Conference scheduling system, conference scheduling server, conference scheduling method, and conference scheduling program

Abstract

We provide a meeting scheduling system that can flexibly accept meeting requests. [Solution] The meeting setting system 10, which accepts meeting settings, comprises a reception unit 12 that accepts input, a storage unit 11 that stores schedule information 20 associating meeting attendees and times, an update unit 13 that updates the schedule information 20 according to the reception result at the reception unit 12, a display unit 15 that displays information related to the schedule information 20, and a display control unit 14 that controls the display at the display unit 15 based on the display priority set for the schedule information 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a meeting setting system, a meeting setting server, a meeting setting method, and a meeting setting program that accept meeting settings.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in ordinary reception work at companies and the like, an unmanned reception system using a robot or the like is employed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A conventional reception system includes: a visitor recognition unit that recognizes a visitor; a contact person recognition unit that recognizes a contact person corresponding to the visitor; a contact person contact information storage unit that stores contact information of the contact person; a notification unit that notifies the contact person that the visitor has arrived at the contact address of the contact person; and a contact person selection unit that selects an alternate contact person associated with the contact person when the contact person is absent. The notification unit sends a notification to the alternate contact person when the contact person is absent.

[0005] By the way, it is desired to reduce the burden on users even in operations other than reception work. For example, for matters involving a plurality of users such as meetings, it is required to create a collectively set schedule and manage the schedule efficiently.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the problem described above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a meeting setting system, a meeting setting server, a meeting setting method, and a meeting setting program that can flexibly accept meeting settings.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The meeting scheduling system relating to this disclosure is a meeting scheduling system that accepts meeting schedulings, and is characterized by comprising: a reception unit that accepts inputs; a storage unit that stores schedule information associating meeting attendees and times; an update unit that updates the schedule information according to the reception results of the reception unit; a display unit that displays the schedule information; and a display control unit that controls the display on the display unit based on the display priority set for the schedule information.

[0008] In the meeting scheduling system relating to this disclosure, the display control unit may be configured to include the time designated as an attendee of the meeting in the display unit's display.

[0009] In the meeting setting system relating to this disclosure, the setting of the meeting may include designating mandatory and optional attendance for attendees, and the time designated as optional attendance may be configured to have a higher display priority than the time designated as mandatory attendance.

[0010] In the meeting setting system relating to this disclosure, the setting of the meeting may include the designation of a substitute attendee for the attendees of the meeting, and the time for which the substitute attendee is designated may be configured to have a higher display priority than the time for which attendance is designated as voluntary.

[0011] The meeting scheduling system relating to this disclosure may be configured such that the schedule information includes a notification recipient associated with the attendees of the meeting, and the update unit notifies the notification recipient when the update unit updates the schedule information.

[0012] The meeting setting server relating to this disclosure is a meeting setting server that accepts meeting settings, and is characterized by comprising: a reception unit that accepts input; a storage unit that stores schedule information associating meeting attendees and times; an update unit that updates the schedule information according to the reception results of the reception unit; a display unit that displays the schedule information; and a display control unit that controls the display on the display unit based on the display priority set for the schedule information.

[0013] The meeting setting method relating to this disclosure is a meeting setting method for accepting meeting settings, and is characterized by including: an acceptance step for accepting input; a storage step for storing schedule information that associates meeting attendees with times; an update step for updating the schedule information according to the acceptance result in the acceptance step; a display step for displaying the schedule information; and a display control step for controlling the display in the display step based on the display priority set for the schedule information.

[0014] The meeting scheduling program relating to this disclosure is characterized by causing a computer to execute each step of the meeting scheduling method relating to this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to this disclosure, by displaying appropriate candidates according to their display priority, it is possible to flexibly accept meeting settings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a meeting scheduling system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory chart showing the first schedule information. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory chart showing the second schedule information. [Figure 5]It is a flow chart showing the processing flow when setting a meeting in the meeting setting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram showing third schedule information. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram showing fourth schedule information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, the meeting setting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the meeting setting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] The meeting setting system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a storage unit 11, a reception unit 12, an update unit 13, a display control unit 14, a display unit 15, and a notification unit 16.

