Method for delivering content, program for delivering content, and system for delivering content

Abstract

To provide a technique that allows a staff to provide a detailed guidance to a visitor using a video call at online exhibition or the like.SOLUTION: A method of distributing a content in a system includes a step of receiving a content acquisition request from a user terminal, and a step of distributing a content 100 to the user terminal based on receiving the content acquisition request. The content includes a first screen 120 for a video call and a second screen 110 including operation items. The second screen 110 is embedded into the content by an embed tag. The method further includes a step of distributing data for updating the second screen 110 without updating the first screen 120 to the user terminal based on receiving a data request generated by an operation event on the second screen 110 from the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to content distribution, and more particularly to content distribution including video calls in online exhibitions.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, virtual exhibitions on the Internet (also called online exhibitions) have been held. These online exhibitions may be held using platforms for exhibitions.

[0003] Regarding online exhibitions, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-108465 (Patent Document 1) discloses an "Internet site guidance system composed of a user terminal equipped with a web browser, an event participation site server, and a net event hosting site computer. The net event hosting computer includes a web server, an application server, a database server, and an administrator terminal. When a user accesses the net event gate page of the net hosting computer, the user terminal is sent a time-varying guidance screen, and the display information of the time-varying guidance screen is used to attract the user to search for an event participation site where time-varying display information is being displayed, and to promote browsing of the event participation site, characterized by user participation." (See the abstract).

[0004] In addition, other technologies related to online exhibitions are disclosed, for example, in Patent Documents 2 to 6.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0006] According to the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 6, in an online exhibition or the like, staff or the like cannot provide detailed guidance to visitors using video calls. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that enables staff or the like to provide detailed guidance to visitors using video calls in an online exhibition or the like.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above background, and an object in one aspect is to provide a technology for enabling staff or the like to provide detailed guidance to visitors using video calls in an online exhibition or the like. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0008] According to a certain embodiment, a method for delivering content in a system is provided. This method includes a step of receiving a content acquisition request from a user terminal, and a step of delivering content to the user terminal based on receiving the content acquisition request. The content includes a first screen for a video call and a second screen having operation items. The second screen is embedded in the content by an embedding tag. The method further includes a step of delivering to the user terminal data for updating the second screen without updating the first screen based on receiving a data request generated by an operation event on the second screen from the user terminal.

[0009] In a certain situation, the method further includes establishing communication via a virtual communication channel between the user terminal and another terminal during a video call with the user terminal, delivering content to the other terminal, based on receiving a data request generated by an operation event on a second screen from the other terminal, transmitting information regarding the operation on the other terminal to the user terminal via the virtual communication channel, receiving a data request generated based on the information regarding the operation on the other terminal from the user terminal, and delivering data for updating the second screen without updating the first screen to both the user terminal and the other terminal.

[0010] In a certain situation, the information regarding the operation on the other terminal includes data for generating an operation event in the user terminal.

[0011] In a certain situation, the information regarding the operation that occurred on the other terminal includes data for causing the user terminal to transmit a data request.

[0012] In a certain situation, the method further includes transmitting, based on receiving a data request by an operation event on a second screen from the user terminal, information regarding the operation on the user terminal to the other terminal via the virtual communication channel.

[0013] In a certain situation, the method further includes receiving a request for reserving a video call, obtaining information about the start time of the video call, obtaining participant information for the video call, and delivering a notification of the video call to the user terminal and the other terminal based on the reservation.

[0014] In a certain situation, the method further includes transmitting, based on receiving a screen lock request for the user terminal from the other terminal, a screen lock command for preventing the user terminal from accepting operations on the second screen via the virtual communication channel.

[0015] In a certain situation, the content includes HTML (HyperText Markup Language), and the embedding tag is an iframe tag, an object tag, or a canvas tag.

[0016] In a certain situation, the virtual communication channel is WebSocket.

[0017] According to other embodiments, a program for causing the processor to execute the above method is provided.

[0018] Also, according to other embodiments, a system is provided that includes a memory storing the above program and a processor for executing the program.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to a certain embodiment, in an online exhibition or the like, it is possible for staff or the like to provide detailed guidance to visitors using a video call.

