Conference support system, conference support method, and computer program

Abstract

To make it possible to improve the efficiency of a conference.SOLUTION: A conference support system 1 for supporting a conference according to a preset agenda, comprises: agenda information acquisition means 30 for acquiring agenda information indicating the agenda from a terminal 100 operated by a participant of the conference before the conference starts; and screen generating means 40 for generating a conference screen including a minutes input field which can be displayed on the terminal 100 in a predetermined format and in which participants can input minutes during the conference. The screen generating means 40 is characterized in that it arrays the agendas in the minutes input field based on the agenda information, and arranges the minutes input field for receiving input of minutes for each agenda.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conference support system, a conference support method, and a computer program for supporting a conference according to a preset agenda. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when a meeting is held, minutes that record the contents of the meeting are created. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a meeting support system that supports the management of meetings in an organization, which includes an image recognition unit that recognizes images related to each attendee from video data acquired by a video conference device using image recognition technology, a voice recognition unit that acquires voice data of each attendee using the video conference device, compares the voice data with preregistered voice feature information of each attendee, and identifies the speaker of each statement in the voice data based on the information on the movements of each attendee acquired by the image recognition unit, a timeline management unit that outputs the voice data of each attendee acquired by the voice recognition unit as a timeline in chronological order of statements, and a summary generation unit that summarizes the contents of the timeline using natural language processing to acquire minutes, and records them in the minutes recording unit in association with information related to the target meeting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-61594 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, some meetings are held without a set agenda, even if the purpose of the meeting has been decided. In such a situation, participants are unclear about the purpose of the meeting (specific matters to be discussed or decided, etc.), which leads to an increase in comments unrelated to the agenda, and the meeting ends up with nothing being decided and time just passing by, reducing the efficiency of the meeting.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a conference support system, a conference support method, and a computer program capable of improving the efficiency of a conference. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A meeting support system that supports a meeting according to a pre-set agenda, an agenda information acquisition means for acquiring agenda information indicating the agenda from a terminal operated by a participant of the conference before the conference starts; a conference screen generating means for generating a conference screen in a predetermined format that can be displayed on the terminal and includes a minutes input field in which participants can input minutes during the conference; The conference support system is characterized in that the conference screen generating means arranges the agenda in the minutes input field based on the agenda information, and places a minutes input field for accepting input of minutes for each agenda.

[0007] In the invention (1), a meeting support system for supporting a meeting according to a preset agenda includes an agenda information acquisition means and a meeting screen generation means. The agenda information acquiring means acquires agenda information indicating the agenda from a terminal operated by a participant of the conference before the conference starts. The conference screen generating means generates a conference screen in a predetermined format that can be displayed on a terminal and includes a minutes input field in which participants can input minutes (for example, matters to be discussed, etc.) during the conference. The conference screen generating means then arranges the agenda in the minutes input field based on the agenda information, and arranges a minutes input field for receiving input of minutes for each agenda.

[0008] According to the invention of (1), the agenda obtained before the start of the meeting is arranged in the minutes input field, and the minutes are input for each agenda, so that it is possible to reduce remarks unrelated to the meeting and to proceed with the meeting according to the agenda. Also, since the agenda is arranged in advance in the minutes of a specified format, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of re-entering the agenda when creating the minutes. Therefore, it is possible to provide a meeting support system that can improve the efficiency of meetings.

[0009] (2) The conference support system described in (1) is characterized in that the conference screen generation means indicates, for each inputted agenda item in the minutes input field, the processing for the contents indicated by the agenda item, and arranges a processing selection field corresponding to the agenda item from which a user (e.g., a conference participant or an operator of the conference support system) can select processing information including at least decisions and / or future tasks.

[0010] According to the invention of (2), by providing a processing selection field for deciding whether each agenda item entered by the participant is a decision or a future task, it is possible to encourage the participant to be conscious of whether their remarks are proposals for a decision or proposals for future tasks, etc. This makes it possible to prevent participants' remarks from being taken off the agenda and the efficiency of the meeting from decreasing.

