Information processing device, server device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

This provides an information processing device that offers more convenient notifications for attendees of online meetings. [Solution] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device in an online meeting system in which a server device that performs processing for providing an online meeting and an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meeting are communicated via a network, and the information processing device includes an acquisition means for acquiring the attendance status of scheduled attendees, including a first user whose attendance at the online meeting is mandatory and a second user whose attendance at the online meeting is optional, from the server device during the execution of the online meeting, and a notification means for generating notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user and immediately notifying the first user when the attendance status of the first user among the attendance status acquired by the acquisition means changes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the notification of information in an online meeting system.

Background Art

[0002] Online meeting systems held via communication networks such as the Internet are widely spread. In an online meeting, since the participants of the online meeting are in separate locations, it is difficult to accurately grasp who is attending the online meeting during the online meeting. To address such problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for notifying the status of an online meeting by email when there is a change in the status of the online meeting, such as the start time or end time of the online meeting, or when a user enters or exits the online meeting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] According to the information processing device of this disclosure, it becomes possible to provide notifications that are more convenient for attendees of online meetings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the overall configuration of the online meeting system. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the server hardware configuration. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration of online meeting system 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of user information. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example of meeting information. [Figure 7] This is an example of a list of expected attendees. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the process for updating attendance status on the server. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the process of updating attendance status and sending notifications on user terminals. [Figure 10] This is an example of an online meeting UI screen. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a pop-up attendance notification screen. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a pop-up notification screen for attendance completion. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of the attendance notification screen in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows the process for updating and notifying attendance status in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of the attendance completion notification screen for the third embodiment. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows the attendance status update and notification process in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] This figure shows an example of the exit notification screen in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] This flowchart shows the process for updating and notifying attendance status in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the online meeting system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] This is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow executed in the online meeting system of the fifth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution provided in the disclosure.

[0009] <First Embodiment> In an online meeting, there may be people who are required to attend and those whose attendance is optional. Therefore, in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, "required attendees" and "optional attendees" are provided as types of attendees in an online meeting. Also, in some situations, in order to start an online meeting, it is a condition that all required attendees are present. In such a situation, the organizer or facilitator of the online meeting needs to determine the start timing of the online meeting after grasping who among the scheduled attendees is a required attendee and whether the required attendees are present. In the first embodiment, an online meeting system capable of dealing with such a situation will be described.

[0010] (System Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an online meeting system 1 in the present disclosure. The online meeting system 1 includes a server 120 and user terminals 110, and the server 120 and the user terminals 110 are communicatively connected via a communication line 101 such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. The server 120 is a server device of an operator that provides services of the online meeting system 1, and is composed of an information processing device such as a computer. The user terminal 110 is a client in the online meeting system 1 which is a server-client system, and is an information processing device used by a user who uses an online meeting. The user terminal 110 is composed of an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet. The information processing device is configured to include at least one or a plurality of processors and one or a plurality of memories. In FIG. 1, an example in which a plurality of user terminals 110 are connected to one server 120 is shown, but it is not limited to this example, and the server 120 may be composed of a plurality of information processing devices. Since an online meeting is usually carried out among a plurality of users, a plurality of user terminals 110 are connected to the online meeting system 1 during the online meeting.

[0011] The user terminal 110 has a communication function for communicating with the server 120 via the communication line 101 and a browser function for displaying data of a website in a viewable manner. Using this communication function and browser function, the user terminal 110 can access an online meeting room specified by link information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and display the data of the meeting screen on the display unit of the user terminal 110. An online meeting room is a website for online meetings generated for each online meeting and is managed by the server 120. The user terminal 110 can invite other users to an online meeting by sharing the URL of the online meeting room with other user terminals.

[0012] In this specification, the types of users of an online meeting include "host" and "attendee". Also, as types of attendees, further types of "required attendee" and "optional attendee" shall be provided. The host is a representative for holding an online meeting and can hold an online meeting by registering necessary information on the online meeting registration site provided by the server 120. The information necessary for holding an online meeting is referred to as meeting information. The meeting information includes the meeting date and time, attendees, the type of attendees (required attendee / optional attendee), etc. A required attendee is an attendee designated by the host as being required to attend the target online meeting. An optional attendee is an attendee designated by the host as being optional to attend the target online meeting.

[0013] When the holding of an online meeting is registered by the host, the server 120 performs preprocessing such as issuing a meeting ID and allocating an online meeting room. Also, as preprocessing, the server 120 notifies the attendees of the invitation information by means of email or the message function of the online meeting system 1, etc. The invitation information includes link information to the online meeting room of the online meeting.

[0014] (Hardware Configuration) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal 110 used for online meetings. As shown in Figure 2, the user terminal 110 includes an information processing unit 200, an operation unit 209, a display unit 210, a speaker 212, a microphone 213, and a camera 215. The information processing unit 200 has a CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, storage 204, an operation unit interface 205, a display unit interface 206, a network interface 207, an audio interface 211, and a camera interface 214. Each part within the information processing unit 200 is connected by a system bus 208. Although Figure 2 shows a typical PC configuration as an example of a user terminal 110, the configuration may be added or removed as appropriate depending on the device used as the user terminal 110. For example, a touch panel display in which the operation unit 209 and the display unit 210 are integrated may be used.

[0015] The CPU 201 is the central processing unit and controls each part of the information processing unit. The CPU 201 starts the OS (Operating System) using the boot program stored in the ROM 202. On the OS, the CPU 201 loads the application programs stored in the storage 204, loads them into RAM, and executes various processes according to the programs. RAM203 is used as the work area for CPU201.

[0016] Storage 204 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, or other storage device, and stores application programs and data necessary for the execution of application programs. The application programs include those used for online meetings, as described later. Note that Storage 204 may also be an external storage area, such as cloud storage, accessible via network I / F 207.

[0017] The control unit I / F 205 is an interface with the control unit 209, which includes a touch panel, keyboard, and mouse. The control unit I / F 205 sends information input by the user via the control unit 209 to the CPU 201. The display unit I / F 206 includes a display control circuit and outputs display information output from the CPU 201 to the display unit 210. The display unit 210 is a display such as an LCD or organic EL. The network I / F 207 is connected to the communication line 101 and performs information input and output with various devices on the communication line 101. The audio I / F 211 converts audio input via the microphone 213 into audio data and inputs it to the CPU 201. The audio I / F 211 also outputs the audio data output from the CPU 201 to the speaker 212, outputting sound. The camera I / F 214 inputs imaging data from the camera 215 to the CPU 201. Camera 215 has an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) and a lens, and inputs the image data to CPU 201.

[0018] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing device used as server 120. As shown in Figure 3, server 120 has an information processing unit 300. The information processing unit 300 has a CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, storage 304, and network I / F 307, and each part is connected to a system bus 308. The CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, storage 304, and network I / F 307 are the same as the CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, storage 204, and network 207 in user terminal 110 in Figure 2, so their explanation is omitted.

[0019] Note that the hardware configuration examples in Figures 2 and 3 are just examples, and may include configurations other than those shown as appropriate. For example, the server 120 may include an operation unit and a display unit.

[0020] In this embodiment, the various functions related to online meetings provided by the server 120 of the online meeting system 1 are provided to the user terminal 110 as a web service. That is, the server 120 provides the UI (user interface) screen for online meetings via the web browser of the user terminal 110. The server 120 displays various data to the user terminal 110 via the UI screen and executes processing corresponding to the various functions provided by the server 120 while accepting data input from the user terminal 110. The user terminal 110 may also be equipped with a dedicated application for running online meetings. The user terminal 110 may execute the application, sending and receiving data with the server 120, and performing processing corresponding to various functions of the online meeting tool with the server 120. Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to these forms, and online meeting functions may be implemented in any way. In addition, the various hardware components of the server 120 may be virtual hardware resources on the cloud. In that case, the server 120 sends a function execution request to the relevant hardware resource via the network interface 207 and obtains the processing result via the network interface 207.

[0021] Next, the software configuration of the online meeting system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the online meeting system 1. As shown in Figure 4, the online meeting system 1 includes an online meeting tool 400 and server software 450.

[0022] The online meeting tool 400 is an application program executed by the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110. In this specification, the online meeting tool 400 is stored in one of the RAM 203, storage 204, or ROM 202 of the user terminal 110. The server software 450 is an application program executed by the CPU 301 of the server 120. In this specification, the server software 450 is stored in one of the storage devices of the server 120, either RAM 303, storage 304, or ROM 302.

[0023] (Online meeting tool) As shown in Figure 4, the online meeting tool 400 has a transmitting / receiving unit 401, an input unit 402, an output unit 403, an attendance status acquisition unit 404, a determination unit 405, and a notification unit 406. The CPU 201 of the user terminal 110 calls the program of the online meeting tool 400 stored in the storage 204, and the CPU 201 executes processing according to the program. This causes the user terminal 110 to function as the transmitting / receiving unit 401, the input unit 402, the output unit 403, the attendance status acquisition unit 404, the determination unit 405, and the notification unit 406.

