JPH09128343A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dynamically execute communication between prescribed users who are referring to an information which the same server system has. SOLUTION: In the system, a server system 2 to which plural client systems 1a-1c refer to information which the server system 2 holds through a network, is provided with an individual information management part 29 managing individual information of all the users dealing with the client systems, who are referring to information. The client systems 1a-1c are provided with individual information display parts 12 which make individual information into an icon and list-display it on display screens and communication application execution parts 13 establishing the communication lines with the designated client systems. The communication between the users who are referring to an information which the same server system has is suitably executed without the aid of the server system 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system suitable for application to a network system in which a plurality of client systems refer to information held by a server system via a network, and particularly to information held by the same server system. The present invention relates to a communication system capable of appropriately performing communication between users who are referring to each other without using a server system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of computer systems and the development of communication technology have been remarkable, and the acquisition of information through network systems has become popular. Then, for example, WWW (World wide Web) or the like exists as one that plays a major role in popularizing such a network system.

On the other hand, as a communication tool between people, applications such as telephone, electronic mail, network talk, and internet chat are well known.

However, these network systems and communication tools are independent of each other. For example, transition from information reference by network systems to communication by communication tools, and communication by communication tools to information by network systems. It was not possible to make a seamless transition to the reference of.

That is, for example, even when there are a plurality of persons who refer to the same information on the WWW (those who have the same sense of values), those information users seamlessly shift to the communication by the communication tool. It was impossible to do such things as doing.

[0006]

As described above, since the network system and the communication tool have existed independently of each other in the related art, for example, the same information on any server in the network system can be stored. It was not possible for the people who were referencing to move to communication using communication tools without interruption.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to appropriately perform communication between users who are referring to information held by the same server system without using the server system. The purpose is to provide a communication system.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in a network system in which a plurality of client systems refer to information held by the server system via a network, the client system handling the information being referred to the server system. Personal information management means for managing personal information of a person, and personal information display means for displaying a list of personal information managed by the personal information management means on the display screen as options in the client system; When a selection instruction is given, communication path establishing means for establishing a communication path with a client system corresponding to the option instructed to be selected is provided, and users who are referring to information held by the same server system Is appropriately performed without going through the server system.

According to the present invention, when there are a plurality of client systems that refer to information held by the server system, the server system side refers to personal information of the client system handlers, that is, information users, or personal information. Manage. This personal information comprises, for example, photo data of the user, a telephone number and an e-mail address, and the client system may appropriately transmit its own personal information when the client system accesses the server system. , Or manage all personal information registered in advance,
You may make it manage separately the information of access presence or absence.

On the other hand, on the client system side, of the personal information held by the server system, for example, photo data is displayed as a list on the display screen as an option. As a result, the client system handler can know the other client system handlers who are simultaneously referring to the information they are referring to by displaying a list.

When the client system handler wants to communicate with any one of the other client system handlers displayed in the list by using the communication tool, the mouse or keyboard is used. Select an option corresponding to the person handling the client system via an input device such as.

When this selection is made, a communication path such as a telephone call or an electronic mail is established based on the personal information.

As a result, the transition to the communication by the communication tool between the users who are referring to the information held by the same server system is smoothly performed, and the operability thereof is dramatically improved.

Further, according to the present invention, when the communication path is established between the client systems, the personal information display means specifies that the options indicating the client system handlers are communicating with each other. Is included in the display form.

According to the present invention, for example, when communication is established between any of the users who are referring to the same information, that fact is displayed on the screen. You can always understand the communication situation.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising a shared file system for managing the information from the client computer as shared information in association with the information held by the server system.

According to the present invention, not only communication between arbitrary users is established by a communication tool, but also user information is accumulated as shared information, so that communication in a more natural form is realized. It will be possible to provide a place.

Further, the present invention provides the above server system,
It is characterized by further comprising generation means for generating a copy of its own system as a new server system in response to a request from the client system.

According to the present invention, for example, in a communication field formed by persons who are referring to the same information held by a certain server system, some of these information referring persons are newly added. It is possible to form various communication fields, and it is possible to provide a more natural communication field on the network.

The present invention also provides the above server system,
The present invention further comprises means for integrating at least two or more server systems among the plurality of server systems created by the creating means into one server system in accordance with a request from the client system. According to this, a plurality of communication fields derived as described above can be easily integrated, and the usability thereof is dramatically improved.

