JP2008083860A - Electronic conference system, electronic conference management system, terminal device, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow participants easily to return to an original electronic conference when the participants temporarily leave their desks to participate other electronic conferences. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic conference server 2 is provided with a virtual conference room management unit 205 for providing a resource for holding an electronic conference and resources of individual conferences to which a part of participants participate by leaving the electronic conference while the conference is held; a data transmission processing unit 203 for notifying electronic conference data DK showing a conference number and participants of the electronic conference to terminal devices of the participants of the electronic conference; a conference room data storage unit 201 for storing electronic conference data DK of the individual conferences; and an individual conference close processing unit 206 which gives instructions to make the terminal devices of the participants indicated in the electronic conference data DK of the individual conferences execute processing for making the participants participate again to the original conference on the basis of the conference number of the conference when the individual conferences come to ends. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and a terminal device used for an electronic conference.

  In recent years, electronic conferences using computer networks such as the Internet have been conducted. According to the electronic conference, people in remote locations can hold a conference by using a function such as a multi-party call, chat, or an electronic bulletin board. Further, the conference can be advanced while browsing the digitized material on the terminal device, and a paperless conference is realized.

Conventionally, as a technology for supporting such an electronic conference, a telephone conference device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and a communication path control method disclosed in Patent Document 2 have been proposed.
Japanese Patent No. 2537478 JP 2006-4406 A

  By the way, during a conference, some participants may want to leave the conference temporarily and hold an individual conference. In such a case, the operation is performed in the following procedure in the electronic conference.

  First, a person who wants to hold an individual meeting calls the other party who wants to invite to the individual meeting by voice or chat. The called person responds with an intention of whether or not to participate in the individual conference, and when he / she participates, he / she leaves the conference currently participating. A person who has called for an individual meeting calls for the timing when the invited party leaves, and performs an operation to start an electronic conference (individual meeting) with the other party.

  When the individual meeting is ended, each participant of the individual meeting leaves the individual meeting and performs an operation for rejoining the original meeting. At that time, the participant has to find the identification information of the original meeting from the log information stored in his terminal device, and has to perform an operation of designating the identification information, which is troublesome.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention makes it possible to rejoin the original electronic conference more easily than in the past when temporarily leaving a certain electronic conference and joining another electronic conference. With the goal.

  An electronic conference system according to the present invention includes an electronic conference server that performs management related to an electronic conference, and a plurality of terminal devices used by participants of the electronic conference. The electronic conference server is a first electronic conference. Resources providing means for providing a resource for a second electronic conference in which a part of the participants participates away from the first electronic conference during the holding of the first electronic conference; and Identification information notification means for notifying identification information of the first electronic conference to the terminal device of the participant of the first electronic conference, and a participant storing the participant information indicating the participant of the second electronic conference When the information storage means and the terminal device of the participant of the second electronic conference based on the participant information stored in the participant information storage means at the end of the second electronic conference The second electric An end notification means for notifying the end of the meeting, wherein the terminal device stores the identification information receiving means for receiving the identification information from the electronic conference server and the identification information received by the identification information receiving means. Re-participation processing for re-participating the user of the terminal device in the first electronic conference when notified of the end of the second electronic conference from the electronic conference server. Re-participation processing means that performs based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage means.

  An electronic conference management system according to the present invention is an electronic conference management system that can be connected to a terminal device used by participants of an electronic conference via a communication line and performs management related to the electronic conference. Resources providing means for providing a resource for a second electronic conference in which a part of the participants participates away from the first electronic conference during the holding of the first electronic conference; and Identification information notification means for notifying identification information of the first electronic conference to the terminal device of the participant of the first electronic conference, and a participant storing the participant information indicating the participant of the second electronic conference For the terminal device of the participant of the second electronic conference indicated in the participant information stored in the participant information storage unit at the end of the information storage unit and the second electronic conference, The terminal Gives a command to execute based on the process to join again the location of the user to the first electronic conference to the identification information, and rejoin execution instruction means, characterized in that it has a to.

  The terminal device according to the present invention is a terminal device used by a participant of an electronic conference, and is a first electronic conference that is received from an electronic conference server that manages the electronic conference and in which a user of the terminal device participates And the terminal device in the second electronic conference in which a part of the participants participates away from the first electronic conference during the holding of the first electronic conference. A separate conference participation processing means for executing a process for causing the user to participate, and a rejoining process for causing the user of the terminal device to leave the second electronic conference and rejoin the first electronic conference. Re-participation processing means for performing based on the identification information stored in the storage means.

  According to the present invention, when a participant of a certain electronic conference temporarily leaves and participates in another electronic conference, the participant can rejoin the original electronic conference more easily than before.

  1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an electronic conference system 1 according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an electronic conference server 2, and FIG. 3 is a function of an individual conference organizer terminal 31. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the individual meeting participation requestee terminal 32.

  An electronic conference system 1 according to the present invention is a system for realizing an electronic conference using a computer network such as the Internet. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic conference system 1 includes an electronic conference server 2, conference terminals 3a, 3b,... And a communication line NT. These devices are connected to each other via a communication line NT. As the communication line NT, a LAN, WAN, the Internet, a dedicated line, or the like is used. Hereinafter, the conference terminals 3a, 3b,... May be collectively referred to as “conference terminal 3”. According to the electronic conference system 1, a plurality of electronic conferences can be held at the same time. A technique for holding a plurality of electronic conferences at the same time is known.

  The electronic conference server 2 manages an electronic conference in which a plurality of users participate, similarly to the conventional electronic conference server. For example, which user is participating in which electronic conference is managed. Also, resources for virtualizing the conference room, for example, hardware resources and software resources for electronic bulletin boards, chat rooms, or multi-party calls are secured and provided. Hereinafter, a conference room virtualized by such resources will be referred to as a “virtual conference room”. Each virtual conference room is assigned a unique conference room number.

  The storage device such as a hard disk of the electronic conference server 2 includes a conference room data storage unit 201, a data reception processing unit 202, and a data transmission processing unit 203 shown in FIG. A program and data for realizing functions such as the individual conference preparation processing unit 204, the virtual conference room management unit 205, the individual conference end processing unit 206, and the timer 207 are installed. These programs and data are read into the RAM as necessary. Then, the program is executed by the CPU.

  As the electronic conference server 2, a so-called server machine, workstation, personal computer, or the like is used.

