Patent Publication Number: US-2015067056-A1

Title: Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The disclosures discussed herein generally relate to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There are known in the related art electronic conference systems capable of conducting an electronic conference by simultaneously utilizing screen sharing software for allowing all the attendees at the electronic conference to browse electronic materials in real time, and application software for allowing the attendees to write characters or drawings associated with content items of discussions (e.g., Patent Document 1). 
     Some of the conference methods include a brainstorming technique by which each of the attendees of the conference is encouraged to provide ideas for gathering a large number of ideas. The related art electronic conference system is suitable for a conference method where a presenter of the conference gives a presentation, and it may be more useful to have an electronic conference system by which two or more attendees of the conference are capable of electronically providing ideas to discuss their ideas. 
     Similar to such an electronic conference system proposed above, it may be desirable to have an information processing system by which two or more users are capable of providing information to discuss the provided information. 
     RELATED ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-164177 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object in one embodiment of the present invention to provide an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method suitable for allowing two or more users to provide information to discuss the provided information that substantially obviates one or more problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     In one aspect of the embodiment, there is provided an information processing apparatus connected via a network to a display apparatus and one or more operations terminals. The information processing apparatus includes a display controller configured to transmit to the display apparatus and the operations terminals image data in which at least one object is disposed and display the transmitted image data on the display apparatus and the operations terminals; an information manager configured to manage information of the objects; and a display update unit configured to update a display of the objects disposed in the image data by receiving operations with respect to the objects from the operations terminals and updating the objects based on the received operations. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conference system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of the conference system according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the conference system according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of conference information stored in a registered information DB; 
         FIG. 5  is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of material information stored in the registered information DB; 
         FIG. 6  is an image diagram illustrating an example of a display of new conference content; 
         FIG. 7  is a screen image diagram illustrating a transmission process of a file that is desired to be displayed on the new conference content; 
         FIG. 8  is a screen image diagram illustrating an example of an imaged screen; 
         FIG. 9  is a screen image diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen for selecting a folder; 
         FIG. 10  is a screen image diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen for selecting a file; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of creating new conference content; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission and saving process of content in the image file of the new conference content; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an addition and saving process of a drawing object in the image file of the new conference content; and 
         FIG. 14  is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of exclusive control over operations with respect to an object. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Next, a detailed description is given of an embodiment. Note that in the following embodiment, a conference system is illustrated as an example of an information processing system. The present embodiment may implement a conference system suitable for a conference method such as brainstorming in which attendees of the conference provide ideas to discuss the provided ideas. A conference system according to an embodiment may be able to electronically implement a conference similar to a non-electronic conference in which two or more users are able to provide their ideas on post-it stickers attached to the whiteboard and discuss their ideas by moving or grouping the post-it stickers, and additional writing of ideas on the white board. 
     FIRST EMBODIMENT 
     System Configuration 
       FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conference system according to an embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a conference system  1  according to an embodiment includes one or more client apparatuses  10 , a display apparatus  12 , and a conference server apparatus  13  that are connected via a wired or wireless network  18 . 
     Note that the conference server apparatus  13  may be implemented by software or a service that operates on a computer. For example, the conference server apparatus  13  may be implemented by a cloud service. 
     The client apparatus  10  is an operations terminal that is operated by a user. Examples of the client apparatus  10  include mobile information terminals such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, and a personal digital assistant. 
     Examples of the display apparatus include an electronic whiteboard, a large-scale monitor, and the like. The conference server apparatus  13  is configured to perform information processing associated with a conference. Examples of the conference server apparatus  13  include a workstation (WS), a PC, and the like. 
     The client apparatus  10  has installed a conference application for creating and displaying conference information, documents (conference materials), and other information associated with a conference. The display apparatus  12  is configured to display a screen of the conference similar to that of the client apparatus  10 . Input to the display apparatus  12  may be performed via a touch panel or a special pen. 
     The conference server apparatus  13  is configured to archive registered conference information. Further, the conference server apparatus  13  is configured to manage statuses of a conference while the conference is in progress. The conference server apparatus  13  is configured to archive content items of registered documents and document information. 
     The client apparatus  10  is configured to display a client-use screen or a conference management screen of the conference system  1 . For example, when receiving operations (personal memos, etc.) associated with conference materials of users attending a conference, the client apparatus  10  saves the operations associated with the conference materials as a file in a temporary saving area. 
     When saving the operations associated with the conference materials finally in the conference server apparatus  13 , the client apparatus  10  transmits a communications request to the conference server apparatus  13 . When the communications are established, the client apparatus  10  transmits the file to the conference server apparatus  13 . The conference server apparatus  13  saves the file received from the client apparatus  10  together with the conference information and user information. 