[0011] (3) The conference support system described in (2) is characterized in that the conference screen generating means generates the conference screen including a decision list in which the decision items selected in the processing selection column are placed, and a task list in which the tasks selected in the processing selection column are placed.

[0012] According to the invention of (3), the decisions and tasks selected in a meeting are automatically displayed in a list, which reduces the workload after the meeting compared to, for example, a case where the meeting participants select the decisions and tasks from the minutes and organize them. Also, by organizing the decisions and tasks decided in the meeting in a list, the post-meeting policy and tasks become clear for the meeting participants, which makes work smoother and prevents oversight of work.

[0013] (4) A method executed by a conference support system that supports a conference according to a preset agenda, comprising the steps of: acquiring, from a terminal operated by a participant of the conference, agenda information indicating the agenda before the conference starts; generating a conference screen in a predetermined format that can be displayed on the terminal and includes a minutes input field in which participants can input minutes during the conference; A meeting support method comprising: arranging the agenda in the minutes input field based on the agenda information; and arranging a minutes input field for receiving input of minutes for each agenda.

[0014] (5) A meeting support system that supports meetings according to a pre-set agenda, an agenda information acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal operated by a participant of the conference, agenda information indicating the agenda before the conference starts; a conference screen generating means for generating a conference screen in a predetermined format that can be displayed on the terminal and includes a minutes input field in which participants can input minutes during the conference; The computer program product according to the present invention, wherein the conference screen generating means arranges the agenda in the minutes input field based on the agenda information, and arranges a minutes input field for receiving input of minutes for each agenda.

[0015] The inventions (4) and (5) have the same effects as the invention (1). Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a conference support system, a conference support method, and a program that can improve the efficiency of a conference. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an application example of a conference support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a conference support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a conference registration screen in the conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a conference screen in the conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged view of the minutes input field on the conference screen shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is an enlarged view of a decision information field on the conference screen shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 5 is an enlarged view of a basic information section of the conference screen shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a conference screen generation process flow as an example of conference support processing executed by the conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a minutes generation process, which is an example of a meeting support process executed by the meeting support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, the same elements are designated by the same numbers or symbols throughout the description of the embodiment.

[0019] (Basic concept / basic configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an application example of a conference support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The conference support system 1 supports a conference according to a preset agenda. The conference support system 1 is connected to a plurality of terminals 100 operated by conference participants (participants A to D in the example shown in FIG. 1) via a network. The conference support system 1 generates a conference screen and transmits the generated conference screen to the terminal 100. The terminal 100 is composed of, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like, and displays the conference screen on a display means such as a display based on the operation of the participants.

[0020] The conference support system 1 provides a conference screen that supports the improvement (correction) of the conference operation itself. Specifically, the conference support system 1 enables support for the following points in the conference operation.

[0021] A) Decide the agenda and goal of the meeting before going into the meeting. By deciding the agenda and goal in advance, all participants can share the purpose of the meeting and what will be discussed, which prevents the discussion from straying from the agenda and goal, leading to more meaningful meeting operations.

[0022] B) Decide who will be in charge of the meeting before starting the meeting. By clearly defining who will be the meeting moderator and who will take notes, and by starting the meeting with clearly defined roles, you can prevent roles from being handed over to others and lead to more meaningful meetings.

[0023] C) Even for simple meetings, record only the main points Even in short meetings, by simply recording what was decided and which participants were assigned tasks, participants can avoid the process of having to recall the contents of the previous meeting at the next meeting, making meetings more efficient.

[0024] D) Tasks are decided by who and by when. By assigning a person to a task and setting a deadline for the task that is decided upon during the meeting, the likelihood of the task being completed can be increased, accelerating progress on the project or theme.

[0025] E) Conduct wrap-up and distribute meeting minutes as soon as the meeting is over. By conducting a wrap-up (summary and review of the meeting) to review the discussion content, decisions, and tasks, all participants can review the decisions and increase the likelihood that tasks will be carried out, thereby promoting progress on projects and topics.

