JP7110694B2 - Information processing system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system and program.

Traditionally, digital content is shared over networks. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a step of receiving information about a state of sharing A/V content from a source device that provides A/V content, and a step of transmitting shared A/V content to the source device. and receiving the shared A/V content from the source device in response to the request.

Patent Document 2 discloses a detection means for receiving a work start notification from a client, detecting a location associated with a user who is the notifier and an attendant of a wireless communication tag, and other users associated therewith, and a plurality of Using the detected information, extract candidates for a joint work space that retains result data of the notified joint work from among the joint work spaces that hold shared data shared by related users in joint work. An extracting means, a creation means for presenting candidates to a client and creating result data with the user as a participant in the designated collaborative work space, and a collaborative work space in which the created result data is designated as shared data. A support server is disclosed that includes storage means for storing in a database.

Further, conventionally, a device on the transmission side (source device) of data such as video and audio and a device on the reception side (sink device) are connected via a network. For example, Patent Literature 3 describes a session for managing connections between conference systems, files used during a conference or generated as a record of the conference, reference information to resources related to the conference, and information provided by conference participants. A shared workspace is disclosed in which history information such as file access is managed.

Japanese Patent No. 5101801 Japanese Patent No. 5343471 Japanese Patent No. 4321203

Conventionally, when interconnecting a device on the sending side (source device) and a device on the receiving side (sink device), it took time and effort to perform work for device authentication and connection settings. In addition, it takes time and effort to connect and disconnect devices to and from workspaces for data sharing (virtual shared spaces built on storage media).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the time and effort required for connecting and disconnecting devices to and from a workspace for data sharing and for interconnecting devices.

The present invention according to claim 1,
shared space management means for managing a virtual shared space for sharing data for each activity unit by a plurality of participants;
A process execution body management means for managing a process execution body that is associated with an information device and executes information processing in the shared space according to the function of the information device in association with the activity unit in which the information device is used. When,
data exchange control means for controlling data exchange between the information device and the processing execution unit associated with the information device;
An information processing system characterized by comprising:
The present invention according to claim 2,
the processing execution entity managed by the processing execution entity management means has at least one of an attribute of storing data in the shared space and an attribute of reading data from the shared space;
2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said processing execution entity managing means manages attribute information indicating attributes of said processing execution entity.
The present invention according to claim 3,
When the information device has a function of acquiring data, the processing execution body corresponding to the information device has a function of storing the data acquired by the information device in the shared space. , an information processing system according to claim 2 .
The present invention according to claim 4,
When the information device has a function of outputting data, the processing execution body corresponding to the information device has a function of reading data from the shared space and transmitting it to the information device. , an information processing system according to claim 2 .
The present invention according to claim 5,
The processing execution body corresponding to the information device having a function of outputting data can read data from the shared space and transmit the data to the information device even after the activity of the activity unit ends. and an information processing system according to claim 4.
The present invention according to claim 6,
The shared space management means recognizes a processing execution entity connectable to the shared space in a specific activity unit based on first unique information that is temporarily valid and specifies the processing execution entity;
The processing execution entity managed by the processing execution entity management means recognizes a shared space to which the processing execution entity is connectable based on second unique information specifying the shared space and the activity unit. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein
The present invention according to claim 7 ,
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the shared space management means allows the processing execution body corresponding to the information device used in one activity unit to continue to perform the activity even after the activity in the activity unit ends. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein access to said shared space corresponding to said activity unit is permitted.
The present invention according to claim 8 ,
The shared space management means grants, to the processing execution body connected to the shared space corresponding to the activity unit, the authority to connect to the shared space after the activity of the activity unit is completed, and the connection authority 8. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein said processing executing body is permitted to connect to said shared space after the activity of said activity unit is completed, as said condition that said activity unit has .
The present invention according to claim 9 ,
to the computer,
A function of registering a processing execution body associated with an information device in a shared space managed for each activity unit by multiple participants;
A process of storing data acquired by the information device in the shared space, and reading data from the shared space, in accordance with the function of the information device corresponding to the registered process execution body. a function to execute at least one of the processes to be transmitted to the information device by
It is a program characterized by realizing