     Hardware Configuration 
     The client apparatus  10 , the display apparatus  12 , and the conference server apparatus  13  may be implemented by a hardware configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of the conference system according to the embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the client apparatus  10  includes an input device  501 , a display apparatus  502 , an external I/F  503 , a random access memory (RAM)  504 , a read-only memory (ROM)  505 , a central processing unit (CPU)  506 , a communications I/F  507 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  108 , a camera  509 , and the like that are connected to one another via a bus B. Note that the client apparatus  10  may be configured to include a microphone and a speaker. 
     The input device  501  includes a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and is configured to input various operation signals into the client apparatus  10 . The display apparatus  502  includes a display, and the like, and is configured to display a result of a process executed by the client apparatus  10 . The communications I/F  507  serves as an interface configured to connect the client apparatus  10  to a network  18 . Hence, the client apparatus  10  may be able to perform data communications with the conference server apparatus  13  via the communications I/F  507 . The camera  509  is configured to provide an imaging function. 
     The HDD  508  serves as a non-volatile storage device configured to store programs and data. Examples of the stored programs and data include an operating system (OS) serving as basic software that is configured to control the client apparatus  10  as a whole, application software that is configured to provide various functions on the OS, and the like. Further, the HDD  508  is configured to manage the stored programs and data in a predetermined file system and/or a DE. 
     The external I/F  503  servers as an interface with respect to external devices. Examples of the external devices include a recording medium  503   a,  and the like. Hence, the client apparatus  10  may be able to read the recording medium  503   a  or write on the recording medium  503   a  via the external I/F  503 . Examples of the recording medium  503   a  include a flexible disk, a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a secure digital (SD) card, universal serial bus (USB) memory, and the like. 
     The ROM  505  is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (a storage device) configured to retain programs or data even when power supply is turned off. The ROM  505  is configured to store programs and data such as BIOS that is executed at startup of the client apparatus  10 , OS settings, network settings, and the like. The RAM  504  is a volatile semiconductor memory configured to temporarily store programs and data. 
     The CPU  506  is a processor configured to implement control over entire hardware of the client apparatus  10  or functions of the client apparatus  10  by loading programs and data in the RAM  504  from a storage device such as the ROM  505  and the HDD  508  and executing processes. 
     The client apparatus  10  may be able to implement later-described various processes by executing programs in the above-described hardware configuration. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the conference server apparatus  13  includes an input device  601 , a display apparatus  602 , an external I/F  603 , a RAM  604 , a ROM  605 , a CPU  606 , a communications I/F  607 , an HDD  608 , and the like that are connected to one another via a bus B. Note that the input device  601  and the display apparatus  602  may optionally be connected when they are necessary. 
     The input device  601  includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is configured to input various operation signals into the conference server apparatus  13 . The display apparatus  602  includes a display and the like, and is configured to display a result of a process executed by the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     The communications I/F  607  serves as an interface configured to connect the conference server apparatus  13  to the network  18 . Hence, the conference server apparatus  13  may be able to perform data communications with the client apparatus  10  via the communications I/F  607 . 
     The HDD  608  serves as a non-volatile storage device configured to store programs and data. Examples of the stored programs and data include an operating system (OS) serving as basic software that is configured to control the conference server apparatus  13  as a whole, application software that is configured to provide various functions on the OS, and the like. Further, the HDD  608  is configured to manage the stored programs and data in a predetermined file system and/or a DB. 
     The external I/F  603  servs as an interface with respect to external devices. Examples of the external devices include a recording medium  603   a,  and the like. Hence, the conference server apparatus  13  may be able to read the recording medium  603   a  or write on the recording medium  603   a  via the external I/F  603 . Examples of the recording medium  603   a  include a flexible disk, a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a secure digital (SD) card, universal serial bus (USB) memory, and the like. 
     The ROM  605  is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (a storage device) configured to retain programs or data even when power supply is turned off. The ROM  605  is configured to store programs and data such as BIOS that is executed at startup of the conference server apparatus  13 , OS settings, network settings, and the like. The RAM  604  is volatile semiconductor memory configured to temporarily store programs and data. 
     The CPU  606  is a processor configured to implement control over the conference server apparatus  13  or functions of the conference server apparatus  13  by loading programs and data in the RAM  605  from a storage device such as the ROM  608  and the HDD  604  and executing processes. 
     The conference server apparatus  13  may be able to implement later-described various processes by executing programs in the above-described hardware configuration. 