[0026] (Functional configuration) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The conference support system 1 comprises a conference information acquisition means 10, a participant setting means 20, an agenda information acquisition means 30, a screen generation means 40, a minutes reception means 50, a minutes processing means 60, a participant evaluation means 70, and a memory means 5, and supports conferences in accordance with a pre-set agenda by connecting multiple terminals 100 via a network.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a conference registration screen in the conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen generating means 40 reads out, from the storage means 5, conference registration screen data for displaying a conference registration screen on the terminal 100, based on an operation of a user (e.g., a conference participant or an operator of the conference support system) on the terminal 100. As a result, the conference registration screen is displayed on the display means of the terminal 100.

[0028] The conference registration screen includes a plurality of conference registration items and an input field for each of the plurality of conference registration items, into which information related to each conference registration item can be input based on a user's operation. The conference items include conference information, participant information, and agenda information.

[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the conference information includes information indicating the "conference name," "conference date and time," "goal of the conference," "venue," "web conference URL," "materials to be used in the conference," and the like.

[0030] In this embodiment, the "goal of the meeting" is information that indicates what the meeting (the meeting registered on the meeting registration screen) is for and what will be discussed, and is information that prevents the discussion from going off the rails and promotes meaningful meeting management.

[0031] The "conference date and time" may be information indicating a single date and time, or if the conference is to be held periodically, the conference interval or the day of the week may be configurable.

[0032] The "materials to be used in the main conference" may be data for displaying the materials on the terminal 100, or may be link information (such as a URL) that enables participants to access the data.

[0033] 3, the participant information includes information indicating participants who will be "participating members" and information indicating which of the participants will be the "facilitator" and "minutes taker" of the main meeting. That is, in the meeting support system 1, when setting up the main meeting (before the main meeting is held), the person who will lead the meeting ("facilitator") and the "minutes taker" who will take notes are clearly decided, and the main meeting can be started with the roles in the main meeting clearly defined, preventing any handover of roles ("facilitator", "minutes taker") and enabling the meeting to be run meaningfully.

[0034] 3, the agenda information is text data, and is information indicating the agenda to be discussed by the participants in the main conference. In the conference registration screen in this embodiment, multiple agendas ("1) Patent application", "2) Trademark application", "3) Schedule", and "4) Other" shown in FIG. 3) can be input in the agenda information input field.

[0035] Then, for example, when a user operates a "Register a conference" button, the conference support system 1 stores each piece of information on the conference items in the storage means 5 by the following means.

[0036] Returning to FIG. 2, the conference information acquiring means 10 acquires conference information input based on a user's operation on the conference registration screen (see FIG. 3), generates conference data including the conference information, and stores the data in the storage means 5.

[0037] The participant setting means 20 acquires, as participant information, information indicating the participants who will be the "participating members" entered based on user operation on the conference registration screen (see Figure 3) and information indicating which of the participants will be the "facilitator" and "minutes taker" of the main conference, and associates the participant information with the conference information in the conference data generated by the conference information acquisition means 10 and stores the participant information in the storage means 5.

[0038] The agenda information acquiring means 30 acquires agenda information (e.g., the four agendas shown in FIG. 3) input based on a user's operation on the conference registration screen (see FIG. 3), associates the agenda information with the conference information in the conference data generated by the conference information acquiring means 10, and stores the associated agenda information in the storage means 5. That is, the agenda information acquiring means 30 acquires agenda information indicating the agenda from the terminal 100 operated by the conference participant before the start of the conference (when the conference is registered on the conference registration screen) before the start of the conference.

[0039] In addition, when a specified character (e.g., a slash or a specified control character such as a line feed symbol) is included in the text data entered in the agenda information input field on the conference registration screen, the agenda information acquisition means 30 acquires the character string before the specified character and the character string after the specified character as different agendas.

