Terminal, method, and system for processing information

Abstract

To provide a terminal, a program, a content-sharing method, and an information-processing system capable of displaying relevant content according to an operator of the terminal.SOLUTION: A terminal that shares display of a target content with another terminal includes a target content display unit that displays the target content so as to be shared with the other terminal on the basis of information transmitted from the other terminal, a function determination unit that determines a function of the own device, and a relevant content display unit that acquires and displays a relevant content corresponding to the determined function of the own device from a storage location of the relevant content corresponding to the determined function of the own device on the basis of a display command of the relevant content associated with the target content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, a program, a content sharing method, and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an electronic conference system in which a questionnaire completed by a presenter's information processing terminal is distributed to information processing terminals of audience members, and the audience members answer the questionnaire from their information processing terminals.

[0003] To enable presenters at meetings or presentations to freely distribute questionnaires at appropriate times, an information processing device has been known which includes a storage means for storing materials to be presented to the audience, a setting means for accepting settings for the timing of distribution of a questionnaire associated with any part of the materials, a determination means for determining when the set distribution timing has arrived as the presenter progresses with the materials, a distribution means for distributing the corresponding questionnaire when the distribution timing arrives, and a response means for accepting responses to the questionnaire (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional electronic conference system for distributing questionnaires, a setting for the distribution timing of a questionnaire associated with any part of a document is accepted, and the corresponding questionnaire is distributed when the set distribution timing arrives as the presenter progresses through the document. Therefore, in a conventional electronic conference system for distributing questionnaires, the content of the questionnaire to be distributed cannot be changed by the operator of the information processing terminal, such as the presenter or audience.

[0005] This problem is common in information processing systems that start displaying content other than the target content (hereinafter referred to as related content) on multiple terminal devices that display the content to be shared (hereinafter referred to as target content), as well as in electronic conferencing systems that distribute questionnaires.

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention have been developed in consideration of the above points, and aim to provide a terminal device, a program, a content sharing method, and an information processing system that can display related content according to the operator of the terminal device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present application is a terminal device that shares a display of target content with another terminal device, characterized in that it comprises: a target content display means that displays the display of the target content so as to be shared with the other terminal device based on information transmitted from the other terminal device; a role determination means that determines the role of the own device; and a related content display means that, based on a display command of related content associated with the target content, retrieves and displays the related content corresponding to the determined role of the own device from a storage location of the related content corresponding to the determined role of the own device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to display related content according to the operator of the terminal device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a conference system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that constitutes the conference system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example of a conference client device. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example of a conference server device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of conference information. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of document information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of questionnaire information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of role information. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a conference participation process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of questionnaire information received by a conference client device. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a role determination process. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a role table. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a survey start process. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a conference screen of a presenter on which a list of questionnaires is displayed. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a conference screen of an operator on which a list of questionnaires is displayed. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a conference screen of a participant. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a survey start command. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a questionnaire display process. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a questionnaire response screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a questionnaire response screen after the questionnaire results are transmitted to conference server apparatus 12. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a questionnaire tally screen. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of an example of a survey result aggregation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. [First embodiment] <System configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conference system according to this embodiment. The conference system 1 in Fig. 1 shows an example of a configuration in which multiple conference client devices 10, a conference server device 12, and a conference display device 14 are connected to a network N1 such as a LAN.

[0011] The conference server device 12 manages conference information, conference materials, etc., and also has functions such as holding a conference, controlling participation, and distributing input operations of presenters to participating conference client devices 10 in real time.

[0012] The conference server device 12 can be realized by software or a service that runs on one computer. Alternatively, the conference server device 12 may be software or a service that runs on multiple computers. Alternatively, the conference server device 12 may take the form of a so-called cloud service, for example. Note that the conference server device 12 may be realized by various hardware configurations as long as it has a conference server function.

[0013] The conference client device 10 has functions such as acquiring conference information, conference materials, etc. from the conference server device 12, accepting operations required for the progress of the conference from operators such as conference presenters and participants, and allowing the operators such as conference presenters and participants to view the conference materials. Operators such as conference presenters and participants can participate in the conference from the conference client device 10.

[0014] The conference client device 10 may be a PC, a tablet device, a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a PDA, a conference terminal, an electronic whiteboard, or an image forming device such as an MFP or a printer. While participating in the conference, the conference client device 10 receives input operations of the presenter from the conference server device 12 in real time and shares the display screen with other conference client devices 10.