     Software Configuration 
     The conference system  1  according to the embodiment may be implemented by functional blocks illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the conference system according to the embodiment. 
     The client apparatus  10  is configured to implement an event manager  21 , an information manager  22 , and a communications processor  23  by executing programs such as a conference application. 
     The conference server apparatus  13  is configured to implement an information manager  31 , a content processor  32 , a communications processor  33 , and the like by executing programs. The information manager  31  is configured to include a conference information manager  35 , a status manager  36 , an event processor  37 , and a temporary saving file manager  38 . The conference server apparatus  13  is connected to a registered information database (DB)  51 . 
     Each of users using the conference system  1  activates a conference application installed in his/her client apparatus  10 . The communications processor  23  of each client apparatus  10  establishes communications with the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13 . The client apparatus  10  shares a screen with other client apparatuses  10  via the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     This embodiment assumes a configuration that includes two or more client apparatuses  10 , and one display apparatus  12 . In the conference system  1 , the screen displayed on the display apparatus  12  is shared between the client apparatuses  10 . Further, in the conference system  1 , operations performed on the shared screen displayed on the display apparatus  12  are synchronized by the client apparatuses  10 . 
     When operations are performed on the shared screen, each of the client apparatuses  10  transmits information about the performed operations to the conference server apparatus  13 . Each of the client apparatuses  10  receives from the conference server apparatus  13  information about operations performed on the shared screen by other client apparatuses  10 . 
     The conference server apparatus  13  is configured to manage the client apparatuses  10  and control the screen shared between the client apparatuses  10 . The information manager  31  of the conference server apparatus includes various types of processors such as a conference information manager  35 , a status manager  36 , an event processor  37 , a temporary saving file manager  38 , and the like. 
     The conference information manager  35  is configured to manage later-described conference information. The status manager  36  is configured to manage a conference status contained in the later-described conference information. The event processor  37  is configured to manage an event. The temporary saving file manager  38  is configured to manage a file, and the like saved in a temporary saving area. 
     Further, the conference server apparatus  13  is connected to a registered information DB  51  that accumulates information managed by the conference system  1 . The registered information DB  51  is configured to store conference information of registered conferences, document information registered in the conferences, a conference status, and the like. When registering content items of documents, the registered information DB  51  is configured to store conference information of the documents registered in the conferences, document content items themselves, document sub-content items, full-text search data, version information, an editing status, and the like. 
     The display apparatus  12  includes functions similar to those of the client apparatus  10 , and is configured not only to display input processes on the display apparatus  12  per se, but to reflect the events received from the client apparatus  10  in the display. Note that the content items displayed on the display apparatus  12  are transmitted to the conference server apparatus  13 , and the transmitted content items are synchronized with the screens of the client apparatuses  10 , while the transmitted content items are saved in the temporary saving area of the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     When a user or an initial display of the default setting requests a mode suitable for allowing attendees of the conference to provide ideas to discuss the provided ideas (hereinafter called a “discussion mode”) while the conference is in progress, new conference content is created. Note that the new conference content in this case is a white image file. The new conference content is displayed on the display apparatus  12  such that the displayed new conference content matches the size of the screen of the display apparatus  12 . The new conference content is also displayed on each of the client apparatuses  10  such that the displayed new conference content matches the size of a corresponding one of the client apparatuses  10  by the conference application. 
     When the user performs writing of characters or drawings on the new conference content in the display apparatus  12 , the display apparatus  12  transmits operations information such as characters or drawings written on the new conference content to the conference server apparatus  13 . The conference server apparatus  13  transmits the operations information received from the display apparatus  12  to the client apparatuses  10  to synchronize the transmitted operations information with the client apparatuses  10 . 
     Similarly, when the user performs writing of characters or drawings on the new conference content in the client apparatus  10 , the client apparatus  10  transmits operations information such as characters or drawings written on the new conference content to the conference server apparatus  13 . The conference server apparatus  13  integrates operations information received from the client apparatuses  10  into the new conference content to reflect the new conference content having the integrated operations information to a display of the display apparatus  12 . 
     Moreover, the user may also be able to perform editing such as selecting or deleting characters, drawings, or other objects already written on the new conference content in addition to writing characters or drawings. Such editing operations to characters, drawings, or other objects already written on the new conference content may also be synchronized and reflected between the client apparatuses  10  and the display apparatus  12  via the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     Further, each user may also be able to transmit a file desired to be displayed on the new conference content from a corresponding one of the client apparatuses  10  to integrate the transmitted files as objects on the new conference content. The client apparatus  10  receives a request such as “transmit a file” selected from a menu from the user while displaying the new conference content, and receives selecting the file to be transmitted or newly creating a file. 