[0040] Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 3, if a user enters "1) patent application" in the agenda information input field and then, for example, operates the line feed button, enters "2) trademark application" and then operates the line feed button, enters "3) schedule" and then operates the line feed button, enters "4) other" and then operates the line feed button, the agenda information acquisition means 30 acquires four agendas ("1) patent application," "2) trademark application," "3) schedule," and "4) other") as agenda information.

[0041] Returning to Fig. 2, screen generation means 40 is an example of a conference screen generation means, and generates a conference screen in a predetermined format that can be displayed on terminal 100 and includes a minutes input field in which participants can input minutes during the conference. In detail, screen generation means 40 reads a conference screen base that is the basis of the conference screen and conference data from storage means 5 based on the operation of a user (e.g., a participant of the conference or an operator of the conference support system) on terminal 100, and generates a conference screen in which conference information, participant information, and agenda information included in the conference data are arranged in predetermined positions on the read conference screen base. As a result, the conference screen is displayed on display means of terminal 100.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a conference screen in the conference support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The meeting screen is arranged with a basic information column in which basic information about the meeting is arranged, a decided information column in which information decided in the meeting is arranged in a list, a minutes input column in which the minutes of the meeting can be entered, and an additional information column in which additional information such as notes can be entered separately from the minutes.

[0043] The screen generating means 40 arranges the conference information and participant information in the basic information field on the conference screen, and arranges the agenda information in the minutes input field.

[0044] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the minutes input field on the conference screen shown in FIG. 3 in the agenda information input field of the conference registration screen, the screen generating means 40 arranges the agendas (in the example shown in FIG. 5, "1) Patent application", "2) Trademark application", "3) Schedule", and "4) Others") in the minutes input field based on the agenda information, and arranges the minutes input field (the part surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 5) for accepting input of minutes for each agenda. Note that the screen generating means 40 may arrange "wrap-up" as the last agenda item in addition to the agenda based on the agenda information.

[0045] Returning to Fig. 2, the minutes receiving means 50 receives text data input into the minutes input field for each agenda on the conference screen by the user's operation of the terminal 100 as minutes information indicating the minutes, associates the minutes information with the agenda information of the agenda in the conference data, and stores the minutes information in the storage means 5. Note that the minutes receiving means 50 may only receive input from the terminal 100 of a participant who is set as "minutes taker" in the minutes input field.

[0046] Furthermore, when a meeting is input into the minutes input field by the user's operation of the terminal 100, the screen generating means 40 arranges, for each meeting, a processing selection field (encircled by dotted lines in FIG. 5) in which the user can select processing information including at least a decision item and / or a future task, in association with the meeting. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the processing selection field includes processing information selected when the content indicated by the meeting is to be a decision item (icon with a check mark surrounded by a circle in FIG. 5), processing information selected when the content indicated by the meeting is to be a task (icon with a check mark surrounded by a square in FIG. 5), and processing information selected when the content indicated by the meeting is to be highlighted (icon resembling a pen tip in FIG. 5).

[0047] When the minutes receiving means 50 receives a specified character (for example, a specified control character such as a slash or a line break symbol) in the minutes input field, it determines that the string entered after the specified character is a different piece of minutes from the string of characters before the specified character, and receives it as a different piece of minutes.

[0048] Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 5, if the user inputs "Prior art search" in the minutes input field of the agenda ("1) Patent application") and then, for example, operates the line feed button and inputs "Draft patent application policy", the minutes receiving means 50 determines that "Prior art search" and "Draft patent application policy" are separate agenda items and receives them as separate agenda items.

[0049] Furthermore, when the minutes receiving means 50 receives a new separate minutes in the minutes input field, the screen generating means 40 places a process selection field (the area surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 5) in association with the separate article.

[0050] Furthermore, the minutes receiving means 50 receives text data input by the user operating the terminal 100 as additional information in the additional information column (see FIG. 4), associates the additional information with the participant information of the user who input it in the conference data, and stores the associated information in the storage means 5. Note that the minutes receiving means 50 may receive input from the terminals 100 of all participants in the additional information column. This allows other participants to input matters they wish to include in the minutes as additional information in the additional information column, when input to the minutes input column is limited to the participant set as "minutes manager."