According to the first aspect of the invention, compared to a configuration in which an information device connects to a server and directly shares a virtual shared space, intervening a processing execution unit enables connection of the device to the shared space, It is possible to reduce the labor required for disconnection and mutual connection of devices.
According to the second aspect of the invention, compared to a configuration in which the information device connects to the server and directly shares the virtual shared space, the processing execution body reduces the labor required to transfer data to and from the shared space. can do.
According to the third aspect of the invention, compared to a configuration in which the information device connects to the server and directly shares the virtual shared space, the real space and the virtual space ( shared space), and data can be stored in the virtual space by intuitive operation.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, compared to a configuration in which the information device connects to the server and directly shares the virtual shared space, the real space and the virtual space ( shared space), and data can be extracted from the virtual space by intuitive operation.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, compared to a configuration in which information devices connect to a server and directly share a virtual shared space, access to the shared space managed for each activity is possible even after the end of the activity. You can check the details of the activities.
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, compared to a configuration in which the information device connects to the server and directly shares the virtual shared space, the connection of the processing execution body to the shared space is temporarily set in relation to the activity. Security can be improved by making it explicitly permitted.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, compared to a configuration in which information devices connect to a server and directly share a virtual shared space, the shared space managed on an activity-by-activity basis can be accessed even after the activity ends. You can check the details of the activities.
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to access information held in the shared space corresponding to the activity unit even after the end of the activity, compared to a configuration in which access to the shared space is not permitted after the end of the activity. .
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, compared to a configuration in which information equipment connects to a server and directly shares a virtual shared space, a computer in which the program of the invention is installed intervenes a processing execution body. As a result, it is possible to reduce the labor required for connecting/disconnecting the devices to/from the shared space and for interconnecting the devices.

It is a figure showing the whole information processing system composition by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of a management server. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a channel management table; FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of information equipment. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a channel screen. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the management server when information equipment is connected. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how connection right information is transferred by pull-type authentication; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how connection right information is transferred by Push-type authentication; 4 is a flow chart showing an input operation of data (contents) in a management server; 4 is a flow chart showing an output operation of data (contents) in a management server; 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of accepting an operation by a terminal device; 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the management server when the information device is disconnected by operation from the terminal device; 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the management server when the information device is physically disconnected from the network;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 10 includes a management server 100 , information equipment 200 and terminal devices 300 . Each device is connected via a network 400 . Although three information devices 200 and two terminal devices 300 are shown in FIG. 1, these are merely examples, and the number of devices connected to network 400 is not limited to that shown. Also, the management server 100 may be realized by distributed processing by a plurality of server machines.

The management server 100 is a server that provides and manages workspaces. A workspace is an object for sharing data, and is a virtual shared space constructed on a storage medium. The management server 100 manages workspaces on a channel-by-channel basis. A channel is a separate workspace for each session. A session is an object to which one channel is assigned, and is an activity unit by multiple participants. For example, a meeting, a lecture, etc. correspond. A session is specified, for example, by specifying a time and place. However, the time for specifying a session is not limited to a continuous period of time, and the location for specifying a session need not be physically one place. In other words, a lecture held multiple times may be regarded as one session, or a conference held by connecting a plurality of physically separated bases via a network may be regarded as one session.

The information device 200 is a device that handles various information. The information equipment 200 acquires, processes, outputs, etc. information according to its type. Further, the information equipment 200 handles data such as moving images, still images, voices, texts, etc., and sensor data acquired by various sensors, depending on the type thereof. Furthermore, the information equipment 200 has a function of connecting to a channel provided by the management server 100 and exchanging data. The data handled by the information equipment 200 itself may be either digital data or analog data, but it becomes digital data when it is transmitted and received through the channel.

The information equipment 200 includes equipment that functions as a transmission side equipment and equipment that functions as a reception side equipment. A transmitting device is a device that has a function of transmitting data to a channel. Examples include sensors, cameras, recorders, scanners, electronic blackboards, and electronic pens. A receiving device is a device having a function of reading data held in a channel. For example, it is a display device, an audio output device, a printer, and the like. There is also an information device 200 that has both a function as a transmitting device and a function as a receiving device. For example, there are portable information terminals such as tablet terminals and smartphones, personal computers (PCs), multi-function peripherals having a scanner function and a printer function, and the like. In addition, cameras with display means such as liquid crystal displays, recorders with audio output means such as speakers and line output, electronic blackboards combined with display devices, etc. 200.

The terminal device 300 is a device used by the user to recognize the state of the channel and perform operations on the channel. The terminal device 300 can be said to be a type of information device 200 having a function for the user to access the channel itself. Therefore, in the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish the terminal device 300 from the information equipment 200, only the information equipment 200 may be described. Also, the information equipment 200 and the terminal device 300 may be collectively abbreviated as "equipment". As the terminal device 300, for example, a tablet terminal, a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone, a PC, or the like is used.

