JP7767803B2 - Remote conference support system, method, and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a remote meeting support system, method, and program.

Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a conference system. The technology in Patent Document 1 measures the time that a specific discussion is taking place among conference attendees regarding the content of the discussion, and when the measured time reaches a predetermined time, an output is sent encouraging the discussion to be stopped.

In addition, in recent years, it has become increasingly common for participants to join remote meetings using communication devices from different locations.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-62930

With the development of network environments and the spread of transportation methods equipped with conferencing environments, such as self-driving vehicles, it is expected that there will be more opportunities to participate in remote conferences while traveling at high speeds. However, when participating in a remote conference using a communication device while traveling at high speeds, there is a problem in that changes in the communication environment of the communication device can significantly affect the progress of the conference, such as interrupting the conference.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned issues, and aims to provide a remote conference support system, method, and program that allows conference participants traveling on a mobile vehicle to adjust conference schedules, agendas, etc., taking into account the communication conditions of the communication terminals they use for remote conferences.

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a remote conference support system that includes a setting unit that sets conference schedule information including a scheduled time period for a remote conference and participants; an estimation unit that, if the participant is planning to join the remote conference via a communication terminal on a mobile vehicle, estimates the location of the participant during the scheduled time period and estimates the communication quality of the communication terminal at the location; a determination unit that determines whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition; and a modification unit that modifies the conference schedule information if the communication quality does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a remote conference support method including the steps of: setting conference schedule information including a scheduled time period and participants for a remote conference; estimating the locations of participants who plan to participate in the remote conference via a communication terminal while aboard a mobile vehicle during the scheduled time period; estimating the communication quality of the communication terminal at the locations; determining whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition; and changing the conference schedule information if the communication quality does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a remote conference support program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: setting conference schedule information including a scheduled time period for the remote conference and participants; estimating the locations of participants who plan to participate in the remote conference via a communication terminal aboard a mobile vehicle during the scheduled time period; estimating the communication quality of the communication terminal at the locations; determining whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition; and changing the conference schedule information if the communication quality does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

This disclosure provides a remote conference support system, method, and program that allows conference participants traveling on a mobile vehicle to adjust conference schedules, agendas, etc., taking into account the communication conditions of the communication terminals used for remote conferences.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a remote conference support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote conference support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a remote conference support process according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a remote conference support process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of conference schedule information at the time of setting according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a time period during which each participant can participate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the scheduled time periods for each agenda item and the available time periods for each participant according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of changed conference schedule information according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a remote conference support process during a conference according to the first embodiment.

Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted where necessary for clarity.

<Embodiment 1>
The remote conference support system according to the first embodiment is an information system for supporting the coordination of conference schedules, agendas, and the like before and during a conference when a person traveling on a mobile vehicle participates in a remote conference using a communication terminal. Here, the mobile vehicle is assumed to be one in which at least the remote conference participants among the passengers do not need to drive themselves. The mobile vehicle also has a space in which participants can participate in the remote conference via a communication terminal. The mobile vehicle is, for example, a public transportation system such as an automobile or self-driving vehicle driven by someone other than the participants, a train, or an airplane. The public transportation system is assumed to have a space isolated from other passengers, at least to the extent that it can withstand a remote conference, and participants participate in the remote conference within this space via a communication terminal.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration including a remote conference support system 400 according to the first embodiment. The remote conference support system 400 is connected to an automated driving system 21, a navigation system 22, communication terminals 31 to 34, a traffic situation management system 25, and a communication situation management system 26 via a network N. Here, the network N is a communication network including wireless communication lines and may include the Internet.

Furthermore, meeting participants X, Y, Z, and W are scheduled to participate in a remote meeting on a specified date. The remote meeting is scheduled to discuss multiple agenda items, and at least two of meeting participants X through W are required participants for each agenda item. The number of required participants will differ for each agenda item. Furthermore, a remote meeting will have at least one agenda item and at least two required participants.

The autonomous vehicle 11 is a vehicle in which a conference participant X carrying a communication terminal 31 rides, and is a mobile body that does not require the conference participant X to drive. The autonomous vehicle 11 is equipped with an autonomous driving system 21. Therefore, the autonomous vehicle 11 is a mobile body that moves the autonomous driving system 21, communication terminal 31, and conference participant X together from the departure point to the destination. Assume that conference participant X plans to connect the communication terminal 31 to network N to participate in a remote conference.

The autonomous driving system 21 is an information system that controls the driving of the autonomous vehicle 11 in accordance with predetermined instructions and moves the autonomous vehicle 11 from a departure point to a destination. The autonomous driving system 21 may employ publicly known technology. Furthermore, the autonomous driving system 21 has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function and periodically acquires current location information from GPS satellites. The autonomous driving system 21 may also be equipped with a car navigation system. That is, the autonomous driving system 21 may accept input of a departure point, a destination, and a scheduled departure time, and calculate route information from the departure point to the destination. The route information includes at least information on the route between the departure point and the destination and intermediate locations. Furthermore, the autonomous driving system 21 may acquire congestion information 251 for the route included in the route information after the scheduled departure time from the traffic condition management system 25 via the network N. Here, the congestion information 251 includes the latest information on road congestion in each area, as well as forecast information on future congestion conditions. The autonomous driving system 21 may calculate the estimated time of passage at each intermediate location based on the route information and congestion information. Similarly, the autonomous driving system 21 may calculate the estimated time of arrival at the destination based on the route information and congestion information. Then, the autonomous driving system 21 transmits travel-related information including at least the user information of the conference participant X, the departure point, the destination, and the estimated time of departure to the remote conference support system 400 via the network N. Here, the user information includes at least information that can uniquely identify the conference participant X. Furthermore, the autonomous driving system 21 may include the route information, congestion information, the estimated time of passing through each intermediate location, and the estimated time of arrival at the destination in the travel-related information.