[0051] Furthermore, when additional information is input in the additional information field by the user operating the terminal 100, the screen generating means 40 arranges the additional information in association with the participant information of the user who input the additional information. The additional information is also arranged in the minutes data described later in association with the participant information of the user who input the additional information.

[0052] When a user operates the terminal 100 to select processing information (an icon with a check mark in a circle in FIG. 5) in which the content indicated by the minutes is a decided item in the processing selection field of the minutes input field, the minutes processing means 60 associates the minutes information as a decided item in the conference data with the conference information and stores it in the storage means 5. Also, when a user operates the terminal 100 to select processing information (an icon with a check mark in a square in FIG. 5) in which the content indicated by the minutes is a task in the processing selection field of the minutes input field, the minutes processing means 60 associates the minutes information as a task in the conference data with the conference information and stores it in the storage means 5.

[0053] When processing information in which the content indicated by the minutes information is a task is selected in the processing selection field by the user's operation of the terminal 100, the screen generating means 40 may place an auxiliary display for setting the participant in charge of the task and the deadline for the task in the minutes input field. In this case, the minutes processing means 60 stores in the storage means 5 the participant information indicating the participant in charge of the task and the deadline information indicating the deadline selected by the user in the auxiliary display in association with the task in the conference data.

[0054] Furthermore, the screen generating means 40 may place agenda addition information for adding an agenda (the "+Add Agenda" button in FIG. 5) and agenda deletion information for deleting an agenda (the "X" button in FIG. 5) in the minutes input field. For example, when the agenda addition information is operated by the user's operation of the terminal 100, the screen generating means 40 generates an agenda input field for accepting a new agenda and a minutes input field associated with the agenda input field, and places them in the minutes input field. Furthermore, when text data is entered in the agenda input field by the user's operation of the terminal 100, the agenda information acquiring means 30 acquires the text data as new agenda information, associates the new agenda information with the meeting information, and stores it in the storage means 5. Also, for example, when the agenda deletion information is operated by the user's operation of the terminal 100, the screen generating means 40 deletes the agenda information associated with the agenda deletion information and the minutes input field associated with the agenda information in the minutes input field. In this case, the conference support system 1 deletes the agenda information and the minutes information from the conference data stored in the storage means 5.

[0055] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the decision information column on the conference screen shown in FIG. The screen generating means 40 generates a decision information field including a decision item list in which the decision item selected in the process selection field is arranged, and a task list in which the task selected in the process selection field is arranged.

[0056] In detail, the screen generating means 40 refers to the conference data stored in the storage means 5, arranges the agenda information included in the conference data in the list of decided items in the decided information column, and arranges the minutes information associated with the conference information as a decided item in the conference data for each arranged agenda information. That is, the screen generating means 40 transcribes the minutes inputted in the minutes input column and set as a decided item by the user (minutes information for which processing information selected when setting as a decided item is selected) into the list of decided items in the decided information column.

[0057] Furthermore, the screen generating means 40 refers to the conference data stored in the storage means 5, arranges the minutes information associated with the conference information as a task in the conference data, in the task list in the determined information column, and arranges the participant information and deadline information for each piece of minutes information that becomes the task. That is, the screen generating means 40 transcribes the minutes that are input in the minutes input column and set as a task by the user (minutes information for which processing information selected when setting as a task is selected) into the task list in the determined information column, and arranges the participants (participant information: in the example shown in FIG. 6, information indicating the names of the participants) and deadlines (deadline information: in the example shown in FIG. 6, information indicating the date and time) selected in the auxiliary display in association with each piece of minutes that becomes a task.

[0058] Returning to Figure 4, the screen generation means 40 may place minutes output information on the conference screen (in the example shown in Figure 4, a ``Register minutes'' button) that enables the contents of the conference screen to be output as minutes data by the user operating the terminal 100.