[0024] The transmitting / receiving unit 401 communicates with the server 120 via the communication line 101 and transmits and receives various data, including audio data, image data, display data, text data, instruction data, and meeting information for online meetings. Meeting information will be described later. Specifically, the transmitting / receiving unit 401 transmits instructions input from the input unit 402, requests regarding attendance, departure, and absence from online meetings, text data, audio data, image data, and other various data entered during online meetings to the server 120. At this time, the transmitting / receiving unit 401 adds identification information such as meeting ID and user ID to the data being transmitted. The transmitting / receiving unit 401 also receives data transmitted from the server 120 and outputs it to the output unit 403 or the attendance status acquisition unit 404. Specifically, when the transmitting / receiving unit 401 receives display data of the meeting screen, audio data and text data for online meetings from the server 120, it outputs this data to the output unit 403. Furthermore, when the transmitting / receiving unit 401 receives the list of scheduled attendees 700 and update information for the list of scheduled attendees 700 from the server 120, it outputs this data to the attendance status acquisition unit 404.

[0025] The input unit 402 receives instructions and text data from the user via the operation unit 209 of the user terminal 110. The input unit 402 also receives user voice data input via the microphone 213 of the user terminal 110 and image data captured by the camera 215 of the user terminal 110. The input unit 402 sends the received instructions, requests, text data, voice data, image data, and other various data to the transmission / reception unit 401.

[0026] The output unit 403 displays the meeting screen, which is the UI screen for the online meeting, and the notification screen, which includes notification information, on the display unit 210 of the user terminal 110. The output unit 403 is also called the display control unit. The meeting screen includes the user's image data, image data of other attendees, shared screen data, etc., during the online meeting. The notification screen includes notification information regarding the attendance status of required attendees in the online meeting. This notification information is generated by the notification unit 406. The meeting screen and notification screen will be described later. The output unit 403 also outputs audio data from the online meeting through the speaker 212. The output unit 403 generates display data based on meeting information and other various information, and outputs it to the display unit 210 for display.

[0027] The attendance status acquisition unit 404 acquires the attendance status of scheduled attendees for the online meeting from the server 120, including mandatory attendees (first users) whose attendance is required and optional attendees (second users) whose attendance is optional. The attendance status acquisition unit 404 acquires the above attendance status while the online meeting is in progress. The attendance status is managed as an attendee list 700 in the meeting information management unit 480 of the server 120. When there is a change in attendance status, such as from "not attending" to "attending," the data transmission / reception unit 460 (update information transmission unit 462) of the server 120 transmits the information to each attendee's user terminal 110.

[0028] The determination unit 405 determines whether or not a required attendee attended the online meeting based on the attendance status of required attendees among the attendance status acquired by the attendance status acquisition unit 404. Specifically, it determines whether or not the attendance status of a required attendee changed to "attending". The determination unit 405 also determines whether or not all required attendees attended the online meeting based on the attendance status of required attendees among the attendance status acquired by the attendance status acquisition unit 404. Specifically, it determines whether or not the attendance status of all required attendees changed to "attending". The determination unit 405 passes the determination result to the notification unit 406.

[0029] The notification unit 406 generates notification information based on the determination result by the determination unit 405, which is based on the attendance status of required attendees acquired by the attendance status acquisition unit 404. If the determination unit 405 determines that the attendance status of a required attendee has been updated to "attending," the notification unit 406 generates notification information (first notification information) indicating that the required attendee has attended the online meeting. If the determination unit 405 determines that the attendance status of all required attendees is "attending," the notification unit 406 generates notification information (second notification information) indicating that all required attendees have attended the online meeting. The notification unit 406 immediately transmits the generated notification information to the output unit 403.

[0030] The output unit 403 acquires notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user generated by the notification unit 406 and immediately displays it on the display unit 210. Specifically, when the output unit 403 acquires notification information that a required attendee has attended the online meeting, it displays the attendance notification screen. Furthermore, when the output unit 403 acquires notification information that all required attendees have attended the online meeting, it displays the attendance completion notification screen.

[0031] Preferably, the output unit 403 displays notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user on the display unit 210 separately from the information indicating the attendance status of other attendees. For example, the output unit 403 displays a notification screen containing notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user in front of the online meeting screen. In this case, the meeting screen displays the attendance status of all attendees. In this specification, a display format in which another screen (notification screen) is displayed in front of the main screen (meeting screen) is referred to as a pop-up display.

[0032] The notification method is not limited to a pop-up display on the meeting screen; it may also be displayed in the information area of ​​the meeting screen, or by displaying an icon indicating the attendance of required attendees or an icon indicating the attendance of all required attendees. Furthermore, instant notifications via the chat function of the online meeting tool 400, or email notifications, are also acceptable. Details regarding the attendance notification screen and attendance completion notification screen will be described later.

[0033] The attendance status acquisition unit 404 acquires updated attendance status information transmitted from the update information transmission unit 462 of the server 120. The update information is sent to the user terminal 110 of the online meeting attendees each time the attendance status of each scheduled attendee is updated on the server 120. An online meeting attendee is a user who is scheduled to attend the online meeting and whose attendance status has been updated to "attending". The notification unit 406 generates notification information in real time each time the attendance status acquisition unit 404 acquires updated information and outputs it from the output unit 403. This allows for immediate notification of the timing of the arrival of required attendees and the timing of all attendees' attendance, which can serve as a criterion for determining the timing of the start of the online meeting, and can be used to facilitate the progress of the online meeting.

[0034] Furthermore, notifications that required attendees have joined the online meeting, and notifications that all required attendees have joined, may be executed on the user terminals 110 of all online meeting attendees, or they may be limited to the user terminals 110 used by specific users, such as the online meeting organizer or moderator. These specific users are those designated by the online meeting organizer or prospective attendees.

[0035] (Server software) As shown in Figure 4, the server software 450 includes a data transmission / reception unit 460, a user management unit 470, a meeting information management unit 480, a user information database 471, and a meeting information database 472. The data transmission / reception unit 460 includes a request receiving unit 461 and an update information transmission unit 462. The meeting information management unit 480 includes a list update unit 481. The CPU 301 of the server 120 calls the server software 450 program stored in the storage 304, and the CPU 301 executes processing according to the program, thereby causing the server 120 to function as the respective parts of the server software 450 shown in Figure 4.

[0036] The data transmission / reception unit 460 communicates with the user terminal 110 used by the user of the online meeting system 1 via the communication line 101, and transmits and receives various data including audio data, image data, text data, and meeting information for online meetings.

[0037] The request receiving unit 461 receives information regarding changes in attendance status transmitted from the user terminal 110 and transmits it to the meeting information management unit 480. The information regarding changes in attendance status is one of the following: a request to attend an online meeting, a request to leave an online meeting, or a request to be absent. An attendance request is sent to the server 120 when the user terminal 110 accesses the URL of the online meeting room. An absence request is sent to the server 120 when the exit button on the meeting screen displayed on the user terminal 110 is pressed during the online meeting. An absence request for an online meeting is sent from the user terminal 110 to the server 120 via a designated UI screen before the start time of the online meeting or during the online meeting.

[0038] The update information transmission unit 462 obtains the list of expected attendees 700 and update information for the list of expected attendees 700, which are managed by the meeting information management unit 480, from the meeting information management unit 480, and transmits them to the user terminals 110 of the attendees of the target online meeting. The list of expected attendees 700 will be described later.

[0039] The User Management Unit 470 manages information about users who use the online meeting system 1. Hereinafter, information about users who use the online meeting system 1 will be referred to as user information. User information is stored in the user information database 471 and saved in storage 204. User information will be described later.

[0040] The meeting information management unit 480 performs online meeting management processes, including accepting online meeting requests, setting up online meeting rooms, managing online meeting schedules, and managing attendance. For example, it accepts online meeting requests from users who are meeting organizers via a website provided by the server 120 or a designated settings screen provided by the online meeting tool 400. At this time, the meeting information management unit 480 issues a meeting ID and generates a URL for the online meeting room. The meeting information management unit 480 also accepts settings related to the online meeting, including information such as the start time, end time, meeting name, and expected attendees. Based on the accepted settings, the meeting information management unit 480 generates meeting information, stores it in the meeting information database 472, and saves it in the storage 304. The meeting information includes information such as the online meeting ID, start time, end time, meeting name, online meeting room, and expected attendees. The meeting information will be described later.

