JP3460460B2 - Communication format display device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an improvement of a network system in which a plurality of client terminals share information by using a common server machine. The client terminal can refer to the status of each user, and can also refer to the communication format desired by other users for each status, so that communication can be performed smoothly and office activities can be streamlined And a communication format display device. 2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a conventional communication type display device, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-87685. The configuration of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-87685 is a system in which a plurality of terminals are connected via a network, and the presence status and communication format (telephone, facsimile, mail, etc.) applied by a user of a client terminal and their attribute information (Phone numbers, fax numbers, mail addresses, etc.) are centrally managed by the server machine. The user of the client terminal can refer to the presence status of another user managed by the server machine, and further selects the other user and the communication format to change to the selected communication format. Necessary attribute information is acquired from the server machine, and communication can be performed. However, the confirmation of the user's presence status and the selection of the communication format are independent functions, and there is no relationship between the presence status managed by the server machine and the communication format. For this reason, after confirming the presence status of other users, the user can select the communication format and perform communication, but the displayed communication format is the status of the receiving user. Therefore, the desired communication format is not necessarily selected according to the state of the user on the receiving side. As described above, in the prior art, the display of the communication format is irrelevant to the state of the user on the receiving side, and the communication format is selected by the transmitting side. Yes, the selected communication format is not always convenient on the receiving side. For example, if the user is absent,
If you are not in a state where you can receive a call even if you are present, you will attempt to contact by the caller's choice. If you are not on a business trip, you will not be able to communicate by phone or fax but you will be able to send e-mail Despite this situation, there was a problem that the caller could not be contacted without being recognized. [0004] The problem described in the preceding paragraph is that the state and the information on the communication format are not related at all, and the communication format desired by the user on the receiving side is unknown according to the status. Has occurred. In the present invention, the communication format desired by each user is set in advance according to the state and displayed on the client terminal, which is convenient for the user on the receiving side, in other words, according to his / her own state at that time. Communication in the optimal communication format. That is, according to the present invention, in a network system including a server machine and a plurality of specified client terminals, each client terminal is provided with a corresponding status for each user state.
Input of the desired communication format in the
The state of the user and the communication format desired in that state
A communication format setting unit that associates and registers with the server machine,
And a display unit for displaying the status of other users, the display unit, other users that are displayed is designated as the communication partner
Information that identifies other designated users in response to
Sent to the server machine, and responds to the specified other user's status.
If another user stored in response to the
A desired communication format is received from the server and displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of a system for managing a presence status as status information will be described. This configuration includes a plurality of client terminals 20, 30 and a server device 10 for connecting the client terminals 20, 30, and the client terminals 20, 30 and the server device 10 are connected by a LAN (L1). The server 10 has status information 11 and a status information management unit 12. The status information 11 is stored in each of the client terminals 20 and 3
A file is created for each of the 0 users, and manages the presence status of each user (status flag 41), the update time 42 of the presence status, the status expiration date related information 43, and the communication format related information 53. Each managed item will be described with reference to FIG. [0008] 1. 1. Name 40: Name of the user who registered the status information 11 Status flag 41: Stores the user's presence status. In this example, the attendance is represented by "1", the absence: "2", the conference: "3", the business trip: "4", and the telephone: "5". 3. Update time 42: The date and time when the status information 11 was updated is stored. <Status expiration date related information 43> Default communication format 45: When the communication format corresponding to the presence status set in the status flag 41 is not set in the communication format related information 53, a communication format to be notified as a default value is set. [0010] 5. Attribute information 46: 4. The attribute information required when executing the communication format 45 of the item is stored. If the communication format is a telephone, a telephone number, and if an e-mail, an e-mail address, etc. 6. Flag A48: A flag for identifying whether the setting of the state expiration date related information 43 is valid is stored. Set "1" to enable the setting of the status expiration date related information, and set "0" to invalidate the setting. 7. Effective time 49: Stores the change time of the presence status applied by the user. 8. Flag B50: Stores whether to return to the previous state 52 or to the next state 51 when automatically changing the presence state. "0" is set to return to the next state 51, and "1" is set to return to the immediately preceding state 52. 9. Next state 51: The next presence state applied by the user is stored. The setting contents are 2. This is the same as the item status flag 41. 10. Last state 52: When the presence state (state flag 41) is updated, the last state (state flag 41) is stored. The setting contents are 2. This is the same as the item status flag 41. <Communication Format Related Information 53> State n54: Stores the presence state for setting the desired communication format 56. The setting contents are 2. This is the same as the item status flag 41. 12. Priority n55: Store the priority of the desired communication format 56 in the corresponding presence state (state n54), and arrange them in ascending order from 1. 13. Communication format n56: A desired communication format is stored. "Phone", "Email", "Fax (FA
