KR20090022532A - System and method for presenting presence information on collaboration system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and a system for displaying presence information by using an expected position in a collaboration system are provided to confirm the other user of the expected position of the user in an absence by registering the expected position of the user. A presence manager(502) is an element managing presence information. A message is comprised of the presence information including the location information based on the information stored in database. The information from a client(600) is stored in database. A map manager(504) manages the map information stored in database based on the information including the map addition/deletion/change from A client. The user information and map information are stored in database.

Description

Presence information display method and system in collaboration system {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PRESENCE INFORMATION ON COLLABORATION SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a method of displaying user information in a collaboration system, and more particularly, to a method of displaying a current location of an individual in collaboration and confirming a current location of another user.

The need for collaboration among departments or individuals within an enterprise or organization is increasing day by day. In the early days, collaboration was a simple form using a multi-party call or a wired / wireless transceiver such as a walkie-talkie.However, with the development of network technology and computing devices, the computer system of an enterprise is established as an integrated system under the Internet environment. As it became the foundation environment of information processing system, a collaborative system using it emerged.

These systems basically have a server / client structure and support tasks such as e-mail, text and voice / video chat, file sharing, etc., so that users of the collaboration system can perform various collaboration tasks such as sharing information and opinions with each other. To help.

However, such a collaboration system can only support collaboration when the user is working near a client device, such as a PC, and can simply indicate that he or she is absent and share information about the user's current location. There was no number. In addition, even when not absent, there was no collaboration system for sharing information about the location where the user is currently working.

In order to solve the problem of the existing collaboration system that the user's current location is not known when the user is absent, the present invention allows the user to register his / her expected location while the user is absent, thereby allowing other users to Provides a system and a configuration method for identifying the expected location.

The present invention includes the user's location information in the user presence information that can be shared among users in the existing collaboration system, thereby enabling the other user to confirm the expected location of the user who published the location information. . In one embodiment, the location information is displayed in a form in which the location is displayed on a map.

The collaboration system according to an embodiment of the present invention basically takes a server / client structure, and the server and the client communicate with each other using a wide area network such as the Internet or a local network such as an intranet.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, a method of displaying the presence information of a user in a collaboration system, transmitting the presence information including the location information input by the first client to the server, the transmitted presence Storing the information on the server, transmitting the stored presence information to the second client when the second client requests it, and displaying the location information of the presence information transmitted to the second client. Include.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system for displaying the user's presence information in the collaboration system, the server device consisting of a presence manager unit, map manager unit, database unit and communication interface unit, presence manager unit, map manager unit The client device includes a database unit, a communication interface unit, and a display unit. In the server device, the presence manager unit obtains the requested information from the database unit according to the location information request received through the communication interface unit and returns it to the client device, and the map manager unit adds and deletes the map received through the communication interface unit. Add or remove maps from the database as requested. In the client device, the presence manager unit displays the presence information received from the server through the communication interface unit to the user through the display unit, and the map manager unit manages map information stored in the database of the client device and transmits it through the communication interface unit. The displayed position information through the display unit.

According to the above embodiments, users of a collaboration system may recognize other users' current location or expected location, for example, as a particular symbol on a map.

Using the collaboration system according to the above embodiments, by providing the user's location information in addition to the presence information provided by the general collaboration program, it is possible to build a more active and efficient collaboration environment.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a block diagram of a server configuring a system for managing and displaying presence information in a collaboration system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, server 500 is largely comprised of four components. In detail, a presence manager 502 for managing presence information, a map manager 504 for managing a location map, database units 506a and 506b for storing user information and map information, and a client 510. ) Is configured as a communication interface unit 508 for communication.

The presence manager 502 is a component that manages the overall presence information. For example, the presence manager 502 messages the presence information including the location information based on the information stored in the database units 506a and 506b. ) Or stores information from the client in the database units 506a and 506b. The map manager 504 manages map information stored in the database units 506a and 506b based on information such as map addition / deletion / change from the client. Database information 506a and 506b stores user information and map information. The communication interface unit 508 is responsible for communication with the client, and links various message communication between the presence manager 502 or the map manager 504 and the client.

6 shows a structural block diagram of a client device 600 constituting a presence information system in a collaboration system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, client device 600 is largely comprised of four parts. In detail, a presence manager 602 managing presence information, a map manager 604 for location map management, a database unit 606 storing map information, and a communication interface unit 608 for communication with a server are included. . In addition, the client device 600 includes an input unit 610 for input processing and a display unit 612 for screen output processing.

