JP6669103B2 - Program, information terminal, communication system, communication method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program, an information terminal , a communication system, and a communication method.

  2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of networks and communication technologies, various devices can be used while being connected to a network. For example, utilizing the fact that an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Printer / Product) is connected to an information processing apparatus, image data of a document read by the MFP is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus performs image processing. It is also possible to use such a method as to send the data to the MFP.

  Such processing is referred to as distributed processing or cooperative processing, and can expand the range of use of devices connected to the network and improve convenience. As an example of the distributed processing, a technology has been devised in which an information processing apparatus performs processing on image data read by an MFP (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a system that performs OCR (character recognition) processing on image data read by an MFP.

  However, the image input device described in Patent Literature 1 has a problem that an image input destination cannot be flexibly selected. That is, since various devices are connected to the network as described above, there is a demand to use arbitrary devices in combination. For example, in a meeting, a presentation, a conference, or the like, in order for each attendee to see and discuss a manuscript, the manuscript may be desired to be read by a scanner and projected by a projector or the like. In addition, an electronic blackboard may be used in a meeting or the like, but there is a case where a display screen of the electronic blackboard is desired to be printed by the MFP.

  In addition, there is a problem that when a combination of arbitrary devices is used, the work load of attendees may increase. For example, when projecting a document with a projector, attendees need to store image data obtained by scanning the document with a scanner in a recording medium or the like and transmit the image data to the projector. Further, when printing the screen of the electronic blackboard with the MFP, the attendee needs to perform an operation of capturing the display screen of the electronic blackboard, store the image data of the display screen in a recording medium or the like, and transmit the image data to the MFP.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a program that allows a user to easily perform a cooperative process in which an input device and an output device are combined.

The present invention relates to a receiving device for receiving an input of an input device and an output device from an information terminal communicating with a conference information processing device, and executing the input process by the input device received by the receiving device. And an input processing requesting unit for making a request to the conference information processing apparatus to repeatedly determine whether or not the conference information processing apparatus has received data generated by executing the input processing by the input device. Determining means for outputting, to the conference information processing apparatus, requesting the conference information processing apparatus to execute an output process by the output device received by the receiving means in response to the determination that the conference information processing apparatus has received the data; A processing requesting means and a program for causing the program to function as the processing request means are provided.

  It is possible to provide a program that allows a user to easily perform a cooperative process in which an input device and an output device are combined.

It is an example of a figure explaining operation of a communication system. 1 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a conference management device. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a smart device. FIG. 2 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of a network connection control device. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of a conference management device, a network connection control device, and an information terminal included in a communication system. It is an example of the functional block diagram of a cooperation processing part. FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the organizer requests a conference management device to start a conference (issue a passcode). It is an example of a sequence diagram showing an operation performed by a conference management device when a participant participates in a conference. FIG. 3 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for connecting an information terminal to a network connection control device. FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the organizer holds a conference after a participant has joined the conference. FIG. 9 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the smart device causes the projector to project meeting materials. It is a figure showing an example of a material list screen. FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure in which an attendee specifies an input device and an output device to execute a job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input / output job setting screen displayed on the smart device. FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure in which an attendee specifies an input device and an output device to execute a job. FIG. 9 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when a conference management device processes image data of an input device before an output device outputs the image data. It is an example of the flowchart figure which shows the processing procedure of a progress determination part. It is a figure showing an example of a setting screen which can set up processing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Outline of communication system>
FIG. 1 is an example of a diagram for explaining the operation of the communication system 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 1A shows an outline of the system configuration. A projector 95, an electronic blackboard 96, and an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Printer / Product) 94 are connected to the conference management device 20. Hereinafter, when the projector 95, the electronic blackboard 96, and the MFP 94 are not distinguished, they are referred to as devices. Attendees of the conference can operate the information terminal 40 and communicate with the conference management device 20 via the network connection control device 10 to operate these devices.

  FIG. 1A shows a case where the electronic blackboard 96 displays a pie chart, and the pie chart is printed by the MFP 94. As shown in FIG. 1B, the attendee selects an input device and an output device from a screen displayed on the information terminal 40. The input device is a device that acquires image data, and the output device is a device that outputs image data. The projector 95, the electronic blackboard 96, and the MFP 94 may be input devices or output devices.

  As an example, the user selects the electronic blackboard 96 as an input device and the MFP 94 as an output device from the screen of FIG. 1B. Thereby, the information terminal 40 receives the input device and the output device. The information terminal 40 requests the conference management apparatus 20 to execute an input job specifying an input device and an output job specifying an output device in order.

(1) First, as shown in FIG. 1C, the information terminal 40 requests the conference management apparatus 20 to execute an input job. The conference management device 20 generates the following input job and causes the electronic blackboard 96 to execute the job.
A. An input job for generating image data by capturing a display screen displayed on the electronic blackboard 96.

  (2) The information terminal 40 monitors whether image data has been generated by inquiring of the conference management apparatus 20.

(3) When the image data is generated (when the input job is completed), the information terminal 40 requests the conference management device 20 to execute the output job. The conference management device 20 generates the following output job and causes the MFP 94 to execute the job.
B. A job in which the MFP 94 prints image data generated by the electronic blackboard 96.

  Thereby, the MFP 94 can print the display screen displayed by the electronic blackboard 96 on paper. Therefore, according to the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, the attendee can select an arbitrary combination from the input device and the output device and obtain an output result. Attendees do not need to be aware of the existence of image data or manipulate files. Further, since the conference management device 20 has a function of operating one device from the past, the two devices can be linked using the function. Therefore, the device can be linked by the information terminal 40 communicating with the conference management device 20 and instructing the execution of the job without largely changing the function of the conference management device 20.

<About terms>
Terms used in the present embodiment will be described.
-Organizer: The person who performed the operation to start the meeting. The organizer can start the conference, hold the conference, permit or interrupt participation in the conference, leave the participant, and the like.
-Participants: Participants in conferences other than the organizer. The participant can leave the participant.
-Attendees: When the organizer and the participants are not distinguished, they are simply called attendees.
・ Base: A place where participants exist or gather. For example, when a conference is held in one conference room 6 (described below in FIG. 2), the base is this conference room 6. On the other hand, if the participants cannot fit in one conference room 6, each conference room 6 becomes a base. When a conference is held at geographically distant locations, the geographically distant locations are the bases. When one conference is held in different conference rooms, the conference management devices in the different conference rooms communicate with each other, and an image projected by the projector 95 and an image displayed on the electronic blackboard 96 are transmitted and received. Therefore, attendees in different conference rooms can see the same image.
-Start of a conference: Registration of a conference, such as issuance of a passcode.
Participation: The information terminal 40 logs in to the conference management device with a passcode.
Holding a conference: One of the operations performed by the organizer, and enables the information terminal 40 to access conference materials and devices.
End of conference: One of the operations performed by the organizer, and the information terminal 40 cannot access conference materials and devices.

<System configuration example>
FIG. 2 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of the communication system 100. The communication system 100 mainly has a conference network 92 and a shared network 91. The conference network 92 is laid in the conference room 6, and the shared network 91 is laid outside the conference room 6 and connected to the Internet 97 or the like. Each may be a LAN, but each may further have a plurality of LANs.

  The smart device 40a and the notebook PC 40b are examples of the information terminal 40. The information terminal 40 communicates with the network connection control device 10 by wireless communication. A function of communicating by wire may be provided. The information terminal 40 is used for referring to conference materials and operating devices. It is also used for displaying a participant list, leaving operation, and the like.

  The information terminal 40 only needs to have one of the smart device 40a and the notebook PC 40b. These are merely examples. The two types of devices are exemplified as the information terminal 40 because the communication methods mounted on the information terminal 40 are various. In the present embodiment, as an example of description, the smart device 40a can perform wireless communication by at least two communication methods, and the notebook PC 40b can perform wireless communication by one communication method.

  One of the communication methods of the smart device 40a is a communication method that is not suitable for high-speed communication but can easily transmit a minimum amount of information, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and NFC (registered trademark: Near Field Communication). , Zigbee (registered trademark), infrared communication and the like. Another communication method of the smart device 40a includes a wireless LAN suitable for high-speed communication, mobile phone communication, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and the like.