  The conference terminal 3 is a terminal device used by a user to participate in an electronic conference. The user of the electronic conference system 1 can participate in the electronic conference by accessing the resources of the virtual conference room using the conference terminal 3 as usual. While participating in an electronic conference, you can exchange opinions with other participants and view the materials of the electronic conference. Each user is given a unique user number.

  In the storage device such as a hard disk of the conference terminal 3, in addition to the program and data for the function of the conventional electronic conference, the electronic conference data storage unit 301, the original conference number storage unit 302, the command reception unit 303 shown in FIG. , Data reception processing unit 304, screen display processing unit 305, individual conference holding processing unit 306, individual conference end processing unit 307, data transmission processing unit 308, program and data for realizing functions such as timer 309, FIG. Individual conference participation processing unit 351, timer 352, rejoining processing unit 353, electronic conference data storage unit 354, former conference number storage unit 355, command reception unit 356, data reception processing unit 357, screen display processing unit 358, Programs and data for realizing functions such as the data transmission processing unit 359 and various other programs. Gram and data are installed. These programs and data are read into the RAM as necessary. Then, the program is executed by the CPU.

  As the conference terminal 3, a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal computer, a workstation, or the like is used.

  According to the function of each unit shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the user temporarily leaves the electronic conference together with a specific participant during the electronic conference, and another electronic conference (hereinafter, “ Individual meeting ”). Furthermore, after the end of the individual conference, the user can rejoin the original electronic conference. Hereafter, each part shown in FIGS. 2-4 is demonstrated in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the electronic conference data DK, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the conference room management table TLA.

  The conference room data storage unit 201 of the electronic conference server 2 in FIG. 2 stores the electronic conference data DK for each electronic conference and the conference room management table TLA.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic conference data DK includes an identification number of the electronic conference (hereinafter referred to as “conference number”) and a user number of each participant of the electronic conference. However, the first user number among the user numbers indicated in the electronic conference data DK indicates the organizer of the electronic conference.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the conference room management table TLA indicates for which electronic conference each virtual conference room is currently used. For example, the first record indicates that a virtual conference room whose conference room number is “R001” is currently used for an electronic conference whose conference number is “M007”. The conference number is not shown in the second record, which means that the virtual conference room “R002” is not currently used.

  The data reception processing unit 202 receives various data from the conference terminal 3 such as data related to an application for holding an electronic conference. The data transmission processing unit 203 performs processing for transmitting various data to the conference terminal 3 based on an instruction from the individual conference preparation processing unit 204 or the individual conference end processing unit 206.

  The virtual conference room management unit 205 performs management related to allocation of virtual conference rooms. Specifically, when data for an electronic conference holding application is received by the data reception processing unit 202 and when a declaration of the end of the electronic conference is received by the data reception processing unit 202, respectively, Process.

  When the application data for holding the electronic conference is accepted, a conference number is assigned to the electronic conference, and electronic conference data DK (see FIG. 5) indicating the conference number and the user number of the participant indicated in the data is used. Generate. Then, the electronic conference data DK is stored in the conference room data storage unit 201. The electronic conference data DK is transmitted to the conference terminal 3 of each participant by the data transmission processing unit 203.

  Furthermore, the virtual conference room management unit 205 and the conference room management table TLA (see FIG. 6) are searched for a record in which the “conference room number” item is blank, and the conference number of the electronic conference is registered in the record. To do. Through the above processing, a vacant virtual conference room is allocated to the electronic conference.

  On the other hand, when the notification data of the end of the electronic conference is received, the virtual conference room management unit 205 searches the conference room management table TLA for a record indicating the conference number of the electronic conference, and displays “ Delete the “Conference number” value. As a result, the virtual conference room used for the electronic conference becomes empty.

  The virtual conference room management unit 205 executes the above-described processes not only when a normal electronic conference is held and ended, but also when an individual conference is held and ended.

  When the electronic conference to be held is an individual conference, the individual conference preparation processing unit 204 further holds the individual conference, such as a process for inquiring whether or not to accept the individual meeting, and a process for inquiring whether or not to participate in the individual meeting. The special preparation process is performed in cooperation with each unit such as the conference room data storage unit 201.

  In addition, when the conference to be ended is an individual conference, the individual conference end processing unit 206 specially performs a process for causing each participant to rejoin the original electronic conference. How the individual meeting preparation processing unit 204 and the individual meeting end processing unit 206 perform the above processing in cooperation with each unit will be described later with reference to flowcharts.

  Each part of the conference terminal 3 shown in FIG. 3 is used when a user hosts an individual conference. Hereinafter, the conference terminal 3 of the user who hosts the individual conference may be referred to as “individual conference organizer terminal 31”.

  In FIG. 3, the electronic conference data storage unit 301 stores the electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference in which the user of the conference terminal 3, that is, the individual conference organizer terminal 31 itself is currently participating. As described above, the electronic conference data DK is given from the electronic conference server 2. The electronic conference data storage unit 301 stores the electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference given from the electronic conference server 2 until the electronic conference ends.

  The former conference number storage unit 302 stores the conference number of the electronic conference in which the user of the individual conference organizer terminal 31 participated immediately before. In other words, after the end of the electronic conference, the former conference number storage unit 302 deletes another conference number if it is currently stored, and newly stores the conference number of the electronic conference that was joined immediately before. The electronic conference is stored (or stored) in the electronic conference data storage unit 301 and is indicated in the electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference.

  The command receiving unit 303 receives commands, parameters, and other various information input by the user using a keyboard or a mouse.

  The data reception processing unit 304 performs processing for receiving various data transmitted from the electronic conference server 2.

  The screen display processing unit 305 performs processing for generating a screen indicating the content of data received by the data reception processing unit 304 and displaying the screen on the display.

  The data transmission processing unit 308 performs processing for transmitting various data to the electronic conference server 2 based on an instruction from the individual conference holding processing unit 306 or the individual conference end processing unit 307.

  The individual meeting holding processing unit 306 includes a process for requesting other users to participate in the individual meeting and a process for requesting the electronic conference server 2 to secure a virtual conference room used in the individual meeting. Processing necessary for holding an individual conference is performed in cooperation with each unit such as the electronic conference data storage unit 301 described above.

  The individual conference end processing unit 307 performs processing for re-joining the original (immediately preceding) electronic conference in cooperation with each unit at the end of the individual conference.

  How the individual meeting holding processing unit 306 and the individual meeting end processing unit 307 perform the above processing in cooperation with each unit will be described later with reference to flowcharts.