The automobile 12 is a vehicle in which conference participant Z, carrying a communication terminal 32, rides, and is a mobile body driven by at least a driver other than conference participant Z. The automobile 12 is equipped with a navigation system 22. Therefore, the automobile 12 is a mobile body that moves the navigation system 22, communication terminal 32, and conference participant Z together from the departure point to the destination. It is assumed that conference participant Z plans to connect the communication terminal 32 to network N to participate in the remote conference. The navigation system 22 has the same functions as the car navigation system described above.

Base 13 is the location where conference participant Y, who has communication terminal 33, is staying. Conference participant Y plans to connect communication terminal 33 to network N and participate in the remote conference. Base 14 is the location where conference participant W, who has communication terminal 34, is staying. Conference participant W plans to connect communication terminal 34 to network N and participate in the remote conference. Bases 13 and 14 are seats or conference rooms at a company's base, spaces with a telework environment, etc. Conference participants Y and W may also participate in the remote conference while traveling on a mobile vehicle.

Communication terminals 31 and 32 are at least mobile terminals, such as wireless communication information terminals with wireless communication capabilities, such as laptops, tablet terminals, and smartphones. Communication terminals 33 and 34 are either wireless communication information terminals similar to communication terminals 31 and 32, or information processing devices such as wired desktop computers.

Communication terminals 31 to 34 connect to the remote conference support system 400 via network N and perform processing to participate in a specified remote conference. Communication terminals 31 to 34 can be implemented using known technology.

The traffic condition management system 25 is an information system that manages traffic conditions on roads in various locations, and may be a publicly known system. The traffic condition management system 25 has a database that manages at least congestion information 251. When the traffic condition management system 25 receives a request for congestion information on a specified location or road via the network N, it returns the corresponding congestion information 251 to the requestor.

The communication status management system 26 is an information system that manages the communication status of wireless base stations installed in each area and may be a publicly known system. A communication status management system 26 may exist for each communication carrier. The communication status management system 26 includes a database that manages at least a communication environment map 261. The communication environment map 261 is information that indicates the distribution of the coverage areas of multiple wireless base stations installed in a specified region and the reception status of radio waves from the wireless base stations at wireless communication terminals located within each coverage area. The communication environment map 261 includes, for example, the received radio wave strength of wireless communication terminals for each coverage area. For example, at multiple points within the coverage area of a specific wireless base station installed at a specified location, i.e., at measurement positions, the wireless communication terminal receives radio waves transmitted from the specific wireless base station and measures the radio wave strength. The communication status management system 26 then associates the measurement positions measured by the wireless communication terminal with the measured radio wave strength and registers them in the communication environment map 261. Furthermore, when the communication status management system 26 receives a request to acquire the communication environment map 261 of a specified area via the network N, it returns the corresponding communication environment map 261 to the requester.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote conference support system 400 according to the first embodiment. The remote conference support system 400 is an information system that performs remote conference support processing according to the first embodiment. The remote conference support system 400 in Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system implemented using a single information processing device. However, the remote conference support system 400 may be configured redundantly using multiple servers, and each functional block may be implemented using multiple computers.

The remote conference support system 400 includes a storage unit 410, a memory 420, a communication unit 430, and a control unit 440. The storage unit 410 is an example of a storage device such as a hard disk, flash memory, or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 410 stores a program 411 and conference schedule information 412. The program 411 is an example of a remote conference support program, and is a computer program that implements the processing of the remote conference support method according to the first embodiment.

Meeting schedule information 412 is information for managing the schedule, agenda content, and order of progress of a remote meeting. Meeting schedule information 412 includes agenda information 51, 52, ... 5n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1). Meeting schedule information 412 is registered in memory unit 410 for each meeting. Meeting schedule information 412 includes at least one agenda item.

Agenda information 51 is information that associates agenda items 511, scheduled time slots 512, required participants 513, priorities 514, and scheduled order 515. Agenda items 511 are information about agenda items to be discussed in a remote conference and include at least identification information for agenda items 51. Agenda items 511 may also include text information about the agenda item title and summary. Scheduled time slots 512 are information indicating the time slot during the remote conference when discussion of agenda item 511 is scheduled to take place. Specifically, scheduled time slots 512 are information defined by a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time, including the date and time. Required participants 513 are information about participants in the conference who are required to participate in the agenda items 51 among those scheduled to participate in the relevant remote conference. Note that required participants 513 may simply be information about conference participants, regardless of whether they are required. Required participants 513 include the user information described above, i.e., information that can uniquely identify conference participants. Priority 514 is information indicating the priority of the agenda items to be discussed in the relevant remote conference. Priority 514 may be, for example, a priority order. Priority 514 may also include the same priority as other agenda items within the same remote conference. Note that priority 514 is not required. Scheduled order 515 is the order in which agenda items 511 are scheduled to be discussed in the relevant remote conference. Scheduled order 515 may be changed by remote conference support processing before the conference starts, or may be changed by remote conference support processing during the conference. Note that agenda information 51 may also include time weight information for the agenda items.

Note that each of agenda information 52 to 5n has the same configuration as agenda information 51. Furthermore, agenda information 51, etc. may include the planned time period for the entire remote conference. In that case, agenda information 51, etc. does not need to include the planned time period for each agenda item.

Memory 420 is a volatile storage device such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and is a storage area for temporarily storing information while control unit 440 is operating. Communication unit 430 is a communication interface with network N. Specifically, communication unit 430 is a module including an antenna for communicating with other devices, and may be realized in cooperation with other components.