[0015] One of the conference client devices 10 is operated by the presenter, who can request the conference server device 12 to start and end the conference. The conference client device 10 can be switched between two modes: shared mode and personal mode. For example, in shared mode, the conference materials on the screens of the participants' conference client devices 10 are displayed in sync with the conference materials on the screen of the presenter's conference client device 10 as the presenter's conference progresses. The synchronized displays include, for example, page displays of the conference materials, displays of notes (handwritten notes) on the conference materials, and displays of pointers to the conference materials.

[0016] In addition, in the personal mode, regardless of the progress of the presenter's conference, the conference materials on the screen can be freely displayed (asynchronous display) without being synchronized with the conference materials on the screen of the presenter's conference client device 10. The conference materials are an example of target content that accepts input operations from the presenter (for example, changing the displayed page, adding handwritten notes, etc.).

[0017] The conference display device 14 is an example of an output device that is installed in, for example, a conference room and allows conference materials to be viewed on a large screen. The conference display device 14 may be a display device such as an electronic whiteboard or a projection device such as a projector.

[0018] Note that the conference system 1 in Fig. 1 is an example, and does not necessarily require all of the devices shown in Fig. 1. For example, the conference system 1 may be configured such that one or more conference client devices 10 perform the functions of the conference server device 12 instead. Furthermore, the conference system 1 may not have a conference display device 14.

[0019] Furthermore, in the conference system 1, some of the functions of the conference server device 12 may be realized by other devices. For example, the conference system 1 in Fig. 1 may be configured to include a questionnaire server device that realizes the questionnaire-related functions of the conference server device 12.

[0020] <Hardware configuration> The conference client device 10 and the conference server device 12 are realized by, for example, the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer constituting the conference system according to this embodiment. The conference client device 10 in Fig. 2 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external I / F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, a communication I / F 507, and an HDD 508, all of which are interconnected by a bus B. The conference client device 10 may also include a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and the like.

[0022] The input device 501 includes a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and is used to input various operation signals to the conference client device 10. The display device 502 includes a display, etc., and displays the processing results of the conference client device 10. The communication I / F 507 is an interface that connects the conference client device 10 to the network N1. The conference client device 10 can perform data communication with the conference server device 12 via the communication I / F 507.

[0023] The HDD 508 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS, which is basic software that controls the entire conference client device 10, and application software that provides various functions on the OS. The HDD 508 also manages the stored programs and data using a predetermined file system and / or DB.

[0024] The external I / F 503 is an interface with an external device. The external device may be a recording medium 503a. This allows the conference client device 10 to read and / or write data from and to the recording medium 503a via the external I / F 503. The recording medium 503a may be a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, or the like.

[0025] The ROM 505 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 505 stores programs and data such as BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the conference client device 10 is started. The RAM 504 is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily retains programs and data.

[0026] The CPU 506 is a computing device that reads programs and data from storage devices such as the ROM 505 and HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executes processing to realize overall control and functions of the conference client device 10 .

[0027] The conference client device 10 can realize various processes, which will be described later, by executing a program with the above hardware configuration, for example.

[0028] 2 includes an input device 601, a display device 602, an external I / F 603, a RAM 604, a ROM 605, a CPU 606, a communication I / F 607, an HDD 608, etc., all of which are interconnected by a bus B. The input device 601 and the display device 602 may be connected and used when necessary.

[0029] The input device 601 includes a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is used to input various operation signals to the conference server apparatus 12. The display device 602 includes a display, etc., and displays the results of processing by the conference server apparatus 12.

[0030] The communication I / F 607 is an interface that connects the conference server apparatus 12 to the network N1. The conference server apparatus 12 can perform data communication with the conference client apparatus 10 via the communication I / F 607.

[0031] The HDD 608 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS, which is basic software that controls the entire conference server device 12, and application software that provides various functions on the OS. The HDD 608 manages the stored programs and data using a predetermined file system and / or DB.

[0032] The external I / F 603 is an interface with an external device. The external device may be a recording medium 603a. This allows the conference server device 12 to read and / or write data from and to the recording medium 603a via the external I / F 603. The recording medium 603a may be a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, or the like.

[0033] The ROM 605 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 605 stores programs and data such as BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the conference server device 12 is started. The RAM 604 is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily retains programs and data.

[0034] The CPU 606 is a computing device that reads programs and data from storage devices such as the ROM 605 and HDD 608 onto the RAM 604 and executes processing to realize overall control and functions of the conference server device 12 .

[0035] The conference server device 12 can realize various processes, which will be described later, by executing a program using the above hardware configuration, for example.

[0036] <Software configuration> The conference client device 10 and the conference server device 12 of the conference system 1 according to this embodiment are realized by, for example, the following functional blocks. Note that the functional blocks shown below show the configuration necessary for the explanation, and configurations not necessary for the explanation are omitted as appropriate.

