JP7477223B1 - MESSAGE NOTIFICATION SERVER, CONFERENCE SYSTEM, MESSAGE NOTIFICATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a message notification server or the like that automatically notifies other participants of a subsequent conference that a party will be late when a previous conference runs long. [Solution] The system includes a conference schedule information storage unit that acquires and stores each conference schedule information including the start time, end time, and participants of a first conference being held in a conference server and a second conference scheduled to be held after the first conference, a message creation unit that creates a message to the effect that the same participant will be late to the second conference when the same participant is present in both the first conference and the second conference and the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference, based on the minutes of the first conference including the remarks and the remarks time, and each conference schedule information, and a message notification unit that displays the message on the screen of the second conference being held in the conference server. [Selected Figure] Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a message notification server, a conference system, a message notification method, and a program.

In recent years, with the spread of telework, WEB (World Wide Web) conferences have become more common. As the convenience of WEB conferences has become more widely known, WEB conferences are also being held consecutively. When WEB conferences are held consecutively, the first WEB conference may drag on, and participants may not be able to join the second WEB conference in time. In such cases, it is common for a party who cannot join the second WEB conference in time to notify other participants of the second WEB conference by using communication tools such as chat or telephone that they will be late for the second WEB conference. Also, although it is related to real meetings, there is a system for automatically notifying other participants of a second meeting following a first meeting. For example, if the level of involvement of a person scheduled to attend the second meeting is lower than a preset threshold, the system automatically notifies the other people scheduled to attend the second meeting of a late participation in the second meeting if the person is on the way to the location of the second meeting based on the current location of the person scheduled to attend, or of a non-participation in the second meeting if the person is not on the way to the location of the second meeting; if the level of involvement is higher than the threshold, the system decides to reschedule or cancel the second meeting according to preset meeting priority information and automatically notifies the people scheduled to attend (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-234736 A

The following analysis is provided by the present inventors.

However, with typical communication tools, if a party is participating in and speaking in a first WEB conference and forgets that the second WEB conference has started, the party cannot notify other participants in the second WEB conference that he or she will be late. Also, with the system of Patent Document 1, if a party is participating in and speaking in a first conference and forgets that the second conference has started, other participants scheduled to attend the second conference are automatically notified that the party will not be attending the second conference, or that the second conference will be rescheduled or canceled, leaving no room for the party to join the second conference late.

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a message notification server, a conference system, a message notification method, and a program that can contribute to automatically notifying other participants in a subsequent conference that a party will be late when the previous conference runs long.

The message notification server according to the first aspect includes a conference schedule information storage unit configured to acquire and store information about a first conference being held in a conference server connected to a plurality of terminals, the start time, end time, and participants of the first conference and a second conference being held following the first conference; a message creation unit configured to create a message indicating that the same participant will be late to the second conference when it is determined that the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference and the same participant is present in the first conference and the second conference based on the minutes of the first conference, including the content and time of remarks, and the conference schedule information; and a message notification unit configured to display the message on a screen of the second conference being held in the conference server.

The conference system according to the second aspect includes a plurality of terminals used by the participants of the conference, a conference server that performs various processes related to the conference, and a message notification server according to the first aspect, and the plurality of terminals, the conference server, and the message notification server are connected via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The message notification method according to the third aspect includes a step in which a hardware resource acquires and stores information about a first conference being held in a conference server connected to a plurality of terminals, and about a second conference being held following the first conference, the information including the start time, end time, and participants; a step in which the hardware resource checks whether the same participant is present in the first conference and the second conference, and whether the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference, based on the minutes of the first conference, including the content and time of remarks, and the conference information, and when it is determined that the first conference is ongoing, creates a message indicating that the same participant will be late to the second conference; and a step in which the hardware resource displays the message on a screen of the second conference being held in the conference server.

The program according to the fourth aspect executes the following processing on the hardware resources: a process of acquiring and storing information on each scheduled conference, including the start time, end time, and participants, of a first conference being held on a conference server connected to multiple terminals, and a second conference to be held following the first conference; a process of checking whether the same participant is present in the first conference and the second conference, and whether the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference and, when it is determined that the first conference is ongoing, creating a message to the effect that the same participant will be late to the second conference, based on the minutes of the first conference, including the content and time of remarks, and each of the scheduled conference information; and a process of displaying the message on the screen of the second conference being held on the conference server.