[0020] The meeting setting system 10 is implemented as a program (meeting setting program) stored in a terminal or the like connected via a network. The terminal that stores the meeting setting program is, for example, a meeting setting server, a mobile phone terminal, a tablet, a personal computer, or the like. It is not necessary to aggregate all of the storage unit 11, reception unit 12, update unit 13, display control unit 14, display unit 15, and notification unit 16 that constitute the meeting setting system 10 in a single terminal, and they may be appropriately provided in corresponding terminals.

[0021] The reception unit 12 receives input such as meeting settings from a user. The meeting settings include items such as meeting attendees, time, place, and the like. For the meeting settings, various specifications may be accepted for each item, including the specification of mandatory attendees and optional attendees for the meeting. In addition, the meeting settings may include the specification of alternate attendees for meeting attendees. The present invention is not limited to this, and other specifications may be accepted as meeting settings.

[0022] Designating a meeting as mandatory indicates that it is important to the attendee and should be given priority when scheduling. On the other hand, designating a meeting as optional indicates that it is not mandatory for the attendee and should be given a lower priority than mandatory attendance when scheduling. A substitute attendee refers to an attendee who can attend the meeting on behalf of a designated attendee.

[0023] The memory unit 11 stores schedule information 20 that associates meeting attendees with the time. The schedule information 20 may also include notification recipients associated with the meeting attendees. For explanatory purposes below, examples of schedule information 20 may be distinguished and referred to as the first schedule information 20A to the fourth schedule information 20D.

[0024] The update unit 13 updates the schedule information 20 according to the reception result at the reception unit 12. If the schedule information 20 is not stored in the storage unit 11, the update unit 13 can create the schedule information 20 according to the reception result and store it in the storage unit 11. When the update unit 13 updates the schedule information 20, the notification unit 16 notifies the corresponding notification recipient. The updating of the schedule information 20 will be explained in conjunction with Figures 2 and 4 below.

[0025] The display unit 15 displays information related to the schedule information 20. The display control unit 14 controls the display on the display unit 15 based on the display priority set for the schedule information 20. An example of the display on the display unit 15 will be explained later with reference to Figure 3.

[0026] Figure 2 is an explanatory chart showing the first schedule information.

[0027] Schedule information 20 registers the times when meetings are scheduled for multiple attendees. The first schedule information 20A shown in Figure 2 includes the schedules of three attendees: Attendee A, Attendee B, and Attendee C. In the time-based columns of schedule information 20, the upper section shows the status of the column, and the lower section shows the detailed contents of the column. Columns where no meeting is scheduled and are marked "Not scheduled" are indicated by the symbol "○". Columns with mandatory attendance are indicated by the symbol "×", and columns with optional attendance are indicated by the symbol "△". Furthermore, columns with a scheduled meeting and a designated substitute attendee are indicated by the symbol "□". For explanatory purposes, the attendees' schedules may be described using symbols such as ○ or △, without specifying whether they are mandatory or optional.

[0028] In the first schedule information 20A, attendee A's schedule shows no scheduled event (○) from 9:00 to 12:00, and a mandatory meeting "Meeting 4 (×)" is scheduled from 12:00 to 13:00. Attendee B's schedule shows a mandatory meeting "Meeting 1 (×)" scheduled from 9:00 to 10:00, no scheduled event (○) from 10:00 to 11:00, and a mandatory meeting "Meeting 3 (×)" is scheduled from 11:00 to 13:00. Furthermore, attendee C's schedule shows "Meeting 1 (×)" as mandatory attendance in the 9:00-10:00 column, "Meeting 2 (△)" as optional attendance in the 10:00-11:00 column, "No appointment (○)" in the 11:00-12:00 column, and "Meeting 4 (×)" as mandatory attendance in the 12:00-13:00 column.

[0029] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit.

