JPH11205314A - Half-synchronization type electronic conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain communication with an interactive performance as required without noticing synchronization/asynchronization among a plurality of users and to attain participation to a plurality of common jobs simultaneously in parallel and in asynchronization. SOLUTION: A message distributed by a message distribution means 18 is stored in time series in a message storage means 13 based on a time stamp given to the message, a series of messages stored in the storage means 13 are extracted by a storage message access means 14, and a storage message recovery means 15 recovers a series of the messages continuously in time series. When this recovery is not done, a real time message reception recovery means 16 receives the distributed message and recovers the message in real time. Furthermore, a message input means 17 receives the message received during the recovery and gives a time stamp in synchronism with the message during recovery to the received message and the message distribution means 18 distributes this message to other user via a network.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wired conference system such as an electronic conference system (teleconference system), a workflow management system, an electronic presentation system, a remote cooperative work support system (a cooperative design support system, etc.), a voice mail system, and the like.・ Applied to a system that realizes communication between a plurality of users via a plurality of computers and communication devices connected by a wireless network, and stores a message including voice, video, text, and the like in a storage device and stores the message. By playing back the messages, it is possible to communicate with multiple users as needed, without being aware of synchronization and synchronization, and to participate in multiple simultaneous and concurrent collaborations. The present invention relates to a synchronous electronic conference device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system that supports synchronous communication or asynchronous communication for various communications such as a conference, a discussion, and a conversation. Such systems include the following. JP-A-6-26666
In the cooperative work support device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2 (1994), a mechanism for storing an operation history in a cooperative work space via a network and reproducing / re-executing all or a specified part of the contents of the past cooperative work. By providing the, it is possible to proceed with the cooperation work asynchronously.

In the information processing method and apparatus of the electronic conferencing system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-266632, messages asynchronously sent from various users in various formats such as voice, video, and text. By providing a function of displaying the distribution status of each message in chronological order based on the speech time of each message and a mechanism for reproducing the message specified by the user on the display, it is easy to grasp the contents of the conference. Further, in the information processing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-295930, a workspace shared by a plurality of users (virtual cooperative work space)
, The history of the operations performed by each user is stored, and while the operation history is appropriately reproduced, it is supported to proceed with the joint work on a plurality of workspaces simultaneously and in parallel.

[0004] Further, in the collaborative work support system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-62631, an operation on a shared window is recorded in a local environment including temporal information, accompanied by a video and audio message. Then, these records are transmitted and received by e-mail, and are synchronously reproduced on the receiving side based on the time information, so that it is possible to operate as if they are operating jointly. Also, “Multimedia Collaboration System with Separate D” described in US Pat. No. 5,617,539.
ata Network and A / V Network Controlled by Informat
ion Transmitting on the Data Network ”
Integrate desktop teleconferencing system that supports synchronous communication by voice and e-mail that supports asynchronous communication by text and image so that users can view e-mail while participating in the desktop teleconferencing system. I have.

[0005] Also, the document "P. Curtis," Mudding: Social
Phenomena in Text-Based VirtualRealities ", Procee
dings of DIAC '92, 1992 describes a system that supports synchronous text communication (chat) in a group composed of multiple users via a network, and the user receives a message fed back from the system. Thus, it is possible to obtain a feeling of communicating in a virtual space. Note that text messages input by each user are stored as a history, and can be reproduced in chronological order at any time according to instructions from the user.

[0006] Also, the document "NAStreitz, J. Geibler, J.
M. Haake, and J. Hol, "DOLPHIN: Integrated Meeting
Support across Local and Remote Desktop Environmen
tsand LiveBoards ", Proceedings of the ACM CSCW '9
4, pp. 345-358, 1994 ”includes an electronic blackboard (LiveBo
A system is described that enables seamless movement between a face-to-face synchronous meeting using a remote interface and a remote-synchronous meeting via a network. The results of the meeting can be used mutually. In each meeting, voice and video communication can be performed.

[0007] Also, the document "M. Sohlenkamp and G. Chwel"
os, "Integrating Communication, Cooperation, and Aw
areness: The DIVA Virtual Office Environment ", Proc
eedings of the ACM CSCW'94, pp.331-343, 1994, describes a system that supports collaborative work in a virtual workspace represented by an office metaphor. In addition to the communication described above, an asynchronous communication function using annotations (Notes) using audio and video that can be attached to a virtual arbitrary object in the office is provided.

[0008]

(1) Integration of Synchronous Communication and Asynchronous Communication: When performing communication in a virtual cooperative work space on a wide area network environment represented by the Internet, time difference and co-workers are required. Communication by using a system based on a synchronous message exchange method that requires multiple users to use simultaneously, such as a conventional electronic conference system or teleconference system due to the large number of However, there is a problem that the schedule of the participants needs to be adjusted, and the quality of the contents of the remarks deteriorates because there is generally little time to think about the remarks.

On the other hand, electronic mail, voice mail,
A system that supports asynchronous communication such as video mail eliminates the above-mentioned restriction that all participants must use the system at the same time, and improves the quality of the remarks because there is enough time to think about remarks. On the other hand, on the other hand, there is a problem that it is not possible to realize high interactivity such as proceeding the discussion while confirming the support of the participants, as obtained by synchronous message exchange.

The characteristics of synchronous / asynchronous communication as described above are described in the document "M.Turoff," Computer-Mediat.
ed Communication Requirements for Group Support ",
Journal of Organizational Computing, Vol.1, pp.85-
113, 1991 ", etc., and these characteristics can be grasped as a trade-off between" time constraints "restricted in communication and" interactivity "in communication.

Conventionally, a cooperative work support apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-266662 has been proposed for the purpose of relieving a plurality of users of operations in a cooperative work environment from time constraints. The information processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 7-295930 and the cooperative work support system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-62631 provide a function of storing and reproducing the operation history in a cooperative work space, thereby providing a pseudo-synchronous cooperative work. Is possible. However, these systems realize all cooperative work as pseudo-synchronous cooperative work based on asynchronous management. Therefore, even when synchronous cooperative work with high interactivity is required, Must be performed as a low-pseudo-synchronous type of cooperative work. Furthermore, these techniques are directed to operations in a collaborative work space, and are not directed to message exchange.