  Each part of the conference terminal 3 shown in FIG. 4 is used when requested by the organizer via the electronic conference server 2 to participate in the individual conference. Hereinafter, a user who is requested to participate in an individual meeting will be referred to as “participation requestee” or “host”, and the conference terminal 3 of the participation requestee will be referred to as “individual meeting participation requestee terminal 32”. May be described.

  4, an electronic conference data storage unit 354, a former conference number storage unit 355, a command reception unit 356, a data reception processing unit 357, a screen display processing unit 358, and a data transmission processing unit 359 are described with reference to FIG. The electronic conference data storage unit 301, the former conference number storage unit 302, the command reception unit 303, the data reception processing unit 304, the screen display processing unit 305, and the data transmission processing unit 308 play the same role.

  The individual conference participation processing unit 351 prompts the participation requestee to participate in and participate in the individual conference when there is a request for approval to hold the individual conference or a request to participate in the individual conference. Processing related to participation in the individual conference, such as processing for answering whether or not, is performed in cooperation with each unit such as the timer 352.

  The rejoining processing unit 353 performs processing for rejoining the original (immediately preceding) electronic conference in cooperation with each unit at the end of the individual conference.

  How the individual meeting participation processing unit 351 and the rejoining processing unit 353 perform the above processing in cooperation with each unit will be described later with reference to flowcharts.

  A process for holding a normal electronic meeting that is not an individual meeting, a process for requesting participation in the electronic meeting, a process for participating in the electronic meeting, and a process for terminating the electronic meeting are known.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the electronic conference server 2 and the conference terminal 3 when the individual conference is held, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the electronic conference server 2 and the conference terminal 3 when the individual conference ends. It is a flowchart for.

  Next, during the electronic conference S in which five users A, B, C, D, and E who use the conference terminals 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3e respectively participate, the user A becomes the user B. The contents of the processing of each unit shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 will be further described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  During the electronic conference S (# 11 in FIG. 7), when the user A feels it is necessary to individually discuss with the user B, the user A inputs a command for holding the individual conference by operating the conference terminal 3a. At this time, the user A inputs a party who requests participation in the individual meeting K, that is, a requestee of participation (here, user B), the purpose of the individual meeting K, and the like as command parameters.

  Then, the command receiving unit 303 (see FIG. 3) of the conference terminal 3a receives the command and parameters, and the individual conference holding processing unit 306 applies for holding the individual conference K based on the received commands and parameters. (Request), organizer (here, user A), participation requestee (here, user B), individual meeting application data DP indicating the purpose of individual meeting K, etc. are generated, and this individual meeting application The data transmission processing unit 308 is caused to execute processing for transmitting the data DP to the electronic conference server 2 (# 12). Thereby, an application for holding the individual conference K is made to the electronic conference server 2.

  Furthermore, the individual meeting holding processing unit 306 causes the timer 309 to measure the elapsed time from the time when the individual meeting application data DP is transmitted. The electronic conference server 2 is informed that the individual conference K can be held until a preset response waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “waiting time Ta1”) elapses. .

  Note that the processing when there is no notification before the waiting time Ta1 elapses and what processing is performed when there is a negative answer will be described later with reference to another flowchart. The same applies to the description of FIG.

  In the electronic conference server 2, when the data reception processing unit 202 (see FIG. 2) receives the individual meeting application data DP from the conference terminal 3a, the individual meeting preparation processing unit 204 performs the individual meeting based on the individual meeting application data DP. Start preparations for holding K. First, the approval / disapproval response request data DA indicating the purpose of the individual meeting K, the organizer, the requestee for participation, etc. is generated. Then, the data transmission processing unit 203 is caused to execute a process of transmitting the holding approval / disapproval answer request data DA to the conference terminal 3 (here, the conference terminal 3b) of the requestee of participation indicated in the individual conference application data DP ( # 13). As a result, an inquiry as to whether or not to accept the holding of the individual meeting K is made to the participation requestee.

  Further, the individual meeting preparation processing unit 204 causes the timer 207 to measure the elapsed time from the time when the holding approval / disapproval answer request data DA is transmitted. Then, it waits for an answer (reply) to the inquiry until a preset response waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “waiting time Ts1”) elapses.

  When the data reception processing unit 357 (see FIG. 4) receives the meeting acceptance / rejection response request data DA at the conference terminal 3 of the requestee of participation, that is, the conference terminal 3b, the individual conference participation processing unit 351 causes the user B to enter the individual conference K. Start the process to join. First, whether or not to accept the holding of the individual meeting K is confirmed with respect to the requestee of participation, that is, the user B, and processing for replying to the electronic conference server 2 is performed as follows (# 14).

  Indicate whether the individual meeting K indicated in the received request for approval / disapproval response data DA and the prospective participants (that is, the organizer and all participants requested to participate) and whether to accept the individual meeting K are accepted. The screen display processing unit 358 causes the screen display processing unit 358 to execute a process of displaying a screen in which a message prompting to do so is described. Further, the timer 352 measures the elapsed time from the time when the screen is displayed.

  Here, the user B inputs to the conference terminal 3b an answer as to whether or not to accept the holding of the individual conference K. When the command reception unit 356 receives the content of the input by the user B before the preset input waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “waiting time Tb1”) elapses, the individual conference participation processing unit 351 The data transmission processing unit 359 is caused to execute a process of returning the approval / denial response data DE indicating the answer of the user B to the electronic conference server 2. Hereinafter, the case where the user B consents to hold the individual meeting K will be described.

  Furthermore, the individual conference participation processing unit 351 causes the timer 352 to measure the elapsed time from the time when the holding approval / disapproval answer data DE is transmitted. The electronic conference server 2 is informed that the individual conference K can be held until a preset response waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “waiting time Tb2”) elapses. . Until the waiting time Tb <b> 2 elapses, the data reception processing unit 357 does not accept calls from other than the organizer of the individual meeting K, that is, the user A.

  In the electronic conference server 2, when the data reception processing unit 202 receives the hold approval / disapproval response data DE before the time measured by the timer 207 exceeds the waiting time Ts 1, the individual conference preparation processing unit 204 displays the individual conference K. The individual conference K is sent to each of the conference terminal 3 (that is, the conference terminal 3b) and the organizer's conference terminal 3 (that is, the conference terminal 3a) that has transmitted the session approval / disapproval response data DE indicating acceptance of the event. A release message indicating that the event can be held and that participation in the electronic conference S is temporarily suspended (that is, that the electronic conference S is to be removed) as a result of newly joining the individual conference K. The data transmission processing unit 203 is caused to execute the process of transmitting the seat notification data DF (# 15).