Further, according to the present invention, in a network system in which a plurality of client systems refer to information held by a server system via a network, the client system requests the client system to establish a communication path to other client systems. And means for transmitting reference information indicating which server system information is being referred to, and a server indicated by the reference information when a communication path is established by this means and the reference information is transmitted. Means for starting reference of information held by the system is provided, and reference of information held by the server system is started by establishing a communication path between the client systems.

According to the present invention, when a client system referring to information of any server system starts communication with another client system, the client system refers to the information of any server system. The reference information indicating whether the same information is transmitted, and the client system on the other side accesses the server system based on this reference information, so that the user can immediately start communication and immediately refer to the same information. It becomes possible to shift to.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of a communication system according to the first embodiment.

The communication system of the embodiment is premised on being built on WWW,
The user 3 refers to various information stored in the server system 2 by operating the client system 1a. Further, like the user 3, other users also operate the client system 1b and the client system 1c, respectively, to refer to various information stored in the server system 2.

Now, the user 3 is the client system 1
When the access to the server system 2 is started by operating a, the information (homepage) held by the server system 2 is displayed on the display screen by the data display unit 11 and stored in the personal information management unit 29. Personal information (for example, photo data) of the client system operator who is currently referring to the same information is displayed by the personal information display unit 12 as an option (icon). FIG. 2 shows the display image at this time.

As shown in FIG. 2, the home page of the server system 2 is displayed by the data display unit 11 at the portion 21. The information held by this server system 2 is composed of a hypertext structure,
Each user can efficiently access desired information. The hypertext structure is a data structure composed of texts, images, sounds, videos, etc. that are organically connected so that various topics can be searched regardless of their order. The user can proceed with an efficient data search by sequentially designating the information associated with the presented information.

The reference numeral 22 indicates the personal information display section 12
The personal information of each client system handler who is currently referring to the same information is displayed as an icon in the 24 portion of the displayed information. Then, the personal information display unit 12 displays personal processing options such as a telephone or e-mail transmission to each user and reference to a personal home page as an icon in a portion 23.

That is, the user 3 uses the server system 2
When the reference of the information is started, the other users who refer to the same information are known. In the display of the personal information, it is assumed that the personal information of the user is displayed at a predetermined position, and the operator (user 3) of the client system 1a is the user a in FIG.

Here, consider a case where the user 3 communicates with another user (user b in FIG. 2) by using a communication tool.

At this time, the user 3 designates the icon of the user b shown at 24 in FIG. 2 with an input device such as a mouse, and further designates the telephone icon shown at 23 in FIG. 2 ( It is assumed that the users will communicate with each other by telephone).

These instructions are passed to the personal information display section 12, and the personal information display section 12 that has received this instruction notifies the communication application execution section 13 to that effect. Then, the communication application execution unit 13 that has received this notification
Activates the communication application 15 for making a call to the designated person. When a plurality of users are designated at this time, all the designated users can be called.

The activation of the communication application 15 is notified by the communication application executing unit 13 to the information updating unit 14, and the information updating unit 14 receives the notification.
Notifies the server system 2 of that fact and the client systems of the call source and the call destination.

In the server system 2, the information updating unit 1
When receiving the notification from 4, the personal information display units 12 of all the client systems that are referring to the home page are notified of that. Upon receiving this notification, the personal information display unit 12 sets the icon corresponding to the user in the call to a specific display form indicating that they are in a call with each other. For this display, for example, the icon display form may be left as it is, and the icons corresponding to the users who are talking may be connected with a line.

As a result, the transition to the communication by the communication tool between the users who are referring to the information held by the same server system can be smoothly performed, and all the users can grasp the status of the communication. Will be possible.

Here, the operation procedure of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure when a user starts communication with another user. In addition, here, it is assumed that “telephone” is selected as the communication means.

When starting communication with another user, the user 3
Designates the icon 24 indicating another user and the icon 23 indicating "telephone" with an input device such as a mouse to instruct the personal information display unit 12 to start the communication application (step A1 in FIG. 3). .

Then, in accordance with this instruction, the personal information display unit 12 determines the communication application to be activated and the argument to be given to the communication application (step A2 in FIG. 3), and the communication application execution unit 13 determines it. The communication application name and the argument are transmitted (step A3 in FIG. 3).

Then, the communication application execution unit 13 that has received these communication application names and arguments
Gives the argument and executes the communication application (step A4 in FIG. 3).