The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transient medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. In addition, the present disclosure can be embodied as a computer program product. The program is input to the computer device from an input device or an external device via a communication interface, stored in a storage device, and drives the processor according to a predetermined step or process, and can display the processing results, including intermediate states as necessary, at each stage via a display device, or can communicate with the outside via the communication interface. As an example, a computer device for this purpose typically includes a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and a display device as necessary, all of which can be connected to each other via a bus.

The first to fourth aspects above can contribute to automatically notifying other participants in a subsequent WEB conference that a party will be late when a previous WEB conference runs long.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a conference system according to a first embodiment. 4 is a table illustrating an example of conference schedule information registered in a conference schedule information management server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. 5 is a table illustrating an example of conference extension time reference information stored in a message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment; 4 is a table illustrating an example of a message pattern stored in a message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. 10 is an image diagram showing an example of a message confirmation screen displayed on the screen of the first WEB conference being held in the conference server of the conference system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing an example of a message displayed on a screen of a second WEB conference being held in the conference server of the conference system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram illustrating details of a message creation process of a message notification server in the conference system according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a message notification server according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware resources.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. Note that when reference symbols are used in this application, they are intended to aid understanding and are not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated form. The following embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the invention. The connection lines between blocks in the drawings and the like referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. One-way arrows are used to diagrammatically indicate the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. Furthermore, although not explicitly shown in the circuit diagrams, block diagrams, internal configuration diagrams, connection diagrams, and the like shown in this disclosure, input ports and output ports exist at the input and output ends of each connection line. The same is true for input/output interfaces. The program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and a display device as necessary, and the computer device is configured to be able to communicate with devices (including computers) inside or outside the device via the communication interface, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

[Embodiment 1]
A conference system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the conference system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a table showing a schematic example of conference schedule information registered in a conference schedule information management server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a table showing a schematic example of conference extension time reference information stored in a message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a table showing a schematic example of a message pattern stored in a message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing a schematic example of a message confirmation screen displayed on a screen of a first WEB conference being held on a conference server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing a schematic example of a message displayed on a screen of a second WEB conference being held on a conference server of the conference system according to the first embodiment.

The conference system 1 is a system that provides a place for WEB conferences to a terminal 40 used by a user (see FIG. 1). The conference system 1 includes a conference server 10, a message notification server 20, a conference schedule information management server 30, a terminal 40, and a network 50. Note that in the conference system 1, the conference server 10, the message notification server 20, and the conference schedule information management server 30 may be integrated into a single server, or the conference server 10, the message notification server 20, and the conference schedule information management server 30 may be virtually realized in a single server.

The conference server 10 is a server that performs various processes related to the WEB conference (see FIG. 1). The conference server 10 has computer functions and performs various processes related to the WEB conference by executing a specific program stored therein. The conference server 10 is connected to the message notification server 20, the conference schedule information management server 30, and the terminal 40 via the network 50 so as to be able to communicate with them.

The message notification server 20 is a server that notifies the user of the terminal 40 of a message on the screen of the WEB conference being held in the conference system 1 (see FIG. 1). The message notification server 20 is communicably connected to the conference server 10, the conference schedule information management server 30, and the terminal 40 via the network 50. When a participant is late for the second WEB conference following the first WEB conference, the message notification server 20 has a function of notifying the participant of a message on the screen of the second WEB conference being held in the conference server 10. The message notification server 20 has a computer function, and by executing a predetermined program stored therein, can be virtually configured to include a minutes storage unit 21, a conference schedule information storage unit 22, a message creation unit 23, a message notification unit 24, a language analysis unit 25, a conference end time estimation unit 26, a conference extension time reference information storage unit 27, and a message pattern storage unit 28.

The minutes storage unit 21 is a functional unit that stores the minutes of a WEB conference being held on the conference server 10 (see FIG. 1). When processing related to a WEB conference is started on the conference server 10, the minutes storage unit 21 is a functional unit that records and stores the time of speech, speaker, and content of speech of the WEB conference as minutes. The minutes storage unit 21 may also convert audio information related to the content of speeches in the WEB conference into text and store it.