On the other hand, regarding the conflicting problems existing between the synchronous communication and the asynchronous communication as described above, the above-mentioned documents provide communication means for both the synchronous communication and the asynchronous communication. It is dealt with by that. However, in these systems,
Depending on the required interactivity, it was necessary to select and use one of the systems based on synchronous communication and asynchronous communication, so that communication between these systems could be integrated and continued. was difficult.

Therefore, in the present invention, the "time constraint" required in each scene of communication as described above.
To realize a communication environment that integrates synchronous communication and asynchronous communication in which the characteristics of asynchronous communication and synchronous communication can be continuously used without interrupting communication according to the “interactivity” It is intended to be.

(2) Participation in simultaneous and parallel discussions: Another prominent feature of asynchronous communication and synchronous communication is the document "GMOlson,
SEMcDaniel, and JCMagee "Identifying and Anal
yznig Multiple Threads in Computer-Mediated and Fa
As shown in "ce-to-Face Conversation", asynchronous communications such as e-mail and electronic blackboards are more related to other topics than synchronous communications such as face-to-face meetings and teleconferences. There is a characteristic that the tendency to diverge is strong. This is expected to be due to the fact that in the asynchronous communication, the message is stored, so that the load on the memory for dispersing the topic is small.

For this reason, in an environment where cooperative work is performed via a computer connected by a network, the above-described message storage / reproduction is used, so that “time constraints” and “interactivity” required by the user are required. When an environment is provided that enables communication based on the user, users can participate in multiple discussions at the same time while dividing time or participate in discussions while doing other work on the computer. It is thought that it will be possible to perform communication with "time constraints" and "interactivity" which are intermediate between neither asynchronous communication nor synchronous communication. As a conventional technique related to participation in the simultaneous parallel discussion as described above, the information processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-295930 discloses that an operation in a virtual cooperative work environment is performed simultaneously in a plurality of work spaces. Although it allows for parallel progress, this technology is intended for operations and not for concurrent participation in communication.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize a communication environment which enables simultaneous participation in a discussion using a communication function integrating the above-mentioned asynchronous and synchronous communication.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above object, a semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention stores, in a storage device, a message consisting of voice, video, or text. An electronic conferencing apparatus that stores and plays back stored messages to enable interactive communication between a plurality of users in accordance with a scene that is not conscious of synchronization / asynchronization, as shown in FIG. A message storage unit 13 for storing a message delivered by the message delivery unit 18 in a storage area in a time series based on a time stamp given to the message, and a series of messages stored in the message storage unit 13. Stored message access means 14 for retrieving a message, and The stored message reproducing means 15 for reproducing a time-series manner and continuously messages,
When the message is not reproduced by the stored message reproducing means 15 (that is, when the reproduction is completed), a real time message reception for receiving the message distributed by the message distributing means 18 and reproducing it in real time. While the message is being reproduced by the reproducing means 16, the stored message reproducing means 15 and the real-time message receiving / reproducing means 16, the input message is received and the input message is synchronized with the message being reproduced. Message input means 17 for obtaining and adding a time stamp from a time measuring means for measuring the current time, and message distributing means 18 for distributing a message input by the message input means 17 to another user via a network. And characterized in that:

According to the above-mentioned semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus, the functions of the conventional synchronous communication and asynchronous communication are integrated, and the user can discuss at a given point in time the discussion that was in progress during the time when he was not participating. Regenerate, catch up with and participate in the ongoing synchronous discussions. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in a discussion in which each message m1, m2,... M18,. When participating in the middle of m3, the accumulated past messages are asynchronously reproduced from the participating time, and when all the past messages m1 to m4 have been reproduced (the time before the message m5), Subsequent messages (from m5 on) are played back synchronously to catch up with the ongoing discussion in real time. Note that the past messages m1 to m4 are reproduced with a narrowed time interval or compressed as described later. As a result, the user can switch between synchronous communication with high interactivity and asynchronous communication with less time constraints as necessary in an integrated and continuous manner without switching between synchronous and asynchronous modes. Can do it.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising: a stored message reproducing unit, a real-time message receiving / reproducing unit, or a message input unit. Using a user operation history storage unit for storing a history of message reproduction or input operation by each user, wherein the stored message reproduction unit includes a message for each user stored by the user operation history storage unit. Regeneration·
Based on the history of the input operation and the elapsed time up to the present, a message serving as a playback start point is specified, a series of messages stored by the message storage unit are extracted, and the extracted messages are chronologically extracted. It is characterized by continuous reproduction.

Thus, the time at which the user has participated in the discussion is determined from the history of message reproduction / input in the past, so that the reproduction of the discussion can be repeated from the beginning or the reproduction start time can be explicitly specified to the user. Without causing the message to be played back, it is possible to automatically specify the playback start time based on the time when each user last participated, and perform message playback.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the semi-synchronous conference apparatus according to the second aspect.
Further, a user history display means for visually displaying the status of the history of message reproduction / input for each user held by the user operation history holding means is provided. Thereby, it is possible to easily know each other's participation status of other users participating in the same discussion, and to encourage other users to participate when the discussion is being performed synchronously between other users, It can help a gradual transition from an asynchronous communication state to a synchronous communication state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the stored message reproducing means is fetched as a reproduction target. It is characterized by temporally compressing and reproducing a series of messages. As a result, the time for reproducing the content of the stored message performed during the time when the user has not participated is shortened, the discussion is actively performed, and even when a large number of stored messages exist, the content is synchronized. Be able to catch up with ongoing discussions early.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the stored message reproducing means is configured to execute the stored message reproduction. At the end of the playback of the stored message, it is checked whether there is a message newly input, delivered, or saved by another user, and if there is a new message input, the operation of playing the message is repeated. It is characterized by. As a result, since the message input during the playback of the stored message is also sequentially played back, a natural transition from the playback mode of the stored message to the synchronous mode is performed, and the user is assuming that the discussion is continuous. Can participate in the discussion.