As a result, the transition to communication (telephone) with another user desired by the user is smoothly performed.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure when the communication application is activated.

When the communication application is started up, the communication application execution section 13 delivers the fact and the information about it (here, the event of "start of telephone" and the information of the caller and the callee) to the information updating section 14. (Step B1 in FIG. 4). Then, the information updating unit 14 that has received this information transmits the event of "starting up the telephone" and the information of the calling party and the called party to the server computer 2 (step B2 in FIG. 4).

Upon receiving the notification from the information updating unit 14, the server system 2 notifies the personal information displaying units 12 of all the client systems that are referring to the home page to that effect (step B3 in FIG. 4). Upon receiving this notification, the personal information display unit 12 displays that the call is in progress by connecting the icons corresponding to the users who are in the call with a line segment to each other (step B4 in FIG. 4).

On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure when the communication application is terminated.

When the communication application is terminated, the communication application execution unit 13 delivers the fact and information related thereto (in this case, the event "end of telephone call" and the information of the caller and the callee) to the information updating unit 14 (Fig. Step C1 of 5). Then, the information updating unit 14 that has received this information outputs the event of "end of telephone" and the information of the calling party and the called party to the server computer 2
(Step C2 in FIG. 5).

Upon receiving the notification from the information updating unit 14, the server system 2 notifies the personal information displaying units 12 of all the client systems that are referring to the home page to that effect (step C3 in FIG. 5). Upon receiving this notification, the personal information display unit 12 displays that the call is not in progress by, for example, deleting the line segment connected to the icon corresponding to the user who is talking (( Step C4 of FIG. 5).

As a result, each user can always grasp the status of communication by telephone or electronic mail.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of a communication system according to the second embodiment.

In addition to the configuration of the communication system shown in the first embodiment, the communication system of this embodiment has a shared data registration unit 16, an application execution unit 17, a file transfer unit 18, and a shared file display on the client system 1 side. The unit 20 is provided, and the shared file server system 4 is further provided.

The shared data registration unit 16 displays various icons in the portion 25 of FIG. Reference numeral 26 is used when newly creating new shared data, and shows a high-performance editor, a spreadsheet software, a simplified editor, and a bitmap editing tool from the left. Further, 27 is an icon for registering already existing local data as shared data. The shared data created and registered in this way is displayed as an icon in 28.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure of the second embodiment.

Now, if the user 3 designates any one of the icons 26 in FIG. 2, the shared data registration unit 16
Notifies the application execution unit 17 (step D1 of FIG. 7). Then, the application execution unit 17 that has received this notification activates the corresponding application 9 (step D2 in FIG. 7).

Here, when the user 3 finishes the editing work by the application 9 (step D3 in FIG. 7), the application executing section 17 inquires of the user whether or not to register the editing data ( Step D4 in FIG. 7). When registering, application execution unit 1
7 sends the edited data to the file transfer unit 18 (step D5 in FIG. 7), and the file transfer unit 18 transfers the edited data to the shared file server system 4 (step D6 in FIG. 7).

The shared file server system 4 stores this edit data and returns the storage information (file name, address, etc.) of this edit data to the file transfer section 18 (step D7 in FIG. 7).

The file transfer unit 18, which has received this stored information, transfers this stored information to the shared data registration unit 16 (step D8 in FIG. 7). Then, the shared data registration unit 16 transmits the storage information of this shared data to the server system 2 (step D9 in FIG. 7).

The server system 2 which has received the storage information of the shared data stores this storage information and transmits the stored information to the shared file display section 20 of all the client systems which are referring to the home page (step of FIG. 7). D10). Then, the shared file display unit 20 receiving this storage information displays the storage information of this shared file as an icon on the screen (step D11 in FIG. 7).

As a result, the user's information is accumulated as shared data, and it is possible to provide a more natural place for communication.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication terminal device to which the communication system described above is applied.

As shown in FIG. 8, the client system 1 of the communication terminal device 30a is already connected to the server system 2, and here, when starting communication from the communication terminal device 30a to the communication terminal device 30b, An example in which the client system 1 of the communication terminal device 30b is connected to the server system 2 in synchronization with the start of communication will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure at that time.

First, the communication section 31 of the communication terminal device 30a
Receives the reference information of the server system 2 from the client system 1 (step E1 in FIG. 9). Then, the communication unit 31 communicates with the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal device 30b (step E2 in FIG. 9) and transmits the reference information of the server system 2 received from the client system 1 (step in FIG. 9). E3).

