order among the plurality of access types is displayed.

The invention according to claim 13 includes: a) acquiring conference participant information; and b) storage units having user boxes that are storage areas for users, each corresponding to a plurality of participants in the conference. Determining each user box; c) obtaining material data for the meeting; d) transferring and storing the material data in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants; e ) Obtaining an access status to each material data respectively stored in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants; and f) displaying the access status for each participant on a display means. A program for causing a computer to execute, in the step f), for a specific material data in a specific user box The display mode of the icon image corresponding to the specific user box is changed depending on whether or not the access has already been performed, and the specific material data in the specific user box has already been accessed. In this case, an image corresponding to the access type of the access among a plurality of different access types is displayed as an icon image corresponding to the specific user box.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the thirteenth aspect, in the step f), the specific material data in the specific user box is accessed a plurality of times by a plurality of different access types. If it is performed, an image showing a single access type selected according to a predetermined order among the plurality of access types is displayed.

According to the invention described in claims 1 to 14, since the material data is transferred and stored in each user box corresponding to a plurality of participants, the distribution of the material data can be easily made in an individual participant unit. It is possible to manage. Further, since the access status to each material data stored in each user box corresponding to a plurality of participants is acquired, it is possible to manage the access status to each material data on an individual participant basis. Furthermore, since the access status for each participant is displayed, the proposer of the conference can easily grasp the access status for each participant. In addition, since the display mode of the icon image corresponding to the specific user box is changed depending on whether or not the access to the specific material data in the specific user box has already been performed, the conference proposer is specified. It is possible to easily grasp the access status of each user for the document data. In addition, since an image corresponding to the access type is displayed as an icon image corresponding to a specific user box, it is possible to easily know by which access type each user has accessed specific data. It is.

In particular, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the preview image of the specific material data is displayed, the material data to be displayed regarding the access status is clearly indicated.

In particular, according to the invention described in claim 7 , the specific material data is determined depending on whether or not access to the specific material data among the plurality of material data in the specific user box has already been performed. Since the display mode of the corresponding icon image is changed, the proposer of the meeting can easily grasp the access status to the specific material data among the plurality of material data.

In particular, according to the invention described in claim 8 , since each of the plurality of participants is notified by e-mail that the material data is stored in the corresponding user box, It can be easily understood that the document data is distributed to itself.

In particular, according to the invention described in claim 9 , it is possible to easily construct a conference management apparatus by using a user box function provided in the image forming apparatus.

In particular, according to the invention described in claim 10 , it is possible to manage the distribution status of the document data even for unregistered users of the image forming apparatus.

It is a system configuration figure showing an outline of a conference system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a meeting management apparatus (MFP). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of FIG. 2 in more detail. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a meeting management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the main registration screen of meeting information. It is a figure which shows the attendee's input screen. It is a figure which shows the input screen of a registered user. It is a figure which shows the input screen of a non-registration user. It is a figure which shows a mode that the user information in two meeting management apparatuses is integrated. It is a figure which shows the registered meeting data (conference reservation data). It is a figure which shows material transmission data. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the storage operation | movement of the material data with respect to a certain conference management apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the storage operation | movement of the material data with respect to another meeting management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image representing “printed out”. It is a figure which shows the image showing "file open process completed." It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display content in a display apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. Outline of configuration>
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overview of a conference system 100 (100A) according to this embodiment. The conference system 100 includes two conference management devices 10 (specifically, 10a and 10b) and a plurality of computers 70. One conference management device 10a and the other conference management device 10b are arranged at a location (remote location) separated from each other. For example, one conference management device 10a is arranged in a conference room MRa in Osaka, and the other conference management device 10b is arranged in a conference room MRb in Tokyo. The conference system 100 is also expressed as a TV conference system that transmits and receives images and sound between a plurality of devices 10 and the like arranged at remote locations.

  The two conference management apparatuses 10a and 10b are connected to each other via the network NW and can perform network communication. The conference management apparatus 10a and the plurality of computers 50 and 70 (70a, 70b, and 70c) are connected to each other via the network NW and can perform network communication. Furthermore, the conference management apparatus 10a and the plurality of computers 70 (70d, 70e, 70f) are connected to each other via the network NW and can perform network communication. Here, the network NW is configured by a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, or the like. A connection form of each device to the network NW may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

  Each conference management device 10 manages conference data data DP (see FIG. 19). Specifically, as will be described later, each conference management apparatus 10 stores the material data DP in each user box corresponding to each of a plurality of conference participants, and also stores the material data DP in each user box. Know the access status.

  The display device 30 is a device that displays the access status of the material data (presentation material data) DP. Here, the display device 30 is connected to the conference management device 10 via a network. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display device 30 may be connected via an external output terminal (video signal output unit or the like) of the conference management device 10.

  Each of the computers 50 and 70 is a device capable of network communication with the conference management device 10. The computer 50 is a computer used by a conference presenter (presenter) PR. Each computer 70 is a computer used by each participant Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, Pe, Pf of the conference.

  Each of the conference management apparatuses 10a and 10b is configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) in this embodiment.

  2 and 3 are block diagrams showing a schematic configuration of each conference management apparatus (MFP) 10 (10a, 10b). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of FIG. 2 in more detail. In the following, the conference management apparatus 10a will be mainly described, but the conference management apparatus 10b has the same configuration as the conference management apparatus 10a.

  As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 2, the conference management apparatus (MFP) 10 includes an image reading unit 2, a print output unit 3, a communication unit 4, a storage unit 5, an input / output unit 6, a controller 9, and the like. Various functions are realized by operating these parts in a complex manner.

  The image reading unit 2 is a processing unit that optically reads a document placed at a predetermined position of the MFP 10 and generates image data (also referred to as a document image) of the document.

  The print output unit 3 is an output unit that prints out an image on various media such as paper based on data related to a print target.

  The communication unit 4 is a processing unit capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 4 can perform network communication via the communication network NW. In this network communication, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are used. By using the network communication, the MFP 10 can exchange various data with a desired destination. The MFP 10 can also send and receive e-mails using the communication unit 4.

  The storage unit 5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 5 stores a document image (image data) generated by the image reading unit 2 or the like. The storage unit 5 stores material data DP and the like.

  The input / output unit 6 includes an operation input unit 6a that receives input to the MFP 10 and a display unit 6b that displays and outputs various types of information. Specifically, the MFP 10 is provided with an operation panel 63 (see FIG. 1). The operation panel (touch screen) 63 is configured by embedding a piezoelectric sensor or the like in a liquid crystal display panel, and functions as a part of the display unit 62 and also functions as a part of the operation input unit 61.