A semi-synchronous electronic conference device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the semi-synchronous electronic conference device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising: A user message playback count holding unit for holding a playback count for each message is provided. The stored message playback unit refers to the user message playback count holding unit, and plays back a message with a higher number of playbacks in the past at a higher speed. The reproduction speed is adjusted so that a message with a smaller number of times of reproduction is reproduced at a lower speed. As a result, the stored message is reproduced with the level of detail corresponding to the user's memory, so that the reproduction of the message expected to remain in the user's memory can be suppressed, and the reproduction time can be shortened.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising the step of temporarily transmitting a message input by a user. Input message temporary storage means for temporarily storing, and an input message for reproducing a message temporarily stored by the input message temporary storage means in a trial and error manner in conjunction with the message stored by the message storage means. A trial reproduction means, and in the message delivery means, after confirming the trial input message by the input message trial reproduction means, if re-input is necessary, the message is temporarily re-input by the input message temporary storage means. When no input is required, an input message is transmitted. As a result, a trial and error message input can be performed, so that a psychological load when a user inputs a message can be reduced, and at the same time, a message content that has been delivered to another user is canceled later. It is possible to suppress an operation which is performed.

The semi-synchronous electronic conference device according to claim 8 is the semi-synchronous conference device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: A topic derivation position specifying means for instructing derivation to a new topic; and generating a message storage area corresponding to the derivation topic when derivation to a new topic is instructed by the topic derivation position specification means. Topic-specific message storage area generating means for setting a derivation relationship between the derivation point specified by the derivation position specifying means and the new message storage area,
It is characterized in that messages sent via the network are stored in a time-series manner in storage areas corresponding to each topic generated by the topic-specific message storage area generating means. As a result, it is possible to return to an arbitrary point in the past and start the discussion again, and progress the discussion in another time course. Then, when it is recognized that there is a problem in the direction of the discussion, it is possible to go back in the past and continue the discussion without wasting the discussions that have been conducted.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus according to the eighth aspect, further comprising a storage area corresponding to each topic and a derivation point by a topic derivation position designation unit. Based on the derivation set between
From among a plurality of agendas, a participating agenda specifying means for allowing a user to specify a participating agenda, and a topic-specific discussion area providing means for providing a user with an operation area for performing a discussion corresponding to the topic And characterized in that: Thereby, it is possible to simultaneously participate in the discussion on a plurality of topics. And if the discussion is at an early stage and you need deep consideration, you can participate asynchronously, so make sure to participate later and give priority to discussions that have a lot of confirmation items and require high interactivity. You can choose to participate in multiple discussions, such as participating.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the stored message reproducing means reproduces a topic when reproducing the stored message. The message stored in the message storage area is reproduced while selectively following the derivation relationship set by the position specifying means. In this way, when there is a derivation relationship to a plurality of discussions in the currently participating discussion, it is possible to participate in the discussion while selectively following them. Then, it is possible to participate in the discussion from various aspects while selecting the direction of the discussion desired by the user.

The semi-synchronous electronic conference device according to claim 11 is the semi-synchronous conference device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: A reference discussion range designating unit for designating a reference start point and a reference end point is provided, and the message input unit associates a reference portion of another discussion designated by the reference discussion range designating unit at the time of message input with the input message. Input, the message distribution means distributes, via a network, a reference portion of another argument associated with the input message input by the message input means to the message storage means, and the message storage means receives the input by the message distribution means. The reference part of another discussion sent with the message is stored in association with the message, and the stored message It is characterized to play at the same time as the message storage the message retrieves the reference portion of another discussion that is accumulated during message playback by. This makes it possible to refer to a part of another discussion in the input message, and to know the content of the referred discussion when another user reproduces the message. Then, it is possible to give an opinion on a discussion that has been performed in the past or to exemplify a part of another discussion.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, further comprising a derivation between a higher-level discussion and a lower-level discussion. The user inputs the settings based on the relation, the scheduled start date and the scheduled end date and time, and the discussion flow setting storage means for saving the setting contents, and the progress status of each discussion is held by the user input or the user operation history setting means. Discussion progress detection means for automatically detecting based on the history of message reproduction / input by each user, and the schedule set by the discussion flow setting storage means and the actual detection by the discussion progress detection means Flow operation definition setting means for defining the operation to be started on condition of the progress status of the discussion of the above, and the definition specified by the flow operation definition setting means The flow operation definition holding means for holding, the flow operation condition matching means for sequentially checking the conditions stored in the flow operation definition holding means, and the condition given by the flow operation condition matching means are given to the flow definition. Flow operation executing means for activating and executing the operation. This allows the discussion to proceed systematically according to a pre-designated schedule and agenda (depending on the agenda). Also,
It enables interaction based on dependency between discussions, such as discussing the results of lower discussions in a higher discussion.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the semi-synchronous electronic conference device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, further comprising a plurality of users operating jointly. A cooperative work space providing means for providing a virtual cooperative work space corresponding to each topic to be performed, wherein the message input means is performed on the cooperative work space in association with a message input by the message input means; The message distribution means distributes the operation input on the collaborative work space by the message input means to the message storage means via the network, and the message storage means transmits the operation together with the input message by the message distribution means. The stored operation is stored in association with the message, and the stored message playback unit stores the operation in the message storage unit. In association with the reproduction of the message is taken out operations associated with the stored electrical message I and performs the playback operation on the collaborative workspace. Thus, the operation content of the joint work in the cooperative work environment can be advanced in a pseudo-synchronous manner. Then, it is possible to explain while presenting materials and to discuss about a common design drawing.