[0037] <Conference client device> The conference client device 10 is realized, for example, by functional blocks such as those shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of an example of a conference client device. The conference client device 10 shown in Figure 3 executes a program to realize a conference screen display unit 51, a questionnaire command transmission / reception unit 52, a questionnaire screen display unit 53, and a role determination unit 54. Furthermore, the conference client device 10 executes a program to realize a conference information storage unit 55, a material information storage unit 56, a questionnaire information storage unit 57, and a role information storage unit 58. The program executed by the conference client device 10 is, for example, an application installed in the conference client device 10.

[0038] The conference screen display unit 51 displays conference materials using the conference information, conference materials, etc. acquired from the conference server device 12. The conference screen display unit 51 accepts various operations from operators such as the presenter and participants of the conference, and displays a conference screen in accordance with the operations.

[0039] When an operator with the authority to start a survey instructs the survey to start, the survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 generates a survey start command and transmits the survey start command to the conference server device 12. The survey start command transmitted to the conference server device 12 is distributed to other conference client devices 10 participating in the same conference as the conference client device 10 that transmitted the survey start command. The survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 receives the survey start command distributed from the conference server device 12.

[0040] The questionnaire screen display unit 53 of the conference client device 10 that has received the questionnaire start command displays a questionnaire screen according to the role (presenter, participant, etc.) of the operator, as will be described later. The role determination unit 54 determines the role of the operator.

[0041] The conference information storage unit 55 stores conference information received from the conference server device 12. The material information storage unit 56 stores material information received from the conference server device 12. The survey information storage unit 57 stores survey information received from the conference server device 12. Furthermore, the role information storage unit 58 stores role information received from the conference server device 12. Details of the conference information, material information, survey information, and role information will be described later.

[0042] <<Conference Server Device>> The conference server device 12 is realized, for example, by functional blocks such as those shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example of a conference server device. By executing a program, the conference server device 12 realizes a conference control unit 61, a questionnaire screen generation unit 62, a questionnaire screen transmission unit 63, an information management unit 64, a conference information storage unit 65, a material information storage unit 66, a questionnaire information storage unit 67, and a role information storage unit 68.

[0043] The conference control unit 61 provides functions such as holding a conference, controlling participation, and distributing input operations of presenters in real time to participating conference client devices 10. The questionnaire screen generation unit 62 generates a questionnaire screen according to the role of the operator of the conference client device 10. The questionnaire screen transmission unit 63 transmits a questionnaire screen according to the role of the operator of the conference client device 10 to the conference client device 10. The information management unit 64 manages conference information, material information, questionnaire information, role information, etc.

[0044] Furthermore, the conference information storage unit 65 stores conference information. The material information storage unit 66 stores material information. The questionnaire information storage unit 67 stores questionnaire information. Furthermore, the role information storage unit 68 stores role information. Details of the conference information, material information, questionnaire information, and role information will be described later.

[0045] Data Structure FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of conference information. The conference information in FIG. 5 has the following items: conference identifier, conference name, opening time, operator identifier, and opening password. The conference identifier is identification information that uniquely identifies a conference. For example, a conference ID is an example of a conference identifier. The conference name is the name of the conference. The opening time is the date and time when the conference starts. The operator identifier is identification information used by the conference client device 10 to determine whether the operator is an operator, as described below. For example, an operator ID is an example of an operator identifier. The opening password is an example of authentication information required to open or participate in a conference.

[0046] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of material information. The material information in Figure 6 has the following items: material identifier, conference identifier, material name, type, and URI. The material identifier is identification information that uniquely identifies a conference material. For example, a material ID is an example of a material identifier. The conference identifier is identification information that uniquely identifies a conference. The material name is the name of the conference material. The type is the data format of the conference material. The URI is information about the storage location of the conference material data.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the survey information, which includes items such as a survey identifier, a material identifier, a survey name, a response screen URI, and a tally screen URI.

[0048] The survey identifier is identification information that uniquely identifies the survey. For example, a survey ID is an example of a survey identifier. The material identifier is identification information that uniquely identifies the conference material. The survey name is the name of the survey. The answer screen URI and the tally screen URI represent the connection destination when a survey screen according to the role of the operator of the conference client device 10 is displayed. For example, the answer screen URI is the connection destination when a survey answer screen for answering a survey is displayed when the operator's role is a participant. The tally screen URI is the connection destination when a survey tally screen for tallying the survey results is displayed when the operator's role is a presenter.

[0049] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of role information, which includes the following items: role name, role identifier, page synchronization, handwritten memo synchronization, survey start / end, and survey connection destination.

[0050] The role name is the name of the role. In the role information in FIG. 8, presenter, participant, and operator are set as roles. The role identifier is identification information that uniquely identifies a role. For example, a role ID is an example of a role identifier.