Network 400 connects management server 100 with information equipment 200 and terminal device 300 . The network 400 is not particularly limited as long as it is a communication network used for data communication between devices, and may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or the like. The communication line used for data communication may be wired or wireless, and both may be used. Further, a relay device such as a gateway device or a router may be used to connect each device via a plurality of networks or communication lines. An interface for connecting the information device 200 and the terminal device 300 to the network 400 is prepared at a place (for example, a conference room, etc.) where a session corresponding to the channel is held. Specifically, for example, a LAN cable, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 or the like connector for cable connection, access point for connection to a wireless LAN, and the like. The information equipment 200 and the terminal device 300 connect to the network 400 via an interface provided at the place where the session is held, and access the channel provided by the management server 100 .

<Functional configuration of management server>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the management server 100. As shown in FIG. The management server 100 includes a channel management unit 110, a content management unit 111, an operation processing unit 112, and a display control unit 113 as a functional configuration for controlling channels. The management server 100 also includes a BOT management unit 120, an attribute information holding unit 121, a session information management unit 122, and a procedure management unit 123 as functional components for controlling BOT. The management server 100 also includes a connection management unit 130 and an authentication unit 131 as functional components for controlling connection with the information equipment 200 and the terminal device 300 . Each function of the management server 100 is implemented by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reading and executing software. Note that the management server 100 is not limited to a single server machine configuration, and may be distributed to a plurality of server machines provided on a network as a so-called cloud server to realize each function of the management server 100. .

The channel management unit 110 manages channels generated for each session. Channel management unit 110 is an example of shared space management means. The channel management unit 110 manages information of each channel generated in response to a request from the terminal device 300 or the like. The channel management unit 110 manages channels using, for example, a table in which information on each channel is registered.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a channel management table. The channel management unit 110 may manage channels using, for example, a channel management table as shown in FIG. In the channel management table 110a shown in FIG. 3, information on each item of "corresponding session", "location", "date and time", "participating BOT", "participant", and "session status" is registered for each channel. be done. Identification information of the corresponding session is registered in the "corresponding session". Identification information of the place where the session is held is registered in the "location". Information on the date and time when the session was performed is registered in the “date and time”. Information specifying the BOT of the information device 200 and the terminal device 300 that have accessed the channel is registered in the "participating BOT". BOT will be described later. "Participant" is registered with information identifying a person or an organization that has participated in the session. Information indicating whether a session is in progress or terminated is registered in the "session status".

The content management unit 111 manages content held within a channel. Contents are data files such as moving pictures, still pictures, voices, documents, etc., which are converted into digital data. The content is received by the management server 100 from the information device 200 , held in the channel, and managed by the content management unit 111 . Also, the content held in the channel is read out by the information device 200 and played back.

The operation processing unit 112 receives an operation on the channel performed by the terminal device 300, and executes processing according to the received operation. For example, the operation processing unit 112 generates a new channel or deletes an unnecessary channel according to an operation performed on the terminal device 300 . In addition, the operation processing unit 112 performs processing such as permission/refusal of participation (connection) of the user or the information device 200 to the channel, and individual release of the connection, according to the operation performed on the terminal device 300 . Although it has been described that a channel is associated with a session, even if the session ends, the channel corresponding to the session is not necessarily deleted as an unnecessary channel. This is because the data stored in the channel may need to be preserved after the session ends, for example if the session ended is part of a larger project. Therefore, it is assumed that the operation processing unit 112 deletes the corresponding channel when receiving an instruction to delete the channel.

The display control unit 113 causes the display device to display the state of the channel. The display control unit 113, for example, generates a channel screen in which objects representing contents and BOTs are arranged in areas representing channels to represent the state of the channels. Content objects and BOT objects on the channel screen are added or deleted in response to new holding or deletion of content, new participation or disconnection of BOT, and the like.

The BOT management unit 120 manages BOTs corresponding to the information equipment 200 and the terminal device 300 that have joined (connected) to the channel. A BOT is a program that executes an operation or process according to the function of a corresponding device within a channel. A BOT is an example of a processing execution entity. Also, the BOT management unit 120 is an example of a process executing body management means. The BOT is prepared in advance corresponding to devices that can participate (connect) to the channel, and is managed by the BOT management unit 120 .