[0020] The above and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure, which is to be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the technical idea according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0023] <A. Application Example of Online Exhibition System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an application example of an online exhibition system according to the present embodiment. The online exhibition system according to the present embodiment is constructed on any hardware such as a server or a cloud system, and can distribute the screen 100 of the online exhibition to the user terminal based on receiving a content acquisition request from the user terminal. The user can display the screen 100 on any user terminal such as a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. In a certain aspect, the online exhibition system according to the present embodiment can also be used as a platform for providing any service such as an online education system.

[0024] (a. Configuration of Content) The screen 100 includes the screen of the online exhibition and various functions. The screen 100 mainly includes a screen 110, a screen 120, an operation panel 130, and a map 140. In a certain situation, the screen 100 may be web content defined by HTML (HyperText Markup Language). In other situations, the screen 100 may be content defined by XML (Extensible Markup Language). It can also be said that the screen 100 is content consisting of HTML or the like. Further, the screen 100 (content) may include one or more screens or operation items (buttons, sliders, links, etc.) defined by tags or the like. Note that the terminal can display the screen 100 on the display using a browser function or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal is displaying the screen after the user logs in to the online exhibition system with his / her own account.

[0025] The screen 110 displays, for example, the entire venue of the online exhibition, exhibition booths, exhibits, etc. The screen 110 may also include links to other HTMLs and operation items using JavaScript (registered trademark). Further, the upper part of the screen 110 may be a menu bar including links to various pages. The menu bar may be continuously displayed all the time even when the screen changes. The user can generate an event by any operation such as touch, click, or swipe. The user terminal (JavaScript) executes a process (such as screen display switching) associated with the event when, for example, a button is pressed (when an event of pressing the button occurs). The user can move around the venue of the online exhibition using the links or operation items within the screen 110. Note that screen switching may include those that cause access to the server (where the URL (uniform resource locator) changes) and those that do not.

[0026] The screen 120 is a video call screen for the staff of the exhibition or the like to guide the visitors. The staff may be, for example, the staff of the operator of the online exhibition, or the salesperson or commentator of the company participating in the online exhibition. For example, while receiving guidance on the content of the product or the exhibition location of the product from the staff or the like displayed on the screen 120, the user can operate the screen 110 to move to the online exhibition. Also, while providing guidance or explanation by voice, the staff can remotely operate the user terminal from the staff terminal. In a certain aspect, the screen 120 may display an avatar or a photo without displaying the face of the staff or the like.

[0027] The operation panel 130 provides various functions to the user, such as moving the online exhibition, zooming the screen 110, and switching the map 140. In a certain aspect, all the functions provided by the operation panel 130 may be embedded in the screen 110. Conversely, all the functions embedded in the screen 110 may be provided by the operation panel 130.

[0028] The map 140 displays the overall map of the online exhibition, or the map of a part of the area, etc. Further, the map 140 may have a function of switching and displaying the overall map of the online exhibition and the map of a part of the area. Also, the map 140 may display the position of the user or the position of the booth currently displayed on the screen 110 on the map 140. Further, the user can move to the selected booth by selecting the booth displayed on the map 140 (the screen 110 can display the selected booth).

[0029] (b. Operation example of the online exhibition system) Next, a typical operation of the online exhibition system according to the present embodiment will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 1, while viewing the screen 110 of the exhibition on the browser or the like of the user terminal, the user is receiving guidance on the exhibits or the venue from the staff via the screen 120.

[0030] First, as a first operation example, the operation of the online exhibition system when receiving an operation from the user will be described. The user can listen to operation guidance from the staff via Screen 120 (video call). Assume that the user operates an operation item in Screen 110, the operation panel 130, or the map 140 according to the operation guidance. In a certain situation, the user can operate the operation item based on any operation such as click, touch, or swipe.

[0031] Based on the user operating an operation item that causes a screen transition (such as moving to a different venue, displaying detailed product information, etc.), the online exhibition system receives a content acquisition request (such as a request for data of the destination screen). After that, the online exhibition system sends update data (data for updating the entire screen or a part of the display) to the user terminal.

[0032] The user terminal updates Screen 110 based on the update data received from the online exhibition system. At this time, in order to continue the video call, the user terminal updates only Screen 110 without updating Screen 120. In a certain situation, Screen 110 may be embedded in Screen 100 by an embedding tag such as an iframe tag, an object tag, or a canvas tag. In this case, the update data for the screen is data for updating only the screen within the embedding tag.