[0051] Page synchronization, handwritten memo synchronization, and survey start / end represent the operations (privileges) that an operator with that role can perform. For example, an operator with the role of presenter can perform page synchronization, handwritten memo synchronization, and survey start / end operations. Also, an operator with the role of participant cannot perform page synchronization, handwritten memo synchronization, and survey start / end operations. An operator with the role of operator can perform survey start / end operations.

[0052] The survey connection destination is information indicating whether the survey screen corresponding to the operator's role is a survey response screen or a survey tally screen. In the role information of FIG. 8, if the operator's role is a presenter or an operator, the survey screen corresponding to the operator's role will be the survey tally screen. Also, in the role information of FIG. 8, if the operator's role is a participant, the survey screen corresponding to the operator's role will be the survey response screen. In this way, the role information associates the operator's role with the connection destination when the survey screen is displayed.

[0053] 5 and 6, the conference information and the material information are associated with each other by a conference identifier, so that the conference material used in the conference can be identified by the conference information and the material information.

[0054] 6 and 7, the material information and the survey information are associated with each other by a material identifier. Therefore, the survey information to be used when the conference material is displayed can be identified by the material information and the survey information.

[0055] 7 and 8, the questionnaire information and the role information are associated with each other by a role identifier. Therefore, the connection destination when displaying a questionnaire screen according to the role of the operator of the conference client device 10 can be specified by the questionnaire information and the role information.

[0056] Although the questionnaire information in Fig. 7 shows an example in which there are two connection destinations when a questionnaire screen according to the operator's role is displayed, there may be three or more. Also, the role information in Fig. 8 shows an example in which there are three operator roles, but there may be two or four or more.

[0057] For example, other examples of operator roles include the role of meeting facilitator, presenter, and participant. The meeting facilitator can perform operations to decide the presenter and meeting materials. The presenter can perform operations such as page forwarding of materials (page synchronization), taking handwritten notes (handwritten note synchronization), and zooming in and out (zoom synchronization). Participants can view meeting materials.

[0058] In the following, an example will be described in which the conference system 1 of this embodiment has three roles: presenter, participant, and operator. It is assumed that the roles of presenter and participant can be switched during the conference. Furthermore, in the conference system 1, when multiple conference client devices 10 participate in the same conference, one of the multiple conference client devices 10 plays the role of presenter, and one or more of the conference client devices 10 play the role of participant. For example, if the roles of presenter and participant are switched during the conference, the role of the conference client device 10 that previously played the role of presenter becomes the participant, and the role of the conference client device 10 that newly takes the role of presenter becomes the presenter. For example, a participant may change their role from participant to presenter by selecting the presenter button shown on the screen of FIG. 14 (described later). Alternatively, a presenter may change their role from participant to presenter by specifying the participant or the participant's conference client device 10 that will be the next presenter.

[0059] <Processing details> The following describes the details of the processing performed by the conference system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0060] <<Meeting participation processing>> 9 is a flowchart of an example of a conference participation process. A presenter or participant of a conference operates the conference client device 10 to request access to a conference participation screen (not shown) of the conference server device 12. The conference screen display unit 51 of the conference client device 10 makes a conference information acquisition request by, for example, accessing the URI of the conference participation screen of the conference server device 12.

[0061] In step S22, the conference control unit 61 of the conference server device 12 accepts a conference information acquisition request from the conference client device 10. Proceeding to step S23, the information management unit 64 acquires conference information of conferences that are being held or that the user can attend from the conference information storage unit 65, based on the conference information acquisition request from the conference client device 10. Then, in step S24, the conference control unit 61 transmits conference information of conferences that are currently being held or that the user can attend to the conference client device 10.

[0062] In step S25, the conference screen display unit 51 of the conference client device 10 displays a conference participation screen on the display device 502 or the like based on the received conference information. The conference participation screen includes a conference list based on the conference information of conferences that are being held or that can be attended.

[0063] Proceeding to step S26, the conference presenter or participant selects a conference to hold or participate in from the conference list on the conference participation screen. The conference screen display unit 51 of the conference client device 10 sends a request to the conference server device 12 to participate in the conference selected by the conference presenter or participant.

[0064] In step S27, the conference control unit 61 of the conference server apparatus 12 establishes a communication path (session) with the conference client apparatus 10 based on the participation request from the conference client apparatus 10. The conference server apparatus 12 and the conference client apparatus 10 participating in the conference use the established communication path (session) to exchange information required for sharing the conference screen.