The attribute information holding unit 121 holds attribute information of each BOT. BOT has any one of the attributes of source, sink, and filter depending on the function of corresponding information device 200 . Hereinafter, a BOT with a source attribute is called a source BOT, a BOT with a sink attribute is called a sink BOT, and a BOT with a filter attribute is called a filter BOT. A source BOT is a BOT that provides content for a channel. That is, the source BOT is the source of data input to the channel. A source BOT corresponds to a sending device that sends data to the management server 100 . A sink BOT is a BOT that acquires content from a channel. That is, the sink BOT is the data output destination for the channel. A sink BOT corresponds to a receiving device that reads data from the management server 100 . A filter BOT is a BOT that has both a source attribute and a sink attribute. That is, the filter BOT is the source and destination of data for the channel. Filter BOT corresponds to a device that is both a sender and a receiver for a channel.

For each BOT, the session information management unit 122 manages sessions in which the information equipment 200 (and the terminal device 300) corresponding to the BOT participates. Consider a case where information equipment 200 is used in a certain session. At this time, when the information device 200 is connected to the network 400 and becomes accessible to the channel, the session information management unit 122 stores the session information corresponding to the channel in association with the BOT corresponding to the connected information device 200. do. As a result, the relationship between the channel, which is a virtual shared space, and the BOT operating in this channel is associated with the relationship between the session in the real world and the device used in this session.

The procedure management unit 123 manages procedures, which are operations of the BOT within the channel. Specifically, when content is input/output or edited for a channel by BOT, the history of such procedure is acquired and managed.

The connection management unit 130 connects information equipment 200 (and terminal device 300) with the corresponding BOT. That is, the connection management unit 130 passes the data transmitted from the information device 200 to the management server 100 to the BOT corresponding to this information device 200 . In addition, the connection management unit 130 transmits the data read from the channel by the BOT to the information device 200 corresponding to this BOT. The connection management unit 130 is an example of data exchange control means.

Authentication unit 131 authenticates information device 200 (and terminal device 300) attempting to access a channel. When the information device 200 is connected to the network 400 and tries to access the channel, the connection management unit 130 first causes the authentication unit 131 to perform authentication. A corresponding BOT is prepared in the channel only for the information device 200 that has been authenticated, and the information device 200 can access the channel.

<Functional configuration of information equipment>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the information equipment 200. As shown in FIG. The information equipment 200 includes a connection control section 210 and an input/output interface 220 . Also, although not shown, the information device 200 has its own function according to the type of the information device 200 . For example, a camera has a function to record videos and take still images, a display device has a function to display videos, still images, documents, etc., and an electronic blackboard or an electronic pen can convert written images into electronic data. and a function to acquire sensor data for various sensors.

The connection control unit 210 connects with the BOT corresponding to the information equipment 200 via the connection management unit 130 of the management server 100 to input/output data. The function of the connection control unit 210 is implemented by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reading and executing software (so-called agent).

Input/output interface 220 is an interface for connecting to network 400 . As the input/output interface 220, a LAN cable, USB (Universal Serial Bus), connector for cable connection such as IEEE 1394, access point for connection to a wireless LAN, and the like are used. The information device 200 connects to the network 400 and accesses the channel by cable connection or wireless communication according to the type of the input/output interface 220 provided in the device itself.

<Functional configuration of terminal device>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 300. As shown in FIG. The terminal device 300 includes a display section 310 , an operation reception section 320 , an input/output control section 330 and an input/output interface 340 . Further, similarly to the information equipment 200, the terminal device 300 may also have the functions of the equipment itself (not shown).

Display unit 310 displays an image. The display unit 310 is implemented by, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 310 is used as a display device that displays the channel screen generated by the display control unit 113 of the management server 100 .

The operation accepting unit 320 accepts an input operation by the user. The operation receiving unit 320 is realized by, for example, a touch panel, a pointing device such as a mouse, and an input device such as a keyboard. A touch panel integrated with the display screen of the display unit 310 is used as the operation reception unit 320, and a UI (User Interface) that enables intuitive operations such as changing the display by touching an image displayed on the display unit 310 is realized. You can The operation receiving unit 320 is used as operation means for operating a channel via the channel screen displayed on the display unit 310 .

The input/output control unit 330 receives operations on channels, and outputs commands and inputs/outputs data based on the received operations. Commands and data output from the input/output control unit 330 are sent to the BOT corresponding to the terminal device 300 via the connection management unit 130 of the management server 100 and further sent from the BOT to the operation processing unit 112 . The input/output control unit 330 also causes the display unit 310 to display the channel screen received from the display control unit 113 of the management server 100 via the BOT and the connection management unit 130 . The functions of the input/output control unit 330 are realized, for example, by the CPU reading and executing software (a so-called user agent such as a browser).