The control unit 440 is a processor, or control device, that controls each component of the remote conference support system 400. The control unit 440 loads the program 411 from the storage unit 410 into the memory 420 and executes the program 411. As a result, the control unit 440 realizes the functions of the setting unit 441, acquisition unit 442, estimation unit 443, determination unit 444, change unit 445, and conference progress support unit 446.

The setting unit 441 sets meeting schedule information including the agenda items to be discussed in the remote conference, the planned time period, and required participants. Specifically, the setting unit 441 receives meeting schedule information from the communication terminal 31 or the like via the network N, sets priorities and weights for each agenda item as necessary, and registers the meeting schedule information 412 in the storage unit 410.

The acquisition unit 442 acquires travel-related information from the automated driving system 21 and the navigation system 22 via the network N. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 442 acquires congestion information 251 based on the travel-related information from the traffic situation management system 25 via the network N as needed. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 442 acquires a communication environment map 261 based on the travel-related information from the communication situation management system 26 via the network N.

When route information is not included in the travel-related information acquired by the acquisition unit 442, the estimation unit 443 derives route information based on the travel-related information. Furthermore, when the travel-related information acquired by the acquisition unit 442 does not include the scheduled time of passing through a route location in the route information or the scheduled time of arrival at the destination, the estimation unit 443 calculates the scheduled time of passing through a route location and the scheduled time of arrival at the destination based on the route information and congestion information.

The estimation unit 443 also identifies, from the meeting schedule information, agenda items for which the user information included in the travel-related information is a mandatory participant, and the scheduled time period for that agenda item. The estimation unit 443 then estimates, from the route information, intermediate locations corresponding to the scheduled time period as the location of the mandatory participant. Therefore, when a mandatory participant plans to board a mobile vehicle and participate in a remote meeting via a communication terminal, the estimation unit 443 estimates the location of the mandatory participant during the scheduled time period.

The estimation unit 443 also estimates the communication quality of the communication terminal at the location. Specifically, the estimation unit 443 estimates the radio wave strength at the estimated location as the communication quality based on the communication environment map 261.

Furthermore, the estimation unit 443 may estimate a first location of the mandatory participant at the scheduled start time of the scheduled holding time period, and a second location of the mandatory participant at the scheduled end time of the scheduled holding time period. In this case, the estimation unit 443 estimates the communication quality in the section between the first location and the second location. This improves the accuracy of estimating communication quality.

The estimation unit 443 may also estimate the communication quality of the communication terminal based on the distance between the location and multiple measurement locations where communication quality was measured in advance. This makes it possible to accurately estimate communication quality by comprehensively taking into account communication quality measured in the vicinity, even if communication quality has not been measured in advance at the location.

The determination unit 444 determines whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition. Here, the predetermined condition is, for example, that the radio wave strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In this case, the determination unit 444 determines whether the estimated radio wave strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. If the radio wave strength is less than the predetermined value, the determination unit 444 determines that the estimated communication quality does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

The change unit 445 changes the scheduled conference information when the communication quality does not satisfy a predetermined condition. Specifically, the change unit 445 calculates the available time slots for mandatory participants based on route information and the estimated future communication quality. The change unit 445 then changes the scheduled conference information based on the available time slots for each participant of the relevant remote conference. For example, the change unit 445 changes the order of agenda items scheduled for the remote conference. Alternatively, the change unit 445 adjusts the scheduled time slot for a specific agenda item by increasing or decreasing it. Alternatively, the change unit 445 changes the scheduled time slot for the remote conference.

The conference progress support unit 446 establishes a connection with each communication terminal via the network N and starts a specific remote conference. This allows conference participants using each communication terminal to participate in the remote conference. The conference progress support unit 446 also selects agenda information according to the scheduled order in the conference schedule information 412, and notifies each participating communication terminal of the agenda 511, scheduled time period 512, required participants 513, etc. included in the selected agenda information.

The meeting progress support unit 446 also calculates and manages information necessary for the progress of the meeting during the meeting. If the available time slots for mandatory participants change during the meeting, the meeting progress support unit 446 calculates the remaining time available for discussing the current agenda item. The meeting progress support unit 446 sends a specified notification to each communication terminal depending on the remaining time. The meeting progress support unit 446 also accepts responses from each communication terminal.

The change unit 445 determines the proposed changes to the meeting schedule information. The change unit 445 also changes the meeting schedule information in response to the notification.

Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of the remote conference support process according to the first embodiment. Here, it is assumed that X, Y, Z, and W plan to participate in a remote conference scheduled to be held on a specific date. Y is the moderator and the person who registered the conference schedule information. It is also assumed that X and Z plan to participate in the remote conference while traveling. Figures 3 and 4 explain the remote conference support process prior to the conference.

First, conference participant Y inputs conference schedule information into communication terminal 33 and registers it in the remote conference support system 400. Specifically, communication terminal 33 receives information about one or more agenda items to be discussed in the remote conference from conference participant Y. For example, communication terminal 33 receives, for each of agenda items A to D, the content of the agenda item, the scheduled start time and scheduled end time, and user information of required participants. At this time, communication terminal 33 may also receive information such as the priority and scheduled order of each agenda item, and time importance information for each agenda item. Furthermore, communication terminal 33 may also receive information such as whether required participants request participation even in the time period before or after travel. Note that communication terminal 33 may also receive the scheduled time period for the entire remote conference. Furthermore, communication terminal 33 may receive not only conference participant Y's screen operation using an input device, but also conference participant Y's voice and use the voice recognition results as conference schedule information. Communication terminal 33 then generates the conference schedule information, including the received information, and transmits the conference schedule information to remote conference support system 400 via network N.