[0065] In this way, the conference server device 12 and the conference client devices 10 participating in the conference transmit messages indicating input operations by the presenter to the conference client device 10 in real time via the established communication path (session) between the conference server device 12 and the conference client devices 10, thereby realizing the sharing of the conference screen. A typical example of a protocol for transmitting messages in real time using such a communication path (session) is a protocol called XMPP. Input operations by the presenter to the conference client device 10 include, for example, turning pages in a document, instructing to start or end a survey, etc. A typical example of a communication path for displaying the survey screen described below is the HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) protocol. The survey screen is written in HTML (HyperText Markup Language).

[0066] XMPP has been standardized by the IETF as RFC3920 (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol: Core) and RFC3921 (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol: Instant Messaging and Presence), and its extended specifications are documented as XEP.

[0067] XMPP can provide a service called group chat (Multi-User Chat [XEP-0045]). Group chat is a function in which when a conference client device 10 participating in a conference room provided by XMPP sends a message to a conference server device 12, the message is distributed from the conference server device 12 to all conference client devices 10 participating in the conference room. As such a communication channel, other protocols than XMPP, such as BOSH, WebSocket, and Comet, which are extensions of XMPP, can be used.

[0068] BOSH (Bidirectional-streams Over Synchronous HTTP) [XEP-0206] is a technology for sending and receiving messages via HTTP in XMPP. These protocols enable a push function from the conference server device 12. The push function is a function that does not send information upon receiving a request from the conference client device 10, but rather sends information asynchronously from the conference server device 12 to the conference client device 10, and the conference client device 10 receives the information. Note that a similar function can also be achieved with general HTTP communication by periodically retrieving information from the conference client device 10.

[0069] In step S28, the conference control unit 61 of the conference server device 12 transmits the above-mentioned material information, questionnaire information, and role information to the conference client device 10 in response to the participation request. In the case of a conference that has already started, in step S28, information on the currently displayed conference material, page information, presenter information, etc. may also be included.

[0070] In step S29, the conference screen display unit 51 of the conference client device 10 receives the above-mentioned material information, questionnaire information, and role information. Proceeding to step S30, the conference screen display unit 51 performs conference participation processing. The conference participation processing is processing of obtaining data of the conference material for the conference to be attended from a storage location of the conference material data indicated by the URI of the material information, and displaying it on the conference screen.

[0071] In step S28, the survey information is transmitted from the conference server device 12 to the conference client device 10 in a configuration such as that shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the survey information received by the conference client device. The survey information includes information necessary for displaying a survey screen.

[0072] 10, for example, the information required to display the questionnaire screens associated with the two conference materials includes a section 1000 that lists the number of questionnaires and one or more detailed questionnaire information. The detailed questionnaire information includes a questionnaire identifier, a title, a questionnaire response URI, and a questionnaire aggregation URI.

[0073] The survey identifier, title, survey response URI, and survey tally URI of the survey detail information correspond to the survey identifier, survey name, response screen URI, and tally screen URI of the survey information in Fig. 7. In this way, the survey information portion 1000 in Fig. 10 can be generated based on the survey information in Fig. 7.

[0074] 10 also includes a portion 1002 that associates the role of the conference client device 10 with a survey tally URI and a survey response URI. The role of the conference client device 10, the survey tally URI, and the survey response URI correspond to the role, tally screen URI, and response screen URI of the role information in Fig. 8. In this way, the survey information portion 1002 in Fig. 10 can be generated based on the role information in Fig. 8.

[0075] <Role Determination in Conference Client Device> The role determination unit 54 of each conference client device 10 performs role determination processing as shown in Fig. 11 to determine the role of its own device. The role determination processing is performed when joining a conference, when the terminal name of the own device changes, or when an instruction to change the role is received during a conference.

[0076] 11 is a flowchart of an example of the role determination process. In step S41, the role determination unit 54 of the conference client device 10 compares the operator identifier included in the conference information of FIG.

[0077] 5 matches the terminal name of the own device, the role determination unit 54 proceeds to step S43, assigns the role of operator to the own device, and then proceeds to step S44. On the other hand, if the operator identifier included in the conference information does not match the terminal name of the own device, the role determination unit 54 skips step S43 and proceeds to step S44. In step S44, the role determination unit 54 determines whether the role is a presenter or not, and assigns the role of presenter or participant to the own device.

[0078] The role determination unit 54 manages the determined role of the own device using a role table such as that shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a role table. The role table in Fig. 12 is made up of information indicating whether the own device is an operator or not, and information indicating whether the own device is a presenter or a participant.

[0079] 12, each conference client device 10 manages its own role using information indicating whether it is an operator or not and information indicating whether it is a presenter or a participant. During a conference, a conference client device 10 can be assigned the role of presenter by sending an XMPP message to change its role to the conference server device 12. The conference server device 12 distributes the XMPP message to change the role from the conference client device 10 to the conference client devices 10 participating in the conference, and updates the role table of each conference client device 10.