  In addition, the description will be given on the assumption that the smart device 40a communicates with the conference management device 20 using an application, and the notebook PC 40b communicates with the conference management device 20 using a browser. This is also for convenience of explanation, and the smart device 40a may communicate with a browser or the notebook PC 40b may communicate with an application.

  The smart device 40a is a general term for an information processing device configured to be easily carried by a user. The smart device 40a includes, in addition to a smartphone having a telephone function (multifunctional telephone terminal), a tablet computer that focuses on information processing, and the like. Other examples of the smart device 40a include a wearable terminal (a head-up display, a wristwatch-type terminal, etc.), a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, and the like, but are not limited thereto. The notebook PC 40b is a small PC such as a notebook or laptop. As described above, the distinction between the smart device 40a and the notebook PC 40b is only for convenience.

  The print server 93 and the MFP 94 connected to the shared network 91 are examples of devices that are often used for a general purpose in a conference. The print server 93 and the MFP 94 may be in the conference room 6.

  The projector 95 and the electronic blackboard 96 connected to the conference network 92 are examples of devices which are arranged in the conference room 6 and are often used for a conference. The projector 95 is used by attendees to project meeting materials and the like, and the electronic whiteboard 96 is used to display meeting materials and to display handwritten information handwritten by attendees. In addition, a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, and the like may be arranged in the conference room 6 as devices. Also, a conference is possible without necessarily having any equipment.

  The network connection control device 10 has a communication interface for the information terminal 40 to perform wireless communication, a wireless LAN access point, and a function as a router for controlling data exchange between the conference network 92 and the shared network 91. Further, the network connection control device 10 has a function of restricting communication of the information terminal 40 with the conference management device 20.

  The conference management device 20 controls the network connection control device 10, saves / deletes conference materials, inputs / outputs to / from a device, and manages attendees to a conference. Further, the information terminal 40 has a function as a Web server. More specifically, authentication of a participant using a passcode, registration of participant information, transmission of a participant list, reception of unscheduled participant departure, and the like are performed.

  When the network connection control device 10, the conference management device 20, the projector 95, and the electronic blackboard 96 are arranged in one conference room 6, and there are a plurality of conference rooms 6, the network connection control device 10, the conference The management device 20, the projector 95, and the electronic blackboard 96 are arranged.

  Further, when another conference room 6 is connected via the Internet 97 or the shared network 91, another conference room 6 and the conference room 6 in FIG. 2 may belong to the same conference. In this case, the information terminals 40 of the two conference rooms 6 can mutually access the conference management device 20 and refer to the conference materials and the like.

<Hardware configuration>
<< Meeting management device 20 >>
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the conference management device 20 according to the present embodiment. The conference management device 20 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external I / F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, a communication I / F 507, an HDD 508, and the like. Note that the input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used when necessary.

  The input device 501 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is used by a user to input each operation signal. The display device 502 includes a display and the like, and displays a processing result by the conference management device 20.

  The communication I / F 507 is an interface for connecting the conference management device 20 to various networks. Accordingly, the conference management device 20 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 507.

  The HDD 508 is an example of a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS, which is basic software for controlling the entire conference management device 20, and application software (hereinafter, simply referred to as an application) for providing various functions on the OS. Note that the conference management device 20 may use a drive device (for example, a solid state drive: SSD) using a flash memory as a recording medium instead of the HDD 508.

  The external I / F 503 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 503a and the like. Thus, the conference management device 20 can read and / or write to the recording medium 503a via the external I / F 503. The recording medium 503a includes a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

  The ROM 505 is an example of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 505 stores programs and data such as BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the conference management apparatus 20 is started. The RAM 504 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data.

  The CPU 506 is an arithmetic unit that reads out programs and data from a storage device such as the ROM 505 or the HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executes processing to realize control and functions of the entire conference management device 20.

  The hardware configuration of the illustrated conference management device 20 does not need to be housed in a single housing or provided as a unit, and is preferably provided in the conference management device 20. Elements. Further, in order to support cloud computing, the physical configuration of the conference management device 20 of the present embodiment does not need to be fixed, and hardware resources are dynamically connected / disconnected according to the load. May be configured.

<< Smart device 40a >>
FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the smart device 40a according to the present embodiment. The smart device 40a of FIG. 4 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, an EEPROM 604, a CMOS sensor 605, an acceleration / direction sensor 606, and a media drive 608.

  The CPU 601 controls the operation of the entire smart device 40a. The ROM 602 stores a basic input / output program. The RAM 603 is used as a work area of the CPU 601. The EEPROM 604 reads or writes data under the control of the CPU 601. The CMOS sensor 605 captures an image of a subject under the control of the CPU 601 to obtain image data. The acceleration / azimuth sensor 606 is an electronic magnetic compass for detecting geomagnetism, a gyro compass, an acceleration sensor, or the like.

  The media drive 608 controls reading or writing (storage) of data from or to a recording medium 607 such as a flash memory. The media drive 608 has a structure in which a recording medium 607, from which data that has already been recorded is read, or in which data is newly written and stored, is detachable.

  Note that the EEPROM 604 stores an OS executed by the CPU 601, association information necessary for network settings, and the like. Applications for executing various processes in the embodiment of the present invention are stored in the EEPROM 604, the recording medium 607, or the like.

  The CMOS sensor 605 is a charge-coupled device that converts light into electric charges to digitize an image of a subject. The CMOS sensor 605 may be, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor as long as it can image a subject.

  Further, the smart device 40a includes a voice input unit 609, a voice output unit 610, an antenna 611, a communication unit 612, a wireless LAN communication unit 613, a short-range wireless communication antenna 614, a short-range wireless communication unit 615, a display 616, a touch panel 617, A bus line 619 is provided.

  The voice input unit 609 converts voice into a voice signal. The audio output unit 610 converts an audio signal into audio. The communication unit 612 communicates with the nearest base station using a wireless communication signal using the antenna 611. A wireless LAN communication unit 613 performs wireless LAN communication with an access point in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. The short-range wireless communication unit 615 performs short-range wireless communication using the short-range wireless communication antenna 614.

  The display 616 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like that displays an image of a subject, various icons, and the like. The touch panel 617 is mounted on the display 616, is configured by a pressure-sensitive or electrostatic panel, and detects a touch position on the display 616 by a touch with a finger or a touch pen. The bus line 619 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the above-described units.

  The smart device 40a has a dedicated battery 618. The smart device 40a is driven by the battery 618. Note that the voice input unit 609 includes a microphone for inputting voice. The audio output unit 610 includes a speaker that outputs audio.

  For example, the smart device 40a can realize various processes as described below with the hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. Note that the hardware of the notebook PC 40b has a difference from the smart device 40a, such as not having the short-range wireless communication unit 615, but the difference does not hinder the description of the present embodiment.

<< Network connection control device >>
FIG. 5 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the network connection control device 10. The network connection control device 10 includes an AP (Access Point) unit 720 for controlling data communication in the normal mode, a tester unit 730 for measuring a radio wave state in the measurement mode, and a MAC of the information terminal 40 performing communication. (Media Access Control address) The memory 707 stores addresses and other information, and an antenna 717 is provided. The measurement mode is a mode for measuring a radio wave state, and the normal mode is a mode for not communicating with the information terminal 40 except for the measurement mode.

  The AP unit 720 includes an AMP (Amplifier) unit 702, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit 703, a BB (Base Band) unit 704, a LAN unit 705, a BT (Bluetooth: registered trademark) unit 706, and a CPU 701. The AMP unit 702 amplifies the signal output from the RF unit 703 and communicates with the information terminal 40 via a wireless LAN. Further, AMP section 702 receives a wireless LAN signal from information terminal 40, converts the reception level, and outputs the signal to RF section 703.

  The RF unit 703 performs analog-to-digital conversion on a signal transmitted to the information terminal 40 and a signal received from the information terminal 40. The BB unit 704 performs digital signal processing on a signal transmitted to the information terminal 40 and a signal received from the information terminal 40.

  The LAN unit 705 is connected to the conference network 92 and the shared network 91 by wire, and transmits and receives data. The CPU 701 controls the AMP unit 702, the RF unit 703, the BB unit 704, the LAN unit 705, and the BT unit 706. The CPU 701 reads or writes data necessary for controlling data communication with the information terminal 40 from the memory 707.