In response, the setting unit 441 of the remote conference support system 400 receives the conference schedule information from the communication terminal 33 via the network N and sets it in the storage unit 410 as conference schedule information 412 (S101). At this time, the setting unit 441 may generate agenda information 51 to 5n for each agenda item and include the agenda information 51 to 5n in the conference schedule information 412. For example, the setting unit 441 generates agenda information 51 by associating the agenda 511, planned time slot 512, required participants 513, priority 514, and scheduled order 515 included in the received conference schedule information. Similarly, the setting unit 441 generates agenda information 52 to 5n. Note that if the received conference schedule information does not include the priority or scheduled order for each agenda item, the setting unit 441 may set the priority and scheduled order for each agenda item. The setting unit 441 then registers the generated conference schedule information 412 including the agenda information 52 to 5n in the storage unit 410.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of meeting schedule information 412 at the time of setting in embodiment 1. Meeting schedule information 412 indicates that four agenda items, 51 to 54, are set, with the scheduled order being 1 to 4. Agenda information 51 has a priority of 1, agenda item A, a scheduled time period with a start time of 13:10 and an end time of 13:30, and required participants X, Y, Z, and W. Agenda information 52 has a priority of 1, agenda item B, a scheduled start time of 13:30, an end time of 14:00, and required participants X, Y, and Z. In other words, agenda information 52 indicates that W may not attend. Agenda information 53 has a priority of 3, agenda item C, a scheduled start time of 14:00, an end time of 14:30, and required participants Y, Z, and W. In other words, agenda information 53 indicates that X may not attend. Agenda information 54 indicates that the priority is 5, agenda item D, the scheduled start time is 14:30, the scheduled end time is 15:00, and required participants are X, Y, and W. In other words, agenda information 54 indicates that it is okay for Z not to attend.

Next, the acquisition unit 442 of the remote conference support system 400 acquires travel-related information for conference participants X and Z, who plan to participate in a remote conference while traveling aboard a mobile vehicle (S102). For example, before conference participant X boards the autonomously driven vehicle 11, the communication terminal 31 accepts conference participant X's travel plans using the autonomously driven vehicle 11. Specifically, the communication terminal 31 accepts input from conference participant X of the departure point, destination, and scheduled departure time of the autonomously driven vehicle 11. The communication terminal 31 then transmits conference participant X's user information, departure point, destination, and scheduled departure time as travel-related information to the remote conference support system 400 via the network N. Alternatively, the communication terminal 31 may acquire route information and traffic congestion information based on the input information, calculate the scheduled time of passing through each intermediate location and the scheduled time of arrival at the destination, and include these in the travel-related information. Note that the traffic congestion information acquired by the communication terminal 31 may be narrower in scope than the traffic congestion information 251, but is preferably more up-to-date.

Alternatively, once conference participant X has boarded the autonomous vehicle 11, the autonomous driving system 21 accepts input from conference participant X of the departure point, destination, and scheduled departure time of the autonomous vehicle 11, and transmits travel-related information including this to the remote conference support system 400 via the network N. Alternatively, the autonomous driving system 21 may obtain route information and traffic congestion information based on the input information, calculate the scheduled time of passing through each intermediate location and the scheduled time of arrival at the destination, and include this in the travel-related information.

Furthermore, if conference participant Z has not yet boarded the automobile 12, the communication terminal 32, like the communication terminal 31, transmits travel-related information to the remote conference support system 400 via the network N. Further, if conference participant Z has already boarded the automobile 12, the navigation system 22, like the automatic driving system 21, transmits travel-related information to the remote conference support system 400 via the network N.

In addition, the communication terminal 33 at base 13 and the communication terminal 34 at base 14 may transmit travel-related information about conference participants Y and W to the remote conference support system 400 via network N. However, in this case, the travel-related information includes the time periods during which conference participants Y and W are present at bases 13 and 14 and are available to participate in the remote conference.

In response to this, the acquisition unit 442 of the remote conference support system 400 acquires travel-related information from each communication terminal, the autonomous driving system 21, and the navigation system 22 via the network N. Steps S102 to S114 may be executed for each conference participant. For example, the case of conference participant X will be described. The determination unit 444 of the remote conference support system 400 determines whether traffic congestion information for conference participant X during his/her travel has been acquired (S103). Specifically, the determination unit 444 determines whether traffic congestion information is included in the travel-related information for conference participant X acquired in step S102. If traffic congestion information has been acquired (YES in S103), the traffic congestion information included in the travel-related information, or in some cases, information of a narrower area than the traffic congestion information 251, is used as the traffic congestion information thereafter.

If congestion information has not been acquired (NO in S103), the acquisition unit 442 acquires congestion information 251 from the scheduled departure time onward on the route corresponding to the route information included in the travel-related information from the traffic condition management system 25 via the network N (S104). If route information is not included in the travel-related information, the remote conference support system 400 predicts the route and travel time zone during travel based on the departure point, destination, and scheduled departure time included in the travel-related information. The acquisition unit 442 then acquires the corresponding congestion information 251.

After step S103: YES or S104, the determination unit 444 determines whether route information for conference participant X has been acquired (S105). Specifically, the determination unit 444 determines whether route information is included in the travel-related information for conference participant X acquired in step S102. If route information has been acquired (YES in S105), the route information included in the travel-related information is used from that point on.

If route information has not been acquired (NO in S105), the estimation unit 443 derives route information based on the departure point, destination, and scheduled departure time of conference participant X, and traffic congestion information. At this time, the estimation unit 443 derives route information including the locations and order of stops along the way when traveling from the departure point to the destination. Note that the processing order of steps S103 and S104 and steps S105 and S106 may be reversed.