  The controller 9 is a control device that is built in the MFP 10 and controls the MFP 10 in an integrated manner. The controller 9 is configured as a computer system including a CPU and various semiconductor memories (such as a RAM and a ROM). The controller 9 implements various processing units by executing predetermined software programs (hereinafter also simply referred to as programs) stored in a ROM (for example, an EEPROM) in the CPU.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 9 includes a conference information registration control unit 21, a participant information acquisition unit 22, a corresponding user box determination unit 23, a material acquisition unit 24, a storage control unit 25, and an access status acquisition. Various processing units including the unit 26, the display control unit 27, and the mail notification unit 28 are realized. The operation of each of these processing units will be described in detail later.

  The storage unit (storage unit) 5 includes a conference data storage unit 5a. Conference reservation data TB1 (described later) is stored in the conference data storage unit 5a.

  Furthermore, the storage unit 5 includes one common box 5c and a plurality of user boxes 5d. The common box 5c is provided in common for all users, and the user box 5d is provided for each user. The user box 5d is classified into a private box and a guest box. A private box is provided for each registered user of the MFP 10. The private box of each registered user is a storage area accessible only to each registered user except for the system administrator. The guest box is provided for each specific person other than the registered user of the MFP 10. Each guest box is a storage area accessible only to each specific person except for the system administrator. As will be described later, the material data DP relating to the conference is transferred from the computer 50 or the like and stored in each private box 5d.

<2. Outline of operation>
4 to 7 are conceptual diagrams illustrating the operation of the conference management apparatus 10, and FIGS. 8 to 12 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the conference management apparatus 10. 8 to 10 and 12 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the conference management device 10a, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the conference management device 10b.

  FIGS. 13 to 16 are diagrams showing conference information registration screens. 13 shows the main registration screen GA1 for conference information, FIG. 14 shows the attendee input screen GA2, FIG. 15 shows the registered user input screen GA3, and FIG. 16 shows the non-registered user input screen GA4. Yes. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing how user information is integrated in the two conference management apparatuses 10, and FIG. 18 is a diagram showing registered conference data (conference reservation data) TB1, and FIG. These are figures which show material transmission data DT1. Furthermore, FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage operation of material data in the conference management apparatus 10a, and FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage operation of material data in another conference management apparatus 10b.

  Next, the operation of the system 100 will be described with reference to these drawings.

In the present system 100, as shown in FIG. 8, the following five operations are mainly executed when roughly classified. That is,
(1) TV conference reservation operation (step S10) (FIGS. 4 and 9),
(2) Material data registration operation (step S20) (FIGS. 5, 10, and 11),
(3) Access operation to material data (step S40) (see FIG. 6),
(4) Access status confirmation operation for document data (step S50) (FIGS. 7 and 12),
(5) Main operation of TV conference (step S70),
Is mainly executed. Hereinafter, each of these operations will be described.

<3. TV conference reservation operation>
First, the TV conference reservation operation (step S10) will be described. Here, it is assumed that the conference management device 10a is used to reserve a TV conference held between the conference room MRa and the remote conference room MRb. The conference management device 10a is arranged in the conference room MRa, and the conference management device 10b is arranged in the conference room MRb.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the conference reservation person (for example, the proposer PR) operates the nearest conference management apparatus 10 (here, 10a), and the reservation of the conference room is performed. Specifically, when a predetermined operation is executed by the conference reservation person using the operation panel 63 (FIG. 1) of the conference management apparatus 10a, the conference management apparatus 10a displays the main registration screen GA1 (FIG. 1) for registering conference information. 13) is displayed on the operation panel 63 of the conference management apparatus 10a. Thereafter, the conference information is registered in the conference management apparatuses 10a and 10b, for example, when the conference reservation person further performs an operation input using the main registration screen GA1 or the like.

  Hereinafter, the conference reservation operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of step S10.

  First, a reservation number is automatically assigned to the conference information, and a reservation number (such as “RS123456”) is displayed in the reservation number display field CP1 (see FIG. 13).

  Next, when the date setting button BN2 (see FIG. 13) is pressed, a calendar screen (not shown) is displayed, and the date of the meeting is set using the calendar screen. The setting contents related to the date (such as “October 1st”) are displayed in the display field CP2 of the screen GA1. In addition, when the time zone setting button BN3 is pressed, a time zone setting screen (not shown) is displayed, and a conference time (such as “13: 0 to 15:00”) is set. The setting content regarding the time zone is displayed in the display field CP3. In this way, the date and time registration process (step S11) is executed.

  Furthermore, registration processing (step S12) of the destination (connection destination) conference room in the TV conference is executed. Specifically, when the connection destination setting button BN4 (see FIG. 13) is pressed on the screen GA1, a connection destination conference room selection screen (not shown) is displayed, and the TV conference connection destination is displayed using the selection screen. A conference room (destination conference room) is set. The setting content (such as “conference room MRb”) related to the connection destination conference room is displayed in the display field CP4 of the screen GA1. When at least one of the connection destination conference room and the connection source conference room MRa has been reserved for the above date and time, an error screen requesting resetting is displayed. In this case, the conference reservation person may continue the conference reservation process by resetting an appropriate date and time.

  Thereafter, registration processing (step S13 (FIG. 9)) of attendees (participants) to the TV conference is executed. Specifically, when the attendee setting button BN5 is pressed on the screen GA1, the attendee input screen GA2 (FIG. 14) is displayed, and the attendee of the TV conference is set using the screen GA2.

  There are two buttons BN21 and BN22 on the screen GA2. When the button BN21 is pressed, a screen GA3 is displayed, and attendees can be selected and input from registered users of the conference system 100 using the screen GA3 (FIG. 15). On the other hand, when the button BN22 is pressed, a screen GA4 is displayed, and a non-registered user of the conference system 100 can be registered as an attendee using the screen GA4 (FIG. 16).

  When the button BN21 (see FIG. 14) is pressed, the conference management apparatus 10a communicates with other conference management apparatuses 10 (10b, etc.), and acquires user information of registered users in each conference management apparatus 10.

  For example, the conference management apparatus 10a communicates with the conference management apparatus 10b and acquires user information registered in the conference management apparatus 10b. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the conference management apparatus 10a integrates the user information Ua stored in the conference management apparatus 10a and the user information Ub acquired from the conference management apparatus 10b, and registers in the conference system 100. A user list (registered user list) Uz is created. Here, when the same person (for example, person Pb) is registered as a registered user in a plurality of conference management apparatuses, for the sake of convenience, they are treated as different registered users (Pb1, Pb2). Specifically, it is assumed that the person Pb registered in the conference management apparatus 10a is the person Pb1, and the person Pb registered in the conference management apparatus 10b is the person Pb2. For example, the person Pb1 and the person Pb2 are distinguished from each other by displaying the names of the registered locations (for example, “(Osaka)” and “(Tokyo)”) after the names as new “names”. The

  The person data related to the registered users in the conference system 100 is sorted in a predetermined order (for example, the order of the Japanese syllabary), and as shown in the screen GA3 (FIG. 15), for each predetermined category (for example, “A row”). Is displayed. The conference reservation person selects the appropriate category, displays the person name (name, etc.) to be registered, and selects the displayed person name (by pressing the button corresponding to the person) Can be registered.