  The BT unit 706 communicates with the information terminal 40 (smart device 40a) by Bluetooth, and transmits connection information to be described later to the information terminal 40. Note that the BT unit 706 may be arranged outside the network connection control device 10. The BT unit 706 may communicate using either the Bluetooth LE standard or the normal Bluetooth standard. Communication may be performed by NFC, infrared rays, or the like.

  The AP unit 720 has two sets of hardware (AMP unit 702, RF unit 703, and BB unit 704) for communicating with the information terminal 40 by wireless LAN. Each is one channel of communication. When switching from the measurement mode to the normal mode, the network connection control device 10 switches to a channel having a good radio wave condition. At the time of switching, the network connection control device 10 performs channel switching by setting a newly switched channel to hardware that is not currently used in order to prevent an instantaneous interruption of communication due to channel switching.

  For example, it is assumed that the AP unit 720 communicates with the information terminal 40 by wireless LAN using the AMP unit 702, the RF unit 703, and the BB unit 704. Then, it is assumed that the mode is switched to the measurement mode, and the communicable channel is changed. Before returning to the normal mode, the AP unit 720 sets settings for performing communication on a new channel in the AMP unit 702, the RF unit 703, and the BB unit 704 that are not currently used, and returns to the normal mode.

  The tester unit 730 includes an AMP unit 712, an RF unit 713, a BB unit 714, a magnetic measurement unit 715, an electronic compass unit 716, and a CPU 711. The AMP unit 712, the RF unit 713, and the BB unit 714 are provided by the number of wireless LAN areas. For example, if there are 18 areas, 18 AMP units 712, RF units 713, and BB units 714 are provided respectively. The communication of one area is measured by the AMP unit 712, the RF unit 713, and the BB unit 714.

  The AMP unit 712, the RF unit 713, and the BB unit 714 of the tester unit 730 have the same functions as the AMP unit 702, the RF unit 703, and the BB unit 704 of the AP unit 720, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The magnetism measurement unit 715 measures magnetism. The electronic compass unit 716 determines that the magnetism measured by the magnetic measurement unit 715 is approximately the same as the geomagnetism (about 300 nG near the equator, about 600 nG near the north and south poles, about 500 nG in Japan) Detects the direction of geomagnetism. For example, when the magnetism measured by the magnetism measurement unit 715 is different from the value of the terrestrial magnetism due to the influence of nearby electronic devices, the electronic compass unit 716 receives the direction in which the electronic compass unit 716 is manually placed. The electronic compass unit 716 detects in which direction the network connection control device 10 is oriented with respect to the detected geomagnetism or the received geomagnetism.

  The CPU 711 controls the AMP unit 712, the RF unit 713, the BB unit 714, the magnetic measurement unit 715, and the electronic compass unit 716. The CPU 711 reads or writes data necessary for measuring the position, the distance, and the like of the information terminal 40 from the memory 707. The CPU 711 recognizes via the memory 707 whether it is operating in the normal mode or the measurement mode, and performs each processing.

  The memory 707 stores data necessary for the CPU 711 to perform processing. Also, a MAC table is provided in the memory 707, and information about the information terminal 40 is stored.

<Function>
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the conference management device 20, the network connection control device 10, and the information terminal 40 included in the communication system 100 of the present embodiment.

<< Functional configuration of smart device 40a >>
The smart device 40a includes a transmission / reception unit 41, a passcode transmission unit 42, a connection information acquisition unit 43, an operation input reception unit 44, a display control unit 45, a cooperation processing unit 46, and a storage / readout unit 49. These units are realized by operating any of the components shown in FIG. 4 according to an instruction from the CPU 601 in accordance with the application 4010 (or the browser software 4020) developed on the RAM 603 from the EEPROM 604. Function or means to be provided.

  Further, the information terminal 40 has a storage unit 4000 constructed by the RAM 603, the ROM 602, and the EEPROM 604 shown in FIG. The storage unit 4000 stores an application 4010 and browser software 4020.

  The transmission / reception unit 41 is realized by a command from the CPU 601 shown in FIG. 4, a communication unit 612, a wireless LAN communication unit 613, and the like, and transmits and receives various data to and from the conference management device 20 via the network connection control device 10. Do.

  The passcode transmitting unit 42 is realized by a command from the CPU 601 illustrated in FIG. 4, the short-range wireless communication unit 615, and the like, and transmits a name, a passcode, and the like to the network connection control device 10.

  The connection information acquisition unit 43 is realized by a command from the CPU 601 illustrated in FIG. 4, the short-range wireless communication unit 615, and the like, and performs connection for connecting to the network connection control device 10 and the conference management device 20. Information is obtained from the network connection control device 10.

表１は、接続情報取得部４３がネットワーク接続制御装置１０から取得する接続情報を模式的に示す。接続情報は、「ＡＰ情報」と「管理装置ネットワーク情報」を有している。ＡＰ情報は、スマートデバイス４０ａがネットワーク接続制御装置１０のアクセスポイントに接続するための情報である。すなわち、アクセスポイントに接続する際に要求されるＳＳＩＤ及びパスワード等が含まれる。また、アクセスポイントが対応している暗号アルゴリズムが公開されている。

Table 1 schematically shows the connection information obtained by the connection information obtaining unit 43 from the network connection control device 10. The connection information has “AP information” and “management device network information”. The AP information is information for the smart device 40a to connect to the access point of the network connection control device 10. That is, it includes the SSID and password required when connecting to the access point. Also, the encryption algorithm that the access point supports is disclosed.

  The management device network information includes, for example, the IP address of the conference management device 20 and the port number to be used. The smart device 40 a can connect to the network connection control device 10 and further connect to the conference management device 20 based on the connection information.

  Returning to FIG. The operation input receiving unit 44 is realized by a command from the CPU 601 shown in FIG. 4, the voice input unit 609, the touch panel 617, and the like, and receives various inputs by the user.

  The display control unit 45 is realized by a command from the CPU 601 shown in FIG. 4, the display 616, and the like. The display control unit 45 arranges the screen information acquired from the conference management apparatus 20 on screen parts held in advance, and To display various UI screens. When the browser software 4020 operates on the smart device 40a, the display control unit 45 interprets screen information described in HTML or JavaScript (registered trademark) to display a UI screen.

  The cooperation processing unit 46 is realized by a command from the CPU 601 shown in FIG. 4 and requests the conference management apparatus 20 to generate an input job together with the settings input by the attendee. Further, the cooperative processing unit 46 requests the conference management device 20 to generate an output job after the completion of the input job. The image data used in the output job is stored in the conference management device 20 by executing the input job. Details of the function of the cooperation processing unit 46 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The storage / readout unit 49 is executed by a command from the CPU 601 shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 603, the EEPROM 604, and the like, and stores various data in the storage unit 4000, and stores various data stored in the storage unit 4000. The process of reading out is performed.

<< Functional Configuration of Network Connection Control Device 10 >>
The network connection control device 10 includes a wired communication unit 11, a wireless communication unit 12, a connection information providing unit 13, a communication control unit 14, and a storage / readout unit 19. These units are provided or implemented by a function realized by one of the components shown in FIG. 5 operating according to an instruction from the CPUs 701 and 711 according to the control device program 1010 stored in the memory 707. Is the means to be done.

  Further, the network connection control device 10 has a storage unit 1000 constructed by the memory 707 shown in FIG. The storage unit 1000 stores a control device program 1010.

(Functions of Network Connection Control Device 10)
The wireless communication unit 12 is realized by commands from the CPUs 701 and 711 shown in FIG. 5, an AMP unit 702, an RF unit 703, a BB unit 704, and the like, and transmits and receives various data to and from the information terminal 40.

  The wired communication unit 11 is realized by commands from the CPUs 701 and 711 and the LAN unit 705 shown in FIG. 5, and each device of the shared network 91 (for example, the print server 93 and the MFP 94) and each device of the conference network 92. (E.g., the conference management device 20).