[0033] The content acquisition request generated by the operation item in Screen 110, the operation panel 130, or the map 140 is a request for data for updating only the screen within the embedding tag (including all or part of Screen 110, the operation panel 130, and the map 140). However, if necessary (such as when disconnecting the call), the content acquisition request may request data for updating the entire Screen 100.

[0034] As described above, based on the user's operation of Screen 100, the online exhibition system updates the screen within the embedded tag (including all or part of Screen 110, the operation panel 130, and the map 140) without updating Screen 120. By doing so, the online exhibition system enables the user to move within the online exhibition (update Screen 110) without interrupting the voice call (without updating Screen 120).

[0035] Next, as a second operation example, the operation of the online exhibition system when an operation from a staff member is received will be described. The staff member can display and operate Screen 100 on a staff terminal (a terminal different from the user terminal). The staff terminal and the user terminal are configured to be communicable via a virtual communication path. The virtual communication path is, for example, WebSocket or the like.

[0036] Suppose the staff member operates an operation item within Screen 110, the operation panel 130, or the map 140. In a certain situation, the staff member can operate the operation item based on any operation such as click, touch, or swipe.

[0037] Based on the staff member's operation of an operation item (such as moving the venue or displaying details of product information) on Screen 110, the online exhibition system receives a content acquisition request (such as a request for data of the destination screen). Then, the online exhibition system sends the update data to the staff terminal.

[0038] The staff terminal updates Screen 110 based on the update data received from the online exhibition system by the staff terminal. At this time, the staff terminal updates Screen 110 without updating Screen 120 in order to continue the video call.

[0039] In addition, the online exhibition system acquires information regarding operations from the staff terminal via a virtual communication channel. In a certain aspect, the information regarding the operations may include data for causing the user terminal to generate operation events (such as click events) that occurred at the staff terminal. In another aspect, the information regarding the operations may include data for causing the user terminal to send a content acquisition request.

[0040] Next, the online exhibition system transfers information regarding the operations received from the staff terminal to the user terminal via a virtual communication channel. In a certain aspect, based on the information regarding the operations received from the staff terminal, the online exhibition system may generate data (such as instructions for causing the user terminal to execute event generation processing, screen update processing, or content acquisition request processing, etc.) to be sent to the user terminal, and send the data to the user terminal.

[0041] Based on the information regarding the operation, or based on the data generated based on the information regarding the operation received by the online exhibition system from the staff terminal, the user terminal executes the same screen update process as the staff terminal. In a certain scenario, the user terminal may generate the same operation event as the operation event that occurred on the staff terminal based on the information regarding the operation. For example, when a click event of button A occurs on the staff terminal, a click event of button A may also occur on the user terminal based on the information regarding the operation. When the operation event occurs, the user terminal may send a content acquisition request associated with the operation event to the online exhibition system. In another scenario, instead of generating an event based on the information regarding the operation, the user terminal may directly execute the process associated with the event (such as sending a content acquisition request to the online exhibition system). For example, when a click event of button A occurs on the staff terminal, based on the information regarding the operation, the user terminal may execute the process associated with the click event of button A (such as buttonA.addEventListener('click', function(event) {process} in JavaScript)).

[0042] The user terminal updates screen 110 based on the data for updating the screen received from the online exhibition system. At this time, in order to continue the video call, the user terminal updates screen 110 without updating screen 120.

[0043] In a certain situation, the staff terminal can send a user's screen lock request to the online exhibition system via a virtual communication channel. The user's screen lock request may be included in the information regarding the operation. The online exhibition system can send the user's screen lock request to the user terminal via a virtual communication channel. Based on receiving the user's screen lock request, the user terminal temporarily stops accepting operations from the user. This screen lock can be released by performing a specific operation (such as pressing an unlock button) on the screen of the user terminal or the staff terminal.

[0044] As described above, based on the staff's operation on screen 110, the online exhibition system can update both the screen 110 of the staff terminal and the screen 110 of the user terminal in the same way. By doing so, the staff can operate the screen 110 of the user terminal while providing guidance to the user via a video call. As a result, for example, the staff can guide the user to a specific booth or provide an explanation of high-quality products while switching the screen 110 of the user terminal. Hereinafter, the function shown in this second operation example is also referred to as an attend function.