     The client apparatuses  10  transmits the corresponding file at selected timing of the file to be transmitted or saved timing of the newly created file. The conference server apparatus  13  converts the received files into an image files, or extracts the received files as text files, and integrate the converted files or the extracted files into the new conference content to reflect the new conference content having the integrated files onto the display of the display apparatus  12 . 
     To select the file to transmit, the user may be able to select the file from the client apparatus  10 , or select the file in storage accessible from the client apparatus  10 . To create a new file to transmit, the user selects a type of the new file and a method of creating the new file when selecting “creating a new file” to create a new file. 
     For example, the user may be able to create a new file as a file to transmit. Examples of such new files include an image file of a picture that the user has taken by the built-in camera  509 , an image file of a drawing that the user has created by a raster graphics editor, and a text file the user has created by a note pad. 
     The client apparatus  10  transmits the file with attached information to identify a sender to the conference server apparatus  13 . The information to identify a sender may be a user&#39;s account when user information is managed. When the user information is not managed, the information to identify a sender may be information identifying the client apparatus  10  such as a machine name of the client apparatus  10  that has transmitted the file or transmitted date and time. 
     Using the above-described functions, the users increasingly attach or write their ideas or notes as objects onto the new conference content. For example, each user may be able to attach a previously created graphic image or a note to the new conference content by selecting a file of the previously created graphic image or a note to transmit the file to the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     Further, the user may be able to attach handheld materials or hand-written ad-lib ideas on paper to the new conference content by taking a picture of the materials or hand-written paper and selecting a file of the picture to transmit the files to the conference server apparatus  13 . In addition, the user may be able to attach a digital file to the new conference content by creating the digital file using an application such as a raster graphics editor to transmit the created file to the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     The users may be able to organize their ideas while discussing their ideas by writing, drawing, and editing such as moving or grouping the objects attached to the new conference content, deleting unnecessary objects, adding or writing connecting lines between highly related objects. 
     When ending the organization of ideas, the user requests “save” of the organized ideas from the menu to cause the conference server apparatus  13  to save the new conference content that displays the organized ideas. The conference server apparatus  13  may save the new conference content that displays the organized ideas when the conference ends. 
     Hence, the conference system  1  according to the embodiment may be able to electronically implement a conference (i.e., implement an electronic conference) similar to a non-electronic conference in which two or more users are able to provide their ideas on post-it stickers attached to the whiteboard and discuss their ideas by moving or grouping the post-it stickers, and additional writing of ideas on the white board. 
     In the conference system  1  according to the embodiment that is applied to a conference method such as brainstorming in which attendees of a conference provide ideas to discuss the provided ideas, the users may be able to continue the discussion on the ideas from a desired version of the new conference content after it is saved. In addition, the users may be able to return to the ideas already discussed a short time ago to discuss the ideas again in the middle of the discussion by saving intermediate versions of the new conference content as required to manage versions of the new conference content. In the conference system  1  according to the embodiment, since the screen is shared by the users (attendees of a conference), it may be possible to easily implement a conference method, such as brainstorming in which attendees of a conference provide ideas to discuss the provided ideas, for remote users (attendees). 
       FIG. 4  is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of conference information stored in a registered information DB. The conference information of  FIG. 4  includes as items an ID, a conference name, the number of conferences (i.e., the ordinal number of target conference), the organizer, attendees, documents, date and time, a conference venue, and an agenda. 
     The ID is information identifying a conference such as a conference ID. The conference name and the number of conferences are information by which users identify a conference such as the name of the conference and the ordinal number of the conference. The organizer is information identifying the organizer of the conference such as a user ID. The attendee is information identifying attendees at the conference such as a user ID. Two or more user IDs may be set in the attendee. The document is information identifying documents registered in the conference such as a document ID or a document URL. Two or more document IDs or document URLs may be set in the document. The date and time are date and time for convening the conference. The conference venue is information identifying a virtual conference room such as the name or ID of the conference room. The agenda is information such as an agenda of the conference, which is expressed by a character string or an agenda ID. 
       FIG. 5  is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of material information stored in the registered information DB. The material information of  FIG. 5  includes a material table and a material details table. The material table includes as items an ID, a conference ID, a material name, a location, and material details. The ID is information identifying a document such as a document ID. The conference ID is information identifying a conference in which documents are registered such as a conference ID. 