The conference schedule information storage unit 22 is a functional unit that acquires and stores conference schedule information for WEB conferences from the conference schedule information management server 30 (see FIG. 1). After processing related to the first WEB conference is started in the conference server 10, the conference schedule information storage unit 22 acquires and stores each conference schedule information (e.g., see FIG. 2) of the first WEB conference that has started and the second WEB conference that follows the first WEB conference from the conference schedule information management server 30.

The message creation unit 23 is a functional unit that performs processing to create a message (a message indicating a delay) regarding the parties (users of the terminals 40) to be displayed on the screen of the second WEB conference following the first WEB conference being held on the conference server 10 (see FIG. 1). The message creation unit 23 analyzes the minutes of the first WEB conference recorded in the minutes storage unit 21 through the language analysis unit 25. The message creation unit 23 checks through the language analysis unit 25 whether there is a statement that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference. If there is a statement that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference, the message creation unit 23 extracts the statement content and statement time from the minutes of the first WEB conference through the conference end time estimation unit 26. The message creation unit 23 estimates the end time of the first WEB conference based on the extracted statement content and statement time through the conference end time estimation unit 26. If there is no statement that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference, the message creation unit 23 uses the conference schedule information of the first WEB conference stored in the conference schedule information storage unit 22 (see FIG. 2) and the conference extension time reference information stored in the conference extension time reference information storage unit 27 (see FIG. 3) to estimate the end time of the first WEB conference through the conference end time estimation unit 26. The message creation unit 23 extracts the message content of the message pattern (see FIG. 4) stored in the message pattern storage unit 28 based on the participation classification of the parties in the conference schedule information of the second WEB conference stored in the conference schedule information storage unit 22. The message creation unit 23 creates a message to be displayed on the screen of the second WEB conference being held in the conference server 10 based on the estimated end time of the first WEB conference and the extracted message content.

The message notification unit 24 is a functional unit that displays the created message on the screen of the second WEB conference being held on the conference server 10 (see FIG. 1). The message notification unit 24 confirms with the party (user of the terminal 40) on the screen (screen displayed on the terminal 40) of the first WEB conference being held on the conference server 10 whether or not to display the created message on the screen of the second WEB conference being held on the conference server 10. The message notification unit 24 checks whether or not the message confirmation screen is operated (selection of the conference switching button or the notification button) by the operation of the party's terminal 40 within a predetermined time after the message confirmation screen is displayed. If there is an operation on the message confirmation screen, the message notification unit 24 checks whether or not the operation is selection of the notification button (click, tap, etc.). If there is no operation on the message confirmation screen or if the operation is selection of the notification button, the message notification unit 24 displays the created message (see FIG. 6; if there is an input in the free input field and the notification button is selected, the input message) on the screen of the second WEB conference being held on the conference server 10. When the operation is the selection of the conference switching button, the message notification unit 24 processes the party's terminal 40 to close the screen of the first web conference that is being displayed and switch to the screen of the second web conference.

The language analysis unit 25 is a functional unit that analyzes the minutes of the first WEB conference recorded in the minutes storage unit 21 (see Figure 1). The language analysis unit 25 is controlled by the message creation unit 23. The language analysis unit 25 checks whether there is a statement that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference.

The conference end time estimation unit 26 is a functional unit that estimates the end time of the WEB conference (see FIG. 1). The conference end time estimation unit 26 is controlled by the message creation unit 23. If there is a statement that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference, the conference end time estimation unit 26 extracts the statement content and statement time from the minutes of the first WEB conference. The conference end time estimation unit 26 estimates the end time of the first WEB conference based on the extracted statement content and statement time. If there is no statement that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference, the message creation unit 23 estimates the end time of the first WEB conference using the conference schedule information of the first WEB conference stored in the conference schedule information storage unit 22 (see FIG. 2) and the conference extension time reference information stored in the conference extension time reference information storage unit 27 (see FIG. 3).