A semi-synchronous electronic conference device according to a fourteenth aspect is the semi-synchronous conference device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein a plurality of computers connected via a network are provided. Characterized in that a plurality of computers are provided with stored message reproducing means, real-time message receiving / reproducing means, and message input means. As a result, even a user who is at a remote place via a network can perform effective communication under the server-client type control. In addition, in this method, storage and retrieval of stored messages are centrally performed by the server, so that the message storage area and processing load of the client can be reduced.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the semi-synchronous electronic conference device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein a plurality of computers connected via a network are provided. Each computer is provided with a message storage means, a stored message access means, a stored message reproduction means, a real-time message reception / reproduction means, a message input means, and a message distribution means. Is characterized in that messages delivered from other computers via a network are stored in chronological order. As a result, even a user at a remote place via a network can perform effective communication by decentralized control without a server. Further, according to this method, since the processing is not concentrated on the server, higher reliability can be realized without depending on the failure of the server.

[0034]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electronic conference system. This embodiment is applied to an electronic conference system in which one server 1 and a plurality of clients 2 communicate via a network 3, and is realized on the World Wide Web by using a programming language Java.

The server 1 includes an HTTP server 11 and an RP
C (Remote Procedure Call) includes a remote procedure calling mechanism 12, a disk 13, and an electronic conference system server 14 implemented on these mechanisms. Applet storage area 1 for storing programs (applets) loaded from client 2
31, a discussion space state storage area 132 for storing the state of the entire system and each discussion space, and a message storage area 133 for storing a message transmitted from the client 2 for each topic. .
In addition, the electronic conference system server 14 includes a discussion space management mechanism 141, a message reception mechanism 142, a message distribution mechanism 143, and a message data management mechanism 144).
have.

Each client 2 has a Wo equipped with an interpreter for executing an applet loaded from the server 1.
ld Wide Web browser 21, a microphone 22 for voice input, a camera 23 for video input,
A speaker 24 for outputting audio, an analog audio signal or a video signal input from a microphone or a camera is converted into a digital signal, and a digital audio signal is converted into an analog audio signal and transmitted to the speaker. -It is composed of a video data converter 25 and a client applet 26 that operates using these mechanisms. Note that these applets are stored in the applet storage area 131 of the server 1 so that they can be shared between clients, and are loaded and executed by the World Wide Web browser 21 of the client 1 in response to a request from a user. .

The client applet 26 includes a parallel discussion management interface 261, a discussion space interface 262, a real-time message playback mechanism 263, a message search playback mechanism 264, and a message input transmission mechanism 2
65. Note that the message search / playback mechanism 2
Reference numeral 64 secures a reference message temporary storage area for temporarily storing a reference message attached to the input message on the memory of the client 2. In addition, the message input transmission mechanism 265 secures an input message temporary storage area for temporarily storing an input message on a memory of the client 2 at the time of loading the program.

In the HTTP server 11 on the server 1 side, a file (parallel discussion management page) in the format shown in FIG. 4 including the above described description of the loading and execution of the applet is prepared. In the file illustrated in the figure, the call of the parallel discussion management interface 261 is described in the applet. These files are stored in Wo on the client 2 side.
The file can be opened by specifying the URL corresponding to each file from the ld Wide Web browser 21.

The network 3 that controls communication between the server 1 and the client 2 performs wide area network communication based on the Internet Protocol (IP). For transmission efficiency reasons, real-time audio / video data distribution and RPC communication ports are separated.
For communication of video data, UDP (User Datag
ram Protocol) based voice communication port 3
1 and TCP (Transmission) is used for RPC.
An RPC port 32 based on the Ion Control Protocol is used.

The discussion space state storage area 132 in the server 1
Stores a "conference system attribute" having a data structure as shown in FIG. 5, a "user management table" having a data structure as shown in FIG. 6, and a "discussion management table" having a data structure as shown in FIG. Registration and retrieval of these data are performed between the client 2 and the server 1 by the R
This is performed using a mechanism for calling a remote procedure through a network by a PC. Hereinafter, all control between the client 2 and the server 1 is performed by the RPC port 3
2 is performed by RPC via
No particular description is given during the description.

In the message storage area 133 in the server 1, a "message table" having a data structure as shown in FIG. 8 is prepared corresponding to each topic including topics generated by derivation. The audio / video message transmitted by the message input / transmission mechanism 265 of the client 2 is received by the message receiving mechanism 142 of the server 1 through the voice communication port 31 and is stored in this table in time series by the message data management mechanism 144. Is done.

Next, each function provided in the present embodiment will be sequentially described below. “System startup and user authentication / registration function”: World Wide Web browser 21 of client 2
The HTTP managed by the HTTP server 11 on the server 1 side
When the ML document (parallel discussion management page shown in FIG. 4) is opened, the applet (parallel discussion management interface 261) stored in the applet storage area 131 is loaded, and World Wide on the client 2 side is loaded.
A screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the Web browser 21, and at the same time, a user authentication dialog box for user authentication as shown in FIG. 10 is automatically opened. The process of opening the dialog for the user authentication process is described in the applet.

When the user inputs a user name and a password through the user authentication dialog box and presses the finish button 03 in the dialog box, the user information stored in the discussion space state storage area 132 on the server 1 is displayed. Matching is performed using the entered user name as a key. If there is an error in the input, the system requests the input again. When a new user is registered, a new user registration button 04 in the box is pressed to open a new user registration dialog box as shown in FIG. When the user specifies a user name and a password and presses a registration button 05 in the new user registration dialog box, data is sent to the discussion space management mechanism 141 on the server 1 side, and the specified user name and password are displayed as shown in FIG. 7 is registered in the user management table shown in FIG.

"Discussion list display and selection function": World Wide by the system startup processing described above.
The screen shown in FIG. 9 provided by the applet (parallel discussion management interface 261) displayed on the Web browser 21 includes a discussion derivation relationship overview 01 that displays a derivation relationship between discussions as a time-sequential diagram. The discussion attribute list 02 displays attributes in a list. The information required for displaying these lists is obtained by extracting the discussion management table (FIG. 7) stored in the discussion space state storage area 132 and the user management table (FIG. 6) for the user. Can be

The time axis 01a displayed in the discussion derivation relationship overview 01 is the elapsed time from the start of the highest-order discussion, and the derivation relationship between the discussions is the discussion management table (FIG. 7).
Displayed as a rectangle 01b of a size corresponding to the "scheduled discussion time" specified when the discussion was generated, based on the point at which each topic was derived, based on the "upper discussion derivation point" and "lower discussion derivation point list" Is done. Further, in this rectangle 01b corresponding to each discussion, in addition to the title of the discussion 01c, the user's own participation time zone 01d and the time zone 01e until the latest message input are displayed as a rectangular range. Here, the user's own participation time zone 01d and the time zone 01e until the latest message input of another user are:
It is obtained based on the last access date and time of each user for the discussion left in the “participation status” attribute of the user management table (FIG. 6).