[0041] The list update unit 481 generates an attendee list 700, which contains information about those scheduled to attend the online meeting. The list update unit 481 also updates the attendee list 700 in response to attendance requests, departure requests, and absence requests sent from user terminals 110. Specifically, the list update unit 481 updates the attendee list 700 based on attendance requests, departure requests, and absence requests received by the request receiving unit 461. In addition, each time an update is made, the list update unit 481 sends the updated information of the attendee list 700 to the user terminals 110 of the online meeting attendees. The attendee list 700 will be described later.

[0042] (User information database) Figure 5 shows an example of user information 500 stored in the user information database 471. User information 500 is information about users who use the online meeting system 1. For example, when a user registers from a website provided by the server 120 or when an online meeting tool is installed, user information 500 is registered. As shown in Figure 5, user information 500 includes user ID, username, affiliated group, user's authority information, etc. The username may be the user's full name or an arbitrarily set account name. The affiliated group is registered in association with the user ID if the user belongs to any group. For example, the name of a company department may be registered as the value of the affiliated group. The affiliated group does not necessarily have to be registered. Authority is registered in association with the user ID if the user has authority. For example, if the user is an administrator of an affiliated group, the job title may be registered as the value of the authority. Authority does not necessarily have to be registered.

[0043] (Conference Information Database) Figure 6 shows an example of meeting information 600 stored in the meeting information database 472. Meeting information 600 is information about an online meeting held in the online meeting system 1. For example, when a user who is the organizer applies to hold an online meeting from the website provided by the server 120, the server 120 issues a meeting ID and generates a new meeting information 600 record. As shown in Figure 6, meeting information 600 includes information such as the meeting ID, meeting name, online meeting room, start time, end time, and organizer. The meeting ID is information that identifies the online meeting issued by the server 120. The meeting name stores the meeting name set by the organizer or the meeting name automatically set by the server 120. The start time and end time stores the times set by the organizer. The organizer stores the user ID or username of the user who is the organizer.

[0044] (List of expected attendees) Figure 7 shows an example of an attendee list 700 managed by the meeting information management unit 480 of server 120. The attendee list 700 is generated for each online meeting and managed in association with the meeting ID, containing information on users registered as attendees for the online meeting. As shown in Figure 7, the attendee list 700 includes the meeting ID, attendees, affiliated groups, type, attendance status, etc. The meeting ID is the meeting ID registered in the meeting information 600. The attendees list stores user identification information such as user ID or username. These attendees are users designated by the organizer, and server 120 accepts the hosting of the online meeting and also accepts the registration of attendees. At this time, server 120 also accepts the setting of the attendee type. The type is either "mandatory attendee" or "optional attendee". Note that the organizer of the online meeting may be registered as the "organizer" among the mandatory attendees. The attendance status indicates the attendance status of users (scheduled attendees) included in the list of 700 attendees for the online meeting, and one of the following statuses will be registered: "Attending," "Not Attending," or "Absent." The initial value for the attendance status is "Not Attending." This refers to a user attending the online meeting (also known as participating, entering the online meeting room, etc.). If a user leaves an online meeting, their attendance status is updated from "Not Attending" to "Attending." Similarly, if a user leaves an online meeting, their attendance status is updated from "Attending" to "Not Attending." If a user has previously requested to be absent from the online meeting, their attendance status is updated from "Not Attending" to "Absent." In this way, attendance status is updated as needed during and before online meetings. These attendance status updates are performed by the Meeting Information Management Unit 480. The list of expected attendees 700 and its updated information are shared in real time with the user terminals 110 of the online meeting attendees.

[0045] (Server processing) Next, we will explain the processes performed by the server 120, referring to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the process flow related to updating the attendance status of an online meeting. The processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 8 are written in a program stored in storage 304. The program is called by the CPU 301 of the server 120, loaded into RAM 303, and executed by the CPU 301. After the server 120 starts up, it begins the processes shown in this flowchart. In the following explanation, the symbol "S" represents a step.

[0046] The request receiving unit 461 of server 120 is waiting for a request from user terminal 110. In S801, if the request receiving unit 461 of server 120 receives an attendance request from user terminal 110, it proceeds to S802. If no attendance request is received, it proceeds to S804. It is assumed that the attendance request includes a meeting ID and a user ID.

[0047] In S802, the request receiving unit 461 transmits the attendance request and its additional information to the list update unit 481. The list update unit 481 identifies the list of scheduled attendees 700 corresponding to the meeting ID included in the attendance request, and updates the attendance status associated with the corresponding user ID in the identified list of scheduled attendees 700 from "Not Attending" to "Attending". The list update unit 481 generates updated information for the list of scheduled attendees 700 and transmits it to the update information transmission unit 462. The updated information may be the entire updated list of scheduled attendees 700, or it may be information on only the updated portion. The updated information will also include the meeting ID of the updated list of scheduled attendees 700 and information on the destination of the update information. The destination of the update information is the user terminals 110 of all attendees of the online meeting identified by the meeting ID included in the update information.

[0048] In S803, the update information transmission unit 462 transmits the update information to the recipient user terminal 110. Then, the process proceeds to S804.

[0049] In S804, if the request receiving unit 461 of the server 120 receives an exit request from the user terminal 110, it proceeds to S805. If no exit request is received, it proceeds to S807. The exit request is assumed to include the meeting ID and user ID.

[0050] In S805, the request receiving unit 461 transmits the exit request and its additional information to the list update unit 481. The list update unit 481 identifies the list of scheduled attendees 700 corresponding to the meeting ID included in the exit request and updates the attendance status associated with the corresponding user ID in the identified list of scheduled attendees 700 to "Not Attending". The list update unit 481 generates updated information for the list of scheduled attendees 700 and transmits it to the update information transmission unit 462. The updated information may be the entire updated list of scheduled attendees 700 or only the updated portion. The updated information will also include the meeting ID of the updated list of scheduled attendees 700 and information on the destination of the updated information. The destination of the updated information is the user terminals 110 of all attendees of the online meeting identified by the meeting ID included in the updated information.

[0051] In S806, the update information transmission unit 462 transmits the update information to the recipient user terminal 110. Then, the process proceeds to S807.

[0052] In S807, if the request receiving unit 461 of the server 120 receives an absence request from the user terminal 110, it proceeds to S808. If no absence request is received, this flowchart terminates. It is assumed that the absence request includes the meeting ID and user ID.

[0053] In S808, the request receiving unit 461 transmits the absence request and its additional information to the list update unit 481. The list update unit 481 identifies the list of expected attendees 700 corresponding to the meeting ID included in the absence request, and updates the attendance status associated with the corresponding user ID in the identified list of expected attendees 700 to "Absent". The list update unit 481 generates updated information for the list of expected attendees 700 and transmits it to the update information transmission unit 462. The updated information may be the entire updated list of expected attendees 700, or only the updated portion. The updated information will also include the meeting ID of the updated list of expected attendees 700 and information on the destination of the update information. The destination of the update information is the user terminals 110 of all attendees of the online meeting identified by the meeting ID included in the update information.

[0054] In S809, the update information transmission unit 462 transmits the update information to the user terminal 110 designated as the recipient. Note that if the absence notification is received before the start time of the online meeting, the process in S809 may be omitted. Once the processes up to S809 are complete, this flowchart is terminated.

[0055] (Processing on the user terminal) Next, with reference to Figure 9, the processes executed by the user terminal 110 of an online meeting participant will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to updating and notifying the attendance status of an online meeting. The processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 are written in the program of the online meeting tool 400. The program is called by the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110, loaded into RAM 203, and executed by the CPU 201. After the time when it is possible to enter the online meeting room, when the user performs an operation to attend the online meeting, the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110 accesses the online meeting room specified by the URL and requests attendance at the online meeting. When a response to the attendance request is received from the server 120 and attendance is confirmed, the flowchart shown in Figure 9 is started. Note that the time when it is possible to enter the online meeting room includes the time from the start time to the end time of the online meeting and a predetermined preparation time before the start time.

[0056] In S901, the transmitting / receiving unit 401 of the user terminal 110 acquires the list of expected attendees 700. The list of expected attendees 700 is sent from the server 120 as a response to the request to attend the online meeting, along with the display data of the online meeting UI screen (meeting screen). As shown in Figure 7, the list of expected attendees 700 includes the type of person expected to attend the online meeting (organizer, required attendee, optional attendee) and information on the attendance status of each expected attendee. The transmitting / receiving unit 401 sends the acquired list of expected attendees 700 to the attendance status acquisition unit 404. When the attendance status acquisition unit 404 acquires the list of expected attendees 700, it stores it in the RAM 203. The output unit 403 acquires the attendance status information of the expected attendees from the list of expected attendees 700 and displays it on the meeting screen.

