Shared system and terminal device

A shared system comprises a terminal device and a server. The terminal device comprises a display unit configured to segment a display area and display different contents in different segmented areas. The server receives, from the terminal device, the resolution information of a first segmented area which is one of the segmented areas of the terminal device, generates, according to the resolution information received, a screen on which data can be viewed or edited, and sends the screen in such a manner that the generates screen can be displayed in the first segmented area of the terminal device.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to a technology of conveniently sharing a terminal device arranged outdoors or in a shared space.

BACKGROUND

To view or edit an electronic personal document outdoors, people need to carry a notebook computer, a tablet PC, a smart phone and the like.

This causes problems that a computer or smart phone is taken as luggage and that it is unlikely to use a large screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment, a shared system comprises a terminal device and a server. The terminal device comprises a display unit which segments a display area and displays different contents in different segmented areas. The server receives, from the terminal device, the resolution information of a first segmented area, which is one of the segmented areas of the terminal device, generates, according to the resolution information received, a screen on which data can be viewed or edited, and sends the screen in such a manner that the generated screen is displayed in the first segmented area of the terminal device.

In accordance with an embodiment, a terminal device comprises a display unit, an interface unit and a control unit. The display unit segments a display area and displays different contents in different segmented areas. The interface unit communicates with the server. The control unit causes the interface unit to send the resolution information of a first segmented area which is one of the segmented areas and receive a screen which is generated by the server according to the resolution information and on which data can be viewed or edited and the first segmented area of the display unit to display the screen.

In an embodiment, a terminal device, for example, a digital signage apparatus or a desktop information processing apparatus with a large screen, which is rented outdoors or arranged in a shared space for a sharing purpose, is used as a personal desktop. The personal data of the user of the desktop (hereinafter referred to as a user) is stored in a management server in the cloud. A piece of application software for viewing and editing personal data runs in the management server, and a virtual desktop screen provided by the management server is displayed on the terminal device to receive an operation from the user.

The user segments the screen of the terminal device such as a desktop information processing apparatus or a signage apparatus just to obtain a needed area. Further, it is assumed that the terminal device is multiuser device which can be used by a plurality of people at the same time. The resolution of a segmented screen of the terminal device is acquired by the management server for a match with the resolution of a virtual desktop screen.

The management server stores the desktop state of each user. The management server stores the former desktop state of each user and redisplays the desktop state when the user logs in next time.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a diagram exemplifying the structure of a system according to an embodiment. A shared system1provides, on a desktop information processing apparatus200or a signage apparatus300or400located outdoors or in a shared space, a personal desktop for a user to view or edit personal data. As shown in the example ofFIG. 1, the shared space refers to a commercial facility such as a shopping mall, a market and a theater (further including a sports facility such as a ball park), an educational facility such as a school, a library and a gallery or a station. The shared space further includes a facility where people have a meeting, such as the meeting room of an enterprise. The case shown inFIG. 1is merely exemplary, and the shared space is where people get together.

The shared system1comprises a management server100, a desktop information processing apparatus200and signage apparatuses300and400, each of which is not limited in number or configuration position to that shown inFIG. 1. The management server100and each terminal device (the desktop information processing apparatus200and the signage apparatuses300and400) are connected via the Internet500to transmit data with each other.

The management server100stores the data of the user capable of using each terminal device as a desktop. The management server100authenticates the login of a user by itself or an external device. Further, the management server100stores the desktop state of the user or the data of each user and sends the stored data to the desktop information processing apparatus200and the signage apparatuses300and400according to requirements from the desktop information processing apparatus200and the signage apparatuses300and400.

The desktop information processing apparatus200is a computer which is deployed in, for example, in a meeting room or a conference place as a table. To be shared, the desktop information processing apparatus200has a large touch panel display250on the top surface. The user displays conference documents and images on the touch panel display250and participates in a meeting or conference by operating the touch panel display250.

To share advertisement information with passages and other people, the signage apparatus300is a digital signage which has a large touch panel display350on the front side. The signage apparatus400is an apparatus which is different from the signage apparatus300in shape and which has a large touch panel display450on the front side. The signage apparatus300or400is also called dynamic signage, interactive signage or narrow-casting.

The touch panel displays250,350and450segment a display area according to control signals from a control unit (processor) in the apparatus and display different contents in different segmented areas.