  Before or after or in parallel with step # 15, the individual meeting preparation processing unit 204 is temporarily electronically conferenced by the user (that is, user B) and the organizer (that is, user A) who has approved the holding of the individual meeting K. The absence notification data DG indicating a message indicating that the user has left the S and moved to the individual conference K is used as the conference terminal 3 (that is, the conference terminals 3c, 3d, and 3e) of each participant of the electronic conference S other than both users. (# 16).

  In the conference terminal 3a, when the data reception processing unit 304 receives the away notification data DF before the time measured by the timer 309 exceeds the waiting time Ta1, the individual conference holding processing unit 306 causes the user A to execute A process of transmitting virtual meeting room securing request data DH indicating that a request to secure a virtual meeting room resource used for the individual meeting K is waited for after inputting a command or automatically. The transmission processing unit 308 is executed (# 17). When waiting for the input of a command, the timer 309 may be used to limit the input time.

  Furthermore, the individual meeting holding processing unit 306 causes the timer 309 to measure the elapsed time from the time when the virtual meeting room securing request data DH is transmitted. Then, data necessary for accessing the individual conference K is transmitted from the electronic conference server 2 until a preset response waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “waiting time Ta2”) elapses. Wait for.

  In the electronic conference server 2, when the data reception processing unit 202 receives the virtual conference room securing request data DH, the individual conference preparation processing unit 204 causes the virtual conference room management unit 205 to perform processing for securing the virtual conference room for the individual conference K. Let it run. When the virtual conference room can be secured, the electronic conference data DK (see FIG. 5) of the individual conference K is generated, and the conference terminal 3 (here, the conference terminal 3b) of the requestee of participation is replied that he / she participates. On the other hand, the data transmission processing unit 203 is caused to execute a process of transmitting the electronic conference data DK (# 18). In the electronic conference data DK, the user numbers of the organizers and the participation requestees who made a reply to participate are shown as the user numbers of the participants.

  Further, the individual conference preparation processing unit 204 causes the timer 207 to measure the elapsed time from the time when the electronic conference data DK is transmitted. Then, until a preset response waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “waiting time Ts2”) elapses, a response to participate in the individual conference K is waited for from the conference terminal 3b.

  In the conference terminal 3b, when the data reception processing unit 357 receives the electronic conference data DK, the individual conference participation processing unit 351 indicates that the individual conference K can be held and prompts to participate in the individual conference K. The screen display processing unit 358 is caused to execute a process for displaying a screen indicating the above. Further, the timer 352 measures the elapsed time from the displayed time.

  Here, the user B inputs, to the conference terminal 3b, an answer indicating whether or not to participate in the individual conference K and a command indicating that it should be returned. When the command reception unit 356 receives the content of input by the user B before the preset input waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “waiting time Tb3”) elapses, the individual conference participation processing unit 351 The data transmission processing unit 359 is caused to execute a process of returning the participation response data DI indicating the response of the user B to the electronic conference server 2 (# 19). Hereinafter, the case where the user B replies that he / she participates in the individual meeting K will be described.

  In the electronic conference server 2, when the data reception processing unit 202 receives participation response data DI indicating participation in the individual conference K before the waiting time Ts <b> 2 passes the time measured by the timer 207, the individual conference preparation is performed. The processing unit 204 causes the data transmission processing unit 203 to execute a process of transmitting the electronic conference data DK of the individual meeting K to the organizer's conference terminal 3 (that is, the conference terminal 3a) (# 20).

  When the conference terminal 3a receives the electronic conference data DK, the conference terminal 3a accesses the virtual conference room of the individual conference K based on the conference number indicated in the electronic conference data DK (# 21). On the other hand, the conference terminal 3b also accesses the virtual conference room of the individual conference K based on the conference number indicated in the electronic conference data DK (# 21). A conventional method of accessing based on the conference number is used. The conference room number of the virtual conference room can be found by referring to the conference room management table TLA in FIG.

  In addition, before or after or in parallel with the process of accessing the virtual conference room of the individual meeting K, the individual meeting holding processing unit 306 of the conference terminal 3a is configured to store the electronic conference S stored in the electronic conference data storage unit 301. The electronic conference data DK is deleted, and the electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K is stored instead. That is, the electronic conference data DK is replaced. Further, the conference number indicated in the electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference S is stored in the original conference number storage unit 302 (# 22).

  Similarly, the individual conference participation processing unit 351 of the conference terminal 3b replaces the electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference S stored in the electronic conference data storage unit 354 with the electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K, and the electronic conference. The conference number indicated in the electronic conference data DK of S is stored in the original conference number storage unit 355 (# 23).

  The conference terminals 3c, 3d, and 3e continue communication with the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S, and the users C, D, and E continue the electronic conference S with three people (# 24).

  Note that the timing at which the conference terminals 3a and 3b end the connection with the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S may be immediately after the absence notification data DF is received, or the virtual conference room of the individual conference K is accessed. It may be just before.

  When the users A and B leave the electronic conference S and participate in the individual conference K, the electronic conference server 2 deletes the user numbers of the users A and B from the electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference S.

  When ending the individual meeting K, each unit in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 performs processing in a procedure as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a case will be described as an example where the conference terminal 3 is configured such that the organizer declares the end of the individual conference K.

  The user A who is the organizer declares the end of the individual meeting K by inputting a command for ending the individual meeting to the conference terminal 3a after the conversation with the user B is finished. Then, the command reception unit 303 of the conference terminal 3a receives the command, and the individual conference end processing unit 307 performs processing for ending the individual conference K and processing for causing the user A to participate in the electronic conference S again. Do as follows.

  The individual conference end processing unit 307 first causes the data transmission processing unit 308 to execute processing for transmitting the end declaration data DL indicating the declaration to end the individual conference K to the electronic conference server 2 (# 31).

  The conference number stored in the original conference number storage unit 302 is called. This conference number is that of the electronic conference that was joined immediately before, that is, the electronic conference S, as described above. Then, the individual conference end processing unit 307 causes the data transmission processing unit 308 to execute processing for transmitting the re-participation request data DN indicating the called conference number to the electronic conference server 2, thereby moving the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S to the virtual conference room. Is requested (# 32).