  The connection information providing unit 13 is realized by commands from the CPUs 701 and 711 shown in FIG. 5 and the BT unit 706 and transmits connection information to the information terminal 40. When the connection information providing unit 13 is realized by Bluetooth LE, the network connection control device 10 corresponds to a peripheral, and the information terminal 40 corresponds to a central. The connection information providing unit 13 periodically transmits an advertisement packet, and when the information terminal 40 approaches the network connection control device 10 within a predetermined distance, the information terminal 40 receives the advertisement packet. Thereby, it is detected that the connection information providing unit 13 is present near the own device, and the information terminal 40 connects to the network connection control device 10. When a connection is established, connection information described in a characteristic or the like is acquired. Note that the predetermined distance is adjusted by the radio field intensity (RSSI), but in this embodiment, it is within about 1 meter. Thereby, only the information terminal 40 existing near the network connection control device 10 can acquire the connection information.

  When the connection information providing unit 13 is realized by NFC, the information terminal 40 operates as an RF tag reader and reads the connection information stored in NFC.

  The communication control unit 14 is realized by instructions from the CPUs 701 and 711 shown in FIG. 5 and restricts communication from the shared network 91 to the conference network 92, and restricts communication from the conference network 92 to the shared network 91. Or restrict communication.

  The storage / readout unit 19 is executed by instructions from the CPUs 701 and 711 shown in FIG. 5 and the memory 707, and stores various data in the storage unit 1000 and reads various data stored in the storage unit 1000. Perform processing.

  The functional block diagram of the notebook PC 40b does not include the passcode transmission unit 42 and the connection information acquisition unit 43. This is because attendees manually enter passcodes and connection information.

<< Functional configuration of conference management device 20 >>
The conference management device 20 includes a transmission / reception unit 21, a passcode check unit 22, a conference information management unit 23, a Web server unit 24, a participant list creation unit 25, an image processing unit 26, an image input job unit 27, and an image output job unit 28. , A participant list display section 31 and a storage / readout section 29. These units are provided or implemented by operating any of the components shown in FIG. 3 by an instruction from the CPU 506 in accordance with the management device program 2020 developed on the RAM 504 from the HDD 508, or provided. Is the means to be done.

  In addition, the conference management device 20 includes a storage unit 2000 configured by the RAM 504, the ROM 505, and the HDD 508 illustrated in FIG. The storage unit 2000 stores a passcode DB 2001, a conference material DB 2002, a device information DB 2003, a participant information DB 2004, image data 2010, and a management device program 2020.

表２はパスコードＤＢ２００１を構成するパスコードテーブルの一例を示す。パスコードテーブルは、会議ＩＤとパスコードが対応づけて登録されている。パスコードテーブルに会議ＩＤとパスコードが登録されることは、会議用にパスコードが発行されたことを意味する。なお、出席者は会議ＩＤを意識する必要はない。

Table 2 shows an example of a passcode table constituting the passcode DB 2001. In the passcode table, a conference ID and a passcode are registered in association with each other. Registering the conference ID and the passcode in the passcode table means that a passcode has been issued for the conference. It is not necessary for attendees to be aware of the conference ID.

表３は会議資料ＤＢ２００２を構成する会議資料テーブルの一例を示す。会議資料ＤＢ２００２には出席者が参照可能な会議資料が登録される。会議資料テーブルには、会議ＩＤ、ファイル名、オーナー、及び、パス（Path）が登録される。ファイル名は会議資料のファイル名であり、パスはファイルの保管場所を示す。オーナーはファイルを会議資料ＤＢ２００２に送信した出席者の名称である。なお、会議資料ＤＢ２００２の会議資料は会議が終了すると削除される。

Table 3 shows an example of a conference material table constituting the conference material DB 2002. Conference materials that can be referred to by attendees are registered in the conference material DB 2002. A conference ID, a file name, an owner, and a path (Path) are registered in the conference material table. The file name is the file name of the meeting material, and the path indicates the storage location of the file. The owner is the name of the attendee who transmitted the file to the conference material DB 2002. The meeting materials in the meeting material DB 2002 are deleted when the meeting ends.

表４は機器情報ＤＢ２００３を構成する機器情報テーブルの一例を示す。機器情報ＤＢ２００３に会議用ネットワーク又は共用ネットワークに接続されている機器が登録されている。機器情報テーブルには機種及びＩＰアドレスが登録されている。ＭＦＰ９４のようにユーザが機能を選択できる機種については機器の機能が登録されている。例えば、ＭＦＰ９４は印刷機能についてカラー、両面、ステープル、パンチに対応し、また、Ａ３／Ａ４／Ａ５／Ｂ４の用紙サイズに対応している。また、スキャナ装置としてのスキャン機能について、300,400,600[dpi]の解像度に対応しており、写真／文字／図形の読み取りモードに対応している。

Table 4 shows an example of a device information table constituting the device information DB 2003. The devices connected to the conference network or the shared network are registered in the device information DB 2003. The model and the IP address are registered in the device information table. For a model such as the MFP 94 from which a user can select a function, the function of the device is registered. For example, the MFP 94 supports color, double-sided, staple, and punch for the printing function, and also supports A3 / A4 / A5 / B4 paper sizes. The scanning function as a scanner device is compatible with a resolution of 300, 400, 600 [dpi], and is compatible with a reading mode for photographs / characters / graphics.

  These functions are transmitted to the information terminal 40 and reflected on the screen displayed on the display 616 of the information terminal 40.

表５は参加者情報ＤＢ２００４を構成する参加者情報テーブルの一例を示す。参加者情報テーブルの１つ以上のレコードを参加者情報と称する。参加者情報テーブルは、会議に参加している主催者及び参加者の参加者情報が登録される。なお、「★」で示される主催者であってもその情報を参加者情報と称することとする。

Table 5 shows an example of a participant information table constituting the participant information DB 2004. One or more records in the participant information table are referred to as participant information. In the participant information table, participant information of the organizer participating in the conference and the participants is registered. In addition, even if it is the organizer shown by "★", the information is referred to as participant information.

  The participant information table is specified by the conference ID, and the conference name and the conference location input by the organizer are registered. One piece of participant information has items of an attendee ID, a name, a passcode, an IP address, a MAC address, a model number, a telephone number, and a mail address.

  The attendee ID is unique identification information for identifying the attendee, and is given by the conference management device 20. The name is the attendee's name, user name, nickname, or the like. The passcode is a symbol, a numerical value, a character, or a combination thereof that is concealed for participating in the conference. The passcode is common among attendees of one conference. The IP address is the IP address of the information terminal 40 (which may be fixed or assigned by a DHCP server), and the MAC address is an address unique to the information terminal 40 in wireless LAN communication. The model number is information for specifying a client program operating on the information terminal 40. For example, an OS name, an application or a browser name, a version, and the like are registered. The model number is mainly referred to when the conference management device 20 transmits appropriate screen information. The telephone number is the telephone number of the attendee, and the e-mail address is the e-mail address of the attendee. It is not necessary for the conference management device 20 to acquire all of these items.

(Functions of the Conference Management Device 20)
The transmission / reception unit 21 is realized by a command from the CPU 506 and the communication I / F 507 shown in FIG. 3, and transmits and receives various data to and from the network connection control device 10, the projector 95, the electronic blackboard 96, and the like. In addition, it communicates with the information terminal 40, the print server 93, and the MFP 94 via the network connection control device 10.

  The passcode check unit 22 determines whether a passcode transmitted when a participant tries to join a conference matches a passcode registered in the passcode table. If the passcodes match, the passcode check unit 22 permits participation in the conference.

  The conference information management unit 23 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 506 shown in FIG. 3 and issues a passcode. When the attendee sends the meeting material, the meeting material is registered in the meeting material DB 2002. It also manages the start, end, and interruption of meetings.

  The Web server unit 24 is realized by a command or the like from the CPU 506 shown in FIG. 3 and transmits screen information displayed on the screen to the information terminal 40. For example, it is a list of meeting materials, a device information table, and the like. If the information terminal 40 operates the application 4010, the Web server unit 24 processes the information for the application to create screen information, and if the information terminal 40 operates the browser software 4020, the Create screen information by processing information for use.