Input/output interface 340 is an interface for connecting to network 400 . As the input/output interface 340, a connector for cable connection by LAN cable, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 or the like, an access point for connecting to a wireless LAN, or the like is used. The terminal device 300 connects to the network 400 by cable connection or wireless communication according to the type of the input/output interface 340 provided in the terminal device 300 and accesses the channel.

<Example of channel screen>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a channel screen. As described above, the channel screen 500 is generated by the display control unit 113 of the management server 100 , sent to the terminal device 300 , and displayed on the display unit 310 under the control of the input/output control unit 330 . A content object 510 and a BOT object 520 are displayed on the channel screen 500 shown in FIG. A content object 510 is an object (such as an icon) that visualizes content (files) held and managed in a channel on the channel screen. A BOT object 520 is an object (eg, icon) that visualizes a BOT participating in the channel on the channel screen. The BOT object 520 may be displayed in different display modes depending on the attributes of the BOT (source, sink, filter), or may not be distinguished by attributes.

An operation of inputting data to a channel using the channel screen 500 is performed, for example, as follows. First, on the channel screen 500, the BOT object 520 of the source BOT or filter BOT is selected, and an operation for transmitting data is performed. In response to this operation, content data is transmitted from the information device 200 corresponding to the BOT of the selected BOT object 520 and held in the channel. When the content is held in the channel, the display control unit 113 updates the channel screen 500 and displays the content object 510 corresponding to the newly held content.

Further, an operation of reading data from a channel using the channel screen 500 is performed, for example, as follows. First, the content to be read and the information device 200 from which the content is to be acquired are selected. Then, an operation is performed to move the content object 510 of the selected content to the BOT object 520 corresponding to the selected information device 200 on the channel screen 500 (so-called drag & drop). Here, since the information device 200 capable of acquiring the content is the receiving device, the BOT object 520 to which the content object 510 is dropped is the BOT object 520 of the sink BOT or the filter BOT. In response to this operation, the selected content (file) is read by BOT and transmitted to information device 200 . When information device 200 receives content data, information device 200 can reproduce the content using its own function.

<Management server operation>
Next, the channel-related operation of the management server 100 will be described by specifying a specific scene. In the following, (1) operation when the information device 200 is connected, (2) data (content) input operation, (3) data (content) output operation, (4) operation reception operation by the terminal device 300, ( 5) Operation when the information device 200 is disconnected will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the management server 100 when the information device 200 is connected. When connecting the information device 200 , the user first physically connects the input/output interface 220 of the information device 200 to be connected to the interface of the network 400 for connecting to the management server 100 . Then, the connection control unit 210 of the information equipment 200 transmits a request for connection to the channel together with the authentication information. When the connection management unit 130 of the management server 100 receives the connection request, the authentication unit 131 performs authentication processing using the authentication information sent together with the connection request (S701, S702). If the connection is not accepted as a result of the authentication process (No in S703), the process ends.

As a result of the authentication processing, if the connection is permitted (Yes in S703), the BOT management unit 130 identifies the BOT corresponding to the information device 200 that requested the connection (S704), and the session information management unit 122 is identified. Information of the session corresponding to the channel to join is registered in the BOT (S705). Thereby, communication is established between the connection control unit 210 of the information device 200 and the BOT managed by the BOT management unit 120 (S706). Then, when an operation such as data transmission/reception is performed on the channel from the information device 200, the content of the operation is reflected in the channel via the BOT by the procedure management unit 123. FIG.

Here, the authentication method by the authentication unit 131 will be further described. In this embodiment, as an example, authentication using connection right information is performed for connection to a channel. That is, the connection right information transmitted from the information device 200 together with the connection request proves that the information device 200 has the connection right to the channel. A one-time URL, for example, may be used as the connection right information. A one-time URL is a URL in which the effective period and number of requests are limited. A one-time URL is generated by, for example, adding temporary information such as a session ID and time to the URL. There are two types of authentication using the connection right information in this embodiment: a pull type and a push type.