  In the electronic conference server 2, when the data reception processing unit 202 receives the end declaration data DL from the conference terminal 3a, the individual conference end processing unit 206 is a process for causing the participants of the individual conference K to participate in the electronic conference S again. Is performed as follows.

  The data transmission processing unit 203 is caused to execute a process of transmitting individual meeting end data DM indicating that the individual meeting K is ended to the conference terminal 3 for each participant of the individual meeting K (# 33). The participant can be understood by referring to the electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K as described in FIG.

  In addition, you may comprise so that it may not transmit with respect to the transmission source of completion | finish declaration data DL, ie, the conference terminal 3a. This is because the conference terminal 3a recognizes that the individual conference K is to be terminated, and requests access to the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S as described above without waiting for the individual conference end data DM. Because it can.

  In the conference terminal 3b, when the data reception processing unit 357 receives the individual conference end data DM, the rejoin processing unit 353, like step # 32 of the conference terminal 3a, stores the conference stored in the former conference number storage unit 355. Based on the number, access to the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S is requested (# 34).

  In the electronic conference server 2, when the data reception processing unit 202 receives the re-participation request data DN from each of the conference terminals 3a and 3b, the individual conference end processing unit 206 confirms that the electronic conference S is continuing. Confirm by referring to table TLA. If confirmed, the data transmission processing unit 203 is caused to execute a process of transmitting re-participation possible notification data DO indicating that it can participate in the electronic conference S to the conference terminals 3a and 3b (# 35). In parallel with this, the electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K is deleted from the conference room data storage unit 201, and the user numbers of the users A and B are added to the electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference S. Thereby, the users A and B can leave the individual conference K and participate in the electronic conference S again.

  Furthermore, the individual conference end processing unit 206 receives the re-participation notification data DQ indicating the message that the users A and B have joined the electronic conference S again, and the conference terminals of the participants who are continuously participating in the electronic conference S The data transmission processing unit 203 is caused to execute processing to transmit to 3c, 3d, and 3e (# 36).

  Through the above processing, the electronic conference S by the five users A to E resumes (# 37). After the restart, the virtual meeting room management unit 205 of the electronic conference server 2 updates the meeting room management table TLA so that the virtual meeting room for the individual meeting K becomes empty.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts for explaining the processing flow of the electronic conference server 2 when the individual meeting is held, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the individual meeting organizer terminal 31 when the individual meeting is held. FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts for explaining the processing flow of the individual meeting participation requestee terminal 32 when the individual meeting is held, and FIG. 14 shows the processing flow of the individual meeting organizer terminal 31 at the end of the individual meeting. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the electronic conference server 2 at the end of the individual conference, and FIG. 16 is the flow of processing of the individual conference participation requestee terminal 32 at the end of the individual conference. It is a flowchart for demonstrating.

  Next, the flow of processing when the individual conference K is held during the electronic conference S and the individual conference K of the devices of the electronic conference server 2, the individual conference organizer terminal 31, and the individual conference participation requestee terminal 32 The processing flow when ending the process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, as in the case of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a case where the users A and B temporarily participate in the individual conference K during the electronic conference S by five users A to E will be described as an example.

  When the individual conference K is held, the electronic conference server 2, the individual conference organizer terminal 31, and the individual conference participation requestee terminal 32 perform processing according to the procedure of FIGS. 9 to 13.

  In FIG. 9, when the electronic conference server 2 receives the application data for the individual conference K (individual conference application data DP) from the conference terminal 3a of the user A (# 101), the electronic conference server 2 holds the individual conference K for the user B. In order to notify and inquire whether the event is acceptable or not, the event acceptance / rejection response request data DA is transmitted to the conference terminal 3b (# 102). The timer is started from the time of transmission (# 103).

  If no response data (holding approval / disapproval response data DE) is obtained from the conference terminal 3b by the waiting time Ts1, that is, until the timer expires and is canceled ("No response" in # 104), individual Meeting K cannot be held. Therefore, the conference terminal 3a of the user A who is the organizer is notified of the fact that the approval of the event has not been obtained (the rejection has been made) (# 106). The same applies to the case where the holding approval / disapproval reply data DE indicating rejection is obtained (“rejected” in # 104). However, in this case, the timer is further canceled and reset (# 105).

  When the approval / disapproval response data DE indicating acceptance of the event is obtained (“Accept” in # 104), the individual conference K can be held and the electronic conference S should be left and moved to the individual conference K The data indicating absence (seating notification data DF) is transmitted to the conference terminals 3a and 3b of each participant in the individual conference K (# 108). Data (separation notification data DG) indicating that the users A and B are temporarily withdrawn is transmitted to the conference terminals 3c to 3e of the remaining users C to E participating in the electronic conference S (# 109). ).

  In addition, it is desirable that the timer is canceled and reset as soon as the holding acceptance / rejection response data DE is obtained (# 107).

  Proceeding to FIG. 10, when the electronic conference server 2 receives the virtual conference room securing request data (virtual conference room securing request data DH) of the individual conference K (# 110), the electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K is received. And vacant virtual conference rooms are assigned to the individual conference K (# 111).

  By transmitting the generated electronic conference data DK to the conference terminal 3b, the user B is called to the individual conference K (# 112). The timer is started from the time of transmission (# 113).

  If the response data (participation response data DI) is not obtained from the conference terminal 3b by the waiting time Ts2 (“No response” in # 114), the conference terminal 3a is notified that the user B is not participating ( # 116). The same applies when participation reply data DI indicating non-participation is obtained (“non-participation” in # 114). In this case, the timer is further canceled and reset (# 115).

  When participation answer data DI indicating participation is obtained (“participation” in # 114), the timer is canceled and reset (# 117), and notification to that effect and electronic conference data DK are sent to the conference terminal 3a. Transmit (# 118).

  In FIG. 11, the conference terminal 3 a, that is, the individual conference organizer terminal 31 transmits the individual conference application data DP to the electronic conference server 2 to perform a process for applying for the individual conference K (# 201). The timer is started from the time of transmission (# 202).

  Thereafter, as described above, the electronic conference server 2 inquires each requestee of participation whether or not to hold the individual conference K. The individual meeting organizer terminal 31 requests that the individual meeting K be held if the absence notice data DF from the electronic conference server 2 is not obtained by the waiting time Ta1 (“No response” in # 203). Is displayed (# 205). When the absence notification data DF indicating that the holding is refused is obtained (“denied” in # 203), the fact is displayed (# 205). In this case, the timer is further canceled and reset (# 204).