FIG. 2is a block diagram exemplifying the structure of the management server100. The management server100comprises a processor101, a Random Access Memory (RAM)102, a Read Only Memory (ROM)103, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD)104, a network Interface (I/F)105, a monitor106, an input device107and a bus line109for the input and the output of data among the units.

The processor101is a computing device such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The processor101develops the programs stored in the ROM103or the programs152stored in the HDD104in the RAM102and executes the programs, thereby providing various functions while cooperating with each piece of hardware. The RAM102is a primary memory device, and the ROM103is a non-volatile memory device for storing system programs.

The HDD104is an auxiliary non-volatile memory device for storing the programs152or the data151of each user.

The network I/F105is a communication device which controls the data communication with an external device according to various communication standards. The monitor106and the input device107are input/output devices which are used by the maintainer or user of the management server100and which display information (images) for the maintainer or user and receive an operation from the maintainer or user.

FIG. 3is a block diagram exemplifying the structure of the desktop information processing apparatus200. The desktop information processing apparatus200comprises a processor201, an RAM202, an ROM203, an HDD204, a network I/F205and a touch panel display250.

The processor201, the RAM202, the ROM203and the network I/F205are identical to those of the foregoing management server100. The HDD204is an auxiliary non-volatile memory in which the programs252or data251executed by the processor201are stored in advance.

The touch panel display250is formed by laminating a touch panel on a large liquid crystal display on the top surface of a table thereof.

Although located at a different position in the signage apparatus300or400as a hardware structure, the touch panel display is structurally identical to the desktop information processing apparatus200and is therefore not described here repeatedly. Further, the following description mainly targets the desktop information processing apparatus200except for that related toFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, and the description on the desktop information processing apparatus200is applicable to the signage apparatuses300and400.

FIG. 4is a diagram exemplifying the display on the touch panel display250of the desktop information processing apparatus200, in which the position of a user is represented by a shadowed oval. The user of a desktop draws lines L1-L3 on the touch panel display250to segment the display area of the touch panel display250. In the embodiment, the lines L1-L3, even if curved, can be straightened and adjusted to be parallel or vertical to the sides of the display area of the touch panel display250. Further, when a segmented area is formed, the resolution of the segmented area (the numbers of the pixels in horizontal and vertical directions in the segmented area) is adjusted to a predefined resolution. The resolution, which is adjusted to ‘640*480’ and ‘1024*768’ in the following description, can be adjusted to various predetermined sizes, but not limited to ‘640*480’ and ‘1024*768’. The adjustment on the line or resolution is realized through the execution of the programs252by the processor201. As to the adjustment on resolution, the processor201adjusts the size of the segmented area created by the user to the nearest given size.

In the example shown inFIG. 4, the touch panel display250is segmented into four desktop areas261-264; however, the segmented areas are not limited in number or shape to the example shown inFIG. 4. Each user views personal documents or images on a window screen D1in a desktop formed in one of the areas261-264and edits the personal documents or images using a soft keyboard K1. Further, the user browses Webpage and receives or sends an e-mail through the window screen D1. Under the control of the processor201, the areas261-264are separated by taking the lines L1-13 as borders, and the window screen D1in an area cannot enter another area.

Further, in order not to be recognized by other people except for the user, the processor201carries out a light polarization processing to narrow the view range of each area, which is a conventional technology. The recognition in which direction is allowed or not allowed is determined according to the coordinates of the centre-of-gravity position of a desktop area. For example, in the example shown inFIG. 4, the centre-of-gravity position of the area261is above the paper surface shown inFIG. 4, thus, the recognition from above the paper surface shown inFIG. 4(position271) is allowed, and the recognition from other directions is prevented. The centre-of-gravity position of the area262is on the left of the paper surface shown inFIG. 4, thus, the recognition from the left side of the paper surface shown inFIG. 4(position272) is allowed, and the recognition from other directions is prevented. The centre-of-gravity position of the area263is below the paper surface shown inFIG. 4, thus, the recognition from below the paper surface shown inFIG. 4(position273) is allowed, and the recognition from other directions is prevented. The centre-of-gravity position of the area264is on the right of the paper surface shown inFIG. 4, thus, the recognition from the right side of the paper surface shown inFIG. 4(position274) is allowed, and the recognition from other directions is prevented.

Further, as shown inFIG. 4, in each of the areas261-264, a desktop is rotated and displayed in a given direction with respect to the position (positions271-274) of the user of the desktop. Like the light polarization processing, towards which direction a desktop is displayed is determined according to the centre-of-gravity position of an area.