[0059] Returning to Fig. 2, when the minutes output information is operated on the conference screen by the user's operation of the terminal 100, the minutes processing means 60 refers to the conference data stored in the storage means 5, and outputs minutes data obtained by converting the contents of the conference screen (basic information field, decision information field, minutes input field, and additional information field) into a predetermined format (for example, a file format of a general-purpose application, etc.). Specifically, when the minutes output information (the "Register minutes" button in the example shown in Fig. 4) is operated by the user's terminal 100, the minutes processing means 60 outputs the minutes data.

[0060] The screen generating means 40 may arrange approval information (e.g., an icon that the user can operate via the terminal 100) on the conference screen, which is associated with participant information indicating the participants of the conference and is operated by each participant when approving the contents of the minutes input field. In this case, when the approval information is operated by a participant, the screen generating means 40 may change the approval information associated with the participant information indicating the participant to a form indicating that the contents of the minutes input field have been approved. Furthermore, when approval is obtained from all participants (when all participants have operated the approval information), the screen generating means 40 may make the minutes output information that can be output as minutes data operable.

[0061] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the basic information section of the conference screen shown in FIG. The screen generating means 40 arranges the conference information and participant information in the basic information field. In addition, the screen generation means 40 arranges in the basic information column the participant information of the participant who will be the "facilitator" and the participant information of the participant who will be the "minutes taker" based on information indicating which participant among the participants included in the participant information will be the "facilitator" and the "minutes taker" of the main meeting.

[0062] In addition, the screen generation means 40 may place evaluation information (in the example shown in Figure 7, a thumbs up hand icon) that the user can operate on the terminal 100 in the basic information column, corresponding to the participant information of the participant who is in charge of the role of "facilitator" and the participant information of the participant who is in charge of the role of "minutes taker."

[0063] Returning to Fig. 2, when the evaluation information is operated in the basic information column by the user operating the terminal 100, the participant evaluation means 70 counts the number of times the evaluation information is operated for each of the participant information of the participant who was in charge of "facilitator" and the participant information of the participant who was in charge of "minutes taker", and stores the counted number in the storage means 5. The screen generation means 40 arranges evaluation result information indicating the number counted by the participant evaluation means 70 (circled numbers in Fig. 7) in the basic information column in association with the participant information of the participant who was in charge of "facilitator" and the participant information of the participant who was in charge of "minutes taker", respectively.

[0064] The above-mentioned functional configuration of the present system is merely an example, and one functional block (database and function processing unit) may be divided, or multiple functional blocks may be combined into one functional block. Each functional processing unit is realized by a computer program executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) built into the device or terminal, which reads out a computer program (e.g., a core software or an application that causes the CPU to execute the above-mentioned various processes) stored in a storage device (storage means) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a hard disk. That is, each functional processing unit is realized by the computer program reading and writing necessary data such as a table from a database (DB; Data Base) stored in the storage device or a storage area on the memory, and, in some cases, controlling related hardware (e.g., an input / output device, a display device, a communication interface device). In addition, the database (DB) in the embodiment of the present invention may be a commercial database, but it also means a simple collection of tables and files, and the internal structure of the database itself is not important.

[0065] (Processing flow) 8 is a diagram showing a conference screen generation process flow, which is an example of conference support processing executed by the conference support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The conference screen generation process is processing executed by the conference support system 1 based on a user's operation on the terminal 100 in the preparation stage of the conference (before the conference).

[0066] In step S1, the screen generating means 40 reads out, from the storage means 5, conference registration screen data for displaying a conference registration screen on the terminal 100, based on an operation of a user (e.g., a conference participant or an operator of the conference support system) on the terminal 100. As a result, the conference registration screen (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the display means of the terminal 100.

[0067] In step S2, the conference information acquisition means 10 acquires the conference information input based on the user's operation on the conference registration screen (see Figure 3) read by the screen generation means 40 in step S1, generates conference data including the conference information, and stores it in the memory means 5.

[0068] In step S3, the participant setting means 20 acquires, as participant information, information indicating the participants who will be the "participating members" entered based on the user's operation on the conference registration screen (see Figure 3) read by the screen generation means 40 in step S1, and information indicating which of the participants will be the "facilitator" and "minutes taker" of the main conference, and associates the participant information with the conference information in the conference data generated by the conference information acquisition means 10, and stores the participant information in the storage means 5.