The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal device 30b which has received the reference information of the server system 2 delivers this reference information to the activation unit 32 (step E4 in FIG. 9), and the activation unit 32 which receives this reference information receives the reference information. , Activates the client system 1, and passes the reference information to the activated client system 1 (step E in FIG. 9).
5).

Then, the client system 1 of the communication terminal device 30b connects to the server system 2 based on this reference information.

As a result, the user can connect the client system on the partner side to the same server system by simply starting communication by the communication terminal device, and can immediately refer to the same home page. Become.

Next, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, when the communication terminal device 30a starts communication with the communication terminal device 30b, the communication terminal device 30a newly holds the server system 2 and its own server system. The client terminal 1 that refers to the information
b side client system 1 to its server system 2
An example of connecting to the server will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure at this time.

First, the communication section 31 of the communication terminal device 30a
Notifies the starting unit 32 of the start of communication (step F1 in FIG. 11). Upon receiving this notification, the activation unit 32 first activates the server system 2 (step F2 in FIG. 11), then activates the client system 1 and hands over the reference information to the server system 2 to the activated client system 1 ( Step F3 in FIG. 11). And
The client system 1 receiving this reference information
Connection to the server system 2 is performed based on the reference information (step F4 in FIG. 11), and when the connection is completed, the communication unit 31 is notified of that (step F5 in FIG. 11). After that, the communication to the communication terminal device 30b on the other side is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.
The connection to the newly started server system 2 is made on the side b.

As a result, the server system and the client system can be activated in synchronization with the start of communication by the communication terminal device, and the client system on the other side can be connected to the same server system, as described above. It is possible to immediately refer to the same home page.

(Fourth Embodiment) In describing the present embodiment, first, a case will be considered in which communication is performed by conversation between people in the physical world (that is, without media such as a telephone). . At this time, we implicitly assume the following matters.

(1). That there is a common theme or topic.

(2). Synchronous communication in verbal or non-verbal (gesture, physical contact, etc.) is possible.

(3). It is possible to exchange information using media such as paper. It is often used as an aid to synchronous communication.

It is easily understood that smooth communication is significantly hindered if any one of such premise is lacking. In fact, (1) is a premise for establishing a conversation. If synchronous communication is not possible, "conversation" in the ordinary sense does not hold. Also, it is difficult to convey to a stranger some complicated content without the aid of writing instruments (or the like).

Conversely, if all three of the above assumptions are satisfied, then a person will have little difficulty in conducting normal conversation. As conditions for communication, when the above three conditions are satisfied, we call it "complete communication" here. Further, a place where complete communication is carried out, that is, a situation where the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied is called a "complete communication place" or simply "communication place".

In this communication hall,
By (3) (temporarily), information accumulation in the place occurs. This is the "accumulation" of the communication field.
I will call it. Further, especially when the communication field is composed of three or more members, the communication field has a noteworthy property. When a large number of people are having a conversation, it is often the case that, for example, they talk only to the people around them, or give notes to specific people. In other words, the communication field is a smaller communication field called "sub.
It contains (at least, the potential) of a "communication field." In this sense, a communication field involving three or more people is "complex". It should be noted that in a complex communication field, the existence of a sub-communication field may have some influence on members who do not belong to the communication field and topics of the field. Here, this is "
"Has a combined effect".

The communication field is not static. In vibrant conversations (although large themes are always carefully maintained), the immediate topic "sub-themes" is constantly evolving. The theme of conversation is thus often multi-layered, but the development of the theme can bring about dynamic changes in the communication field. That is, the "branch" of the communication field
Is a phenomenon. Sub-communication areas often carry sub-themes. In order to bring results later, it is often observed that the discussion is divided into sub-themes, or that the sub-communication field is independent of the original communication field. Such a phenomenon is the "branch" of the communication field. Furthermore, in the former case, it is assumed that the branched communication fields will "join" again later.

The branching and joining of the communication field are important phenomena. Divergence and confluence do more than provide great convenience to communication (whether heuristic or goal-oriented). The activity and development of communication is ensured by branching and merging (even by the possibility that these phenomena may occur). For example, assuming communication where the possibility of branching and merging is eliminated, it is
It is clear that it will be extremely inflexible (and thus probably fruitless) to the members involved. Therefore, in consideration of the importance of branching and merging, the communication field is required to have the following conditions in addition to the above three conditions.