     The material name is information by which users identify materials. An example of information identifying the material name may be the name of a document. The location is information identifying the location within the conference system  1  where actual data of the document are stored. An example of such information identifying the location may be a path. The material details are information identifying material details corresponding to the new conference content such as a material details ID when a document is new conference content. 
     The material details table includes as items an ID, a material ID, an object, a position, object data, and a currently used user ID. The ID is information identifying material details such as a material details ID. The material ID is information identifying a corresponding one of new conference contents such as a document ID. 
     The object is information identifying an object such as an object ID. The position is information identifying the position of an object such as the upper left starting position. The object data are information identifying actual data of the object. Further, the currently used user ID is information identifying a user currently using the object such as a user ID. The objects on the new conference content are exclusively controlled such that the objects accept operations from the users having user IDs that are set as the currently used ID. Note that the user IDs set as the currently used user ID are deleted when operations on the objects end. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example where an object displayed on the new conference content have actual data, and the actual data of the object are displayed at the position on the new conference content that is identified by the item “position”. Note that in the conference system  1  according to the embodiment, the shape, color, drawing strokes, and position of the object may be saved in advance in the material details table of  FIG. 5 , and the object is generated when displayed on the new conference content. 
     Process Image 
       FIG. 6  is an image diagram illustrating an example of a display of new conference content. For example, new conference content  1001  is displayed on the display apparatus  12 , or the like. The new conference content  1001  is an image file with a blank background. The new conference content  1001  displays files transmitted from the client apparatus  10  or objects  1002  such as characters or drawings input in the client apparatus  100 . 
     Hence, the new conference content  1001  displays as objects  1002  input characters or drawings in addition to the files. Note that although characters or drawings are not allowed to be written into the files per se that are transmitted from the client apparatus  10  in the new conference content  100 , characters or drawings that are converted as objects  1002  of text or lines may be superimposed on the images of the files. 
     In a case where the new conference content  1001  is manipulated from two or more client apparatuses  10  or display apparatuses  12 , simultaneous accesses or manipulations may be allowed. Note that an area selected by another user (when an object  1002  is selected, the selected area indicates the selected object  1002 , and when an area is selected, the selected area includes all the objects  1002  within the selected area) is not allowed to be edited until the selected area is released (i.e., until manipulation of the selected area ends). That is, the area selected by another user is partially subject to exclusive access control. Further, in the file of the new conference content  1001  to be saved, various objects  1002  are disposed such that the objects  1002  are individually selected and manipulated. 
       FIG. 7  is a screen image diagram illustrating a transmission process of a file that is desired to be displayed on the new conference content  1001 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a camera activation button  1011  and a file selection button  1012  are displayed on a screen  1010  of the client apparatus  10 . Hence, a user may be able to transmit a newly created file or a selected file to the conference server apparatus  13  by pressing the camera activation button  1011  or the file selection button  1012 . The conference server apparatus  13  may be able to display the received file as an object  1002  on the new conference content  1001 . 
     When the user presses the camera activation button  1011 , the event manager  21  of the client apparatus  10  displays an imaged screen  1020  on the display apparatus  502 .  FIG. 8  is a screen image diagram illustrating an example of an imaged screen  1020 . With this example, the user may be able to take a picture utilizing the camera  509  of the client apparatus  10  to transmit an image file of the picture to the conference server apparatus  13  as a newly created file by pressing a complete button  1021 . 
     When the user presses the file selection button  1012 , the information manager  22  of the client apparatus  10  displays a selection screen  1030  as illustrated in  FIG. 9  or a selection screen  1040  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  on the display apparatus  502 .  FIG. 9  is a screen image diagram illustrating an example of the selection screen  1030  for selecting a folder.  FIG. 10  is a screen image diagram illustrating an example of the selection screen  1040  for selecting a file. 
     The user selects a folder from the selection screen  1030  in  FIG. 9 , and subsequently selects a file stored in the selected folder from the selection screen  1040  in  FIG. 10 . Thereafter, the user may be able to select a file from the selection screen  1040 , and press a complete button  1041  to transmit the selected file to the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     Details of Process 
     In the following, details of a process of the conference system  1  according to an embodiment are described. 
     Creating New Conference Content 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of creating new conference content. In step S 1 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  receives a new file creating request for new conference content from a user (or from the saved initial setting file). 
     In step S 2 , the content processor  32  generates a blank file (an image file) of a predetermined size. In step S 3 , a communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  communicates with the display apparatus  12  to display the generated image file that is tailored to the size of the display apparatus  12 . In step S 4 , the temporary saving file manager  38  of the conference server apparatus  13  manages the image file transmitted to the display apparatus  12  to synchronize the image file with the client apparatus  10 . 