In pull-type authentication, the channel management unit 110 of the management server 100 acquires the connection right information of the information device 200 to perform authentication. The connection right information includes information (for example, URL) specifying the information device 200 . Therefore, the channel management unit 110 of the management server 100 identifies the BOT that corresponds to the information device 200 and is connected to the channel based on this connection right information. That is, the connection right information of information equipment 200 is an example of the first unique information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing how connection right information is delivered by pull-type authentication. First, the management server 100 is presented with the connection right information of the information device 200 to be connected (hereinafter referred to as the new information device 200a). The connection right information is presented, for example, by outputting the connection right information in a format that can be output by the new information device 200a. Specifically, when the new information device 200a is a display device such as a display device or a projector device, it is conceivable to display a code image such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code using a display function. Alternatively, a code image may be formed on a sheet of paper by a printer or a multi-function device and output, or the code data of the connection right information may be output by data communication through wireless communication or cable connection. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the management server 100 has a function of reading the connection right information presented by the new information device 200a, and reads other information devices 200 already participating in the channel (hereinafter referred to as reading information device 200b). reads the code image 610 of the presented connection right information.

The reading function of the reading information device 200b is determined according to the presentation format of the connection right information by the new information device 200a. For example, when the code image is displayed, the code image is photographed by the camera as the reading information device 200b. When the code image is formed on paper and output, it is obtained by photographing it with a camera or reading it with a scanner or a multifunction machine. Further, when the connection right information is provided by data communication, the read information device 200b is connected to the new information device 200a by peer-to-peer connection by wireless communication or cable connection, or LAN connection without the management server 100 intervening. Receive code data of right information. The connection right information read as described above is sent to the authentication unit 131 from the BOT corresponding to the reading information device 200b. After that, the connection request sent together with this connection right information is authenticated by the authentication section 131 .

In Push-type authentication, channel-specific information is provided from the management server 100 , and the information device 200 transmits its own connection right information to the channel management unit 110 using this channel-specific information. Authentication is performed by taking in the connection right information received by the channel management unit 110 . The channel-specific information includes information specifying the channel. Therefore, the connection control unit 210 of the information equipment 200 recognizes the channel to be connected from this unique information. Therefore, the channel specific information is an example of the second specific information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how channel-specific information is delivered by Push-type authentication. First, the channel management unit 110 of the management server 100 presents unique information of the channel to which the information device 200 is to connect. The specific information is presented, for example, by using the output function of the information device 200 already participating in the channel (hereinafter referred to as already connected information device 200c). Here, as the already connected information device 200c, an information device 200 having an output function corresponding to the reading function of the information device 200 to be newly connected (hereinafter referred to as new information device 200d) is selected. For example, if the new information device 200d is a camera, a display device capable of displaying a code image or a printer capable of forming a code image on paper and outputting it is selected as the already connected information device 200c. If the new information device 200d has a data communication function by wireless communication or cable connection, the information device 200 having a communication function capable of communicating with the new information device 200d is selected as the already connected information device 200c. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the management server 100 displays the unique information code image 620 on the display device, which is the connected information device 200c, and shoots it with the camera, which is the new information device 200d.

As described above, when the new information device 200d acquires the unique information of the channel, the new information device 200d designates the channel using the acquired unique information, and transmits the connection right information of its own device to the management server 100. . The channel management unit 110 of the management server 100 identifies the channel in which the BOT of the new information device 200d participates based on the unique information received, and sends the connection right information received together with the unique information to the authentication unit 131 . After that, the connection request sent together with this connection right information is authenticated by the authentication section 131 .