  On the other hand, when the button BN22 (FIG. 14) is pressed, the conference management apparatus 10a displays the screen GA4 (FIG. 16) on the operation panel 63 (FIG. 1). The conference reservation person inputs the name of the non-registered user (for example, Pc) in the name input field CP41 of the screen GA4, and inputs the e-mail of the non-registered user in the e-mail address input field CP42 of the screen GA4. Finally, by pressing the enter button BN43, the unregistered user is registered as a conference participant.

  By repeating the above operation for a plurality of participants, a TV conference participant is registered. Screen GA1 (FIG. 13) shows a situation in which six participants Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, Pe, and Pf are registered (see display columns CP11 to CP16).

  As a result, conference reservation data TB1 as shown in FIG. 18 is generated and stored (registered) in the conference data storage unit 5a of the conference management apparatus 10a. As shown in FIG. 18, the conference reservation data TB1 includes a conference reservation number (“RS123456”), a date (“October 1st”), a time zone (“13: 0 to 15:00”), a conference room used ( “MRa, MRb”), attendees (“Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, Pe, Pf”) and the like. As information about the conference room in use, the “conference room MRa” where the conference management apparatus 10a is arranged is automatically registered in addition to the connected conference room “conference room MRb” of the conference management apparatus 10a.

  Next, in step S14 (FIG. 9), the conference management apparatus 10a transmits such conference reservation data TB1 (specifically, copy data thereof) to the destination conference management apparatus 10b. The conference management apparatus 10b stores (registers) the received conference reservation data TB1 in the conference data storage unit 5a of the conference management apparatus 10b. As a result, the conference reservation data TB1 is shared by the conference management device 10a and the conference management device 10b.

<4. Data registration operation>
Next, the registration operation of the material data (step S20 (FIG. 8)) will be described with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 10, FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the document data DP is transmitted from the computer 50 of the proposer PR to the conference management apparatus 10a of the conference room MRa via the network NW. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation (step S20a) of the conference management apparatus 10a, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation (step S20b) of the conference management apparatus 10b.

  First, the registration operation (step S20a) in the conference management apparatus 10a will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S21, the computer 50 transmits the material transmission data DT1 to the conference management apparatus 10a, and the material acquisition unit 24 of the conference management apparatus 10a receives the material transmission data DT1 (see FIG. 19). The received data DT1 is stored in a temporary storage memory (not shown) or the like in the conference management apparatus 10a.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the material transmission data DT1 is data having a conference material data transmission signal DA1, a conference reservation number DA2, and material data DP. The material data DP is material data used in the conference and includes, for example, data for presentation. The conference material data transmission signal DA1 indicates that the transmission data DT1 is data for transmitting conference material data (material data DP). The conference reservation number DA2 is data indicating the conference reservation number corresponding to the material data DP. Information relating to the conference reservation number DA2 is added by the computer 50 by manual input or automatic input at the time of data transmission operation by the proposer PR. Thus, in step S21, the conference material data DP and the like are acquired.

  In step S22, the conference management apparatus 10a specifies a conference corresponding to the material transmission data DT1, and acquires various types of information related to the conference. Specifically, the conference management apparatus 10a stores the conference reservation data TB1 corresponding to the material transmission data DT1 in the conference data storage unit 5a based on the conference reservation number DA2 (for example, “RS123456”) included in the material transmission data DT1. Get from inside. Then, the conference management device 10a, based on the acquired conference reservation data TB1, the date of the conference (“October 1”), the time zone (“13: 0 to 15:00”), the conference room used (“ MRa, MRb "), attendees (conference participant information) (" Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, Pe, Pf ") and the like. In particular, the participant information acquisition unit 22 acquires conference participant information.

  In step S23, the conference management apparatus 10a transfers the material transmission data DT1 to another conference management apparatus (here, 10b). Thereby, the material transmission data DT1 included in the material transmission data DT1 is transferred to the conference management apparatus 10b. If a plurality of conference rooms are designated as the connection destination conference room (conference management device), the same transfer operation should be performed for the plurality of conference rooms (conference management device). Good.

  In steps S24 to S33, a material data storage destination determination process, a material data distribution process (distribution process), a mail transmission process, and the like are executed for each of a plurality of participants. In the conference management apparatus 10a, among all the participants, these processes are performed for unregistered users (persons who are not registered users of the conference management apparatuses 10a and 10b) and registered users of the conference management apparatus 10a. Executed. Note that, regarding the registered users of the conference management apparatus 10b among all the participants, these processes are executed in the conference management apparatus 10b.

  Specifically, first, in step S24, a certain participant (specific participant) among the plurality of participants is a registered user of any one of the conference management apparatuses 10a and 10b (that is, a registered user of the present system 100). It is determined whether or not. If it is a registered user of this system, it is further determined whether or not it is a registered user of the conference management apparatus 10a (step S25).

  When the specific participant (for example, Pa) is a registered user of the conference management apparatus 10a, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S26 via step S25. If there is, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S31.

  In step S26, the corresponding user box determination unit 23 of the conference management apparatus 10a executes an association process between the registered user and the box information. Specifically, a specific user box is determined as a storage area corresponding to a specific registered user. For example, the user box Ba is determined as a storage area corresponding to a specific registered user (participant) Pa. Similarly, when the specific registered user is the participant Pb, the user box Bb is determined as a storage area corresponding to the participant Pb.

  In step S27, the storage control unit 25 of the conference management apparatus 10a executes processing for transferring and storing the material data DP in the user box corresponding to the specific registered user (see FIGS. 5 and 20). For example, processing for transferring and storing the material data DP in the user box Ba corresponding to a specific registered user (participant) Pa is executed. Similarly, when the specific registered user is the participant Pb, a process of transferring and storing the material data DP in the user box Ba corresponding to the specific registered user (participant) Pb is executed.