[0057] Additionally, server 120 will periodically send updates to the list of attendees (700). When the user terminal 110's transmitting / receiving unit 401 obtains updated information for the list of attendees 700, it sends this updated information to the attendance status acquisition unit 404. The attendance status acquisition unit 404 updates the attendance status of the list of attendees 700 stored in the RAM 203 based on the updated information. If the attendance status of the list of attendees 700 stored in the RAM 203 is updated, the output unit 403 obtains the updated attendance status information and reflects the updated information on the meeting screen. If notification information is generated by the notification unit 406 based on the updated information, the output unit 403 displays a notification screen containing the notification information as a pop-up.

[0058] Figure 10 shows an example of a meeting screen 1000, which is the UI screen for an online meeting, displayed on the display unit 210 of the user terminal 110. The output unit 403 of the online meeting tool 400 obtains display data for the meeting screen 1000 and data related to the online meeting from the server 120, generates the meeting screen 1000 based on the obtained data, and displays it on the display unit 210.

[0059] In the example shown in Figure 10, the meeting screen 1000 includes a menu bar 1002, a user image area 1010, an information area 1020, and an exit button 1006. The meeting name 1001 or meeting ID, such as "Online Meeting 01," is displayed in the upper left corner of the meeting screen 1000. The menu bar 1002 displays icons for executing various functions included in the online meeting tool 400. For example, it includes an icon 1004 for the chat function, an icon 1003 for the attendee display function, and an icon 1005 for other functions. When the attendee display function icon 1003 is selected by the user, the output unit 403 displays the attendee list 1021 and the list of expected attendees 1022 in the information area 1020. The output unit 403 generates and displays the attendee list 1021 and the list of expected attendees 1022 based on the acquired list of expected attendees 700 and its update information.

[0060] The Attendees List 1021 displays a list of usernames of users whose attendance status for the online meeting is "Attending." The Planned Attendees List 1022 displays a list of usernames of users who are registered as planned attendees but whose attendance status is "Not Attending." In addition, both the Attendees List 1021 and the Planned Attendees List 1022 clearly indicate the user type (organizer, required attendee, optional attendee) along with the username. The Attendees List 1021 and the Planned Attendees List 1022 are updated by the Output Unit 403 each time the Attendance Status Acquisition Unit 404 acquires update information for the Planned Attendees List. In other words, the Attendees List 1021 and Planned Attendees List 1022 are displayed with the latest update information without the user having to perform any update operations.

[0061] The exit button 1006 is operated when a user wants to leave an online meeting they are attending. When the exit button 1006 is operated by the user, the input unit 402 receives the request to leave the online meeting, generates an exit request, and sends the exit request to the server 120 from the transmission / reception unit 401. Upon receiving a response (acceptance) from the server 120 to the exit request, the output unit 403 closes the meeting screen 1000.

[0062] Furthermore, even during the preparation time before the start time of the online meeting, if the user of user terminal 110 has entered the online meeting room of the online meeting, the meeting screen 1000 of the online meeting will be displayed on the display unit 210 of user terminal 110. Entering means accessing the URL of the online meeting room and becoming "attending". Return to the explanation of Figure 9.

[0063] In S902, the determination unit 405 of the user terminal 110 determines whether or not a required attendee has attended. Specifically, the determination unit 405 refers to the list of scheduled attendees 700 or its update information obtained in S901 and determines whether or not a user whose attendance status has changed from "not attending" to "attending" is a required attendee. If the attendance status of a required attendee has changed to "attending," it determines that the required attendee has attended and proceeds to S903. Otherwise, the flowchart ends.

[0064] In S903, the determination unit 405 of the user terminal 110 determines whether all required attendees are present. Specifically, the determination unit 405 refers to the list of scheduled attendees 700 or its update information obtained in S901 and checks whether there are any "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee". If there are no "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee", the determination unit 405 determines that all required attendees are present and proceeds to S904. Otherwise, that is, if there are "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee", the determination unit 405 determines that not all required attendees are present and proceeds to S905.

[0065] In S904, the notification unit 406 generates display data for a notification screen (attendance completion notification screen 1200 in Figure 12) that includes a message indicating that all required attendees have been present. The notification unit 406 outputs the generated display data to the output unit 403.

[0066] In S905, the notification unit 406 generates a message indicating that required attendees have attended and display data for a notification screen (attendance notification screen 1100 in Figure 11) that includes the attendance status of the required attendees. The notification unit 406 outputs the generated display data to the output unit 403. After the execution of S904 or S905, the process proceeds to S906.

[0067] In S906, the output unit 403 determines whether a pop-up screen (such as an attendance notification screen 1100 or an attendance completion notification screen 1200) is already displayed on the conference screen 1000. If the pop-up screen does not appear, proceed to S907. Otherwise, proceed to S908.

[0068] In S907, the output unit 403 displays the display data generated in S904 or S905 as a pop-up screen on the display unit 210.

[0069] In S908, the output unit 403 updates the already displayed pop-up screen with the display data generated in S904 or S905. In other words, it updates the content of the pop-up screen. When the processing in S907 or S908 is completed, this flowchart is terminated.

[0070] Figure 11 shows an example of an attendance notification screen 1100 that pops up on the user terminal 110. The attendance notification screen 1100 is displayed on top of (in front of) the meeting screen 1000 when the attendance status of a scheduled attendee who is set as a required attendee of the online meeting is "attending". As shown in Figure 11, the attendance notification screen 1100 displays an attendance message 1101, the attendance status of the required attendee 1102, and a close button 1103.

[0071] Attendance message 1101 is a text message indicating that a user designated as a required attendee has attended the online meeting, such as "A required attendee has joined the online meeting." The attendance status of required attendees 1102 is generated based on the attendance status of required attendees in the list of scheduled attendees 700 stored in RAM 203 at the time the S902 determination is made. In the attendance status of required attendees 1102, the attendance status of required attendees is displayed in separate lists for <Attending> and <Not Attending>. The close button 1103 is used to dismiss (clear) the pop-up display of the attendance notification screen 1100.

[0072] Furthermore, the output unit 403 also updates the attendee list 1021 and the list of expected attendees 1022 on the meeting screen 1000, which is displayed below (behind) the attendance notification screen 1100, with the latest information.

[0073] Figure 12 shows an example of an attendance completion notification screen 1200 that pops up on the user terminal 110. The attendance completion notification screen 1200 is displayed on top of (in front of) the meeting screen 1000 when all attendees who are set as required attendees for the online meeting have attended. As shown in Figure 12, the attendance completion notification screen 1200 displays an attendance completion message 1201 and a close button 1103.

[0074] Attendance confirmation message 1201 means, "All required attendees have joined the online meeting." This is a text message indicating that all users set as required attendees have attended the online meeting. The close button 1103 is used to dismiss (clear) the pop-up display of the attendance completion notification screen 1200.

[0075] As shown in Figure 12, the contents of the attendee list 1021 and the list of expected attendees 1022 are also updated in the information area 1020 of the meeting screen 1000, which is displayed below (behind) the attendance completion notification screen 1200. For example, in Figure 11, the attendee list 1021 displayed Ichiro Yamada (organizer), Saburo Suzuki (required), and Haruko Kobayashi (optional). The list of expected attendees 1022 displayed Jiro Sato (required), Shiro Takahashi (optional), Natsuko Tanaka (required), and Goro Ito (required). Of these, when the three required attendees, Jiro Sato (required), Natsuko Tanaka (required), and Goro Ito (required), attend the online meeting and their attendance status is updated to "attending," the contents of the list of expected attendees 1022 are updated as shown in Figure 12. In other words, Jiro Sato (required), Natsuko Tanaka (required), and Goro Ito (required) will be added to the list of attendees 1021 and removed from the list of expected attendees 1022.

[0076] The attendance notification screen 1100 and the attendance completion notification screen 1200 may be displayed on the user terminals 110 of all attendees of the online meeting, or they may be displayed only on the user terminals 110 of specific users, such as the organizer of the online meeting. Hereinafter, the organizer of the online meeting, or a specific user designated as the facilitator, etc., will be referred to as the organizer, etc. In the latter case, after processing S901, the CPU 201 determines whether the user on the user terminal 110 is the organizer, etc. of the online meeting, and if so, it executes the processes S902 to S908. If the user is not the organizer, etc., it does not execute the processes S902 to S908. In addition, either the attendance notification screen 1100 or the attendance completion notification screen 1200 may be displayed on the user terminals 110 of all attendees of the online meeting. In addition, either the attendance notification screen 1100 or the attendance completion notification screen 1200 may be displayed only on the user terminal 110 of the user who is the organizer, etc. of the online meeting. For example, the attendance notification screen 1100 may be limited to the organizer, while the attendance completion notification screen 1200 may be displayed on the user terminals of all attendees.