In the above operation example, the authentication unit 131 holds the connection right information of the information device 200, authenticates the connection request transmitted from the information device 200 together with the connection right information, and authorizes the information device 200 to access the channel. allowed. Here, when the authentication unit 131 receives the connection right information, approval may be obtained from the session participants. For example, when the reading information device 200b acquires the connection right information or receives the connection right information from the new information device 200d, the information device 200 to be newly connected to each terminal device 300 is displayed on the channel screen. Information indicating the presence of the information device 200 is notified. Then, when receiving a notification to approve the connection of the information device 200 from the terminal device 300, the authentication unit 131 may store the connection right information and permit subsequent connection. Here, approval may be obtained from all the terminal devices 300, or may be obtained from one or a certain number of terminal devices 300 or a specific terminal device 300. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the data (content) input operation in the management server 100 . When data is transmitted from the information equipment 200 to the channel and held, the connection control unit 210 of the information equipment 200 first transmits the data to the management server 100 . For example, the user uses the terminal device 300 to operate the BOT object corresponding to the information device 200 on the channel screen to instruct to save data. As a result, the operated BOT instructs the corresponding information device 200 to transmit data (S1001). In the management server 100, when data is received from the information equipment 200 via the connection management unit 130, the BOT corresponding to the information equipment 200 acquires the received data (S1002, S1003). The BOT stores the received data as content (file) in the channel (S1004). Along with this, the display control unit 113 updates the channel screen and displays the content objects of the content stored in the channel (S1005). The procedure management unit 123 saves the operation history of the BOT described above. Also, the content management unit 111 manages the newly stored content in association with the channel (S1006).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the data (content) output operation in the management server 100 . When reading data from a channel, first, the content in the channel is designated and read by the BOT (S1101). For example, the user uses the terminal device 300 to operate the content object of the content to be read on the channel screen, and instructs the BOT corresponding to the information device 200 from which data is to be read to read the data. Specifically, for example, the target content object is selected on the channel screen and dragged and dropped onto the BOT object. Alternatively, the function of the BOT may be called by displaying a menu or the like, and the content to be read may be specified and an output instruction may be given. The BOT reads the content (file) held in the channel according to the instruction, and transmits the read data to the information device 200 corresponding to the BOT via the connection management unit 130 (S1102). The procedure management unit 123 saves the operation history of the BOT described above. When the connection control unit 210 receives the data transmitted from the BOT, the information device 200 processes the received data using the processing function of the information device 200 . For example, the information device 200 reproduces and outputs images, sounds, documents, etc. based on the received data.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an operation of receiving an operation by the terminal device 300. As shown in FIG. The terminal device 300 connects to the management server 100 in the same manner as other information devices 200, and when the channel becomes accessible, the BOT corresponding to the terminal device 300 participates in the channel (S1201). In response, the display control unit 113 displays the BOT object corresponding to the terminal device 300 on the channel screen (S1202). Since the terminal device 300 normally has both functions of a transmitting device and a receiving device, the BOT corresponding to the terminal device 300 is a filter BOT. The BOT object corresponding to the terminal device 300 may be displayed in the same manner as the BOT objects corresponding to the other information devices 200, or visually, the BOT objects of the other information device 200 and the BOT objects of the terminal device 300 are displayed. may be displayed so as to be visually distinguishable.

When the user operates the content object and the BOT object with the operation reception unit 320 of the terminal device 300 , the input/output control unit 330 transmits a command according to the operation to the management server 100 . In the management server 100, the connection management unit 130 receives the command and sends it to the BOT corresponding to the terminal device 300 (S1203). The BOT sends the received command to the operation processing unit 112 (S1204). The operation processing unit 112 performs processing corresponding to the user's operation on the channel based on the received command (S1205). Then, the display control unit 113 updates the channel screen to reflect the processing performed by the operation processing unit 112 (S1206).

Next, the operation when the information device 200 is disconnected from the channel will be described. The information equipment 200 may be disconnected from the channel by an operation from the terminal device 300 or by physically disconnecting the information equipment 200 from the network 400 . They will be described in order below.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the management server 100 when the information device 200 is disconnected by an operation from the terminal device 300. FIG. In this case, first, the user operates the terminal device 300, designates the BOT object of the information device 200 to be disconnected on the channel screen, and inputs a disconnection instruction. In the management server 100 , the operation processing section 112 receives the disconnection instruction via the connection management section 130 and the BOT of the terminal device 300 (S 1301 ), and transfers the processing to the channel management section 110 and the BOT management section 120 . The channel management unit 110 deletes the BOT of the information device 200 to be disconnected from the "participating BOT" of the channel management table (see FIG. 3) (S1302). The BOT management unit 120 also causes the session information management unit 122 to manage information indicating that the information device 200 corresponding to the BOT (the information device 200 to be disconnected) has been disconnected from the corresponding session (S1303). As a result, after this, the information device 200 to be disconnected cannot access the channel corresponding to the session. Also, when the information device 200 is disconnected from the channel, the display control unit 113 erases the BOT content of the disconnected information device 200 from the channel screen (S1304). In the above operation, the disconnected information device 200 cannot access the channel, but it may be possible to reproduce the content held in the channel when it was connected. If the channel management table manages information indicating the period when the participating BOT participated in the channel, control can be performed based on this information to permit reading of the content held in the channel at the relevant period. can.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of the management server 100 when the information device 200 is physically disconnected from the network 400. As shown in FIG. When the information equipment 200 is physically disconnected from the network 400, the connection management unit 130 detects this (S1401). Then, the display control unit 113 notifies each terminal device 300 on the channel screen that the information device 200 has been disconnected (S1402). After that, when a notification approving disconnection of the information device 200 is received from any of the terminal devices 300 (S1403), the channel management unit 110 deletes it from the "participating BOT" in the channel management table (see FIG. 3) (S1404). , management of disconnection information by the session information management unit 122 (S1405), and deletion of the BOT content from the channel screen by the display control unit 113 (S1406). The operations of S1404-S1406 are the same as the operations of S1302-S1304 in FIG.