After step S105 is YES or S106, the determination unit 444 determines whether the estimated time of passage at the intermediate location and the estimated time of arrival at the destination have been acquired (S107). Specifically, the determination unit 444 determines whether the travel-related information of conference participant X acquired in step S102 includes the estimated time of passage and the estimated time of arrival. If the estimated time of passage and the estimated time of arrival have been acquired (YES in S107), the estimated time of passage and the estimated time of arrival included in the travel-related information are used thereafter.

If the estimated passage time and estimated arrival time have not yet been obtained (NO in S107), the estimation unit 443 calculates the estimated passage time at each intermediate location and the estimated arrival time at the destination based on the estimated departure time, route information, and congestion information (S108).

After step S107 returns YES or S108, the acquisition unit 442 acquires the communication environment map 261 corresponding to the route information from the communication status management system 26 via the network N (S111). Specifically, the acquisition unit 442 acquires the communication environment map 261 corresponding to the area including each intermediate location included in the route information. Note that the acquisition unit 442 acquires the communication environment map 261 from the communication status management system 26 corresponding to the communication carrier used by the communication terminal corresponding to the user information included in the travel-related information.

In addition to step S111, the estimation unit 443 also identifies, from the scheduled meeting information 412, the agenda items and scheduled time periods for which the user information is a required participant (S112). For example, the estimation unit 443 identifies, from the agenda information 51, etc. in the scheduled meeting information 412, the agenda items 511 and scheduled time periods 512 for which meeting participant X is a required participant 513.

The estimation unit 443 then estimates, from the route information of conference participant X, the intermediate location corresponding to the identified scheduled implementation time period 512 as the location of the required participant (S113). In other words, the estimation unit 443 estimates the location of conference participant X during the scheduled implementation time period 512 based on the intermediate location in the route information rather than the current location.

After steps S111 and S113, the estimation unit 443 estimates the radio wave strength at the location estimated in step S113 as communication quality based on the communication environment map 261 acquired in step S111 (S114). Note that various methods can be applied as means for estimating communication quality.

An example of a communication quality estimation means is as follows. For example, the estimation unit 443 may perform statistical processing on the radio wave strength at multiple measurement positions around the estimated location from the communication environment map 261, and estimate the results of the statistical processing as the communication quality at the estimated location. Here, the statistical processing may be, for example, calculating an average value. That is, the estimation unit 443 identifies multiple measurement positions Pa and Pb within a predetermined range from the estimated location Pu from the communication environment map 261. The estimation unit 443 may then calculate the average value RSavg of the radio wave strength RSa, which is the measurement value at measurement position Pa, and the radio wave strength RSb at measurement position Pb, and use the average value RSavg as the radio wave strength RSu at the location Pu. This is because it can be assumed that communication quality changes in proportion to the estimated radio wave strength. This simplifies the estimation process and reduces the processing load.

An example of an estimation method with higher communication quality estimation accuracy than the above is as follows. First, at various measurement locations within a specified area, radio wave strength from a wireless base station for communication is measured using a wireless communication terminal or measuring device. It is assumed that radio wave strength and communication quality are proportional to each other. Generally, radio wave strength decreases inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the location of the wireless base station and the location of the wireless communication terminal. Here, the location of the wireless communication terminal can also be said to be the user's location. Therefore, the measurement location where radio wave strength was measured in advance is assumed to be the location of the wireless base station. Then, relative to the user's location Pu, the traveling direction 443 of the route in the route information identifies measurement positions Pa and Pb that are located before and after the user's location Pu in the traveling direction of the route in the route information. Measurement positions Pa and Pb are the locations of wireless base stations. The estimation unit 443 then calculates the average value of radio wave strength RSa and radio wave strength RSb as radio wave strength RSc at point Pc, which is the center point between measurement positions Pa and Pb. Here, the user's location Pu is assumed to be between the measurement location Pa and the central point Pc. The estimation unit 443 calculates the square of the distance d between the central point Pc and the user's location Pu. The estimation unit 443 then calculates the radio wave strength PSu of the location Pu by multiplying the radio wave strength RSc of the central point Pc by the reciprocal of the square of the distance d. That is, it is assumed that the radio wave strength PSu is inversely proportional to the square of the distance d relative to the radio wave strength RSc of the central point Pc. It is also assumed that the communication quality at the user's location Pu varies in proportion to the radio wave strength PSu. Therefore, the estimation unit 443 estimates the radio wave strength PSu as the communication quality at the user's location Pu. That is, the estimation unit 443 estimates the communication quality of the communication terminal based on the distance between the location Pu and the measurement locations Pa and Pb, where the radio wave strengths RSa and RSb were measured in advance.

Furthermore, in step S114, for example, the estimation unit 443 may estimate a first location P1 of conference participant X at the scheduled start time of 13:30 during the scheduled time period, and a second location P2 of conference participant X at the scheduled end time of 14:00. In this case, the estimation unit 443 estimates the communication quality in the section between the first location P1 and the second location P2.

Indicators for determining communication quality can include QoS (Quality of Service), which indicates network performance, and QoE (Quality of Experience), which is a measure of service quality from the user's perspective.

After step S114, the determination unit 444 determines whether the communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition (S115). Specifically, the determination unit 444 determines whether the radio wave strength PSu at the user's location Pu is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the communication quality does not satisfy the predetermined condition (NO in S115), the change unit 445 calculates the mandatory participant's participation time period based on the route information, the estimated departure, passage, and arrival times, and the time period during which the communication quality does not satisfy the predetermined condition (S116). For example, if the communication quality of the communication terminal 31 is estimated to be poor at the location Pu through which conference participant X is scheduled to pass while traveling in the autonomous vehicle 11, the time period before and after passing the location Pu is set as the non-participation time period. Therefore, the change unit 445 calculates the participation time period by excluding the non-participation time period from the time period during which conference participant X is traveling in the autonomous vehicle 11. Of course, the participation time period may also include the time period before and after boarding the autonomous vehicle 11.