[0069] In step S4, the agenda information acquisition means 30 acquires the agenda information entered based on the user's operation on the conference registration screen (see Figure 3) read by the screen generation means 40 in step S1, and associates the agenda information with the conference information in the conference data generated by the conference information acquisition means 10 in step S2, and stores the same in the storage means 5.

[0070] In step S5, the screen generating means 40 reads from the storage means 5 the conference screen base that forms the basis of the conference screen and the conference data generated by the conference information acquiring means 10 in step S2, and generates a conference screen (see Figure 4) in which the conference information acquired by the conference information acquiring means 10 in step S2, the participant information acquired by the participant setting means 20 in step S3, and the agenda information acquired by the agenda information acquiring means 30 in step S4, which are contained in the conference data, are placed at specified positions in the read conference screen base.

[0071] The conference support system 1 causes the terminal 100 to display the conference screen (see FIG. 4) generated in the conference screen generation process, based on a user's operation on the terminal 100.

[0072] 9 is a diagram showing a flow of a minutes-of-meeting generation process, which is an example of a meeting support process executed by the meeting support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The minutes-of-meeting generation process is a process executed by the meeting support system 1 based on a user's operation on the terminal 100 during a meeting, for example.

[0073] In step S11, the conference support system 1 displays the conference screen (see FIG. 4) generated by the conference screen generation process (see FIG. 8) on the terminal 100 based on a user operation on the terminal 100. The conference support system 1 accepts a user operation (e.g., input of minutes, etc.) on the conference screen and executes the following process.

[0074] In step S12, the minutes receiving means 50 receives text data input in the minutes input field for each agenda on the conference screen (see FIG. 4) by operation of the user's terminal 100 as minutes information indicating the minutes, associates the minutes information with the agenda information of the agenda in the conference data, and stores the associated information in the storage means 5. Also, in this step, the minutes receiving means 50 receives text data input in the additional information field (see FIG. 4) by operation of the user's terminal 100 as additional information, associates the associated additional information with the participant information of the user who input it, and stores the associated information in the storage means 5.

[0075] In step S13, when processing information (for example, an icon with a check mark in a circle in FIG. 5) in which the content indicated by the minutes received by the minutes receiving means 50 in step S12 is set as a decided item in the processing selection field of the minutes input field is selected by the user's operation of the terminal 100, the minutes processing means 60 associates the minutes information as a decided item in the conference data with the conference information and stores it in the storage means 5. Also, when processing information (for example, an icon with a check mark in a square in FIG. 5) in which the content indicated by the minutes is set as a task in the processing selection field of the minutes input field received by the minutes receiving means 50 in step S12 is selected by the user's operation of the terminal 100, the minutes processing means 60 associates the minutes information as a task in the conference data with the conference information and stores it in the storage means 5.

[0076] Also, in this step, the screen generating means 40 refers to the conference data stored in the storage means 5 in the list of decisions in the decision information column (see FIG. 6), arranges the agenda information included in the conference data, and arranges, for each arranged agenda information, the minutes information associated with the conference information in the conference data as a decision item. Also, in this step, the screen generating means 40 refers to the conference data stored in the storage means 5 in the task list in the decision information column (see FIG. 6), arranges the minutes information associated with the conference information in the conference data as a task, and arranges the participant information and the deadline information for each piece of minutes information that is a task.

[0077] In step S14, when the evaluation information (for example, the thumbs-up hand icon in FIG. 7) is operated by the user operating the terminal 100 in the basic information column (see FIG. 7), the participant evaluation means 70 counts the number of times the evaluation information is operated for each of the participant information of the participant who was in charge of the role of "facilitator" and the participant information of the participant who was in charge of the role of "minutes taker," and stores the counted number in the memory means 5.