The conference extension time reference information storage unit 27 is a functional unit that stores conference extension time reference information (see FIG. 3) (see FIG. 1). Here, the conference extension time reference information can be, for example, information that associates the conference classification, the number of participants, and the extension time. The conference extension time reference information storage unit 27 may calculate and update a reference value (for example, an average value) of the extension time of the web conference each time the web conference ends.

The message pattern storage unit 28 is a functional unit that stores message patterns (see FIG. 4) (see FIG. 1). Here, a message pattern can be, for example, an association between a pattern, a participation classification of the parties, and message content.

The conference schedule information management server 30 is a server that manages conference schedule information related to WEB conferences (see FIG. 1). Here, the conference schedule information can be, for example, information or a schedule that associates the start time, end time, organizer, conference name, conference classification, conference agenda, required participants, optional participants, number of participants, and other information (conference URL, ID, password, phone number, etc.) for each scheduled WEB conference. The conference schedule information management server 30 has computer functions and performs various processes related to the conference schedule information by executing specific programs stored therein. The conference schedule information management server 30 is communicably connected to the conference server 10, message notification server 20, and terminal 40 via the network 50.

The terminal 40 is a terminal used by participants (including the organizer) of the WEB conference (see FIG. 1). The terminal 40 is communicably connected to the conference server 10, the message notification server 20, and the conference schedule information management server 30 via the network 50. The terminal 40 has computer functions, and by executing a specific stored program, performs various processes related to information exchanged with the conference server 10 and the conference schedule information management server 30 in response to user operations. There are multiple terminals 40 in the conference system 1.

The network 50 is an information and communication network that communicatively connects the conference server 10, the message notification server 20, the conference schedule information management server 30, and the terminal 40 (see FIG. 1). As the network 50, for example, a communication network such as a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a GAN (Global Area Network) can be used.

Next, the operation of the message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram showing the operation of the message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. Please refer to FIG. 1 for the configuration of the conference system.

As a premise, it is assumed that User A, a party involved, has two WEB conferences scheduled for January 5th, from 9:00 to 10:00 (first WEB conference) and from 10:00 to 11:00 (second WEB conference), and that User A or another user has registered the conference schedule information for each WEB conference (see Figure 2) in the conference schedule information management server 30 using his or her own terminal 40.
Here, the conference schedule information is information that identifies, for each conference, the start time, end time, organizer, conference name, conference classification, conference agenda, required participants, optional participants, number of participants, and other information (e.g., URL, ID, password, telephone number, etc.).

First, when the processing related to the first WEB conference is started in the conference server 10, the minutes storage unit 21 of the message notification server 20 records and stores the remarks and the time of remarks in the first WEB conference as minutes (step A1). Here, when recording as minutes, the minutes storage unit 21 may convert the remarks (audio information) in the WEB conference into text and store it in a database.

Next, the conference schedule information storage unit 22 of the message notification server 20 acquires and stores the conference schedule information of the first and second WEB conferences from the conference schedule information management server 30 (step A2).

Next, the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 checks whether the same participant is present in both WEB conferences based on the saved conference schedule information for the first WEB conference and the second WEB conference (step A3). If the same participant is not present in both WEB conferences (NO in step A3), the process ends.

If the same participant is present in both WEB conferences (YES in step A3), the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 checks whether the first WEB conference is ongoing at the start time in the saved conference schedule information for the second WEB conference (step A4). If the first WEB conference has ended (NO in step A4), the message creation unit 23 ends the conference without creating a message. Here, whether the first WEB conference is ongoing may be checked by referring to the minutes recorded in the minutes storage unit 21.

If the first WEB conference is still in progress (YES in step A4), the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 performs a process of creating a message (a message indicating a delay) for the parties (users of terminals 40) to be displayed on the screen of the second WEB conference being held on the conference server 10 (step A5). Details of the message creation process will be described later (see FIG. 8).

After step A5, the message notification unit 24 of the message notification server 20 displays a message confirmation screen (see FIG. 5) that prompts the user to confirm the created message on the screen of the first WEB conference being held on the conference server 10 (step A6). The message confirmation screen may be displayed as a pop-up on the screen of the first WEB conference, and may display a free input field, a conference switching button, and a notification button in addition to the created message.