The acquisition unit 442, estimation unit 443, determination unit 444, and change unit 445 perform steps S102 to S116 for at least the mandatory participants who plan to travel by mobile device among all planned participants of the remote conference corresponding to the conference schedule information set in step S101. In other words, the change unit 445 calculates the participation time slots for all mandatory participants who plan to travel by mobile device. Note that the change unit 445 may perform steps S102 to S116 for all mandatory participants, regardless of whether they plan to travel. Furthermore, the change unit 445 may perform steps S102 to S116 for all planned participants of the relevant remote conference. Therefore, the change unit 445 may calculate the participation time slots for all mandatory participants or all planned participants.

The change unit 445 stores the calculated available participation time slots in the storage unit 410 or memory 420 in association with the participants. The change unit 445 may also store the calculated unavailable participation time slots in the storage unit 410 or memory 420 in association with the participants. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of available participation time slots for each participant according to the first embodiment. Here, it is shown that available participation time slots 6X1 and 6X2 are associated with conference participant X, available participation time slot 6Y1 is associated with conference participant Y, available participation time slots 6Z1 and 6Z2 are associated with conference participant Z, and available participation time slot 6W1 is associated with conference participant W.

For example, the route information for the autonomous vehicle 11 carrying conference participant X may include intermediate locations with low signal strength, such as locations outside the coverage area in the communication environment map 261 or mountainous areas, or the route information may include a long tunnel. The change unit 445 calculates the time period during which conference participant X is scheduled to pass through these locations as the unavailable participation time period. For example, assume that conference participant X's unavailable participation time period is estimated to be from 13:40 to 13:55. Therefore, conference participant X's available participation time period is divided into 6X1 and 6X2. Specifically, available participation time period 6X1 is 13:00 to 13:40, and available participation time period 6X2 is 13:55 to 15:50. Note that here, it is assumed that conference participant X's scheduled arrival time at the destination is 15:50.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the scheduled implementation time slots for each agenda item and the available participation time slots for each participant in this embodiment 1. The scheduled implementation time slot for agenda item A, 13:10-13:30, is a time slot during which all required participants X, Y, Z, and W can participate. The scheduled implementation time slot for agenda item B, 13:30-14:00, includes a time slot 6X3 during which X, one of required participants X, Y, and Z, cannot participate. The scheduled implementation time slot for agenda item C, 14:00-14:30, includes a time slot 6Z3 during which Z, one of required participants Y, Z, and W, cannot participate. The scheduled implementation time slot for agenda item D, 14:30-15:00, is a time slot during which all required participants X, Y, and W can participate.

After step S116, the change unit 445 changes the scheduled meeting information based on the available time slots for each participant (S117). Specifically, if the scheduled time slots for each agenda item include time slots during which required participants cannot participate, the change unit 445 changes the scheduled time slots for the agenda items to time slots that avoid the unavailable time slots. In the example of Figure 7, there are time slots during which required participants cannot participate for agenda items B and C. If the scheduled order of agenda items B and C is swapped, all required participants will be able to participate for each agenda item. Therefore, in this example, the change unit 445 changes the scheduled meeting information by swapping the scheduled order of agenda items B and C. The change unit 445 updates the storage unit 410 with the changed scheduled meeting information 412.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of changed meeting schedule information in embodiment 1. Compared to Figure 5 described above, Figure 8 shows that the scheduled order of agenda information 53a for agenda C and agenda information 52a for agenda B has been swapped.

In addition, in step S117, the change unit 445 may change the scheduled time slots for agenda B and agenda C to the previous or next time slot, for example, to a later date. For example, the change unit 445 may delay the scheduled start time of agenda B to 2:00 p.m. The change unit 445 may also delay the scheduled start time of agenda C to 3:00 p.m. Alternatively, the change unit 445 may change the schedule for all scheduled time slots for agendas A to D together. Furthermore, the change unit 445 may change the scheduled order and scheduled time slots of each agenda in the meeting schedule information, taking into account the priority and time weight information of each agenda.

If step S115 returns YES or if step S117 is followed, the conference progress support unit 446 notifies each participant's communication terminal 31 to 34 of the final conference schedule information (S118).

Then, near the scheduled start time of the remote conference at 1:10 PM, the conference progress support unit 446 receives connection requests from communication terminals 31-34 via network N and establishes connections with each communication terminal. Then, when the conference progress support unit 446 receives a start request from a moderator who is one of the planned participants of a specific remote conference, such as conference participant Y, the conference progress support unit 446 starts the remote conference. In response, the conference progress support unit 446 allows communication terminals 31, 32, and 34 authorized by conference participant Y, i.e., the planned participants, to participate in the remote conference as conference participants X, Z, and W. The conference progress support unit 446 then selects agenda information 51, which is scheduled order 1 in the conference schedule information 412, and notifies each participating communication terminal of the agenda 511, scheduled time slot 512, required participants 513, etc. In response, each communication terminal displays the received agenda, etc. on its screen. This allows for more effective support of the remote conference. The conference progress support unit 446 may control the notification content for each communication terminal depending on the role and position of the conference participant. For example, the conference progress support unit 446 may notify the moderator of all information such as the agenda, and notify higher-ranking participants and required participants of details of the agenda, the scheduled time slot, a list of required participants, etc. On the other hand, the conference progress support unit 446 may notify non-required participants of the agenda, the scheduled time slot, and a list of subsequent agenda items and scheduled time slots. In other words, the conference progress support unit 446 may notify each participant of content optimized for that participant.