     By following the process of the flowchart in  FIG. 11 , the conference server apparatus  13  generates the image file of the new conference content, and transmits the generated image file to the client apparatus  10  and the display apparatus  12  to synchronize these image files to be displayed. 
     Transmission and Saving of Content Items in the Image File of the New Conference Content 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission and saving process of content in the image file of the new conference content. 
     In step S 11 , the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  causes the display apparatus  12  to display a white image file having a size (x, y), and synchronizes the image file with the client apparatus  10 . 
     In step S 12 , the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  receives from the client apparatus  10  content to be displayed on the image file of the new conference content, and saves the received content in a temporary saving area. In step S 13 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  converts the content received from the client apparatus  10  into a thumbnail having a size (a, 
     In step S 14 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  disposes the generated thumbnail at the following position of the image file of the new conference content.) 
       (α+( a+α )[ n−{α+ ( a+α ) n}/x]N− 1],  y−α− ( b+α ){α+( a+α ) n/x} )   (1)
 
     In the above (1), a indicates padding between the content items (thumbnails), and n indicates the transmitted number of content items (the nth content items). Even when the already transmitted (disposed) content is moved, the default position of subsequently transmitted content is the position illustrated in (1). In step S 15 , the temporary saving file manager  38  of the conference server apparatus  13  stores the transmitted content (thumbnail) and the position at which the content is disposed. 
     In step S 16 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  determines whether the client apparatus  10  has transmitted content position change request. When the content processor  32  determines that the client apparatus  10  has transmitted the content position change request (“YES” in step in S 16 ), the content processor  32  proceeds with step S 17  to move the thumbnail to the position indicated by the received content position change request. In step S 18 , the temporary saving file manager  38  of the conference server apparatus  13  stores the moved content (thumbnail) and the changed position of the content. 
     In step S 19 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  determines whether the client apparatus  10  has transmitted content transmission request for content to he displayed on the image file of the new conference content. When the content processor  32  has determined that the client apparatus  10  has transmitted the content transmission request (“YES” in step S 19 ), the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  returns to step S 12  to proceed with the process. When the content processor  32  has determined that the client apparatus  10  has not transmitted the content transmission request (“NO” in step S 19 ), the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  returns to step S 16  to proceed with the process. 
     In step S 16 , when the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  determines that the client apparatus  10  has not transmitted content position change request (“NO” in step S 16 ), the content processor  32  proceeds with step S 20  to determine the position of the transmitted content (thumbnail). 
     In step S 22 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  saves information about the content the position of which is determined in the material table and the material details table of the registered information DB  51  of  FIG. 5 . In step S 23 , the temporary saving file manager  38  of the conference server apparatus  13  deletes the content stored in the temporary saving area and a temporary saving file storing the position of the content. 
     Note that in the flowchart of  FIG. 12 , the content items are displayed as the thumbnails having a predetermined size. However, the content items may be converted into the thumbnails according to the original sizes of the content items to dispose the thumbnails by computing the positions based on the sizes of the content items. 
     Further, in the flowchart of  FIG. 12 , padding (margin) is provided at a default position of the transmitted content to facilitate moving or grouping the content items. However, padding may be eliminated to dispose as many content items as possible. 
     Moreover, in the flowchart of  FIG. 12 , content items is sequentially disposed from top left to bottom right of the image file in consideration of moving directions of the content items. However, the content items may be disposed in other methods such as displaying the content items randomly. The content items may simultaneously be selected by selecting an area, or by simultaneously selecting two or more content items by pressing the “Shift” key and the “Ctrl” key. Note that the content items may be moved such that the content items are mutually superposed. 
     According to the flowchart of  FIG. 12 , the conference server apparatus  13  may be able to dispose the content items (thumbnails) on the image file of the new conference content and optionally change the positions of the content items. 
     Addition and Saving of Drawing Objects in the Image File of the New Conference Content 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an addition and saving process of a drawing object in the image file of the new conference content. Note that in the following, the content items illustrated in  FIG. 12  are described as content objects. 
     In step S 31 , the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  causes the display apparatus  12  to display a white image file having a size (x, y) and content objects disposed in the image file, and synchronizes the image file with the client apparatus  10 . Note that the position of the content object indicates the position in the image file determined in step S 20  of  FIG. 12 . 
     In step S 32 , the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  receives from the client apparatus  10  a drawing stroke to be displayed on the image file of the new conference content, and displays the received drawing stroke on the image file. 