FIG. 5is a diagram exemplifying the display on the signage apparatus300. The signage apparatus300is mainly used as an event or commodity information notification medium, thus, an advertisement image351is usually displayed in the whole display area, as shown inFIG. 5A. As shown inFIG. 5B, by drawing an L-shape line L4 on a touch panel display350, a desktop user generates a desktop area352on the signage apparatus300. The signage apparatus300allows the recognition from the left or right side of the centre-of-gravity position of a desktop area and carries out a light polarization processing for preventing the recognition from other directions. Further, the line L4, even if curved, can be straightened and adjusted to be parallel or vertical to the sides of the display area of the touch panel display350. Further, when a segmented area is formed, the resolution of the segmented area (the numbers of the pixels in horizontal and vertical directions in the segmented area) is adjusted to a predefined resolution. Further, the signage apparatus300scales down the advertisement image351so that the whole advertisement image351is displayed on the touch panel display350without being overlapped with the area352. The line or resolution is adjusted and the size of the advertisement image351is changed through the execution of programs by a processor in the signage apparatus300.

Actions of the shared system1are exemplarily described below with reference toFIG. 6andFIG. 7. First, Actions of the management server100are exemplarily described with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 6. The flowchart ofFIG. 6shows the actions carried out by the processor101by developing the programs152or the data151which are imported in the HDD104in advance in the RAM102and then executing the programs152. Further, in the example, the desktop information processing apparatus200is illustrated as a terminal device; however, the terminal device may also be the signage apparatus300or400.

The processor101stands by until authentication data and screen resolution are acquired from the desktop information processing apparatus200via the network I/F105(Act001: Loop of No). In the example, the authentication data refers to a set of user ID and password (or data generated based on a password) or any biometric authentication information that can be used to confirm the information of a user. Further, the screen resolution refers to the resolution of an area segmented by the user for use as a desktop, and in the example, as stated above, the screen resolution refers to the numbers of the pixels in horizontal and vertical directions in a segmented area, such as ‘640*480’ or ‘1024*768’.

If authentication data is acquired via the network I/F105(Act001: Yes), the processor101determines whether or not the authentication data is accordant with pre-registered data (Act002). If the authentication data is not accordant with the pre-registered data (Act002: No), the flow returns to Act001, otherwise (Act002: Yes), the processor101determines the personal folder of the user according to the authentication data (Act003). A folder named the user ID of a user is formed in the HDD104in advance for each user, the personal data of a user, including file data, static image data and dynamic image data, or data defining the current desktop state (hereinafter referred to as desktop data), is stored in the folder. The desktop data is also composed of, for example, sub-folders corresponding to resolutions named ‘640*480’, ‘1024*768’ and the like. Icon data suitable for a resolution or the image data of a soft keyboard K1suitable or the resolution is stored in the sub-folder. The processor101determines the sub-folder corresponding to the screen resolution sent with the authentication data and acquires the data in a specific sub-folder from the HDD104(Act004).

The processor101generates desktop image data (referred to as a virtual desktop) with the desktop data acquired and controls the network I/F105to send the virtual desktop to the desktop information processing apparatus200(Act005).

Then, data is transmitted between the management server100and the desktop information processing apparatus200every time the user operates the desktop information processing apparatus200(Act006).

Here, the processor101determines whether or not an operation is not carried out within a given period of time, that is, determines whether or not the sending or receiving of data shown in Act006is not implemented within a given period of time (Act007). If an operation is carried out within the given period of time (Act007: No), the processor101determines whether or not an exit instruction is received which is given through a specific operation of the user (Act008). If no exit instruction is received (Act008: No), the processor101determines whether or not there is a requirement for the saving of the data updated by the user (Act009). If there is a requirement for the saving of the data updated by the user (Act009: Yes), the processor101writes the data or updates the writing of the data (Act010), then the flow returns to Act006. If there is no requirement for the saving of the data updated by the user (Act009: No), the processor101returns to execute Act006.

On the other hand, if no operation is carried out within the given period of time (Act007: Yes) or an exit instruction is received (Act008: Yes), the processor101stores the current desktop data (Act011). When the configured coordinates of an icon, the file name or the page of an opened document, the size of the window screen D1and the angle of the window screen D1in a desktop are changed, the angle of the configured coordinates are included in the data stored as desktop data. In this case, the processor101also updates the sub-folders named other resolutions which are not used in the current processing as the current desktop data. An exit processing is executed (Act012) after Act011is executed.