[0030] Figure 3 shows the display when a new meeting is requested, with the schedule information 20 stored in the memory unit 11 being the first schedule information 20A. The display control unit 14 refers to the first schedule information 20A and displays candidate times for setting the meeting based on the display priority. The display priorities, in descending order from highest to lowest, are: times when all attendees are free (no appointments), times when an optional meeting is scheduled, times when a substitute attendee is scheduled for an attendee, and times when a mandatory meeting is scheduled. This can be represented using status symbols as follows: "○>△>□>×".

[0031] Specifically, regarding the display priority in the first schedule information 20A, there are no time slots marked with ○ for all attendees (attendee A, attendee B, and attendee C). Therefore, the time slot from 10:00 to 11:00, which is marked with ○ or △ for all attendees, is extracted and displayed at the top. Next, the search is performed including the time slots marked with □ and ×, and the time slots containing the most high display priority are set to the top. As a result, the time slots are displayed in the order of 11:00 to 12:00, 9:00 to 10:00, and 12:00 to 13:00. Note that the display content is not limited to this; items with the same rank may be displayed side by side, or a predetermined number of items may be extracted from the top and displayed.

[0032] Figure 4 is an explanatory chart showing the second schedule information.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the second schedule information 20B, which is an updated version of the first schedule information 20A shown in Figure 2. Specifically, in the second schedule information 20B, the 10:00-11:00 column for attendees A, B, and C has been updated to include "Meeting 5 (×)", which is a required attendance item. For attendee C, in addition to the originally set "Meeting 2 (△)", "Meeting 5 (×)" has been added to the 10:00-11:00 column. For times when multiple meetings overlap, all meetings are kept, and the status is set according to the one with the lowest display priority. In other words, for attendee C, the 10:00-11:00 column has "Meeting 5 (×)" and "Meeting 2 (△)" set, and the status is ×. The notification unit 16 notifies attendees A, B, and C that "Meeting 5 (×)" has been set.

[0034] Figures 2 and 4 illustrate the case where all attendees are designated as required attendees, but this is not the only option. Different settings may be applied to each attendee. For example, attendance may be designated as either required or optional depending on the attendee.

[0035] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing flow when setting up a meeting in the meeting setting system according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0036] In step S11, the reception unit 12 accepts the meeting setup. Here, information such as the meeting attendees and location is accepted. The date and time can also be specified, and the time for which the information is referenced may be limited depending on the accepted information.

[0037] In step S12, the display control unit 14 displays candidate meeting times in order of display priority. Here, as described above, the candidate times to be displayed can be extracted by referring to the schedule information 20.

[0038] In step S13, the reception unit 12 determines whether a meeting time has been selected. If a meeting time has been selected (step S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if a meeting time has not been selected (step S13: No), the process waits until a meeting time is selected.

[0039] In step S14, the update unit 13 updates the schedule information 20. A specific example here corresponds to the process of updating the first schedule information 20A to the second schedule information 20B, as described above.

[0040] In step S15, the notification unit 16 notifies the attendees of the meeting, and the process ends. By providing the notification unit 16 in this way, attendees can be smoothly notified that they have been invited to the meeting.

[0041] Next, regarding the updating of schedule information 20, another specific example will be explained with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0042] Figure 6 is an explanatory chart showing the third schedule information, and Figure 7 is an explanatory chart showing the fourth schedule information.

[0043] Figure 6 shows the third schedule information 20C before the update, and Figure 7 shows the fourth schedule information 20D after updating the third schedule information 20C. The third schedule information 20C and the fourth schedule information 20D include the schedules of four attendees: attendee A, attendee B, attendee C, and attendee D.

[0044] In the third schedule information 20C, attendee A's schedule shows no appointments (○) in the 9:00-10:00 and 11:00-12:00 columns, with "Meeting 2 (×)" which is mandatory attendance set in the 10:00-11:00 column, and "Meeting 4 (×)" which is mandatory attendance set in the 12:00-13:00 column. Attendee B's schedule shows "Meeting 1 (□)" in the 9:00-10:00 column, with attendee D designated as a substitute attendee, no appointments (○) in the 10:00-11:00 column, and "Meeting 3 (×)" which is mandatory attendance set in the 11:00-13:00 column. Furthermore, attendee C's schedule shows no appointments (○) in the 9:00-10:00 and 11:00-12:00 columns, with "Meeting 2 (△)" scheduled as optional attendance in the 10:00-11:00 column, and "Meeting 4 (×)" scheduled as mandatory attendance in the 12:00-13:00 column. Attendee D's schedule shows "Meeting 1 (△)" scheduled as optional attendance in the 9:00-10:00 column, no appointments (○) in the 10:00-12:00 column, and "Meeting 4 (×)" scheduled as mandatory attendance in the 12:00-13:00 column.