[0080] 11 illustrates an example in which the operator identifier is compared with the terminal name of the own device, but it is not limited to the terminal name; it is also possible to use a MAC address, IP address, machine number, user name, etc. However, by using a changeable terminal name or user name, the conference client device 10 can freely switch between an operator state and a non-operator state. Note that the operator identifier may use a regular expression.

[0081] In addition, although the present embodiment shows an example in which the operator identifier is included in the conference information, it may also be included in survey information or other information associated with the conference. The information in which the operator identifier is included may be determined, for example, depending on the range of operations of the presenter that the operator is to perform on behalf of.

[0082] <<Survey start process>> 13 is a flowchart of an example of a survey start process, which is started when the operator presses a survey start button or the like on the conference screen displayed on the conference client device 10, for example.

[0083] In step S61, the survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 determines whether the operator of the own device has the authority to start a survey by referring to the role table shown in Fig. 12. The survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 determines that the operator of the own device has the authority to start a survey when the role of the own device is presenter or operator.

[0084] If the operator has the authority to start a survey, the survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 proceeds to step S62, references the survey information in Fig. 7, and displays a list of surveys linked to the conference material displayed on the conference screen. Fig. 14 is an image diagram of an example of the presenter's conference screen on which the list of surveys is displayed. Note that Fig. 14 shows an example in which a survey list 1012 including three survey names is displayed on the presenter's conference screen 1010.

[0085] When the operator of the conference client device 10 is an operator, the survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 displays a conference screen 1020 for the operator on which a survey list 1022 is displayed, as shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is an image diagram of an example of the conference screen for the operator on which the survey list is displayed. The conference screen 1020 in Fig. 15 differs from the conference screen 1010 in Fig. 14 in that the presenter button 1024 is not selected.

[0086] If the operator does not have the authority to start the survey in step S61, the survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 does not send the survey start command and ends the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 13. In this way, an operator who does not have the authority to start the survey cannot start the survey. Note that a conference client device 10 that does not have the authority to start the survey may be in a state where the survey start button 1032 cannot be pressed, as shown on the conference screen 1030 in Fig. 16.

[0087] In step S63, an operator who has the authority to start a survey selects a survey to start from the survey list 1012 or the like in Fig. 14. Proceeding to step S64, the survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 generates a survey start command as shown in Fig. 17 based on the survey identifier of the survey selected from the survey list 1012 or the like.

[0088] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a survey start command. The survey start command in Fig. 17 is an example that includes the survey identifier "123". In step S65, the survey command transmitting / receiving unit 52 transmits the generated survey start command to the conference server device 12, and the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 13 ends.

[0089] The conference server device 12 that has received the survey start command in Fig. 17 distributes the survey start command to the conference client devices 10 that are participating in the conference. Then, the conference client device 10 that has received the survey start command from the conference server device 12 executes the survey display process shown in Fig. 18.

[0090] 18 is a flowchart of an example of a questionnaire display process. In step S81, the conference client device 10 receives a questionnaire start command. In step S82, the role determination unit 54 of the conference client device 10 refers to the role table in FIG. 12 and determines the role of its own device. Then, the questionnaire screen display unit 53 refers to the role information in FIG. 8 and determines whether the operator's role is to open the questionnaire tally screen or the questionnaire answer screen.

[0091] If the operator's role is to open the questionnaire response screen, the questionnaire screen display unit 53 proceeds to step S83, refers to the questionnaire information in Fig. 7, and acquires the response screen URI to which the user is connected when the questionnaire response screen is displayed. The questionnaire screen display unit 53 then proceeds to step S85, connects to the response screen URI, and displays the questionnaire response screen.

[0092] On the other hand, if the operator's role is to open the survey tally screen, the survey screen display unit 53 proceeds to step S84, references the survey information in Fig. 7, and acquires the tally screen URI to which the survey tally screen is to be connected when the survey tally screen is to be displayed. Then, the survey screen display unit 53 proceeds to step S85, connects to the tally screen URI, and displays the survey tally screen.

[0093] Fig. 19 is an image diagram of an example of a questionnaire response screen. The questionnaire response screen 1050 in Fig. 19 has a response field 1051 and a response button 1052. An operator whose role is a participant can enter the questionnaire results in the response field 1051 and press the response button 1052 to transmit the questionnaire results to the conference server device 12. Fig. 20 is an image diagram of an example of the questionnaire response screen after the questionnaire results have been transmitted to the conference server device 12.