  The participant list creation unit 25 is realized by an instruction or the like from the CPU 506 shown in FIG. 3, and registers the participant information of the participant permitted to participate in the conference in the participant information DB 2004.

  The image input job unit 27 is realized by an instruction or the like from the CPU 506 shown in FIG. 3, acquires a request for generating an input job from the cooperation processing unit 46, and generates an input job. Then, an input job is input to the input device, the image data 2010 is received from the input device, and the image data 2010 is stored in the storage unit 2000.

  The image processing unit 26 is realized by an instruction or the like from the CPU 506 shown in FIG. 3 and performs image processing (processing) such as OCR (Optical Character Reader) and translation on the image data 2010 in the storage unit 2000. It is stored in the storage unit 2000.

  The image output job unit 28 is realized by a command or the like from the CPU 506 shown in FIG. 3, acquires an output job generation request from the cooperation processing unit 46, and uses the image data 2010 stored in the storage unit 2000. To generate an output job. Then, the output job is input to the output device.

  The participant list display unit 31 is realized by a command or the like from the CPU 506 shown in FIG. 3, creates screen information of the participant list from the participant information table, and transmits the screen information to the attendee information terminal 40.

  The storage / readout unit 29 is executed by the CPU 506, the HDD 508, the RAM 504, the ROM 505, and the like illustrated in FIG. 3 and stores various data in the storage unit 2000 and reads various data stored in the storage unit 2000. Do.

表６（ａ）は入力機器に送信される入力ジョブの一例を示す。表６（ａ）は入力機器が電子黒板９６の場合の入力ジョブである。入力ジョブのジョブ内容は電子黒板９６が解釈するコマンドのコードにより記述されている。電子黒板９６が入力機器の場合、表示画面の取り込み、ファイル名（＊＊＊.jpg）の付与、画像データ２０１０の送信が順番に実行される。なお、ファイル名は、後述するように一意性があるもの（出席者ＩＤとジョブＩＤを含む）でもよいし、機器が付与する段階では任意のファイル名でよい。

Table 6 (a) shows an example of an input job transmitted to an input device. Table 6 (a) shows an input job when the input device is the electronic blackboard 96. The job content of the input job is described by a command code interpreted by the electronic blackboard 96. When the electronic whiteboard 96 is an input device, the capture of the display screen, the assignment of the file name (***. Jpg), and the transmission of the image data 2010 are sequentially executed. Note that the file name may be unique (including the attendee ID and the job ID) as described later, or may be an arbitrary file name when the device gives the file name.

  Table 6 (b) shows an example of an output job transmitted to the output device. Table 6 (b) shows an output job when the output device is the projector 95. The job content of the output job is described by a command code interpreted by the projector 95. When the projector 95 is an output device, the projection of the image data 2010 is executed.

(Function of coordination processing unit)
FIG. 7 is an example of a functional block diagram of the cooperation processing unit 46. The cooperation processing unit 46 includes an input job request unit 461, a progress determination unit 462, a processing request unit 463, and an output job request unit 464.

  The input job request unit 461 obtains the input device set by the attendee on the setting screen described later, and requests the conference management device 20 to execute the input job.

  The progress determination unit 462 determines whether the conference management device 20 has completed the input job and whether the processing of the image data 2010 has been completed. The conference management apparatus 20 determines that the input job has been completed, and if the attendee has set to process, requests the processing to the processing requesting unit 463. In this case, if it is determined that the processing has been completed, an output job is requested to the output job request unit 464. If the attendee has not set to process, an output job is requested from the output job request unit 464.

  When the progress determination unit 462 determines that the input job has been completed, the processing request unit 463 requests the conference management apparatus 20 to perform processing.

  When the progress determination unit 462 determines that the input job has been completed or the processing has been completed, the output job request unit 464 requests the conference management device 20 for an output job.

<Operation procedure>
Hereinafter, the operation when the communication system 100 holds a conference will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the terms of starting a conference and holding a conference are used separately.

<< Start meeting >>
FIG. 8 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the organizer requests the conference management device 20 to start a conference (issue a passcode). The organizer accesses the conference management device 20 in or around the conference room 6.

  S1: The organizer operates the information terminal 40 and requests the conference management device 20 to start a conference. The organizer can notify the conference management device 20 of the conference name, the conference location, and the like.

  S2: The transmission / reception unit 21 of the conference management device 20 receives the conference start request, and the conference information management unit 23 assigns a conference ID and generates a passcode.

  S3: The conference information management unit 23 generates, for example, a folder that is a place for storing the conference material, and registers the conference ID and the passcode in the passcode DB 2001.

  S4: Next, the conference information management unit 23 transmits a conference start end notification to the information terminal 40 of the organizer. The end notification includes at least the passcode.

  S5: Upon receipt of the registration end notification, the organizer sends a meeting notification including a passcode to the participants by e-mail or the like. If the participant is nearby, the organizer may verbally communicate the passcode. The event notification may include a meeting name, a meeting place, a meeting date and time, and the like. Note that the conference management device 20 may directly transmit a conference notification to the participants. Thereafter, the organizer prepares for holding the conference, such as registering the conference material in the conference material DB 2002.

<< Participant participation >>
FIG. 9 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating an operation performed by the conference management device 20 when a participant participates in the conference. FIG. 9 assumes that the information terminal 40 is a smart device 40a. The case where the information terminal 40 is the notebook PC 40b will be described later.

  S1: The passcode transmitting unit 42 of the information terminal 40 participates in the conference by transmitting its name and the passcode transmitted from the organizer to the conference management device 20 via the network connection control device 10. Request. The participant sets a name and a passcode in the information terminal 40 in advance. Instead of transmitting the name and the passcode via the network connection control device 10, the name and the passcode may be transmitted directly to the conference management device 20. In the case of the smart device 40a, the smart device 40a transmits a name and a passcode to the network connection control device 10 approaching within a predetermined distance by Bluetooth communication or the like. In addition, the connection information acquisition unit 43 of the smart device 40a acquires the connection information together with the transmission of the name and the passcode.

  S2: Upon receiving the name and the passcode, the passcode check unit 22 of the conference management device 20 authenticates the passcode associated with the conference ID in the passcode DB 2001. Alternatively, authentication may be performed using the passcode of the organizer in the participant information table. In either case, it is determined whether there is a matching passcode.

  S3: If there is a matching passcode, the passcode check unit 22 requests the information terminal 40 for device information. The device information is an IP address, a MAC address, a model number, a telephone number of a user (information terminal 40), a mail address registered in the information terminal 40, and the like. Note that the acquisition of device information may be performed after communication with the wireless LAN in FIG. 10 is established.

  S4: The storage / readout unit 49 of the information terminal 40 acquires device information from the storage unit 4000. As a method of acquiring device information assigned to itself, for example, there is a method of using an API (Application Interface) for acquiring device information. The storage / readout unit 49 acquires device information using an API.

  S5: The transmission / reception unit 41 of the information terminal 40 transmits the device information to the conference management device 20.

  S6: The passcode check unit 22 of the conference management device 20 receives the device information and transmits an additional registration instruction to the participant list creation unit 25. The additional registration instruction includes the passcode and the name received in step S1 in addition to the device information.

  S7: The participant list creation unit 25 of the conference management device 20 specifies the participant information table in which the organizer is registered by the passcode, and the participant information table of the participant who has been permitted to participate in the participant information table of the conference is obtained. Register the name, passcode and device information additionally. As described above, the participant information of each participant is registered in the participant information table.

  When a participant registered in the participant information DB requests access to the equipment and the conference material DB to the conference management apparatus 20 after a conference to be described later, the conference management apparatus 20 refers to the participant information DB and Permits access to devices and conference material DB. Therefore, the participant registered in the participant information DB can select the input device and the output device described in FIG.

<< Connection to network connection control device 10 >>
FIG. 10A is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for connecting the smart device 40a to the network connection control device 10.
S1: In the case of the smart device 40a, the connection information is set in the own device because the authentication by the passcode has been completed and the connection information has been acquired.
S2: The transmission / reception unit 41 of the smart device connects to the wireless communication unit 12 of the network connection control device 10.
S3: The wireless communication unit 12 of the network connection control device 10 requests the wired communication unit 11 to connect.
S4: The wired communication unit 11 of the network connection control device 10 connects to the conference management device 20 using the IP address (connection information) specified by the smart device 40a.