X) ". 14． Attribute information n57: 13. Stores information required when executing the communication format 56 of the item. 5. This is the same as the item attribute information 46. The state information management unit 12 manages the state information 11 and transmits and receives the state information 11 to and from the client terminals 20 and 30. Each of the client terminals 20 and 30 has status information update units 21 and 31 and status information reference units 25 and 35. The status information updating units 21 and 31 include communication format setting units 22 and 32 for setting the communication format 56 desired by each user, and own status change notification units 23 and 33 for setting the user's presence status. It has status expiration date related information setting units 24 and 34 for setting automatic changes of seat status. The status information reference units 25 and 35 have communication format display units 26 and 36 for displaying the presence status of other users and communication execution request units 27 and 37 for requesting execution of communication. FIG. 3 is an example of a screen of a client terminal in the present system. Screen 61
Is an interface screen for displaying / updating the user's presence status in the own status change notification units 23 and 33, and is the left side of words indicating the presence status such as "at presence" and "absence" on the right side. Is set with the mouse or the like to set one's presence state. According to the setting of the presence state, the presence state (state flag 41) is sent to the server machine 10, and a picture representing the set presence state is displayed on the left side. A screen 62 displays an update time 42 when the presence status is changed on the screen 61. The screen 63 is a button which is selected when the user sets a desired communication format 56 for each state. The communication format setting units 22 and 32 are activated, and the communication format setting screen of FIG. 5 is displayed. The screen 64 is a button selected when the user sets the state expiration date related information 43, and the state expiration date related information setting units 24 and 34 are activated.
The state expiration date related information setting screen of FIG. 8 is displayed. The screen 65 is a screen on which the state of presence of the reference partner is displayed by the communication format display sections 26 and 36. The name 40 and the state of presence (state flag 41) of each reference partner user are displayed. The picture to be displayed and the update time 42 of the presence state are displayed. The screen 66 is a button that is selected when the presence state of the reference partner displayed on the screen 65 is updated to the latest state, the communication format display units 26 and 36 are activated, and all the references displayed on the screen 65 are displayed. The presence status of the other party is displayed again. A screen 67 is a button that is selected when executing the function of communicating with the reference partner displayed on the screen 65.
By specifying the communication partner on the screen 65 in advance, the communication execution requesting units 27 and 37 are activated, and the communication format 56 is changed from the desired communication format 56 to the state at that time for each state where the specified communication partner has previously applied. The corresponding communication format 56 is displayed (FIG. 1
1). Next, each function will be described in detail using a flowchart. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the communication format setting units 22 and 32 of the client terminals 20 and 30. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the own state change notification units 23 and 33 of the client terminals 20 and 30.
FIG. 7 shows a client terminal.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the status validity period related information setting sections 24 and 34 of the client terminals 20 and 30. FIG.
Flowchart showing the processing of the communication format display sections 26 and 36 of FIG.
FIG. 10 shows the communication execution requesting parts 27,3 of the client terminals 20,30.
7 is a flowchart showing the processing of FIG. 7, and FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart showing the processing of the state information management unit 12 of the server machine 10. First, the communication format desired by the user for each state
Explain the procedure for applying for 56. When the user selects the communication format setting button on the screen 63 in FIG. 3 with a mouse or the like, the communication format setting units 22 and 32 are activated, and the communication format setting screen (FIG. 5) is displayed (step in FIG. 4). 202).
The user selects the presence status to apply for on the screen 72 and sets the desired communication format 56 on the screen 73 in the status 54. Further, attribute information 57 required when executing the communication format 56
(Phone number for telephone, e-mail address for mail, etc.) are set on screen 74. In this example, it is possible to specify a plurality of desired communication formats 56 for each occupancy state, and the one specified at the top of the screen is treated as having a higher desired priority. After completing the setting, by specifying the update button 75 with a mouse or the like (FIG. 4, step 203), the communication format setting units 22, 32 fetch the contents set on the screen (FIG. 4, step 205), and The contents are transmitted to 10 (step 206 in FIG. 4) and stored in the update data files 28 and 38 on the client terminals 20 and 30 (step 207 in FIG. 4). The status information management unit 12 of the server machine 10 receives the contents sent from the client terminals 20 and 30, and updates the communication format related information 53 in the status information 11 (steps 704 and 705 in FIG. 12). In the example of the communication format setting screen in FIG.
Communication format desired by the user (Mr. Yamamoto) when "at present" 56
Is set. The first request is e-mail and the second request is facsimile (FAX), and attribute information 57 necessary for each communication format 56 is set. This content is stored in the corresponding item of the communication format related information 53 in the status information 11 of the server machine 10 by the above procedure. Next, a description will be given of a communication format display procedure when another user refers to a desired communication format 56 for each state requested by a user. In the present status management system, when the communication format display units 26 and 36 are activated, a status information reference request is sent to the server 10 in order to acquire the status information 11 of the user registered in advance as a reference partner. It is transmitted (step 502 in FIG. 9). The status information management unit 12 of the server machine 10 receives the request and sends the status information 11 of all the requested users to the client terminals 20 and 30 (FIG. 12, steps 710 and 7).