     In step S 33 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  converts the received drawing stroke into a drawing object. In step S 34 , the temporary saving file manager  38  of the conference server apparatus  13  stores the converted drawing object and the position at which the drawing object is disposed. 
     In step S 35 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  determines whether the client apparatus  10  has transmitted a drawing object position change request. When the content processor  32  determines that the client apparatus  10  has transmitted the drawing object position change request (“YES” in step in S 35 ), the content processor  32  proceeds with step S 36  to move the drawing object to the position indicated by the drawing object position change request. In step S 37 , the temporary saving file manager  38  of the conference server apparatus  13  stores the moved drawing object and the changed position of the drawing object. 
     In step S 38 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  determines whether the client apparatus  10  has transmitted a drawing stroke transmission request for a drawing stroke to be displayed on the image file of the new conference content. When the content processor  32  has determined that the client apparatus  10  has transmitted the drawing stroke transmission request (“YES” in step S 38 ), the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  returns to step S 32  to proceed with the process. When the content processor  32  has determined that the client apparatus  10  has not transmitted the drawing stroke transmission request (“NO” in step S 38 ), the communications processor  33  of the conference server apparatus  13  returns to step S 35  to proceed with the process. 
     In step S 35 , when the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  determines that the client apparatus  10  has not transmitted the drawing object position change request (“NO” in step in S 35 ), the content processor  32  proceeds with step S 39  to determine the changed position of the transmitted drawing object. 
     In step S 40 , the content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  saves information about the drawing object the position of which is determined in the material table and the material details table of the registered information DE  51  of  FIG. 5 . In step S 41 , the temporary saving file manager  38  of the conference server apparatus  13  deletes the drawing object stored in the temporary saving area and a temporary saving file storing the position of the drawing object. 
     Note that in the flowchart of  FIG. 13 , the drawing object transmitted from the client apparatus  10  is illustrated; however, the drawing object may be a fixed object such as a square, a circle, or a line. When the drawing object is a fixed object such as a square, a circle, or a line, the process of converting the “received drawing stroke into a drawing object” in step S 33  is changed to a process of generating the “fixed object”. 
     Further, the drawing objects may simultaneously be selected by selecting an area, or by simultaneously selecting two or more drawing objects by pressing the “Shift” key and the “Ctrl” key. The drawing objects may be moved such that the drawing objects are mutually superposed. 
     According to the flowchart of  FIG. 13 , the conference server apparatus  13  may be able to dispose the drawing objects on the image file of the new conference content and optionally change the positions of the drawing objects. 
     Exclusive Control Over Operations with Respect to Object 
     In the following, an illustration is given of exclusive control over operations with respect to an object such as content object or a drawing object.  FIG. 14  is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of exclusive control over operations with respect to an object. 
     In step S 51 , a user operating a client apparatus  10 A selects an object A to perform operations such as changing the position of the object A disposed on the image file of the new conference content. 
     The event manager  21  of the client apparatus  10 A receives from the user the selection of the object A, and transmits via the communications processor  23  an object A use request to the conference server apparatus  13 . The content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  that has received the object A use request checks the item named “currently used user ID” of the material details table of  FIG. 5  corresponding to the object A. When a user ID is not set in the “currently used user ID”, the content processor  32  sets a user ID of the client apparatus  10 A in the item called “currently used user ID”, and responds with “OK” to the client apparatus  10 A. 
     In step S 52 , the event manager  21  of the client apparatus  10 A transmits via the communications processor  23 , for example, an object A move request to the conference server apparatus  13  based on the user&#39;s operations. 
     The content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  receives the object A move request because the user ID of the client apparatus  10 A is set in the item called “currently used user ID” of the material details table of  FIG. 5  corresponding to the object A. 
     Thereafter, in step S 53 , the user operating a client apparatus  10 B selects the object A because the user operating the client apparatus  10 B also performs operations such as changing the position of the object A. The event manager  21  of the client apparatus  10 B receives from the user the selection of the object A, and transmits via the communications processor  23  an object A use request to the conference server apparatus  13 . The content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  that has received the object A use request checks the item named the “currently used user ID” of the material details table of  FIG. 5  corresponding to the object A. 
     Since the user ID of the client apparatus  10 A is set in the item called the “currently used user ID”, the content processor  32  responds with “NG” to the client apparatus  10 B. 
     Thus, the object disposed on the image file of the new conference content may be under exclusive control such that only operations by the user having the user ID set in the “currently used use ID” of the material details table are accepted. 