  Further, in step S28, the mail notification unit 28 of the conference management apparatus 10a executes a notification process by electronic mail. Specifically, a process of notifying the specific registered user by e-mail that the material data DP has been transferred and stored in the user box corresponding to the specific registered user is executed (FIG. 5). For example, the electronic mail MLa is transmitted to the mail address of a specific registered user (participant) Pa. This e-mail MLa has a description that the material data DP is stored in the user box Ba corresponding to the registered user Pa. Similarly, when the specific registered user is the participant Pb, the email MLb is transmitted to the mail address of the specific registered user (participant) Pb.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S24 to step S31, first, in step S31, a process for creating a specific user box (specifically a guest box) for a non-registered user and a process for associating the non-registered user with box information are executed. Is done. For example, a guest user box Bc (BGc) corresponding to a specific non-registered user (participant) Pc is created, and the user is used as a storage area corresponding to the specific non-registered user (participant) Pc. Box Bc (BGc) is determined. This user box (also referred to as a guest box) BGc is a temporary storage box for unregistered users, and is generated in the storage unit 5 of the conference management apparatus 10a.

  In step S32, a process of transferring and storing the material data DP in a user box (guest box) corresponding to a specific unregistered user is executed (see FIGS. 5 and 20). For example, processing for transferring and storing the material data DP in the user box BGc corresponding to the non-specific registered user (participant) Pc is executed.

  Further, in step S33, processing for notifying the specific registered user by e-mail that the material data DP has been transferred and stored in the user box corresponding to the specific non-registered user is executed (see FIG. 5). ). For example, the electronic mail MLc is transmitted to the mail address of a specific unregistered user (participant) Pc. The e-mail MLc has a description that the material data DP is stored in the user box Bc (BGc) corresponding to the unregistered user Pc.

  As described above, in steps S26 and S31, processing for determining each user box corresponding to a plurality of conference participants is executed. In steps S27 and S32, processing for transferring and storing the material data DP in each user box corresponding to a plurality of participants is executed. Further, in steps S28 and S33, a process of notifying the plurality of participants by e-mail that the material data DP has been transferred and stored in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants is executed.

  Next, the registration operation (step S20b) in the conference management apparatus 10b will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S21 (of step S20b), the conference management apparatus 10b receives the material transmission data DT1 transmitted from the conference management apparatus 10a. This material transmission data DT1 is data transferred by the conference management apparatus 10a toward the conference management apparatus 10b in step S23 (FIG. 10) of step S20a. Accordingly, the conference management apparatus 10b (the material acquisition unit 24 or the like) acquires the material data DP or the like.

  In step S22, the conference management apparatus 10b acquires conference reservation data TB1 corresponding to the material transmission data DT1 based on the conference reservation number DA2 (for example, “RS123456”) included in the material transmission data DT1. In this way, the conference management apparatus 10b specifies the conference corresponding to the material transmission data DT1, and acquires various types of information related to the conference. In particular, the participant information acquisition unit 22 of the conference management apparatus 10b acquires conference participant information.

  In steps S25 to S29, a material data storage destination determination process, a material data distribution process (distribution process), a mail transmission process, and the like are executed for each of a plurality of participants. As described above, in the conference management apparatus 10b, these processes are executed for registered users of the conference management apparatus 10b among all participants.

  Specifically, first, in step S25, it is determined whether or not a certain participant (specific participant) among the plurality of participants is a registered user of the conference management apparatus 10b (step S25).

  If the specific participant (for example, Pd) is a registered user of the conference management apparatus 10b, the process proceeds from step S25 to step S26, and if not, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S29. .

  In step S26, the corresponding user box determination unit 23 of the conference management apparatus 10b executes a process of associating the registered user with the box information. Specifically, a specific user box is determined as a storage area corresponding to a specific registered user. For example, the user box Bd is determined as a storage area corresponding to a specific registered user (participant) Pd. Similarly, when the specific registered user is the participant Pe, the user box Be is determined as a storage area corresponding to the participant Pe, and when the specific registered user is the participant Pf, the participation is performed. The user box Bf is determined as a storage area corresponding to the user Pf.

  In step S27, the storage control unit 25 of the conference management apparatus 10b executes processing for transferring and storing the material data DP in the user box corresponding to the specific registered user (see FIGS. 5 and 21). For example, a process of transferring and storing the material data DP in the user box Bd corresponding to a specific registered user (participant) Pd is executed. Similarly, when the specific registered user is the participant Pe, a process of transferring and storing the material data DP in the user box Be corresponding to the specific registered user (participant) Pe is executed. When the specific registered user is the participant Pf, a process of transferring and storing the material data DP in the user box Bf corresponding to the specific registered user (participant) Pf is executed.

  Further, in step S28, the mail notification unit 28 of the conference management apparatus 10b executes a notification process by electronic mail. Specifically, a process of notifying the specific registered user by e-mail that the material data DP has been transferred and stored in the user box corresponding to the specific registered user is executed (see FIG. 5). For example, the email MLd is transmitted to the email address of a specific registered user (participant) Pd. The e-mail MLd has a description that the material data DP is stored in the user box Bd corresponding to the registered user Pd. Similarly, when the specific registered user is the participant Pe, the e-mail MLe is transmitted to the mail address of the specific registered user (participant) Pe, and the specific registered user is the participant Pf. In some cases, the e-mail MLf is transmitted to the e-mail address of a specific registered user (participant) Pf.

<5. Access to document data>
Next, the operation for accessing the material data (step S40 (FIG. 8)) will be described.

As described above, an electronic mail is transmitted to each participant in the conference. Each participant accesses the mail server using each computer 70 and receives the electronic mail. When each participant learns that the document data DP is stored in his / her user box, the participant accesses the user box at an appropriate timing (see FIG. 6). In addition, here, as an aspect of access to the material data DP, the following three types, that is,
(A) Download of document data DP,
(B) Opening of data file DP,
(C) Material data DP printout,
Is assumed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the conference participant Pa accesses the material data DP in the user box Ba of the conference management apparatus 10a. Specifically, the participant Pa downloads the material data DP stored in the user box Ba from the user box Ba of the conference management apparatus 10a to his computer 70 (70a).

  In addition, the conference participant Pc accesses the material data DP in the user box Bc of the conference management apparatus 10a. Specifically, the participant Pc uses the computer 70 (70c) for his / her own to open the file of the material data DP stored in the user box Bc (open the file) for browsing.

  The conference participant Pb accesses the material data DP in the user box Bb of the conference management apparatus 10a. Specifically, the participant Pb operates the operation panel 63 of the conference management apparatus 10a to print out (print out) the material data DP stored in the user box Bb.

  The conference participant Pd accesses the material data DP in the user box Bd of the conference management apparatus 10b. Specifically, the participant Pd operates the operation panel 63 of the conference management apparatus 10b to print out (print out) the material data DP stored in the user box Bd.