[0045] Note that in a certain situation, the user terminal and the staff terminal may communicate directly with each other via a virtual communication channel without going through the online exhibition system, based on functions (such as programs by JavaScript) provided in advance on screen 100. Also, in other situations, in the same procedure as described above, an event occurring on the user terminal may be caused to occur on the staff terminal, or a process (such as a request for update data) associated with the event occurring on the user terminal may be executed on the staff terminal. Thereby, the screens of the user terminal and the staff terminal can always be synchronized. Note that all the functions provided in the user terminal and the staff terminal described in this disclosure may be realized by browser functions and JavaScript, etc.

[0046] <B. Configuration Example of Online Exhibition System> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an apparatus 200 for realizing an online exhibition system. In one aspect, the apparatus 200 may be used as a server for realizing an online exhibition system. In other aspects, the online exhibition system may be realized on a cloud environment composed of a plurality of apparatuses 200. Further, the apparatus 200 may be used as a user terminal and a staff terminal. The functions and processes of each apparatus (user terminal, staff terminal, and online exhibition system) in the present disclosure can be executed as a program by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1.

[0047] The apparatus 200 includes a CPU 1, a primary storage device 2, a secondary storage device 3, an external device interface 4, an input interface 5, an output interface 6, and a communication interface 7.

[0048] The CPU 1 can execute a program for realizing various functions of the apparatus 200. The CPU 1 is composed of, for example, at least one integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be composed of, for example, at least one CPU, at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0049] The primary storage device 2 stores a program executed by the CPU 1 and data referred to by the CPU 1. In one aspect, the primary storage device 2 may be realized by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

[0050] The secondary storage device 3 is a non-volatile memory and may store programs executed by the CPU 1 and data referred to by the CPU 1. In that case, the CPU 1 executes the program read from the secondary storage device 3 into the primary storage device 2 and refers to the data read from the secondary storage device 3 into the primary storage device 2. In a certain aspect, the secondary storage device 3 may be realized by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or the like.

[0051] The external device interface 4 can be connected to any external device such as a printer, a scanner, and an external HDD. In a certain aspect, the external device interface 4 may be realized by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal or the like.

[0052] The input interface 5 can be connected to any input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, or a game pad. In a certain aspect, the input interface 5 may be realized by a USB terminal, a PS / 2 terminal, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, or the like.

[0053] The output interface 6 can be connected to any output device such as a cathode ray tube display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. In a certain aspect, the output interface 6 may be realized by a USB terminal, a D-sub terminal, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, or the like.

[0054] The communication interface 7 is connected to a wired or wireless network device. In a certain aspect, the communication interface 7 may be implemented by a wired LAN (Local Area Network) port, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity) module, etc. In other aspects, the communication interface 7 may transmit and receive data using communication protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

[0055] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functions of the online exhibition system 300 according to the present embodiment. In a certain aspect, each configuration shown in FIG. 3 may be executed as a program on the hardware shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the CPU 1 can realize the functions of each configuration shown in FIG. 3 by executing the program deployed on the primary storage device 2.

[0056] The online exhibition system 300 mainly includes a notification information management unit 301, a schedule management unit 302, a Web conference management unit 303, a Web conference UI (User Interface) 304, an attendee management unit 305, an attendee DB (Database) 306, a seminar distribution unit 307, and a seminar management unit 308.

[0057] The online exhibition system 300 may be associated with any other system 350. Also, the online exhibition system 300 provides the screen 100 to the visitors 360 via the terminal 340 (user terminal). Similarly, the screen 100 may also be provided to the staff who attend to the visitors 360 via the terminal 340 (staff terminal).

[0058] The Notification Information Management Department 301 sends (pushes) a notice of the start of a Web conference or a notice of other services provided by the other system 350 to the terminal 340. As an example, the terminal 340 can display the received notice on the screen displayed using the browser function. The Web conference here includes the video call described with reference to FIG. 1. The Web conference can include one-on-one video calls, video conferences and seminars in which three or more people or groups participate.

[0059] The Schedule Management Department 302 manages the schedule of the Web conference by referring to the Attendee DB 306. As an example, the Schedule Management Department 302 may send the schedule of the Web conference to the Notification Information Management Department 301 and output a request for notification processing to the terminal 340 to the Notification Information Management Department 301 according to a predetermined timing (such as when the start of the Web conference is approaching). Further, the Schedule Management Department 302 may have an editing function for the Attendee DB 306.