FIG. 10B is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for connecting the notebook PC 40b to the network connection control device 10.
S1: On the other hand, in the case of the notebook PC 40b without the short-range wireless communication unit 615, the participant inputs a name and a passcode.
S2: The participant sets connection information. A sheet on which connection information is described is distributed to participants using the conference room, or protrudes into the room. The connection information set here may be only the AP information. When the notebook PC 40b accesses the network connection control device 10 based on the AP information, the network connection control device 10 redirects the connection to the conference management device 20.
S3: As in step S1 of FIG. 9, the transmission / reception unit 41 of the notebook PC 40b transmits a participation request to the network connection control device 10 (communicates to the conference management device 20 by redirection to the destination).
S4: The wireless communication unit 12 of the network connection control device 10 transmits a participation request to the wired communication unit 11.
S5: The wired communication unit 11 of the network connection control device 10 transmits a participation request to the conference management device 20. Subsequent processing is the same as that after S2 in FIG.

<< Conference holding permission >>
The organizer checks the participation status and holds a conference. A conference can be held without any participants.

  FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the organizer holds a conference after the participants have joined the conference.

  S1: The organizer operates the information terminal 40 to request the participant list from the conference management device 20. Note that the information terminal 40 of the organizer transmits a passcode or a conference ID to specify the conference.

  S2: The participant list display unit 31 of the conference management device 20 specifies the participant information table based on the passcode or the conference ID, and edits the specified participant information table into a table to create screen information. Note that the participant list display unit 31 creates appropriate screen information based on the model number of the information terminal 40 of the organizer. That is, appropriate screen information is created according to the combination of the OS and the application or the OS and the browser. For example, a description that can be interpreted by an application or a browser is selected, and screen information is created in consideration of the size of the mounted display 616.

  S3: The participant list display unit 31 of the conference management device 20 transmits the created participant list screen information to the information terminal 40 of the organizer.

  S4: The display control unit 45 of the information terminal 40 displays the participant list on the display 616. A participant list screen is displayed on the display 616 of the information terminal 40 of the organizer. The organizer can confirm participants from the participant list screen.

  S5: The operation input receiving unit 44 of the information terminal 40 receives the operation of the organizer 8. That is, when the organizer 8 confirms that the persons who should participate in the conference are participating in the conference, it determines that the conference can be held, and presses the conference holding permission button from a predetermined participant list screen. The operation input receiving unit 44 receives the operation. The information terminal 40 may determine that the number of participants is one or more and hold a conference.

  S6: When the conference holding permission button is pressed, the transmitting / receiving section 41 of the information terminal 40 transmits an instruction to enable holding of the conference to the conference information managing section 23 of the conference managing apparatus 20.

  S7: When the conference information management unit 23 of the conference management device 20 receives the instruction that the conference can be held, the conference information management unit 23 performs processing necessary for holding the conference. The processing required for holding a conference includes, for example, permitting an attendee to access a folder of conference materials used in the conference, permitting communication with a device, and the like.

<Image output>
FIG. 12 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the smart device 40a causes the projector to project the conference material.

  S1: A meeting attendee performs an operation to request a material list.

  S2: The operation input receiving unit 44 receives the operation and sends a material list request to the cooperation processing unit 46 together with the passcode. The passcode is information for identifying the conference in which the attendees are participating, and may be information such as a conference ID that can identify the conference. Since the meeting is specified, attendees can access the meeting materials if the meeting is authorized.

  S3: The cooperative processing unit 46 transmits a document list request to the conference management device 20 together with the passcode.

  S4: The web server unit 24 of the conference management device 20 searches for a conference material table associated with the passcode. The conference ID can be specified from the passcode.

  S5: The Web server unit 24 reads the material list from the conference material table.

  S6: The web server unit 24 transmits the material list to the cooperation processing unit 46 of the smart device 40a.

  S7: The cooperation processing unit 46 sends the material list to the display control unit 45. As a result, a material list screen 301 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed.

  S8: The attendee selects a material (file name) to be projected and performs an operation to execute projection.

  S9: The operation input receiving unit 44 receives the operation, and sends a material projection request together with the passcode and the file name to the cooperation processing unit 46.

  S10: The cooperation processing unit 46 transmits a document projection request to the conference management device 20 together with the passcode and the file name.

  S11: The Web server unit 24 of the conference management device 20 sends a document projection request to the image output job unit 28.

  S12: The image output job unit 28 reads the file specified by the file name from the conference material DB 2002.

  S13: The image output job unit 28 generates a job for projection.

  S14: The image output job unit 28 transmits the output job to an output device (projector 95).

  An image is projected as described above. In FIG. 12, the projection by the projector 95 is taken as an example, but the display by the electronic blackboard 96 or the printing by the MFP 94 is executed in the same procedure.

<< Document list screen >>
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the material list screen 301. The document list screen 301 has a device selection tab column 302, a document list column 303, a projection start button 304, and a projection end button 305. In the device selection tab column 302, output devices are displayed in a tab shape. The attendee can select the output device from the tab. The output device displayed on the tab is read from the device information DB 2003 by the conference management device 20 and transmitted to the smart device. A list of conference materials is displayed in the material list column 303. The attendee selects a file to be projected. The projection start button 304 is a button for executing projection of the file selected by the attendee. The projection end button 305 is a button for terminating the projection.

<Cooperation between input device and output device>
Subsequently, the coordination process between the input device and the output device will be described. Note that the image data generated by the input device is not limited to conference materials, and any image displayed by the input device can be converted into image data.

  FIG. 14 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which an attendee specifies an input device and an output device to execute a job.

  S1: The attendee instructs the smart device 40a to execute a job. An example of the screen will be described with reference to FIG. The execution instruction only needs to include at least the input device and the output device.

  S2: The operation input receiving unit 44 sends an execution instruction to the cooperation processing unit 46.

  S3: The cooperation processing unit 46 sequentially requests the conference management device 20 to execute the input job and the output job. That is, first, the input job requesting unit 461 requests the conference management device 20 for an input job. Since the input job according to the present embodiment stores the image data 2010 by the input device, the input device may be specified for the input job. Further, the input job requesting unit 461 specifies a file name of the image data 2010 that is unique within the conference. A conference may have multiple attendees. Each attendee may execute a job using the input device and the output device. Also, the same attendee may execute the job several times. Therefore, for example, an attendee ID + a job ID may be used as the file name. A MAC address or an IP address may be used instead of the attendee ID. The job ID is information for identifying the job, and may be, for example, a serial number starting from 1. For example, when the attendee ID is 001 and the job ID is J001, the file name of the image data 2010 is “001_J001.Jpg”. Which folder (or directory) in the storage unit 2000 of the conference management device 20 is stored is determined in advance. Alternatively, the cooperation processing unit 46 may specify a file name including up to a folder (that is, a path (Path)).

  Further, the input job request unit 461 may give a random (random) file name. If the number of characters or digits is more than a certain number, uniqueness within the meeting is guaranteed with a random file name.

  The input job request unit 461 transmits an input job execution request including the input device and the file name determined in this way to the image input job unit 27.

  Note that the conference management device 20 may assign a file name. The conference management device 20 gives a file name so that a set of attendees and job can be specified.

  S4: The image input job unit 27 generates an input job using the designated input device as an input source.

  S5: The image input job unit 27 transmits the generated input job to the input device.

  S6: The input device executes the input job. In the present embodiment, the image data 2010 is generated regardless of the input device.

  S7: The input device transmits the image data 2010 to the image input job unit 27.

  S8: The image input job unit 27 assigns the file name specified in step S3 to the image data 2010 and stores the image data in the storage unit 2000.

  S9: After the execution of the input job is requested, the progress determination unit 462 repeatedly inquires (polls) whether or not the image data 2010 having the predetermined file name is stored in the storage unit 2000. The progress determination unit 462 repeatedly inquires of the conference management device 20 whether or not the image data 2010 with the file name given in step S3 has been created.

  Alternatively, since the smart device 40a and the conference management device 20 perform periodic communication, the conference management device 20 may notify the smart device 40a that the image data 2010 has been created in response to this communication. .