  When the absence notification data DF indicating that the individual meeting K can be held is obtained (“Accept” in # 203), the timer is canceled and reset (# 206), and the virtual meeting of the individual meeting K is performed. In order to secure the room, the virtual meeting room securing request data DH is transmitted to the electronic conference server 2 (# 207). The timer is started from the time of transmission (# 208).

  Thereafter, as described above, the electronic conference server 2 inquires of the user B whether or not he / she can participate in the individual conference K. When an answer to the effect of participation is obtained, the electronic conference data DK is transmitted to the individual conference organizer terminal 31. If the electronic conference data DK is not obtained before the waiting time Ta2 (“No response” in # 209), the individual conference organizer terminal 31 displays that no response has been obtained from the user B (# 211). ). When an answer indicating that the user B is not participating is obtained (“Non-participation” in # 209), the fact is displayed (# 211). In this case, the timer is further canceled and reset (# 210).

  When the electronic conference data DK is obtained, that is, when the user B announces participation (“participation” in # 209), the timer is canceled and reset (# 212), and the conference number of the electronic conference S is saved (# 213) The electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference S that has been stored so far is deleted, and the acquired electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K is newly stored (# 214).

  Further, the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S is exited, and the virtual conference room of the individual conference K is accessed based on the conference number indicated in the electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K.

  In FIG. 12, when the conference terminal 3b, that is, the individual conference participation requestee terminal 32 receives the inquiry data on whether to accept the individual conference K (holding acceptance / rejection response request data DA) from the electronic conference server 2 (# 301), A screen for allowing the user B to select whether to accept or reject the holding of the individual meeting K and to answer it is displayed (# 302). The timer is started from the displayed time (# 303).

  If the user B does not make a selection before the waiting time Tb1 (“No selection” in # 304), the holding approval / disapproval reply data DE indicating that the holding is rejected is transmitted to the electronic conference server 2 (# 306). The same applies when user B replies that he / she refuses (“reject” in # 304). In this case, the timer is further canceled and reset (# 305).

  When user B responds that he / she agrees (“Accept” in # 304), the timer is released and reset (# 307), and the holding approval / disapproval reply data DE indicating acceptance of the holding is transmitted to the electronic conference server 2 (# 308).

  Furthermore, this time, the time from the time when the holding approval / disapproval answer data DE is transmitted is measured with a timer (# 309). Until the waiting time Tb2 elapses, only calls related to the individual conference K are accepted, and other calls are rejected (# 311).

  If data (separation notification data DF) indicating that the electronic conference S should be left and moved to the individual conference K is obtained (Yes in # 312 or Yes in # 314), the participation in the individual conference K is confirmed. The participation response data DI indicating the intention is transmitted to the electronic conference server 2. The participation reply data DI is automatically transmitted on the condition that the away notification data DF is obtained. The timer is canceled and reset when the waiting time Tb2 elapses or when the away notification data DF is obtained (# 313, # 315 in FIG. 12).

  Rather than automatically transmitting the participation response data DI, as shown in steps # 316 to # 324 in FIG.

  Proceeding to FIG. 13, a screen for allowing the user B to select whether or not to participate in the individual meeting K is displayed (# 316).

  The timer is started when the screen is displayed (# 317).

  If the user B does not make a selection before the waiting time Tb3 (“No selection” in # 318), participation reply data DI indicating that the user does not participate is transmitted to the electronic conference server 2 (# 320). The same applies when the user B replies that he / she does not participate (“No participation” in # 318). In this case, the timer is further canceled and reset (# 319).

  When user B replies that he / she participates (“participation” in # 318), the timer is canceled and reset (# 321), and participation response data DI indicating the intention to participate in the individual conference K is sent to the electronic conference server 2 (# 322).

  Then, the conference terminal 3b stores the conference number of the electronic conference S (# 323), deletes the electronic conference data DK of the electronic conference S, and stores the electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K transmitted later ( # 324).

  Further, the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S is exited, and the virtual conference room of the individual conference K is accessed based on the conference number indicated in the electronic conference data DK of the individual conference K. The timing of leaving the electronic conference S may be just before accessing the individual conference K. When automatically transmitting the participation response data DI, the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S may be exited when the away notification data DF is obtained. In this case, the conference number of the electronic conference S may be stored when leaving.

  When the individual meeting K is terminated, the electronic conference server 2, the individual meeting organizer terminal 31, and the individual meeting participation requestee terminal 32 perform processing according to the procedure shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 14, when the individual meeting organizer terminal 31 inputs a command for ending the individual meeting K, the individual meeting organizer terminal 31 transmits declaration data indicating that the individual meeting K is ended, that is, end declaration data DL, to the electronic conference server 2. (# 401) The re-participation request data DN is transmitted to the electronic conference server 2 based on the saved conference number of the original electronic conference, thereby requesting re-participation in the electronic conference S (# 402). ). When the re-participation possible notification data DO is obtained from the electronic conference server 2 (# 403), access to the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S is started (# 404).

  In FIG. 15, when the electronic conference server 2 receives the end declaration data DL of the individual conference K from the individual conference organizer terminal 31 (# 501), the conference terminal 3 (here, the user) of the other participants of the individual conference K The individual conference end data DM for ending the individual conference K is transmitted to the B conference terminal 3b) (# 502).

  When re-participation request data DN is received from each of the conference terminals 3a and 3b (# 503), it is confirmed that the electronic conference S is still continuing, and if it can be confirmed, the re-participation possible notification data DO is returned to the request source. (# 504).

  In addition, data indicating that the users A and B will participate in the electronic conference S again (re-participation) for the conference terminals 3c, 3d, and 3e of the users C, D, and E who are continuously participating in the electronic conference S Notification data DQ) is transmitted (# 505).

  In FIG. 16, when the individual conference participation requestee terminal 32 receives the individual conference end data DM of the individual conference K from the electronic conference server 2 (# 601), the individual conference described in steps # 402 to # 404 of FIG. Similar to the procedure at the organizer terminal 31, processing for re-participation in the electronic conference S is performed. That is, re-participation request data DN is transmitted to the electronic conference server 2 (# 602), and if re-participation possible notification data DO is obtained (# 603), access to the virtual conference room of the electronic conference S is started (#). 604).