[0060] The Web Conference Management Department 303 directly invites the attendees 360 to the Web conference. In a certain situation, the Web Conference Management Department 303 may send an invitation notice for the Web conference to the terminal 340 of the attendee 360 based on receiving a request for invitation to the Web conference from the terminal 340 of the host of the Web conference to the guest 360. Note that the transmission of the invitation notice may be executed via the Notification Information Management Department 301.

[0061] The Web Conference UI 304 distributes the UI of the online exhibition to the terminal 340. The UI of the online exhibition may include the screen 100 described with reference to FIG. 1, the screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, and the like. The UI of the online exhibition can be realized by HTML or XML or the like.

[0062] The Attendee Management Department 305 executes the processes required for the Web conference. As an example, the Attendee Management Department 305 provides functions (attendee functions) for the terminal 340(1) (staff terminal) to operate the terminal 340(2) (user terminal) via a virtual communication path.

[0063] The attendance DB 306 stores various types of information related to web conferences. As an example, the attendance DB 306 stores a schedule table 311, a seminar master table 312, a web conference table 313, an attendance master table 314, a participant list table 315, and a participant table 316.

[0064] The schedule table 311 manages the start time and end time of web conferences. The schedule table 311 may include, as items, a schedule ID (Identifier), a start time, an end time, a schedule type, a web conference ID, and a seminar ID. The schedule type indicates the type of web conference (such as an exhibition guide, business negotiation, or meeting).

[0065] The seminar master table 312 contains seminar information. The seminar master table 312 includes, as an item, at least a seminar ID. The seminar may include any seminar such as a seminar provided by a company participating in an online exhibition and a seminar provided by a company operating the online exhibition system 300.

[0066] The web conference table 313 contains information related to web conferences. The web conference table 313 may include, as items, a web conference ID, a post - participation flag, an attendance availability flag, and an attendance ID. The post - participation flag indicates whether it is possible to participate from the middle of the meeting. The attendance availability flag indicates whether the attendance function is valid.

[0067] The attendance master table 314 manages attendance information. The attendance master table 314 includes, as an item, at least an attendance ID. Here, the attendance, as an example, is to guide visitors to the venue of an online exhibition or products, etc., and the attendance ID uniquely identifies the attendance associated with each web conference.

[0068] The participant list table 315 manages the participants who participate in each Web conference. The participant list table 315 includes, as items, a Web conference ID, a participation ID, and a participation type. The participation type indicates the type of participant, such as a host or a guest.

[0069] The participant table 316 manages information on the participants in the online exhibition. The participant table 316 includes, as an item, a participant ID. A user can input participant information on a Web page or the like prepared in advance for applying to participate in the online exhibition. The online exhibition system 300 registers the participant ID associated with the input participant information in the participant table 316.

[0070] The seminar delivery unit 307 delivers seminars. In a certain situation, the seminar delivery unit 307 can deliver a seminar as a form of Web conference. In this case, the Web conference UI 304 may include various UIs for the seminar. In fact, the seminar delivery unit 307 can deliver a seminar (Web conference) in cooperation with various other functions of the online exhibition system 300.

[0071] The seminar management unit 308 provides a function for performing various settings of seminars (Web conferences). For example, the staff of a company participating in the online exhibition can perform various settings of the seminar via a setting screen (Web screen) provided by the seminar management unit 308. In a certain situation, the seminar management unit 308 may receive various settings (reservations, etc.) of the seminar (Web conference) via screens 700, 800, 900 (see FIGS. 7 to 9).

[0072] <C. Screen Examples of the Online Exhibition System> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of the screen of the online exhibition according to the present embodiment. The terminal 340 displays screens 410 and 420 on the display by means of a browser function or the like.

[0073] The screen 410 is a login screen. When participating in an online exhibition, the user first accesses the screen 410. The screen 410 accepts the input of the user's email address and password. Also, based on the fact that the login button is pressed with the correct user's email address (or ID) and password entered on the screen 410, the screen of the terminal 340 switches from the screen 410 to the screen 420.

[0074] More specifically, an event of clicking the login button occurs, and the terminal 340 sends an authentication request to the online exhibition system 300. Based on successful authentication processing, the online exhibition system 300 sends updated data (information of the screen 420) to the terminal 340.