  S10: When the image data 2010 is created, the output job request unit 464 transmits an output job execution request including the output device and the file name to the image output job unit 28. The output device is specified by the output device, and the image data 2010 is specified by the file name.

  S11: The image output job unit 28 reads out the image data 2010 having the specified file name from the storage unit 2000.

  S12: The image output job unit 28 generates an output job for outputting the image data 2010 from the output device.

  S13: The image output job unit 28 transmits the output job to the output device.

  S14: The output device executes the output job. Image data 2010 generated by the input device according to the output device is output. When the output device is the projector 95, the image data 2010 is projected. When the output device is the electronic blackboard 96, the image data 2010 is displayed. When the output device is the MFP 94, the image data 2010 is printed.

  As described above, in the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, since the cooperation processing unit 46 assigns a file name, the attendee does not need to specify or be aware of the file name of the image data 2010. Since the cooperative processing unit 46 can specify at least the file name (and the storage location if necessary) of the image data 2010 for each attendee and job, the user does not need to specify the output data.

  As is clear from the sequence diagram of FIG. 14, the image input job unit 27 and the image output job unit 28 have an API (Application Interface) that receives an external job execution request. The smart device 40a may separately transmit job execution requests to the image input job unit 27 and the image output job unit 28 via the API. Therefore, when the smart device 40a or the like requests the execution of an input job and an output job from the outside, the functions of the image input job unit 27 and the image output job unit 28 are not changed or need not be changed.

<< Input / output job setting screen >>
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input / output job setting screen 310 displayed on the smart device 40a. FIG. 15A is a setting screen for performing scanning of a document by the MFP 94 and output to, for example, the projector 95 with a single setting. The setting screen 310 has a tab column 311, an input device selection column 312, an output device selection column 313, a scan condition column 314, a scan start button 315, and a scan stop button 316.
A tab for selecting an input device is displayed in the tab field 311.
In the input device selection field 312, one or more input devices (the MFP 94 in FIG. 15A) are displayed so as to be selectable. Since the MFP 94 is selected in the tab field 311, only the MFP 94 is displayed in the input device selection field 312. If there is only one MFP 94 available to the attendee, only one input device is displayed in the input device selection field.
-In the output device selection column 313, one or more output devices are displayed so as to be selectable. When the input device is the MFP 94, an appropriate output device is displayed. In FIG. 15A, for example, a projector 95, an electronic blackboard 96, and a file are displayed.
A scan condition is displayed in the scan condition column 314. Since the device information table is transmitted to the information terminal 40, the attendee can set the scan conditions from the scan conditions that can be set in the MFP 94.
The scan start button 315 is a button for causing the MFP 94 to start scanning (starting execution of an input job and an output job). Before pressing the scan start button 315, the attendee places the document on an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) of the MFP 94 or the like.
The scan stop button 316 is a button for stopping a scan.

Therefore, the image data 2010 is processed in the following combinations by the output device selected by the attendee.
MFP and projector ... Projector 95 projects an image scanned by MFP 94.
MFP and electronic blackboard: The electronic blackboard 96 displays an image scanned by the MFP 94.
MFP and file: An image scanned by the MFP 94 is stored as a file.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the attendee can set an input device and an output device on one setting screen 310. Unlike the related art, there is no need to specify a file created by scanning with the input device (MFP 94), transmit the file to the output device, and output the file.

FIG. 15B is a setting screen 310 for performing a setting for printing the screen displayed on the electronic blackboard 96 by the MFP 94 at a time. The configuration of the setting screen 310 is the same as that shown in FIG.
Since the electronic blackboard 96 is selected in the tab column 311, only the electronic blackboard 96 is displayed in the input device selection column 312. If there is only one electronic blackboard 96 that can be used by the attendee, only one input device is displayed in the input device selection field.
-In the output device selection column 313, one or more output devices are displayed so as to be selectable. When the input device is the electronic blackboard 96, an appropriate output device is displayed. In FIG. 15B, for example, a projector 95, an MFP 94, a file, and an electronic blackboard 96 are displayed. Since the electronic blackboard 96 is displayed, when there are two or more electronic blackboards 96, the electronic blackboard 2 can display the screen displayed by the electronic blackboard 1.
The print condition is displayed in the print condition column 317. Since the device information table is transmitted to the information terminal 40, the attendee can set the printing conditions from the printing conditions that can be set in the MFP 94. When the MFP 94 is selected as the output device, the print conditions are displayed.
The capture start button 318 is a button that causes the electronic blackboard 96 to start capturing a screen (start execution of an input job and an output job).
The capture stop button 319 is a button for stopping the capture of the screen.

Therefore, the image data 2010 is processed in the following combinations by the output device selected by the attendee.
Electronic blackboard and projector: The projector 95 projects the screen displayed by the electronic blackboard 96.
Electronic blackboard and MFP ... The MFP 94 prints a screen displayed by the electronic blackboard 96.
Electronic blackboard and file ... The screen displayed on the electronic blackboard 96 is saved as a file.
Electronic blackboard and electronic blackboard... The screen displayed on the electronic blackboard 1 is displayed on the other electronic blackboard 2.

  According to the setting screen of FIG. 15B, there is no need to capture the screen displayed on the electronic blackboard 96, save it in a file or the like, and transmit the screen to an output device for output as in the related art.

<< If the information terminal is running browser software >>
When the information terminal 40 is executing browser software instead of an application, it may be difficult for the browser software to realize the function of the cooperation processing unit 46. For this reason, when the information terminal 40 is operating browser software, the conference management device 20 provides the function of the cooperation processing unit 46. Although the information terminal 40 is described as a notebook PC 40b for convenience of explanation, browser software may operate on a smart device.

  FIG. 16 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which an attendee specifies an input device and an output device to execute a job. Note that FIG. 16 mainly describes differences from FIG. 14.

S2-2: The transmission / reception unit 41 of the notebook PC 40b transmits a job execution request to the conference management device 20. The transmission / reception unit 21 of the conference management device 20 receives the job execution request. The job execution request includes, for example, an input device, an output device, an attendee ID, and a job ID.
As for the attendee ID, the cooperation processing unit 46 of the conference management device 20 may specify the attendee ID from the IP address or the MAC address of the notebook PC 40b. Further, the cooperation processing unit 46 of the conference management device 20 may assign a job ID.

  Subsequent processing is the same as in FIG. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 16, the coordination processing unit 46 monitors whether the image data 2010 has been created in the conference management device 20, so that the processing load on the notebook PC 40b can be reduced. Further, even if the information terminal 40 does not have an application, the input job and the output job can be executed without or with little change to the image input job unit 27 and the image output job unit 28.

<When processing image data>
Next, a processing procedure when the conference management apparatus 20 processes the image data 2010 of the input device before the output device outputs the image data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 mainly describes differences from FIG. 14. FIG. 18 shows a processing procedure of the progress determination unit 462, and FIG. 19 shows an example of a setting screen 310 on which processing can be set. The processing in steps S1 to S8 is the same as in FIG.

  S8-1: The progress determination unit 462 repeatedly inquires (polls) whether the image data 2010 of the file name given in step S3 is stored in the storage unit 2000.

  S8-2: When the image data 2010 is generated, the processing request unit 463 transmits an image processing request including the processing content and the file name to the image processing unit 26. The processing in step S8-2 will be described with reference to FIG. The processing is specified by the processing content, and the image data 2010 is specified by the file name.

  S8-3: The image processing unit 26 reads out the image data 2010 of the designated file name from the storage unit 2000.

  S8-4: The image processing unit 26 processes the image data 2010.

  S8-5: The image processing unit 26 stores the processed image data 2010 in the storage unit 2000. The file name may be the one specified in step S3. The processing after step S9 may be the same as in FIG.

  According to the processing as shown in FIG. 17, the output device can output the image data 2010 generated by the input device after processing the image data 2010. Also in this case, the user does not need to give a file name or the like or be conscious. Further, the conference management device 20 can also perform a plurality of processes.

<< Process of coordination processing unit 46 >>
In FIG. 17, the cooperation processing unit 46 needs to determine whether to process the image data 2010 stored in the storage unit 2000 or to execute an output job. In addition, when processing is performed a plurality of times, it is necessary to determine how many times processing has been completed.