  In addition, the conference participant Pe accesses the material data DP in the user box Be of the conference management apparatus 10b. Specifically, the participant Pe downloads the material data DP stored in the user box Be from the user box Be of the conference management apparatus 10b to the computer 70 for his / her own use.

<6. Checking access status to document data>
Next, the operation for confirming the access status to the document data (step S50) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, the case where step S50 is performed when starting a meeting is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and step S50 may be executed at other appropriate timing.

  In step S50, as shown in FIG. 7, the access status of each participant to the material data is displayed on the display devices 30a and 30b connected to the conference management devices 10a and 10b. Specifically, the initial screen GB1 as shown in FIG. 23 is gradually changed to a screen GB10 as shown in FIG. Such an operation will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The following description will focus on the operations related to the conference management device 10a and the display device 30a, but the operations related to the conference management device 10b and the display device 30b are also the same.

  First, in step S51, when the conference management apparatus 10a receives a conference start command via the computer 50 or the like, the conference management apparatus 10a (specifically, the display control unit 27) displays the initial screen GB1 (FIG. 23) as a display device. 30a is displayed. In addition, the conference management apparatus 10a transfers a start command for the conference to the conference management apparatus 10b, and the conference management apparatus 10b that receives the start command performs the same operation as the conference management apparatus 10a.

  The subsequent steps S52 to S59 are sequentially executed for a plurality of participants. When a plurality of material data DP are registered as the conference material, the processing from step S52 to step S59 is executed for each material data DP. However, here, for the sake of simplicity, a case where only a single material data DP is registered as a conference material will be exemplified first.

  In step S52, the access status acquisition unit 26 of the conference management apparatus 10a acquires the access status for the material data DP of a certain participant (specific participant) among the plurality of participants. Specifically, it is acquired whether or not the specific participant has already accessed the material data DP stored in the user box (for example, Ba) of the specific participant (for example, Pa). More specifically, the conference management apparatus 10a refers to the access record related to the material data DP in the corresponding user box (for example, Ba) of the conference management apparatus 10a, and acquires the access information. Alternatively, when the specific participant is a registered user (for example, Pd) of the conference management apparatus 10b, the conference management apparatus 10a communicates with the connection-destination conference management apparatus 10b to correspond to the user box ( For example, the access information is obtained by referring to the access record related to the material data DP in Bd). Then, branch processing is executed according to the acquired access information (access status). This access information includes information relating to whether or not access has been completed and information relating to the access type.

  When the attention participant (specific participant) among the plurality of participants has not yet accessed the material data DP, the process proceeds from step S52 to step S60.

  On the other hand, when the specific participant has already accessed the material data DP, further branch processing according to the access type is executed in steps S53, S55, and S57.

  When the access type is file download, in other words, when the download processing for the specific material data DP in the specific user box has already been performed, the process proceeds from step S53 to step S54, and the conference management apparatus 10a The display control unit 27 executes a downloaded display process.

  If the access type is file open, in other words, if file open processing has already been performed for specific material data in a specific user box, the process proceeds from step S55 to step S56, and the conference management apparatus 10a The display control unit 27 executes a file open display process.

  If the access type is printout, in other words, if the printout process for the specific material data DP in the specific user box has already been performed, the process proceeds from step S57 to step S58, and the conference management apparatus 10a. The display control unit 27 executes a printed-out display process.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds from step S54, S56, S58 to step S59, where the file content preview process is performed in step S59, and the process further proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, it is determined whether access status confirmation processing and display processing have been completed for all participants and for all files (material data). If it is not determined that the process has been completed, the process returns to step S52 and the same operation is repeated. After the access status confirmation process and the display process are completed for all the participants and all the files, the process returns to step S52 again for the unaccessed file (material data), and the same operation is repeated.

  The above operation is repeated until an end command (step S61) of the start preparation process is received.

  An example of the above operation will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 23 to 29 are diagrams showing the transition of the screen in the display device 30a regarding this operation example.

  On the lower left side of the initial screen GB1 of FIG. 23, user boxes (folders) Ba, Bb, Bc, Bd, Be, Bf corresponding to the participants of this conference are respectively icon images (folder images) Fa, Fb, Fc. , Fd, Fe, Ff. In addition, the folder image of each participant is displayed with the name of each participant incidentally, and a file image (sub-image) indicating that material data exists in the user box is superimposed. It is shown. For example, for the folder image Fa representing the user box Ba of the participant Pa, the name of the participant Pa is incidentally displayed and a file image (sub-image) DG is shown superimposed. . The file image DG is an image indicating that the document data DP exists in the user box Ba, and is displayed in a predetermined area (also referred to as a sub image display area or a sub image area) in the folder image Fa. The same display is performed for the folder images Fb, Fc, Fd, Fe, and Ff corresponding to other participants.

  Thereafter, when the processing of steps S52 to S60 is repeated, the display mode of the icon image corresponding to each user box is changed according to whether or not the access to the material data DP in each user box has already been performed. .

  Specifically, first, the participant Pa is selected as a notable participant (specific participant) among the plurality of participants, and the access status to the material data DP related to the participant Pa is acquired (step S52). . Here, it is assumed that download processing has already been performed on the material data DP in the user box Ba.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 24, on the display device 30a, the icon image (folder image) Fa corresponding to the user box Ba is changed and displayed in a mode indicating that the download processing has been completed (step). S53, S54). Specifically, the file image DG displayed in the folder image Fa is deleted from the sub image area in the folder Fa (or displayed in a light color in the sub image area in the folder Fa), whereby the user box It is shown that the material data DP in Ba has been downloaded. In other words, the folder image (icon image) Fa (FIGS. 24 and 25) after the change is an image indicating that access to the material data DP has already been performed (download processing has been completed). On the other hand, the folder image Fa before the change (see FIG. 23) is displayed when the display update process related to the access status is incomplete. The folder image Fa before the change (see FIG. 23) is also used as an image indicating that access to the material data DP has not yet been performed.

  In addition, the folder image Fa to be changed and displayed is blinked in accordance with the display change operation of the folder image Fa (shown by hatching in FIG. 24). Such a blinking display also indicates which user box display change process is being executed (that is, the display change process related to the folder image Fa is being executed).

  By visually recognizing the display content of the display device 30a, the proposer PR can know that the material data DP has already been downloaded by the participant Pa.

  Further, when such a change process of the folder image Fa is started, in the file content confirmation column CR on the right side of the screen, an image DH showing the approximate content of the material data DP to be accessed (downloaded) is displayed for a predetermined period (for example, A preview is displayed for several seconds (step S59). For example, the cover of the material data DP is displayed as a preview image (enlarged image) DH. According to this, the document data DP to be displayed on the access status is clearly indicated, so that the proposer PR can more reliably determine (confirm) the target file. As the image DH, a preview image of a page other than the cover page (for example, a predetermined page specified in advance) of the material data DP may be used.