Then, the conference schedule information may be changed during the remote conference using the remote conference support process. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the remote conference support process during a conference according to this embodiment 1. First, the acquisition unit 442 acquires travel-related information for participants who are traveling, among the required participants for the current and scheduled agenda items (S201). For example, the acquisition unit 442 acquires travel-related information for conference participant X, who is participating in the remote conference while traveling in the autonomous vehicle 11, from the autonomous driving system 21 via the network N during the time period when agenda item A is being discussed. Similarly, the acquisition unit 442 acquires travel-related information for conference participant Z, who is participating in the remote conference while traveling in the automobile 12, from the navigation system 22 via the network N.

The estimation unit 443 then estimates the future locations and communication quality of the moving mandatory participants (S202). For example, the acquisition unit 442 and the estimation unit 443 estimate the future locations and communication quality of conference participants X and Z by the processes of S103 to S114 described above. The change unit 445 then calculates the participation time slots of the mandatory participants taking into account the future communication quality (S203). For example, if the estimated communication quality is predicted to deteriorate in the future, that is, if the determination in step S115 described above is NO, the change unit 445 calculates the future participation time slots of conference participants X and Z.

Then, the conference progress support unit 446 calculates the remaining time for discussing the current agenda item based on the available participation time slots (S204). For example, suppose there is a traffic jam on the route of autonomous vehicle 11, and a concentration of vehicles equipped with communication terminals causes a predicted deterioration in communication quality at the future location of autonomous vehicle 11. Furthermore, suppose that the route of autonomous vehicle 11 is changed to avoid the predicted traffic jam, and that the route is now planned to pass through a mountainous region, causing the future location of autonomous vehicle 11 to be outside the coverage area of a wireless base station. In these cases, suppose that, for example, around 13:15 during the discussion of agenda item A, the scheduled end time of available participation time slot 6X1 for conference participant X, who is a required participant, is brought forward from the original 13:40 to 13:20. Therefore, the conference progress support unit 446 calculates the remaining time for agenda item A to be 5 minutes.

Then, the determination unit 444 determines whether the remaining time is less than a predetermined time (S205). Specifically, the determination unit 444 determines whether the remaining time calculated in step S204 is less than 10 minutes. In this example, the remaining time is 5 minutes, and since it is less than 10 minutes, the process proceeds to step S206.

Then, the modification unit 445 determines a modification proposal for the meeting schedule information (S206). Specifically, the modification unit 445 determines a proposal to suspend the discussion of the current agenda item and change it to a later time slot, a proposal to extend the scheduled end time, a proposal to change it to another agenda item, a proposal to change the order of later agenda items, etc. For example, the modification unit 445 may determine a modification proposal to suspend the discussion of agenda item A and resume it at 13:55, the scheduled start time of participant X's available time slot 6X2. In addition, the modification unit 445 determines a modification proposal for the meeting schedule information based on the latest available time slot of each participant.

Then, the conference progress support unit 446 notifies the remaining time calculated in step S204 and the proposed changes decided in step S206 to the communication terminals of the participants via the network N (S207). For example, the conference progress support unit 446 may notify the communication terminal 33 of conference participant Y, who is the moderator, but not the communication terminals of the other participants. Alternatively, the conference progress support unit 446 may notify the communication terminals of the other participants only of the remaining time. The conference progress support unit 446 may also notify the current conference schedule information including a list of each agenda item. The list of each agenda item may include the agenda content, planned time period, planned order, and priority.

The communication terminal 33 then displays the notified remaining time and proposed changes on the screen. This allows conference participant Y, who is the moderator, to check the remaining time and proposed changes for agenda item A via the communication terminal 33 and consider whether to continue or suspend the discussion on agenda item A or change the time slot. In particular, displaying the priority of each agenda item can more effectively support conference participant Y's consideration.

Then, the communication terminal 33 accepts a response to the change proposal from the conference participant Y and transmits the content of the response to the remote conference support system 400 via the network N. For example, the communication terminal 33 accepts, as a change proposal, an agreement to the change proposal from the conference participant Y. Alternatively, the communication terminal 33 may accept, as a response, a response other than a change proposal from the conference participant Y, such as continuing or extending the discussion, changing to another agenda item, changing the scheduled order of subsequent agenda items, shortening the scheduled time slot for, canceling, or deleting a subsequent agenda item with a lower priority, etc. Note that the communication terminal 33 is not limited to receiving screen operations by the conference participant Y using an input device, but may also receive the voice of the conference participant Y and use the voice recognition results as a response.

Then, the meeting progress support unit 446 receives a response to the change proposal from the communication terminal 33 via the network N. The change unit 445 then changes the meeting schedule information in accordance with the response to the change proposal (S208). For example, the change unit 445 suspends the discussion on agenda item A, changes the scheduled time slot for the next agenda item B from 13:20 to 13:50, and changes the scheduled resumption time for agenda item A to 13:55. In other words, the change unit 445 updates the scheduled time slots of agenda item information 51 and 52 in the meeting schedule information 412. Similarly, for other responses, the change unit 445 updates the meeting schedule information 412 in accordance with the content of the response.

Then, the meeting progress support unit 446 notifies the communication terminals of each participant of the changed meeting schedule information (S209). For example, the meeting progress support unit 446 transmits the changed agenda order and scheduled time slots to communication terminals 31 to 34 via network N.