     When the operations performed on the object A end, the event manager  21  of the client apparatus  10 A transmits via the communications processor  23  an object A use end report to the conference server apparatus  13 . The content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  that has received the object A use end report deletes the user ID of the client apparatus  10 A from the item called the “currently used user ID” of the material details table of  FIG. 5  corresponding to the object A. 
     Thereafter, in step S 55 , the user operating the client apparatus  10 B selects the object A because the user operating the client apparatus  10 B also performs operations the position of the object A. The event manager  21  of the client apparatus  10 B receives from the user the selection of the object A, and transmits via the communications processor  23  an object A use request to the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     The content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  that has received the object A use request checks the item named the “currently used user ID” of the material details table of  FIG. 5  corresponding to the object A. Since a user ID is not set in the “currently used user ID”, the content processor  32  sets a user ID of the client apparatus  10 B in the item called “currently used user ID”, and responds with “OK” to the client apparatus  10 B. 
     In step S 56 , the event manager  21  of the client apparatus  10 B transmits via the communications processor  23 , for example, an object A move request to the conference server apparatus  13  based on the user&#39;s operations. 
     The content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  receives the object A move request because the user ID of the client apparatus  10 B is set in the item called “currently used user ID” of the material details table of  FIG. 5  corresponding to the object A. 
     Then, in step S 57 , when the operations performed on the object A end, the event manager  21  of the client apparatus  10 B transmits via the communications processor  23  an object A use end report to the conference server apparatus  13 . 
     The content processor  32  of the conference server apparatus  13  that has received the object A use end report deletes the user ID of the client apparatus  10 B from the item called the “currently used user ID” of the material details table of  FIG. 5  corresponding to the object A. 
     As illustrated based on the sequence diagram of  FIG. 14 , in the conference system  1  according to the embodiment may be able to perform exclusive control over the operations, such as changing the position of an object, for each of the objects disposed in the new conference content. 
     SUMMARY 
     The conference system  1  according to the embodiment is configured to display a white image file on the display apparatus  12  in place of a white space of a whiteboard. In the conference system  1  according to the embodiment, each user may be able to have a discussion with other users while displaying content items on the white image file from the client apparatus  10 , displaying characters or drawings, moving the content items, grouping the content items, and the like. 
     The conference system  1  according to the embodiment may be able to electronically implement a conference similar to a non-electronic conference in which two or more users are able to provide their ideas on post-it stickers attached to the whiteboard and discuss their ideas by moving or grouping the post-it stickers, and additional writing of ideas on the white board. 
     The above-described embodiment may provide an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and a non-transitory recording medium storing a program that are suitable for allowing two or more users to provide information to discuss the information provided. 
     The present invention is not limited to examples or embodiments disclosed above. Various modifications or alteration may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention. 
     For example, a display apparatus disclosed in the claims corresponds to the display apparatus  12 . An operations terminal corresponds to the client apparatus  10 . An information processing apparatus corresponds to the conference server apparatus  13 . Image data on which at least one object is disposed correspond to an image file of the new conference content. A display controller, a display update unit, and an object receiver correspond to the content processor  32 . An information manager corresponds to an information manager  31 . 
     Note that the conference system  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is merely an example. Various examples of system configurations may be provided depending on the purpose or the intended use. 
     The present invention can be implemented in any convenient form, for example using dedicated hardware, or a mixture of dedicated hardware and software. The present invention may he implemented as computer software implemented by one or more networked processing apparatuses. The network can comprise any conventional terrestrial or wireless communications network, such as the Internet. The processing apparatuses can compromise any suitably programmed apparatuses such as a general purpose computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile telephone (such as a WAP or 3D-compliant phone) and so on. Since the present invention can be implemented as software, each and every aspect of the present invention thus encompasses computer software implementable on a programmable device. The computer software can be provided to the programmable device using any storage medium for storing processor readable code such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a CD ROM, a magnetic tape device or a solid state memory device. 
     The hardware platform includes any desired kind of hardware resources including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk drive (HDD). The CPU may be implemented by any desired kind of any desired number of processors. The RAM may be implemented by any desired kind of volatile or non-volatile memory. The HDD may be implemented by any desired kind of non-volatile memory capable of storing a large amount of data. The hardware resources may additionally include an input device, an output device, or a network device, depending on the type of the apparatus. Alternatively, the HDD may be provided outside of the apparatus as long as the HDD is accessible In this example, the CPU, such as a cache memory of the CPU, and the RAM may function as a physical memory or a primary memory of the apparatus, while the HDD may function as a secondary memory of the apparatus. 
     The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No. 2013-175785 filed on Aug. 27, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.