  FIG. 18 is an example of a flowchart illustrating the processing in step S8-2 in FIG. The processing in FIG. 18 starts when monitoring of the image data 2010 in the storage unit 2000 is started.

  The progress determination unit 462 sets the number of processing to N as an initial process and sets 1 to i (S10).

  Next, the progress determination unit 462 determines whether the image data 2010 has been stored in the storage unit 2000 (S20). As described above, the progress determination unit 462 continues monitoring until the image data 2010 is stored in the storage unit 2000.

  If the determination in step S20 is Yes, the progress determination unit 462 determines whether N = 0 (S30). That is, it is determined whether there is no processing or whether all processing has been completed.

  If the determination in step S30 is Yes, the output job request unit 464 requests the conference management device 20 to execute the output job (S60).

  If the determination in step S30 is No, since the processing has not been completed, the progress determination unit 462 requests the conference management device 20 to execute the i-th processing (S40).

  Then, the progress determination unit 462 decreases N by one and increases i by one (S50). Therefore, the number of times of processing is counted by i. Thereafter, the procedure returns to step S20, and when all the processing is completed, the processing ends via step S60.

  According to such processing, the conference management device 20 only needs to store the image data 2010 in the storage unit 2000, and the smart device 40a can execute an appropriate process each time the image data 2010 is stored in the storage unit 2000. Therefore, the number of times of processing is not limited, and the image input job unit 27, the image output job unit 28, and the image processing unit 26 of the conference management device 20 need not be changed or reduced.

<< Setting screen that can be processed >>
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 310 on which attendees can make processing settings. Note that FIG. 19 illustrates the difference from FIG. The setting screen 310 in FIG. 19 has a processing condition column 320. The processing conditions include, for example, OCR processing, translation processing, etc., but any processing that can be performed on the image data 2010 can be set. For example, enlargement processing, reduction processing, trimming, and the like can be performed.

  Therefore, the attendee can set an input job, a processing, and an output job on one screen.

<Other application examples>
As described above, the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described using the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, and various modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. And substitutions can be added.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the output device outputs the image data generated by the input device, but the data generated by the input device may not be image data, and the data processed by the output device may not be image data. Good.

  6 and the like are divided according to main functions in order to facilitate understanding of processing by the conference management device 20, the smart device 40a, the notebook PC 40b, and the network connection control device 10. . The present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing unit or the name. The processing of the conference management device 20, the smart device 40a, the notebook PC 40b, and the network connection control device 10 can be divided into more processing units according to the processing contents. Further, it is also possible to divide the processing unit so that one processing unit includes more processing.

  Further, various databases stored in the storage unit 2000 of FIG. 6 and various databases stored in the storage unit 1000 may exist on the conference network 92 or the shared network 91.

  Further, a plurality of the conference management devices 20 or the network connection control devices 10 may be present, and the functions of the conference management device 20 or the network connection control devices 10 may be distributed to a plurality of servers.

  An input job is an example of an input process, and an output job is an example of an output process. The input job request unit is an example of an input processing request unit, and the output job request unit is an example of an output processing request unit. The progress determination unit is an example of a determination unit, the processing request unit is an example of a processing request unit, and the cooperation processing unit 46 is an example of an acquisition unit. The image input job unit is an example of a receiving unit or an input device requesting unit, and the image output job unit is an example of an output device requesting unit. The conference management device 20 is an example of a conference information processing device. The file name is an example of identification information. The transmitting / receiving unit 21 is an example of a receiving unit.

Reference Signs List 10 network connection control device 20 conference management device 21 transmission / reception unit 26 image processing unit 27 image input job unit 28 image output job unit 40 information terminal 40a smart device 40b notebook PC
41 Transmission / Reception Unit 44 Operation Input Receiving Unit 45 Display Control Unit 91 Shared Network 92 Conference Network 100 Communication System

JP 2005-012670A

Claims (10)

An information terminal that communicates with a conference information processing device in which an input device and an output device are registered in advance, and executes a cooperative process in which the input device and the output device are combined,
Receiving means for receiving the input of the input device and the input of the output device transmitted from the conference information processing device,
Input processing requesting means for requesting the conference information processing apparatus to execute the input processing by the input device received by the receiving means,
A determination unit that determines by repeatedly inquiring to the conference information processing apparatus whether or not the conference information processing apparatus has received data generated by the input device executing the input process;
Wherein Depending particular conference information processing apparatus is determined to be receiving the data, the output processing request means to request execution of output processing by the output device the reception unit receives the conference information processing apparatus , A program to function as. The input processing requesting unit requests the execution of the input processing to the conference information processing apparatus by specifying identification information of the data unique in the conference,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the conference information processing apparatus has received the data by detecting that the conference information processing apparatus stores the data of the identification information. . When the input processing requesting unit requests the conference information processing apparatus to execute the input processing,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines that the conference information processing apparatus has received the data when a notification that the data has been received is transmitted from the conference information processing apparatus. program. When the accepting unit accepts processing for the data,
The information terminal, further, before the output processing requesting unit requests the conference information processing apparatus to execute the output processing for the output device, the processing received by the reception unit to the conference information processing apparatus. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which functions as a requesting processing request. The processing requesting unit specifies the identification information of the data unique within a conference, requests the processing to the conference information processing apparatus,
The determination unit counts the number of times the conference information processing device stores the data of the identification information, and determines whether or not the conference information processing device has completed all of the processing received by the reception unit. Judge
The program according to claim 4 , wherein when the conference information processing apparatus has completed all the processing, the output processing requesting unit requests the conference information processing apparatus to execute the output processing by the output device. The data generated by executing the input process by the input device is image data obtained by scanning a document by a scanner device as the input device,
The output processing request means, projection of the image data by the projector which is the output device, or claims 1 to 5, requesting display of the image data by the electronic blackboard is the output device to the conference information processing apparatus The program according to any one of the above. The data generated by executing the input process by the input device is image data captured by a screen displayed by the electronic blackboard as the input device,
The output processing requesting unit is configured to project the image data by a projector that is the output device, print the image data by a printer that is the output device, or display the image data by an electronic blackboard that is the output device. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which requests the conference information processing apparatus. An information terminal that communicates with a conference information processing device in which an input device and an output device are registered in advance, and executes a cooperative process in which the input device and the output device are combined,
Receiving means for receiving the input of the input device and the input of the output device transmitted from the conference information processing device,
Input processing requesting means for requesting the conference information processing apparatus to execute the input processing by the input device received by the receiving means,
A determination unit that determines by repeatedly inquiring to the conference information processing apparatus whether or not the conference information processing apparatus has received data generated by the input device executing the input process;
Output processing requesting means for requesting the conference information processing apparatus to execute output processing by the output device received by the receiving means in response to the determination that the conference information processing apparatus has received the data; and An information terminal comprising: A communication system having a conference information processing device in which an input device and an output device are registered in advance, and an information terminal that executes a cooperative process in which the input device and the output device are combined,
Receiving means for receiving the input of the input device and the input of the output device transmitted from the conference information processing device,
Input processing requesting means for requesting the conference information processing apparatus to execute the input processing by the input device received by the receiving means,
A determination unit that determines by repeatedly inquiring to the conference information processing apparatus whether or not the conference information processing apparatus has received data generated by the input device executing the input process;
Output processing requesting means for requesting the conference information processing apparatus to execute output processing by the output device received by the receiving means in response to the determination that the conference information processing apparatus has received the data; and A communication system comprising: A communication method performed by a communication system including a conference information processing apparatus in which an input device and an output device are registered in advance, and an information terminal that executes a cooperative process in which the input device and the output device are combined,
Receiving means for receiving input of the input device and the output device transmitted from the conference information processing apparatus,
An input device requesting unit requesting the conference information processing apparatus to execute an input process by the input device received by the receiving unit;
Determining means for repeatedly inquiring to the conference information processing apparatus whether or not the input device has executed the input processing and generated data, and
An output device requesting unit requesting the conference information processing apparatus to execute an output process by the output device received by the reception unit, in response to the determination that the input device has generated the data; and A communication method comprising:

Images