The discussion derivation relationship overview 01 is provided with a discussion space open button 01f for opening a discussion space related to the discussion specified in the overview. Open the interface (FIG. 12). The discussion derivation relationship overview 01 is provided with a discussion space generation button 01g for newly generating a top-level discussion. When this button is pressed, a new discussion registration dialog box as shown in FIG. 17 is opened. Then, the discussion of the agenda, the scheduled number of hours, and the delivery date designated here is newly generated.

In the discussion attribute list 02, the agenda 02a relating to the discussion 01b selected on the discussion derivation relationship overview 01, the participating members 02 participating in the discussion synchronously
b, set due date of discussion 02c, discussion activity 02d
Is displayed. The value calculated by the following equation for each discussion is displayed in the discussion activity 02d.

[0048]

(Equation 1)

"Selection of Discussion Space and Function of Participation in Discussion": When a discussion is selected on the discussion derivation relationship overview 01 described above and the discussion space open button 01f is selected, the discussion space interface 262 and the real-time message playback are performed. Each applet of the mechanism 263, the message search / playback mechanism 264, and the message input / transmission mechanism 265) is the server 1
And a discussion space interface as shown in FIG. 12 is opened. This window includes a message video playback screen 06 for displaying a message video for each participant, a message playback / input operation panel 07 for controlling message playback / input, a derived discussion control panel 08, and a shared virtual whiteboard 09. , Agenda 010. Also, this discussion space interface enables multiple discussions to be opened from the discussion derivation relationship overview 01 and participates in multiple discussions at the same time. When the user opens the discussion space interface, the newly joined user is added to the "participant list" attribute of the discussion management table (FIG. 7) in the discussion space state storage area 132.

The message playback / input operation panel 07 is
User participation status display 07a, message playback start position designation gauge 07b, message playback button 07c, message playback mode selection menu 07d, message stop button 07e, message input button 07f, message confirmation input button 07g, reference message accumulation button 07
h. When these buttons are instructed by a mouse, a mouse event interrupt occurs, and a process associated with each event is started.
In the user participation status display 07a, a time zone 07i in which the user himself / herself has participated and a time zone 07j up to the time point when the latest message is input are displayed, and the user can grasp his / her participation status through this display. .

"Function of stored message reproduction": When the message reproduction button 07c is pressed, each message starting from the message position designated by the message reproduction start position designation gauge 07b stored in the message table (FIG. 8). The user's voice / video message is stream-distributed via the network 3 and is reproduced / displayed through the speaker 24 in an area corresponding to each participant on the message video reproduction screen 06. Also, the message stop button 0
By pressing 7e, the playback of the message can be interrupted.

At the time of the above-described message reproduction, the message reproduction mode selection menu 07d sets the reproduction speed of the message retrieved from the message table (FIG. 8) in accordance with the specified message reproduction mode (standard / double speed / reduction / step). Is set. In the present embodiment, the message stored in the message table (FIG. 8) is extracted, and in the "double speed" mode, the message data to be reproduced is sampled at double speed, and in the "shortened" mode, the data is sampled at fixed time intervals. , And in the “stage” mode, the result of sampling at regular intervals is
Re-sampling is performed at a rate (R) according to the following logarithmic equation according to the human forgetting curve, and the message is reproduced while synchronizing the audio and the video. In the following equation, t is the start time of the primary sampling message, C
Is a constant.

[0053]

(Equation 2)

When ending the message reproduction, it is checked whether or not an unreproduced message newly added during the message reproduction exists in the message table (FIG. 8). If there is, the message is reproduced. Is done.
This process is repeated until there are no more messages to be played. FIG. 13 shows the algorithm of this processing.

If a branch to another discussion is detected during message playback, a derived discussion selection dialog as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed together with the agenda 011 of the derived discussion. You can switch to the discussion space. When the continue button 013 is selected, the original discussion is continued, and the reproduction of the message is restarted. The branch of the derived discussion is detected by comparing the time point registered in the “subordinate discussion derived point list” of the discussion management table (FIG. 7) with the ID of the message being reproduced. Also, when the reproduction of the stored message by pressing the message reproduction button 07c ends, or when the reproduction is interrupted by pressing the message stop button 07e, the message search / reproduction mechanism 264
Sets the “discussion ID” of the discussion and the “transmission time (last access date and time)” of the last message reproduced in the participation status table of the user (FIG. 6).

[Function of Real-Time Message Reproduction and Input]: In the state where the reproduction of the stored message by the above-mentioned message reproduction button 07c is completed, the real-time message reproduction mechanism 263 operates the message distribution mechanism 143 of the server 1 side. The message input from another client 2 sent from the client 2 is reproduced through the message video reproduction screen 06 and the speaker 24 as needed. When the user presses the message input button 07f during the message playback by the real-time message playback mechanism 263 described above, the message input by the camera 23 and the microphone 22 while the button is pressed is transmitted to the message input transmission mechanism. 265 is stored in the message temporary storage area. Then, when this button is released, the “sender” and the “time” at which the input of the message was started are added, and the message is stream-transmitted to the message receiving mechanism 142 of the server 1. On the other hand, the message receiving mechanism 142 of the server 1 gives an identifier to the message sent from the client 2 side, and the message data management mechanism 144 stores the message in the message table (FIG. 8) in the message storage area 133 in a time series. And save it.