  When a certain period of time elapses, as shown in FIG. 25, the preview display in the file content confirmation column CR ends, and the blinking display of the folder image Fa also ends.

  As described above, the display process of the access status related to the specific participant Pa is executed.

  Next, another participant (for example, the person Pb) is selected as a notable participant (specific participant) among the plurality of participants, and the access status to the material data DP related to the participant Pb is acquired. (Step S52). Here, it is assumed that the printout process has already been performed on the material data DP in the user box Bb.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 26, on the display device 30a, the icon image (folder image) Fb corresponding to the user box Bb is changed and displayed in a mode indicating that the printout process has been completed ( Steps S57 and S58). Specifically, instead of the file image DG displayed in the folder image Fb, another image RG (see FIG. 30) is displayed in the sub-image area in the folder image Fb, whereby the user box Bb. It is shown that the material data DP of the printout process has been completed. The image RG is a sub-image designed to represent “printed out” as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. In FIG. 26, such an image RG is displayed along with (superimposed on) the designed image of the folder in the folder image Fb. In other words, the changed folder image (icon image) Fb (FIG. 26, FIG. 27) is an image indicating that access to the material data DP has already been performed (printed out).

  In addition, the folder image Fb to be changed and displayed is blinked (indicated by hatching in FIG. 26) to indicate that the display changing process related to the folder image Fb is being executed.

  By visually recognizing the display content of the display device 30a, the proposer PR can know that the material data DP has already been printed out by the participant Pb.

  Further, when the change processing of the folder image Fb is started, the image DH showing the approximate contents of the access-target material data DP is previewed for a predetermined period (for example, about several seconds) in the file content confirmation column CR on the right side of the screen. (Step S59).

  When a certain period of time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 27, the preview display in the file content confirmation column CR ends, and the blinking display of the folder image Fb also ends.

  As described above, the display process of the access status related to the specific participant Pb is executed.

  Next, yet another participant (for example, the person Pc) is selected as a notable participant (specific participant), and the access status to the material data DP related to the participant Pc is acquired (step S52). . Here, it is assumed that the file open process has already been performed on the material data DP in the user box Bc.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 28, on the display device 30a, the icon image (folder image) Fc corresponding to the user box Bc is changed and displayed in a mode indicating that file open processing has been completed ( Steps S55 and S56). Specifically, instead of the file image DG displayed in the folder image Fc, another image EG (see FIG. 31) is displayed in the sub-image area in the folder image Fc, so that the user box Bc It is indicated that the file data DP of the file open process has been completed. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 31, the image EG is a sub-image designed to represent “file open processing completed”. In FIG. 28, such an image EG is displayed along with (superimposed on) the designed image of the folder in the folder image Fc. In other words, the folder image (icon image) Fc (FIGS. 28 and 29) after the change is an image indicating that access to the material data DP has already been performed (file open processing has been completed). .

  In addition, the folder image Fc to be changed and displayed is blinked (indicated by hatching in FIG. 28), which also indicates that the display change process related to the folder image Fc is being executed.

  By visually recognizing the display content of the display device 30a, the proposer PR can know that the document data DP has already been opened by the participant Pc.

  Further, when the change processing of the folder image Fc is started, in the file content confirmation column CR on the right side of the screen, an image DH showing the approximate contents of the material data DP to be accessed is previewed for a predetermined period (for example, about several seconds). (Step S59).

  When a certain period of time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 29, the preview display in the file content confirmation column CR ends, and the blinking display of the folder image Fc also ends.

  As described above, the display process of the access status related to the specific participant Pc is executed.

  Thereafter, similar processing is sequentially executed for other participants (for example, persons Pd, Pe, and Pf). However, for the participant who has not yet accessed the material data DP (for example, the person Pf), the changing process related to the display mode of the corresponding folder image is not executed. Specifically, when it is acquired that the access process has not yet been executed for the material data DP in the user box Bf (step S52), the display mode change process (steps S54, S56, S58) is executed. Without completion, the process proceeds to the end determination process (steps S60 and S61).

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state where the access status display processing has been completed for a plurality of participants. In FIG. 22, the participants Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, and Pe other than the participant Pf have already accessed the material data DP in their own user folder, and the participant Pf has the material data in their own user folder. It is shown that the DP has not been accessed yet. For example, the folder image Ff in FIG. 22 continues to have the file image DG even after the access status display processing, indicating that the material data DP has not yet been accessed. Further, the folder image Fd in FIG. 22 has a sub-image RG after the access status display process, and indicates that the document data DP has been accessed (specifically, the printout process has been completed). .

  For participants having unaccessed document data, the processes in steps S52 to S60 are repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (until the reception of the end command related to the conference start preparation process). Therefore, even if the access status changes during the start preparation process in step S50, it is possible to check the updated access status at any time.

  In the above description, the display operation and the like of the display device 30a have been described. However, the same display operation and the like are performed in the display device 30b. Specifically, a similar display operation or the like is realized by the conference management apparatus 10b performing the same operation as the conference management apparatus 10a.

<7. Main operations of TV conference>
Thereafter, when an end command for the conference start preparation process is received, the video conference main operation (step S70 (FIG. 8)) is started.

  According to the above-described operation, for example, before the start of the main operation of the TV conference, the proposer (presenter) PR determines whether each user has accessed the material data distributed individually to each user. Can be known. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly advance the conference after grasping the distribution status of the materials.

<8. Effects in this embodiment>
In the embodiment as described above, the conference management device 10a (, 10b) stores the material data in the user boxes Ba to Bc (, Bd to Bf) corresponding to the plurality of participants Pa to Pc (, Pd to Pf). Each DP is transferred and stored (steps S27 and S31). Therefore, the conference proponent PR and the like can easily manage the distribution of the material data DP in units of individual participants.

  The conference management device 10a (, 10b) indicates that the material data DP is stored in the corresponding user box for each of the plurality of participants Pa to Pc (, Pd to Pf). To MLc (, MLd to MLf) (steps S28 and S32). Therefore, each participant Pa to Pc (, Pd to Pf) can easily know that the material data DP is distributed to him / herself.

  Further, as described above, by using an MFP (image forming apparatus) as a conference management apparatus and using the user box function of the MFPs 10a and 10b, a meeting that can easily realize distribution management of document data. A system (conference management system) 100 can be constructed.