[0075] The screen 420 is the main screen of the online exhibition. The screen 420 includes the screen 440 of the online exhibition, the operation panel 130, the map 140, and the notification 430. As an example, the screen 420 may display a 2D (Two-Dimensional) exhibition venue or a 3D exhibition venue. The screen 440 corresponds to the screen 110 shown in FIG. 1. The user can operate the operation items embedded in the screen 420, the operation panel 130, or the map 140 to move the exhibition venue or view the exhibits.

[0076] The notification 430 is a notification of a web conference (including one-on-one video calls and seminars). The user can participate in the web conference by pressing the participation button on the notification 430 (in the case of a one-on-one video call, the call can be started). When the user presses the participation button on the notification 430, the screen of the terminal 340 switches from the screen 420 to the screen 510 (see FIG. 5).

[0077] Actually, when the screen of the terminal 340 switches from the screen 420 to the screen 510, the update of the screen 440 may not occur. The screen 440 is the content within the embedded tag and continues to be displayed in the background even after the screen 510 (call screen) is displayed.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second example of a screen of an online exhibition according to the present embodiment. The terminal 340 displays the screen 510 and the screen 100 on the display by a browser function or the like.

[0079] The screen 510 is a screen of a web conference, a video call, or an online seminar. The screen 510 may include a screen 511 of a call partner and a display 512 of other participants. In a certain situation, when the screen 510 is a one-on-one video call, the screen 510 may not include the display 512 of other participants. In other situations, when the screen 510 is a conference or a seminar, the screen of the person speaking may be enlarged and displayed as the screen 511 of the call partner, and the screens of other participants may be reduced and displayed as the display 512 of other participants. The user can switch the screen of the terminal 340 from the screen 510 to the screen 100 by operating an arbitrary operation item such as a reduction button (not shown) of the screen 510.

[0080] Actually, when the screen of the terminal 340 is switched from the screen 510 to the screen 100, the screen 440 displayed in the background may not be updated. The screen 110 is the content within the embedded tag and is the same screen as the screen 440. The screen 110 (screen 440) may always be continuously displayed in the background when switching from the screen 420 to the screen 510 and when switching from the screen 510 to the screen 100. The screen 120 is a screen in which the screen 511 of the call partner is reduced. The screen 120 is arranged outside the embedded tag including the screen 110. Therefore, the screen 110 can be updated independently of the screen 120.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display of the entire venue of an online exhibition according to the present embodiment. The user can display the screen 610 of the entire venue on the display of the terminal 340 by operating an arbitrary operation item such as a menu on the screen 100. Even when the switch from the screen 100 to the screen 610 occurs, the screen 110 within the embedded tag is updated and switched to the screen 610.

[0082] The screen 610 includes, as display items, a notification 620, a venue 630, a booth 640, and a booth description 650. The notification 620 is the same as the notification 430. The screen 610 may include the screen 120 (call screen) instead of the notification 620. Since the notification 620 and the screen 120 are located outside the embedding tag including the screen 610, they continue to be displayed without being updated even when the screen 110 switches to the screen 610. The venue 630 may be, as an example, a map overlooking the entire online exhibition. The booth 640 indicates a virtual booth arranged on the venue 630. When the user selects a specific booth 640 on the screen of the terminal 340, the description 650 of the selected booth 640 may be displayed on the screen 610.

[0083] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first example of a Web conference reservation screen according to the present embodiment. As an example, the staff may switch the screen of the terminal 340 to the screen 700 by selecting the reservation in the menu bar such as the screen 100. The staff can create a reservation for a Web conference by selecting a specific time frame 710 on the calendar, selecting a conference room from the pull-down 720, and pressing the reservation button 730. When the reservation button 730 is pressed, the screen of the terminal 340 transitions from the screen 700 to the screen 800 (see FIG. 8). If the staff does not understand the operation, they can use the chat 750 to ask the staff questions. Scheduled events 740 that have already been created may be displayed on the calendar.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second example of a Web conference reservation screen according to the present embodiment. Screen 800 is a screen for inputting items related to a Web conference. Screen 800 may include, as input items, for example, a meeting room, a meeting title, a meeting date, a start time and an end time of the meeting, a memo, and guests (such as participant email addresses or accounts). Some of the input items on screen 800 (such as the meeting room, the meeting date, the start time and the end time of the meeting) may be filled with the items selected on screen 700 in advance. Also, as an example, the staff may directly switch the screen of terminal 340 to screen 800 by selecting an item on the menu bar such as screen 100. When the save button is pressed, the screen of terminal 340 switches from screen 800 to screen 900 (see FIG. 9).