[0077] Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 11 and 12, the notification unit 406 notified attendees about the attendance status of required attendees by displaying the attendance notification screen 1100 and the attendance completion notification screen 1200 as pop-ups on top of (in front of) the meeting screen 1000. However, the notification format is not limited to pop-up displays. For example, the attendance message 1101 and the attendance status 1102 of required attendees included in the attendance notification screen 1100 may be displayed in the information area 1020 of the meeting screen 1000. Alternatively, the attendance completion message 1201 included in the attendance completion notification screen 1200 may be displayed in the information area 1020 of the meeting screen 1000. Or, the notification unit 406 may output the text of the attendance message 1101 and the attendance completion message 1201 as audio. The attendance message 1101 and the attendance completion message 1201 may also be notified as chat information using the chat function of the online meeting tool, or sent to the email addresses of the organizer or scheduled attendees.

[0078] As described above, in this real-world online meeting system 1, the attendance status of required attendees in an online meeting, and the attendance status of all required attendees, are immediately notified during the online meeting. Therefore, the organizer of the online meeting can easily check the attendance status of required attendees, enabling the online meeting to proceed smoothly. This is particularly suitable when the start time of the online meeting is conditional on the attendance of all required attendees, or the attendance of specific required attendees. Furthermore, when a required attendee joins the online meeting, their attendance status is updated in real time by the server 120 and shared from the server 120 to the user terminals 110 of the online meeting attendees. Therefore, the user terminals 110 can provide real-time notifications of attendance for required attendees and notifications of completion of attendance for all required attendees. In addition, on the attendance notification screen 1100, the attendance status of required attendees is displayed separately for attendees and non-attendees, making it easy to understand the required attendees and the attendance rate (non-attendance rate).

[0079] In the first embodiment described above, in S901, information on the attendance status of each scheduled attendee, as shown in Figure 7, is obtained from the server 120. That is, information indicating the participation information of multiple users invited to the online meeting is received from the server 120 that provides the online meeting. This participation information may be information indicating the attendance status of each user, as shown in Figure 7, or it may be information indicating that all required attendees have participated. The server 120 may determine that all required attendees have participated and then send information indicating that all required attendees have participated from the server 120 to the user terminal 110. In this case, the determinations in S902 and S903 are not performed, and S904 is performed based on the receipt of this information.

[0080] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, S902 and S903 determine whether all "required attendees" have participated in the online meeting. Based on the determination that all "required attendees" have participated in the online meeting, S904 displays a message indicating that all "required attendees" are present. However, this is not limited to this. For example, based on the fact that all of the multiple users scheduled to attend the online meeting have participated in the online meeting, a notification may be issued indicating that all of the multiple users scheduled to attend the online meeting have participated. In this case, S902 determines whether the scheduled attendees, including not only required attendees but also optional attendees, have attended. Then, S903 determines whether all scheduled attendees, including not only required attendees but also optional attendees, have attended. For specific determination methods, replace "required attendees" with "scheduled attendees" in the explanations of S902 and S903 and process similarly.

[0081] The term "expected attendees" includes the user who is the organizer of the online meeting and invited multiple other expected attendees, as well as multiple users who were invited to the online meeting by that user.

[0082] In the first embodiment described above, the attendance completion notification is displayed in the form of a pop-up, but is not limited to this. In the first embodiment, a new pop-up screen is displayed on the meeting screen 1000, and the notification is displayed within that pop-up screen. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, a pop-up notification indicating attendance completion may be displayed at a predetermined position on the display unit of the user terminal 110. For example, the pop-up notification may be displayed in the lower right corner of the display unit of the user terminal 110. In addition to the attendee list 1021 and the list of expected attendees 1022, any configuration that provides a notification indicating that all users invited to the online meeting and the users who invited them have participated is acceptable. For example, a configuration that displays a message indicating that all users invited to the online meeting and the users who invited them have participated may be displayed at any location on the meeting screen 1000. Alternatively, a configuration that provides an audio notification that all users invited to the online meeting and the users who invited them have participated is also acceptable. In order for users participating in the meeting to recognize the notification, it is displayed within the meeting screen 1000 or on a pop-up screen superimposed on the meeting screen 1000.

[0083] In the first embodiment described above, the message "Required attendees have attended the meeting" was sent, but it is not limited to this. For example, the names of required attendees who have not yet attended may be sent. Alternatively, the names of scheduled attendees who have not yet attended may also be sent.

[0084] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, an example was shown where the organizer decided whether to start an online meeting based on whether all required attendees were present. However, the criteria for deciding whether or not to start an online meeting are not limited to this. For example, in the case of a meeting between groups, it is conceivable that the online meeting may be started even if not all required attendees are present, as long as at least one person from each group is present. In the second embodiment, the organizer will be able to easily decide when to start the online meeting even in such cases. To this end, when the online meeting tool 400 notifies the attendance of required attendees, it shows the attendance status of required attendees for each group.

[0085] In the second embodiment, the hardware and functional configurations of the user terminal 110 and server 120 of the online meeting system 1 are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, parts similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0086] Figure 13 shows an example of an attendance notification screen 1300 that pops up on the front of the meeting screen 1000 of the user terminal 110 in the second embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, this attendance notification screen 1300 is displayed when the attendance status of an attendee who is set as a required attendee of the online meeting is updated from "not attending" to "attending". Note that in Figure 13, the same parts as in the attendance notification screen 1100 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0087] As shown in Figure 13, the attendance notification screen 1300 displays an attendance message 1301, the attendance status of required attendees 1302, and a close button 1103.

[0088] The attendance message 1301 is the same as the attendance message 1101 in the attendance notification screen 1100 of the first embodiment, and is a text message indicating that a user set as a required attendee has joined the online meeting. The close button 1103 is also the same as in the attendance notification screen 1100 of the first embodiment.

[0089] The attendance status of required attendees (1302) is displayed separately for <Attending> and <Not Attending>, and further grouped into a list. Specifically, among the required attendees who are <Attending>, users belonging to the "Development Department" and users belonging to the "Quality Assurance Department" are displayed separately for each department (group). Similarly, among the required attendees who are not attending, users belonging to the "Development Department" and users belonging to the "Quality Assurance Department" are displayed separately for each department (group). The group information to which a user belongs is managed as user information (500) in the user information database (471) of server (120). In this way, the attendance status of required attendees is displayed by department, making it easy to see the attendees and not attendees in each department.

[0090] Next, with reference to Figure 14, the processing performed by the user terminal 110 of an online meeting participant in the second embodiment will be described. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow related to updating and notifying the attendance status of an online meeting. The processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 14 is written in the program of the online meeting tool 400. The program is called by the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110, loaded into RAM 203, and executed by the CPU 201. After the time when it is possible to enter the online meeting room of the online meeting, when the user performs an operation to attend the online meeting, the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110 accesses the online meeting room specified by the online meeting URL and requests attendance at the online meeting. When a response to the attendance request is received from the server 120, the flowchart shown in Figure 14 is started.

[0091] In Figure 14, the same steps as in the flowchart of Figure 9 are given the same step numbers. Compared to Figure 9, the flowchart in Figure 14 includes additional steps S1401 to S1403. The following explanation will focus on the differences between the flowchart in Figure 14 and that of Figure 9.

[0092] The processing in S901-S902 is the same as the processing in S901-S902 in the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0093] In S903, the determination unit 405 of the user terminal 110 determines whether all required attendees are present. Specifically, the determination unit 405 refers to the list of scheduled attendees 700 or its update information obtained in S901 and checks whether there are any "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee". If there are no "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee", the determination unit 405 determines that all required attendees are present and proceeds to S904. Otherwise, that is, if there are "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee", the determination unit 405 determines that not all required attendees are present and proceeds to S1401.

[0094] In S1401, the attendance acquisition unit 404 requests the server 120 to acquire user information for required attendees. User information here refers to user information including the group information to which the user belongs. In the example of the second embodiment, the group information is the department to which the user belongs (development department or quality assurance department), and is registered in advance as user information 500, associated with the user ID. The attendance acquisition unit 404 acquires user information including the group information of required attendees from the server 120. Then, the process proceeds to S1402.

[0095] In S1402, the determination unit 405 refers to the user information of the required attendees obtained in S1401 and determines whether or not there are required attendees belonging to the group. If there are required attendees belonging to the group, the process proceeds to S1403. If there are no required attendees belonging to the group, the process proceeds to S905.

[0096] In S1403, the notification unit 406 creates a message indicating that required attendees have attended and displays data (attendance notification screen 1300) that shows the attendance status of required attendees for each group. The process then proceeds to S906.

[0097] The processing in S904-S906 is the same as S904-S906 in the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0098] As explained above, in the second embodiment, if the required attendees of an online meeting belong to a group, the attendance status of the required attendees is displayed on the attendance notification screen 1300 for each group to which they belong. Therefore, when group information is needed as a criterion for deciding when to start an online meeting, the organizer of the online meeting can easily determine the timing of the online meeting to start, and the online meeting can proceed smoothly.