<Play channel>
Next, reproduction of a channel by operating the terminal device 300 will be described. In advance, the terminal device 300 can specify related channels such as information specifying contents held in the channel, BOTs participating in the channel, sessions, etc., and content itself read and acquired from the channel. Information shall be retained. In the terminal device 300, a channel search request is issued to the management server 100 using any of the information that can identify these channels as a key. In management server 100, upon receiving such a search request, channel management unit 110 and BOT management unit 120 search for channels based on the acquired keys. The channel management unit 110 manages the information of each channel (see FIG. 3), and the BOT management unit 120 manages the information of the session in which the information device 200 corresponding to BOT has participated by the session information management unit 122. Therefore, the channel (session) can be identified from the above key. Then, the display control unit 113 generates a channel screen of the searched channel and causes the display unit 310 of the terminal device 300 to display it. Here, when there are a plurality of searched channels (channels hit by the key), a channel selection screen may be generated and displayed on the display unit 310 of the terminal device 300 to accept selection by the user. When the channel screen is displayed in this way, it is possible to access the content held in the channel from the displayed channel screen. It should be noted that channel retrieval and playback may also be performed for channels associated with sessions that have already ended, as long as the channels have not been deleted.

Also, the channel management unit 110 may give the BOT of the information device 200 connection authority to access the channel corresponding to the terminated session before or after the session is terminated. In this way, the information device 200 corresponding to the BOT to which the connection authority is granted can access the channel corresponding to the session even after the session has ended.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the connection right information of the information device 200 is used for the information device 200 to access the channel. You can go by In addition, the present invention includes various modifications and alternative configurations that do not depart from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Information processing system 100... Management server 110... Channel management part 111... Contents management part 112... Operation processing part 113... Display control part 120... BOT management part 121... Attribute information holding part 122... Session information management unit 123 Procedure management unit 130 Connection management unit 131 Authentication unit 200 Information device 210 Connection control unit 220 Input/output interface 300 Terminal device 310 Display unit 320 ... operation reception unit 330 ... input/output control unit 340 ... input/output interface 500 ... channel screen 510 ... content object 520 ... BOT object

Claims (9)

shared space management means for managing a virtual shared space for sharing data for each activity unit by a plurality of participants;
A process execution body management means for managing a process execution body that is associated with an information device and executes information processing in the shared space according to the function of the information device in association with the activity unit in which the information device is used. When,
data exchange control means for controlling data exchange between the information device and the processing execution unit associated with the information device;
An information processing system comprising: the processing execution entity managed by the processing execution entity management means has at least one of an attribute of storing data in the shared space and an attribute of reading data from the shared space;
2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said processing execution entity managing means manages attribute information indicating attributes of said processing execution entity. When the information device has a function of acquiring data, the processing execution body corresponding to the information device has a function of storing the data acquired by the information device in the shared space. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2. When the information device has a function of outputting data, the processing execution body corresponding to the information device has a function of reading data from the shared space and transmitting it to the information device. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2. The processing execution body corresponding to the information device having a function of outputting data can read data from the shared space and transmit the data to the information device even after the activity of the activity unit ends. 5. The information processing system according to claim 4. The shared space management means recognizes a processing execution entity connectable to the shared space in a specific activity unit based on first unique information that is temporarily valid and specifies the processing execution entity;
The processing execution entity managed by the processing execution entity management means recognizes a shared space to which the processing execution entity is connectable based on second unique information specifying the shared space and the activity unit. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the shared space management means allows the processing execution body corresponding to the information device used in one activity unit to continue to perform the activity even after the activity in the activity unit ends. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein access to said shared space corresponding to said activity unit is permitted. The shared space management means grants, to the processing execution body connected to the shared space corresponding to the activity unit, the authority to connect to the shared space after the activity of the activity unit is completed, and the connection authority 8. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein said processing executing body is permitted to connect to said shared space after the activity of said activity unit is completed, as said condition that said activity unit has: to the computer,
A function of registering a processing execution body associated with an information device in a shared space managed for each activity unit by multiple participants;
A process of storing data acquired by the information device in the shared space, and reading data from the shared space, in accordance with the function of the information device corresponding to the registered process execution body. a function to execute at least one of the processes to be transmitted to the information device by
A program characterized by realizing

Images