11). The presence status of each user is displayed on the screen 65 based on the value of the status flag 41 of the status information 11 returned from the server machine 10 (step 503 in FIG. 9). Assume that the user of the client terminal A20 tries to contact Mr. Yamamoto on the screen shown in FIG.
Continue explanation. When Mr. Yamamoto is selected with a mouse or the like on the screen 65 of FIG. 3 and the communication start button 67 is further selected with a mouse or the like (Step 508 in FIG. 9), the communication format display unit 26 of the client terminal A20 displays the communication partner. Is confirmed (step 509 in FIG. 9), and the communication execution requesting unit 27 is activated (step 510 in FIG. 9). Client terminal A
The 20 communication execution requesting unit 27 requests the status information 11 of Mr. Yamamoto from the server machine 10 (Step 602 in FIG. 10). The status information management unit 12 of the server machine 10 is a client terminal A20.
And sends the status information 11 of Mr. Yamamoto to the client terminal A20 (steps 710 and 711 in FIG. 12).
3 based on the status flag 41 and the update time 42 of Mr. Yamamoto's status information 11 returned from the server machine 10.
Is updated, and the desired communication format 56 and attribute information 57 in the presence status indicated by the status flag 41 of the status information 11 are selected from the communication format related information 53, and a screen (FIG. 11) is displayed.
(Step 603 in FIG. 10). That is, the screen 11 shows the selected state of Mr. Yamamoto (the state flag).
41, in this example, “present”, its update time 42, and the desired communication format 56 (“mail” and “FAX” in this example) and its attribute information 57 (in this example,
A mail address and a fax number) are displayed. If there are a plurality of desired communication formats 56, they are displayed in descending order of priority from the top (in this example, first mail "mail", second mail "FAX"). Further, the returned status information 11 is stored in a local file on the client terminal (step 604 in FIG. 10). The user of the client terminal A20 selects one communication format from the communication formats (FIG. 11) desired by Mr. Yamamoto when he is "present" on the screen (in this example, the first communication format is selected). One desired mail is selected), OK button 94
(Step 605 in FIG. 10)
The communication execution requesting part 27 of the client terminal A20 has a communication format
Confirm that 56 has been selected on the screen 92 (step 607 in FIG. 10), and attribute information required for the selected communication format 56
57 is fetched from the state information 11 stored in the local file (step 608 in FIG. 10), and the communication format 56 and the attribute information 57 are sent to the communication control unit (step 6 in FIG. 10).
11). At this time, if the attribute information 57 is not applied, there is also a function of searching the existing database and acquiring the attribute information 57 (steps 609 and 610 in FIG. 10). In this way, another user refers to the desired communication format according to the state previously applied by the user, and according to the user's convenience, in other words, according to his / her own state at that time. Communication can be performed in an optimal communication format. For reference, a procedure in which each user sets his / her presence state will be described. Self status change notification section 23,3
3 starts up and displays the set self-state on the screen (step 302 in FIG. 6). The user instructs his / her presence state with a mouse or the like on the screen 61 in FIG. 3 (step in FIG. 6).
303), and acquires the changed presence status from the screen (FIG. 6)
Step 306), the screen is redisplayed in the changed presence state (Step 307 in FIG. 6), and the updated presence state (state flag 41) and the update time 42 are sent to the server machine 10 (FIG. 6).
Step 308). Together, the client terminals 20, 30
The updated data files 28 and 38 are also stored (step 309 in FIG. 6). The status information management unit 12 of the server machine 10 receives the update information sent from the client terminals 20 and 30,
Status flag 41 and update time of status information 11 of the user
42 is updated (FIG. 12, steps 706 and 707). further,
The present system has a function of automatically changing the presence state. The user sets the state expiration date setting button 64 in FIG.
Is selected with a mouse or the like, a status expiration date related information setting screen (FIG. 8) is displayed (FIG. 7, step 40).