[0045] In the fourth schedule information 20D, the third schedule information 20C has been updated to set "Meeting 5 (×)" as mandatory attendance for attendees A, B, and C in the 9:00-10:00 column. As a result, for attendee B, "Meeting 5 (×)" and "Meeting 1 (△)" are set in the 9:00-10:00 column, and the status is ×. Also, for attendee D, "Meeting 1," which was previously optional attendance, has been changed to mandatory attendance, and the status is ×.

[0046] As described above, by displaying appropriate candidates according to display priority, the system can flexibly accept meeting settings. In addition, the display control unit 14 includes the time designated as a meeting attendee in the display on the display unit 15. In this way, by including overlapping meeting times as candidates, a wider range of choices can be presented.

[0047] In this embodiment, times designated as optional attendance are given a higher display priority than times designated as mandatory attendance. By specifying whether attendance at a meeting is mandatory or optional, it is possible to appropriately select times to be displayed as priority options. Furthermore, times designated as substitute attendees are given a higher display priority than times designated as optional attendance. By designating substitute attendees, it is possible to appropriately select times to be displayed as priority options.

[0048] Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and do not constitute a limiting interpretation. Accordingly, the technical scope of this disclosure is not to be interpreted solely by the embodiments described above, but is defined based on the claims. This includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalents to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 10. Meeting scheduling system 11 Storage section 12 Reception Department 13 Update section 14 Display Control Unit 15 Display section 16 Notification Department 20 Schedule Information

Claims

1. A meeting scheduling system that accepts meeting requests, The reception area for receiving input, A memory unit that stores schedule information associating meeting attendees with times, An update unit updates the schedule information according to the reception results at the reception unit, A display unit that displays the aforementioned schedule information, The system includes a display control unit that controls the display on the display unit based on the display priority set for the schedule information. A meeting scheduling system characterized by the following features.

2. A meeting scheduling system according to claim 1, The display control unit includes the time designated as an attendee of the meeting in the display unit. A meeting scheduling system characterized by the following features.

3. A meeting scheduling system according to claim 1, The setting of the aforementioned meeting includes designating whether attendance is mandatory or optional for the attendees of the aforementioned meeting. The time designated as optional attendance is given a higher display priority than the time designated as mandatory attendance. A meeting scheduling system characterized by the following features.

4. A meeting scheduling system according to claim 3, The arrangement of the aforementioned meeting includes the designation of substitute attendees for those attending the aforementioned meeting, The time designated for the substitute attendee shall be given a higher display priority than the time designated for voluntary attendance. A meeting scheduling system characterized by the following features.

5. A meeting scheduling system according to claim 1, The aforementioned schedule information includes notification recipients associated with the attendees of the aforementioned meeting. The update unit has a notification unit that notifies the recipient when it updates the schedule information. A meeting scheduling system characterized by the following features.

6. A meeting setting server that accepts meeting requests, The reception area for receiving input, A memory unit that stores schedule information associating meeting attendees with times, An update unit updates the schedule information according to the reception results at the reception unit, A display unit that displays the aforementioned schedule information, The system includes a display control unit that controls the display on the display unit based on the display priority set for the schedule information. A conference setting server characterized by the following.

7. A method for setting up a meeting that accepts meeting requests, A reception step for receiving input, A memory step that stores schedule information associating meeting attendees with times, An update step to update the schedule information according to the reception result in the reception step, A display step that displays the aforementioned schedule information, The system includes a display control step that controls the display in the display step based on the display priority set for the schedule information. A meeting scheduling method characterized by the following.

8. A conference scheduling program for causing a computer to perform each of the steps described in claim 7.

Images