The presence manager 602 is a component that performs comprehensive management of the presence information. For example, the presence manager 602 outputs the presence information transmitted from the server to the screen through the display unit 612. The map manager 604 manages map information stored in a local database of the client and outputs location information on the screen through the display unit 612 based on the location information transmitted through the communication interface 608. The database unit 606 stores map information and various user-related information. The communication interface unit 608 is a component that communicates with the server and associates the communication between the presence manager 602 and the map manager 604 with the server. The input unit 610 is a component that receives a user's input, and may be any input interface such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a tablet. The display unit 612 outputs information from the managers 602 and 604 to the screen.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the steps of the method for managing and displaying the presence information in the collaboration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying presence information in a collaboration system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, when a user requests location information of a specific user (step 802), when the communication interface unit 508 of the server 500 receives a location information request message of a specific user from the client 510 ( Step 804, the communication interface 508 reads the request message and requests the presence manager 502 for location information (step 806). The presence manager 502 receiving the request queries the database 506a for information about the request (step 808). If the information exists, the presence manager 502 obtains the information from the database 506a and delivers it to the communication interface 508 (step 810), which in turn communicates the client 510 to the client 510. (Step 812). If the information does not exist, a message indicating that the information does not exist is transmitted to the client 510 through the communication interface unit 508.

When the client receives the requested location information from the server (step 814), the client's communication interface 608 reads the received message and forwards it to the presence manager 602 (step 816). The presence manager 602 analyzes the received information and transmits the information to the map manager 604 when there is a user whose location information is registered (step 818). The map manager 604 obtains the corresponding information from the database 606 and transmits the information to the display unit 612 (step 820), and the display unit 612 displays the corresponding information (whether there is registered location information or actual location on the map). Etc.) are output to the screen (step 822).

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting and storing presence information in a collaboration system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 9, when the user transmits his location information storing message to the server, when the user of the client inputs the location information through the input unit 610 (step 902), the map manager 604 receives the location information. (Step 904) Transfer to communication interface 608 (step 906). The communication interface unit 608 transmits the information to the server (step 908).

When the communication interface unit 508 of the server 500 receives the location information storage request message from the client 510 (step 910), the communication interface unit 508 reads the request message to the presence manager 502. The location information is passed (step 912), and the presence manager 502 stores the location information in the database 506a (step 914). The presence manager 502 transmits the database recording result to the client 510 via the communication interface 508 (steps 916 to 918).

In one embodiment, the client may further include map manager functionality. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing map information including presence information in a collaboration system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, when the administrator transmits a location map add / change / delete message to the server using the client device, the server 500 requests to add / change / delete map information from the client 510. Is received (step 1002), the communication interface unit 508 reads the request message and delivers map information to the map manager 504 (step 1004), and the map manager 504 reads the database according to the request message. 506b) add / change the map or delete the existing map (step 1006). The map manager 504 transmits the database recording result to the client 510 through the communication interface unit 508 (steps 1008 to 1010).

In one embodiment, the location information is delivered to the server in the form of (x, y) coordinates. FIG. 7 shows an example of a map on which user location information X ', Y' is displayed. In other embodiments, location information may be conveyed and stored in other forms of information.

1 illustrates a screen showing presence information of a user in a collaboration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the screen displayed to the user includes basic information 102 such as whether a user logs in to a messenger, whether to use a phone, whether a webcam exists, or a screen name, as in a conventional collaboration client device or a messenger program. Can be displayed. In addition, information 106 such as call forwarding information and schedule presence of the user's telephone is also displayed. Here, location information 104 is activated, for example in the form of a button or icon, which is activated when the user has registered his or her location information according to the method and system of the present invention. Accordingly, when the user of the client device has registered his or her location information by a user who is collaborating with him or a user registered in his or her collaboration program, the user of the client device can confirm that the user's location information is activated in the collaboration program. By clicking the button (or icon) 104 displaying this, the location information of the user who registered the location information can be confirmed.

2 illustrates one embodiment of a map displaying location information of a user. Such a map is displayed when the above location information button (or icon) is clicked, and the location registered by the user is displayed on the map by a specific symbol, for example, a symbol such as ★. In addition, in addition to the user who wants to check the current location, when the user registered in the collaboration program of the user who is collaborating with the user who is using the collaboration program or who is using the collaboration program has registered his current location information, the user's location information The map may be displayed on a map, which may be displayed as a symbol different from the location information of the user who wants to check the original location, for example, a small ★ or ☆ symbol.

In one embodiment, the client device further includes an administrator function capable of managing the addition and deletion of the map, which map may be registered with the server by an administrator of the collaboration system. 3A illustrates one embodiment of an administrator screen for managing location maps. Registration, modification and deletion of the map may be limited to be possible only by the administrator. The administrator can register a map of the company building by floor or by another classification through an interface such as a corresponding screen. For example, in FIG. 3A, when the 'Add New Map' button 302 is clicked, a window for selecting a picture file of the map is activated as shown in FIG. 3B to register and register the map. The registered maps are displayed in the left 'Total Maps' area 308. The map registered immediately before or the map selected in the 'Total Maps' area is displayed in the map display area 305. When the 'Change Selected Map' button 304 is clicked, a window as shown in FIG. 3C is activated to replace the selected map with a new map. In addition, clicking the 'Delete Selected Map' button 306 may delete the currently selected map. In this case, when there is a user who has registered his or her location information on the map to be deleted, the user may go through a procedure of confirming with the administrator whether to delete the location information. In this manner, by allowing the administrator to register and delete the necessary map arbitrarily, the map capable of displaying the location information is not limited to a specific map set.