  According to the electronic conference system 1 of the present embodiment, it is easier for a user who has temporarily left the electronic conference S during the electronic conference S to join the individual conference K after the individual conference K ends. The electronic conference S can be rejoined. In other words, in the past, participants in the individual conference K had to perform an operation of tracing the history of each person and finding the electronic conference S. However, according to the electronic conference system 1 of the present embodiment, All the participants in the individual meeting K can re-participate in the electronic meeting S only by the organizer performing an operation for declaring the end of the individual meeting K.

  Further, according to the electronic conference system 1 of the present embodiment, the user can hold the individual conference K or move from the electronic conference S to the individual conference K by performing simple operations.

  That is, according to the electronic conference system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to separate part of the electronic conference S into the individual conference K and recombine the individual conference K with the electronic conference S more easily than before. .

  In this embodiment, the participant is automatically rejoined to the electronic conference S at the end of the individual conference K. However, the user may be allowed to select whether or not to rejoin the electronic conference S. If the user chooses not to rejoin, both the individual conference K and the electronic conference S may be withdrawn.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the organizer makes a declaration of termination of the individual meeting K has been described as an example, but other participants may terminate the conference.

  In FIGS. 7 to 16, the case where there is one requestee of participation in the individual meeting K has been described as an example. Therefore, if the requestee of participation does not accept the holding of the individual meeting K or does not choose to participate in the individual meeting K, the holding of the individual meeting K is automatically disabled. When there are a plurality of requestees for participation, opinions regarding whether or not to accept the individual meeting K and whether or not to participate in the individual meeting K may differ depending on the requestees. If there are multiple requestees, it is possible to use the opinions of the requestees as follows.

  For example, when the participation requestees more than a predetermined number (for example, half of the total number of participation requestees) agree to hold the individual meeting K, the individual meeting K is determined to be held. Whether or not to participate in the individual meeting K is left to each person's intention. Alternatively, if it is decided to hold the individual meeting K, the participation requestee who refuses to hold the meeting is also forced to participate in the individual meeting K.

  In the present embodiment, the conference terminal 3 stores (stores) the conference number of the electronic conference S as history information of the electronic conference S immediately before the user joins the individual conference K. The conference room number may be saved.

  In the present embodiment, the conference terminal 3 executes the process of re-joining the user to the electronic conference S after the individual conference K ends, but can also be executed before the individual conference K ends. For example, when the user needs to return to the electronic conference S during the individual conference K, the conference terminal 3 may leave the user from the individual conference K and rejoin the electronic conference S.

  The fact that the individual conference K is to be ended is notified from the conference terminal 3 of the organizer to the conference terminal 3 of another participant via the electronic conference server 2, but may be notified without going through the electronic conference server 2.

  In addition, the configuration, functions, data contents, processing contents or order of the whole or each part of the electronic conference system 1, the electronic conference server 2, and the conference terminal 3 can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. .

In the embodiment described above, the following notes are also disclosed.
(Appendix 1)
Consists of an electronic conference server that manages electronic conferences, and a plurality of terminal devices used by participants of the electronic conference,
The electronic conference server
Resources for holding the first electronic conference and resources for providing resources for the second electronic conference in which some of the participants participate away from the first electronic conference during the first electronic conference Providing means;
Identification information notifying means for notifying identification information of the first electronic conference to the terminal device of the participant of the first electronic conference;
Participant information storage means for storing participant information indicating participants of the second electronic conference;
At the end of the second electronic conference, the second electronic conference with respect to the terminal device of the participant of the second electronic conference based on the participant information stored in the participant information storage unit An end notification means for notifying the end of the electronic conference;
Have
The terminal device
Identification information receiving means for receiving the identification information from the electronic conference server;
Identification information storing means for storing the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
When the end of the second electronic conference is notified from the electronic conference server, the re-participation process for re-participating the user of the terminal device in the first electronic conference is stored in the identification information storage unit Re-participation processing means to be performed based on the identification information being
Having
An electronic conference system characterized by that.
(Appendix 2)
The terminal device, when a user of the terminal device makes an end declaration to end the second electronic conference, an end declaration notifying unit for notifying the end declaration to the electronic conference server; Have
The end notification means of the electronic conference server does not notify the terminal device that is the notification source of the end declaration of the second electronic conference, but notifies the end of the second electronic conference. To the terminal device other than
When the end declaration notifying unit of the terminal device notifies the end declaration of the second electronic conference, the rejoin processing unit of the terminal device performs the rejoin process from the electronic conference server. Regardless of whether the end of the second electronic conference is notified or not,
The electronic conference system according to supplementary note 1, wherein
(Appendix 3)
An electronic conference management system that can be connected to a terminal device used by a participant of an electronic conference via a communication line and performs management related to the electronic conference,
Resources for holding the first electronic conference and resources for providing resources for the second electronic conference in which some of the participants participate away from the first electronic conference during the first electronic conference Providing means;
Identification information notifying means for notifying identification information of the first electronic conference to the terminal device of the participant of the first electronic conference;
Participant information storage means for storing participant information indicating participants of the second electronic conference;
At the end of the second electronic conference, the user of the terminal device with respect to the terminal device of the participant of the second electronic conference indicated in the participant information stored in the participant information storage unit Re-participation execution command means for giving a command to execute the process of re-participating in the first electronic conference based on the identification information;
An electronic conference management system comprising:
(Appendix 4)
A terminal device used by participants of an electronic conference,
An identification information storage means for storing the identification information of the first electronic conference in which the user of the terminal device is participating, received from the electronic conference server that manages the electronic conference;
Participation in another conference that executes a process of allowing a user of the terminal device to participate in a second electronic conference in which a part of the participants participates away from the first electronic conference during the first electronic conference Processing means;
Re-participation is performed based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit, so that the re-participation process for causing the user of the terminal device to leave the second electronic conference and re-join the first electronic conference is performed. Processing means;
The terminal device characterized by having.
(Appendix 5)
The re-participation processing means executes the re-participation processing when notified from another device that the second electronic conference is to be terminated.
The terminal device according to attachment 4.
(Appendix 6)
When a user of a terminal device for an electronic conference participates in a second electronic conference in which a part of the participants participates away from the first electronic conference while the first electronic conference is held. And storing the identification information of the first electronic conference in the identification information storage means of the terminal device,
The process of leaving the user from the second electronic conference and rejoining the first electronic conference is performed based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage means.
A method of joining and leaving an electronic conference characterized by:
(Appendix 7)
A computer program that can be connected to a terminal device used by a participant of an electronic conference via a communication line and that is used for a computer that manages the electronic conference,
On that computer,
Processing for providing resources for holding the first electronic conference and resources for the second electronic conference in which a part of the participants participates away from the first electronic conference during the first electronic conference. When,
A process of notifying identification information of the first electronic conference to the terminal device of the participant of the first electronic conference;
Processing for storing participant information indicating participants of the second electronic conference in the participant information storage unit;
At the end of the second electronic conference, the user of the terminal device with respect to the terminal device of the participant of the second electronic conference indicated in the participant information stored in the participant information storage unit A process for giving a command to execute a process for re-participating in the first electronic conference based on the identification information;
A computer program for executing
(Appendix 8)
A computer program used for a computer used by participants of an electronic conference,
On that computer,
Processing for storing the identification information of the first electronic conference in which the user of the computer is participating, received from the electronic conference server that manages the electronic conference, in the identification information storage means;
A process of causing a user of the computer to participate in a second electronic conference in which some of the participants participate away from the first electronic conference during the holding of the first electronic conference;
Based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage means, the process of leaving the user of the computer from the second electronic conference and rejoining the first electronic conference;
A computer program for executing