  In addition, when an unregistered user (a person other than the users of the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b) is included in the plurality of participants, the temporary storage box Bc for the unregistered user Pc is a storage unit of the conference management apparatus 10a. 5 and the temporary storage box Bc is determined as a user box for the unregistered user Pc. Then, the material data DP is transferred and stored in the temporary storage box. Accordingly, it is possible to manage the distribution status of the material data even for unregistered users of the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b.

  In step S52, the conference management apparatus 10a (, 10b) acquires the access status to each material data DP stored in each of the user boxes Ba to Bf corresponding to the plurality of participants Pa to Pf. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the access status to each material data DP for each individual participant. In particular, the conference management device 10a (, 10b) displays the access status for each of the participants Pa to Pf on the display device 30a (, 30b) in steps S54, S56, S58, etc. It is possible to easily grasp the access status for each participant Pa to Pf. More specifically, the display mode of the icon image corresponding to the specific user box is changed depending on whether or not access to the specific material data in the specific user box has already been performed (steps S54 and S56). , S58, etc.). Accordingly, the conference proposer PR and the like can easily grasp the access status of each user with respect to the specific material data DP.

  In addition, when the material data DP in each user folder is accessed a plurality of times with different access types, a predetermined order (in this case, download, file open, printout) is selected from the plurality of access types. Only a single access type selected according to (in order) is displayed. Therefore, since the information that “the document data has been accessed” is displayed in a simplified manner together with the minimum access type information, the conference proponent PR, etc., can easily and easily know whether or not there is access. Can do.

<9. When there are multiple document data>
In the above, the case where only a single material data DP exists as a conference material is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the above idea is applied even when a plurality of material data DP exists as a conference material. Can do.

  For example, in steps S27 and S32 (see FIGS. 10 and 11), a plurality of material data DP (DP1 and DP2 in detail) are transferred and stored in each user box corresponding to each of a plurality of users. In step S50 (see FIG. 12), the access status relating to each of the plurality of data DP in each user box may be confirmed.

  32 to 37 are diagrams showing how to check the access status according to such a modification. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an initial state in the access status confirmation operation (step S50).

  FIG. 32 shows an initial screen GB11 in the initial state (step S51) similar to FIG. However, FIG. 32 is different from FIG. 23 in that a plurality of (here, two) file images DG1 and DG2 are displayed in each folder image. Specifically, in FIG. 32, in each folder image Fa-Ff representing each user box Ba-Bf of each participant Pa-Pf, two file images indicating that there are two material data DP, respectively. (Sub-images) DG1 and DG2 are superimposed and displayed.

  Thereafter, the processing of steps S52 to S60 is repeated, and the display mode of the icon image corresponding to each user box is changed depending on whether or not access to the material data DP in each user box has already been performed. Here, a plurality of material data DP (DP1, PD2) are registered as conference materials, and the processing of step S52 to step S59 is executed for each material data DP.

  For example, assuming that the download process has already been performed on the material data DP (specifically DP1, DP2) in the user box Ba, the display mode changing process as shown in FIGS. 32 to 36 is executed. The

  Specifically, first, a display operation indicating that the download process for one of the material data DP1 in the user box Ba has already been performed is executed.

  Specifically, first, as shown in the screen GB12 of FIG. 33, the file image DG1 of the two file images DG1 and DG2 in the icon image (folder image) Fa corresponding to the user box Ba has been downloaded. It is changed and displayed in a mode indicating this. At this time, the folder image Fa to be changed is displayed in a blinking manner (indicated by hatching in the drawing), which also indicates that the display change process for the folder image Fa is being executed. By visually recognizing such display contents, the proposer PR can know that the material data DP1 has already been downloaded by the participant Pa.

  Furthermore, when such a change process of the folder image Fa is started, in the file content confirmation column CR on the right side of the screen, the image DH1 indicating the approximate contents of the material data DP1 to be accessed is displayed over a predetermined period (for example, about several seconds). A preview is displayed. According to this, it is possible to more reliably check the access target (download target) document data DP1.

  Thereafter, when a certain period of time has elapsed, as shown in the screen GB13 of FIG. 34, the preview display in the file content confirmation column CR ends, and the blinking display of the folder image Fa also ends.

  Next, a display operation indicating that the download process for the other material data DP2 in the user box Ba has already been performed is executed.

  Specifically, first, as shown in a screen GB14 in FIG. 35, the file image DG2 of the two file images DG1 and DG2 in the icon image (folder image) Fa corresponding to the user box Ba has been downloaded. It is changed and displayed in a mode indicating this. In addition, the folder image Fa to be changed is displayed in a blinking manner (indicated by hatching in the drawing) to indicate that the display change process for the folder image Fa is being executed. Further, when such a change process of the folder image Fa is started, in the file content confirmation column CR on the right side of the screen, the image DH2 indicating the approximate content of the material data DP2 to be accessed is displayed over a predetermined period (for example, about several seconds). A preview is displayed. When a certain period of time has elapsed, as shown in the screen GB15 in FIG. 36, the preview display in the file content confirmation column CR ends, and the blinking display of the folder image Fa also ends.

  By visually recognizing such display contents, the proposer PR can know that the material data DP2 has already been downloaded by the participant Pa. In particular, by visually recognizing the display in the file content confirmation column CR, it is possible to more reliably confirm the access target (download target) document data DP2.

  As described above, the display operation of the access status regarding the material data DP1 and DP2 stored in the user box Ba of the user Pa is executed.

  Similarly, the display operation of the access status regarding the material data DP1 and DP2 respectively stored in the user boxes of the other users is also executed.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the access status display operation as described above is completed for all of the six users Pa to Pf. In FIG. 37, the access situation with respect to the material data of a plurality of users is individually shown for each of the users Pa to Pf and for each of the material data DP1 and DP2. In particular, the folder images Fa to Ff corresponding to the user boxes Ba to Bf have a plurality of sub-image areas respectively corresponding to the plurality of material data DP1 and DP2 stored in the user boxes. The display mode of the plurality of sub-image regions is changed according to the access status to the corresponding material data. As a result, the folder image corresponding to each user box is displayed in a different manner depending on the access status of each material data.

  For example, in the folder image Fa corresponding to the user box Ba, the sub image DG (DG1) at the position (sub image area) related to the material data DP1 is changed to the non-display state (or light color display state), and the position related to the material data DP2 The sub image DG (DG2) in the (sub image region) is changed to a non-display state (or a light color display state). Further, in the folder image Fd corresponding to the user box Bd, the sub image RG is displayed at the position (sub image area) regarding the material data DP1, and the sub image EG is displayed at the position (sub image area) regarding the material data DP2. .