2). This screen is used to set automatic change of presence status,
The setting also includes the communication format 56 to be displayed and the attribute information 57 to be displayed when the desired communication format 56 is not set. The setting of the automatic change of the presence state will be described. On the period setting screen 82, a setting is made as to when the presence state is to be changed, and the change time can be designated by time or time. On the change state setting screen 83, you can set which state to change to at the time set earlier, and specify whether to "change to the next state" or "return to the previous state". is there. On the screen 84 for setting the next state, when "change to the next state" is designated, the presence state 51 to be displayed at the set designated time is set. . Registration of the communication format 56 to be displayed when the desired communication format 56 is not set will be described. On the setting screen 85 of the default communication format 45, when the communication format 56 desired by each user is not set for each state, the communication format 45 to be displayed and the attribute information 46 are set. In FIG. 2, the desired communication format 56 is not set only when "Attendance: 1" and "On a business trip: 4", so that a reference is made to other states, for example, "Conference: 3". The content set as the default communication format 45 is displayed as the communication format desired by the user. After setting these information, when the update button 86 on the screen in FIG. 8 is selected with a mouse or the like (Step 403 in FIG. 7), the settings are obtained from the screen (Step 405 in FIG. 7). If the time period setting is set in the time period of the setting contents, the process of converting the time period is performed (steps 406 and 407 in FIG. 7), and then the setting contents are transmitted to the server machine 10 (step 408 in FIG. 7). The updated data files 28 and 38 on the client terminals 20 and 30 are stored (step 409 in FIG. 7). If the period is set, a timer is set so that an alarm is notified at a predetermined time (steps 410 and 411 in FIG. 7). The status information management unit 12 of the server machine 10 updates the status expiration date related information 43 in the status information 11 based on the information sent from the client terminals 20 and 30 (FIG. 12).
Steps 708,709). Here, the automatic change of the set state is performed when an alarm is notified from the set timer to the own state change notification units 23 and 33 of the client terminals 20 and 30 (step 304 in FIG. 6). (FIG. 6, step 305). Explaining based on the setting contents of the state information 11 in FIG. 2, when the effective time 49 comes, an alarm is notified from the timer, whereby the own state change notification unit 23, 3
3 confirms the contents of the flag B50. In this example, since it is "0", the status flag 41 is updated to the presence status (4: on a business trip) set in the next status 51, and the screen is also displayed.
The display of 61 is also changed, the flag A48 is set to "0", and the status expiration date related information 43 is invalidated. The above is the description of the present embodiment. In addition, as a modification of the embodiment, the present invention can be implemented even in the following cases. Status information update unit 2 of client terminals 20 and 30
1, 31 and the status information reference sections 25 and 35 and the functions included therein may be included in one program as the same application. The status information 11 on the server 10 is also in the form of one file for each user. However, a plurality of users may be managed as one file, or may be stored in a memory instead of a file. It may be expanded in a format such as a table. Further, in this example, the transmission and reception of the status information 11 between the server machine 10 and the client terminals 20 and 30 are performed on a file basis. Only the minimum necessary information such as the desired communication format 56 and the attribute information 57 in the state in the format related information 53 may be transmitted and received. Although a plurality of desired communication formats 56 can be applied according to the status, only one may be applied. When a communication format is selected on the calling side, not only one communication format but also a plurality of communication formats may be selected. When a plurality of communication formats can be specified, there are a case where execution is requested for all of the selected communication formats, and a case where execution is sequentially performed until communication becomes possible based on the applied priority. Thereby, communication with the other party can be performed more reliably. FIG. 13 shows a modification of the communication format display screen shown in FIG. In FIG. 13A, a picture indicating the presence state is further displayed on the screen of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 3B shows an example in which all desired communication formats are displayed for each state. As described above, according to the present invention, in a network system including a server and a plurality of specified client terminals, each user receives a desired communication format for each state from the server and displays it. By doing so, it is possible to communicate in an optimal communication format that is convenient for the receiving side, in other words, in accordance with one's own state at that time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an example of status information of a server machine; FIG. 3 is a screen example at a client terminal; FIG. FIG. 5 is a screen example of a communication format setting unit of the client terminal. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of a self-state change notification unit of the client terminal. FIG. 7 is a process of a status valid period related information setting unit of the client terminal. FIG. 8 is a screen example of a status validity period related information setting unit of the client terminal. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of a communication format display unit of the client terminal. FIG. FIG. 11 is a screen example of a communication execution requesting unit of a client terminal. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of a state information management unit of a server machine. [FIG. 13] Modified example of screen example of communication execution request unit of client terminal

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Kanai 4-1-1, Kamidadanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Noriyuki Fukuyama 4-1-1, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Ai Manabe 4-1-1, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fujitsu Limited (56) References JP-A-8-87685 (JP, A) JP-A-7- 38669 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G08B 1/00-9/02 G08B 23/00-31/00 H04L 11/00 H04L 12/28

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] In a network system including a server machine and a plurality of specified client terminals, each client terminal is brought into a corresponding state for each user state.
To accept the input of the desired communication format,
The state and the desired communication format in the state
Only a communication format setting unit for registering the server machine, and a display unit for displaying the status of other users, the display unit, other users that is displayed as the communication partner
Identify other designated users according to their designation
Information to the server machine, and
Other users stored in association with the status
2. A communication format display device according to claim 1, wherein a desired communication format is received from said server machine and displayed.