On the other hand, if the user presses the message confirmation input button 07g during the message reproduction by the real-time message reproduction mechanism 263, the message input by the camera 23 and the microphone 22 while the button is pressed is The message is stored in the message temporary storage area of the message input / transmission mechanism 265. And when you release the button,
An input message confirmation dialog box as shown in FIG. 15 for confirming the input message is opened. Here, to confirm the input message, when the input message play button 014 is pressed, the message stored in the message temporary storage area is played on the input message play screen 015. On the other hand, here, the send button 0
When 16 is pressed, the "sender" and the "time" at which the input of the message was started are added, and the message is added to the server 1
Is transmitted to the message receiving mechanism 142.

The message receiving mechanism 1 of the server 1
At 42, an identifier is given to the message sent from the client 2 side, and the message is stored in the message table (FIG. 8) in the message storage area 133 by the message data management mechanism 144 in time series. Then, the message input at the time of message reproduction by the real-time message reproduction mechanism 263 and sent from the client 2 side is transmitted by the message distribution mechanism 143 to the other clients 2 accessing the discussion space at that time. It is distributed through the network 3. FIGS. 16 to 19 show algorithms of the above-described processing on the client 2 side and the server 1 side regarding the playback of stored messages, message input, and message playback in real time.
become that way.

"Reference message input function": When the user presses the reference message storage button 07h during the reproduction of the stored message by pressing the message reproduction button 07c, the reference message temporary storage area is held while the button is pressed. The message being played is stored in the. When the message input is completed by pressing the message confirmation input button 07g described above and the input message confirmation dialog box (FIG. 15) is opened, the reference message attachment button 0 on this dialog box is opened.
When the user presses the button 17, the message stored in the reference message temporary storage area is attached to the input message. When the user presses the send button 016, the "time" at which the input of the message is started is set in the same manner as described above. In addition, the message is stream-transmitted to the message receiving mechanism 142 of the server 1.

"Derivation function of new discussion from arbitrary point": When the user selects the discussion derivation button on the derivation discussion control panel 08 during message playback by the message playback button 07c, a new discussion as shown in FIG. You can open the discussion registration dialog. On this dialog, enter information about the creation of a new discussion (agenda item 018, scheduled time 019, delivery date 020) and enter the registration button 02
By pressing 1, data is sent to the discussion space management mechanism 141 on the server 1 side, and various kinds of input information on the new discussion are registered in the discussion management table (FIG. 7). When this new discussion is registered in the discussion management table (FIG. 7), a discussion derivation button 08 is pressed in the “lower discussion derivation point list” attribute of the discussion management table (FIG. 7) of the derivation source discussion. ID of the message being played at the time
, The ID of the newly generated discussion is added. Also,
In the newly generated discussion management table (FIG. 7) of the discussion management table, the “upstream discussion derivation point list” attribute includes the I
D and the ID of the message being reproduced when the argument derivation button 08 is pressed are set.

"Confirmation of User's Participation Status and Function of Alarm": As described above, when a message is reproduced by the message reproduction button 07c, at the stage where the reproduction is completed, the message search / reproduction mechanism 264 transmits the message to the user. "Discussion ID" of the discussion in the participation status table (FIG. 6)
Set the "send time (last access date and time)" of the last message played. The applet (parallel discussion management interface 261) checks the participation status table (FIG. 6) at regular time intervals, and determines the “last access date and time” of the user for the discussion and the “delivery date” set for the discussion. Compare. When the “last access date and time” approaches the “delivery date” by a certain amount (for example, set by the user as a system parameter), a delivery date alarm screen as shown in FIG. 21A is displayed. Also, when the difference between the average of the “last access date and time” attribute registered in the user management table (FIG. 6) for each participant in the discussion and the “last access date and time” of the user exceeds a certain period, A participation promotion alarm as shown in FIG. 21 (b) is displayed. FIG. 22 shows an algorithm of the above-described series of processing procedures.

"Shared annotation board, function of interlocking with sharing": The user can input text 09a at an arbitrary location on shared virtual whiteboard 09 (FIG. 12). When this text is input, the applet (discussion space interface 262) detects the position of the mouse by a text input event, and displays the location and the input text at a corresponding location on the shared virtual whiteboard 09. . When the message is transmitted by the input message registration button 07g, the input data is transmitted to the server 1 together with information such as “sender” and “transmission time”.
33 is stored in the message table (FIG. 8).

When the message is reproduced by the message reproduction button 07c or when the message is reproduced by the real-time message reproduction mechanism 262,
The editing information on the shared virtual whiteboard 09 input by the above method is reflected on the shared virtual whiteboard 09 and displayed. Note that the message stop button 0
7e, when the reproduction is interrupted or when the reproduction of the message is performed to the end, the display contents at that time are left as they are displayed on the shared virtual whiteboard 09, respectively, and The data is added to the newly edited content at the time of the above input.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. This modification example automates the operation of pressing the message input button 07f (FIG. 12) to input a message during message reproduction by the real-time message reproduction mechanism 263 in the first embodiment. This is an addition to the first embodiment.

That is, when inputting a message according to the first embodiment, a voice threshold detecting mechanism for detecting that the volume of a voice uttered by the user has exceeded a certain threshold value is provided on the client 2 side. The camera 23 and the microphone 22
The video and audio messages input from the server are stored in the message temporary storage area. The system automatically stores the message in the message storage area 133 of the server 1 when it detects that no message has been input for a predetermined time or more. FIG. 23 shows an algorithm of the process.

Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a group workflow management system will be described. The first
The same parts as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. In the present embodiment, a workflow management is to be implemented in the shared work space in the first embodiment, and the configuration is as shown in FIG. That is,
In the applet storage area 131, the real-time message playback mechanism 263 and the message search / playback mechanism 26 of the first embodiment are stored.
4. In addition to the message input and transmission mechanism 265, an applet for realizing the workflow management interface 266 and the cooperative work space interface 267 in the client 2 is stored. The system server 14 of the client 1 is provided with a workflow management mechanism 145. In this embodiment, semi-synchronous communication is performed, except that a function for defining a workflow and an interface replacing the shared annotation board of the first embodiment for performing cooperative work based on the workflow are provided. The points are the same as in the first embodiment.