[0099] <Third Embodiment> In the third embodiment, even if there are absentees among those scheduled to attend, the attendance status of mandatory attendees can be accurately notified. That is, in the processes shown in the first and second embodiments, when determining the attendance of all mandatory attendees, it is also determined whether there are any mandatory attendees whose absence is known in advance. Additionally, the attendance confirmation screen will display the names of required attendees who were absent.

[0100] In the third embodiment, the hardware and functional configurations of the user terminal 110 and server 120 of the online meeting system 1 are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, parts similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0101] Figure 15 shows an example of an attendance completion notification screen 1500 that pops up on top of (in front of) the meeting screen 1000 of the user terminal 110 in the third embodiment. The attendance completion notification screen 1500 displays an attendance completion notification message 1501 and a list of absentees 1502. The attendance completion notification message 1501 also clearly indicates that there are absentees. In Figure 15, the same parts as in the attendance notification screen 1100 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0102] If a scheduled attendee designated as a required attendee wishes to be absent, they send an absence request to the server 120 of the online meeting system 1 in response to the online meeting announcement that has been sent in advance. It is preferable that the absence request be sent before the start time of the online meeting, but it is also acceptable to send it after the start time. The meeting information management unit 480 of the server 120 updates the attendance status of the scheduled attendee who sent the absence request from "Not Attending" to "Absent" in the attendee list 700 through processing S807 to S809 in Figure 8. This updated attendee list 700 is shared with the user terminals 110 of the attendees of the target online meeting.

[0103] Next, with reference to Figure 16, the processing performed by the user terminal 110 of an online meeting participant in the third embodiment will be described. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the processing flow related to updating and notifying the attendance status of an online meeting. The processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 16 is written in the program of the online meeting tool 400. The program is called by the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110, loaded into RAM 203, and executed by the CPU 201. After the time when it is possible to enter the online meeting room of the online meeting, when the user performs an operation to attend the online meeting, the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110 accesses the online meeting room specified by the online meeting URL and requests attendance at the online meeting. When a response to the attendance request is received from the server 120, the flowchart shown in Figure 16 is started.

[0104] In Figure 16, the same steps are assigned to processes that are the same as those in the flowchart of Figure 9. Compared to Figure 9, the flowchart in Figure 16 includes additional processes S1601 to S1603. Process S1601 replaces process S903. The following explanation will focus on the differences from the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0105] The processing in S901 to S902 is the same as the processing in the flowchart in Figure 9. In S902, if the determination unit 405 of the user terminal 110 determines that a required attendee has attended, the process proceeds to S1601; otherwise, the flowchart ends.

[0106] In S1601, the determination unit 405 of the user terminal 110 determines whether all required attendees are "absent". Specifically, the determination unit 405 refers to the list of scheduled attendees 700 or its update information obtained in S901 and checks whether there are any "absent" attendees among those whose type is "required attendee". If there are no "absent" attendees among those whose type is "required attendee", the determination unit 405 determines that all required attendees are present and proceeds to S1602. Otherwise, it proceeds to S905.

[0107] In S1602, the determination unit 405 of the user terminal 110 determines whether or not there are any absentees among the required attendees. Specifically, the determination unit 405 refers to the list of scheduled attendees 700 or its update information obtained in S901 and determines whether or not there are any users whose attendance status is "absent" among the scheduled attendees whose type is "required attendee". If there are any users whose attendance status is "absent" among the scheduled attendees whose type is "required attendee", the process proceeds to S1603. Otherwise, proceed to S904.

[0108] In S1603, the notification unit 406 generates a message indicating that all required attendees, excluding absentees, have been present, and displays data for the attendance completion notification screen 1500, including the absence status. The absence status is displayed, for example, as an absentee list 1502, showing the usernames of required attendees whose attendance status has been updated to "absent". Once the processing in S1603, S904, and S905 is complete, the process proceeds to S906.

[0109] The processing in S904-S908 is the same as in S904-S908 in Figure 9.

[0110] As described above, in the third embodiment, the attendance completion notification screen 1500 is displayed when all required attendees, excluding those whose attendance status is set to "absent," have attended the online meeting. Therefore, the organizer of the online meeting can determine the timing of the start of the online meeting even if there are absentees among the required attendees, and the online meeting can proceed smoothly. In addition, since the attendance completion notification screen 1500 displays the list of absent required attendees 1502, the organizer can find out the absence status of the required attendees in detail.

[0111] <Fourth Embodiment> In the fourth embodiment, if a required attendee leaves the online meeting midway through the process described in the first to third embodiments, the system notifies the system of the required attendee's departure.

[0112] In the fourth embodiment, the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the user terminal 110 and server 120 of the online meeting system 1 are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, parts similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0113] Figure 17 shows an example of an exit notification screen 1700 that pops up on top of (in front of) the meeting screen 1000 of the user terminal 110 in the fourth embodiment. The exit notification screen 1700 displays an exiter list 1702, which is a list of users who have left the online meeting from among the required attendees. In addition, an exit notification message 1701 clearly indicates that there are users who have left. Note that in Figure 17, the same parts as in the attendance notification screen 1100 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0114] When a user wants to leave an online meeting, they press the exit button 1006 on the meeting screen 1000. The input unit 402 of the online meeting tool 400 then receives the exit instruction entered by the user and sends an exit request to the server 120 from the transmission / reception unit 401. The exit request includes the user ID and the meeting ID. The meeting information management unit 480 of the server 120 retrieves the list of scheduled attendees 700 corresponding to the meeting ID included in the exit request through processing S804 to S806 in Figure 8, and updates the attendance status of the scheduled attendees corresponding to the user ID included in the exit request from "attending" to "not attending". This updated list of scheduled attendees 700 is shared in real time with the user terminals 110 of the attendees who are attending the target online meeting.

[0115] Next, with reference to Figure 18, the processing performed by the user terminal 110 of an online meeting participant in the fourth embodiment will be described. Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the processing flow related to updating and notifying the attendance status of an online meeting. The processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 18 is written in the program of the online meeting tool 400. The program is called by the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110, loaded into RAM 203, and executed by the CPU 201. The flowchart shown in Figure 18 starts when the user terminal 110 receives update information of the list of expected attendees 700 from the server 120. Note that the processing shown in Figure 18 may be performed on the user terminals 110 of all online meeting participants, or it may be performed only on the user terminal 110 of the organizer, etc.

[0116] In S1801, the attendance acquisition unit 404 of the user terminal 110 updates the list of scheduled attendees 700 stored in RAM 203 based on the update information acquired from the server 120. Based on the updated attendance status, the output unit 403 updates the display of the attendee list 1021 and the list of scheduled attendees 1022 in the information area 1020 of the meeting screen 1000. Then, the process proceeds to S1802.

[0117] In S1802, the determination unit 405 determines whether a required attendee has left the online meeting. Specifically, the determination unit 405 determines, based on the update information obtained in S1801, whether the user whose attendance status changed from "attending" to "not attending" is a required attendee. If the user whose attendance status changed from "attending" to "not attending" is a required attendee, the determination unit 405 determines that the required attendee has left and proceeds to S1803. Otherwise, this flowchart ends.

[0118] In S1803, the notification unit 406 generates a message indicating that a required attendee has left, and display data (departure notification screen 1700) showing the departure status of the required attendee. The departure status is displayed, for example, as a list of departed attendees 1702, showing the usernames of required attendees whose attendance status has been updated from "attending" to "not attending". The process then proceeds to S906. The processing in S906-S908 is the same as in S906-S908 in Figure 9.

[0119] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, if a required attendee leaves the online meeting midway through, the attendee's departure is notified. Therefore, the organizer of the online meeting can easily ascertain that a required attendee has left the online meeting. In addition, since the list of attendees who have left 1702 is displayed on the departure notification screen 1700, the organizer of the online meeting can identify the required attendees who have left and use this information to help manage the online meeting.

[0120] <Fifth Embodiment> In the first to fourth embodiments, the user terminal 110 retrieved the list of scheduled attendees 700 managed by the server 120 and stored it in the RAM 203 of the user terminal 110. The user terminal 110 also retrieved update information from the server 120. Furthermore, the user terminal 110 also performed the determination of the attendance status of required attendees, the generation of notification information such as attendance notifications and attendance completion notifications for required attendees, and the generation of display data. However, these processes may also be performed by the server 120. As a fifth embodiment, an example will be described in which the server 120 retrieves the attendance status of scheduled attendees, determines the attendance status of required attendees, generates notification information such as attendance notifications and attendance completion notifications for required attendees, and generates display data.

[0121] Figure 19 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the online meeting system in the fifth embodiment. As shown in Figure 19, the online meeting system includes an online meeting tool 400A and server software 450A.