After step A6, the message notification unit 24 of the message notification server 20 checks whether or not the message confirmation screen is operated (selection of the conference switch button or the notification button) by user A (the party) operating the terminal 40 within a predetermined time after the message confirmation screen is displayed (step A7). If there is no operation on the message confirmation screen (NO in step A7), the process proceeds to step A9.

If an operation is performed on the message confirmation screen (YES in step A7), the message notification unit 24 of the message notification server 20 checks whether the operation is a selection (click, tap, etc.) of a notification button (step A8).

If there is no operation on the message confirmation screen (NO in step A7), or if the operation is the selection of the notification button (YES in step A8), the message notification unit 24 of the message notification server 20 displays the created message (see FIG. 6; if there is an input in the free input field in FIG. 5 and the notification button is selected, the entered message) on the screen of the second WEB conference being held on the conference server 10 (step 9), and then ends. This allows other participants in the second WEB conference to check the message.

If the operation is the selection of the conference switching button (NO in step A8), the message notification unit 24 of the message notification server 20 processes the terminal 40 of user A to close the screen of the first web conference being displayed and switch to the screen of the second web conference (step A10), and then terminates.

Details of the message creation process (step A5 in FIG. 7) of the message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a flow chart diagram showing in schematic form the details of the message creation process of the message notification server of the conference system according to the first embodiment. Please refer to FIG. 1 for the configuration of the conference system.

If the first WEB conference is ongoing at the start time of the second WEB conference (YES in step A4), the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 analyzes the minutes of the first WEB conference recorded in the minutes storage unit 21 via the language analysis unit 25 (step B1).

Next, the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 checks through the language analysis unit 25 whether there is a statement that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference (step B2). If there is no statement that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference (NO in step B2), the process proceeds to step B5.

If there is a comment that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference (YES in step B2), the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 extracts the comment content and comment time from the minutes of the first WEB conference through the conference end time estimation unit 26 (step B3).

After step B3, the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 estimates the end time of the first WEB conference through the conference end time estimation unit 26 based on the extracted comment content and comment time (step B4). For example, if there is a comment such as "9:55: User A: This conference is scheduled to end in 10 minutes," the end time of the first WEB conference is estimated to be "10:05," and User A will join the second WEB conference 5 minutes late.

If there is no comment that can identify the end time of the first WEB conference (NO in step B2), the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 uses the conference schedule information (see FIG. 2; for example, conference classification, number of participants) of the first WEB conference stored in the conference schedule information storage unit 22 and the conference extension time standard information (see FIG. 3) stored in the conference extension time standard information storage unit 27 to estimate the end time of the first WEB conference through the conference end time estimation unit 26 (step B5). For example, if the conference schedule information indicates that the conference classification of the first WEB conference is "report" and the number of participants is "6 people," the conference extension time standard information indicates that the extension time is 10 minutes, so the end time of the first WEB conference is estimated to be "January 5, 10:10," and User A will participate in the second WEB conference 10 minutes late. If there is no extension time that meets the conditions such as the meeting type and number of participants, a provisional extension time that is set in advance (e.g., 5 minutes) may be used.

After step B4 or step B5, the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 extracts the message content of the pattern (pattern 1 in FIG. 4) stored in the message pattern storage unit 28 based on the participation classification of user A in the conference schedule information of the second WEB conference stored in the conference schedule information storage unit 22 (mandatory participant in FIG. 2) (step B6). For example, if user A is a mandatory participant of the second WEB conference (for example, if he is the organizer or is named on the conference agenda), the message content of pattern 1 is extracted. Also, for example, if user A is an optional participant of the second WEB conference (if he is neither the organizer nor named on the conference agenda), the message content of pattern 2 is extracted.

After step B6, the message creation unit 23 of the message notification server 20 calculates the extension time (delay) of the first WEB conference based on the end time in the conference schedule information of the second WEB conference and the estimated end time of the first WEB conference, and creates a message to be displayed on the screen of the second WEB conference being held on the conference server 10 based on the calculated extension time and the extracted message content (step B7), and then proceeds to step A6 in Figure 7.

According to the first embodiment, even if a first WEB conference is prolonged and a party who is late for a second WEB conference following the first WEB conference is unable to contact the other participants of the second WEB conference, the message notification server 20 can automatically notify the party of the delay on the screen of the second WEB conference. This can avoid confusion in the second WEB conference and reduce inconvenience to other participants of the second WEB conference.