Next, actions of the desktop information processing apparatus200serving as a terminal device are exemplarily described with reference toFIG. 7. The flowchart ofFIG. 7shows the actions carried out by the processor201by developing the programs252or the data251which are imported in the HDD204in advance in the RAM202and then executing the programs252.

The processor201determines whether or not there is an operation of generating a desktop area (Act101). Here, the user draws lines or a circle with a fingertip on the touch panel display250to generate a closed segmented area. Further, when segmenting the display area of the touch panel display250, the user touches, with a fingertip or a pen, a segmented area to designate the segmented area as a desktop area. The operation of generating a desktop area refers to a series of operations in this example.

The processor201adjusts the view in the desktop area using the conventional technology (Act102).

The processor201displays an authentication data input screen in the generated desktop area to receive authentication data (Act103). Here, the processor201receives the input of a login ID and a login password via the touch panel display250. After receiving the authentication data (Act103: Yes), the processor201sends the information to the management server100, further, the processor201sends the adjusted resolution (the numbers of the pixels in horizontal and vertical directions in the segmented area) of the generated desktop area to the management server100(Act104). Further, after the sent pixel size is adjusted to a specific value such as ‘640*480’ or ‘1024*768’, the adjusted pixel size is sent to the management server100, as stated above.

If the authentication is matched, the processor201controls the network I/F205to receive a virtual desktop generated by the management server100(Act105).

Then, data is transmitted between the management server100and the desktop information processing apparatus200every time the user operates the touch panel display250(Act106).

If no operation is carried out within a given period of time (Act107: Yes) or an exit operation is executed (Act108: Yes), the processor201cuts off the session with the management server100and carries out an exit processing of exiting the desktop information processing apparatus200(Act111). The exit processing further includes a processing of completely erasing the used data from the desktop information processing apparatus200. For example, as a data erasing processing, the working area used in the desktop of the RAM202is reset to a random value or 0 and released, or the data temporarily written in the HDD204is reset to a random value or 0.

On the other hand, if an operation is carried out by the user within the given period of time (Act107: No) or no exit instruction is received (Act108: No), the processor201determines whether or not a requirement of saving the edited data or the reproduced data is received from the user (Act109). If there is no saving requirement (Act109: No), the processor201returns to execute Act106. If there is a saving requirement (Act109: Yes), the processor201controls the network I/F205to send the saved data to the management server100(Act110), and the flow returns to Act106. Act110is an action of preventing the saving of the personal data of the user in the desktop information processing apparatus200.

In the embodiment, resolution is adjusted by a terminal device, and the adjusted resolution is sent to the management server100, however, the resolution adjustment may also be carried out by the management server100. Further, in the embodiment, a designated resolution is adjusted by the user to a specific resolution; however, in order to be matched with the designated resolution, the image displayed on the virtual desktop operated by a user may be scaled up or down. In this case, the image displayed on the virtual desktop is scaled up or down by the management server100.

In the foregoing example, a real-time exit processing is carried out after a given period of time, alternatively, an exit warning is given to the user, a timer is reset when an operation is continued, and the user is forced to log out after a given period of time when an operation is not continued.

Further, an additional function may be provided by means of which when the user prints a document, a printer on a network connected with the operated nearby terminal device can be automatically extracted for the user to make a choice.

Further, a sensor may be set for a seat nearby the terminal device to detect the stand-up of the user from the seat.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the screen of the desktop used has a suitable resolution, thus providing a clear image for the user. Further, a plurality of desktop states may be stored so that a desktop state is selected and restored when a user logs in.

Further, the desktop state formerly edited using another terminal device is stored in the management server when the user logs out so that the desktop state can be regenerated when the terminal device is used again, thereby guaranteeing the same consistency in the use of the same terminal.

The terminal device is equivalent to the desktop information processing apparatus200and the signage apparatuses300and400of embodiments of the present invention.

In each foregoing embodiment, the functions for realizing each embodiment are pre-stored in an apparatus, however, the present invention is not limited to this, the same functions may also be downloaded from a network, or an element equipped with a memory medium in which the same functions are stored may be installed an apparatus. The memory medium may be any memory medium of any form that is capable of storing programs in a CD-ROM and is readable to an apparatus. Further, the functions achieved by an installed or downloaded program can also be achieved through the cooperation with an OS (Operating System) in an apparatus.

According to the present invention, personal data can be viewed and edited outdoors.