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of the electronic conference system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of an electronic conference server. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of an individual meeting organizer terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of an individual meeting participating requestee terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of electronic conference data. It is a figure which shows the example of a meeting room management table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the electronic conference server and conference terminal at the time of individual meeting holding. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the electronic conference server and conference terminal at the time of completion | finish of an individual meeting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the electronic conference server at the time of individual meeting holding. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the electronic conference server at the time of individual meeting holding. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the individual meeting organizer terminal at the time of individual meeting holding. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the individual meeting participation requestee terminal at the time of individual meeting holding. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the individual meeting participation requestee terminal at the time of individual meeting holding. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the individual meeting organizer terminal at the time of completion | finish of an individual meeting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the electronic conference server at the time of completion | finish of an individual meeting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the individual meeting participation requestee terminal at the time of completion | finish of an individual meeting.

Explanation of symbols

1 electronic conference system 2 electronic conference server (electronic conference management system, computer)
3. Conference terminal (terminal device, computer)
31 Individual meeting organizer terminal (terminal equipment)
32 Individual meeting requestee terminal (terminal equipment)
201 Conference room data storage (participant information storage means)
203 Data transmission processing unit (identification information notification means, end notification means)
205 Virtual meeting room manager (resource providing means, identification information notifying means)
206 Individual conference end processing unit (end notification means, re-participation execution instruction means)
302, 355 former conference number storage unit (identification information storage means)
304, 357 Data reception processing unit (identification information reception means)
306 Individual meeting holding processing unit (separate meeting participation processing means)
307 Individual meeting end processing unit (re-participation processing means)
351 Individual meeting participation processing section (separate meeting participation processing means)
353 Re-participation processing unit (re-participation processing means)
DK electronic conference data (participant information)
K Individual conference (electronic conference, second electronic conference)
NT communication line S Electronic conference (electronic conference, first electronic conference)

Claims (5)

Consists of an electronic conference server that manages electronic conferences, and a plurality of terminal devices used by participants of the electronic conference,
The electronic conference server
Resources for holding the first electronic conference and resources for providing resources for the second electronic conference in which some of the participants participate away from the first electronic conference during the first electronic conference Providing means;
Identification information notifying means for notifying identification information of the first electronic conference to the terminal device of the participant of the first electronic conference;
Participant information storage means for storing participant information indicating participants of the second electronic conference;
At the end of the second electronic conference, the second electronic conference with respect to the terminal device of the participant of the second electronic conference based on the participant information stored in the participant information storage unit An end notification means for notifying the end of the electronic conference;
Have
The terminal device
Identification information receiving means for receiving the identification information from the electronic conference server;
Identification information storing means for storing the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
When the end of the second electronic conference is notified from the electronic conference server, the re-participation process for re-participating the user of the terminal device in the first electronic conference is stored in the identification information storage unit Re-participation processing means to be performed based on the identification information being
Having
An electronic conference system characterized by that. An electronic conference management system that can be connected to a terminal device used by a participant of an electronic conference via a communication line and performs management related to the electronic conference,
Resources for holding the first electronic conference and resources for providing resources for the second electronic conference in which some of the participants participate away from the first electronic conference during the first electronic conference Providing means;
Identification information notifying means for notifying identification information of the first electronic conference to the terminal device of the participant of the first electronic conference;
Participant information storage means for storing participant information indicating participants of the second electronic conference;
At the end of the second electronic conference, the user of the terminal device with respect to the terminal device of the participant of the second electronic conference indicated in the participant information stored in the participant information storage unit Re-participation execution command means for giving a command to execute the process of re-participating in the first electronic conference based on the identification information;
An electronic conference management system comprising: A terminal device used by participants of an electronic conference,
An identification information storage means for storing the identification information of the first electronic conference in which the user of the terminal device is participating, received from the electronic conference server that manages the electronic conference;
Participation in another conference that executes a process of allowing a user of the terminal device to participate in a second electronic conference in which a part of the participants participates away from the first electronic conference during the first electronic conference Processing means;
Re-participation is performed based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit, so that the re-participation process for causing the user of the terminal device to leave the second electronic conference and re-join the first electronic conference is performed. Processing means;
The terminal device characterized by having. A computer program that can be connected to a terminal device used by a participant of an electronic conference via a communication line and that is used for a computer that manages the electronic conference,
On that computer,
Processing for providing resources for holding the first electronic conference and resources for the second electronic conference in which a part of the participants participates away from the first electronic conference during the first electronic conference. When,
A process of notifying identification information of the first electronic conference to the terminal device of the participant of the first electronic conference;
Processing for storing participant information indicating participants of the second electronic conference in the participant information storage unit;
At the end of the second electronic conference, the user of the terminal device with respect to the terminal device of the participant of the second electronic conference indicated in the participant information stored in the participant information storage unit A process for giving a command to execute a process for re-participating in the first electronic conference based on the identification information;
A computer program for executing A computer program used for a computer used by participants of an electronic conference,
On that computer,
Processing for storing the identification information of the first electronic conference in which the user of the computer is participating, received from the electronic conference server that manages the electronic conference, in the identification information storage means;
A process of causing a user of the computer to participate in a second electronic conference in which some of the participants participate away from the first electronic conference during the holding of the first electronic conference;
Based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage means, the process of leaving the user of the computer from the second electronic conference and rejoining the first electronic conference;
A computer program for executing