[0078] Also, in this step, the screen generation means 40 places evaluation result information indicating the number counted by the participant evaluation means 70 (for example, the circled numbers in Figure 7) in the basic information column (see Figure 7) in correspondence with the participant information of the participant in charge of the role of "facilitator" and the participant information of the participant in charge of the role of "minutes taker," respectively.

[0079] In step S15, when the minutes output information is operated on the conference screen by the user operating the terminal 100, the minutes processing means 60 refers to the conference data stored in the storage means 5 and outputs the contents of the conference screen (basic information column, decision information column, minutes input column and additional information column) as minutes data converted into a specified format.

[0080] According to such a meeting support system 1, the agenda acquired before the start of the meeting is arranged in the minutes input field, and the minutes are input for each agenda, so that it is possible to reduce remarks unrelated to the meeting and to proceed with the meeting according to the agenda. Also, since the agenda is arranged in advance in the minutes of a specified format, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of re-entering the agenda when creating the minutes. Therefore, it is possible to provide a meeting support system that can improve the efficiency of meetings.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the conference support system 1, by providing a processing selection field for determining whether each agenda item entered by the participant is a decision or a future task, it is possible to encourage the participant to be conscious of whether their remarks are proposals for a decision or proposals for future tasks, etc. This makes it possible to prevent participants' remarks from being taken off the agenda and the efficiency of the conference from decreasing.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the conference support system 1, the decisions and tasks selected in the conference are automatically displayed in a list, which reduces the workload after the conference compared to, for example, a case where the conference participants select the decisions and tasks from the minutes and organize them. Also, by organizing the decisions and tasks decided in the conference in a list, the post-conference policy and tasks become clear, work can be done smoothly, and oversight of work can be prevented.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modifications or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. In the above embodiments, the present invention has been described as a conference support system as an invention of a product, but it can also be considered as an invention of a method executed by the conference support system in the present invention, or a program that causes the conference support system to function as various parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Meeting support system 5 Memory means 10. Means of acquiring meeting information 20 Participant setting means 30 Means of obtaining agenda information 40 Screen generation means 50 Means of receipt of minutes 60 Means of Proceedings 70 Participant Evaluation Instruments 100 devices

Claims

1. A meeting support system that supports a meeting according to a preset agenda, an agenda information acquisition means for acquiring agenda information indicating the agenda from a terminal operated by a participant of the conference before the conference starts; a conference screen generating means for generating a conference screen in a predetermined format that can be displayed on the terminal and includes a minutes input field in which participants can input minutes during the conference; The conference support system is characterized in that the conference screen generating means arranges the agenda in the minutes input field based on the agenda information, and places a minutes input field for accepting input of minutes for each agenda.

2. The conference support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the conference screen generating means indicates, for each inputted agenda item in the minutes input field, the processing for the contents indicated by the agenda item, and arranges a processing selection field in which the user can select processing information including at least decisions and / or future tasks, in correspondence with the agenda item.

3. The conference support system according to claim 2, characterized in that the conference screen generating means generates the conference screen including a decision item list in which the decision item selected in the processing selection column is placed, and a task list in which the task selected in the processing selection column is placed.

4. A method executed by a conference support system that supports a conference according to a pre-set agenda, comprising: acquiring, from a terminal operated by a participant of the conference, agenda information indicating the agenda before the conference starts; generating a conference screen in a predetermined format that can be displayed on the terminal and includes a minutes input field in which participants can input minutes during the conference; A meeting support method comprising: arranging the agenda in the minutes input field based on the agenda information; and arranging a minutes input field for receiving input of minutes for each agenda.

5. A meeting support system that supports meetings according to a pre-set agenda. an agenda information acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal operated by a participant of the conference, agenda information indicating the agenda before the conference starts; a conference screen generating means for generating a conference screen in a predetermined format that can be displayed on the terminal and includes a minutes input field in which participants can input minutes during the conference; The computer program product according to the present invention, wherein the conference screen generating means arranges the agenda in the minutes input field based on the agenda information, and arranges a minutes input field for receiving input of minutes for each agenda.

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