(4). Branching to sub-themes and merging of themes can occur.

Hereinafter, a communication place that satisfies the condition (4) will be called a "communication place in a narrow sense". In contrast, the case where (4) is not taken into consideration is called a "broadly defined communication field".

So far, the concept of "communication field" has been introduced and the mode of communication in the physical world has been considered. Therefore, next, this communication field is applied to communication in a network constructed by electronic media. First, let's replace the above-mentioned requirements for communication fields with the words of (electronic) networks.

(1) '. It would be nice to have shared data open for reference.

(2) '. This will be fine as is. That is, it is possible to perform synchronous communication by multimedia (of course, the better the number of types of media, the better).

(3) '. There is a shared read / write database. This database must be associated with (1) 'reference data.

When a system on the network provides a communication environment satisfying these three conditions, this system can be considered to provide a "network communication field". from now on,
The network communication field is sometimes simply called a communication field.

(4) '. A function of generating a new communication field is provided in the broadly defined network communication field that satisfies the above three conditions. Also, a function of merging (integrating) a plurality of communication fields into one communication field is provided.

A communication field that satisfies the condition (4) 'is called a narrowly defined (network) communication field. In contrast to this, a communication place that does not satisfy (4) ′ may be called a broad sense communication place.

The reference data of (1) 'functions as a source of a theme or topic in the communication field. Therefore, in order for the synchronous communication of (2) ′ to be established, it is premised that there is a function to make people who “assemble” in data reference recognize each other. In addition, reference data, synchronous communication, and shared data based GUI (Graphical)
User Interface) must be displayed so that it can be understood that they are related to each other. Regarding (4) ′, it is necessary to provide a function in which the newly generated communication field and the original communication field mutually refer to each other. This is because, generally, when the communication field branches, both branches know that the branch has occurred.

Based on the above, the communication system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

FIG. 12 exemplifies the screen of the browser according to this embodiment. Reference numeral 21 in FIG. 12 is a reference data display portion, that is, a normal WWW screen. The portion below 21 is the display by the extended function.

First, in a portion 22 of FIG. 12, people gathering for data reference are displayed. In this part, functions mainly related to synchronous communication are displayed.
In the example of FIG. 12, the photograph and the name are displayed (FIG. 1).
2 of 24). The icon 23 on the photo represents, for example, “talk”, “e-mail”, and “reference to home page” from the left. The user can realize an expected action (for example, a call) by clicking any one of these icons 24 and then clicking the image 24 of the displayed person.

Below the synchronous communication related display portion 22, a shared file related portion 25 is displayed. The icons 26 lined up first are for activating PC applications, and indicate, for example, "high-performance word processor", "spreadsheet tool", "simple word processor", and "image tool" from the left. These icons 26 function as a kind of network launcher. In addition, the "new object registration" button 27
Click to display the file registration dialog. The data displayed with the icon 28 is a shared file. These data are composed of, for example, an AVI file and the like, and when this is clicked, an animation with sound is reproduced.

The icon 30 is used to duplicate a server system being referred to and generate a new server system.
Used when merging multiple server systems and integrating them into one server system.

Next, the configuration of the communication system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

All users are registered in the user database 46 together with their attributes, and a list request of users who are referring to the reference data (homepage) 42 is sent to the information exchange server 41 via the browser 51. Sent. The information exchange server 41 passes this list request to the attribute filter 44 together with the attribute of the requesting user by activating the relevant application from the execution application group 43. The attribute filter 44 analyzes the attributes of the requesting user and the list request, selects the users determined to be appropriate for the request from the user database 46, and returns them to the execution application 43 as a user list.

The execution application 43 transfers the returned user list to the browser 51 of the requesting user via the information exchange server 41. As a result, the personal information of other users who match the user's attributes and the list request (for example, who have the same values) are displayed in the synchronous communication related display portion 22.

It is also assumed that the user has started communication (such as a call) with another user displayed in the synchronous communication related display portion 22. At this time, the browser 51 notifies the information exchange server 41 of the start of the call and the other party of the call.