[0085] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third example of a Web conference reservation screen according to the present embodiment. Screen 900 is a screen for confirming information related to a Web conference. Screen 900 displays, as an example, a confirmation dialog 910 for the items set on screens 700 and 800. The online exhibition system 300 may send a notification 430 to the participant's terminal 340 based on the reservation of the Web conference via screens 700, 800, and 900. Although the procedure for the staff to perform the reservation process has been described, the user may also perform the reservation process in the same manner. Also, based on the creation of the reservation, a Web conference notification is sent to the terminals 340 of the participants (including Host and Guest), and the terminal 340 may display the notification 430 on the screen of the terminal 340.

[0086] <D. Example of Communication Flow of Online Exhibition System> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual communication path in the attend function. In the attend function, the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 and the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 are connected to each other via a virtual communication path (such as WebSocket).

[0087] Based on the operation of an operation item (such as a button or a link) on the screen of the terminal 340 of the staff 1060, information regarding the operation is transmitted to the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 via a virtual communication path.

[0088] Also, in a certain scenario, the attendee management unit 305 may transfer information regarding the operation to the terminal 340 of the visitor 360. In other scenarios, the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 may directly transmit information regarding the operation to the terminal 340 of the visitor 360. In this case, the attendee management unit 305 may only execute the connection establishment process between the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 and the terminal 340 of the staff 1060.

[0089]

[0090] Based on the information regarding the operation, or based on the data generated based on the information regarding the operation received by the attendee management unit 305 from the terminal 340 of the staff 1060, the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 executes the same screen update process as the terminal 340 of the staff 1060. In a certain scenario, the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 may generate the same operation event as the operation event that occurred on the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 based on the information regarding the operation. When the operation event occurs, the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 may transmit a content acquisition request to the online exhibition system. In other scenarios, the user terminal may directly transmit a content acquisition request to the online exhibition system 300 without generating an event based on the information regarding the operation.

[0091] ​Note that the information regarding operations may include, as items, a URL, an asynchronous flag, an asynchronous URL, and other parameters. The URL is the URL of the destination screen. The asynchronous flag indicates whether the browser and the server perform asynchronous communication. The asynchronous URL is the URL accessed in asynchronous communication. When the URL of the destination screen is the same as the URL of the current screen, no screen transition occurs. Also, the asynchronous URL can be used to obtain data other than the screen. The parameters include request parameters for synchronous or asynchronous communication. The terminal 340 of the visitor 360 executes processing (request for data for event generation or update) based on these items.

[0092] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a communication procedure in a Web conference. With reference to FIG. 11, the procedure in which the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 and the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 are connected by a virtual communication path, and the procedure in which the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 operates the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 will be described.

[0093] In step S1110, the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 transmits a connection request for virtual communication to the attendee management unit 305. In a certain aspect, the virtual communication may be communication by WebSocket.

[0094] In step S1120, the attendee management unit 305 returns an ID for virtual communication to the terminal 340 of the staff 1060. In a certain aspect, the ID may be the ID of WebSocket.

[0095] In step S1130, the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 transmits a request for permission to attend (request for permission to participate in the Web conference) to the terminal 340 of the visitor 360. The request for permission to attend includes the ID for virtual communication. This ID for virtual communication is associated with the notification 430.

[0096] In step S1140, the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 receives an input that permits virtual communication (attend). The input that permits virtual communication includes, for example, receiving an input of pressing a button of the notification 430 (a button to participate in a negotiation, a call start button, etc.).

[0097] In step S1150, the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 establishes virtual communication with the attend management unit 305. At this point, a virtual communication path is established between the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 and the terminal 340 of the visitor 360. When the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 establishes virtual communication with a plurality of terminals 340 of the visitors 360, the processes of steps S1130 to 1150 are repeated multiple times.

[0098] In step S1160, the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 receives an operation of the screen by the staff 1060. The operation of the screen by the staff 1060 is, for example, an operation of operation items such as the screen 110, the operation panel 130, and the map 140 within the embedded tag. In a certain situation, the operation of the screen by the staff 1060 may include an operation of requesting locking of the screen of the terminal 340 of the visitor 360.

[0099] In step S1170, the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 transmits information regarding the operation to the attend management unit 305. The information regarding the operation may include, as items, a URL, an asynchronous flag, an asynchronous URL, and other parameters.