[0122] The online meeting tool 400A is an application program executed by the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110. In this specification, the online meeting tool 400A is stored in either the RAM 203, storage 204, or ROM 202 of the user terminal 110. Server software 450A is an application program executed by the CPU 301 of server 120. In this specification, server software 450A is stored in one of the storage devices of server 120, RAM 303, storage 304, or ROM 302, and executed by the CPU 301.

[0123] (Online meeting tool) As shown in Figure 19, the online meeting tool 400A has a transmitting / receiving unit 401, an input unit 402, and an output unit 403. The CPU 201 of the user terminal 110 calls the program of the online meeting tool 400A stored in the storage 204, and the CPU 201 executes processing according to the program. This causes the user terminal 110 to function as the transmitting / receiving unit 401, the input unit 402, and the output unit 403.

[0124] (Server software) As shown in Figure 19, the server software 450A includes a data transmission / reception unit 460, a user management unit 470, a meeting information management unit 480, a user information database 471, and a meeting information database 472. The data transmission / reception unit 460 includes a request receiving unit 461 and a notification information transmission unit 463. The meeting information management unit 480 includes a list update unit 481, an attendance status acquisition unit 404, a determination unit 405, and a notification unit 406. The CPU 301 of the server 120 calls the program of the server software 450A stored in the storage 304, and the CPU 301 executes processing according to the program, thereby making the server 120 function as the units shown in Figure 19.

[0125] The difference from the configuration shown in Figure 4 is that the attendance status acquisition unit 404, the determination unit 405, and the notification unit 406 are provided in the meeting information management unit 480 of the server software 450A. The functions and processing contents of each unit are generally the same as in the first embodiment, but the differences will be explained below.

[0126] In the fifth embodiment, the transmitting / receiving unit 401 of the online meeting tool 400A communicates with the server 120 via the communication line 101 to transmit and receive various data, including audio data, image data, display data, and meeting information for the online meeting. In the first embodiment, the transmitting / receiving unit 401 of the user terminal 110 (online meeting tool 400A) received the list of scheduled attendees 700 and its update information from the server 120. In the fifth embodiment, the transmitting / receiving unit 401 does not transmit or receive the list of scheduled attendees 700 and its update information. Instead, it receives screen display data, including notification information regarding the attendance of required attendees, from the server 120 (notification information transmission unit 463).

[0127] The output unit 403, similar to the first embodiment, displays a meeting screen, which is the UI screen for the online meeting, and a notification screen containing notification information on the display unit 210 of the user terminal 110. The display data for the screen containing notification information is generated by the attendance status acquisition unit 404, the determination unit 405, and the notification unit 406 of the server 120.

[0128] The attendance status acquisition unit 404 acquires the attendance status of scheduled attendees, including mandatory attendees (first user) whose attendance at the online meeting is required, and optional attendees (second user) whose attendance at the online meeting is optional, from the list update unit 481. The attendance status is managed as the scheduled attendee list 700 in the meeting information management unit 480 of the server 120. When there is a change in attendance status, such as a change from "not attending" to "attending," the list update unit 481 passes the scheduled attendee list 700 or the updated information to the attendance status acquisition unit 404.

[0129] The determination unit 405 determines whether or not a required attendee attended the online meeting based on the attendance status of required attendees among the attendance status acquired by the attendance status acquisition unit 404. Specifically, it determines whether or not the attendance status of a required attendee changed to "attending". The determination unit 405 also determines whether or not all required attendees attended the online meeting based on the attendance status of required attendees among the attendance status acquired by the attendance status acquisition unit 404. Specifically, it determines whether or not the attendance status of all required attendees changed to "attending". The determination unit 405 passes the determination result to the notification unit 406.

[0130] The notification unit 406 generates notification information based on the determination result by the determination unit 405, which is based on the attendance status of required attendees acquired by the attendance status acquisition unit 404. If the determination unit 405 determines that a required attendee has attended the online meeting, the notification unit 406 generates notification information that the required attendee has attended the online meeting. If the determination unit 405 determines that all required attendees have attended the online meeting, the notification unit 406 generates notification information that all required attendees have attended the online meeting. The notification unit 406 generates screen data (such as attendance notification screen and attendance completion notification screen) containing the generated notification information and immediately passes it to the data transmission / reception unit 460.

[0131] When the notification information transmission unit 463 of the data transmission / reception unit 460 acquires display data containing notification information generated by the notification unit 406, it immediately transmits it to a predetermined notification destination. The notification destination may be the user terminals 110 of all attendees of the online meeting, or it may be limited to the user terminals 110 of the organizer, etc.

[0132] Figure 20 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow executed in the online meeting system 1 of the fifth embodiment. Processing S2001 to S2007 is written in the program of the server software 450A and executed by the CPU 301 of the server 120. Processing S2008 to S2011 is written in the program of the online meeting tool 400A and executed by the CPU 201 of the user terminal 110. After the server 120 starts up, it starts processing S2001. After the user terminal 110 starts the online meeting tool 400A, it enters the online meeting room (sends attendance request) and obtains the display data of the meeting screen from the server 120. When the meeting screen is displayed, it starts processing S2007. In the following description, the symbol "S" represents a step.

[0133] In S2001, the meeting information management unit 480 of server 120 determines whether the list of attendees 700 has been updated. The list of attendees 700 is updated, for example, when an attendance request is received from a user terminal 110 (S802 in Figure 8), when an exit request is received (S805), or when an absence request is received (S808). If the list of attendees 700 has been updated, proceed to S2002. Otherwise, terminate this flowchart.

[0134] In S2002, the attendance status acquisition unit 404 of server 120 acquires the updated list of scheduled attendees 700.

[0135] In S2003, the determination unit 405 of server 120 determines whether or not a required attendee has attended. Specifically, the determination unit 405 refers to the list of scheduled attendees 700 obtained in S2002 and checks whether a user whose attendance status has changed from "not attending" to "attending" is a required attendee. If it is determined that a required attendee has attended, the process proceeds to S2004; otherwise, the flowchart ends.

[0136] In S2004, the determination unit 405 of the user terminal 110 determines whether all required attendees are present. Specifically, the determination unit 405 refers to the list of scheduled attendees 700 obtained in S2002 and checks whether there are any "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee". If there are no "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee", the determination unit 405 determines that all required attendees are present and proceeds to S2005. Otherwise, that is, if there are "not present" attendees whose type is "required attendee", the determination unit 405 determines that all required attendees are not present and proceeds to S2006.

[0137] In S2005, the notification unit 406 generates display data (attendance completion notification screen 1200 in Figure 12) that includes a message indicating that all required attendees have been present.

[0138] In S2006, the notification unit 406 generates a message indicating that a required attendee has attended, and display data (attendance notification screen 1100) including the attendance status of the required attendee. After the execution of S2005 or S2006, the process proceeds to S2007.

[0139] In S2007, the notification unit 406 sends the display data of the attendance completion notification screen 1200 generated in S2005 or the display data of the attendance notification screen 1100 generated in S2006 to the notification information transmission unit 463. The notification information transmission unit 463 sends the display data of the attendance completion notification screen 1200 or the display data of the attendance notification screen 1100 to the user terminal 110 set as the notification destination via the network interface 307. After that, the server software 450A finishes processing.

[0140] In S2008, the transmitting / receiving unit 401 of the user terminal 110 receives display data for the attendance completion notification screen 1200 or the attendance notification screen 1100 from the server 120. The transmitting / receiving unit 401 outputs the received display data to the output unit 403.

[0141] In S2009, output unit 403 determines whether a pop-up screen is already displayed on the UI screen (meeting screen). If no pop-up screen is displayed, proceed to S2010. Otherwise, proceed to S2011.

[0142] In S2010, the output unit 403 displays either the attendance notification screen 1100 or the attendance completion notification screen 1200 as a pop-up screen on the display unit 210, based on the display data received in S2008.

[0143] In S2011, the output unit 403 updates the already displayed pop-up screen based on the display data received in S2008. In other words, it updates the content of the pop-up screen.

[0144] When processing S2010 or S2011 is completed, the user terminal 110 terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0145] As described above, the server 120 acquires and determines attendance status, generates notification information, and generates display data for the screen including the notification information. The user terminal 110 receives the display data including the notification information generated by the server 120 and updates the screen including the notification information. This allows for screen transitions similar to those in the first embodiment, depending on the attendance status of required attendees. Since attendance status is managed on the server 120 side, the processing load on the user terminal 110 is reduced. Similarly, for messages regarding the absence or departure of required attendees, as shown in the second to fourth embodiments, the server 120 may also manage attendance status, generate display data including notification information, and send it to the user terminal for pop-up display.

[0146] As described above, the online meeting system shown in the embodiment can generate notification information for mandatory attendees whose attendance is required to attend an online meeting and send it to a designated recipient. This can be used to facilitate the progress of online meetings where attendance is designated as mandatory or optional, thereby improving the convenience of the online meeting system.