On the other hand, the information exchange server 41 activates the execution application 43 conforming to this notification, and delivers the notified information. Then, the execution application 43
Notifies the call relation management server 45, and the call relation management server 45 registers the newly established call relation in the call relation management database 47. When updating the display of the synchronous communication related display portion 22, the user list is sent to the browser 51 as described above. At this time, the call related list is also sent, and the browser 51 sends the sent call. Based on the list of relationships, the call relationships are expressed by connecting users who are talking to each other with parentheses. As a result, the call status of other users can be known and, for example, the call partner and call timing can be selected.

In addition, the user selects the shared file related part 2
When the instruction to attach a new file is given to 5, the browser 51 starts the corresponding helper application 52, and the started helper application 52 is started.
Then, the attached file is transferred to the shared file (server) 61. The shared file (server) 61 stores this file and then returns the index for this file to the helper application 52.

This index is transferred to the information exchange server 41 via the browser 51, and the information exchange server 41
Activates the corresponding execution application 43 and registers it in the shared file management database 48. Then, when the browser 51 notifies the information exchange server 41 of an update request for the shared file-related portion 25 thereafter, the corresponding execution application 43 is activated, and a list of shared files is sent to the browser 51 via the information exchange server 41. Will be returned. Then, the browser 51 updates the shared file related portion 25 based on the list of shared files. As a result, the file attached by the user is displayed as an icon as a shared file, and other users can refer to this file by simply clicking the icon 28.

As the execution application group 43, execution files having the following functions are prepared.

1. Related to new user registration.

(1). Dialog startup. Launch the user registration dialog on the PC.

(2). user registration. It receives the user's name, email address, and the image the user wants to register, and registers them in the user database 46. At that time, as a key, for example, In of the user terminal
Use the internet address. In this case, the IP address is used as the environment variable of the program in the information exchange server 41.
Passed from. Further, the name and image of the user are added to the home page 42.

2. Start communication tool.

The ID of the communication tool and the ID of the target user are received. After retrieving the necessary information by searching the user database 46, the information is passed to the communication tool activation module (helper application group 52) of the client system 50.

3. End of reference.

The information of the user is deleted from the user database 46. Also, the user's name and image are deleted from the home page 42.

4. PC application related.

(1). Application startup. Receive the application ID. The application activation module (helper application group 52) on the PC is activated and the application ID is passed.

(5). File registration. The shared file name on the shared file (server) 61 and the user's comment on the file are received, and the home page 42 is updated.

5. Related to new file registration.

(1). Dialog startup. Start the file registration dialog on the PC.

(2). File registration. The shared file name is received and the home page 42 is updated.

6. Delete shared files.

Receives the shared file name and comment,
Delete the reference to the file from the home page 42.

7. Create a new server system.

A server system having the same operating environment as its own server system is duplicated and provided as a new server system.

8. Multiple server system integration.

A plurality of server systems are merged and integrated into one server system.

Of these, the PC application startup from the server system 40 is performed via the browser 51. In addition, this execution application group 43
Are concurrently executed by a plurality of users via the information exchange server 41. Therefore, when reading or writing data (for example, home page 42) that may be shared by a plurality of executing application processes, exclusive control such as locking is performed.

On the other hand, as the helper application group 52 of the client system 50, an executable file having the following functions is prepared.

1. User registration dialog.

Prompt for a reference to the user's name, mail address, image file name, and home page (if any) owned by the user. A user registration script (execution application group 43) of the server system 40 is activated with these pieces of information. It can be considered that inputting the reference to the home page saves the trouble of registering the reference one by one using the file registration function. Once the user registration dialog is used, this information does not need to be input again unless it is changed.

[0125] 2. Communication tool activation module.

The communication tool ID and the like are received, the necessary arguments are given to the corresponding communication tool, and the communication tool is activated. Examples of the communication tool here include “irchat”, “talk (text-based)”, and “Speak Ere”.
“Ely (a type of Internet voice talk)” and the like. E-mail is not a synchronous communication tool, but it is desirable to support this as well.

3. Application launch module.

Upon receiving the application ID, the corresponding application is activated. Inquires about whether to register the edited file as a shared file after the application ends. When registering, the file is transferred to the shared file (server) 61, and the file registration script (execution application group 43) of the server system 40 is activated with the comment and the file name.

4. File registration dialog.

The file selection dialog is displayed, and the selected file is transferred to the shared file (server) 61. Further, the name and the comment of the user's file are transferred to the server system 40, and the file registration script (execution application group 43) is activated.

Of these, the script of the server system 40 is activated and the data is transferred accordingly, according to the information exchange server 41.