[0094] Fig. 21 is an image diagram of an example of a survey tally screen. The survey tally screen 1060 in Fig. 21 is a summary of survey results sent from conference client devices 10 whose role is participant. For example, the survey tally screen in Fig. 21 can be realized by using, for example, a script running on a browser to dynamically display a graph of the survey tally results.

[0095] 22 is a sequence diagram of an example of the process of tabulating the survey results. In step S101, a survey respondent whose role is participant inputs the survey results in the response field 1051 on the survey response screen 1050 and presses the response button 1052.

[0096] In step S102, the questionnaire screen display unit 53 of the conference client device 10 operated by the participant transmits the questionnaire results to the conference server device 12. In step S103, the information management unit 64 of the conference server device 12 updates the questionnaire aggregation results with the received questionnaire results.

[0097] In step S104, the survey screen display unit 53 of the conference client device 10 operated by the presenter or operator periodically connects to the tally screen URI and acquires the survey tally results. If there is a change in the survey tally results, the survey screen display unit 53 performs processing to update the displayed survey tally screen 1060.

[0098] By the process shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 22, the survey summary results on the survey summary screen 1060 displayed on the conference client device 10 can be updated in real time or periodically.

[0099] The survey tally screen 1060 may be displayed on the conference client device 10 whose role is a presenter or an operator, or on the conference display device 14. In this embodiment, the conference system 1 has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to a system in which the content to be displayed changes depending on the role of the operator who operates the client device.

[0100] When the survey tally screen 1060 is displayed on the conference client device 10 and the conference display device 14 of the presenter or operator, the survey tally screen 1060 may be temporarily displayed only on the conference client device 10 of the presenter. In this case, the survey tally screen 1060 may be displayed also on the conference client device 10 and the conference display device 14 of the operator when an operation input permitting display is received on the conference client device 10 of the presenter.

[0101] 18, if the role is determined to be a presenter, the survey tally screen 1060 is displayed as is. On the other hand, if the role is determined to be an operator or a display (for example, a role that displays the screen of the presenter's conference client device 10), the survey tally screen 1060 is displayed, and a screen is displayed on top of it so that the tally results are not visible. After that, when an operation input permitting the display is received from the presenter, the presenter's conference client device 10 transmits operation information indicating that the display is permitted to the conference client device 10 whose role is an operator or the conference display device 14 of the display.

[0102] The conference client device 10 and the conference display device 14 that have received the operation information indicating that the display is permitted can display the survey tally screen 1060 (tally results) only after hiding the screen that was displayed above the tally results. With this control, the conference system 1 according to this embodiment can temporarily stop the display of the tally results on the presenter's conference client device 10, allowing the presenter to announce the survey tally results to the participants at a timing that is appropriate for the presenter.

[0103] For example, this embodiment can be applied to various systems, such as an auction system in which the roles are seller and buyer, a learning system in which the roles are instructor and student, a quiz system in which the roles are questioner and answerer, etc. This embodiment can also be applied to a presentation system in which the roles are insider and outsider, when it is desired to change the materials shown.

[0104] <Summary> In the conference system 1 of this embodiment, the questionnaires are not linked to the page-turning operations of the conference materials or the page numbers of the conference materials, so there are no problems such as not being able to change the order of the questionnaires or not being able to start the questionnaire without turning the pages.

[0105] Furthermore, the conference system 1 of this embodiment does not have the problem of a survey being started when switching pages (moving to an arbitrary page) or returning to the previous page. Furthermore, the conference system 1 of this embodiment can also omit a survey depending on the progress of the conference. In this way, the conference system 1 of this embodiment can start and end one or more surveys linked to the same conference material at any timing and in any order.

[0106] Furthermore, the conference system 1 of this embodiment can determine the role of the conference client device 10 after receiving a command to start a survey, and change the survey screen to be displayed according to the role. Therefore, the conference system 1 of this embodiment can display a survey screen according to the role, even if the role changes dynamically after the start of the conference.

[0107] For example, in the conference system 1 of this embodiment, after the start of the conference, the role of the conference client device 10 that has been changed to the same terminal name as the operator identifier changes to operator. Also, in the conference system 1 of this embodiment, the role of the conference client device 10 changes from participant to presenter, or from presenter to participant, by using an XMPP message that changes the role.

[0108] In the conference system 1 of this embodiment, the conference client device 10 acquires role information before participating in a conference, so that the type of questionnaire screen (questionnaire tally screen or questionnaire response screen) corresponding to the role can be determined. Also, in the conference system 1 of this embodiment, the conference client device 10 acquires questionnaire information before participating in a conference, so that the connection destination corresponding to the type of questionnaire screen for each questionnaire associated with the conference material can be determined.