[0147] In the above embodiment, notification was given when all required attendees were present. However, there may be cases where attendance conditions are set for an online meeting to be successful, such as requiring two-thirds of the required attendees, or at least 10 people. In such cases, notification may be given when the predetermined attendance conditions are met.

[0148] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but this disclosure is not limited to such examples. The display content of meeting screens and pop-up notification screens, the processing procedures of flowcharts, etc., are examples only and are not limited to those shown in the embodiments. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the disclosed technical idea, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0149] <Other Embodiments> This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0150] The above-described embodiments include the following configurations.

[0151] (Composition 1) An information processing device in an online meeting system in which a server device that performs processing for providing online meetings and an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meetings are communicated to each other via a network, An acquisition means for acquiring the attendance status of users scheduled to attend the online meeting, including a first user whose attendance is mandatory and a second user whose attendance is optional, from the server device during the execution of the online meeting. When the attendance status of the first user changes among the attendance status acquired by the acquisition means, a notification means generates notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user and immediately notifies the user; An information processing device characterized by comprising:

[0152] (Configuration 2) The information processing device according to Configuration 1, characterized in that when the attendance status of the first user changes to attendance, the notification means generates and notifies the first user of notification information, which includes that the first user has attended the online meeting.

[0153] (Composition 3) The information processing device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that, if the attendance status of all first users is "attending", the notification means generates and notifies a second notification, which includes as notification information that all first users have attended the online meeting.

[0154] (Composition 4) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that when the attendance status of the first user changes from attending to not attending, the notification means generates and notifies a third notification indicating that the first user has left the online meeting.

[0155] (Composition 5) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the acquisition of attendance status by the acquisition means and the notification of notification information by the notification means are performed in an information processing device used by users who are among the scheduled attendees and are attending the online meeting.

[0156] (Composition 6) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the acquisition of attendance status by the acquisition means and the notification of notification information by the notification means are performed in an information processing device used by a specific user among the scheduled attendees who is attending the online meeting.

[0157] (Composition 7) The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires updated attendance status information each time the attendance status is updated, and the notification means immediately generates and notifies the notification information based on the updated information.

[0158] (Composition 8) The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the notification means displays the notification information as a pop-up on the display unit of the information processing apparatus.

[0159] (Composition 9) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the notification means displays the notification information on the display unit of the information processing device separately from the information indicating the attendance status of the scheduled attendees.

[0160] (Composition 10) The information processing device according to configuration 9, characterized in that the notification means displays a notification screen containing the notification information on the front of the meeting screen of the online meeting.

[0161] (Composition 11) The information processing device according to configuration 2, characterized in that the notification means indicates the attendance status of each of the first users together with the identification information of the first users in the first notification information.

[0162] (Composition 12) The information processing apparatus according to configuration 11, characterized in that the notification means distinguishes between the first user who is attending the online meeting and the first user who is not attending the online meeting in the first notification information.

[0163] (Composition 13) The information processing device according to configuration 12, characterized in that, if the first user belongs to a group, the notification means indicates the group to which the first user belongs, along with the identification information of the first user, in the first notification information.

[0164] (Composition 14) The information processing device according to configuration 13, characterized in that the notification means distinguishes between the first user who is attending the online meeting and the first user who is not attending the online meeting in the first notification information, and also indicates the identification information of the first user for each group to which the first user belongs.

[0165] (Composition 15) The information processing apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized in that, if the attendance status of the first user obtained by the acquisition means includes a user indicating absence, the notification means generates and notifies the second notification information when the attendance status of all first users except the user indicating absence is attendance.

[0166] (Composition 16) The information processing device according to configuration 15, wherein the notification means further indicates, in the second notification information, the identification information of the first user whose attendance status is absent.

[0167] (Composition 17) In an online meeting system, the server device is connected via a network to an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meeting, and the server device is connected via a network to perform processing for providing online meetings. A means for acquiring the attendance status of users scheduled to attend the online meeting, including a first user whose attendance is mandatory and a second user whose attendance is optional, during the execution of the online meeting. A notification means generates notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user and immediately notifies the information processing device when the attendance status of the first user changes among the attendance status acquired by the acquisition means, A server device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

[0168] (Composition 18) An information processing method performed by an information processing device in an online meeting system in which a server device that performs processing for providing online meetings and an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meetings are communicated via a network, The steps include obtaining the attendance status of scheduled attendees, including a first user whose attendance is mandatory and a second user whose attendance is optional, from the server device while the online meeting is in progress; If the attendance status of the first user changes among the acquired attendance status, the system generates notification information regarding the first user's attendance status and immediately sends a notification. An information processing method characterized by including

[0169] (Composition 19) A program executed by a computer, A computer used as an information processing device in an online meeting system, in which a server device that performs processing to provide online meetings and an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meetings are communicated via a network, An acquisition means for acquiring the attendance status of users scheduled to attend the online meeting, including a first user whose attendance is mandatory and a second user whose attendance is optional, from the server device during the execution of the online meeting. When the attendance status of the first user changes among the attendance status acquired by the acquisition means, a notification means generates notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user and immediately notifies the user; A program designed to function as such.

Claims

1. An information processing device in an online meeting system in which a server device that performs processing for providing online meetings and an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meetings are communicated to each other via a network, An acquisition means for acquiring the attendance status of users scheduled to attend the online meeting, including a first user whose attendance is mandatory and a second user whose attendance is optional, from the server device during the execution of the online meeting. When the attendance status of the first user changes among the attendance status acquired by the acquisition means, a notification means generates notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user and immediately notifies the user; An information processing device characterized by comprising:

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the attendance status of the first user changes to attendance, the notification means generates and notifies the first notification information, which includes that the first user has attended the online meeting.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, if the attendance status of all first users is "attending", the notification means generates and notifies a second notification, which includes as notification information that all first users have attended the online meeting.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the attendance status of the first user changes from attending to not attending, the notification means generates and notifies a third notification indicating that the first user has left the online meeting.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition of attendance status by the acquisition means and the notification of notification information by the notification means are performed in an information processing device used by users who are among the scheduled attendees and are attending the online meeting.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition of attendance status by the acquisition means and the notification of notification information by the notification means are performed in an information processing device used by a specific user among the scheduled attendees who is attending the online meeting.

7. The acquisition means acquires updated attendance status information each time the attendance status is updated. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means immediately generates and notifies the notification information based on the update information.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means causes the notification information to be displayed as a pop-up on the display unit of the information processing apparatus.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means displays the notification information on the display unit of the information processing apparatus separately from the information indicating the attendance status of the scheduled attendees.

10. The information processing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the notification means displays a notification screen containing the notification information on the front of the meeting screen of the online meeting.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the notification means indicates the attendance status of each of the first users together with the identification information of the first users in the first notification information.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the notification means distinguishes between the first user who is attending the online meeting and the first user who is not attending the online meeting in the first notification information.

13. The information processing device according to claim 12, wherein, if the first user belongs to a group, the notification means indicates the group to which the first user belongs, along with the identification information of the first user, in the first notification information.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the notification means distinguishes between the first user who is attending the online meeting and the first user who is not attending the online meeting in the first notification information, and also indicates the identification information of the first user for each group to which the first user belongs.

15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein if the attendance status of the first user obtained by the acquisition means includes a user who is absent, the notification means generates and notifies the second notification information when the attendance status of all first users except the user who is absent is "attending".

16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the notification means further indicates in the second notification information the identification information of the first user whose attendance status is absent.

17. In an online meeting system, the server device is connected via a network to an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meeting, and the server device is connected via a network to perform processing for providing online meetings. A means for acquiring the attendance status of users scheduled to attend the online meeting, including a first user whose attendance is mandatory and a second user whose attendance is optional, during the execution of the online meeting. A notification means generates notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user and immediately notifies the information processing device when the attendance status of the first user changes among the attendance status acquired by the acquisition means, A server device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

18. An information processing method performed by an information processing device in an online meeting system in which a server device that performs processing for providing online meetings and an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meetings are communicated via a network, The steps include obtaining the attendance status of scheduled attendees, including a first user whose attendance is mandatory and a second user whose attendance is optional, from the server device while the online meeting is in progress; If the attendance status of the first user changes among the acquired attendance status, the system generates notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user and immediately sends a notification. An information processing method characterized by including

19. A program executed by a computer, A computer used as an information processing device in an online meeting system, in which a server device that performs processing to provide online meetings and an information processing device used by users scheduled to attend the online meetings are communicated via a network, An acquisition means for acquiring the attendance status of users scheduled to attend the online meeting, including a first user whose attendance is mandatory and a second user whose attendance is optional, from the server device during the execution of the online meeting. When the attendance status of the first user changes among the attendance status acquired by the acquisition means, a notification means generates notification information regarding the attendance status of the first user and immediately notifies the user; A program designed to function as such.

Images