Here, with reference to FIG. 14, the operation principle of the communication system of the present embodiment will be described by taking a new shared file registration as an example.

The button click on the home page ((1) in FIG. 14) is notified to the information exchange server 41 of the server system 40 by the browser 51 ((2) in FIG. 14), and the information exchange server 41 applies it. The dialog activation script (execution application group 43) is activated ((3) in FIG. 14).

When the activation of the dialog activation script (execution application group 43) is completed ((4) in FIG. 14), the information exchange server 41 notifies the browser 5 to that effect.
1 is notified ((5) in FIG. 14), and the browser 51 activates the file registration dialog (helper application group 52) on the PC ((6) in FIG. 14). As described above, this dialog is a display prompting the user to select a file ((7) in FIG. 14). When the user selects a file by inputting a file name in this dialog (see FIG. 14). (8)), the file registration dialog (helper application group 52)
The selected file is a shared file (server) 61
14 (9) and (10) in FIG. 14 and requests the information exchange server 41 to activate the file registration script (execution application group 43) ((11) in FIG. 14). The registration procedure is completed ((12) and (13) in FIG. 14). At this time, the file registration script receives the shared file name and updates the home page as described above.

As a result, this file will be displayed as an icon on the home page as a shared file, and users who refer to this home page can refer to the file by simply clicking the icon. Become.

Note that the information exchange server 41, the execution application group 43, the browser 51, and the helper
The principle of operation between the application groups 52 is the same for new user registration and the like.

As a result, a more natural communication field can be constructed on the network.

[0138]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
For example, the information of other users who are referring to the same information on the WWW can be obtained in real time, and unique communication between these users can be performed smoothly, and the information of each user is stored as shared data. You can do it.

As a result, it is possible to provide, on the network system, a place for communication in a more natural form, which has never existed before.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a display image of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the user of the embodiment starts communication with another user.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the communication application of the embodiment is activated.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the communication application of the embodiment is terminated.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication terminal device to which the communication system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when communication is started between the communication terminal devices of the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication terminal device to which the communication system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when communication is started between the communication terminal devices of the same embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display image of a communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system of the same embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation principle of the communication system of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 1b, 1c ... Client system, 2 ... Server system, 3 ... User, 11 ... Data display unit, 12
... Personal information display section, 13 ... Communication application execution section, 14 ... Information update section, 15 ... Communication application,
16 ... Shared data registration unit, 17 ... Communication application execution unit, 18 ... File transfer unit, 19 ... Application, 20 ... Shared file display unit, 29 ... Personal information management unit, 40 ... Server system, 41 ... Information exchange server, 4
2 ... Reference data, 43 ... Execution application group, 44
... Attribute filter, 45 ... Call relationship management server, 46 ... User database, 47 ... Call relationship management database, 48
... shared file management database, 50 ... client system, 51 ... browser, 52 ... helper application group, 60 ... LAN, 61 ... shared file (server).

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Omori 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Incorporated Toshiba Research and Development Center

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A network system in which a plurality of client systems refers to information held by a server system via a network, and an individual who manages personal information of a client system handler who is referring to the information in the server system. An information management means is provided, and in the client system, a personal information display means for displaying a list of personal information managed by the personal information management means on a display screen as an option, and when a selection instruction is given on the screen, A communication path establishing means for establishing a communication path with a client system corresponding to the option instructed to be selected is provided, and communication between users who are referring to information held by the same server system is performed through the server system. A communication system characterized by being carried out as appropriate without being. 2. The personal information display means displays, when a communication path is established between the client systems, a specific display form indicating that the options indicating the client system handlers are communicating with each other. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit. 3. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a shared file system that manages information from the client computer as shared information in association with information held by the server system. 4. The information held by the server system is
The communication system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the communication system has a hypertext structure. 5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the server system further comprises generation means for generating a copy of its own system as a new server system in response to a request from the client system. . 6. In the server system, at least two of the plurality of server systems created by the creating means in accordance with a request from the client system.
The communication system according to claim 5, further comprising means for integrating one or more server systems into one server system. 7. A network system in which a plurality of client systems refer to information held by a server system via a network, requesting the client system to establish a communication path to another client system, and A means for transmitting reference information indicating whether the server system information is referred to, and a server system indicated by the reference information when a communication path is established by this means and the reference information is transmitted. A communication system comprising means for starting reference of information and starting reference of information held by the server system by establishing a communication path between client systems.