[0109] Therefore, in the conference system 1 of this embodiment, even if the roles of the conference client devices 10 change dynamically after the conference starts, each device can display a survey tally screen or a survey response screen according to its role.

[0110] The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the conference server device 12 is an example of an information processing device. The conference client device 10 is an example of a terminal device. The conference screen display unit 51 is an example of a target content display means. The role determination unit 54 is an example of a role determination means. The questionnaire screen display unit 53 is an example of a related content display means. The questionnaire command transmission / reception unit 52 is an example of a display command transmission means.

[0111] The conference information storage unit 65, the material information storage unit 66, the questionnaire information storage unit 67, and the role information storage unit 68 are examples of storage means for storing target content, related content information associated with the target content, and storage locations of the related content according to roles. The conference control unit 61 is an example of control means. Conference materials are an example of target content. The questionnaire screen is an example of related content. The questionnaire list is an example of a related content list. The questionnaire start command is an example of a command to display related content.

[0112] It goes without saying that the conference system 1 having the conference client device 10, the conference server device 12, and the conference display device 14 is just one example, and there are various system configuration examples depending on the application and purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1. Conference System 10 Conference client device 12 Conference server device 14 Conference display equipment 51 Conference screen display section 52 Survey command transmission / reception unit 53 Questionnaire screen display section 54 Role Determination Unit 55 Conference information storage unit 56 Material information storage section 57 Survey information storage unit 58 Role information storage unit 61 Conference Control Unit 62 Questionnaire screen generation unit 63 Survey screen sending section 64 Information Management Department 65 Conference information storage unit 66 Material information storage section 67 Survey information storage unit 68 Role information storage unit 501, 601 Input device 502, 602 Display device 503, 603 external I / F 503a, 603a Recording media 504, 604 RAM (Random Access Memory) 505, 605 ROM (Read Only Memory) 506、606 CPU(Central Processing Unit) 507, 607 communication I / F 508, 608 HDD (Hard Disk Drive) N1 Network [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0114] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-238178

Claims

1. A computer, Role determination means for determining the role of the operator of a terminal device, When it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, a transmission means transmits an instruction to start displaying the screen to an information processing device connected to the terminal device via a network. Display means that displays a first screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, displays a second screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a second role, and displays the first screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a third role. A program that makes it function as such.

2. When it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, or when it is determined that the operator has a third role, the transmitting means transmits an instruction to an information processing device connected to the terminal device via a network to start displaying the screen. The program according to claim 1.

3. The display means is capable of receiving an operation to permit the display of the first screen in the terminal device operated by the operator having the first role, When an operation to permit the display of the first screen is received, the terminal device operated by the operator having the second role displays the first screen. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The display means is capable of receiving an operation to permit the display of the first screen in the terminal device operated by the operator having the third role, When an operation to permit the display of the first screen is received, the terminal device operated by the operator having the second role displays the first screen. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The first role is the role of the presenter, the second role is the role of the participant, and the third role is the role of the operator. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first screen is a screen that displays the aggregated results of the questionnaire, and the second screen is a screen for answering the questionnaire. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The operator's role in the terminal device changes between the start and end of the display of the screen. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A role determination means for determining the role of the operator of the terminal device, A transmission means that, when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, transmits an instruction to start displaying the screen to an information processing device connected to the terminal device via a network, A display means that displays a first screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, displays a second screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a second role, and displays the first screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a third role. A terminal device having the following features.

9. A content sharing method performed on a terminal device, A role determination step to determine the role of the operator of the terminal device, A transmission step in which, when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, an instruction is sent to an information processing device connected to the terminal device via a network to start displaying the screen, Display step: If the operator of the terminal device is determined to have a first role, the first screen is displayed; if the operator of the terminal device is determined to have a second role, the second screen is displayed; if the operator of the terminal device is determined to have a third role, the first screen is displayed. A content sharing method that has [a certain feature].

10. An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a terminal device, The aforementioned terminal device is Role determination means for determining the role of the operator of the terminal device, A transmission means that, when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, transmits an instruction to start displaying the screen to an information processing device connected to the terminal device via a network, A display means that displays a first screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, displays a second screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a second role, and displays the first screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a third role. An information processing system having [a certain feature].

11. An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a program that causes a computer to function as a terminal device, The aforementioned computer, Role determination means for determining the role of the operator of the terminal device, When it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, a transmission means transmits an instruction to the information processing device connected to the terminal device via a network to start displaying the screen. Display means that displays a first screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a first role, displays a second screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a second role, and displays the first screen when it is determined that the operator of the terminal device has a third role. An information processing system that functions as such.

Images