If the remaining time is equal to or greater than the predetermined time in step S205 (NO in S205), the conference progress support unit 446 notifies the communication terminals of the participants of the remaining time (S210). The conference progress support unit 446 notifies at least the communication terminal 33 of conference participant Y, who is the moderator, of the remaining time.

As described above, when a remote conference includes participants who are traveling, changes in the communication conditions of the communication terminals used by the participants in the remote conference may cause the ongoing proceedings to be interrupted or the conference to be terminated. For example, if the mobile vehicle carrying the conference participants travels through an area with weak radio wave strength, such as a long tunnel or mountainous region, or if the vehicle travels outside the coverage area of a wireless base station, the communication quality of the wireless communication terminals used by the conference participants in the remote conference may deteriorate, resulting in poor communication or disconnection. Therefore, in this embodiment, the location of the scheduled conference participants during the remote conference who plan to travel is estimated from route information and traffic congestion information for the mobile vehicle, and the communication quality of the communication terminals is estimated from the location. If the communication quality does not meet specified conditions, i.e., if it is predicted that the communication quality will not be able to be maintained at a certain level, the schedule of the remote conference, the order of proceedings, etc., are changed. This makes it possible to support the remote conference by adjusting the conference schedule, agenda, etc., taking into account the communication conditions of the communication terminals used by conference participants traveling in their mobile vehicles.

In addition, even during a remote meeting, changes in communication quality during the meeting can be estimated from the current location and planned route of the vehicles carrying participants, and the meeting schedule can be changed to a time period where communication quality can be maintained.In other words, proposals for changes to the meeting schedule can be made in real time during a remote meeting, supporting flexible changes to the agenda and time slot.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention has been described above in accordance with the above-mentioned embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, and naturally includes various modifications, alterations, and combinations that a person skilled in the art can make within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims of this application.

Note that while the above-described embodiment has been described as a hardware configuration, this is not limited to this. Any processing in the present disclosure can also be realized by having a CPU execute a computer program.

In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 Self-driving vehicle 12 Automobile 13, 14 Base 21 Self-driving system 22 Navigation system 31 to 34 Communication terminal 25 Traffic condition management system 251 Traffic congestion information 26 Communication condition management system 261 Communication environment map N Network X, Y, Z, W Conference participant 400 Remote conference support system 410 Storage unit 411 Program 412 Conference schedule information 51, 52, ... 5n Agenda information 511 Agenda 512 Planned implementation time period 513 Required participants 514 Priority 515 Planned order 420 Memory 430 Communication unit 440 Control unit 441 Setting unit 442 Acquisition unit 443 Estimation unit 444 Determination unit 445 Change unit 446 Conference progress support unit 6X1, 6X2, 6Y1, 6Z1, 6Z2, 6W1 Participation time slots 6X3, 6Z3 Participation time slots

Claims (5)

a setting unit that sets conference schedule information including a scheduled time period and participants of the remote conference;
an estimation unit that, when the participant is scheduled to participate in the remote conference via a communication terminal while riding in a moving object, estimates a location of the participant during the scheduled time period and estimates a communication quality of the communication terminal at the location;
a determination unit that determines whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition;
a change unit that changes the conference schedule information when the communication quality does not satisfy a predetermined condition;
Equipped with
The estimation unit
estimating a first location of the participant at a scheduled start time of the scheduled event time period and a second location of the participant at a scheduled end time of the scheduled event time period;
Estimating the communication quality in a section between the first location and the second location.
Remote meeting support system. a setting unit that sets conference schedule information including a scheduled time period and participants of the remote conference;
an estimation unit that, when the participant is scheduled to participate in the remote conference via a communication terminal while riding in a moving object, estimates a location of the participant during the scheduled time period and estimates a communication quality of the communication terminal at the location;
a determination unit that determines whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition;
a change unit that changes the conference schedule information when the communication quality does not satisfy a predetermined condition;
Equipped with
The estimation unit
The communication quality of the communication terminal is estimated based on the distance between the location and a plurality of measurement locations where communication quality has been measured in advance.
Remote meeting support system. The computer
setting conference schedule information including a scheduled time period and participants for the remote conference;
estimating locations of the participants who plan to participate in the remote conference via a communication terminal while riding in a mobile vehicle during the scheduled time period;
estimating a communication quality of the communication terminal at the location;
determining whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition;
changing the conference schedule information when the communication quality does not satisfy a predetermined condition;
Including,
The step of estimating the location includes:
estimating a first location of the participant at a scheduled start time of the scheduled event time period and a second location of the participant at a scheduled end time of the scheduled event time period;
The step of estimating communication quality includes:
Estimating the communication quality in a section between the first location and the second location.
How to support remote meetings. The computer
setting conference schedule information including a scheduled time period and participants for the remote conference;
estimating locations of the participants who plan to participate in the remote conference via a communication terminal while riding in a mobile vehicle during the scheduled time period;
estimating a communication quality of the communication terminal at the location;
determining whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition;
changing the conference schedule information when the communication quality does not satisfy a predetermined condition;
Including,
The step of estimating communication quality includes:
The communication quality of the communication terminal is estimated based on the distance between the location and a plurality of measurement locations where communication quality has been measured in advance.
How to support remote meetings. setting conference schedule information including a scheduled time period and participants for the remote conference;
estimating locations of the participants who plan to participate in the remote conference via a communication terminal while riding in a mobile vehicle during the scheduled time period;
estimating a communication quality of the communication terminal at the location;
determining whether the estimated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition;
changing the conference schedule information when the communication quality does not satisfy a predetermined condition;
on the computer,
The step of estimating communication quality includes:
The communication quality of the communication terminal is estimated based on the distance between the location and a plurality of measurement locations where communication quality has been measured in advance.
A remote meeting support program.