Here, the workflow is first defined as a flow of a document moving between the cooperative spaces (an input destination discussion space and an output destination discussion space). Each document is generated based on a template, and the template is given a document type name. The data structures of the workflow table for storing these workflows and the document type name table for storing the document type names are shown in FIG.
This is shown in (b).

In this embodiment, the World Wide W
When an applet (workflow management interface 266) is loaded on the web browser 21, a workflow management interface screen for workflow definition is displayed as shown in FIG. 23 similar to FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. This interface screen displays a workflow overview 0 for displaying the flow of documents between collaborative work spaces.
22, a cooperative workspace open button 023, a new flow definition button 024, and a new document type definition button 02
5 and the same display part as the discussion attribute list 02 in FIG.

When the user specifies a specific cooperative work space (each icon in the overview) on the workflow overview 022 and presses a new flow definition button 024, the flow definition as shown in FIG. Opens the flow definition dialog box, allowing you to define a new flow. If the new flow definition button 024 is pressed in a state where a specific cooperative work space has not been specified in the workflow overview 022, the most upstream cooperative work space is generated. In this flow definition dialog box (FIG. 27), the input document type name 02
6. The document type name 027 generated in the collaborative work space and the output document type name 028 are specified. The document type name can be specified through a document type definition dialog box (FIG. 28) opened by pressing the new document type definition button 025. In this embodiment, an arbitrary document specified as a file name on the server 1 is used as a template.
Each can be given a document type name.

Next, a cooperative work process based on a workflow in this embodiment will be described. On the workflow overview 022, the user opens the cooperative workspace open button 02
Pressing 3 loads an applet (cooperative workspace interface 267) and opens a cooperative workspace interface having an interface similar to the discussion space interface (FIG. 12), as shown in FIG. This collaborative work space interface screen displays the shared virtual whiteboard 09 on the discussion space interface (FIG. 12) by displaying the pending document list 09b, processed document list 09c, document sharing edit view 09d, and processing completion button 0.
9e and a new document generation button 09f.

The document list 09b is a list of document files that have been processed in the collaborative work space upstream of the flow. When the user selects a document from the list, the content of the document is displayed in the document sharing and editing view 09d. Will be displayed.
The document displayed in the document sharing and editing view 09d can be simultaneously edited by a plurality of users by the RPC mechanism, and at the same time, the contents of each editing operation are stored in synchronization with the input message, and the message storage area is stored. 1
33 are stored in the message table (FIG. 8).

When the user presses the processing completion button 09e, the currently edited document is additionally displayed in the processed document list 09c based on the defined flow, and is automatically displayed in the downstream cooperative work space. Sent to And
The processed document is newly added to the pending document list 09b in the downstream cooperative work space. When the user presses the new document generation button 09f, a copy of a template document having a document type name that can be sent from the collaborative workspace to another collaborative workspace is generated in accordance with the defined flow, and the document sharing and editing view is created. 09d.

[0073]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) An environment is provided in which communication can be continuously performed according to time constraints caused by time differences and schedule differences, and required interactivity. As a result, it is possible to perform asynchronous communication that allows deep consideration in the initial stage of the discussion, and to shift to synchronous communication as the discussion becomes active. In addition, record of discussion
Reproduction reduces the amount of time required for discussions, thereby reducing the time required for discussions.

(2) A plurality of discussions derived during the discussion and a plurality of high-priority discussions can be simultaneously participated in parallel. In addition, the compressed reproduction of the discussion saves the time required for the observation of the discussion, and can save the overall participation time for a plurality of participating discussions.

(3) Since a discussion can be derived from an arbitrary time in the past, when the discussion is closed, it can be restarted from the previous time. Also, the same discussion can be discussed in multiple aspects.

(4) With regard to the cooperative work such as document processing, design, and writing in the office, the work process is a work flow that is expressed in cooperation with a cooperative work space having a communication function released from time constraints. Can be managed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an example of a message playback / input switching procedure in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a parallel discussion management page according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a conference system attribute according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure of a user management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure of a discussion management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data structure of a message table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen of a parallel discussion management interface according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a user authentication dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a new user registration dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a discussion space interface screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an algorithm for reproducing a stored message according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a derivative discussion selection dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an input message confirmation dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an algorithm of processing on the client side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an algorithm of processing on the client side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an algorithm of processing on the client side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an algorithm of processing on the client side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a new discussion registration dialog box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a due date alarm screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an algorithm of a discussion flow management according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an input message automatic capturing algorithm according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a workflow table and a document type name table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a workflow management interface screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a flow definition dialog box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a view showing a document type definition dialog box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a cooperative work space interface screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... server, 11 ... HTTP server, 12
... RPC mechanism, 13 ... disk device, 131
... applet storage area, 132 ... discussion space state storage area, 133 ... message storage area, 14.
..Electronic conference system server 141: Discussion space management mechanism 142: Message receiving mechanism 143
... Message delivery mechanism, 144 ... Message data management mechanism, 2 ... Client, 21 ... W
old Wide Web browser, 22: microphone, 23: camera, 24: speaker, 25
... audio / video data converter, 26 ... client applet, 261 ... parallel discussion management interface, 262 ... discussion space interface, 263
... Real-time message playback mechanism, 264 ... Message search / playback mechanism, 265 ... Message input / transmission mechanism, 3 ... Network, 31 ... Voice communication port, 32 ... RPC port

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04L 12/58 H04M 3/56 Z H04M 3/42 H04L 11/20 101B // H04M 3/56