In addition, according to the first embodiment, the message notification server 20 can automatically notify the second WEB conference screen of the delay on behalf of the parties, allowing the parties to concentrate on the first WEB conference.

Furthermore, according to embodiment 1, the message notification server 20 can automatically estimate the end time of the first WEB conference and automatically create a message to notify the second WEB conference screen, thereby reducing the burden on users who participate in successive WEB conferences.

[Embodiment 2]
The message notification server according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the message notification server according to the second embodiment.

The message notification server 20 is a server that notifies the parties (users of terminals 40) of messages on the screen of a WEB conference being held in the conference system 1. The message notification server 20 includes a conference schedule information storage unit 22, a message creation unit 23, and a message notification unit 24.

The conference schedule information storage unit 22 acquires and stores the conference schedule information for a first conference being held on a conference server connected to multiple terminals, and for a second conference being held following the first conference, including the start time, end time, and participants. The message creation unit 23 checks whether the same participant is present in both the first conference and the second conference based on the minutes of the first conference and the conference schedule information, and when it is determined that the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference, creates a message to the effect that the same participant will be late to the second conference. The message notification unit 24 displays the message on the screen of the second conference being held on the conference server 10.

According to the second embodiment, even if the first conference lasts too long and the party who is late for the second conference that follows the first conference is unable to contact the other participants in the second conference, the message notification server 20 can automatically display a message on the screen of the second conference to the effect that the party will be late on behalf of the party, so that the other participants in the second conference can be automatically notified that the party will be late.

The conference server, message notification server, and conference schedule information management server according to the first and second embodiments can be configured using so-called hardware resources (information processing devices, computers), and those having the configuration shown in FIG. 10 can be used. For example, the hardware resource 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a network interface 103, and the like, which are interconnected by an internal bus 104.

Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 10 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the hardware resource 100. The hardware resource 100 may include hardware (e.g., an input/output interface) that is not shown. Furthermore, the number of units such as the processor 101 included in the device is not intended to be limited to the example shown in FIG. 10, and for example, multiple processors 101 may be included in the hardware resource 100. The processor 101 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc.

Memory 102 may be, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a SSD (Solid State Drive).

The network interface 103 may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, a network adapter, a network interface card, etc.

The functions of the hardware resource 100 are realized by the above-mentioned processing module. The processing module is realized, for example, by the processor 101 executing a program stored in the memory 102. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium on which the program is stored. Furthermore, the processing module may be realized by a semiconductor chip. In other words, it is sufficient that the functions performed by the processing module are realized by the execution of software in some kind of hardware.

A part or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows, but is not limited to the following:

[Appendix 1]
a conference schedule information storage unit configured to acquire and store conference schedule information including a start time, an end time, and participants of a first conference being held in a conference server connected to a plurality of terminals and a second conference being scheduled to be held following the first conference;
a message creation unit configured to create a message indicating that the same participant will be late to the second conference when the same participant is present in both the first conference and the second conference and when the first conference is confirmed to be ongoing at the start time of the second conference based on the minutes of the first conference including the content and time of the remarks and each of the conference schedule information, and the same participant will be late to the second conference;
a message notification unit configured to display the message on a screen of the second conference being held in the conference server;
A message notification server comprising:
[Appendix 2]
the message notification unit is configured to display a message confirmation screen, which requests the same participant to confirm the message, on a screen of the first conference being held on the conference server, and to display the message on a screen of the second conference being held on the conference server when no operation is performed on the message confirmation screen within a predetermined time after the message confirmation screen is displayed.
2. A message notification server according to claim 1.
[Appendix 3]
The message confirmation screen includes a notification button for notifying the second conference screen of the message and a free input field,
the message notification unit is configured to display, when the notification button is selected, the message created by the message creation unit or the message entered in the free input field on a screen of the second conference being held in the conference server.
A message notification server according to appendix 2.
[Appendix 4]
the message confirmation screen includes a conference switching button for switching a screen of the terminal of the same participant participating in the first conference to the second conference,
the message notification unit is configured to switch a screen displayed on the terminal of the same participant from the first conference to the second conference when the conference switching button is selected.
4. A message notification server according to claim 2 or 3.
[Appendix 5]
a language analyzer configured to analyze the minutes of the first meeting;
a conference end time estimation unit that extracts, from the minutes of the first conference, a statement content and a statement time related to the end time of the first conference, and estimates the end time of the first conference based on the extracted statement content and the extracted statement time;
Further comprising:
the message creation unit is configured to calculate a delay of the first conference based on an end time of the first conference in the conference schedule information and the estimated end time of the first conference, and to create the message using the calculated delay.
5. A message notification server according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
[Appendix 6]
The conference extension time reference information storage unit is configured to store conference extension time reference information in which a conference classification, a number of participants, and an extension time are associated with each other,
The meeting schedule information includes a meeting category and a number of participants;
the conference end time estimation unit is configured to estimate an end time of the first conference by using the conference classification and the number of participants in the conference schedule information of the first conference, and the conference extension time reference information;
6. A message notification server according to claim 5.
[Appendix 7]
A message pattern storage unit is further provided for storing a message pattern in which a participation classification and a message content are associated with each other,
The conference schedule information includes a participation classification of the participants;
the message creation unit is configured to extract, from the message pattern, the message content corresponding to the participation classification of the same participant in the conference schedule information of the second conference, and create the message using the extracted message content and the calculated delay.
7. A message notification server according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
[Appendix 8]
a minutes storage unit configured to record and store minutes of a conference being held in the conference server, the minutes including the contents of comments and the times of comments;
8. A message notification server according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
[Appendix 9]
The message creation unit is configured not to create a message when the same participant does not exist in the first conference and the second conference.
9. A message notification server according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
[Appendix 10]
10. The message notification server according to claim 1, wherein the message creation unit is configured not to create a message when the first conference is not continuing at the start time of the second conference.
[Appendix 11]
Multiple terminals used by participants in the meeting,
A conference server that performs various processes related to the conference;
A message notification server according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to 6;
Equipped with
A conference system in which the plurality of terminals, the conference server, and the message notification server are communicatively connected to one another through a network.
[Appendix 12]
a step in which the hardware resource acquires and stores information on a first conference being held in a conference server connected to a plurality of terminals and information on a second conference being held following the first conference, the information including a start time, an end time, and participants;
a step of the hardware resource checking whether the same participant is present in both the first conference and the second conference and whether the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference based on the minutes of the first conference including the content and time of the remarks and each of the conference schedule information, and when it is found that the first conference is ongoing, creating a message to the effect that the same participant will be late to the second conference;
a step of causing the hardware resource to display the message on a screen of the second conference being held on the conference server;
A message notification method including:
[Appendix 13]
Hardware resources:
A process of acquiring and storing information on a first conference being held in a conference server connected to a plurality of terminals and information on a second conference being held following the first conference, the information including a start time, an end time, and participants;
a process of checking whether the same participant is present in both the first conference and the second conference and whether the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference based on the minutes of the first conference, including the content and time of the remarks, and each of the conference schedule information, and creating a message to the effect that the same participant will be late to the second conference when it is found to be ongoing;
a process of displaying the message on a screen of the second conference being held in the conference server;
A program that executes.

The disclosures of the above patent documents are incorporated herein by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention as necessary. Within the framework of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims and drawings), and further based on the basic technical ideas, modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible. Furthermore, within the framework of the entire disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections (or non-selection as necessary) of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and corrections that a person skilled in the art would be able to make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims and drawings, and the technical ideas. Furthermore, with regard to the numerical values and numerical ranges described in this application, any intermediate value, lower numerical value, and small range are considered to be described even if not specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above cited documents may be used in part or in whole in combination with the descriptions in this document as part of the disclosure of the present invention in accordance with the spirit of the present invention as necessary, and are considered to be included (belong) to the disclosures of this application.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Conference system 10 Conference server 20 Message notification server 21 Minutes storage unit 22 Conference schedule information storage unit 23 Message creation unit 24 Message notification unit 25 Language analysis unit 26 Conference end time estimation unit 27 Conference extension time reference information storage unit 28 Message pattern storage unit 30 Conference schedule information management server 40 Terminal 50 Network 100 Hardware resources 101 Processor 102 Memory 103 Network interface 104 Internal bus