4 illustrates a user interface for a user to register their location according to an embodiment of the present invention. Select the category created by the administrator on the left and mark your location on the active map on the right. When the display is completed, click the 'Save My Location' button 402 to save the location information. By clicking on the 'Clear My Location' button 404, the registered own location information can be deleted. By clicking on the 'Display to' button 406, it is possible to designate a user group to publish his location information. For example, your location may be open to all system users, only to users registered in your collaboration program, or only to administrators. You can also publish your location information only to specific groups in your collaboration program. For a user who has disclosed his or her location information, even if the user is searching for the location information of another user, the location information of the user who has published his or her location information is mapped with different types of symbols as described above. Displayed on the screen.

The Registered Location item 408 is an area for storing frequently used location information so that it can be used immediately. For example, you can register location information using the 'Register Location' button (not shown), or save the location information using the 'Save My Location' button for later use. You can decide whether or not to register.

In one embodiment, a user may register his location information by designating a specific time zone and may automatically delete the location information when the time zone elapses.

In an embodiment, the user may designate one or more time zones, and store different location information in each time zone, and automatically display location information corresponding to the time zone according to the time zone.

Although the methods of the present invention have been described through specific embodiments, the methods may also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, which are also implemented in the form of carrier waves (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In addition, functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the above embodiments can be easily inferred by programmers in the art to which the present invention belongs.

The above embodiments have been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings to aid in understanding of the invention, but these are merely exemplary, and various modifications and equivalent forms of the embodiments may be obtained by those skilled in the art. I understand that it is possible. Therefore, the technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the appended claims.

1 is a diagram showing a screen showing the presence information of a user in a general collaboration program, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a screen showing presence information of a user in a general collaboration program according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

3A illustrates an administrator screen for managing location maps, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

3B-3C illustrate one embodiment of a location map management screen.

4 illustrates a user screen for a user to register a location, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a structural block diagram of a server for implementing the present invention.

6 is a structural block diagram of a client device for implementing the present invention.

7 is a view showing a position calculation method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for a client to receive location information from a server.

9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for a client to transmit its location information to a server.

10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for transmitting and managing map information on a server.

Claims (9)

A method of displaying the user's presence information in a collaboration system. Transmitting the presence information including the location information input by the first client to the server, Storing the transmitted presence information in the server; Transmitting the stored presence information to the second client when the second client requests it, and Extracting and displaying location information from the presence information sent to the second client; Including, presence information display method. The method of claim 1, Extracting and displaying location information from the presence information includes displaying the location information on a map indicating a region where a user is located. The method of claim 2, And the map is managed by an administrator. The method of claim 1, The location information is changeable according to a time zone. A server device for displaying the user's presence information in a collaboration system, Presence manager unit which manages presence information, A map manager that manages a location map, A database unit for storing user information and map information, and Communication interface unit for communication with client devices Wherein the presence manager unit obtains the requested information from the database unit according to the location information request received through the communication interface unit and returns the requested information to the client device, wherein the map manager unit receives the map received from the client device through the communication interface unit. A server device that adds or deletes a map from a database in response to an add or delete request. A client device for displaying a user's presence information in a collaboration system, Presence manager unit which manages presence information, A map manager for managing location maps, A database unit for storing map information, A communication interface unit for communication with a server device, and Display part Wherein the presence manager unit displays the presence information received from the server through the communication interface unit to the user through the display unit, and the map manager unit manages map information stored in the database of the client device and transmits the information through the communication interface unit. Client device for displaying the displayed position information on the display unit System comprising a. A system for displaying the user's presence information in the collaboration system, Presence manager unit which manages presence information, A map manager that manages a location map, A database unit for storing user information and map information, and Communication interface unit for communication with client devices Wherein the presence manager unit obtains the requested information from the database unit according to the location information request received through the communication interface unit and returns the requested information to the client device, wherein the map manager unit receives the map received from the client device through the communication interface unit. A server device that adds or deletes a map from the database in response to addition and deletion requests, Presence manager unit which manages presence information, A map manager for managing location maps, A database unit for storing map information, A communication interface unit for communication with a server device, and Display part Wherein the presence manager unit displays the presence information received from the server through the communication interface unit to the user through the display unit, and the map manager unit manages map information stored in the database of the client device and transmits the information through the communication interface unit. Device displaying the displayed location information through the display unit System comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein And the location information is changeable according to a time zone. A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions for carrying out the method of claim 1.

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