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A semi-synchronous electronic conference device that stores a message in a storage device and reproduces the stored message to enable synchronous and asynchronous communication between a plurality of users. Message storing means for chronologically storing the received message based on the time information given to the message, stored message access means for retrieving a series of messages stored in the message storing means, and the retrieved series Stored message playback means for playing back the messages in a time-series and continuous manner; after the message playback by the stored message playback means is completed, receiving a distributed message and playing back the message in real time. Playback means; the stored message playback means or the While the message is being reproduced by the time message receiving / reproducing means, a message input means for receiving a message input from the user and adding time information synchronized with the message being reproduced to the message, And a message delivery means for delivering the message to another user via a network. 2. The semi-synchronous electronic conference device according to claim 1, wherein the stored message reproducing means, the real-time message receiving / reproducing means, and the message input means reproduce a message for each user. Further comprising a user operation history holding means for storing a history of the input operation, wherein the stored message playback means, the history of the message playback and input operation for each user held by the user operation history holding means and the current Synchronizing, wherein a message serving as a playback start point is specified based on the elapsed time, a series of messages stored in the message storage unit are taken out, and the message is played back in time series and continuously. Type electronic conference equipment. 3. The semi-synchronous conference device according to claim 2, wherein a user history for visually displaying a message reproduction / input operation history of each user held by said user operation history holding means. A semi-synchronous electronic conference device, further comprising a display unit. 4. The semi-synchronous conference device according to claim 1, wherein said stored message reproducing means compresses a series of messages taken out as a reproduction target in time. A semi-synchronous electronic conference device for reproducing. 5. The semi-synchronous conference device according to claim 1, wherein said stored message reproducing means determines whether said stored message is being reproduced when said reproduction of the stored message ends. A semi-synchronous electronic conferencing apparatus characterized in that the existence of a message newly input, distributed, and stored by another user is checked, and when a new message input exists, the message is reproduced. 6. The semi-synchronous conferencing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of times of reproduction of each message for each user is maintained for each message. Holding means, wherein the stored message playback means refers to the user message playback count holding means, and plays back a message with a large number of times played back in the past, and plays back a message with a small number of times played back at a low speed. A semi-synchronous electronic conference device, wherein the reproduction speed is adjusted so as to perform the reproduction. 7. The semi-synchronous conference device according to claim 1, wherein said input message temporary storage means for temporarily storing a message input by a user; Input message trial playback means for playing back the message held by the message temporary storage means in conjunction with the message stored by the message storage means; and wherein the message delivery means confirms the input message by a user. A re-input of the message held in the input message temporary storage means is permitted when re-input is required, and the input message is transmitted when re-input is not required. Conference equipment. 8. The semi-synchronous conference device according to claim 1, wherein a topic instructing derivation of a message stored in said message storage means into a new topic. When the derivation to a new topic is instructed by the topic derivation position designation means, a message storage area corresponding to the derivation topic is generated, and the derivation designated by the topic derivation position designation means is performed. Topic-specific message storage area generating means for setting a derivation relationship between a point and the new message storage area, wherein the message distribution means is configured to generate a topic-specific message storage area for each topic generated by the topic-specific message storage area generating means. A semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus characterized by storing messages sent via a network in a corresponding storage area in a time-series manner. 9. The semi-synchronous conference device according to claim 8, wherein the topic derivation position specifying means determines a plurality of derivation locations based on a derivation relationship set between a storage area corresponding to each topic and a derivation point. And a topic-specific discussion area providing means for providing a user with an operation area for conducting a discussion corresponding to the agenda, wherein A semi-synchronous electronic conference device characterized by the following. 10. The semi-synchronous conference device according to claim 8, wherein said stored message reproducing means selects a derivation relationship set by said topic derivation position specifying means when reproducing a stored message. A semi-synchronous electronic conference apparatus characterized by reproducing a message stored in a message storage area while following the target. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein:
In the semi-synchronous conference device according to the paragraph, further comprising a reference discussion range designation means for designating a reference start point and a reference end point of another discussion to be referred to, the message input means, the message input means when the message input A reference portion of another discussion specified by the discussion range designating unit is input in association with the input message, and the message distribution unit refers to another discussion associated with the input message input by the message input unit. Distributing the part to another user via a network, the message storage means stores a reference part of another argument transmitted together with the input message in association with the message, and the stored message reproducing means, The reference part of another argument stored by the message storage means is extracted at the time of playing the message, and Sage and semi-synchronous electronic conference system, characterized by simultaneously reproduced. 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein:
In the semi-synchronous conference device described in the paragraph, the derivation relationship between the upper discussion and the lower discussion entered by the user, the scheduled start date and time, the scheduled flow end date and time, the discussion flow setting storage means, and the user input Alternatively, discussion progress detection means for automatically detecting the progress of each discussion based on the history of message playback / input operations by each user held by the "user operation history setting means"; A flow operation definition setting unit that defines an operation to be started on the condition of the setting content held in the storage unit and the actual discussion progress detected by the discussion progress detection unit; and the flow operation definition setting unit. A flow operation definition holding unit for holding a specified definition, and a flow for sequentially collating conditions stored in the flow operation definition holding unit A semi-synchronous electronic conference, further comprising: operation condition collating means; and flow operation executing means for activating and executing an operation given to the flow definition whose condition is satisfied by the flow operation condition collating means. apparatus. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
The semi-synchronous conference device according to the item, further comprising a joint work space providing means for providing a virtual cooperative work space corresponding to each topic for a plurality of users to operate jointly, the message input means Inputs an operation performed on the collaborative work space in association with an input of a message, and the message distribution unit transmits the operation input on the collaborative work space by the message input unit to another user via a network. The message storage means stores the operation delivered together with the input message in association with the message, and the stored message playback means retrieves the operation associated with the message stored by the message storage means. To reproduce the operation on the cooperative work space in association with the reproduction of the message Semi-synchronous electronic conference system according to claim. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein
In the semi-synchronous conference device according to the above paragraph, the system comprises a plurality of computers connected via a network, each computer comprising the stored message reproducing means, the real-time message receiving / reproducing means, and the message input means. A semi-synchronous electronic conference device having a communication function between remote locations based on server-client type control via a network. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
3. The semi-synchronous conference device according to item 1, comprising a plurality of computers connected via a network, wherein each computer has the message storage unit, the stored message access unit, the stored message reproducing unit, and the real-time message reception. -It is provided with reproduction means, the message input means, and the message distribution means, wherein the message storage means stores messages distributed from another computer via a network in a time-series manner. Semi-synchronous electronic conference device.