Claims (10)

a conference schedule information storage unit configured to acquire and store conference schedule information including a start time, an end time, and participants of a first conference being held in a conference server connected to a plurality of terminals and a second conference being scheduled to be held following the first conference;
a message creation unit configured to create a message indicating that the same participant will be late to the second conference when the same participant is present in both the first conference and the second conference and when the first conference is confirmed to be ongoing at the start time of the second conference based on the minutes of the first conference including the content and time of the remarks and each of the conference schedule information, and the same participant will be late to the second conference;
a message notification unit configured to display the message on a screen of the second conference being held in the conference server;
A message notification server comprising: the message notification unit is configured to display a message confirmation screen, which requests the same participant to confirm the message, on a screen of the first conference being held on the conference server, and to display the message on a screen of the second conference being held on the conference server when no operation is performed on the message confirmation screen within a predetermined time after the message confirmation screen is displayed.
The message notification server according to claim 1. The message confirmation screen includes a notification button for notifying the second conference screen of the message and a free input field,
the message notification unit is configured to display, when the notification button is selected, the message created by the message creation unit or the message entered in the free input field on a screen of the second conference being held in the conference server.
3. The message notification server according to claim 2. the message confirmation screen includes a conference switching button for switching a screen of the terminal of the same participant participating in the first conference to the second conference,
the message notification unit is configured to switch a screen displayed on the terminal of the same participant from the first conference to the second conference when the conference switching button is selected.
4. The message notification server according to claim 3. a language analyzer configured to analyze the minutes of the first meeting;
a conference end time estimation unit that extracts, from the minutes of the first conference, a statement content and a statement time related to the end time of the first conference, and estimates the end time of the first conference based on the extracted statement content and the extracted statement time;
Further comprising:
the message creation unit is configured to calculate a delay of the first conference based on an end time of the first conference in the conference schedule information and the estimated end time of the first conference, and to create the message using the calculated delay.
The message notification server according to claim 1. The conference extension time reference information storage unit is configured to store conference extension time reference information in which a conference classification, a number of participants, and an extension time are associated with each other,
The meeting schedule information includes a meeting category and a number of participants;
the conference end time estimation unit is configured to estimate an end time of the first conference by using the conference classification and the number of participants in the conference schedule information of the first conference, and the conference extension time reference information;
6. The message notification server according to claim 5. A message pattern storage unit is further provided for storing a message pattern in which the participation classification and the message content are associated with each other,
The conference schedule information includes a participation classification of the participants;
the message creation unit is configured to extract, from the message pattern, the message content corresponding to the participation classification of the same participant in the conference schedule information of the second conference, and create the message using the extracted message content and the calculated delay.
7. The message notification server according to claim 5 or 6. Multiple terminals used by participants in the meeting,
A conference server that performs various processes related to the conference;
A message notification server according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
Equipped with
A conference system in which the plurality of terminals, the conference server, and the message notification server are communicatively connected to one another through a network. a step in which the hardware resource acquires and stores information on a first conference being held in a conference server connected to a plurality of terminals and information on a second conference being held following the first conference, the information including a start time, an end time, and participants;
a step of the hardware resource checking whether the same participant is present in both the first conference and the second conference and whether the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference based on the minutes of the first conference including the content and time of the remarks and each of the conference schedule information, and when it is found that the first conference is ongoing, creating a message to the effect that the same participant will be late to the second conference;
a step of causing the hardware resource to display the message on a screen of the second conference being held on the conference server;
A message notification method including: Hardware resources:
A process of acquiring and storing information on a first conference being held in a conference server connected to a plurality of terminals and information on a second conference being held following the first conference, the information including a start time, an end time, and participants;
a process of checking whether the same participant is present in both the first conference and the second conference and whether the first conference is ongoing at the start time of the second conference based on the minutes of the first conference, including the content and time of the remarks, and each of the conference schedule information, and creating a message to the effect that the same participant will be late to the second conference when it is found to be ongoing;
a process of displaying the message on a screen of the second conference being held in the conference server;
A program to execute.

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