  According to such a display operation or the like, whether or not each user has already accessed each of the plurality of material data DP1 and DP2, and whether each user has respectively accessed each of the plurality of material data DP1 and DP2. It is possible for the proposer PR or the like to know whether the access is made according to the access type. In other words, the conference proponent PR and the like can easily grasp the access status of specific material data among a plurality of material data for each participant. For example, the proposer PR recognizes that the user Pd has already printed out the material data DP1 and has already opened the material data DP2 by viewing the folder image Fd (FIG. 37). You can know.

<10. Other>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the same material data DP is sent to all the participants has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and different material data may be sent for each participant. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where only one of the three access types (download, file open, printout) is displayed is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, all access types for a certain document data may be displayed. According to this, it is possible for the conference proposer PR or the like to know detailed access type information as well as the presence or absence of access.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where this invention was applied to a TV conference system was illustrated, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a conference held in one conference room may be managed using one conference management apparatus 10a that performs the same operation as described above. However, in this case, it is not necessary to transfer the data material transmission data DT11 or the like to the connection destination conference management apparatus (10b) as in the above embodiment. Then, the single conference management apparatus 10a may distribute the material data DP of all participants to the corresponding user boxes in the conference management apparatus 10a. In addition, the conference management apparatus 10a may display the access status or the like for the material data DP on the display device 30a in the same manner as described above.

  In the above embodiment, the conference management apparatus 10 is configured using an MFP (image forming apparatus). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the conference management apparatus 10 may be configured using a personal computer or the like.

10, 10a, 10b Conference management device (image forming device)
30, 30a, 30b Display device 50, 70 Computer 100 Conference system Ba to Bf User box DG, DG1, DG2 File image DP, DP1, DP2 Material data DT1 Material transmission data Fa to Ff Folder image MLa to MLf E-mail MRa, MRb Conference room NW network Pa ~ Pf Participants PR Conference proposer (organizer)
TB1 meeting reservation data

Claims (14)

A conference management device,
Participant information acquisition means for acquiring participant information of the conference;
Storage means having a user box which is a storage area for a user;
Determining means for determining each user box corresponding to a plurality of participants in the conference;
Material acquisition means for acquiring material data for a meeting;
Storage control means for transferring and storing the material data in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants,
Access status acquisition means for acquiring an access status to each material data respectively stored in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants;
Display control means for displaying on the display means the access status of each participant;
Equipped with a,
The display control means includes
Depending on whether or not access to specific material data in a specific user box has already been made, the display mode of the icon image corresponding to the specific user box is changed,
When access to the specific material data in the specific user box has already been performed, an image corresponding to the access type of the access among the different access types corresponds to the specific user box. A conference management apparatus characterized by being displayed as an icon image. The conference management device according to claim 1,
When the printout process is already performed on the specific document data in the specific user box, the display control unit displays an image indicating that the printout process has been performed on the specific user box. A conference management apparatus, characterized by being displayed as a corresponding icon image. In the conference management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
When the download process for the specific material data in the specific user box has already been performed, the display control unit corresponds to the specific user box with an image indicating that the download process has been completed. A conference management apparatus characterized by being displayed as an icon image. In the conference management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
If the file open process has already been performed on the specific material data in the specific user box, the display control unit displays an image indicating that the file open process has been performed on the specific user box. A conference management apparatus, characterized by being displayed as a corresponding icon image.   The conference management device according to claim 1,
  The display control means, when a plurality of accesses are made with a plurality of different access types with respect to the specific material data in the specific user box, a predetermined order among the plurality of access types A conference management apparatus that displays an image showing a single access type selected according to the above. The conference management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The conference management apparatus, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display a preview image of the specific document data. The conference management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The icon image corresponding to the specific user box has a plurality of sub-image areas respectively corresponding to a plurality of material data stored in the specific user box,
The display control means includes
Depending on whether the access to a specific article data of the plurality of material data before Symbol in a particular user box has already been made, the corresponding to a particular document data among the plurality of sub-image regions Change the display mode of the sub image area ,
When access to the specific material data in the specific user box has already been performed, an image corresponding to the access type of the access among the different access types corresponds to the specific material data. A conference management apparatus that displays an icon image in a sub-image area. The conference management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Notifying means for notifying each of the plurality of participants by e-mail that the document data is stored in the corresponding user box,
A conference management apparatus further comprising: The conference management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The conference management device is an image forming device,
The conference management apparatus, wherein the storage unit includes a user box for each user of the image forming apparatus. The conference management device according to claim 9,
When an unregistered user who is a person other than the user of the image forming apparatus is included in the plurality of participants,
The storage control means generates a temporary storage box for the unregistered user in the storage means,
The determining means determines the temporary storage box as a user box corresponding to the unregistered user,
The conference management apparatus, wherein the storage control means transfers and stores the material data in the temporary storage box corresponding to the unregistered user. A conference system,
Participant information acquisition means for acquiring participant information of the conference;
Storage means having a user box which is a storage area for a user;
Determining means for determining each user box corresponding to a plurality of participants in the conference;
Material acquisition means for acquiring material data for a meeting;
Storage control means for transferring and storing the material data in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants,
Access status acquisition means for acquiring an access status to each material data respectively stored in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants;
Display control means for displaying on the display means the access status of each participant;
Equipped with a,
The display control means includes
Depending on whether or not access to specific material data in a specific user box has already been made, the display mode of the icon image corresponding to the specific user box is changed,
When access to the specific material data in the specific user box has already been performed, an image corresponding to the access type of the access among the different access types corresponds to the specific user box. A conference system characterized by being changed as an icon image.   The conference system according to claim 11,
  The display control means, when a plurality of accesses are made with a plurality of different access types with respect to the specific material data in the specific user box, a predetermined order among the plurality of access types An image showing a single access type selected according to the above is displayed. a) obtaining conference participant information;
b) determining each user box corresponding to a plurality of participants in the conference from storage means having a user box which is a storage area for the user;
c) obtaining the material data for the meeting;
d) transferring and storing the material data in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants;
e) obtaining an access status to each material data stored in each user box corresponding to the plurality of participants;
f) displaying the access status for each participant on a display means;
A program for causing a computer to execute the,
In step f)
The display mode of the icon image corresponding to the specific user box is changed according to whether or not access to the specific material data in the specific user box has already been performed,
When the specific material data in the specific user box has already been accessed, an image corresponding to the access type of the access among the different access types corresponds to the specific user box. A program characterized by being displayed as an icon image.   The program according to claim 13, wherein
  In the step f), when the specific material data in the specific user box is accessed a plurality of times by a plurality of different access types, a predetermined one of the plurality of access types is determined. A program characterized in that an image showing a single access type selected according to the rank is displayed.

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