[0100] In step S1180, the attend management unit 305 transfers the information regarding the operation to the terminal 340 of the visitor 360. In a certain situation, instead of the information regarding the operation, the attend management unit 305 may transmit data generated based on the information regarding the operation (instructions for causing the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 to execute screen update processing, etc.).

[0101] When the attendance management unit 305 receives information regarding operations from the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 multiple times, in step S1185, the attendance management unit 305 transfers the information regarding operations to the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 multiple times.

[0102] In step S1190, the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 executes screen update processing based on the received information regarding operations or data generated based on the information regarding operations. The screen update processing is, for example, update processing of the screen 110, operation panel 130, map 140, etc. within the embedded tag.

[0103] <E. Other application examples> In the description of the present disclosure, typical functions of the online exhibition system 300 have been described. However, the online exhibition system 300 can be used for any service that requires communication, such as an online education system, online store service, and online consulting service, in addition to online exhibitions.

[0104] For example, in an online education system, by using the attendance function, a teacher can explain the teaching content clearly while operating the student's screen. Similarly, in an online store service and an online consulting service, etc., a person in charge can explain a product or a solution, etc. clearly while operating the customer's screen.

[0105] As described above, the online exhibition system 300 according to the present embodiment enables the operation of the terminal 340 of the visitor 360 by the terminal 340 of the staff 1060 by providing the attendance function. Thereby, the staff 1060 can provide a high-quality exhibition guide and explanation about the exhibits to the visitor 360.

[0106] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. Also, the disclosure content described in the embodiments and each modification example is intended to be implemented, as much as possible, either alone or in combination.

Explanation of Signs

[0107] 1 CPU, 2 primary storage device, 3 secondary storage device, 4 external device interface, 5 input interface, 6 output interface, 7 communication interface, 100, 110, 120, 410, 420, 440, 510, 511, 610, 700, 800, 900, 1110 screens, 130 operation panel, 140 map, 200 device, 300 online exhibition system, 301 notification information management section, 302 schedule management section, 303 meeting management section, 304 Web conference UI, 305 attendee management section, 306 attendee DB, 307 seminar distribution section, 308 seminar management section, 311 schedule table, 312 seminar master table, 313 meeting table, 314 attendee master table, 315 participant list table, 316 participant table, 340 terminal, 350 system, 360 visitor, 430, 620 notifications, 512 display, 630 venue, 640 booth, 650 booth description, 710 time frame, 720 pull-down, 730 reservation button, 740 schedule, 750 chat, 910 confirmation dialog, 1060 staff.

Claims

1. A method for delivering content in a system, comprising: receiving a content acquisition request from a user terminal; delivering content to the user terminal based on receiving the content acquisition request; wherein the content includes a first screen for a video call and a second screen having operation items; the second screen is embedded in the content by an embedding tag; delivering data for updating the second screen without updating the first screen to the user terminal based on receiving a data request generated by an operation event on the second screen from the user terminal; establishing communication via a virtual communication channel between the user terminal and another terminal during a video call with the user terminal; delivering the content to the other terminal; transmitting information regarding an operation on the other terminal to the user terminal via the virtual communication channel based on receiving a data request generated by an operation event on the second screen from the other terminal; receiving a data request generated based on information regarding an operation on the other terminal from the user terminal; delivering data for updating the second screen without updating the first screen to both the user terminal and the other terminal; further comprising transmitting a screen lock command for disabling reception of operations on the second screen to the user terminal via the virtual communication channel based on receiving a screen lock request for the user terminal from the other terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding an operation on the other terminal includes data for generating the operation event for the user terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding an operation occurring on the other terminal includes data for causing the user terminal to transmit the data request.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising transmitting information regarding an operation on the user terminal to the other terminal via the virtual communication channel based on receiving a data request by an operation event on the second screen from the user terminal.

5. receiving a request for reservation of the video call; A step of obtaining information on the start time of the video call; A step of obtaining participant information of the video call; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a step of distributing a notification of the video call to the user terminal and the other terminal based on a reservation.

6. The content includes HTML (HyperText Markup Language), The embedding tag is an iframe tag, an object tag, or a canvas tag, and the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The virtual communication path is a WebSocket, and the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A program for causing a processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A system comprising a memory storing the program according to claim 8 and a processor for executing the program.

Images